FAILING HEALTH—LOVING FRIENDS —LAST DAYS—ASLEEP IN JESUS
AFTER organizing the work at Pau, Bayonne, and Bordeaux, Matamoros went to Paris to make some arrangements. The long journey by railway from Pau, much speaking and exertion while at Paris, but principally the unkind slanders coming from England, and circulated afterward in France—all these combined, were too much for this great tender heart, which seemed to live only to love and to be loved. This inclement clime of human life was no longer suited to a nature ripe for the "better land." After a short visit to Paris in the beginning of the year 1866, he returned to Lausanne, in Switzerland, where he had founded one of the establishments for the preparation of the Spanish youth for service in the gospel in Spain.
He reached Lausanne on the 3rd May, 1866. An American lady in affluent circumstances had met him at Pau, in the previous summer. She had suffered the loss of all she held dearest on earth, and was led by the Lord to sympathize with and finally to devote herself to the noble cause which was so dear to Manuel's heart. Having ample means at her disposal, she quickly entered into his views concerning his much-loved country, and helped him in bringing twelve more young Spaniards to be educated at Pau. During the month of May they arrived at Lausanne, where they were first placed in certain pious families for a few months, so as to enable them to obtain some knowledge of the French language before commencing their studies at Pau.
This lady was happy in being able to supply all the wants of her dear adopted son; and thus, through the kind providence of God, he was during the last year of his life in very comfortable circumstances. His arrival at Lausanne was the cause of great joy to all his numerous friends there, and to himself. His home was for some time with his good and faithful helpers, M. and Mine. Louis Bridel, at La Borde, in the immediate neighborhood of the town, by whom he was received quite as their own son. Although he often complained of being much fatigued, yet at the commencement of his visit the state of his health did not alarm them. While with them he expressed a desire to be consecrated by the synod of the Free Church of the Canton de Vaud, and in spite of the irregularity of the case, this body decided on granting his request, as they considered that he had, through the sufferings and persecutions he had endured in his long imprisonment, received from the Lord a higher consecration than theirs.
But he now daily appeared to be gradually sinking, and from the beginning of June his friends became seriously alarmed for his health. Many combined causes brought on low fever, accompanied by want of sleep. He received afflicting intelligence about the state of the health of his dear mother. This was a time to him of much trial and inward struggle. He said to Mme. Bridel, "No doubt the Lord is causing me to pass through all this in order to prove to me once more, that in all things I must trust in Him, and in Him alone, and that to Him only must I look to bring all hearts to be favorable to me and to my country.”
He also wrote to a friend, saying "I hear my poor mother will probably lose her sight. Alas, my mother! She suffers sorely, but it is not thought that her life is in danger, though she is seriously ill. She is much supported by God, and evinces a sweet and heroic constancy. Oh, who can tell how much I love her! But I am sure that God Himself will take this care into His own hands, and tell her that I love her beyond all bounds. May God support thee, mother of my heart, and may He bless thee with His choicest blessings!”
On Saturday, 26th May, he held his first meeting for prayer and reading of the Word with the young Spaniards at La Borde, and these meetings were repeated twice a week till the 23rd June, when, being too fatigued, he was obliged to retire; this caused all his friends the most serious anxiety.
I was enabled at this time to leave my usual occupations, and to spend nearly six weeks at Lausanne. As the good Lord had brought me to cheer my friend in prison, so now He sent me to console and comfort him in his dying hour. The very day he was no longer able to feed the flock of God, I was sent to take his place. The Lord was very present at our little gathering. From this time forward it was thought for many reasons desirable for Matamoros to be at the Had Gibbon, where Mrs. McE—, the American lady before-mentioned, was staying. Until the moment of his death, she rendered him constant and invaluable attention. This pleasure of ministering to an heir of glory was also afforded me for many weeks. Manuel often said, during his last illness, that God had gathered round him his best friends to comfort him, and we all thanked God that it was His good pleasure thus to solace his loving generous heart. There were others that loved him dearly, who longed to be in the privileged place that we felt we were holding by the dying bed of this dear saint, but the great Orderer of all our steps did not call them to this honored post.
