Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1854-10-05
TOuchlng Narrative.

lowing narrative OF bis bereavement 10 the ed.
itOr Of the Nashville Advocate
my Dear Brother McDerrin IL am in
deep afactiOn yes, almost overwhelmed with
the mighty tide Of bereavement. Oh deeply
painful 10 record the death Of my three lovely
daughters but il must be done.
Anna Eliza, aged ls years, wanting only SIX
days. e
Hester Jane. aged I6 years and one day.
Laura Washington, aged s years, months
and six days.
On Monday evening. May esd, while nv
daughters wire around the supper table, the
servant Matilda washing tse tea things, Hester,
assisted BY Laura, filed the lamp the aud
took 6re-the can in her hand-and the lamp
instantly exploded, throwing the burning fluid
upon all present. The servant girl ran 10 q
barrel Of water, and soon extinguished the
flames upon herself- The girls passed out at
the iron; Of the house, and ran to the store, a
distance of about sixty yards. They were so
completely enveloped in flames. that they CO..
not be seen-presenting the appearance Of NOV
ing pillars Of FIRE, the flames ri.ing and break
ing of in curling and brilliant sheets several
feet above their heads. The heat was 50 in.
tense that the soldering in Laura's ear rings
melted, aid they fell to pieces. Their clothes
were burned almost entirely of them, before
the flames could be extinguished. Myself and
wife were from home, on my circuit at a dis.
lance Of rs miles. We got the news about
d;ylight the next morning; by o'clock we
we're at home.
But My sweet Laura had breathed her last
few minutes before we arrived. Oh tha. We
could have seen her before she died During
her sufvrings she frequently said, i am afraid
| will never see my dear pa and ma any more,
and when die would go to the good place. ;
My dear child was in the constant habit OF
praying before she retired 10 rest. have Of
ten heard her weeping when engaged in pray
er. Sometimes after prayer she would come tc
me and put her arms around me, and seemed
to feel the emotions of Joy and love.
Hester Jane, my second daughter joined The
churchin 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 miracle
of grace and goodness AS soon as she cod
converse, she was perfectly calm, and said, 81
have put my trust in God" When asked il
she was badly burned, she replied, IL am suf.
fering very much; but am calm and resign.
ed" After being taken to the house, she was
asked if she was comfortable; she answered
1 am no! comfortable, but am happy" What
makes YOU happy when suffering so much o.
Her reply was, because l have made my
peace with God." She continue in that heav.
enly state of mind. When l approached her
bedside, she looked up and smiled, and said SO
sweetly, ''Desr pa "How do you feel my
daughter I? said /. IL feel better now, pa !;
don't weep; l am SO happy
When told her Laura was dead, she ex-
claimed, "Oh sweet Laura I" said to her
"My daughter, under this severe affection, how
do you feel about getting well?" She replied
"a think l had ratt er go now; the most Of our
friends are gone and the few that are left will
soon follow" She rejOiced in the prospect Of
death .. -
Laura" said she, "is with her ma, now. Z"
Not thinking her end could be 50 nigh, went
to the graveyard, to select a spot to bury my
dead. Her ma, seeing her sinking very fast.
said to her, chester. what shall tell your pa
for yol, if you do not see him again p After
moments pouse, with countenance brightly
lighted up with the glory of God, she said.
"Give my love to all my friends, especially to
Mr.. -, an esteemed relative, and tell
him to take warning from one SO much young
er 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 die trusting in the Lord the Saviour
is with me; am happy and resigned. ! have
been seeking religion good while; l only re-
gret did not seeF it 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 it, but you cannot die hap
Epy withoutit." She continued her exhorta-
tions ill her voice was lost in death. She
sweetly fell asleep in Christ about IL o'clock
N. .-.-.,.
Ny oldest daughter, Anna Eliza, made. a
profession of religion in Shelbyyille. when at
school at Science Hill, about four years since.
She was modest and retiring, almost to fault.
! On my arrival home, found her much