p. 10 | Death of Sister T. M. French

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 23, 1911

Death of Sister T. M. French

In a personal letter, Brother T. M. French relates the experiences connected with the death of his wife at Axim, Gold Coast, West Africa. He writes:—

“Mrs. French arrived at Axim two weeks ago. She had a bad cold and fever. She immediately took treatment for her cold, and was soon relieved. We broke her fever the second day she was here. She seemed very well until Sabbath, while I was at Kickam, holding quarterly meeting, when she again had a little fever. She took some quinin, and seemed better until Tuesday morning. That morning I went down town for a little while; and on returning I found her with a stubborn attack of the blackwater fever. I did everything I could to check the hemorrhage, and finding I made no headway, called the physician. He came and gave me directions to follow during the night. I worked with her through the night, and called the doctor in the morning. He and his wife came and did everything that could be done, it seems to me; but about ten o’clock, having lost quarts of blood through the kidneys, her heart failed, and she died instantly.”

“And thus a life wholly consecrated to God and ever spent in service to others, immediately was cut off. I know not why, but the Lord knows. Possibly the reason may be expressed in one of the texts chosen to be read at the cemetery as we laid her to rest: ‘And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.’ Again, it may be a seed that has fallen into the ground and died, that a harvest of souls may be reaped. And how can I complain, when ‘God so loved the world, that he gave [voluntarily] his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have, everlasting life’?”

MRS. T. M. FRENCH'S GRAVE AT AXIM, WEST AFRICA

“In my loneliness, the Lord touched hearts here to do all they could to relieve me. Dr. Rupe, the government physician, and his wife, showed themselves friends in my need. The district commissioner attended the funeral services, and to show the respect of the government officials, sent the union flag to drape the coffin. About forty of the brethren and sisters of Axim and Kickam came in a body ten miles to attend the funeral. This expression of their sympathy was greatly appreciated.

“As I turn to the future, things look very dark to me. I hardly know whether it would be best for me to undertake the hard work that is before me without a rest or change. In this matter I know my brethren will be able to advise me.

“In Mrs. French’s last Sabbath-school report, I find these words: ‘As the lessons on the life of Christ are fast drawing to a close, we should put forth extra effort in learning them, and making them a part of our lives individually; for it is by beholding that we become changed.’

“Christlikeness seemed to be the one controlling purpose of her whole life.”

Axim, Jan. 19, 1911.