THE LATE SIGNOR ROSSETTI.

A FRIEND has kindly sent us the following account, translated from the Italian, of the departure to be with Christ of one of the Lord’s servants in Italy:— 
“On Sunday, June 3, there occurred in the assembly of the Brethren in Via della Vigna Vecchia, Florence, an event most affecting to the heart of Christians. Before the breaking of bread, Signor Rossetti rose and addressed to those present some reflections on the happiness of the communion of the saints, even now on earth, and then still more in Heaven, from Acts vii. 56; Heb, xiii. 8-15; Rev. i. 4-6, iv. 1, v. 9-13, xiv. 13. He then sat down, and another brother added some words on the same subject. This one having finished, Signor Rossetti was rising to speak again, when he was seen suddenly to totter and fall back on his seat. His wife, who had been just before looking anxiously at him, observing an unusual expression in his face, ran to him, but he made her a sign to stand aside. Feeling the approach of death, he was desiring to say a word more to the dear brethren whom for so many years, he had fed with the Word of God. With one last effort, he could only articulate ‘Farewell!’ and this was his final word here below. Medical help, though immediately rendered, was of no avail; and our dear brother, without suffering, breathed his last before one o’clock.
“The world calls such an event a misfortune, from which everyone would desire to be preserved by the mercy of God. But who is the Christian that would not envy so happy a departure? At any rate, it was an answer of divine goodness to the constant prayers of Signor Rossetti. Knowing his family tendency to apoplexy and having himself had some partial attacks of the same during the last two years, he dreaded the prospect of a helpless old age, burdensome to himself and others, and besought God to take him in the very midst of his labours. And God heard him. He died in the breach as a good soldier of Christ, with mind and heart fixed on that Jesus whom he loved so well, and who has now welcomed him to Heaven. His death was a happy testimony given by God to His faithful servant. From the Church militant, he has been transported to the bosom of the Church triumphant, and it may be well said of him, that he scarcely tasted of death. 
“It was a good thought to leave the remains in the very church where he had so often preached saving grace to sinners, till the following Tuesday at five, when a numerous gathering of brethren of all the churches of Florence, with their pastors, followed the funeral to the beautiful cemetery of the Laurels, beyond the Porte Romano. In compliance with his wish, there were no addresses given over the grave, and the funeral service consisted almost exclusively of passages of Scripture, of hymns and prayers.
“Signor Rossetti was converted while an exile in London after the events of 1848. This happy event occurred through the words, ‘Were you to die to-night, what would become of your soul?’ addressed to him by another exile older than himself, and subsequently his fellow-labourer in the Gospel in Italy, till the hour of his departure. In Signor Rossetti, the whole Church of Italy feels that it has lost one of the most godly and devoted of labourers. May God deign to raise up in his place, many others not less devoted to His service, or less animated by that spirit of love and concord which so becomes true Christians?’’
—L’Italia Evangelica, June 9, 1883.
"The Christian" July 1883.