Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1854-07-27


Henry ID. Anthony, of Providence, pays the
following well.mcrited testimonial TO her
memory, through the columns of the Jour-
nal:
In the city Of New York, on the Ilth inst.
Sarah Aborn, wife Of Henry D. Anthony, Of this
city. and daughter Of Christopher Rhodes, Of
Pawtuxet
We often speak of death as the rest of
the weary, but our words are too often spo-
ken without meaning or thought. The
common troubles of life are no small COM
pared with its joys, that they are few in
deed who would exchange their lcares and
sorrows even for the quiet repose of the
grave. But when those die who have
spent unnumbered days in pain,and unnum-
bered nights in the WEAKNESS that knows
no sleep, we feel that death is indeed the
comforter of sorrows. And of her whose
death is recorded above, it may be said with
truth,that in the grave she has at last found
rest. She died when, according to the COM
mon lot, her life was but halt told, and yet
for more than twenty years she had been
weary but patient sufferer. The shadow
that fingered over her last days darkened
her early youth, and from the morning of
life, each year that came and went brought
only the same bitter experience of sickness
and pain. But with all this suffering, her
life is pleasant memory. 1t is memory
of triumphs of the spirit over the body,-qf
that forttude which will not be overcome
by pain, and of that cheerfulness which
lights up even the darkest hours. 1t is a
memory of genuine feelings,-of emotions
springing from the heart,-of whole-souled
sympalhes and of brilliant bit vanishing
intervals, when the paroxysms of disease
were staid aud calmed.
Mrs. Anthony possessed mind of no
common order. 1t was strong in practical
sense, and yet filled with the most delicate
perceptions of refined and cultivated taste.
Formed not SO much by earnest studies as
by that occasional and desuliory pursuit Of
knowledge for which alone her sickness
gave her leisure, it was shaped rather by
the intercourse Of friendship, and by COM
munion with her own thoughts. Yet there
are few whose appreciation oftruth is more
just; whose judgment OF books and opinions
is founded on better reasons; whose writ
ten thoughts are more gracefully express
ed whose conversation is more attractive
and whose enjoyment of Wit, ard humor,
and beauty, aad all that gives life its high
est relish, is more delicate, and hearty, and
honest. Over all these graces genial soul
shed its pure and serene radience. Her
character as a wcman was illustrated by the
noblest virtues of the heart. Imprisoned by
sickness, her sphere of usefulness was rare
ly widened into the world, but in her own
home, surrounded by those who were dear
er than life, she found the place and the
hour of duty. She was true-hearted
wife, and an atIectionate daughter and sis
ter,and whilst no children of her own claim
ed her love, she was still the tender mother
of the mothe-less.
We need hardly add that the crown
ing grace of her character was her religious
faith This was no idle dream, no sudden
and fleeing conviction, but an earnest be-
lief, which had grown uE in her soul as her
years increased, and whose influence direct
ed her steps, and illumined her path. 1t
wasa faith whose trust in God was unsha.
ken and sure,-a faith baptized indeed in
bitter waters, but bearing the sweet fruits
of joy and peace, and the hope of heaven.
The writer of this obituary was one Of
Mrs. Anthony's earliest and nearest friends.
Estimating as he did her character and
worth, he could not neglect to offer this tri-
butte to her memory without being false to
the impulse of his heart. But there are
those who were bound to her by sympathies
closer than intimate friendship,-by all the
hopes and fears with which they watched
her declining strength, and by all the ten
derest affections of home. They will find
consolation not only in the memory of her
life, but in the pleasant thought of her
peaceful death. There was no warning of
the parting hour The angel of mercy
breathed upon her as she slumbered, and
she sank gently into the sleep of eternity.
AS the last beam of light passes from onr
eyes. at evening, into the beauty and quiet
OF another morning, so her pure spirit pass
ed through the shadow of death, into the
glory and rest OF heaven. w.