Obituary Notices by James G. Sterling; S. N. Haskell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 4, 1868

Obituary Notices.

By James G. Sterling; S. N. Haskell

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

DIED, of dysentery, June 27, 1868, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Green, in Oswego, Allegan Co., Mich., Mrs. Mary Crofoot, formerly of Roosevelt, N. Y. Sister Crofoot had long been engaged in the service of the Lord. She was first connected with the Free Will Baptists, but for 24 years has been an ardent believer in the near personal coming of the Lord. She has been an observer of the Sabbath of the Lord for 15 years past. During her last sickness, which lasted about a week, she did not at all times have the use of her reasoning faculties, but for some months before her sickness she gave evidence of especial interest in regard to her eternal welfare, appearing like one doing up her last work. Funeral discourse by the writer, from Eccl. ix, 5. JAMES G. STERLING.

DIED, in South Lancaster, Mass., July 15, 1868, Bro. Lewis Priest, aged 81 years and 8 months. His disease was a cancer, commencing on his ear and working into his head. His sufferings, for the last few months of his life, much of the time, were intense; yet he bore it with Christian resignation. Many times his mind was so lifted above his sufferings, that with a joyful countenance, and uplifted hands, he would exclaim, “Oh! how light, how light,” and other expressions similar.

Bro. Priest was converted in 1816, and joined the Methodists. In 1842, he came into the Advent faith, and was one that had an experience in living out his faith in ’43 and ’44. His standing crops, in the autumn of ’44, until after the tenth day of the seventh month, testified that he believed what he professed. He had eight children: most of them were with him in the faith at that time. In 1851, he embraced the Sabbath and message, with a portion of his children. His wife had commenced observing it before. He has continued to observe the Sabbath ever since.

His death was, the first to break the family circle, except a little one, who died many years ago. He leaves an affectionate wife to mourn her loss, with whom he had lived over half a century.

All of his children, and their companions (except the wife of one, who was detained at home on account of sickness), also his own brothers and sisters, were present at the funeral. The deep grief manifested as they took their last leave, spoke louder than words, that an affectionate husband, a kind brother, and a beloved father, had fallen asleep, not to awake until the trump of God awakes the righteous dead. No one saw him in his last hours but what would feel to exclaim, “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.”

An instructive and comforting discourse was delivered by Eld. D. M. Canright, from 1 Cor. xv, 21.

“Peaceful thy slumber! oh! sweet thy repose! Safe from life's turmoils, its cares and its woes. Short is the silent embrace of the tomb; Hope, pointing upward, disperses its gloom.”

“Soon will the King in his glory descend, Triumph o’er death, and the grave’s fetters rend; Kindred and friends shall we meet as they rise, Bright and immortal, ascending the skies.”

S. N. HASKELL.