DEATH, this relentless enemy of man [1 Cor.xv,26] has again visited us and torn from us our dearly beloved Sister, Amanda Hutchinson, aged 56 years. She fell asleep of the bilious fever, at half past five o'clock, Tuesday morning, the 8th of April. She has left an aged companion and four children to mourn her untimely loss. The church also feels her loss. We have lost a dear sister, a kind companion, and an affectionate and tender mother ; yet we mourn not as those who have no hope. She left a bright evidence that she has gone in peace.
"She sleeps in Jesus, blessed sleep!
From which none ever wakes to weep."
Her trials, her sorrows, and her cares, are all at an end. She rests from her labors and her works will follow her. Rev. xiv, 13. She awaits a glorious resurrection. "Her life is hid with Christ in God," and when Christ who is our life shall appear, then, she with the saints will also appear with him in glory. Col. iii, 3, 4. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess. iv, 16, 17. Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O, death, where is thy sting, O, grave, where is thy victory!
She also awaits a glorious kingdom, the earth made new, [Rev. xxi, 1; 2 Pet. iii, 13.] wherein dwelleth righteousness, where sickness, pain and sorrow can never come: where death can have no more dominion over her. There parting will be no more. There no farewell tears will be shed; for all tears shall be wiped away. There the pious child will meet his parent; there pious companions will meet to part no more.
"O there will be shouting, shouting, shouting, shouting.
O there will be shouting when we meet to part no more."
I would say one word to this bereaved family. Prepare for this happy meeting. Remember the dying words of your companion and mother, her oft repeated entreaties and prepare to meet her. No more will you hear her warning voice to live for Jesus. Her voice is stilled in death; yet in her behalf I would exhort you to prepare to meet her. Let not her dying entreaties be forgotten; but treasure them up in your hearts and live for Jesus. Live for eternal life. Live for glory.