Obituary | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 8, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 26.

Obituary.

HEATH.—Died at Denver, Colo., May 22, 1889, of consumption, Brother John R. Heath, aged 37 years. A few months before his death, he, with his family, went to Lemoore, Cal., hoping that the change would benefit him. He returned to Denver a few days before his death. He died upheld by a strong Christian faith. D. H. SOGGS.

WEATHERFORD.—Died near Wilmer, Dallas Co., Texas, April 21, 1889, of measles and consumption, my wife, Mary Weatherford, aged 38 years and 3 months. She lived a consistent member of the Missionary Baptist Church for about fifteen years, until in 1881, when she began to receive the light of present truth by reading, which she accepted and sought to live out day by day. She was an affectionate wife and a loving mother, ever ready to minister by her gifts and offerings to the wants of the suffering and needy, as well as to the wants of the cause of her soon-coming Saviour. We shall greatly miss her co-operation and counsel in our little church and Sabbath-school, as well as in our home. We feel that our loss is heavy, but would not recall her to this world of sin, but rather strive to heed her parting exhortation to live holy lives and win eternal life. She leaves a husband, son, and two daughters to mourn their loss, besides a large circle of friends and acquaintances. We have laid her away for a little season, until the soon-coming reunion of all of God's people. Words of comfort were spoken by Brother O. Glass (S. D. A.), from Rev. 14:13. SAMUEL C. WEATHERFORD.

MORRISS.—Died, near Plano, Texas, June 12, 1889, after a short illness, Lee C. Morriss, aged 19 years, 5 months and 17 days. Lee, with his parents, had but recently returned from California. He had been in Texas but a short time before he was taken sick. A few days before his death, in conversation with his mother, he was led to see the pardoning love of the Saviour. This he sought and found, as was testified to by those who heard his humble confessions and earnest exhortations. He expressed a desire to live only, however, that he might engage in the Master's work. Words of comfort by the writer from Job 14:10. W. S. HYATT.

PRICE.—In Woodland, Cal., June 13, 1889, Martha J., wife of J. W. Price, aged 50 years and 28 days. Sister Price gave her heart to Jesus in early years, and during life endeavored to walk in the light. With her husband, she heard and accepted present truth at Winterset, Iowa, in 1870, during a tent-meeting held by Elder G. I. Butler and others. For many years she was an invalid, and her death was not unexpected. She leaves a husband, and son of 13 years. We feel that she has died the death of the righteous, and will soon be called forth from the grave, clothed with immortality. The last clause of Num. 23:10 was used as the basis of a short discourse. J. G. SMITH. (Review and Herald please copy.)

HORSWILL.—Died at Coos City, Oregon, May 27, 1889, Eliza Horswill, aged 65 years, 3 months, and 18 days. She embraced Christianity after reaching maturity, and joined the Baptist Church. She lead an exemplary Christian life for over forty years. The Saviour was ever dear to her, and when she accepted the enlightening truths of the Third Angel's Message, he became doubly precious to her soul. She embraced the Sabbath last December while confined to a bed of sickness. She had been helpless for about a year, and when life's brittle thread was broken and she sank to rest, it was with the bright hope of again waking to immortal life and beauty on the resurrection morn. She leaves an aged husband to mourn his loss, but his trust is in the Lord, and he looks beyond the shifting scenes of this life to a reception into an eternity with God. A few remarks on the funeral occasion by the writer, from James 4:14. L. A. REED.

CRAWFORD.—Henry C. Crawford was born in Chicago, Sept. 7, 1841, and died at Elroy, Wis., May 7, 1889, aged 47 years and 8 months. Brother Crawford was left an orphan at the age of seven years. At the outbreak of the civil war, he enlisted in the 126th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, and served three years. Soon after enlisting, while lying on a bed of sickness at Chicago, he enlisted under the banner of the cross. After returning home, he united with the M. E. Church. In the year 1884, he removed his family to Elroy, Wis. During the summer of 1884 he first became interested in the Third Angel's Message, while attending a series of tent-meetings in Elroy, conducted by Elder Jordon. He with his family accepted the truth, and united with the Elroy church. During the past winter his mind has been almost wholly absorbed on these subjects, and he has written many letters, and conversed with many not of our faith, and was often heard speaking in terms of gratitude that this light ever came to him. He was a kind husband and father, and his family deeply mourn his loss. He leaves a wife and nine children. We laid him away to rest, until the Life-giver comes to reclaim his own. Funeral discourse by Elder T. B. Snow, from Job 14:10-14. MRS. H. C. CRAWFORD.

GIBBS.—Died, at St. Helena, Cal., June 19, 1889, Maria A. Gibbs, wife of Dr. J. S. Gibbs. The deceased was born in the town of Groton, N. Y., Febuary 3, 1853, and was therefore thirty-six years, four months and sixteen days of age. She became a member of the Baptist Church of East Lansing, N. Y., at the early age of fourteen. She was married to Dr. J. S. Gibbs, May 1, 1878, uniting after her marriage with the Baptist Church of Groton, of which her husband was then a member. She continued a devoted Baptist till July, 1888, when she accepted the truths held by us as a people. As she expressed it to a friend, "I have accepted of all the truth with all my heart." These truths she observed till her death. In 1887 the deceased came to California, hoping that her health, which had always been feeble from inherited and incurable disease,—tuberculosis,—would improve; but in this she was disappointed. For the last year of her life she was confined to her bed, being a great sufferer much of the time. She was loved by those who knew her, having a kind word for rich and poor alike. But her sufferings are ended and she sleeps in peace. A husband, father, mother, brother, and sister are left to mourn her loss; but they sorrow not without hope. She expressed a firm confidence in Christ her Saviour till the last. Remarks by the writer from John 14:6. M. C. W. (Review and Herald please copy.)