True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-04-22
Biographical,
For the True American.
MRS. MARY JEWETT BURNS,

MRS. MARY JEWETT BURNS,
Consort of Rev. JOHN BURNS, Pastor of
the Methodist Prot. Church, Seubenyille,
Ohio, departed this iransitory life, sud-
denly and unexpectedly. on Saturday
morning, March %, 1857, in the 49th
year ofber age. ..a....
She was born near Pittsburgh, Pa.
Feb. Is, 1909. Her parents were Jesee
and Mehetable Pearson, of whom she
was the tenth child. On her mothers
side, she was related to the extensive and
respectable Plummer family, of Pennsyl-
vania. AT the early age Of fifteen years.
she experienced religion, and Joined the
Methodist E. Church, being the first
member Of the family who became a Me-
thodist. In 1925 she removed to Whee.
ling, Va, where in 1928, she was mar
ried 10 her now bereft and sorrowing
husband. In 1892 they both united with
the Meth. Prot. Church.
For several days before her death, sis.
ter Burns had been indisposed, but con.
tinued about the house, and had no pc.
culiar symptoms, except such as she had
often suffered, her health not having been
good for many years. She mad partially
los, .her rest in sleep, for several nighls,
previously to her last one. Early in the
morning she was discovered to be sleep
ing with laborious respiration, symptom
she had often before experienced, after
sleeping soundly.' Her husband, desirous
of affording her relief, reused her into a
state Of consciousness, and she answered
Il question intel!igenlly and distinctly, af.
ter which she sunk into apparent uncon-
seriousness and, breathing more slowly
by degrees, expired in few moments. -
The probable cause of her death was at.
rophy Of the heart, accompanied with de.
biIity Of the lungs. She had slept COM
fortably, it was believed, during the
night; and the weakened organs, after
the repose of sleep, had not ability TO re.
new their functional actions with their
usual vigor. This inability resulted in
congestion Of the lungs. and cessation
of all the vital functions. 1t resembled d
going to sleep, as there was no pain. nor
struggle, nor sensibiity. How few are
favored with so easy and tranquil DEATH
Sister Burns religious character is too
well known by her numerous friends and
acquaintances, 10 need any representation.
She was an humble, pious, devoted chiis-
tian; constant and faithful in her attend
ance on the means of grace, and exempla-
ry in her department, letting her light
shine 10 others. As before related, she
commenced her religious course at the
age Of fifteen years. and she held fast her
integrity to the end. She often exercised
her religious gifts and graces in the public
prayer meetings, and in relating her ex.
perience, in social meetings. These ex-
ercises were not mere cold and formal
ceremonies, but spiritual and animaling to
others, as well as herself. Prayer was
10 her On actual communion with God,
in which His gracious presence was real
lied, and The soul filled with peace and
joy in the Holy Ghost. Then she some
times shouted aloud the praise Of God.
Though called by the Master at an
unexpected hour, she was in readiness,
having her lamp trimmed and burning
with steady light, waiting for His return.
How supremely momentous 10 us all, to
be always ready !! /" For in such an hour
as ye think not, the son of man cometh. -
In letter TO an absen, son. dated Sept
%, 1855, sister B. says, ".My desire is
to--be prepared for death, and then
it will not come as thief in the night"
Happy they who are thus prepared
With ease their souls through death shall glide
Into their Paradise
A few extracts from letters to her son.
will give those not personally acquainted
with the subject Of this brief memoir, a
more correct view Of some traits in her ex.
cellent character, than could be given by
mere description. Some resolutions, also,
which were found written in her own
band, will give satisfactory evidence ol
her earnest desire TO be entirely devoted
to God, in the faithful performance Of all
her duties.
The deep solicitude she felt for the spi.
ritual welfare of her children, may be
seen in letter TO her son, dated Dec. Q,
1855. She prays, May the Lord bless
you. my dear son, and keep you as under
She hollow of his hand and make you a
persevering self-denying christian /; and
may you at last, realize that you have
potiiyed in vain! How little" she adds,
everything Of this world must appear
to a sick and dying person, supported by
the graceof Cod" Again, Feb. 90, 1856
she says. 20 George, be faithful in the
discharge Of all Christian duties, and then
you will occupy safe ground.
We shall be immovably fixed mon The
Rock Of Ages, while we trust in tie Lord
who Is our Strength, our Dellyerer, ouI
Righteousness, our all in all"
Her deep concern, likewise. for the
prosperity Of Zion, appears conspicuous
" IN some Of these letters. Sue says,