Memoir, Select Thoughts and Sermons of the late Rev. Edward Payson, D.D., Vol. I (Asa Cummings, compiler; Portland, 1846), deathbed remarks recorded near Sept. 23, 1827 (around p. 409)

Christians are like passengers setting out together in a ship for some distant country. Very frequently one drops overboard; but his companions know that he has only gone a shorter way to the same port; and that, when th…