The death of Asahel Nettleton, as told by his physician:
Dr. Tyler thus narrates the closing scene:—A short time before his death, when he was very ill, and when he thought it probable that he had but a short time to live, I said to him, you are in good hands. “Certainly,” he replied. “Are you willing to be there ?”—“I am.” He then said: “I know not that I have any advice to give my friends. My whole preaching expresses my views. If I could see the pilgrims, scattered abroad, who thought they experienced religion under my preaching, I should like to address them. I would tell them that the great truths of the Gospel appear more precious than ever, and that they are the truths which now sustain my soul.” He added: “You know I have never placed much dependence on the manner in which persons die.” He spoke of a farewell sermon which he preached in Virginia, from these words: “While ye have the light, walk in the light.” He told the people, that he wished to say some things to them that he should not be able to say to them on a dying-bed. And he would now say to all his friends, “While ye have the light, walk in the light.” While making these remarks, there was a peculiar lustre on his countenance. I said to him, I trust you feel no solicitude respecting the issue of your present sickness. He replied with emphasis: “No, none at all. I am glad that it is not for me to say. It is sweet to trust in the Lord.”
During the last twenty-four hours of his life he said but little. In the evening of the day before his death, I informed him that we considered him near the close of life, and said to him, I hope you enjoy peace of mind? By the motion of his head he gave me an affirmative answer. He continued to fail through the night, and at eight o’clock in the morning he calmly fell asleep, as we trust, in the arms of his Saviour. May all his friends remember his dying counsel: “While ye have the light, walk in the light.”
—Bennet Tyler, The Life and Labours of Asahel Nettleton (Banner of Truth, 1975), 438–440.
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