The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-11-24
NhifunrY.

In paying our last tribute of respect
to the deceased, we do not propose to
pronounce an elaborate eulogy upon
one who has inscribed her name high
on the pillar of human fame, but SIM
ply to notice few of the many noble
qualities adherent to her christian char
acter. Tho biographer in his sketches
of great men presents to us the path
that leads to human greatness, so we
too shall by this brief sketch of chris
tian life endcavor to present to the
minds of the reader the path that leads
to celestial glory and which was graced
by the sacred footprints ofour Saviour.
Mrs. Sophia Pealer was native of the
Empire State. Her father, - Steb.
bins by name, belonged TO the honora-
BILE craft Of carpenters. Being a man Of
considerable talent aud of much relig.
ious zeal, he quite often ofiiciated in
the capacity of a local minister. Fully
conscious of his responsibility as par
ent and the importance of good family
discipline, he used every precaution
| tbt luli vi Clu lhlO hlo
family circle aud in the use of proper
means endeavored to awaken aud nour-
ish there true christian lift. Under
these blessed in iuences of home, her
heart in childhood was prepared by de-
grees for the reception of that true nd
saving faith by which alone we can ap.
prehend Christ as our Divine Saviour.
According to her own confession, the
happiest time of her earlier life was
when she and few Of her youthful as
sociates during series of prayer-meet.
ings received sensibly the grace of par
don and regeneration; or in her own
language when she experienced relig.
ion in finding her dear Savior. This
important event OF her life was soon
succeeded by second one, her union
with the Christian Church, this being
the denomination of her parents choice.
While in connection with this religious
body she was recognized as an cXen-
plary church member.
Being possessed with due natural and
acquired qualifications for teaching,
she was engaged in this occupation for
some time, which in the end, as is too
often the case, proved detrimental to
her health. 1t was while teaching in
this county that she formed the acquain-
tance of him to whom she was subse.
quently united in tho bonds of holy
marriage. AS teacher, it is worthy OF
remark she was faithful. She consulted
, both the intellectual and the moral ma.
, ture other pupils. In this respect she
/ is a pattern to common school teachers
, in general, and particularly to those
, teachers in our Academies and Colleges
, who educate the head and not the heart
/ of their pupils. Her married life prov.
| ed to bea happy life with the exception
| of much sickness. In this relati on the
/ husband wife and were not only one in
l name, but also one in will, one in love,
| and most emphatically one in Christ. Al
/ though they are now separated by death
0 the spirit of the one in eternity and
. that of the other is still lingering on the
shore of time, yet those two besse d
spirits are still united by the heaven
born tie, Love. AS neighbor she wa s
beloved by ALL By her manifest will
ingness to do acts of accomm odation,
. and readiness to impart counsel, she
, soon iusinuated herself into the affec
I tions of a large circle of friends. One
n noble trait which characterized her aj q
neighbor was charity in its most com
prehensive sense. We never heard hei
give expressions to an unjust judgment
upon, or speak evil of any one. She hat
that charity that thinketh no evil.
Her religious Ii ile shows most brilliant
Soon after her marriage she united her
self to the Reformed Church, to whicl
her husband belonged. In this relation
she was an active member, manifestins
at all times the greatest willingness t.
be useful in the vnyard of her Lord
3 In the Sabbath School she took al
, active part as Il teacher. This was
) q pleasant task for her thus tC
train the youthful mind for God
We have every reason to believe tina
) the precious seeds which she sowed by
, her piouS instruction, We're wattered
l also by her earnest prayer and suppl
; eating tears. In the congregational
4 worship also she took an active part
/ Both she and her husband were mem
t berS of the choir. But, alas as mem
Der of that noted band of singers hel
silve.y voice Is now silent. In vain dc
we now listen to hear her voice come
l mingling with that of surviving mem
bers, but we hear nothing of it but a
faint echo as it comes to us from the
past. There Is left this consolati to
: the mourning choir, they may again in
} better land be an unbroken band and
again unite their voices around tn,
throne of God in singing the song OF
8 Moses and the Lamb. The unabatina
. interest she manifested in the welfare
: of the church brcathed forth from hel
l inmost soul the sentiment of the hymn
3 commencing with the words:
love thy kingdom, Lord,
The house of thine abode.
She eyinced her true christian character
, not only in her marriage relation, il
her social career and especially in the
,, church, but more especially in hei
Proyidential afllctions. She indeed
was the daughter of aiilction. But hel
protracted illness Of six years teemed
with the richest fruits of patience and
resignation. Although she was debar.
red of many social and religious privi.
legcs on account of her illness, yet she
never murmure1. When Gods heav.
lest chasLisement fell upon her, her
meek and humble reply was, thy will
0 Lord, be done. And while she was
an object of pity on account Of the little
pleasure she derived from this world,
she always manifested spirit of con-
tentment. She always had keen sense
of her sinfulness and unwort Illness be.
fore her holy and just God. And while