Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-03-17
Obtuarp.

DIED-Of Cancerous Tumour, on the 26th
day of February, 1859. IN Colerain tp. Belmont
county, Ohio, MARY KINSEY, consort of JOHN
KISsEY.
The deceased was one ofthat ir rteresting class
that are passing away. / mean the older resi-
dents OF our Community, having settled in this
county at an early day, and lived fnI half n
century in the old homestead. from which she
was carried in her coffin. Her disease was of
long continuance and extremely painful, yet she
endured months of acute suffering with great
fortitude and patience, nay, with tranquility and
cheerful submission. Never was human suffer-
er more kindly cared for-more faithfully nursed
or watched over with deeper soliciiude. No
hopes of her recovery could be reasonably en-
tertained-dcath was inevitable, not far in the
distance, and her comfort became the object ol
studied effort, her wishes were anticipated, her
descent To the dark valley guarded with sleep
less vigilance, yet, so long she could walk.
she strove 10 avoid being troublesome, and moved
about from room to room with a sanity compo-
sure that readily disarmed approaching disso
luton of half its gathering terrors. Then, in
sweetly soothing tones, she would encourage her
aged companion to trust in the Great Supreme,
and bear up under the thoughts of coming lone
illness. Then this gray-haired couple-the wife
with her foot in the grave-would converse af-
fectionateiy oftheir re-unon in better world, as
they once did, in early life, of temporary settle
nent in this. Then it was, the patient sufferer
would take occasion to prepare her children for
the sunset hour that shall leave them mother
less. and when, finally, borne down by the
wastiB ravagcs of fearful disease-when sink
ing nature was utterly exhausted by intense,
and untold suffering; and she could no longer
rise from her bed even then, she would greet
her attendants with smiles OF grateful acknowl-
edgment and whisper words that were 'as pic
tures set in silver" Very much of her time,
during her illness, was spent in fcrvent prayer
and holy communion with God. Her conversa-
ton was in heaven, aud evidenced patient ex-
pectatIon of the coming Saviour. Often her
spirit would rise superior to physical suffering in
blissful anticipation of uninterrupted rest beyon
tho margin of deaths dark river. On one
casion, she said to her eldest daughter, 'Weep
not dear, for shall soon be safe at home.' For
several days previous to her death she was par
tally released from pain; her mind was serene
and vigorous, and continued SO, until her eyes
were gently closed in that long, long. sleep
Thus ended-"as dies the wave along the shore"
the earthly pilgrimage of one whose character
is worthy an enduring record.
As a Christian, she lived and died member
of the Society of Friends, and her profession
was nobly sustained by the entire tenor of a well
spent life She was bot reluctantly religious, as
though spiritual devotion were a task imposed
on fatering humanity, nor imousively pious, as
though piety were dependent on eternal circum-
stances; but, in the full sense of the word, she
was "an Israelite indeed" Her religion was
high and holy principle, embraced from convic
tisn of its truth and excellence, and carried out
in every act, in every department and period in
life. In early life she received "the truth in the
love of it'-and the doctrines of the gospel were
enshrined in her heart. She delighted in the
duties of religion and its spirit her second
nature. Her life was literal exemplifcaton of
the christian graces-kind and courteous, gentle,
affeetionate and even tempered, her earthly
adornment was meek and quiet spirit. She
loved the Holy Bible, regarded it as her coun-
sellor and guide-walked in newness fife, lived
long in the comforting assurance that when her
clayey tenement should be dissolved, an entrance
should be administered to n better inheritance.
Her life was upright-her end was peace, and the
remembrance of her virtues, like the fragrance of
the crushed rose, fingers round the place of her
departure. As a WIFE, she reverenced her hus-
band, ever seeking to promote his happiness, ev-
er contributing to his comfort, and gladly making
his pleasure her own. Her domestic arrange
mens were well ordered. and her house was en-
phaticnlly HOME. Her manners were mild and
winning, and conjugal discord was never heard
in her dwelling. But her excellence as a wife,
are best app reciated by her bereaved companion,
who, after happy union of fifty years, is in his
own fearful expression, ''lelt to finish life's
journey Alone" He will miss the gentle step, the
placid smile, and evoang chat; yet the hope OF
future Dllss may sootnc the anguish NJ
brief separation. As MOTHER, her virtues shine
out resplendently. Her children were trimmed
with judgment and tenderness; they respected her
authority, feeling assured it was directed by love-
While thoy were young, she directed and guar
ded their footsteps, and in their matuI er wears,
she was their dearest earthly friend and compan-
ion. She lived out the measure of human exis-
tence, of three-score years and ten-lived to
rear eleven children, and see them all married
and settled in life-lived to endear her memory
to oil who knew her; and now that she is no
more, what wonder the impressive silence that
brooded Ger her cofined remains should be bro
ken by one of the family crcle2-"Sweet Mother
shes gone to glory!" Thus speaks the bereaved
heart over departed goodness, it is the echo of
liie's Loneliness that speaketh after death. Each
heart knows its own bitterness, and the loss of
wife and mother, is q sad, sad bereavement,
but Gods grace is sufficient. May his spirit
comfort the mournrr and guide the footsteps of
the surviving members of this once happy fami-
ly band-now broken up and separated-in the
ways of pleasan tness and peace, and bring them
to blissful reunion beyond the precincts of the
mouldering tomb. D. T.