Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1870-11-17
IN

Departed this life, at her residence in
Loudon, Tenn. IN the 18th dag of Octo-
Der, A. d., 1870, at = o'clock, p. NJ. Mrs.
MARTHA A. MAHoNEY, consort of DR..
James Mahoney.
The foundation of that noble character
the writer is about to present to the pub
lie, was laid in early life by her parents.
Mrs. Mahoney had been taught the idea of
labor and usefulness when a girl, and hence.
when she grew up 10 be a young lady she
had a well trained mind. With this idea
permanently fixed, she began life's duties.
Her young heart was not won by the god
of pleasure or amusement, nor did she fix
her eye upon outward show. The vain
past-times of youth never engaged her at
t%ention. The shining tinsel of a proud
world presented no attractions to her.
Her mind seemed bent upon nobler things.
To all who knew Mrs. Mahoney. not
thing new can be said of her character in
any sense; for the lustre that shone around
it in life was not dimmed by evil. but grew
brighter and brighter as time moved on,
and although reason was suspended by dis
ease, yet the ~genuineness of her many vir-
lutS dIlu ClGIOu lOSC dUoHC tilC lCiipOid-
ry wreck of mind. and constructed over
the scene a beautiful rainbow of hope, that
spanned her life, and assured her bereft
husband, children and many friends, that
in the world to come, her soul would be
restored to reason, and the beauty and
glory of the human mind in Eden of old.
The disease of which she died, was indeed
mysterious, but might be termed acute
mania; the cause of which. none of the
kind physicians who waited upon her could,
perhaps, determine. But that mind, so
deranged for q short time, isnow sane. and
Sister Mahoney is now clothed and in
her right mind, safe in Heaven" What
human skill could not do, a merciful God
has done by his wise Providence. Never,
perhaps, did physicians show more anxiety
for a patient, than did those of Loudon for
the deceased, but all their skill and kind
ness could do no good. Mania ragged it
became evident that medicine could not
heal the malady, and music, sweet music,
seems to have been the only cordial, for
under its soothing influence the mind was
lulled to repose, until at last nature fail
ed to stand the shock, mania ceased his
rage, and calmly the spirit took its flight
into the vast unknown.
THE PARTICULARS OF HER CHARACTER.
Sister Mahoney was a christian. not a
nominal follower of Christ, but a close,
everyday follower. She professed faith
in Jesus in her youth joined the Cum
barland Presbyterian Church, lived q
member of that church., until she married
DR.. Mahoney, she then Joined the Meth
odist Episcopal Church. of which she lived
an exemplary member until death removed
her membership to the church triumphant.
AS a christian, she was prayerful, hopeful,
and jealous. She loved the church, the
whole church. Her house was a home
for the weary minister of the gospel, as
very many know from experience. Her
heart was warm and large, embracing all
good and no evil. She entertained the
least of folly and evil, that the writer
knew any one to entertain. He knows
what he says, for he has known her from
and for two years was almost a daily visi-
tor in the family and from her own words
he makes the assertion. He never knew
her equal in godliness. She never indulg-
ed in any unkind words, or bitter feelings
her neighbors, or against any be-
nevolent, or religious institution. When
enticements allured, pleasures invited, and
temptations assailed, others would yield,
and the writer remembers when his W
mind would waver. she was firm.
Asa wife, she was indeed faithful in all
the duties of the holy relation of wedlock.
Never did man marry a more perfect speci-
men of true female worth. She was not
a companion only, but a help-mate, and a
counselor, as / have often heard her hus-
band say. she filled every idea that a
good man has of the word wife, and Broth
err Mahoney appreciated this fact Did
be need a kind friend, Martha was all of
that did he need a counselor, Martha
was ready to give modestly, her opinion.
She never assumed control over her hus-
bands business, but possessed a careful
eye. and penetrating Judgment, calling his
attention to what she thought needed his
With such a wife there was Joy,
and e2rth's purest joys flowed around that
hearthstone, and hundreds of times has
the writer shared in the pleasures of that
happy home.
As a mother. she had few equals. New
err any children had a better. To say she
loved them is too weak an expression.
Her children seemed to form a part of her
very being; for them she prayed. for them
she labored, and for them, in part, she liv-
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