Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-03-16
+OBITU AIRY.

DIED, at her residence, Roselands, Edgefeld,
Mrs. MARY PARSONS BROOKS, aged 10 years.
A brief notice of this excellent lady may not
be without profit. With unusual person. al nttrac-
tions were united uncommon Intellectual gifts,
which were highly improved and cultivated. Her
taste directed her to the Beautiful wherever it
was to be found, and it is no figure of speech to
say that she was ever in the search of it.
To her eye how full of beauty was this vast
creation, and how often, when unseen by others,
was it unfolding itself in some Of its many and
diversified forms! This was we'll known TO all
who had much intercourse with her, or who had
the pleasure of seeing the. works of her brush
and pencil; her many beautiful Sketches and
Paintings. And to this taste she ministered to
the last. One of her Landscapes painted in her
old age was on exhibition at the last State Agri-
cultural Fair and attracted general admiration.
No lady was moro conspicuous in the refined
society of Edge6eld Village when she resided in
it and none did more to give to it its high char
acter for culture and hospitality. This hospitali-
ty, this cordial welcoming of her friends to her
house, was distinguishing feature in her char
acter. It followed her to her country homo where
she so freely dispensed it to the last In this
connection it is we'll to alude to the little Church
Edifce which she erected near her dwelling, and
which had many of the embellishments which q
refined taste could give it. Here from time to
time the minister ofsGod held worship, and the
good lady opened her doors to all who could be
induced to partake Of her hospitality. How
sweet the memory Of these occasions, how beauti-
full tho commngling of q pure, devotional senti-
mont with the kindly Offices of friond and neigh
bor
Mrs B. lived the full term of days, and in its
course experienced her share of pain and sorrow,
of trouble, and disappointment. She had in turn
to commit to the tomb beloved son, who fell on
the battlefield of Mexico, her honored husband,
her noble son the Hon. PRESTON Brooks, and
recently beloved and only daughter, Mrs. DUNo-
WANT. What. q commentary upon life-upon
length of years To what trials was she sub
jected, and with what truth could she repeat the
words Of the Psslmist that I" the best of our days
are but labor and SORROW"
With such load of afliction, had she looked
to earth for comfort she would have been misera-
BILE; but she enjoyed life to the last. An old
author regards certain pictures with two faces aa
emblematic of Death; the ono representing the
most horrid and repulsive features, the other.the
most lovely and beautiful scenes. So with Death.
It may be painted with O fearful countenance, a
lean body, iron hands that ravish US from our
goods and our honors, divide our persons, and
drag our bodies into loathsame sepulehre. This
is view which makes as fear and tremble. But
We may look upon it as merciful Delivercr that
breaks our chains to pieces, and eovates our souls
to the highest glory and happiness. In this case
nothing is more lovely than Death, and more to
be desired. This is the side of the picture on
which the oye of this estimable Lady was accus-
toned to dwell. 1t is the Christians's view. He
enters the path which the Prophets, the Apostles,
and the fayorites-of Heaven have trodden before
him (; ho is introduced to the innumerable Com.
pany Of Angels" to "the general assembly and
Church Of ths firsG. born" and to the spirits Of
"just men made perfect"
Oh, the delightful reunions brought about by
Death Husbands and wives, and parents and
children again will meet; our ashes will be min
glcd with the ashes Of ancestors and kindred and
friends, and we will share with them the repose OF
the grave. Death is. now without his sting, the
grave without its victory. So long in the Com
munion of the Church, and steadily sustained by
its cheering hopes and promises, she was without
fear, and patiently awaited the hour of her de-
liverance. Not with her, Us with SO many, did
Death make his noiseless advances and approach
with feet of WOOL" She was long the subject OF
incurablo discase she could see its progress, and
knew that soon she must lay aside this tabernacle
of the flesh. But she was comforted by the
knowledge that if our earthly house of this tab
ernacle were dissolved VIC have "building of
God, house not made with hands, eternal in the
Heavens" Unterrifed could she drink of the
cup of which He drank, and pass through the
vale which Hc had honored and sanctifed by His
presence.
The Word of God shall stand forever, and that
Word has declared that they who have "washed
their robes and made them white in the blood OF
the Lamb arc passed from death to life, and shall
die no more" "They are before the Throne of
God, and serve Him day and night in his Temple,
and He that stitch on the Throne shall dwell
among them."