Death of Brother A. M. Fischer
By A. J. Haysmer
FELL asleep in Jesus at Mayaguez, Porto Rico, March 23, 1902, Brother Albert M. Fischer, aged 30 years, 7 months, and 29 days. He leaves a wife, daughter, father, and a mother, six brothers, and four sisters to mourn their loss. Brother Fischer was married in 1894 to Miss Ida Jones, daughter of Elder J. F. Jones. Brother and Sister Fischer had been laboring in Maryland for some time previous to their appointment at the last General Conference to go to Porto Rico to open up the work. The time that they have been here—nearly ten months—has been spent in studying the language, circulating our literature, and visiting with the people. February 16, while trying to deliver some books in the country, he was taken with fever, which proved to be typhoid. Four or five severe hemorrhages soon made his condition beyond human help. When the doctor was called, it was too late, although he did all in his power. The Great Physician gave evidence that his will was being done. The writer arrived from St. Thomas, Friday, March 7, and assisted in caring for him the last sixteen days. During this time he often spoke of the work which he had only begun; and knowing his condition, he plead with me not to neglect the work in this island, for he believed that there were many precious souls here. He seemed to worry, thinking that perhaps his death would keep others from coming to this field; but I assured him that this would affect only the faint hearted; that the true soldiers would be stimulated to press to the front, and fill the ranks, perhaps two or grew three taking the place of one. He was also afraid that many would think that he and his wife had made a mistake in coming to this field. He wished me to express his strong belief that the Lord had sent them, and to state that they did not regret the move they had taken, but that, if the Lord should call him aside to rest awhile, he was glad to be found at his post of duty. Sister Fischer has been troubled with fever much of the time, but she is now somewhat better. The Lord has blessed and strengthened her much in caring for her husband. She knows that the Lord has made no mistake, although she cannot now see why this blow has come. We laid our brother away to rest March 24. The writer was assisted in the services by Pastor Caldwell, Judge Irwin, and Mr. Jarvis, part of the service being in Spanish. The doctor, the missionaries, the teachers, and many others did all they could to help under the circumstances, as the house was buried under strict quarantine for about three weeks. We have the fullest evidence that while our brother is resting, his works still live, and we believe he will be cheered in the near future by being able to meet on the other shore some for whom he has labored. Who will step in and carry on the work begun?