The decline of our beloved friend's strength was very rapid, and in spite of the attention we rendered, and of every care that medical aid could afford, we found nothing could arrest the progress of the disease. The lungs were much affected, and his breathing daily became more difficult. For a month he passed very restless nights, almost without sleep, being frequently obliged to sit in an upright position, with his head supported on pillows, unable to lie down, and in intense pain. The lungs, heart, and liver were completely disorganized, and a great quantity of water having now collected round the heart, we deemed it prudent to have a consultation without loss of time.
The eminent medical men called in gave it as their opinion that, if the features of the case became aggravated, he might be carried off in a few days. I felt it a duty to apprize him of the nearness of his end, and when I told him that within a week he might receive the final summons, he replied very calmly—
“Bueno! Al cielo!"-"It is well! To heaven!”
He requested me to go at once to La Borde, where his letters and papers were, and to bring them to the Hotel Gibbon, which I did. The amount of correspondence and documents was so great that it took us the best part of two days to sort and arrange them, and when this was done, he was enabled quietly to leave all in the hands of his heavenly Father, though he had many hours of struggling and of prayer. On the same evening that he heard the doctor's opinion, Pastor Bridel read and prayed with him. Matamoros himself also prayed with a remarkable warmth of emotion and elevation of soul, and asked particularly that if God wished to call hint home, He would enable him to obey the summons; not in the spirit of a servant who knows not the will of his Master, but as a child, who knows that his Father is doing what is best for his child; and he thanked God for bringing his loving friends about him at such a moment. But even after this he was able to go out a little in an open carriage as far as La Borde, where he was able to breathe the sweet fresh air, and where he enjoyed perfect tranquility.
On Monday, the 16th June, he was very weak, and the Lord's Supper was celebrate& in his room, about ten people being present, Pastor Bridel, who presided, addressed to each of us two verses of Scripture. Those for Matamoros were, "My grace is sufficient for thee," and "All things work together for good to them that love God.”
In a letter he addressed at this time to Mme. Bridel Matamoros says—
“I am very weak, though the doctors say I am better, but be that as it may, the Lord is my all.
In beginning to struggle with the agonies of death, I desired life, but now I alone desire the perfect realization of the will of God. A few days ago, certain matters connected with my work engaged my attention, but now I lay down my work at the feet of Him who gave it to me. He will make a perfect use of what is His alone. I should have liked to labor yet a little, but under these solemn circumstances it is no question what I like, but what is the Lord's will.”
Amidst their deep sorrow it was yet to his friends a source of joy, and a cause for gratitude, that they were permitted to see him enter into this complete rest and detachment from all earthly things. This grace was granted to him, after much striving and anguish on his part. He wrote a few lines to the young Spaniards in the town and neighborhood, as follows:—
“With what sympathy do I write to you and with what love do I address you! In these solemn moments I wish to speak to you to tell you that I love you, and that your spiritual good is the burden of my prayers. Take notice of my position. Still young and in the first year of my Christian activity, the thread of my life is about to be severed. What would become of me if I had not such a Savior as Jesus Christ now 'I Jesus in this hour of sorrow is my friend, my help, my strength; as He is also my salvation. Adieu, my dearly beloved ones. May the Lord bless you with His choicest blessings.
"M. MATAMOROS.”
He invited the young Spaniards at Lausanne to come to his room and sing to him his favorite hymns in Spanish and in French, when he spoke most touchingly to them, telling them in his ardent and loving way all the affection that he bore them; and how he hoped that they would be earnest and faithful in the blessed work they were beginning. He also expressed himself to them most tenderly and touchingly about his probable speedy departure from this world, saying, "Leaving you all appears to me as if pieces were torn from my heart." After they had sung the sweet hymn, "Venid Pecadores," etc., he remarked, "How lovely and how true are those words, El cielo es del alma la patria mejor,'"—"Heaven is the better country of the soul," adding that the sweet melody of their voices had seemed to him like the music of a choir of angels; and such indeed it had appeared to us all who were present at this memorable farewell scene. At an earlier period of the evening he prayed earnestly, sweetly, and devoutly for Mme. Bridel, Mrs. McE-, and myself, that we might be faithful to the cause he had so much at heart.
SPANISH WORDS OF VENID PECADORES.
Venid pecadores, que Dios por su amor
Al cielo nos llama, que es patria mejor,
Do nunca la aurora—Perdió su fulgor
Do brilla la gloria—Del Dios creador.
