Sister Amanda M. Washburn died Apr. 24th, after an illness of several months. Her mind became somewhat impaired by her disease, yet she gave good evidence that her heart was right with God. Her Bible she made her constant companion, and she delighted greatly in its sacred pages. She was devotedly attached to the advent people and the cause of truth.—She loved the Holy Sabbath, and the hour of prayer was ever a welcome season to her.
For three weeks before her death she had but little consciousness of any thing that was passing around; yet the mention of the Saviour's name seldom failed to gain a response. At times when repeated efforts were made in vain to arouse attention upon other objects, if asked, Do you love Jesus? with a smile she would quickly reply, "Oh! yes." Blessed is the thought to her dear parents and friends that, though she is now dead, she will live again, and that when her Saviour appears, she will appear with him in glory.
Oct. 31st, Bro. Benaiah Moody died, aged 56 years, in glorious anticipation of a better life beyond the grave. He retained his senses untill the last moment. Bro. Moody was among the first that embraced the Advent doctrine in Paris. In the fall of 1851 he was brought low by disease, (ulcers in his stomach) the same of which he died, whereby he was brought to see that he was not all right. He had previously had some convictions upon the Sabbath truth. He then felt assured his sickness was not unto death, but that he should be raised up to keep this holy day. It was even so. After embracing this truth he maintained a closer walk with his Maker. His family, though they have no sympathy with the faith he professed, testify that his life, particularly after he embraced the Sabbath, was such that they could not doubt his piety.
The last time Bro. Moody met with us he referred to his declining health, and expressed his conviction that he was enjoying his last privilege of meeting.—The afternoon that he died he said he would like to have his neighbors present, he felt just like talking, and with them he would gladly leave his dying testimony to the truth. Many precious words dropped from the lips to his sorrowing family. To one he said, "Dear daughter, I want you to promise me that you will prepare to meet me in heaven." He entreated her to keep the Holy Sabbath, saying, "it will do you no good to keep the Pope's Sabbath, and it will do you no hurt to keep the Lord's Sabbath, but it will make you happy."
Upon his declining to take a little nourishment, an Advent friend who was standing by, said, "Bro. Moody, the next time you eat, it will be at that great supper-table when Jesus himself will come forth and serve you." His countenance lightening up with inexpressible joy, he replied, "Yes! I shall eat my next supper there."
About six, P. M., he fell asleep.
"Asleep in Jesus! O how sweet
To be for such a slumber meet!
With holy confidence to rest
In hope of being ever blest."
Also on the morning of the 23d ult. Martha Chase died of consumption, in her 15th year. Being of a very diffident turn she said but little, and it was difficult to understand the state of her mind. She was a conscientious observer of the Sabbath, even while away from home, though, as she acknowledged during her sickness, she had done some things on that day she ought not, for which she was very sorry.—In the early part of her sickness, she would weep if death was mentioned; but at length she would talk upon the subject with calmness, and repeatedly assured her anxious parents that the Lord had forgiven all her sins and he would take her to himself. Her end was very peaceful: leaning her head on Jesus' breast, she breathed her life out sweetly there. A.