Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-08
Touching Narrative.

Some time since we gave an account OF the
death of three young ladies, daughters of q
clergyman in Kentucky, from burns caused by
the explosion of camphene lamp. Their
father has written the following narrative of his
bereavement to the editor Of the Nashville Id
oocate.
My DEAR BROTHER McFERRIY am in
deep affection; yes, almost overwhelmed with
the mighty tide Of sad bereavement. OIL how
deeply painful to record the death of my three
lovely daughters but it must be done.
Anna Eliza, aged ls years, wanting only six
days.
Hester Jane, aged l6 years and one day.
Laura Washington, aged years, months,
and 6 days.
On Monday evening, May 22d, while my
daughters were around the supper table, the
servant Matilda washing the tea things, Hester,
assisted by Laura, filled the lamp; the fluid
took Ere, the can in her hand, and the lamp
instantly exploded, throwing the burning fluid
upon all present. The servant girl ran to a
barrel of water, and soon extinguished the
flames upon herself The girls passed out at the
front Of the house, and ran to the store, a
distance of sixty yards. They were SO COM
pletely enveloped in flames, that they could not
pillars Of fire, the flames rising and breaking
off in curling and brilliant sheets several feet
above their heads. The heat was so intense,
that the soldering in Laura's earrings melted,
and they fell to pieces. Their clothes were
burned almost entirely off them, before the
flames could be extinguished. Myself and
wife were from home, on my circuit at dis
lance of twenty-five miles. We got the news
about daylight the next morning, by nine
o'clock we were at home.
But my sweet Laura breathed her last a few
minutes before we arrived. Oh! that we could
have seen her before she died. During her
sufferings she frequently said: i am afraid l
will never see my dear pa and ma any more,
and when died would go to the good place"
My dear child was in the constant habit of
praying before she retired to rest. have
often heard her weeping when engaged in
prayer. Sometimes after prayer she would
come to me, and put her arms around me, and
seemed to feel the emotions of Joy and love.
Hester Jane, my second daughter joined the
church in 1850. She was attentive to the read
ing of the Holy Scriptures and other means of
grace. She had been very serious, and was in
the habit of reading the Scriptures just before
going to bed, for months; and we have no
doubt but she was happily converted in the
midst of the flames. Oh! what a miracle of
grace and goodness! AS soon as she could
converse, she was perfectly calm, and said 81
have put my trust in God" When asked if she
was badly burned, she replied: am suffer
ing very much, but am calm and resigned"
After being taken to the house, she was asked
if she was comfortable; she answered. / am
not comfortable, but | am happy" 1Why,
what makes you happy, when suffering SO
much 2" Her reply was; Because | have
made peace with God.n She continued in that
heavenly state of mind. When approached
her bedside, she looked up and smiled, and said
so sweetly: "Dear pa ~ How do you feel
my daughter" said j. al feel better, now,
pa, don't weep; am SO happy
When told her Laura was dead, she ex-
claimed, "Ohl sweet Laurap i said to her,
|" Ny daughter, under this severe affection, how
de you feel about getting well ?" She replied,
i think ! had rather 60 now the most of
our friends are gone, and the few that are left
will soon follow" She reoiced in prospect Of
death, "Laura," said she, "is with her ma now.n
Not thinking her end was so nigh, went to
the graveyard to select spot to bury my dead.
Her ma, seeing her sinking very fast, said to
her, Hester, what shall Itell your pa for you
if you do not see him again ~ After mo-
ment's pause, with a countenance brightly
lighted up with the glory of God, she said,
Give my love to all my friends, especially to
Mr.. -, ian esteemed relative and tell
him to take warning from one much younger
than he is. Tell him and his aged father to
prepare for death for nothing but what / now
enjoy, can give them happiness in this hour.
Tell pa Idle trusting in ne Lord the Sariom
is Nth me- am happy pnd resigned. / have
been seeking religion good while; / only re.
greet that / did not seek ii more earnestly, that
might have enjoyed it before, as now do"
To an intimate friend, she said Hannah, seek
religion, for nothing else can make you happy;
you can live without il but you cannot die
happy without it." She continued her exhor-
tations till her voice was lost in death. She
sweetly fell asleep in Christ about IL o'clock.
Ny oldest daughter, Anna Eliza, made o
profession Of religion In Shelbyville when at
school at Science Hill, about four years since
She was modest and retiring almost to q
fault.
On my arrival at home, found her much
more composed than / expected. She con-
were dead, she seemed deeply affected, and
said: "The hand of the Lord is heavy upon
US" Prayed devoutiy. She told me she loved
the Saviour. Brother Thompson asked her if
she felt that the Lord had pardoned her sins,
and if she did not get well, would she be
happy? She answered afirmatiyely. As she
sunk beneath deaths dark wave, said to her:
"My daughter, do you now feel the presence Of
the Saviour with your" Yes, sir," was heard
from her dying lips coming back from the
dark vale Of death, with heavenly sweetness.
She spoke no more, and ceased to breathe at
FIVE o'clock, p. m.
Thus my three daughters died on the same
day, May %, 1854.
On Wednesday they were taken TO Provi.
dence church, and an appropriate sermon was
preached by brother Thompson. The three
sisters were then ,entombed in one common
grave, where their bodies rest in hope OF glo-
rious resurrection. OH how heavily this event
has fallen upon my poor heart SO often riven
before by bereavementsl Yet al would seek
unto God, and unto God would / commit my
cause" My trust is in the Lord, who ais
good, and stronghold in day Of trouble"
Your brother in tears,
II. j. PERRY.
Ell DORADO, juno 2, 1854.