Si, si, venid;—si, si, venid;
El cielo es del alma la patria mejor
Allí son eternos la paz y el amor.
II.
Dejemos, hermanos—aparte el dolor,
Que arriba en los cielos—el coro cantor
De espíritus puros—proclama Señor
A Cristo, Dios hombre-nuestro Redentor.
Si, si, venid-si, si, venid
Los ángeles cantan-la gloria y honor
De Cristo, Dios Hombre-nuestro Redentor.
III.
Trabajas y sufras, aquí pecador
Y el pan que te comes-rego tu sudor
Mas Dios te reserva,-por suerte mejor,
Primicias celestes-de eterno valor.
Si, si, venid-si, si, venid
Primicias celestes-de eterno valor
Si sigues la Senda-De tú Redentor.
A celebrated doctor of Lausanne was called in at this crisis. He gave us some hopes that if we could find a suitable private dwelling-house on an eminence in the neighborhood of Lausanne, his breathing might be improved, and his sufferings be rendered less intense. Mrs. McE—requested me to search for a house so situated, giving me carte blanche as to expense, so anxious was she to do everything possible to save such a precious life. A Scotch lady then at Lausanne volunteered to accompany me in the search, which appeared likely to be no easy task. I was truly helped by this Christian woman in the accomplishment of what appeared to all so desirable.
After seeing a very nice villa in an elevated position, but which we were unable to secure, we proceeded to another that appeared to us to combine everything that was required by our dear sufferer. We were ushered into a beautiful drawing-room which overlooked the placid Lake of Geneva, with the majestic Alps beyond. The walls of the apartment were hung with costly paintings, and the tout ensemble of the room bespoke at once comfort, taste, and refinement. As I looked round it, I was constrained to say to myself, "It will be hard work for the flesh to give up these nice things," not remembering at the time that the hearts of all men are in the hands of the Lord, and that He turns them whithersoever He will. In dependence on Jesus, who is indeed a very present help in time of need, and who in a special manner proved Himself to be so on this occasion, I stated the object of our visit to Mme. G—. She appeared desirous of assisting Matamoros, and offered to receive him, and even herself to help in attending on him; hut when I explained that we wished to rent the whole house just as it stood, with all its conveniences and dependencies, the case appeared to be altered. She did not see her way very clearly, and appeared not a little surprised at our rather extraordinary request. "The Lord had need of it;" and He had sent is there to ask it in His name. Soon after she had left the room to consult her aunt, she returned with a face shining at once with pleasure and deep sympathy, and announced to us that we should at once have her beautiful villa, servants, linen, carriage, etc., etc. We returned with her to the drawing-room, where we found her aunt, and we all four sat down.
After asking the lady the terms on which she would rent her house, and receiving from her the unexpected reply, that we were to pay nothing, our hearts were filled to overflowing, and we did indeed rejoice with abundant tears of joy and thankfulness. I told this lady how she had by this act refreshed the saints; and I felt indeed the force of those words, "Inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me. "O glorious faith of Jesus, that leads to acts of self-denial such as this; and, O blessed Spirit of God, that gives grace to perform such noble acts! We had been very anxious about this matter, which had been recommended by the physicians, and was considered by ourselves as so desirable, and it was no light cause for gratitude that we had met with such complete success 'in so short a time.
This arrangement took place on Saturday. On the Monday following, at an early hour, our beloved Manuel was safely installed in the new abode provided for him by the same Friend who said, "In my Father's house there are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you.”
The noble act of this lady reminded us of the breaking of the alabaster box of ointment, exceeding precious; and the fragrance of this act of love may waft its sweet perfume abroad now as did the spikenard of the Magdalene.
But many were the incidents worthy of notice that we witnessed during the sickness of our Manuel, and a tong and interesting book might be made from the little details connected with our beloved sufferer. A Roman Catholic servant, who attended him at the Hotel Gibbon, appeared to spare no pains in smoothing his dying pillow, and doing all in her power to make him as comfortable as she could. I thanked her frequently for her self-denying attention, as did also dear 'Manuel. When he was removed to the new habitation, she expressed a desire to go and attend on him there also, but as she was the principal housemaid in this large hotel, where they have two hundred beds, her services could not be dispensed with. On leaving Lausanne, I had some conversation with her, and asked her if I should see her again? She asked what I meant. I replied, "All grand rendezvous." ("At the great rendezvous.") To which she immediately answered—
“Oui, monsieur, je l'espere." ("Yes, sir, I trust so.")
