It becomes my painful duty to record the death of our beloved brother, Samuel T. Cranson. His disease was consumption. He fell asleep without a struggle or groan, on Tuesday, April 10th, at 15 minutes before 4 o'clock, P. M., aged 33 years, 1 month and 7 days. He has left a faithful companion and three children to mourn his loss. They sorrow, but not without hope. His confidence in the present truth was unshaken to the end. He endured his last sickness with extraordinary patience, and met death like a Christian. For the comfort of the saints of like precious faith, we copy some of the last words of our much lamented Brother. Among his last were the following: "O what patience! O what resignation! The Lord has let me feel some of his glory today. The Sabbath, O that blessed truth. O how precious! Keep your eye on the kingdom. The kingdom is coming; it is coming, and Jesus is coming soon. There is Mr. —. O that he would give up his Universalism, and keep the commandments;
then his religion would stand by him. I am testing mine now. O glory! Glory! Don't look to the cross for your atonement. You are too fast; look to the heavenly Sanctuary where Jesus is, and confess your sins. O the third angel's message; it is truth; it will gather out a few honest ones for the kingdom. Tell the brethren to hold on to the third angel's message; it is right; it is SOLID AS A ROCK. He often repeated—"All's well—Not a cloud—Not a doubt—Perfect peace—I long for rest." His last sentence was, "I thank the Lord for patience."
I had the privilege of being with him in his last hours, and (agreeable to his request) preached his funeral sermon. We spoke on the "Christian's hope" from 1 Thess. iv, 13, 14, which seemed to make a favorable impression upon the minds of the large audience assembled on the occasion.
This faithful servant of God quietly rests in hope, and will soon come forth to enjoy an eternal life of glory in the Kingdom of God. Amen!
M. E. CORNELL.
DIED in this city, April 26th, Oren Hewett, aged about 50 years. For several years past Bro. H. had been gradually wasting with consumption. The past winter he was very feeble, though able to sit up the greater part of the time. On the day of his death he appeared unusually cheerful, and was apparently stronger than he had been for some time previous. His death was sudden, being caused by hemorrhage of the lungs, so that he was not able to speak.
Of Bro. Hewett it may be truly said that none knew him but to love him. He was an example of piety such as is rarely met with. Unaffected humility and unfeigned faith were striking features of his Christian character. But perhaps the fact which is most worthy of remembrance was his practical illustration of James ii, 2. "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body."
Bro. H. was kindly cared for in the family of Bro. Orton, who did everything in their power to minister to his comfort. But he sleeps in Jesus and is blessed. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace."
J. N. ANDREWS.
Rochester, N. Y., April 29th, 1855.
Brother John Wright sleeps in Jesus after a short sickness of about two weeks. He died March 22d, aged 80 years. His last days were attended with much hard pain. He had been a keeper of the Commandments of God about four years. Much of the time he was able to walk six miles to meeting. He had always made a great sacrifice to meet with the children of God, and we have the best reason to believe that he will come up in the first resurrection, and be rewarded with eternal life.
J. HART.
Northfield, Vt., Apr. 6th, 1855.
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I write to inform you of the death of my oldest son, Joseph Clough Jr., who died on the 20th of April last, of consumption, in the 25th year of his age. I trust he sleeps in Jesus; and I would bow in humble submission to God's righteous will, knowing that he doeth all things well.
Last Summer, though sick, he attended the tent-meeting at Sutton, Vt., which was the first and only time that he ever heard any preaching under the third angel's message. He there became convinced that the seventh day is the Sabbath; but he did not make up his mind to keep it until last Winter, when he gave himself to the Lord, to try to serve him, and keep all his commandments. Will brother Hutchins come and preach a sermon in reference to his death?