Obituaries by W. T. KNOX; ALLEN MOON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 19, 1907

Obituaries

By W. T. KNOX; ALLEN MOON

MORRISON.—Died at Mountain View, Cal., Sept. 5, 1907, after a long and trying illness resulting from old age and acute stomach trouble, Mary A. Morrison, widow of John Morrison, of Howard County, Indiana, where she lived until coming to California in 1888. She was born March 23, 1821, and was a Methodist before embracing the third angel's message under the pioneer labors of Elbert and S. H. Lane. At the time of her death she was a member of the New London (Ind.) church. Four children from a family of nine survive her. She was always true to the message in its purity, and was patient and courageous to the end.

W. T. KNOX.

CURTIS.—Died at his home at Berrien Springs, Mich., Nov. 23, 1907, Elder Will D. Curtis, aged 56 years, 6 months, and 13 days. The immediate cause of his death was organic heart-disease. He occupied the pulpit of the college chapel on the day he was stricken. He seemed to enjoy the service himself, and no one knew that he was suffering somewhat from the exertions he put forth through his earnestness. In the evening he was at home, visiting with his family, and talking with a neighbor on some matters of business, when his heart refused to perform its usual functions, and within the short space of half an hour his life-work was closed. “In ministry, in counsel, in prayer, and in preaching, his life reached the climax on the last day of service. The ringing exhortation at the last vesper service, the earnest prayer that followed, and that remarkable sermon on the Sabbath, will ever speak to those who were auditors at his last public service. As the sweetness of the perished rose lingers in the atmosphere of the parent stem, so will sacred fragrance perfume the memories of the last work of” Elder Curtis. His father was an Adventist, but the son did not embrace the doctrines of Adventism until about twenty-seven years ago. Giving his whole heart to the work, he soon entered the ministry, and the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, held in Battle Creek, in 1886, sent him and his wife as missionaries to Australia. They sailed in January, 1887, and stopping en route for two months at Honolulu, assisted in establishing the work there, and later assisted in the work in New Zealand. They were gone from this country six years, returning on the missionary ship “Pitcairn.” On the way back, they visited the islands of Pitcairn and Tahiti. After his return to this country, Elder Curtis labored in Illinois for several years, a part of which time he was a member of the conference committee and was conference superintendent of education. Later he was transferred to Indiana, where he also served on committee and as superintendent of education. Four years ago next spring, Elder Curtis was chosen educational secretary of the Lake Union Conference, to fill a vacancy, and at the last session of the conference he was elected for the term of two years to the same position, which he held at the time of his death. His wife, two sons, two daughters, and a sister remain. Funeral service was held at the college chapel, at Berrien Springs, Mich., November 26, Profs. N. W. Kauble and J. G. Lamson, and the writer officiating.

ALLEN MOON.