Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-08-31
ll0utb's Department.
From the Vermont Chronicle
REMARKABLE DEATHS OF Chill
DREN


In Manchester, June 30, Abbie f., aged 3
years and months,-July 5. Ella T.. -
ycars,---July II, Walcott, years and 7
months.-July 2l, Francina, 10 ycors,-July
%, Charlie, 8 months, --childrcn Of Row
Josiah W. Brown.
Let me introduce the reader, first, TO an
unbroken and Christian family circle,-a home
which Jesus loved" for he to whom it was
given was an acceptable minister Of the Mas
ter home with its five children, all in the
bud and bloom of childhood and youth Now,
however. and in five short weeks, that home
is desoate and those parents childess. And
yet, they and we also are kept from sorrow
ing as others who have no hope for the dead
that 'it is we'll with them, and are able to
realize how true is that saying of the pro-
phet, "thcre is a name better than of sons
and Of daughters" For of these FIVE while
the first aud the last taken were committed
to the Sayior's love as infants. the three who
were old enough to speak of Christ, were so
apparently taught of God as to Danish the
fear Of death, and to deserve some further
notice than has been, or can be, given it in
one community. The first ella was a great
sufferer more so indeed than either of the
others, and for longer time, though all were
dipthesia. Notwithstanding these suiTerings,
however, this child Of II lived and died, so to
speak. during the weary hours of more than
a week in the greatest patience Commonly
she could talk but little, and indistinctly at
best. But towards the hour of her departure
so evidently full of Joy was she (at the
thought doubtless, of being given the victo-
~ over both death and sim that her mother
could not but say, "Why, Ella, how happy
you look After which she added, "Do you
FEEL happy, Ella "Yes, yes" was the
answer, and though not so much with the
lips (for her infrmty) as with the heart and
hand, IT was even more gratifying, for the
promptncss, earnestness and peace-speaking
smile which gave it emphasis. But Ella
spoke at length, as her mother sought to
know "why so happy" spoke and told us,
that "sho was almost home"
And, again, when reminded of her posi-
BILE death III was hard to say probable,) she
was heard to say "Mother, did you ever
know any one so happy as to get well;"
Dear child indeed she was too happy to
live, and died Not, however, without Civ
ing us that important evidence of piety,-an
interest ior the souls Of Others. For she in
stantly added, --looking at her eldest, and
then. only sister, and at her younger brother
Mother, do you think they are as happy
as | am r
Whence, whence, ye who are still iaithless
whence had this child such "a rorotaste OF
the heavenly and dinive Whence but from
Him and for His sake who has "loycd us and
given Himself for us-that whatsoever be
lieyeth in Him should not perish but hav,
everlasting life :"
Why them STILL taithieaf
But notice also this witness of grace,-he,
departing brother. For more than a yea
Ella had apparently enjoyed Christian hope
Not so with Wolcott. And yet he was laugh
of the Spirit. For when his father spoke O
death as a fear to some who were faithless
he instantly added, 81 am not afraid to die. >
The result proved it. For to him even wa,
given "a desire to depart ouly "he shoulc
want to see father and mother and Fransoin,
and Charlie, with Abba and Ella in Heaven.
Blessed thought to those yet with US, an,
TO those too, we trust, who are gone,-thi
hope bids fair to be realized by an unbrokel
family circle above.
Franscina's spiritual life began during In
last revival, some three years ago soon afte
which she entered the church, in which sh,
was a consistent and intelligent Christian.
'NNiNAg a. N'Nif WIZ AAAN HAhltlh VI 80 Ulhll
or so many prayers, sent heavenward, for al
afflicted and private family circle, as for this
And never were they more feryent and fire.
quent than for her recovery Here, in thi
daughter, would be something left for he
friends to rest upon, and to occupy the pac
OF the loved and lost. She knew it too, an
fek it; so that, more than ever, she longo
and prayed and labored to live, hoping eve
against hope as did others. Still she was b
no means disappointed or unprepared -
Through one long night indeed, aud louge
day, she was expecting to die exhortng al
most every one who saw her "to love Co
and serve him, so as to meet Him, aud NEE
her in Heaven"
Without there was every appearance Of
gathering storm. but within that house {
mourners. and beside that bed of trial, ther
was nothing but peace in believing" Yei
stayed upon Him who "giyeth us the victo
ry. they were in perfect peace" Soor
however, aud just as the dust of death wa
dimming her earthly eye-sight, and so muc
so that, misapprehending the reason Of thi
darkness, she asked for a light,-the SUM- a
If in sympathy with her whose spiritual path
way was all 'ligh, in the Lord, burst fort