Obituary Notices | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 16, 1872

Obituary Notices.

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

DIED, in Battle Creek, on Tuesday, March 19, 1872, of diabetes and putrid erysipelas, Eld. Joseph Bates, in the eightieth year of his age.

Our much beloved and greatly lamented brother, was, at the time of his death, on a visit to the Health Institute in Battle Creek, in the hope of obtaining relief from a chronic difficulty which proved the cause of his death. His last hours, though characterized by pain such as few men have been called upon to pass through, afforded a marked evidence of the superiority of a faith in Christ over the bodily suffering and the prospect of certain and rapidly approaching death. Having in early manhood chosen the service of God, and having for many years faithfully endeavored to live the life of the righteous, his last end was such as those alone can expect who have sedulously endeavored to preserve a conscience void of offense toward God and man. It was with most perfect assurance that those who had been acquainted with his previous history, marked as it has been with toils and sacrifices in the cause of present truth, could say of him, as he yielded up his life into the hands of Him who gave it, He sleeps in Jesus.

On Thursday, the 21st of March, his remains were brought to Monterey, Allegan Co., Mich., where they were interred on the following day in Poplar Hill Cemetery by the side of his wife who was buried there a little over one year since. A funeral discourse was delivered by the writer from 1 Thess. 4:18, to a large and sympathizing congregation convened in the S. D. Adventist house of worship. W. H. LITTLEJOHN.

DIED, in Jericho, Vt., March 16, 1872, of apoplexy, sister Julia Oaks, in the fifty-fourth year of her age. Possessing a strong intellect, high social powers, and an amiable disposition, sister O. drew around her a large circle of friends. As a Christian, her life was devoted and consistent, anxiously desirous of promoting the cause of Him in whose service she enlisted years since.

She was one of the few who embraced the Bible Sabbath under the labors of Elds. Bourdeau in J., in the autumn of 1870. In this advance step in the reception of light and truth, these dear friends faced a tide of opposition and persecution, which called for an exercise of great moral courage and active faith in God. With others who moved forward in the light of divine truth, she was a member of the Methodist church. For some time she had mourned their lack of spirituality and power to prevail with God, as his children should. She was impressed that there must be additional light for the faithful.

Gratefully she took her stand with commandment-keepers. In meeting with a few of like precious faith, in her house, at the commencement of the last Sabbath but one before her death, she said, “I thank God that I am in the Spirit on the Lord’s day.”

But alas! how uncertain is life. The next afternoon as a few came to her house for religious worship, she was found alone, and nearly unconscious. Kind friends quickly came to her relief; but all that love and affection could do, could not save her.

She lingered unconscious nearly all the time, till just after the close of the following Sabbath, when she fell asleep, to rest till the Life-giver shall call her forth to receive the starry crown. Several children, and other friends, are left to mourn their loss. The church in J. miss her greatly. A. S. HUTCHINS.

DIED, in Rochester, Mich., March 3, 1872, of diphtheria and inflammation of the lungs, Milly, youngest daughter of Bro. G. W. and sister Mary Chamberlain, aged five years, three months, and ten days. She was beloved by all who knew her. Four other children of the family were sick at the same time.

Prayer and a few remarks were offered at the house by Eld. Swayne, Baptist. L. N. BARTHOLOMEW.