p. 207 | Obituary Notices

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 24, 1863

Obituary Notices.

DIED, at Kirkville, Onondaga Co., N. Y. Nov. 1, 1863, of scrofulous consumption, sister Rachel Ann Sperry, only daughter of Henry and D. S. Gardner, aged thirty-two years. Her health had been feeble for nine years, although able to accompany her husband in his labors the most of the time until his death, but for the past year and a half she has steadily declined toward the grave. About twelve days before her death she began to bleed from the nose, and as no remedy could be found that could effectually check this dangerous attack she sank rapidly. Our sister desired to live that she might train up her boy in the way he should go; and we fondly hoped that she might be spared at least till another spring. But it has pleased God to save her from the lingering and distressing death which seemed inevitable, and to cause her to fall asleep with comparative freedom from distress. On the morning of her death, the nose bleeding apparently checked, she was encouraged to hope that she should soon be better. When told that she could live but a few hours, though she seemed surprised by the word, she replied ‐The promises are precious‐ and quoted Isa. i, 18, ‐Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow.‐ She desired us to pray that she might have a greater measure of God’s blessing. And God did hear prayer for her. She commended her son to the blessing of God, and bade him remember the good counsel she had given him in time past. She could say but few words to her parents and friends, for she was fast sinking in death. She fell asleep quietly, we trust without much consciousness of pain, and we have no doubt that she sleeps in Jesus.

She embraced the Saviour at the age of ten, and united with the Baptist church in Panton, Vt., of which her parents were members. She has been interested in the advent faith for many years, and an observer of the Sabbath for about twelve years. She was worthy to be the wife of such a man as our dear departed Brother Sperry. ‐They were lovely and pleasant in their lives‐ and in death they are now united.

May we be able to imitate their godly example, their patience in suffering, and their humble walk with God. J. N. ANDREWS.

Died in Gilboa, Ohio, Oct. 8, 1863, of dropsy of the heart, Bro. Benjamin Radabaugh, aged 68 years.

In 1826 Bro. R. united with the M. E. church. In 1829 he united with the Protestant M. E. church, but still thought there was some truth he had not got. He thus remained, a sincere seeker after truth, until Bro. Cornell gave a course of lectures in Gilboa, when the sound of the third angel’s message greeted his ears, and he paid good heed to the solemn call, and, with his companion, embraced the present truth. He died in the triumphs of faith. Bro. Waggoner is requested to preach his funeral sermon. A. CLARK.