Obituary Notices by John Nevins Andrews

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 22, 1867

Obituary Notices.

By John Nevins Andrews

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Rev. xiv, 13.

DIED, at his residence in Scottsville, Monroe Co., N. Y., Dec. 21st, 1866, William Peabody, aged 75 years, 9 months and 20 days.

His death was the result of lingering consumption, under which he had suffered for several years. He was confined to his house but a few days, and suffered little pain, except for a few hours shortly before his death. He fell asleep quietly and without pain. He leaves a wife and a large family to mourn their loss. He will also be mourned by many brethren in this State who knew his worth as a man and a Christian.

Father Peabody possessed great energy of character, and strict uprightness in his business transactions. He was a prudent and successful business man. By his own exertions he accumulated a large property; and, while he was careful to make due provision for those dear to him, he was also ever ready to relieve those in distress, and to aid in the advancement of the cause of God.

He was for many years a professor of religion, and it is believed that he labored diligently to secure a part in the heavenly kingdom. When the Advent faith began to be preached in this region, he was one of the first to embrace it, and for nearly a quarter of a century he has been publicly identified with this despised but glorious doctrine. He observed the Bible Sabbath for the last thirteen years of his life. During this period it has been my lot to be quite intimately acquainted with him, and I bear cheerful testimony to his piety and moral worth. He valued the public preaching of the word, and hardly less did he delight in the privileges of social worship. His memory of the Scriptures was certainly remarkable.

For some time before his death he was much interested in the Health Reform, and he bore a decided testimony to the benefit which he derived from living in accordance with its principles. He had an earnest desire that others should be benefited by those truths which he loved; and in his death made liberal provision to aid the Publishing Association and the Health Institute. His last testimony in behalf of the religion of Christ, which he bore in this city about two weeks before his death, was weighty and impressive. He rests from his labors, and, as we trust, sleeps in Jesus. May his wife and children meet him in the kingdom of God. J. N. ANDREWS.