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Joseph Patterson (1752-1832) was one of the Presbyterian ministers who contributed so much to pioneer labors in Western Pennsylvania. Joseph Smith (1796-1868) recounts an anecdote, in Old Redstone (1854), towards the end of Patterson’s life, which is the subject of today’s post.
On Friday, before he died, he took the final sitting for his portrait. The artist had been expressing his purpose to visit the celebrated Sully, the great American painter, with a view to receive instructions for his own improvement. As Mr. Patterson rose from the chair, after looking for a while at his own picture, he turned to the artist, and taking him by the hand, he said to him, with great solemnity and affection, "I can recommend to you another great painter. Do you get the Holy Ghost to draw the image of Christ upon your heart, and it will last for ever. And he will charge you nothing for it!" The painter, who was of infidel sentiments, probably despised the counsel, and might soon have forgotten it, but from his hearing, a few days after, to his great surprise, of Mr. Patterson's death. He then related this remark of Mr. Patterson. He subsequently, abandoned his infidel sentiments, and made a profession of religion.
To God be the glory for Patterson’s witness to the grace of God in the final days of a life lived in His service.