I asked her, "Do you believe in Jesus?" and was answered in a very unmistakable way in the affirmative. I had in my pocket a copy of St. Luke's Gospel, which she received with tears of joy; and I look forward to see this dear woman with our beloved Manuel on the resurrection morning, now so near at hand. The servants of the hotel appeared all to vie with one another in serving him, and the sweet impressions he has left behind him in Lausanne will not be soon forgotten.
But I am diverging from my subject, and must retrace my steps to the Belvedere, the name of his new abode. We there procured an invalid's carriage, in which he was drawn about on the green turf, so abundant in this sweet garden. This little exercise, and the lovely view, and the pleasant flowers, were all most precious to the dear saint, and much alleviated his sufferings.
I had now remained with him for about five weeks, and fully purposed remaining to the end, but had two unmistakable proofs from God that it was his will that I should go to do a little service for him in Holland, which was also connected with our dear brother. My decision to depart was finally formed after receiving a letter of farewell that he penned at three o'clock in the morning after a night of pain and acute suffering. It was as follows:—
"Lausanne, July 23.
"REVERED AND DEAREST FRIEND,—
The noble, Constant, and Christian aid which, in these last days of my earthly suffering, you have rendered both to my soul and body, is the lovely continuation of the history of our friendship, in which your part has been one sustained sacrifice. You are about to leave me, and I desire to assure you that you are right in so doing. You have given up a long and precious period of time to me, but now your fatherly duties recall you to your family. It is I who remind you that you ought to go, and yet it is I who will suffer the most deeply from your absence. The loss to me will be irreparable, for your holy and edifying position at my side has been at once that of a father and a friend, But in heaven, in those mansions which are already ours through Jesus Christ, we shall meet again and spend eternity together. The Lord is very near me. His presence strengthens me. I feel that Christ is my friend, my Savior, my all. My peace is perfect. I am only awaiting the will of God.
“Your son, your friend, your brother, in prison as at liberty, in days of health and on the brink of the grave, am I, friend of my heart, friend in Jesus. Embrace all who are dear to you in my name.
Until we meet in heaven, in the Lord, your
“MANUEL.”
This letter left no doubt on my mind as to what the Lord wished me to do, so on Tuesday I started on my journey for Holland. My separation from Matamoros cost us both a severe pang, but it was the will of God. I much dreaded the farewell, fearing that it might hurry on his decease.
On the day before his death Mme. Bridel was with him, encouraging and directing him. She spoke to him about the intense joy that awaits all the faithful servants of Jesus Christ, when they can contemplate what eye hath not seen nor ear heard. He answered her with a child-like confidence of manner, so characteristic and so indescribable, which those who knew him can never forget, and those who did not know him can hardly imagine. Soon afterward he proposed prayer, and prayed in nearly the following words: —" My God, God Almighty, I call on Thee. Jesus, my Savior, and Thou, Holy Spirit, do I invoke. Thou knowest that I know the joys of heaven, but oh, give me to enjoy them in a deeper degree. Do Thou thyself prepare me for heaven. Enable me to make those around me feel the joy that fills my heart. I bless Thee for the Christian friends Thou hast given me in this land of exile. I bless Thee for the happy moments we have been able to pass together. Cause them to know how much love and respect I feel towards them. Give them, too, to be daily more encouraged in laboring for Spain.”
On the morning of his death, and after passing a troubled night, having had painful dreams, he said to Mrs. McE—and to M. Carrasco, who were near his bed, "From earth to heaven, by the way of Golgotha.
