Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1842-05-10
THE HERALD.
Tuesday AfternOOn"".MAY 9.
For the Herald.
OBITUARY.

Died in Rutland, April lslh Julia NJ. daughter of
Benjamin Smith, Esq. aged 10 years and months.
The subject Of this notice was one of earths fair.
est flowers, the joy Of her parents and friends the
life Of the juvenile circle in which she moved and
distinguished by all who knew her for her amiabe
and lovely character.
The whole period Of her existence up to the time
OF her last Illness might be said be one of unin-
terrupted health, consequently her experience had
never led her to contemplate her death; notwiih-
standing, from the first Of her sckess she learned to
reflect upon this subject and at that early period was
hrm in the conviction that she should recover
1t was peculiarly solemn and impressive, and the
same time highly interesting TO mark the operations
Of that youthful mind The delight she manifested
the expression Of joy which rested on her counte-
nancc--her fOrgctfulness of pain, and her calm
posure when engaged in conversation upon the sub
ject of the Christians faith and hope. She would
seem to soar away from EARTH and lose herselfin the
untold glories of that better world. So completely
her mind absorbed in this all-important subject
that she would scarce consent to cease speaking,
even al the solicitation of her friends, urged by the
consideration that her condition rcqred it, Then
conversation, reading the scriptures and prayer,
proved to be indeed feast for The soul. She had
fear Of death, but requested her attending phys;
clan 10 make further efforts in her behalf" for
she "desired TO depart and be with Christ"
On the 9Th day fher illness, in tile presence of
the writer, she called her two younger brothers to
her bedside, and having divided between them a
portion Of her little treasure amid the tears of those
around her, she continued to talk with them upon
that subject which near her heart--en-
joining upon them obedience TO their parents, and
much other useful advice suited to their capacity
and situation. She also gave each member Of the
family some token of regard which should serve as
n nemento when the gver was slumhering in the
dust. Subsequently, she wished to see all her
young associates, and having conversed with them
in like manner, obtained from each the assurance
that they would attend the services Of her funeral
Similar assurance she also obtained from many of
her acquaintances in adult years
| mention these things presenting in the aggre-
gate an instance Of triumphant death almost unpar-
allelled in the account Of juvenile deaths. The
like is seldom witnessed; and during nine years of
ministerial labor the writer has never Witnessed
such composure, resignation, patience and lively
faith in one so young.
Some speculations had obtained the confidence of
many, even before her death, that she disbelieved
in the reconciliation of world to God. This opin-
ion undoubtedly originated in the mistaken idea that
hei HdPpy HaiHe Vi llIHu curing ner SICKNESS, ana
her triumphant death do not harmonic with the
doctrine of Gods impartial grace, and that it does
not recognize experimental religion. Such an err
ror, however in this age of The world, no one is JUS
tilted in believing AS it respects her case remark
that it cannot be expected that one young, could
be established in doctrines of the scriptures but the
fact that she firmly believed in her own future hap
pness--of meeting all her friends and Acquaintance
es in heaven her particular request that the writer
of this should perform her funeral service and her
great anxiety that all the families in tho vicinity,
who differ from me in matters of religious faith
should be present the occasion of her funeral
should be sufficient to put to shame and silence all
such speculations.
According TO her request, that service was per-
formed by me, in the presence Of a large congrega-
tion Of sympathizing friends, and sermon preached
from Cor. 4: II, Is. CHS. +. TEWES.
e