Philadelphia County PA Archives Obituaries.....Finley, Samuel July 17, 1766
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Lynn Beatty klbeatty@redrivernet.com August 21, 2006, 1:12 pm

Letter, 1766
Letter from Dr. Benjamin Rush of Philadelphia to William Finley of York Co., 
Pa., giving him an account of the death of his brother, the Rev. Samuel 
Finley, late President of Princetown College (now Princeton University), N.J, 
dated 1766:
"Sir:
	"I am desired to inform you, that your Reverend and dear Brother 
departed this life this morning about one o'clock. For some days before his 
death, he spoke with uncommon Freedom, and exulted in the near prospect of his 
Approaching deliverance.
	"He began to apprehend his death was at hand, and pray'd fervently 
that God would keep him from dishonoring his holy name, in his passage thro' 
the Valley of the Shadow of death. He then broke out in the following Language.
	"I long (said he) with a Canaan Hunger for the Promised land. No 
hireling ever panted more Eagerly for the evening Shade than I do for Eternal 
Rest. O, that God would hasten his Coming!
	"Upon waking on Wednesday morning to have been in Heaven, Upon being 
asked, whether he would choose to live or die in his present Situation, O, to 
die, he cried! Tho' I cannot but Say with the Apostle, that for me to live is 
Christ, but to Die is unspeakable gain.
	"But should God by miracle Preserve my life, I would still Continue to 
serve him. His Service has ever been sweet to me. I have loved it much. His 
Yoke is easy, and his Burdon light. I have ever been ashamed to take Reft 
here, The prospect of eternal Reft has still supported me in my severest 
labours and eternity is but long enough to enjoy God.
	"In this manner he continued speaking for upwards of five hours until 
Wednesday evening when he cried out with a strong voice, I exult I triumph 
over death. I have got the victory, I triumph thro' Christ. I know that my 
Redeemer liveth, and that he will keep that which I have commited to him.
	"Upon being asked by the Reverend Spencer how he felt, he answered 
full of triumph, my very soul thirsts for the coming of the Lord, and nothing 
clips my wings but the thoughts of my disolution being prolonged. O, that I 
could die tonight. I long to be clothed with complete Righteousness of Jesus 
Christ.
	"Mr. Spencer then asked him what he saw in Eternity, to excite such 
Vehement desires in his soul? He answered I see the eternal love of God. I see 
the fullness of my mediator: I see the lovely Jesus. Oh to be disolved and be 
with him.
	"Upon asking me how his pulse was, I told him it was very weak--he 
said, That's well. Upon seeing a person whom he well knew, from Prince-Town he 
bid give his love to his friends in that place and tell them he was going to 
die and that nothing supported him in this important hour, but the doctrine he 
had Preached to them.
	"Upon being told by his Physicians that he could not last much longer, 
(he said) then welcome Lord Jesus! His speech failed for some hours before his 
death, though his countenance continued calm and serene, but upon being 
desired by one of his friends, he lifted up his hand as a sign of his inward 
peace and comfort. And fell asleap in Jesus without a fight or groan.
	"Many more were the triumphant expressions which he uttered for 
several days previous to his dying, most of what are here related, I myself 
heard, as I attended him closely for three days before his death, and 
performed the last sad office of friendship by closing his eyes.
	"His Corps [sic] will be interred to-morrow in the new Presbyterian 
Church in this City. May you and his mourning widow and bereaved Children, be 
supported under this fore Dispensation of Providence, and may the Church, the 
College and his friends, make a due improvement of the Premature death of so 
great and good man.
	"I am yours in affliction,    Benjamin Rush."


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