The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-07-13
OBITUARY,

OBITUARY.
Died on the 2eth day of June, at Green Man
sion, the residence of her father, JULIA S. Bill
LUPS, in the 32d year of her age, daughter
of Robert and Elizabeth Billups, of Matthews
county, Virginia.
This announcement will cause an involuntary
sigh of regret to escape from the bosom of many
who knew this lovely girl-but brief description
Of the unfeigned pleasure she expressed at know
ing she would soon dwell in her Fathers Man
sion, not "made with hands," is given; it will be,
though feebly done, ''like the oil of consolation
For years she had been an invalid, and for long
and weary. months had suffered excruciatingly,
until, physically, she was prostrated-yet her
confidence in Christ never faltered; instead she
greaO in grace, strengthened in faith, committed
herself into Gods Omnipotent hands, and not
withstanding her desire to be with the loved
ones, for whom she felt the most ardent and deep
est devotion l ever witnessed, rejoiced in death.
Words are inadequate to describe the ecstatic
delight that filled her whole being for two days
and nights previous to her death. During Mon
day-the day her life was despaired of-all pain
seemed to subside. Occasionally she slept, but
was not expected to survive the night. At II
O'Clock she awoke, exclaiming, in suppressed
but distinct whisper, ''Pve dreamed of Heaven"
DC. continued to descant on the joys and beau
ties of that "blissful place. until her family,
companied by number of attached friends, (who
still focked to the hospitable abode of her kind
father,) were gathered around her bedside. Their
presence did not excite her, but she was inspired
by degrees with strength, till her voice was loud
er and more impressive than in health; said she
was ready, and was going to the ''New Jerusa-
lem," which God has fitted up for those who love
and serve Him spoke beautifully of the efficacy
of prayer-of the vanities of this life, and its
heetng years then of the unalloyed and eternal
bliss OF Heaven also endeavored, in the most
pathetic way, to soothe and comfort her father
and mother; in devOut and urgent way, ex-
horted her brothers and sisters, ito whom she
was bound by every tie that could bind two
heart" Indeed, every one present-to prepare
to be can heir of God, and joiut-heir with
Christi" thanked all for their untiring attention
and kindness-not forgetting to designate, in
terms of sincerest gratitude her ever-fathful and
loving parents, who had spared no trouble or ex-
pense to fill her every want, and procure such as
could alleviate her slightest pain
To her brother, who had been one of her ply
sicians, she rendered her heartfelt appreciation;
did the same to her pure unsullied aunt, who had
been her constant nurse, she seemed to think
'fgu0rdian angel" not neglecting the skillful
and kind coadjutor of her brother. Sent mes
sengers of love and comfort to her absent friends;
ana, with countenance beaming with heaven
ly light, ceased not for two hours to speak in
most chaste and enthusiastic way of the joys in
store for her;-said 'sI'll have an eternity to
roam about those bright realms" requested her
fayorite hymn sJesus lover of nv SOUL" also
Others to be sung. Her friends, though sorrow
stricken and needing comfort themselves, united
their voices in such were appropriate She
seemed to partake OF the sentiment, and sweetly
slumbered until break of day. On the appear
ance of her dear old father, bowed to the dust in
grief, trying to catch some faint hope of her re-
covery, he expressed to her the earnest longings
of his troubled heart and she again strove, in
most touching way, to resign him to his Lord;
which would be but for short time, telling him
to cast all his care on the Saviour, who left his
Fathers throne and gave Himself to redeem lost
and ruined world, and, henceforth, seek for
city "whose builder and founder is God"
witnessing that death-bed scene, is an inval-
liable incident in the lives of all present. God
grant that it be indelibly impressed hearts.
She survived the night; next morning asked for
the Bible to be read to her, still remembering
"that all flesh is as grass; the grass withereth
and the flower thereof talleth away, but the toord
Of the Lord endareth foreper;" was perfectly
scious TO the last; cordially received company
during the day; aad at four o'clock, P. NJ, with
out struggle, fell "asleep in Jesus Surely
ether bright spirit has joined the celestial throne,
there to raise her voice in unison with all the
choir, in singing praise to the great 81 Am" till
s'tme's last whirl wind sweeps the vaulted sky"
But oh dear friend
When frequent sickness bowed thy head,
And every aboring BREATH
As with heavier impulse, sped
Thy downward course to oeath;
Faith faltered not, that hope to show,
Though words, like life's last drops, fell slow,
How often when turned away,
As having seen the last
Of thee on earth, my heart would say,
-"When my few days are past,
Such strength be mine, though nature shrink,
The cup my Father give, to drink"
saw thee slumbering in thy shroud,
AS Wonder moon view,
Now gimmering through a snowwhite cloud,
Midst heavens eternal blue;
l saw thee lowered into the tomb,
Like that cloud deepening into gloom
So rest in peace, thou blessed soul,
Where sin and sorrow end;
So may follow to the goal,
Not thee, not thee, my friend
But Him, whom thou, through joy and woe,
Thyself didst follow on to know.
What art thou now? Methnks for thee,
Heaven brightens round its King;
New beams of the Divinity,
New-landing spirits brinr,
AS God on each His image seals,
And day by day himself reveals
~ VERITATIs AMANs.