Far from being morbid, this is an inspiring record of the last words of select Christians from the 1700s down to the present. We hear how they yearned to be with Christ even as their strength ebbed away. We note a contrast between the exultant faith and hope of those selected and lack of the same excitement among Christians today. In earlier times, believers enthusiastically rejoiced at the prospect of soon seeing Jesus. They welcomed the prospect of blessedness in death.
It urges those advanced in years to look forward to their own death. It urges the young who think they'll never die to prepare for it as the saints have for generations. It will speak to the careless as it shows clearly that Christians know how to die. It echoes Isaac Watt's hymn: 'I'll praise my Maker while I've breath and when my voice is lost in death, praise shall employ its nobler powers.'
Pastors will find it a ready resource and Christians will find it stimulating to faith and as effective testimony value to give to others.
