Memorials of a Consecrated Life, a Biogr. Sketch of J. Landels

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1881. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER X. CLOSING DAYS. flHE intense zeal with which he entered into his work in Genoa was, we cannot help thinking, to a large extent the cause of his illness and death. His labours in connection with the opening of the sala told, as they could not fail to tell, on his physical energy, and we fear prepared his system for receiving the seeds of disease which was to terminate fatally. In the most trying season of the year he worked as few men think of working in an Italian climate. And in addition to the efforts which taxed his strength, he gave himself an amount of anxiety about the successful conduct of our meeting, which we cannot doubt aggravated the disease, and contributed to the fatal result. The sala had not been a month opened when ---a thing most unusual--he began to complain of weariness and exhaustion. And very soon afterwards more serious symptoms began to show themselves. These indicated a severe attack of gastric fever, such as rendered immediate and careful treatment necessary. To every one but himself it was obvious that to attempt working, even to the smallest extent, was only to accelerate the exhaustion of strength and to lessen the probability of recovery. But his indomitable spirit kept him at work for days after he ought to have been confined to his room and his bed. His desire for work rendered him unwilling to recognise the serious nature of the attack, so that not only was there delay in the application of suitable remedies, but an attendance at meetings and conducting of services when his condition required absolute repose. Even after his medical attendant had mentioned the nature of his complaint, he, in his hopeful way, sent me a message that his was not a serious attack such as I had suffered from thirteen years before; but only sl...