Death of Eld. J. N. Andrews.
By Benjamin L. Whitney
THE telegram which was sent Sunday evening, October 21, announcing the death, that day of our dear Bro. Andrews, has already reached the friends on the other side of the water, bearing a burden of sorrow to many hearts. Doubtless a fitting tribute to his life and work has already been offered in the columns of the Review, by those better qualified for this task than I. It only remains to me, therefore, to speak of these last weeks of association with him, and the laying down of his life work, the incidents of which will, without doubt, be of interest to his many friends in America. When we arrived here, the 26th of last July, we found Bro. Andrews very feeble, wasted almost to a skeleton, able to take a few steps with great effort, and to sit up a little while during the day; yet at work whenever he had a little strength. He was finishing his articles for the July number of Les Signes, which was already much behind. The prospect of death seemed very near to him, yet he clung to the work, and to life for the work's sake. We persuaded him to omit his articles for the August issue, hoping he might gain a little strength, but he continued to fail, and if at times there seemed to be a brief truce with the dread disease, it was soon broken by the re-appearance of the severe symptoms, which left him each time weaker. His pen, once laid down, was not taken up again, but he continued to read the proof of the paper, as had been his custom, lying in bed, in spite of the entreaties of all that he would spare his strength. The evening of the day he finished his work on the October number he was taken with severe pain in his bowels, and though everything was done that could be done for his relief, it seemed to grow more and more severe till his sufferings were intense, and no relief was found until an opiate was administered the next evening. This partially subdued the pain, and he found some rest. As the pain subsided, he was troubled with hiccoughs, which continued at frequent intervals until the day of his death. But the intense severity of his suffering seemed past, and the merciful Father, to whom our prayers for his relief went up almost without ceasing, was pleased to give him partial respite from suffering. For some weeks he had been unusually cheerful and calm, willing to live or die, as God saw fit, and this feeling of cheerful trust seemed to deepen. Even in the midst of severe suffering he praised God and dwelt upon his mercy and love. The cares and burdens of the past were all laid aside, and though his interest in the work did not abate till he lost all consciousness of this world, he seemed to feel no anxious care. No murmur of impatience or complaint escaped him, even in the midst of severest suffering, but he expressed much affectionate gratitude to those who administered to his wants. The Swiss Conference, which was appointed to meet here, assembled according to appointment, and I was necessarily much occupied, but found time to go to his room occasionally and assist in caring for him. He begged me not to leave the meetings to do for him, as his interest, he said, was wholly in the meeting. Lying on his bed, away from the sound of the meeting, he seemed to feel a constant sympathy with the work going on, and realized more than ever the blessing of the Spirit of God. Friday evening he said to his mother that he felt sure the brethren had been praying for him, for he felt such a blessing, and relief from suffering; and this was true. At the close of the Sabbath a special season of prayer was held for him in the meeting hall, by the brethren and sisters assembled. In speaking that evening of his desires, he said that he would not, if he could, take the responsibility of deciding whether he should live or die. He would gladly live to work in the cause if that were God's will, but he was willing to die if God saw best. He felt that his case was wholly in the hands of the Lord. Sunday morning, at his request, a few met in his room for prayer, after which he seemed much relieved, although he continued to fail steadily through the day. Half an hour before his death he seemed to lose consciousness, and at five o'clock P. M. he fell asleep, without a struggle or a groan, surrounded by those nearest of kin, and those who loved him tenderly. During the last two weeks of his life he had completed what business arrangements he had to make, and as his last act, about three hours before his death, with his own trembling hand and with great apparent satisfaction, he assigned to the mission $500 of his estate not already disposed of. His mind seemed clear as long as consciousness remained. It was a privilege highly appreciated by his aged mother to be able to minister to her only remaining son, in his last hours,—a service which was rewarded by his grateful and affectionate appreciation. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon in the mission hall, and attended by a large proportion of the brethren and sisters, who remained one day after the Conference for that purpose. A goodly number of the citizens paid their respects to his memory, accompanying the funeral cortege to the cemetery. Brief remarks were made by the writer from 2 Tim. 4: 7, 8, which were translated into the French. Bro. Bourdeau followed with remarks in French, and Bro. Erzenberger concluded the services in German at the grave. A lot in a pleasant part of the beautiful cemetery was purchased by the mission, and we laid him away after the custom of the burial service in America. The coffin was covered with beautiful flowers, the sincere offerings of loving hearts and tributes of respect from the citizens, and we left him to peaceful rest till He in whom he fell asleep shall awaken him to the full fruition of the "blessed hope" which cheered him through life. The following resolutions were passed, with deep feeling, by the Conference:— WHEREAS, Our Heavenly Father has seen fit, in his providence, to lay his hand upon us in the removal from our midst of our dearly beloved brother, Eld. J. N. Andrews; therefore, Resolved, That while we humbly and reverently bow in submission to the will of God, we feel that we have sustained an irreparable loss, both personally and in the work, and that in view of this loss we will consecrate ourselves anew to the work to which he gave his life, seeking to follow his example of sacrifice and devotion to the cause of God. Resolved, That we hereby tender to his afflicted family our deepest sympathy in this their great bereavement. We need not speak of the sense of loss we feel in the household and in the work. A place is left vacant, and we know not how it can be filled, but we are comforted by the faith that our loved brother rests in Jesus, and that the work is God's. Though he may, "bury his workmen," yet he will "carry on his work." Bale, Suisse, Oct. 24. B. L. WHITNEY.