Death of Elder G. B. Wheeler
Seamans.—Died at her home at Willis, Mich., Feb. 17, 1904, of heart-disease, Mrs. Sarah Theresa Seamans, aged 67 years. She experienced religion in 1852, and accepted the faith of Seventh-day Adventists about fifteen years ago. Since then she had been a faithful, devout member of the church at Willis, Mich. Her joy was in spending her life for her neighbors and the needy. She leaves one brother, four sisters, and five children to mourn their loss. The funeral was conducted by the writer. Andrew J. Harris. Chapman.—Died at College View, Neb., Feb. 18, 1904, Warren Dean Chapman, aged 46 years, 2 months, and 8 days. Brother Chapman accepted present truth in the early history of the Nebraska Conference, under the labors of Elders A. J. Cudney and Geo. B. Starr. He occupied several positions of trust in the conference, and in 1890 joined a company of canvassers for England. Soon after returning to America, he contracted the dread disease, tuberculosis, which, with heart trouble, resulted in his death. Funeral services were conducted by the writer. L. A. Hoopes. Eager.—Died near Plainfield, Wis., Jan. 28, 1904, Sister Flora Eager, nee Farrar, aged 39 years, 11 months, and 3 days. She was taken ill with measles and pneumonia, which resulted in her death. She gave her heart to God in early youth, and was baptized and united with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She was a devout Christian and faithful member of the church until death called her away. She leaves a husband, father, mother, and two brothers to mourn their loss, but not without hope. The funeral services were conducted by the writer; text, Rev. 14:13. R. P. Neilsen. Willoughby.—Died at Cambridge, Idaho, Sept. 6, 1903, James Earl Willoughby, oldest son of Elder J. M. and E. A. Willoughby, aged 19 years, 10 months, and 10 days. His death, which was sudden and unexpected, was a heavy blow to his parents, sister, and two brothers left to mourn their loss, but we look forward in the hope of being a united family in the kingdom. He was greatly beloved by all who knew him. He was converted and baptized at the age of twelve years. At the funeral, words of comfort were spoken by Brother Arthur Moon, from Isa. 43. With sorrowful hearts we laid him away, awaiting the coming of the Lord, who will restore all things. J. M. and E. A. Willoughby. Woodruff.—Died at her home in Topeka, Kan., Feb. 8, 1904, of la grippe, Eliza Ann Woodruff, aged 86 years, 6 months, and 8 days. Sister Woodruff was converted at an early age, and united with the M. E. Church. At the age of fifty she became connected with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, of which she remained a faithful, devout member until her death. Two sons and two daughters are left to mourn the loss of a kind and loving mother. At the last gathering around that loved form, we comforted one another with the blessed assurance that if we are only as faithful as she had been, we shall enjoy a glorious reunion at the soon coming of Jesus. Words of encouragement were spoken by the writer, from Job 14:14. N. B. Emerson. Chantler.—Fell peacefully asleep in Jesus, at Knoxville, Tenn., Feb. 20, 1904, Charles Chantler, aged 84 years. Brother Chantler was born in England, of Quaker parents. At an early age he united with the Baptists. About thirty years ago he united with the Seventh-day Adventists, serving as deacon of the church at Traverse City, Mich. Five years ago he removed to Knoxville, where his consecrated life and earnest devotion to the cause of his Master won the respect and love of all who knew him. Nine days before he died, he fell and broke the hip bone, which rendered him helpless, and subjected him to excruciating and almost continuous pain. But he bore all with patience and heroism, and every waking moment, when not racked with severe pain, was spent in praise to God. He leaves behind a companion, six children, and quite a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. The funeral was well attended by the neighbors, who kindly ministered to him during his last sickness, and who had learned to love him for his gentleness and Christlikeness of character. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer. W. C. Wales. Death of Elder G. B. Wheeler
Elder G. B. Wheeler, secretary of the New England Religious Liberty Association, was born in Warwick, Mass., in 1840, and died Feb. 7, 1904, at his home in South Lancaster, Mass. He was converted when about twenty-seven years of age, soon after returning from the war. His parents being Baptists, he joined that denomination. After his mother’s death, he disposed of his business, which was quite a prosperous one, and entered the Baptist theological seminary at Newton, Mass. He was with the Baptist ministry for about fifteen years; but during the last few years of his association with them he investigated present truth, his sisters in Vermont having accepted the message. After a thorough investigation and a candid and careful consideration of the truth, he decided to cast in his lot with the Adventists. It was at a great sacrifice he did this, but he was assured that it was the truth of God for these times. He was an earnest, faithful, devoted worker. He loved the truth with all his heart, and labored with his whole soul in the religious liberty work, for which he was eminently fitted. His last illness was short, about four days. He was first taken with la grippe; an abscess formed in his ear, finally breaking within, which was followed with meningitis. Soon after the abscess broke, he lost his mind, and for twenty-four hours before his death he was unconscious. His decease is a great loss to us as a conference, and to the religious liberty work in New England. Funeral services were conducted at the South Lancaster church, in charge of Elder A. E. Place, assisted by the ministering brethren of the conference. We laid him to rest in the same cemetery where sleep many other dear saints of God, who will appear when the Life-giver shall come. May the Lord hasten the day. A widow, two sisters, and three daughters are left to mourn the loss, but they sorrow not as others who have no hope. F. G. C.