p. 175 | Obituary Notices

The Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · November 27, 1879

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 54, No. 22

Obituary Notices.

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth” Rev. 14:13.

ROWLEY.—Died in Fabius, N. Y., Nov. 1, 1879, Mary Celestia, youngest child of Daniel and Lucina Rowley, aged 4 months. Sermon at the funeral from Luke 18:15, 16. T. FISHER.

BARKER.—Died of paralysis at Clyde, Allegan Co., Mich., Nov. 4, 1879, Sister Mary Barker, in the sixty-fourth year of her age. Sister B. had been an observer of the Lord’s Sabbath for twenty years. She leaves eleven children to mourn their loss. Funeral services Nov. 7, in the M. E. chapel at Fennville. Discourse by the writer from 1 Pet. 2:7, first clause. H. M. KENYON.

NEWCOMB.—Died of consumption, at Lapeer, Mich., Nov. 11, 1879, Sister Rhoda J. Newcomb, aged 17 years, 9 months, and 7 days. During her sickness she gave her heart to the Lord, and the evidence of her acceptance with him was clear. In August last she was baptized, and united with the Lapeer church. Her parents are comforted with the thought of meeting Rhoda again where “there will be no more death.” Discourse from Luke 8:52, last clause. H. M. KENYON.

FIELD.—Died in Brewer, Maine, Sept. 4, 1879, George W. Field, aged 39 years, 1 month, and 23 days. Bro. Field was converted in youth, and his religious life was such that it commanded the respect of the neighbors among whom he lived for twenty years. His childlike faith in God and his firm belief in the truth were worthy of emulation. His sufferings were great and protracted, but not a murmur escaped his lips. Almost his last words were, “I know in whom I have believed, and I feel safe.” His family have been called to part with their dearest earthly treasure, yet the future is radiant with hope that when the Lifegiver shall come the broken family link will be united. He leaves a companion and three children to mourn their loss.

“Our brother sleeps, but not forever, There will be a glorious dawn; We shall meet to part no never On the resurrection morn.” Wm. T. HANAFORD.

[Signs of the Times please copy.]

AURNER.—Died at Battle Creek, Mich., Nov. 10, 1879, W. W. Aurner, in the fortieth year of his age. The subject of this notice was born in the State of Michigan, but in 1869 became one of the pioneer settlers of Dakota Territory, locating over twenty miles from any other inhabitants, and being the first settler of what was afterward Turner county. He secured the organization of this county, and located the county seat at Swan Lake, his place of residence. As a citizen, he was widely known and respected throughout the Territory.

In 1877 Eld. Farnsworth gave a course of lectures in his town, and his companion commenced the observance of the Sabbath. At this time he was a member of the Baptist church, and the influence of his minister and others was such as to greatly prejudice and embitter his mind against our people and faith. But the opposition of his church was carried so far as to disgust him with their course, and he gave up the profession of religion entirely. After a time his prejudice began to give way, and about a year ago he became interested in the success of our cause in the Territory, welcoming me cordially to his home and donating liberally to the cause. This interest increased to that degree that last summer he commenced to observe the Sabbath. A visit from Bro. and Sr. White to his house immediately after the Dakota camp meeting was highly appreciated and enjoyed by him, and this, with their subsequent correspondence, had a great influence to establish him upon present truth, and interest him personally in the subject of religion.

In February last he contracted a severe cold which resulted in chronic bronchitis. This became so alarming that he decided to visit the Sanitarium. For a time he seemed rapidly to improve, but soon began to decline, and this continued till his death. A postmortem examination revealed the existence of a large tumor on the bronchial tube and upper part of the lungs, that made his case entirely hopeless.

During his sickness he developed a satisfactory Christian experience, and we laid him away in Oak Hill cemetery, sorrowing “not as others that have no hope.” Funeral services were held in the Tabernacle, conducted by Bro. and Sr. White, Sr. White giving a very touching discourse from John 11:1–26. S. B. WHITNEY.