THE DEATH OF A CHRISTIAN PATRIOT.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume 3, Issue 56, 15 February 1851, Page 3

THE DEATH OF A CHRISTIAN PATRIOT.

Lord Nelson,—the mightiest naval hero the world ever produced,—and Lord Collingwood,—his second in command at the great victory of Trafalgar—although enthusiastic (riends, were men ot very different dispositions and habits. In one particular, nevertheless, their hearts heat in devoted unison;—it was in ardent love < f their country nnil in ungrudging self sacrifice for its honour and prosperity. As the English led inlo Trafalgar fleet Bav in two divisions to the com bined ships of France and Spain, these two great men looked with noble and generous emulation at the b'-aring of each other. The Royal Sovereign, Lord Collingwood's ship was the first to encounter the enemies fire, nnd nothing can more peifectly demonstrate the loving rivalry that exis'ed than the almost simultaneous expressions of these heroic chiefs. •' See, how that noble fellow Collingwood caries his ship into action"' exclaimed Lord Nelson, with rapture. Whilst, at the very same moment, Lord Collii.gwood conscious that the eye of his grent Commander ond friend was then anxiou-ly fixed upon him, turning to tln>se around, he said, in allusion to the tempest of fire into which they were plunging. " What would Nelson give to be heie?" Lord Nelson departed in the meteor blaze of glory. Lord Collingwood lived to illustrate a distinguished career of the purest patriotism and of the most (elf denying integrity. He was called by his country to the command of her Mediterranean fleet- In this exhausting service he died piecemeal,—n vMim to the exigencies of an exacting government who—»t a time that he was wasting under the influences of a disease that required land air and exercise, —kept him prisoned on the ocean for seven weary ytnrs, far far awny from the wife and <l>iughteis to whom his lieu; t clung with the tenderest yearnings. If the death-bid of Addison who, in heavenly rapture, exclaimed* "See in what pence a Christniujjaii die!" were impressively sanctified, surely not the less thiilling was the closing s.-ene of the renowned warrior, wbj» had outlived the most sanguinary conflicts, and who perilled the vhtini of a drudgery, mental 'ti<l corporeal, without example. Having been at length, but too late, relieved of his commaiid, he was hastening hoine\pi«i&,- In a tempestuous sea, - at the very moment when hope had pictured a re-union with the cherished objects of a deathless atfection, oe'r-tasked nature succumbed. Perceiving his sufferings, "I fear," sai I his friend Captain Thomns " the, motion of the vessel disturbs you ?" " No Tnomns," he replied, "I am tiovr in a state in which nothing in this world can disturb me more. 1 am dying;—and 1 am sure it must be consolatory to you

ami all who love me, to see how comfortably I am coming to my end." Can anything be more touching, more magnanimous, or more holy ? Such is the enviable end of the just and perfect man. It is the crowning triumph of the patriot hero. It i 9 the mightiest of conquests- The subjugation of his soul to God!— Oil, that our latter end may be like his !