Obituaries by T. H. Davis; C. E. Giles; A. J. Clark; W. B. White; G. W. Amadon

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 17, 1908

Obituaries

By T. H. Davis; C. E. Giles; A. J. Clark; W. B. White; G. W. Amadon

Davis.—The funeral service of Mrs. Anna Jane Davis was conducted at Esmerelda, Cal., Sept. 21, 1908. A husband and seven children are left to mourn the loss of a faithful Christian wife and mother. The funeral service was conducted from 1 Corinthians 15, by Rev. Mr. Doane. The remains were interred in the old family burying-ground. T. H. DAVIS.

Bruce.—Died Sept. 15, 1908, in a hospital at Gadsden, Ala., a few hours after an operation for appendicitis, Robert H. Bruce, aged sixty-five years. In 1864 he was married to Emeline Thompson. To this union were born fourteen children, eight of whom are still living. Brother and Sister Bruce first heard and accepted present truth thirty-five years ago. They were charter members of the Attalla Seventh-day Adventist church, organized in 1899. Words of comfort were spoken by Rev. Mr. Harris (of the Methodist Church, South), from 1 Corinthians 15. C. E. GILES.

Brooks.—Fell asleep in Jesus at her home in Adams Center, N. Y., Sabbath morning, Oct. 31, 1908, Sister Elmina Brooks at the age of seventy-two years. For the last twenty-five years Sister Brooks has been a faithful member of the Adams Center church. Her consistent Christian life was a constant witness on the side of righteousness and truth. She left three daughters and several grandchildren to mourn. The funeral was held in the Adams Center church, and was largely attended. The service was conducted by the writer, from John 11:25 and 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. A. J. CLARK.

O’Neil.—Died at the residence of his son Robert, at Lynden, Wash., Oct. 17, 1908. Brother James O’Neil, aged seventy-three years and seven months. Brother O’Neil was born in Glasgow, Scotland, March 16, 1835. He came with his parents to America in 1847, his father locating at Portage, Wis. Brother O’Neil served through the Civil War, and was promoted to the position of captain of his company, which position he held when peace was declared. While at Mobile, Ala., some members of his company who had respect to the seventh-day Sabbath, asked Captain O’Neil to be excused from service on that day. He investigated their reasons, respected their convictions, and excused them. He thus for the first time heard of the faith of Seventh-day Adventists. After the war was over, he attended a series of meetings held by Elder Isaac Sanborn, and being convinced of the truths of the third angel’s message, gladly accepted the faith, and was one of the charter members of the Hundred Mile Grove church of Wisconsin. In 1873 he removed to the State of Washington, settling first at Olympia, later at Lynden, where he resided till the time of his death. He bore with patience and fortitude his intense suffering during the last months of his life. His faith seemed strong in the Saviour and in the third angel’s message, and we trust that he rests in hope. The funeral sermon was conducted by the writer in the Methodist church at Lynden. A large number of old residents of the country and of his companions in arms were present. W. B. WHITE.

Houghtaling.—Fell asleep in Jesus, as we fondly believe, in Urbandale, near Battle Creek, Mich., Nov. 20, 1908, our sister in Christ, Susanna Jane Houghtaling, aged 71 years, 7 months, and 20 days. She was born in Elmira, N. Y., March 31, 1837. The malady which caused her death was Bright’s disease, with attendant complications. Dec. 24, 1857, our sister was united in marriage to Francis Sylvester Houghtaling, at Freeland, Mich. Her maiden name was Clark. God honored this union in the gift of four children, three sons and one daughter, all of whom are alive, and with the exception of a son in the far West, were present at the funeral. In her girlhood days, while living in Indiana, the subject of this sketch was converted, and joined the Baptist Church. But about 1866, while living at Freeland, both Sister Houghtaling and her husband listened to a course of Bible lectures by the late Elder M. E. Cornell, as a result of which they took their position firmly on the views of the Seventh-day Adventist people. This was forty-two years ago, and since that time the REVIEW AND HERALD has ever been a welcome visitor to their home. Nearly a quarter century ago this family moved to Battle Creek, that the children might attend the college. Four years ago the previously strong constitution of the decedent began to give out, and a short residence in Washington State did no good, and a return to Battle Creek was decided upon, that our sister might die among her children. The last few weeks of her life were a time of most acute physical suffering; but how importunate and continuous were her prayers to God for grace and patience to endure, and that the Lord would be with her as she entered the dark valley. In this she was not disappointed, and with hardly a tremor she yielded up her mortal life to that Being who has promised to restore it when he comes in the clouds of heaven.

Here follows a most unusual and tragical circumstance connected with this death:—

Just twenty-seven short hours after the wife and mother had passed away, as above narrated, and while the casket was being brought into the house, the husband and father came in from a short walk. He had removed his overcoat and hat, and was smoothing out his hair, when the daughter near by heard her father exclaim, “O!” and springing to his side, she saw him in a falling attitude, with his hand over his heart. Without a word he settled to the floor in his daughter’s arms. This was the last; he, too, was gone, and valvular disease of the heart tells the whole story. In this death, as the Scripture says, “The pitcher was broken at the fountain”—literally. And the lamentation of David over those fallen in battle is eminently applicable here: “Lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided.” Brother Francis Sylvester Houghtaling was born at Lafayette, Canandaigua Co., N. Y., Dec. 26, 1834, and at his sudden demise was 73 years, 10 months, and 26 days old. He was of Dutch descent, but American born. He passed away Nov. 21, 1908, at 10:20 in the morning. His religious experience dates from the time he accepted the present truth under the labors of Elder M. E. Cornell. Brother Houghtaling was a man of few words and quiet demeanor. He served awhile in the Northern army during the American rebellion. A portion of his life was spent as timber estimator in the great northern forests. Some years ago he seemed to be under a cloud, but while living in Washington State he experienced a complete regeneration, which there is reason to believe was like his first conversion. But he is gone, and we trust that his life is hid with Christ in God, and that when Jesus comes, and the great trumpet is blown, our dear brother and his companion will be awakened to that life which will be as lasting as the days of heaven.

This funeral was a double one, with two hearses and two sets of bearers, and the services were held in the Tabernacle, with a large attendance. Elder S. D. Hartwell spoke from Heb. 9:27, 28, the writer assisting. G. W. AMADON.