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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
funeral. At the close of the sermon I felt it a duty to testify to the
value of the Christian’s hope in the hour of sorrow and bereavement.
As I arose, strength was given me, and I spoke about ten minutes,
exalting the mercy and love of God in the presence of that crowded
assembly. At the close of the services I followed my husband to Oak
Hill Cemetery, where he was laid to rest until the morning of the
resurrection.
My physical strength had been prostrated by the blow, yet the
power of divine grace sustained me in my great bereavement. When I
saw my husband breathe his last, I felt that Jesus was more precious
to me then than He ever had been in any previous hour of my life.
When I stood by my first-born, and closed his eyes in death, I could
say: “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the
name of the Lord.” And I felt then that I had a comforter in Jesus. And
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when my latest born was torn from my arms, and I could no longer
see its little head upon the pillow by my side, then I could say: “The
Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the
Lord.” And when he upon whose large affections I had leaned, with
whom I had labored for thirty-six years, was taken away, I could lay
my hands upon his eyes, and say: I commit my treasure to Thee until
the morning of the resurrection.
When I saw him passing away, and saw the many friends sympa-
thizing with me, I thought: What a contrast to the death of Jesus as He
hung upon the cross! What a contrast! In the hour of His agony, the
revilers were mocking and deriding Him. But He died, and He passed
through the tomb to brighten it, and to lighten it, that we might have
joy and hope even in the event of death; that we might say, as we lay
our friends away to rest in Jesus: We shall meet them again.
At times I felt that I could not have my husband die. But these
words seemed to be impressed on my mind: “Be still, and know that I
am God.” I keenly feel my loss, but dare not give myself up to useless
grief. This would not bring back the dead. And I am not so selfish as
to wish, if I could, to bring him from his peaceful slumber to engage
again in the battles of life. Like a tired warrior, he has lain down to
sleep. I will look with pleasure upon his resting place. The best way in
which I and my children can honor the memory of him who has fallen,
is to take the work where he left it, and in the strength of Jesus carry it
forward to completion. We will be thankful for the years of usefulness