Crime & punishment > Notes of conversations with H. M'Donald, N. Sutherland, and H. M'Intosh, (who were executed at Edinburgh, April 22, 1812,) during the time they were under sentence of death

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said, with much emphasis, “ I sometimes think
if it were not for the Bible, I would.lie down |
in despair. The remembrance of our sins con¬
founds us; and it is nothing but the thoughts
of the Saviour’s love that makes us happy. Oh
I wish my former companions would but thinl
of what is in the Bible." McDonald added, “ It
is probable that many of those who used to bef
our companions will witness our execution.—1
wish they may take warning by our example.-
I wish they may enjoy the same advantage
before they die, that we have done ; that thej
may have as long warning, and as many oi
God’s servants ready to instruct them.” Though
McIntosh, I think, spoke little at this time, he
plainly showed his acquiescence in the senti¬
ments expressed by the other two.
On the morning of the 22d of April, (the
day of their execution,) I spent the last houi
with them they were permitted to remain with¬
out a guard. They had indeed two centinels
upon them the whole of the preceding nighty
but they retired when I came ; and, before 1]
left the prison, the irons of the prisoners were
knocked off, after which six soldiers were al¬
ways in the apartment. I was struck with find¬
ing all of them extremely firm and composed.
They had all slept more or less the preceding
night, though they were somewhat disturbed by)
a light placed in the room, to which they had!
not been accustomed. When I went in, Suther-ljH
land was writing an address to his fellow-prison-IM