Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-04-10
OBlTUA R Y.
To Me Editor Of Me Bnrle.
C. l.. NJ.


My DEAN BRoTHER: An angel has been with
me; and knew it at the time but have now
been brought more fully to realize the truth, by
being made to behold the radiant brightness OF
her retiring wing.
! My WIFE-the companion Of my lifc-thc
creator of my domestic joys-and the .oothcr
of my sorrows for the last seven years, ycstcr-
day morning gently brcathed bcr lie away, and
now lies before me in the chilly but calm re-
pose of DEATH ! Smiling still with an unearthy
sweetness, as if she woocd me onward to those
scenes of joy that arc beyond the "swelling
flood that now divides us.
well know that my lot is not an uncommon
one, that thousands have drank, and are still
drinking of the same cup. l knew at the time of
our union, that VIC must separate, know the
consultations Of that life and immortality which
the gospel of Jesus brings to light. know the
claims that my three children in particular, and
community in general have upon me that
be calm, and firm, and exhibit the sustaining
principles Of the religion which l profess.
acknowledge these claims. 1 acknowledge, also
that the husband (and there are many such)
whose companion has been ruthlessly hurried
off,
"To the rice swamp, dank and lone"
has cause for sorrow that is, If possible, as
much deeper than mine, as hell is removed from
heaven know, and think feel, all this
and yet my wounded heart does still continue
to bleed; my tears, though all unbiddcn, will
not cease to flow; and my bosom, from time to
time hcaves with anguish, as if the very depths
Of tho foundation Of my life and being were
broken up
And then again l ask mysclf-why should I
be thus overwhelmed with sorrow. Surely the
King of Tcrrors" in this case, has assumed
his least terrific form. My companions state of
mind was very calm remarkably so. She
manifested the utmost confidence in the religion
of Jesus. never asked her for her "expcr-
ence Il had it in her every day life. Her
voice was often heard in family dcvotions, pray
ing for wisdom to direct her ia cultivating the
minds Of her children. She had tears, at least,
" for Others woe" especially had she tears for
the woes Of the wrctchod victims of mans inhu-
manity, to the oppressed ones in slavery.
She approached death with peaceful scrcn-
ty, willing, and expecting to die, yet using all
the means within her reach to regain her health.
The pangs of her final dissolution were severe.
She was dying all night. She told me by words,
as well as, by her moaning, that her pains were
past endurance. l could give her no relief or
consolation, other than that they would soon be
past. A little before eight o'clock on Wedncs-
day morning, sitting in her chair, and having
become very weak, her moaning ceased, and for
about half an hour, she manifested no eXtraor-
dinary suffering. She was still sensible, and
would open her eyes, and fix them on me when
over spoke to her, cher sight and voice had
failed bcfore.) At length arousing suddenly,
she fixed her eyes earnestly before her, at the
same time raising, and extending her hand, as
if to greet an unexpected, but welcome visitor
then falling back again, low swec.ly plaintivo
kind of half wailing sound, was heard, as if it
might have been the cry of long, lost, tender
lamb, when it first discovers tho parent. 1t was
so peculiar, that could not tell whether it to-
kened most of pain or pleasure. 1t seemed to
be mixture of both, or the state that lies di-
rectly between them. To me it appeared as if
it were brcathed by the departing spirit, as it
rose from the tur6id wave, on the other side of
the dark river of DEATH; and its language, as
it fell upon my ear, was, at is over, it is over
it is over" She was dead !