p. 23 | OBITUARY by Joseph B. Frisbie

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 16, 1862

OBITUARY.

By Joseph B. Frisbie

Fell asleep in Jesus at Monterey, Mich., Nov. 27, 1862, sister Mary E. Lay, wife of Bro. George T. Lay, aged 37 years the 14th of last July. Her death was caused by dropsy on the heart.

Sister Lay with her companion embraced the present truth about six years ago, and were both baptized by Bro. Bates. They lived and loved the truth until her death. It was remarked by some that knew her that she had been ripening for some time past for her change. Bro. Lay told me that his wife had been very faithful with her children, and those under her charge; and that she had seldom failed for the last three years of taking her children alone every evening, and praying with them.

It was truly an affecting scene to see her four little children weeping around the remains of their kind and departed mother.

Funeral services were attended at the House of Prayer, in Monterey, by the writer, where a large and attentive audience was gathered to hear remarks on a text chosen by her companion, found in 1 Thess. iv, 14: "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him."

By request of the husband and friends we give a brief sketch of the subject as it was presented.

1. We adduced evidence that Christ was the true Messiah who was to come; that he died and rose again, and ascended to heaven according to the Scriptures. Prophecies which refer to Christ. Deut. xviii, 15-19. This is applied to Christ in Acts iii, 22, 23. He was to be the Son of David. Isa. ix, 6, 7. Compare Matt. i, 1-16. The time when he should appear foretold, Dan. ix, 25-27. Fulfilled, Mark i, 15. Place of his birth foretold, Micah v, 2. His entry into Jerusalem described, Zech. ix, 9. Fulfilled Matt. xxi, 5. The price of his betrayal revealed, Zech. xi, 12, 13. He was to die and be numbered with transgressors, Isa. liii, 12; Mark xv, 28. His words on the cross, Ps. xxii, 1; Matt. xxvii, 4-6. His resurrection predicted, Ps. xvi, 10; Acts ii, 31. His ascension, Ps. lxviii, 18, Eph. iv, 8.

2. Testimony concerning them that sleep in Jesus. Texts referred to: 1 Thess. iv, 1, 3; 1 Cor. xv, 18, 32; Job xiv, 7-15; Jer. xxxi, 15-17. Rachel's children were not—had no conscious existence; but shall come again from the land of the enemy. John xi, 11. Lazarus sleepeth. Eccl. ix, 5; Ps. cxlvi, 4. The dead know not anything. No reward at death. Rev. xi, 18; Luke xiv, 14; Matt. xvi, 27; Rev. xxii, 12.

3. Those that sleep in Jesus will be raised to everlasting life. Them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. Heb. xiii, 20. God brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus. 1 Thess. iv, 16. The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Verse 17. The living saints will be changed, and caught up with them in the air. Verse 18. Comfort one another with these words. John xi, 25; 1 Cor. xv, 21, 32. If there is no resurrection there is no future life. Resurrection does not prove immortality. 1 Tim. i, 17. Immortal is used but once in the Bible, then applied to God. 1 Tim. vi, 16. God only hath immortality. 2 Tim. i, 10. Brought to light in the gospel. John vi, 27; Rom. ii, 7. Gospel light is to seek for it. 1 Cor. xv, 52-58. Put on at the resurrection of the saints.

This immortality, eternal life, is in Christ, to be given at the appearing of Jesus. 1 John v, 11; Col. iii, 3, 4. Closed with an exhortation to all to seek immortality, eternal life, contrasting it with this short life. To neglect and lose eternal life is to lose all.

Bro. Lay was sick with the diphtheria and unable to attend the funeral. Eld. Joseph Bates assisted in the services. JOSEPH B. FRISBIE.