OBITUARY by Joseph Bates

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 24, 1856

OBITUARY.

By Joseph Bates

DIED of the Small Pox, in Middletown, Conn., Nov. 18th, 1855, Dea. E. L. H. Chamberlain, aged 57 years. His sickness was distressing but short, having lived but nine days from the commencement of the disease. His affectionate and interesting little daughter, Alice Starr, died on the 8th Dec. following, with the same disease, and is now sleeping by his side. His afflicted companion and large family of interesting children are thus suddenly bereaved, and left to mourn the loss of an affectionate husband, a kind and tender father, child and sister. The church of God in Conn. has also lost one of their most estimable members. Since 1842 his house has been open for religious meetings, and also to receive and comfort the servants of God. Himself and companion were among the first in Conn. to commence keeping the Bible Sabbath, since which he has united his means with other dear brethren, to advance the suffering cause of God.

Says a dear brother who staid by him to minister unto him in his sickness and death: "his family and their daily wants gave him much anxiety, but the cause of God was uppermost in the closing scene, and occupied his mind till the last. When asked by his companion if he felt the Lord would save him, he said, "YES, I DO!" and several times expressed himself thus: "I am going and shall RISE SOON." Thus his afflicted companion and bereaved children, and brethren in the Lord mourn not as those who have no hope. JOSEPH BATES.

P. S. The letter from Conn. giving me some of the particulars of the suffering and death of our beloved Bro. C., did not come to hand until this P. M. This is the cause of the delay. J. B.