The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-12-15

OBrTuAEY. The interest excited by some G.
vents is entrely circnmstan,ial IN lis origin, as
TO be limited TO the period Of occurrence. Quite
otherwise is IL with that to which the attention VI
your readers is now invited.
II il the decease OF Miss Sarah q. Jordan. IL
her fathers IN Biddeford, the 9th OF Nov, IN her
10th year. The lapse OF time since this occur
renee Instead Of eiiaeing lis memory has but
sufliced for a more discriminating estimate Of u
character which attracted So large share OF at
tenion during her severe and prOtracted sickness.
The subject OF this notice was born in Bldde.
ford, Aug. II, 1908, and was the eldest daughter
OF Rishworh and Lydia G.. jordan. AT quite an
early age she len her parental home tor an abode
with her uncle in South Berwick. While here.
her attention was recalled TO the faithful religious
instructions Of her earlier days God answered
the earnest prayers offered in the home OF her
chIldhOod, by bringing her ia early youth TO faith
in Christ, during revival Of religion in s. Ber-
wick, where she consecrl,ed herself 10 His SCR.
vice, by becoming n'ep6er Of the Congrga.
tional Church in that town. Here she remained
till Dec. 1876, at which time she leit her adopted
home, las Il provedl never 10 return. While AT
Biddeiord, (whither she had gOue) she took cold,
which resulted in the decease which was pro,rac-
ted ior nearly Is wearisone years. Ii was while
thus Frustrated that she became the subject OF IN.
tercSting not,riety with the christian pubic. Early
in her illness, she was Brought by divine grace To
entire resignation to the Divine will-manifcsied
in taking her IRON her adopted home aud parents,
her loved association, aud esteemed religious
privileges, aud combining her by painful, linger-
ing bodily desease. Attendant upon, and following
this experience oi tue satisfying power of the
spirit, she was favored with peculiarly clear and
comprehensive views Of the Divine purposes in
the covenant of grace. Aud such was her subse-
Iuent confidence IN the Wisdom, Power, and
Love OF her Saviour, in all those purposes, aud in
all the arrangements for their accomplishment, that
she not ouly committed her soul into His hands ns
unto faithful Creator but all pertaining To her
body-thus casting oil her care on Him who cared
for her. With the billie in her heart, no less than
in her hand, she .ived,uPon its great and precious
promises. Her application Of them 10 herself aud
Others was as Just, and discriminating as her re-
lance was firm and enduring This spread thru
and over her entire character an air Of cheerful.
ness, and even Of Joy, which gave peculiar charm
To the scene Of suffering witnessed by visiting
friends; and was sinkingly in contrast with her
bodily distress. TheGce also proceeded the won.
deriul patience, aad power of endurance, that
never failed To impress every one who made her
acquaintance.
All this, with her general christian intelligence,
made the dwelling OF her father, where she lnger.
eel, and suffered, and, aler so long period, fell
asleep IN Jesus, "a spot Of M common Interest,"
Without regard 10 .denOminational distinctions,
the plouS OF every sect found cordial welcome
aud rich spiritual entertainment at her bedside
She not only welcomed ihem but not unirrquent.
ly sent messages Of kind invitation To others, by
those who sought h,r-not for disqualification
was tins done. Hers was not n sickly, sentiment.
tai plety which eIhausis itself in noting the va
riations OF the spiritual temperature, aud in utter
ances Of plOus horror and aspirations that had no
practical object. Anxious To do good To the ut
most VI her ability, she was constantly con,ririns
and executing plans fuscuness-in sowing the
m I'M hear IA h.aan al nn
ITS influence; nuriuring the germ Of piety In the
young disciple, and encouraging and strengthen
ing Tho faith Of the weary and faint in mind.
While thus in intercourse with the social ele-
mentS IN general, she had las might be cxpecicd)
her choice, cOnsenial spirits with whom she main
tanned imOre intimate communion. From the
personal "reminiscences and extensive corespon-
dencc of the latter, much may DC selected 10 EN-
rich the pages of the inOro appropriate aud sub
stantial memorial Of her character and life, which
II is understood. will be prepared for the public
eye.
As might be anticipated, the closing scene Of
this Illustration Of suffering patience, was placid
as the unbrOken surface Of the lake when the sun
goes down, and Just 80 clearly might be traced the
Of the distan, landscape Of her heavenly
home. Shortly before her exit, she asked her
pious aud devoted medical attendant, how near he
though, she was to her release; on replying only
a few days AT most, she expressed her Joy. The
day before her departure she was asked by one
who visited her, "if her faith was stroug" she re-
sponded eyes" When too feeble to speak, an
intimate friend asked her TO press her hand, u still
peaceful aud happy; this she did very distinctly
Soon after, her breathing ceased, and her freed
spirit catered its everlasting rest in Heaven.
smitien friend,
Are angels, sent On errands full u love;
for Us they langush, and for US they die
And shall they languish, shall they die In vain ?"
Saco, Dec 1854 Coz.
IChristian Mirror please copy.l