' I was holding
him in my arms, when he got heavier and heavier, and more insensible,
and we laid him on the bed. The doctor said he was quite insensible,
and assured me he did not suffer. I trust not; I believe it was a clot
of blood to the heart.
"My one endeavour was to be useful to the doctor, and not impede his
actions by my own feelings. The doctor applied the electric battery
to the heart, and kept it there till seven o'clock; and I knelt down
at his left side, holding his hand and pulse, and prayed my heart out
to God to keep his soul there (though he might be dead in appearance)
till the priest arrived. I should say that he was insensible in thirty
minutes from the time he said there was no air.
"It was a country Slav priest, lately promoted to be our parish priest,
who came. He called me aside, and told me that he could not give
Extreme Unction to my husband, because he had not declared himself; but
I besought him not to lose a moment in giving the Sacrament, for the soul
was passing away, and that I had the means of satisfying him. He looked
at us all three, and asked if he was dead, and we all said no. God was
good, for had he had to go back for the holy materials it would have been
too late, but he had them in his pocket, and he immediately administered
Extreme Unction--_'Si vivis,'_ or _'Si es capax,'_ 'If thou art alive'--
and said the prayers for the dying and the departing soul.
Pages:
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343