Death-bed of the Righteous and Sinner Compared – Charles Spurgeon

AROUND the sinner’s death-bed the tempest thickens, and he hears the rumblings of the eternal storm: his soul is driven away, either amid the thunderings of curses loud and deep, or else in the dread calm which evermore forebodes the hurricane. “Depart, you cursed,” is the horrible sound which is in his ears. But not so the righteous. He feels the Father’s hand of blessing on his head, and underneath him are the everlasting arms. The best wine with him is kept to the last. At eventide it is light; and, as his sun is going down, it grows more glorious, and lights up all the surroundings with a celestial glow, whereat bystanders wonder, and exclaim “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.” That pilgrim sets out upon a happy journey to whom Jehovah says, “Depart in peace.” This is a soft finger laid upon the closing eyelid by a tender father, and it ensures a happy waking, where eyes are never wet with tears.