Death of Sister Andrews.
By John Nevins Andrews
My dear wife sleeps in death. A second and much severer shock than that of Feb. 17 came upon her March 18, and in an instant she became totally unconscious. Before her second shock, she had to a very great extent recovered from the first. I have never seen more signal answers to prayer than those that were granted during the month which intervened between the two shocks. It pleased God to relieve her in answer to prayer from very many distresses, and, day by day, to give back to her the powers which she had lost. And as we thus sought God our children have united with us, and to our great joy have found Christ. On Monday, March 18, she seemed better than at any time since her first attack. The weather was pleasant, and about 10 o'clock in the morning, she thought to walk out. I was in the act of putting on her cloak, as she stood in the room, when, in a moment, her limbs gave way and she sank to the floor. She lived till three o'clock Tuesday morning, when, without any convulsive effort, her breath ceased, and she fell asleep. Her funeral was on Thursday afternoon. Sermon by Bro. C. B. Reynolds, from Matt. 25 : 21. What sorrow and anguish have been mine during these days no words can express. Yet with the terrible bitterness of the cup has been such sweetness and such blessing from God as exceeds everything that I have ever before experienced. She faithfully shared my burdens, and that to an extent that was little known to others. I here bear record to the fact that she has done the utmost in her power to help me to go out to labor in the cause of God, and has never once complained when I have remained long absent. During the entire period of our married life no unkind word ever passed between us, and no vexed feeling ever existed in our hearts. But her time for rest has come, and she now sleeps in Jesus. Bitter as I find the separation I would not wish her again to bear the burdens from which God has given her a release. Henceforth it shall be my business to lead our dear children toward the heavenly city, and to strive more worthily to preach Christ to perishing men, and to recommend his religion by exemplifying it myself. My dear sleeping wife was, at the time of her death, forty-eight years and nine days of age. Constant care for my wife has prevented my writing for the REVIEW during her sickness. I design to resume it after a little period of needed rest.