Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1865-05-26
D Z z D.

In this city on the Goth inst, LAURA JANE,
wife of A. J. BENTON aud daughter of JOSEPH
AIKEN, Esq, aged . years, months and @
days.
Seldom are we so deeply impressed by the
presence of death rs when his relentless stroke
lays in the dust the young and the beautiful.
The aged patriarch bending under his weight
OF years, at last sinks to his rest as into a well
come slumber-and while this is the case we
look to such event with calm though sorrowful
expectation. But in the departure of this
friend we are unexpectedly called to mourn
our loss and forcibly recognize the solemn
truth that in the midst of life we arc ia death.
A mother i'm the strength and activity of life
surrounded by bright and beautiful associa-
lions, the joy and pride of an affcetionate and
fond husband, n kind and dutiful daughter, q
dear and loving sister and tender and sym.
pathizing friend, has been suddenly called
from the scenes of time and the companion
ship OF her family--and our hearts bleed with
anguish Al her early departure.
And now, her mission on earth is accom-
plished--hey work is done, for the sweet odor
OF her presence will no more gladden. the sor-
rowing circle Of mourners, nor her loving ac-
cents fall upon their listening ears. The hands
that once were busy in loviag offices for the
dear ones are now folded meekly over the
paiseless breast, and the spirit, so beautiful
upon earth, is gone 10 join its gloritied voice in
. sweetest songs that angels sing.
Pleasant and amiable to all, with words OF
cheer to comfort the depending ones of earth
and maintaining a character for uprghtness
and truth in all her relations of life, we feel
that her loss will not nc easily replaced. Firm
and~consiSteut in her convictions of duty and
ever regarding the feelings and rights of 9th
ers, we feel warranted in saying that the great
aim of her life vas to a do unto others" rs she
would have them do unto her. And not only
was the bright and beautiful exemplifed in
her domestic and social relations-but also in
her moral and religious associations the same
convictions of right characterized her. Having
In early life identified herself with the great
doctrines OF C,nircrsallsiG, in their elcvating
and humanizing tendencies she has ever been
found Mt her post of duty i'll firmly and con-
sis.ently advocating the principles Of that glo-
rious faith. And while in life she enjoyed its
sweet and consoling influences, finding it
good to live by" i'm the hour of death its
soul-susta ming, ana light-giving presence did
not forsake her. Expressing the fact that she
was not terrified at the approach of death, and
oniy regretting to leave her family to loneli-
nsss:and sorrow, she made her disposition for
the eventful journey and calmly passed away,
IN the fnll enjoyment of her faculties with the
hrm confidence that all was well. and that the
faith she professed was also good TO die by
Deeply do We .sympsthiZe with the heart
stricken and mourning friends. Let them be
comferted by the thought that Earth has no
sorrow that Heaven cannot heal, /" and that He
VINO has taken her from am ON, them, spared
not His own Son. May the good Father bless
them in their aflction, and guide them by His
love, leading them to look forward to that time
when all shall meet again on the evergreen
shores Of the summer Land, where all shall be
peace, and God becomes all and in all.
Dearest sister, friends did love thee
Love thee, more than words can tell;
But in Heaven we soon will meet thee,
Farewell, sister, fare thee well.
c. f.. X.
CEDAR FALLS, May 9th, 1865