The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-06-20
For the .JefTersoninn Democrat.
Biographical Sketch.

| DAoo DhGLCHs
Died April l4,h, 1860. near Beardstowp.
Ill, ALMA BEALS. aged 2s wears.
1t great men have great virtues, thoy
nave, usually, also, great faults; and the
biographer, too, often becomes bu: the at.
;orney at tho bar of public opinion. with
gllded rhetoric, or specious sophism. to ex-
tenuato his clients vices, vail his faults. aud
duly magnify his faded virtues. Ii matters
not that his life has been failure; solemn.
fatal failure. in all that lifo really means
Eternal interests and tho glory Of God are
all unattained. yet his life is written q sue.
ctss--the success of ono who should win a
game at cards, while bright hopes, solid
bonors, largo estates. wore lost by default
in the same hour. l have not seated myseli
to write of such greatness as this, though |
shall write of wisdom, of excellenco. OF
riches /; of one greatly honored and we'll
beloved of those high 10 blessings and in
power; for she is Kings daughter. and
now dwclls at home, in the Palace Royal OF
the skies.
ALMA BEALS,-for such was her name -
was born in, think. Geauga Co, Ohio
and, whom yet but eight years o!d, /. g.. in
tho winter of 1912. removed with her parents
to Illinois, Here her soul began tho great
inquiry. The divine invitation became TO
hor living letter; its record, her deepest
study. She become n close student OF the
quick and powerful word. under the
guidance of that spirit of all TRUTH" the
Holy Spirit.
1t was under the preaching OF Elder Kane,
minister of tho Christian order, in Jack
sonville. and sometime in her eighteenth
| year, 81 J that Miss Beals entirely gave her
heart TO God. | have not pretended she
was rich, or great, in this worlds osteom +;
though she does appear to have been most
teDderly loved by all who knew her--moro,
indeed, than is common. But what mean
to say is. that. in becoming q child of God.
an hoir OF Heaven, q disciple of Jesus, q
prospective companion of angels and tho
saints in light, she accepted the highest
honor, and entered upon the most exalted
career ever opened to human kind. Soon
oftor her adoption into tho family of God,
her home and membership were removed
tn Beardstown, or its vicinity. where uniting
with tho samo order, sho continued to ex.
hibit to all the power Of that vital Faith
that works in ell tho life by love-
Hers was not sectional or merely do.
nomiNatlonai religion. The cause, the
hope, the image, and the love of Christ were
its distinguishing elements. Some Of the
family we're in the Methodist communion
others. l believe, in the Congregational
bu. all found alike. in Sister ALMA, the
same cordial helper tho ever-ready and
self-sacrificing co.wOiker. Possessing that
lending. though truly feminine, type of
mind so justly priced in all society, she VAS
an invaluable helper in the Sabbath School,
the picnic party. the benevolent society;
in fine, wherever a Christian heart, an in.
gonuous mind, and ready 6 killful hand were
essential. Ia securing aid for the erection
of a neat. tasteful Methodist Church, (Griggs'
Chapel.) near her fathers house, her talents
became useful, and were freely given.-
None more willing and efficient than she.
We have seon the first great essential in
her Cor any) character--A DEEP AND THOR.
OUCH BUT TRULY LIBERAL CHRISTIANITY
Flowing from this, aud deepened yet by
native ardor, was that untiring devotion to
her parents. Being scarce nineteen al the
death of hor mother, the two fold treasure
of her filial heart was bestowed on her
father. Miss Beals was a MODEL OF FILIAL
DUTIFULNEss. But sickness concentrating
Consumption. Slowly Alma pinod, though
patieat and resigned TO the last. and drew
away, first from tho active circle; then the
social, then the worshiping; all ssve tho
little circle of home; home where, for
years. she had presided with all the dignity
and taste of woman.
In an Interview with ono of her brothers
on the near approach of death. she said
Brother, must soon die. / cannot re-
main much longer with you. But feel
that tho Lord is my Shepherd. have no
fear" 90" said she on one occasion, II
have broader home--a broader homo than
this" Speaking of an aunt whose exemplary
piety had won hor to the way Of life, she
said earnestly, "Aunt Thslia shall be my
light into Heaven" (she being already there.
Ii was on that remembered morning. (ApriI
4,h.) that, coming into a room adjoining tho
sitting room, she called her father TO come
in and sit by hor sido awhile, She talked
of heavenly things. and sat there till she
died, ceased to talk, and fell asleep in jesus.
A comparative stranger to the family--a
minister of church differing widely in |
many respects from hers. candidly ctfer
the life of this young believer, (twenty eight
years in all.) as an example. her death as
an incentive. for all that would do good.
Ever ready for any good word and work,
sho is summoned to wider sphere.
o. C. DICKERSON.