The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-05-20
Obituary Of a Good-Woman.


This woman was full Of good works and aims
deeds which she did ActS ic aG.
This memoir of an excellent woman we
have often read with admiration and dcliqtt.
IT is a beautiful specimen Of the conprehen-
slvc simplicity Of scripture narrative. She
" was full df good works and aims deeds
which she did" comprises what a modern eu-
Io9ist would spread out over a score Of pages.
Imagination has often painted TO us that
affecting scene in the upper chamber VIXEN
the bereaved friends assembled to ningFe
their unaffected grief over the remains Of the
departed And who constituted the group Of
mourners on this occasion No mention is
made the rich, or honorable, nor is there
any intimation that any kindred according
to the flesh" were there. From what is
said in the narrative, she appears to Lave
been humble individual, distinguished on
ly by the good works ard aims deeds which
she did" But these had secured her
amonument more enduring than the per-
ishablc ma1ble-a monument which kings and
emperora might covet, but which wealth or
titles cannot purchase. Her memory was
engraven in the heart Of many widow and
orphan. They were the eloquent eulogistS
on this mourntul occasion. They had tas-
ted the woes which none can know but those
who have drunk the drcgS Of atiliction'S bitter
cup, and had learnd, by sad experience, the
worlds pretended friendships but in all
their SORROWS one earthly friend was found to
visit them in their Affections, and impart the
words OF sympathy and consolation to their
wounded hearts. But to deal in words Of
kindness was not all the manifestation which
DOrcaS gave Of a heart that could feel for
others woes. Words are cheap things, which
cost us nothing, hence, there are many who
say, BE yc warmed and filed" who are the
last to supply the wants of the destitute and
suffering. But the subject Of this sketch has
given substantial proof of her interest in the
sorrows of the afflicted. Many widows
heart had been cheercd, and many an or
phan's tears lad been dried, not only by her
words of kindness, but by the timely relief
which her active exertions had furnished
All the widows stood by weeping, and show
ing the coats and garments which Dorcas lad
made while with them.
Here is model of female excellence wor-
thy of imitation. In her humble sphere, Dor
cas- exhibited the character Of christian Phi
lanthropiSt. Like her master, the great. OBJ
iect Of her life was, not to be minstered to but
to minister to the happiness of those around
her. And in doing this she doubtless learn
ed what no one who has made the expert
mcnt has failed to learn, that g it is more
blessed to give than to receive" In her self
denying labors she tasted a pure happiness,
to which the spoiled and selfish daughters
Of afluence, who lay all around them under
contribution to crafty the real or fancied
wants are total strangers. y. .
Reader, if you want to shake off a load Of
sorrow from your own HEARTH you want to
earn the art OF being contented with your own
OF, if you would taste happiness akin to that
If heaven, if you would be missed and remem-
,cred when YOU die, 60 and seek out the VIC
inns Of poverty aud distress, the sick and af-
licted, the ignorant, and may be degraded,
mpart as far as you are able instruction and
consolation to their wounded minds, and you
will find in one hour thus spent, a happiness
which you might vainly seek in years devo-
ed to selfish qualification. Reader,will YOU
f you have not done it before, make the ex-
]eriment? Probably you need not 90 be-
'ond your immediate neighborhood to find
uilering, either bodily or mental, which, in
ONE measure you might relieve.-Golden
2We,