It is a beautiful journey." At eleven o'clock in the morning he asked for all the young Spaniards to be called together. He wished to hear them singing, which they did in the adjoining apartment, the doors being open. They sang the French cantique, "Vers le Ciel," and the Spanish one, "Venid Pecadores." Afterward they came into the large drawing-room, where Matamoros was, and he said to them, "Avanconsnous" This was a hymn which he greatly liked. The young Spaniards sang it, and he endeavored to accompany them with his dying voice. He afterward said to them, "Live very near to God; yes, very, very near. May God bless you much, very much." He was exhausted, and his head fell on his breast. All around him were bathed in tears. It was mid-day. The young people had left, and only the elder ones had remained with Mrs. McE—. Matamoros appeared to be asleep. After a few moments he awoke, and addressed to Mme. Bridel some words of blessing and farewell. After this he was again troubled a little, and spoke of, some dreadful things he saw in his dreams. Mme. Bridel said to him, "The Lord is my Shepherd." After these words, pronounced slowly, he became calm, and nodded assent. A moment later he said, "Like my Savior;" to which Mme. Bridel replied, "Yes, at thirty-three years of age." These words arose from a conversation which he and Mme. Bridel had had a few days previously, when she remarked to him that his labors on earth had been short and were soon to be terminated, and that our Lord had finished his great work at the age of thirty-three. After this conversation he appeared to sleep peacefully.
Some passages of Scripture were read to him, and one of the Swiss pastors, M. G—, prayed by his bed; but we do not know if he was enabled to hear these consoling words at this time, or whether his soul which was now parting from his suffering frame, was not already contemplating his Savior's face in the heavenly city. Oh, how sweet and consoling was this sleep. His death was very tranquil, for towards the end, God in his infinite mercy took away all pain, and restored to him facility in breathing, from the want of which he had suffered so much. At length he breathed quite naturally, and soon afterward he fell asleep in Jesus.
Oh, how blessed this sleep! The thunder rolled in the distance, but on the sleeper's placid face rested a heavenly calm. At about half-past two in the afternoon there was no sign of earthly life remaining; the heavenly life in Jesus' bosom had commenced. A few minutes elapsed, when a terrible peal of thunder seemed to announce the departure from this earth of a great soul who had entered into eternity.
On Thursday, August 2nd, a number of friends from Geneva, Lausanne, and other parts of the Canton de Vaud, accompanied his mortal remains to their last resting place. In the drawing-room at the “Belvedere," and standing by the coffin, Pastor Bridel (after a short prayer had been uttered and a Spanish hymn sung by the young friends and countrymen of the departed) gave his testimony to the faith, the devoted activity, and the Christian death of Matamoros, reading some passages of the new testament at the same time.
The faith of our brother was expressed, he said, by Titus 2:11-1411For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:11‑14) and 3:4-7; the aim of his life and his zeal for God's kingdom by Acts 20:2424But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24) and 2 Tim. 4:55But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5)—8; the struggles of his heart during his illness and his peaceable farewell and quiet repose in God by Phil. 1:20-2420According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. (Philippians 1:20‑24). After the reading of these passages the large assembly, drawn together by a feeling of deep love and sorrow, united in prayer from their hearts' depths with Pastor G—: another verse of a hymn was sung by the Spaniards, and they then moved forward to the burial-ground. Over the grave, and after some remarks on Phil. 1:2121For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21), Rev. 14:1313And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. (Revelation 14:13), and John 11:2525Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (John 11:25), Pastor Bridel gave a rapid resume of the life of Matamoros: —
“Born at Malaga, October, 1834; converted at Gibraltar in 1857; imprisoned for the Gospel in 1860. He remained in prison three years, during which time his zeal for God won many souls to Christ; but it was also during this harsh imprisonment that his comparatively strong constitution gave way. He was condemned to the galleys, but in 1863 the sentence was commuted to one of exile. After some journeying, and visits to England, Gibraltar, and Bayonne, he arrived at Lausanne in the year 1864, where, during twelve months and with blessing to his soul, he followed his theological studies. He went to the south of France in June, 1865, and passed the winter at Pau, returning to Lausanne in May, 1866. He enjoyed while there but a short period of health and activity, suddenly becoming ill, and falling asleep in Jesus on the 31st July, 1866, at half-past two o'clock in the afternoon.”
M. Bridel added that "Matamoros, by the ardor of his zeal, redeemed the time, and by the entire consecration of himself to his work he multiplied his years. Let us imitate his example, and sustain by our efforts and prayers that work, the evangelization of Spain, which he had so much at heart.”
This funeral ceremony, at once touching and solemn, was closed by M. Duprat by prayer. While making himself at once the organ of the grief of all who were present, he thanked God that the poor exile had reached home at last, had reached the House of the Father of the family, that possession and that inheritance that can neither be removed nor taken away.
Our Brother was buried at the cemetery called "La Salaz," a lovely, quiet resting place. On his tombstone of white marble are written the following words: —