p. 175 | Obituary Notices

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, March 17, 1885

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 62, No. 11

Obituary Notices.

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.”—Rev.

BYINGTON.—Died in Battle Creek, Mich., Feb. 22, 1885, of chronic disease, Mrs. Catherine B. Byington, wife of Eld. John Byington, aged 82 years. Sister Byington was born in Shoreham, Vt., March 3, 1803, bearing the singular coincidence of being the third year in the century, the third month in the year, and the third day of the month. She was converted at about the age of 24. Worldly prospects were quite flattering before her, but feeling that she was a sinner and lost without a Saviour, she chose Christ and let the world stand second. Uniting with the Methodists, she remained in connection till the views taught by S. D. Adventists were brought to her attention in 1852, when she joyfully accepted them, and has since walked consistently with that faith. January 25, 1830, she was united to Eld. Byington, then in the Methodist ministry, with whom she had accordingly lived, at the time of her death, a little over fifty years. All the crosses, trials, and sacrifices incident to a change made by herself and husband at the time above mentioned, were gladly accepted for the truth’s sake. One of her chief characteristics was to stand for principle and the right regardless of circumstances. Even an outline of her Christian life and character would be too lengthy to be given in this place. Her death was almost a sudden one. Taking a severe cold, the disease made such rapid progress that she felt she could not long survive. But she talked of her decease, and made all preparations for it with the greatest composure. The last day of her life was perhaps her happiest day, on account of the blessing she enjoyed, enabling her to triumph over great sufferings, which were several times relieved in a marked degree in answer to prayer. She praised the Lord for victory, quoting appropriate promises in a manner to send a thrill of joy, even to sorrowing hearts. Earnestly she prayed for her two surviving sons, spoke words of tenderness and love to those about her, breathed with her last words the prayer, “Come, my Lord, come quickly,” and calmly fell asleep in Jesus. She leaves a companion, aged 87, two sons, two daughters, and sixteen grandchildren. A large and sympathizing congregation attended the funeral at the Tabernacle, Feb. 25. U. S.

[Name illegible].—Died of dropsy in Leslie, Ingham Co., Mich., Feb. 4, 1885, aged 67 years. She had kept the Sabbath, and kindred truths, for about twenty years. She was an old pioneer in this township, and many gray-headed friends attended her, who was feeble, took cold, which resulted fatally in lung fever. She became very weak herself, but felt that she would not call her husband from his work in Northern Vermont if it was possible to get along without him. Her lungs apparently became much diseased. This, and watching her babe, reduced her so low that her strength failed, and she could not speak above a whisper. She still declined to send for her husband, feeling that God would not fail her in this time of her need. He heard prayer in her behalf, and at the time when we expected that she would completely fail, she arose and declared herself healed. Brief funeral services of the child were held at the meeting-house Sabbath afternoon, at the close of which Sr. P. arose and testified to the goodness of God. It was a precious season. Remarks were made on the occasion by the writer. S. N. HASKELL,

BABCOCK.—Died Feb. 24, 1885, of measles, Lydia, wife of D. C. Babcock, aged 38 years. She leaves a husband and one little girl, with friends, to mourn the loss of a loving wife, a fond mother, and a Christian sister. She embraced present truth in 1876, under the labors of Eld. Chas. Boyd. We mourn not as those having no hope; remember that “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord henceforth.” Prayer was offered by Eld. John L. Huffman at funeral. J. L. FORSYTH.

[Name illegible].—Died in Alma, near Wellsville, N. Y., Oct. 16, 1884, my mother, Elsie Corbitt, aged 82 years, 8 months, and 10 days. She was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., was the youngest of ten children, and the only one living during the last 12 years. She made a profession of religion in early life, connecting herself with the Baptist church, and under the labors of Elds. Barr and Robbins she became interested in the truths of the third message, and soon after embraced the Sabbath, which was her delight the remainder of her life. She was meek, quiet, and faithful unto death, and shall receive a crown of life. We listened to an instructive and comforting discourse from 2 Tim. 4:6-8, by Eld. A. Coit. LAURA A. WYCKOFF.

KINSCH.—Died of pneumonia, at Osseo, Hillsdale Co., Mich., Jan. 29, after a painful illness of but six days, Frances Swart Kinsch, in the 77th year of her age. Sr. Reyer was born in Lancaster, Penn., in 1808, was married to Bro. John P. Reyer in 1839, and came to Michigan in 1849. She was christened in the Lutheran church, but afterward united with the German Reformed church, in the year 1852. When the tent was pitched at Osseo, in the fall of 1883, she embraced the Adventist faith, and was baptized in October of that year, uniting with the church there. She was a Christian, careful of her words and actions, and although aged and infirm, was happy in her faith. A kind husband and four grown children are left to mourn, but not without hope. Her last moments were calm and peaceful, and she fell asleep with thoughts of the resurrection morning. The Free Baptists kindly opened their house of worship for the funeral service, which was largely attended. The subject was the resurrection of the dead, from John 11:25, 26: “He that liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” D. H. LAMSON.

