Obituary Notices by Joseph Bates

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 10, 1867

Obituary Notices.

By Joseph Bates

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.

DIED, at Bunkerhill, Ing. Co., Mich., March 31, 1867, William W. Beers, aged 25 years. After some three years' service in the Union army in the late rebellion, he returned to his parental home, like thousands of others, was seized with a lingering consumption, of which he died in about one year.

Reading the published visions of sister White in his last sickness wrought so powerfully on his mind, in connection with the teachings of the Bible, that he became a convert to the “present truth” of the third angel's message, and lamented much that he had no opportunity to be baptized.

Yesterday we came here, by express, some 25 miles from Locke, Clinton Co., where we were holding a series of meetings with the church, to attend the funeral of his father, Daniel H. Beers, who died of the liver complaint, August 17, 1867, aged seventy-seven. Bro. B. became a member of the Presbyterian church some thirty-five years ago. About four years ago he united with the Seventh-day Adventists in this place, where he continued a sincere and worthy member.

His friends say he was a great sufferer for some three months, but endured with patience and resignation to the divine will. When his companion told him she thought he was dying, he was cheered, and reviving, said he was ready and willing to go, and believed that he should sleep but a little while. A voice from Heaven has said, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.”

We enjoyed much freedom in speaking to the mourners and waiting congregation from the words of the great apostle to the Gentiles, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” 1 Cor. xv, 26.

JOSEPH BATES.

Bunkerhill, Aug. 19, 1867.