Genre:

Miscellaneous

Subjects:

Infidelity, Reading, Natural Theology

    Contrasts the 'peaceful, and even triumphant' deaths of Christians with those of self-styled 'men of reason' who 'with all their boasted philosophy, stand affrighted at the approach of death; and their last hours display either the despair of an Altamont, the fearful forebodings of a Voltaire, or the subterfuges of a Hume' (245). Recounts the life of a Scot brought up in London, who was led by friends to deny the truth of Christianity, and who met with them to read the writings of Thomas Paine. Observes: 'Thus elevated in his imaginary philosophy and on his own superior discernment; young and in the enjoyment of health, he was promising himself length of years'. Having become ill he was visited by 'pious young friends', but did not take their warnings seriously. (246) In death his deist opinions provided no comfort, and he finally embraced Christianity.