The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-10-20
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OBITUARY.

Died at Rural, Illinois, on the 18th OF October,
1852 JANE BROoMBALL WRIsBr. The decessea
WAS born in Chester County, Pa, on the Iotn VI
December, I79s. and was consequently, aged se'- |
.nty years uine months and eleven days NJ inc
date Of her death.
The deceased was born and educated IN
the Society of Friends; and believed with the
Unitarian, or "Hicksite' members of the
Society, 10 the unity OF God. That "God is
Love" and that "they that dwell IN HIM
dwell in love" Hence she was the consis'
tent and exemplary opponent of all wars, as
contrary to both the spirit and letter OF the
New Testament; and especially to that part
OF 1t embodied i'll Jesus sermon on the
Mount. So strong were her convictions OF
the truth of this fundamental doctrine OF the
Society Of Friends, that, by her motherly
Christian influence, she prevented any OF
her sons from training in the militia. Ana
to the dag of her death she devouty thanked
God that no son Of hers had imbrned his
hands in human blood in the late inhuman,
cruel, and anti Christian war. The testimo'
nv which she felt it to be her Christian duty
to maintain against this war in the face
Of q passion tossed multitude, shortened
her days. But the glory will be hers,
when the Master shall say: swell done
good and faithful servant in the cause OF
universal peace.
Grant that the belief of The deceased in
the unity Of God is erroneous. Beliefs
not an act of volition. Hence, there IS no
merit in believing any given religious dog,
ma, nor demerit IN disbelieviug 1t. Belief
is involuntary. 1t is, Of necessity, produc'
ed By early education, and the evidence
presented to the intellect for Investigation
the latter always. more or less, subject to
the former which we receive, generally
without examination, from those whom we
honor and love as parental superiors.
The character of the deceased, on this
irrefutable hypothesis, is not justly tarnish-
ed even for an erroneous belief as to the
mode OF Gods existence, or the nature OF
his attributes-the popular opinion that be-
lief is an act of voltion, to the contrary
Notwithstanding.
In speaking Of the life and character OF
departed relations whom we love, we are
prone to vindcate their memories from I'M
ust reproach as the perpetrators OF crimes
against man, or of sins forbidden in the
scriptures.
The opinion is very popular and entitled
to respect as all views honestly formed
should be- that the institution of the first
day of the week, as the Christian Sabbath
is enioined by scripture authority. If THU
is true, then it ia uneuestionably true tina
the aesecrauon Of the FIRST day OF til
week, commonly called Sunday,
sin in the sight Of God, whic
Justly merits condign punishment. The de
ceased believed this institution to be c
md thai n waa uo01 nm
az a day of rest and recreation; and for Ia
was her general practice) giving and receiv
ing social visits. The scripture texts pro
dnced to prove that they enjoin the observ
ance of the first day of the week instead o
the Serenth never satisfied her enqultiny
mind that God required this observance a
a christian duty of her, or of any of his chill
dren. Before the deceased can be justly
accused Of Decorating the Sabbath day, tn
accusers, if any are 50 rash as to "cast tn
first stone" must, in self justification, pre-
duce the scripture record for the chang
from the secenh day Of the week to the frs
But the deceased not only disbelieved in an
scripture authority for change of days, bu
she believed, most conscientiously believed
thas it is sin to let any of Gods bountsou
blessings to man be wasted or destroyed b
neglectng 10 save them on the first day {
the week.
trust that have, without giving offenc
to those who hold other views, vindica,c
the life and character of one who eschewC
every vice, and who practiced every woman
virtue that enuobles humanity; and who
memory is dearer to me than life with all
pleasures unalloyed.
The funeral of the deceased was conduc
ed in conformity with the usages of tt
Society of Friends, save the singing
Pope's Universal Prayer, which she ADM
ed as a versifcstion Of Jesus Sermon on II
Mount.
Dr. Huyett, who visited her during h
last illness, says "she died of acute intiam
ton of the bowels, caused by chronic ulce
alton and perloraton Of the coats of the
testines.
r. G. WRIGHT