The following article is from a book by Kevin VanDeusen
Sam Trice wanted to be active in the pulpit until the end and earnestly prayed that he would never become idle due to physical or mental infirmity. One bright Lord’s Day morning in the spring of 1877 (May 13th), he kept his regular monthly appointment with the Bethany congregation, northwest of Plattsburg. On that beautiful day, the people were out in force at the little country church to hear their beloved Uncle Sam expound the Scriptures. He mounted the rostrum with a joyful stride of confidence, hardly able to contain himself any longer, for Samuel Trice was a man who loved to preach. He had upmost faith in the sacred word and new God’s people were on the way to victory, but he had an overpowering desire to cheer them on by making heaven so enticing that those who were only observers would be compelled to join the mighty army. On that mayday at Bethany Trice was ready to preach Christ to those assembled.
When he was well into his sermon, he seemed to hesitate and then faltered. His face instantly drained of its color. He reached for his throat as if to pull his tie off, but his hands were uncontrollable; And has he cried out in alarm, his garbled words were unintelligible. Several men sitting near the pulpit realized he was in great distress and rushed to lend assistance, but Sam Trice fell before they could reach him. As they look down on his face, they knew he no longer lived in that temple of clay. Already he had joined the realm of the redeemed. Samuel Trice had come to the end of a perfect day and was home at last.
What better way for a faithful preacher of the gospel to depart this life than in the pulpit on a bright Lord’s Day morning in the spring of the year in the presence of a host of friends, with the word of God upon his lips? Uncle Sam would have been more than pleased.
Cited from “Moses Lard That Prince of Preachers”, 76.
“Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice” … “as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1.18, 20-21)