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Tuesday, December 17, 1833, between six and seven o’clock in
the evening, Meyer was told by the doctors that Kaspar would die
soon, probably that same night. Meyer appeared greatly sur-
prised, and rushed out to report the decision to the authorities,
and tell some of Kaspar’s particular friends. Towards eight
o'clock Pastor Fuhrmann was sent for. On entering he asked
Kaspar how he felt, and Kaspar answered, “ Well.”
“ Are you not afraid—not anxious ? ” pursued the pastor.
“Why?” asked Kaspar, looking astonished.
When asked whether he had prayed for help from God, he said
he had, and had felt strengthened and relieved.
“Will you pray now ? ” the pastor continued.
“I cannot,” was the feeble reply. “Iam too weak, I cannot
collect my thoughts.”
“Then, I will pray for you,” said his friend; “and you can
follow my words in your mind.”
Shortly afterwards delirium came on; Kaspar did not know
where he was, and felt anxious, and the pastor talked soothingly
to him, and assured him that he was at home in his bed.
When he became quiet the bystanders withdrew, leaving Meyer
alone with the sufferer. Meyer knew by Kaspar’s appearance and
by the death-sweat upon his forehead that the end was near, and
determined, if possible, to make the young man confess to having
laid hands upon himself. To this end he urged him to speak
freely and tell him anything that might be weighing upon his
mind. Kaspar evidently did not understand the drift of these
entreaties, and responded by thanking Meyer and his wife for all
they had done for him, adding expressions of regret for ever
having wandered from the right way. Later, when other persons
stood around the bed, Hickel asked Kaspar whether he had any
message for Lord Stanhope, and Kaspar replied : ¢ Give him many
thanks. He, too, must keep in the right way, so that he may not
be led astray by the faults from which he is not entirely free.
His good deeds will be accounted to him in the next world ;
otherwise it would go hard with him.”
These remarks, and many others of a similar nature, are sugges-