REES.—Died at Chadron, Neb., Dec. 22, 1884, Holly Elmer Rees, 16 years, 8 months, and 20 days. Holly went out for some venison for Christmas, remarking that he was going to have some venison for Christmas. The weather was pleasant in the morning when he started, but at three o’clock in the afternoon it began to snow and blow, so a person could see but a short distance. Night came on, and we were anxious for his return. His father called him, as he had often done before, when he would answer; but this time no answer came. We concluded that he had tarried at the house of a neighbor, and we rested easy about him until morning. As he did not return, we commenced searching for him. The snow was then only twelve inches deep. Neighbors turned out and assisted in the search for three days, when the snow became so deep as to make the search fruitless, and it was abandoned for the time. But on the fifteenth day, his father found him about two miles from home. He appears to have been coming toward home, when overcome by cold and exhaustion, he fell face downward in the path. Holly was a good boy, and although not a member of the church, we think he trusted and believed the truth; more especially since last winter, when he attended a course of lectures delivered by Eld. Pegg, at Al- [unclear]. We have hope that he will come up in the first resurrection. Funeral services were conducted by Eld. Davidson. D. AND M. A. REES.

BLACK.—Died of cerebro-spinal meningitis, Dec. 23, 1884, Sarah Altheresa Black. Sarah was eighteen years old the 13th of September, and was baptized, with other young people, at Jefferson, [county], Mich., a little over two years before. She died at the home of her parents, her death being the first break in the family circle. For some months before her death she had not lived up to her privilege as a Christian, and was therefore in a greatly discouraged state of mind. Through the efforts of a brother, more recently converted, she was induced to pay more attention to religious meetings. The last one she attended was a Bible-reading at Pittsford. At this meeting she was taken sick, and died after a lingering and painful illness. She was buried on Christmas day. A large concourse of people gathered at the funeral, as it was indeed a day of mourning for church and neighborhood. She sung several hymns a little while before she died, which were sung by request at her funeral. The responsibility of the churches is very great for the young. May God help all to be faithful to them. Sermon by the writer from Acts 24: [verse unclear]. D. H. LAMSON.

THURBER.—Died very suddenly, of disease of the heart, in Corinth, Feb. 8, 1885, Mrs. Mary Thurber, aged 77 years. Mother professed religion when about twelve years of age and united with the Methodist church, and for sixty-five years has lived a conscientious Christian life, never failing to testify for Jesus whenever opportunity offered. She embraced the advent faith during the ’44 movement, and shared the disappointment of the believers at that time. Over six years ago, she and father embraced the Sabbath, and from that time till her death, she loved the truth, and did all she could to bring it before her neighbors and friends. About six years ago father died, and now we lay her beside him for a little while, to rest through the time of trouble, till the Deliverer comes. Of a family of ten children, five remain to mourn the loss of a kind and loving mother. Funeral services by Rev. C. E. Davis (Baptist) from the words, “Therefore be ye also ready.” H. A. THURBER.

CLEMONS.—Died in Chase’s Mills, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Feb. 12, 1885, Sr. M. Clemons, in the 86th year of her age. She was born in Ireland, and came to America in 1830. Sr. C. was one who loved the word of the Lord. In 1844 she heard and embraced all the points of truth connected with the message of Rev. 14:6, 7, and until the time of her death the coming of Jesus was the theme of her rejoicing. In 1870 she heard the third angel’s message, and from that time she endeavored to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. A large congregation of friends and neighbors showed their regard by attending the funeral services. The best of attention was given to remarks on the state of the dead and the certainty of the resurrection. C. O. TAYLOR.

PEEBLES.—Died at South Lancaster, Mass., March 6, 1885, Lucy Mary, daughter of Eld. H. Peebles, of Vermont, aged 21 months and 7 days. Sr. Peebles came here last fall to send her older children to the school, also designing to attend the Bible-class herself. But the child, who was feeble, took cold, which resulted fatally in lung fever. Sr. Peebles became very weak herself, but felt that she would not call her husband from his work in Northern Vermont if it was possible to get along without him. Her lungs apparently became much diseased. This, and watching her babe, reduced her so low that her strength failed, and she could not speak above a whisper. She still declined to send for her husband, feeling that God would not fail her in this time of her need. He heard prayer in her behalf, and at the time when we expected that she would completely fail, she arose and declared herself healed. Brief funeral services of the child were held at the meeting-house Sabbath afternoon, at the close of which Sr. P. arose and testified to the goodness of God. It was a precious season. Remarks were made on the occasion by the writer. S. N. HASKELL,

GREGORY.—Died at Blendon Landing, Ottawa Co., Mich., Feb. 26, 1885, Mrs. Catharine L. Gregory, aged 72 years. She had been in poor health for a long time, but her illness was not considered serious until a few days before her death. She embraced the third angel’s message in Chicago, Ill., several years ago, and gave evidence of her ardently loving the faith of her adoption. Sr. Gregory earnestly desired to live till the coming of Christ, but at last became resigned to the evident will of the Lord that she should fall asleep. She leaves an aged husband to mourn her loss. Discourse by the writer to a very attentive audience of sympathizing neighbors, from Rev. 21:4, A. SMITH.

TAYLOR.—Died at Allendale, Mich., March 6, 1885, Ella M., daughter of Bro. and Sr. Martin Taylor, aged 7 years and 18 days. She was an affectionate and lovely child. They mourn, but not as those that have no hope. E. H. ROOT.