Death of Sister Anna M. Oyer.
By B. L. Whitney
It is with pain that we announce that death has again entered the ranks of our mission laborers, and our hearts are again bleeding under a blow which though long expected is none the less sad. Sr. Anna Oyer was born in Springville, Erie Co., New York, in 1852, and died at Bale, Switzerland, Nov. 26, 1883, thus lacking four days of completing her thirty-first year. She became a member of the Presbyterian Church at the age of nineteen, and not long after this became interested in present truth. In the spring of 1877 it was my privilege to administer to her, with others, the ordinance of baptism. An older sister, the only member of her family who witnessed the rite, was with her during the last few months of her sickness, and was the only one of the family circle who was permitted to share in the last sad offices. In the spring of 1879, Sr. Oyer decided to give herself more actively to the work, and went to Rome, N. Y., to assist in the work of the tract society. In May of that year she sailed for Europe, in company with Eld. Andrews and his niece, where she has, until the hand of disease was laid upon her, labored earnestly and untiringly in connection with the mission at Bale. About a year ago she took a violent cold, which aggravated a catarrhal throat difficulty, from which she has suffered for years, and which finally settled upon her lungs. From this time, the disease made steady progress, which the efforts of anxious friends and skillful physicians were alike unable to check. She bore her sufferings with Christian resignation and cheerful patience, and though it was her earnest desire to continue her work in the cause where her services had been so efficient, she felt to resign all into the hands of the Lord, assured of her acceptance with him. Her death has left a large place vacant, and her labors will be greatly missed, but we trust that her sleep will be for but a little while, and her awakening near at hand. Remarks were made on the occasion of the funeral by Bro. Ertzenberger, in German, from Job 19:25, and the writer, from Psalms 116:15. We laid her in the mission lot, near where Bro. Andrews sleeps, looking forward a little into the future when our loved ones shall come forth to meet the Lord. Bale, Switzerland. B. L. WHITNEY.