p. 23 | Obituaries

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 8, 1912

Obituaries

RUDY.—Effie Nancy Rudy was born at Springfield, Ill., in 1869, and died Dec. 26, 1911, at her home in Dinuba, Cal. For fifteen years she was an earnest member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and her life was one of faithful service to others. Her husband, one son, and one daughter sorrow, but with hope’s sweet assurance. Elder H. C. Basney and the writer conducted the funeral services, which were attended by a large number of friends. Text, Ps. 71:9, last part. H. G. THURSTON.

EELLS.—Martha Kent Eells was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1843, and died at Keene, N. Y., Dec. 29, 1911, aged 68 years, 10 months, and 7 days. In November, 1862, she was married to Seth Eells, and to this union were born seven daughters, five of whom are living. Sister Eells united with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1871, under the labors of Elder C. O. Taylor, and was a faithful, devoted Christian. Funeral services were conducted by the writer. J. W. LAIR.

PRATT.—Christiana Pratt was born at Kissy, Sierra Leone, West Africa, Dec. 25, 1848, and died Dec. 2, 1911, aged 62 years, 11 months, and 7 days. She accepted the third angel’s message and was baptized early in 1908, uniting with the little church at Waterloo. She was a faithful Christian until death took her from our midst, and was loved and honored by all who knew her. One sister and many friends are left to mourn their loss. Funeral services were conducted by the writer, who spoke words of comfort from 1 Thess. 4:13. W. H. LEWIS.

SMITH.—Anna Smith, daughter of George H. and Sarah Smith, was born in Hampton Township, Mich., March 27, 1887. She was baptized and joined the Bay City Seventh-day Adventist Church June 2, 1899, and fell asleep at the home of her sister in Flint, Mich., Jan. 2, 1912. There remains to mourn their loss a father, two sisters, and many friends. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer from 1 Sam. 20:3. F. L. THUEMLER.

BELL.—Clara A. Bell, née Russel, was born Dec. 12, 1851, and died Dec. 31, 1911. She was one of the first to accept the third angel’s message under the labors of Elder W. M. Healey, and became one of the charter members of the Los Angeles, Cal., church. Sister Bell’s life was in many respects one worthy of imitation, for she was unselfish, thoughtful of the wants of others, and devoted to the cause she dearly loved. Her husband and two children are left to mourn. Elder Healey conducted the funeral services, assisted by Elder J. W. McCord and the writer. J. W. ADAMS.

McCUTCHAN.—John Franklin McCutchan died in Petaluma, Cal., Dec. 25, 1911, aged 74 years, 8 months, and 25 days. He came to Petaluma about one year ago and joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church by letter. During this time we learned to love him dearly for his sterling character. His last church work, only a few days before he fell asleep, was to give all he had to the $300,000 Fund. For thirty years he was a believer in this message, and we have the hope that he will awake at the resurrection of those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. The writer spoke from Rev. 14:13. A. G. WILBUR.

DAVIS.—Thomas H. Davis died at the River Plate Sanitarium in Argentina, South America, Nov. 26, 1911. He came to Chile nearly eighteen years ago as a self-supporting canvasser in behalf of the third angel’s message. There were many obstacles to meet in a country where the language and customs of the people were strange. Upon landing at Valparaiso he was obliged to go to work at once in order to secure money necessary for a night’s lodging. God richly blessed his labor of love and faith, and soon there were believers rejoicing in the truth. Thus Brother Davis was one of the pioneer missionaries to Chile. Ill health compelled his return to the States at the close of 1901; but after a short rest he returned to South America, this time pioneering the work in Ecuador. Here he laid his wife to rest. In 1906 he was called to take charge of the canvassing work on the west coast, and with his children he returned to Chile. After a canvassing agent was secured for Peru, he took charge of this work in Chile alone, in which capacity he served until his death. He married again in 1910, and his wife and three children survive. Brother Davis had not been strong for many years. There is no doubt but that this was largely due to the irregularities and inconveniences incident to the character of his labors in South America. For a year he had been able to do but little work, and for more than six months he had been confined to his home. Receiving no help from the physicians in Chile, he came to Argentina in September to seek relief at our sanitarium. At times there was hope of his recovery, but finally a severe hemorrhage ended his life. He fell asleep peacefully and without suffering, and we believe with a certain hope of a part in the first resurrection. This is the first Seventh-day Adventist missionary who has come from a foreign country to South America and died in the field of his choice. The funeral services were held in the River Plate school building, the writer speaking from Rev. 14:13. We can but believe that in the day of Christ’s coming many will come forth to bless our brother for his unselfish labor, which, under God, resulted in their salvation. Under the soft moonlight we laid him away in the little Protestant cemetery near Crespo, there to await the fruition of his hopes and his labors at the coming of the One he loved and served. J. W. WESTPHAL.

MILLER.—Charles F. Miller was born in Roeskilde, Denmark, July 1, 1836, and died Dec. 19, 1911. Brother Miller was a firm believer in present truth, and we are confident that he sleeps in Jesus. He was one of the charter members of the Wilmington, Del., church. F. A. HARTER.

SAUNDERS.—Ora O., son of John F. and Laura Saunders, was born in Hancock County, Illinois, June 4, 1889, and died in Colorado Springs, Colo., Jan. 7, 1912. Brother Saunders had been ailing for nearly a year. Last fall, accompanied by his father, he sought health in Colorado, but died nine days after an operation for appendicitis. His companion and one son, father, mother, and three brothers survive. The writer spoke to a large company of relatives and friends assembled in the Methodist church at Adrian, Ill., from 1 Thess. 4:13, 18. JOHN E. HANSON.

WU.—Wiu Guan San, aged 45 years and 8 months, died at Chang-sha, Hunan, China, Oct. 2, 1911. Brother Wu was born in a little village about twenty miles from Chang-sha, was brought up a Confucianist, and according to the old curriculum received a good education. While in his teens he became addicted to the use of opium, and remained a slave to this habit for nearly thirty years. About three years ago some gospel tracts, and later a Bible, came into his hands. After reading these, he determined to become a Christian and keep all the commandments of God. Through prayer and medical aid from Dr. Laird, he overcame the opium habit. A year ago last October he was baptized by the writer, and united with the Chang-sha church. From that time he served the mission faithfully as language teacher, and later as Sabbath-school superintendent and local treasurer of the Chang-sha mission. His accounts were kept faithfully and accurately, and he performed this work until within three weeks of his death. Brother Wu had a strong desire to live, and during his illness he often longed that the writer, who was away at the time, might return and carry out the instruction in James. His faith in the power of God was great, but he was resigned to the Lord’s will, saying that he felt safe in his hands. He died of tuberculosis, and the funeral services were held in our mission chapel. Evangelist Hwang spoke words of comfort from the text, “I am the resurrection, and the life.” Our brother was then laid to rest to await the glad morn when Jesus will call forth his sleeping children. His wife survives him, and continues her work as teacher of our girls’ school. R. F. COTTRELL.