SHE SLEEPS IN JESUS by James White

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · March 11, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 11

SHE SLEEPS IN JESUS.

By James White

A BRIEF obituary of Jennie R. Richards is given in this week’s issue. Her remarkable experience and her godly life, demand more than a brief notice of her last sickness, death, and funeral services. Not less than eight years before her decease, Jennie R. Trembley, afterward Richards, handed us the following statement:—

“Having had some experience as a spirit medium, it is a privilege to me to write a few words concerning it. I had been a writing medium about two years, as nearly as I can recollect, when a copy of the first edition of the work, entitled ‘The Signs of the Times,’ fell into my hands. I began to read it with earnestness, as I was anxious to know more about this spirit with which I had been so familiar.

“I did not read far before I came to some things which conflicted with what the spirit had taught me. So I called for the spirit to come, that I might ask some questions; but it did not come. This surprised me, because I did not usually have to wait; but the moment I requested its presence, it came, and signified a willingness to converse with me.

“But when I laid the book down, and left it, the spirit came without bidding, and told me I must not read another page of that book; if I did, I would be left to fall into darkness. I tried many times to secure its presence while holding the book, but failed every time. I experimented with other books; but this alone had that effect.

“After giving the book a careful reading, and examining the texts of Scripture referred to, I resolved to have nothing more to do with spiritualism; but to give it up was not an easy matter. The spirit promised me if I would not forsake it, I should have all the power I could desire. I should have command of the different languages, and be able to speak them fluently; I should have an understanding of the sciences, without study; I might be a spirit physician, a lecturer,—in short, perhaps it is all summed up in one sentence found in Gen. 3:5: ‘Ye shall be as gods.’

“It was a long time before I succeeded in ridding myself of its powerful influence; but to-day, thanks to a kind Heavenly Father, I am free from this terrible delusion, spiritualism. JENNIE R. TREMBLEY.”

Some twelve years since, Jennie R. Tremblay came to the Health Institute at Battle Creek, an invalid. After recovering her health, she filled an important position in this office, as compositor and proof-reader, and in 1871 was editor of the Youth’s Instructor. In 1873 she received a medical diploma from the Hygeio-Therapeutic College, conducted by Dr. R. T. Trall. July 20, 1874, she gave her hand in marriage to Dr. D. B. Richards.

By invitation, she returned to this office December last, and after laboring a few weeks, as compositor, copyist, and proof-reader, was taken suddenly and violently sick from cold, which resulted in typhoid pneumonia. During the last days of her illness, we visited her several times and enjoyed precious seasons of prayer.

She sleeps in Jesus. Her work is done, and well finished. Blessed are the dead “which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, they rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.”

J. W.