37. Payson � Bramwell � Fletcher - Hedding

Payson – Bramwell – Fletcher - Hedding In reading the Biography of Payson we have been reminded of Bramwell, whom he resembled in his devotional spirit, struggling mightily with God in prayer for the salvation of sinners, and, like him, putting forth a corresponding effort to save them. In the higher life we would associate him with the heavenly-minded Fletcher, whom he approximated in the heights and depths of Christian experience, his soul, like that of Fletchers, glowing with the fires of holiness, for which he panted, and which he gloriously realized. In his dying triumph he may be associated with his distinguished contemporary, Bishop Hedding. Between these two Christian heroes there was a very remarkable coincidence in their sickness and death, both in regard to the severity of their sufferings and the greatness and grandeur of their triumph.

Payson suffers and dies with such language as this falling from his lips: " Hitherto I have viewed God as a fixed star; bright, indeed, but often intercepted by clouds, but now he is coming nearer and nearer, and spreads into a sun so vast and glorious that the sight is too dazzling for flesh and blood to sustain." Among his last utterances were the words, " Peace, peace ! Victory, victory !"

Hedding suffers and dies exclaiming, " God has been wonderfully good to me. His goodness has been overwhelming, overwhelming! I never saw such glory before, such light, such clearness, such beauty! O what glory I feel! It shines and burns all through me! It came upon me like the rushing of a mighty wind as on the day of Pentecost!"

If in heaven, as on earth, congenial spirits seek companionship, we may expect to find Payson talking with Bramwell on the power of prayer, with Fletcher on the beauty of holiness, and with Hedding on the triumphs of faith over suffering and death. May every reader of this sketch be stimulated by the lofty example it records to aim high in the pursuit of Christian attainments and usefulness, and finally reach that heaven where the immortal spirit of Edward Payson bathes in a sea of glory, and

" Where saints of all ages in harmony meet, Their Saviour and brethren transported to greet; Where anthems of rapture unceasingly roll, And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul."