The death of Mr. Turnbull was briefly mentioned at p.392 of our last volume. He arrived at Sydney, with Mrs. Turnbull, on the 18th of December preceding his death, in the hope of recruiting his wasted strength. But he was fast approaching the grave. Under date of March 29, 1839, Mrs. Turnbull describes the closing scene of her husband's labours: we subjoin the substance of her narrative:-

A Christian Friend, residing on the Surrey Hills, being anxious that we should try the air there, we decided on going for a few weeks; and on Friday the 15th instant we rode over, a distance of four miles. The next morning, his countenance appeared much changed; and the agonizing truth for the first time seemed revealed to my mind, that we were going to part. As my day, so was my strength. With a composure which now appears to me surprising, I laid him down, and gazed on his still fine countenance, unable to articulate a word, when he broke silence by saying "My heart and my flesh are failing fast; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."

A great difficulty in breathing prevented him from saying more for upwards of an hour, when he rallied a little; and his medical adviser calling soon after and seeing how very fast he was sinking, appeared much affected, and said, "Oh that I could indeed give you something to relieve you!" upon which he looked steadfastly on him, and said, "No human means can now avail any thing: I am going fast. Oh yes, I shall quickly be with Jesus, and see him as he is! Oh the blessedness of having sought Him in health! His blood alone cleanseth from all sin: I feel that it has cleansed me, the chief of sinners."

Then he appeared to doze a little; and on awaking and seeing Christian Friends in the room, and me weeping, he said, tenderly, "Don't grieve love: our union has been short, and marked by much affliction and trial; but I am going to my precious Saviour, and there we shall soon meet, never more to separate: live near to God, and work for Him; and He will be your Husband, and will greatly bless you." He then spoke of distant beloved friends, of Mr. William Campbell, and of the Natives, and begged of me to write to you; saying, "Ah, the Directors anticipated much from me, having lived so long in India; but the Lord only permitted me to work for Him a few months. How mysterious has been my career - so long silenced! but I shall soon know wherefore it was thus. Oh yes; and, knowing, I shall adore and praise Him - for it has all been in love!"

He then again for some hours seemed fast sinking, but he spoke a little at intervals: once he said "I am in the dark valley, but I fear no evil, Jesus is with me: His rod and His staff support and comfort me." Then, raising his arms, he said with a loud voice, "Witness, ye Believers, what it is to die in Jesus - all peace - all safety - all joy! His precious blood alone can cleanse from sin - can give comfort in the hour of death. Live near to Him in health, and He will be near to you, and will be your support, in sickness and death." Then, extending his arm toward heaven, he exclaimed, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!" I long to see thee as Thou art - why tarry thy chariot wheels? I am ready: Oh take me to thyself!"

On the following morning, the Sabbath, his mind was very wandering; but at noon it became more collected; and on seeing Mrs. Hunt (in whose family we first remained after our arrival) in the room, taking her hand with mine in his, he said, "I commit my dear wife to your care while she remains here. I know you will be a mother to her, as you have been to me:" and being assured by her that I should want nothing during my sojourn here, he thanked her, and prayed the Lord to bestow on her, her dear partner and children, every spiritual blessing, that they might rejoin him above, an undivided family.

Then looking steadfastly on me, he said, "Remember, you are a disciple of Christ: you have given yourself unreservedly to Him: for Him, and His blessed Cause, you gave up your home and your country. Oh, return to India, and labour for Him while health be spared; and if the spirits above are permitted to behold the work of God on earth, with what delight will mine watch your efforts to promote the salvation of the precious souls of the poor degraded Hindoos! In health, the Cause of Missions was dearer to my heart than any thing: I desired to live only to promote it; and it adds comfort to my last moments to feel assured that your heart is interested in it too. The Lord give thee grace to fulfill it!"

After this, he appeared to be in prayer for some time: the motion of his lips was perceptible, but from his extreme lowness we could not catch a single word: it appeared to be for me; for, after some time, he opened his eyes, rested them on mine, and then bid me farewell, saying, "Oh blessed assurance that we shall soon meet above, never more to sorrow nor separate!"

In the afternoon, he again rallied, and longed for his dismissal: his extreme weakness would not allow of any connected conversation, but his mind was not only peaceful, but triumphant at the prospect of death. At various intervals he exclaimed, "Blessed Saviour! I long to see thee, to be with thee - why tarriest Thou? Oh hasten thy chariot wheels, and set me free from this body of sin and death! I feel Thee supporting me: thine everlasting arms are underneath me. Oh take me hence, to dwell with Thee for ever! Thou hast prepared a mansion for me above - my spirit pants to inhabit it."

Several times he attempted to sing, but found himself unable. He begged me to repeat to him the hymn commencing, "There is a land of pure delight;" and when I had finished, he said, "Oh I am almost there! I can already see the delectable mountains, and ere long shall eat their precious fruits."

That night he slept well. In the morning it was but too evident that his dismissal was near. Even then, he spoke only of Missionary Operations - of dear Missionary Brethren - of schools, translations, &c. At noon, hearing that Mr. Joseph was below, he begged me to see him, and ask him to commend his soul to God in prayer. Being asked if he felt happy, he replied, "Oh yes, the Lord is taking me to Himself, and by a pleasant path."

Again his mind wandered until eight o'clock in the evening, when he revived for a few minutes, and said, "I am just at home! Oh, I shall soon be with my Saviour!"

Again he relapsed, and remained unconscious till about twenty minutes before 12 o'clock P.M., when perceiving his breath much altered, I called up Mr. and Mrs. Wright. For about ten minutes we stood watching the increased difficulty of breathing, in solemn silence, when he said faintly, "My heart and my flesh faileth." Then rousing all his remaining strength, he uttered in a loud and distinct voice, "But Thou art the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever!"

These, his last precious words, were a testimony to the power and goodness of God to support, even in the hour of death. A few minutes more difficulty of breathing, and we thought he was dozing, he breathed so gently: but at length became fainter; and, five minutes before twelve o'clock, he sweetly, calmly, peacefully, without a struggle or a motion, fell indeed asleep in Jesus.

Mrs. Turnbull left Port Jackson on the 7th of July and arrived at Madras on the 24th of August:-

- not (she writes) to eat the bread of idleness - but, in connexion with the Society under whose auspices I left my native land, I trust I shall have strength, wisdom, and all-supporting grace vouchsafed to labour faithfully, in endeavouring to direct the souls of poor degraded Hindoo Females to seek for refuge in our Redeemer, and in teaching the Way of Salvation by Him alone to their offspring.

The late Mrs. Drew had gathered a school of 25 boarders: these Mrs. Turnbull takes under her charge.