Infamous Last Words: Sir Andrew Agnew (1793–1849)

Infamous Last Words:

Sir Andrew Agnew, 7th Baronet (1793–1849) was a Member of Parliament. He tried to pass laws to force people to strictly observe the Sabbath. He died of scarlet fever in Edinburgh.

On his deathbed he said to his nurse: “What! The doctor says I can’t get up? Well certainly I can! Here is the evidence and you can tell him so.... Oh, wait. Perhaps I should leave these pillows where they are. Yes, I know the Doctor would want me to keep the pillows just here.”

Infamous Last Words: Sir Andrew Agnew, 7th Baronet (1793–1849)

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Infamous Last Words: John Adams (c. 1735 –1826)

Infamous Last Words:

John Adams (c. 1735 –1826) was 2nd President of the United States under the Constitution. He was later defeated for re-election by Thomas Jefferson, who became our 3rd President. On the day of July 4th, 1826 both men were dying, and this was also the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. While on his deathbed, Adams received word that Jefferson was still alive. His last words were:

“Jefferson survives? … Damn!”

Infamous Last Words: John Adams (c. 1735 –1826)
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Infamous Last Words: Achard of St. Victor (c. 1100–1171)

Infamous Last Words:

Achard of St. Victor, C.R.S.A., (c. 1100 –1171) was abbot of the great Abbey of St. Victor, Paris, and later Bishop of Avranches. He was a longtime friend of Thomas Becket (later St. Thomas à Becket). Archard made his crowning achievement the writing of several books on resisting Temptation. His last words were:

“'Tis enough, my brothers: till now I have struggled against my illness; I have forced myself to conceal from you the pain tearing at my bowels—take care lest the author of Evil  break through the peace of the brethren and sow hatred among you and yours.”

Enough said.

Infamous Last Words: Achard of St. Victor, C.R.S.A., (c. 1100–1171)
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Infamous Last Words: John Abernethy (1764–1831)

Infamous Last Words:

John Abernethy FRS (1764–1831) was an English surgeon. He is popularly remembered for having given his name to the “Abernethy biscuit,”—a bitter-tasting “cookie” that was supposed to improve ones digestion. He also was noted for a foul-smelling open sore on his left nipple

According to the 11^th edition Britannica, Dr. Abernethy was a noted lecturer. And yet,…“It has been said, however, that the influence he exerted on those who attended his lectures was not beneficial in this respect, that his opinions were delivered so dogmatically, and all who differed from him were disparaged and denounced so contemptuously, as to repress instead of stimulating inquiry.”

Is is said that his last words were:

    “Is there anyone in the house…?”

In truth this is a badly abbreviated quote. He actually said:

        “Is there anyone in the house….?”

On being told that Dr. Grey was in the house, Abernathy responded:

“Is there anyone else in the house….?”

Infamous Last Words: John Abernethy FRS (1764–1831)

Infamous Last Words: Robert Abbot (1560–1617)

Infamous Last Words:

Robert Abbot (1560–1617) was an Anglican clergyman and academic. He was also Bishop of Salisbury (where steak was invented). As he was dying his last words were:

“Come Lord, come quickly, finish in me….”

Apparently Abbot (actually Bishop) did not get to finish his last words before passing on. A line from one of his sermons was then substituted as being close enough to his last intentions.

“Come Lord Jesus, come Thou quickly, finish the work that Thou has begun….”

Infamous Last Words: Robert Abbot (1560–1617)

Infamous Last Words: Socrates (470?-399 BCE)

Infamous Last Words:

According to one Greek account, when the philosopher Socrates (470?-399 BCE) died his last words were:

“Crito, we owe a cock to Asclepius the Physician. Please pay him.”

As you probably already know, the leaders of Athens had given Socrates a choice: either go into exile or commit suicide. Socrates chose suicide and, while his friends and students sat with him, he drank a cup of wine laced with poison hemlock. It was Asclepius who had provided the hemlock.

The exact words of Socrates, after drinking the poison, were:

 “Crito, we owe a cock to Asclepius. Please slap him in the face with it.”

This translation seem more in keeping with the great philosopher.

Infamous Last Words: Socrates

Brides of Christ?

I am enlightened

Back when we were students at the University of Wisconsin—Madison, my wife had a very strange experience. She was a grad student working toward a Ph.D. in English, and one of her fellow students was a nun who worked for a small Catholic college near Madison. One day the nun invited Kathy to a special education conference on “The Vocation of Women.” Having been raised Catholic, Kathy thought this might be interesting and so she went.

As you might expect, the speakers at the conference were mainly nuns and priests who taught at various Catholic colleges.  What you might not expect (but should have) was that the main vocation promoted by these catholic academics was that women should become nuns, or at least devote most (if not all) of their spare time on volunteering to help the Catholic Church with its various missions.  Donating money to the Catholic Church was also strongly encouraged (imagine that!).

As Kathy described her experience, she saved the best for last. The final speaker of the day was a priest who delivered his message of why becoming a nun was so important, and that the Church needed many more “Brides of Christ” (ie. nuns) to carry out the goals of The Church. He ended the message by saying that, of course, priests should also be recognized as Brides of Christ, too.

Kathy said this without batting an eye, and when I quizzed her about this last claim (that priests are Brides of Christ, too) she said this was commonly understood by Catholics and not an odd innovation in theology put forth by a rogue scholar. Once they get to Heaven, priests—just like the nuns—will be brides of Christ.

I guess this whole “Brides of Christ” thing is a “Mystery of the Church” that you’re not supposed to think about, much less dwell on. I know I can’t think about it without breaking out in laughter.