January 31, 1867

McCAMPBELL, NEWTON - Newton McCampbell was born in Troy, Ohio, April 14th, 1840, and after a painful illness of 17 months, died at his father's house, August 24th, 1866. In the month of January last, after a long period of earnest seeking he professed a trembling hope in Christ, and with his devoted mother united with the First Presbyterian Church in Troy. Being at the time too feeble to attend the Church service, a meeting was held at his Father's house; it was an occasion of deep interest to all who were present. From that time until his death he never wholly lost sight of the cross, though in consequence of great pain and infirmities of the body, he was troubled with occasional doubts. His severe sufferings were endured with great fortitude and resignation to the will of his Heavenly Father. It was but another evidence of the transforming power of the Christian faith that this dear young brother could turn away from the bright future before him, and through months of lingering painful disease, keep his eye steadily upon the cross, and be enabled to say so truly and confidently, "I have no fears now; I have nothing to dread." He often expressed the most tender and heartfelt sorrow that he had not earlier given his heart to Christ, and seemed to glory in the thought he was permitted to bear testimony to the love of Christ by cheerfully submitting to what ever his Heavenly Father sent upon him. "I can give up earthly prospects--leave my wife, parents and friends--and suffer--God helping me-patiently; that is all I can do for Christ." The evening before his death in the very intensity of his agony he cried out: "Oh God take me now." And then as though his natural cry might savor of impatience immediately added, "If consistent with they will." It did seem to us that for him the end of suffering was attained, that patience had her perfect work, for soon after the hour of his deliverance came. At times he was greatly concerned lest at the last his faith might fail him, and he was often heard to pray most earnestly for dying graces, and no one who listened to the tender prayer he offered on Thursday evening, could doubt that dying grace had come and that his earnest and oft expressed desire to depart and be with Christ, was soon to be realized. When near the end in reply to his mother's question, "Do you find Jesus precious?" he faintly but earnestly replied, "Oh yes, He is not far off," and soon after made out to say, "Let them sing once more. There'll be no more sorrow there.'" And after it was sung--"Now let all be quiet," and in that sacred stillness he sweetly slept in Jesus.