The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-03-18
OBITUARY.

Died, at her residence, Rosclands, Edge
field, Mrs. MARY PARSONS BROOKS, aged
seventy years.
A brief notice Of this excellentlady may not
be without profit. With unusual personal at
fractions wore united uncommon intellectual
gifts, which were highly improved and cul,i
vated. 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 it's
many and diversified formsl 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 beau
tiful sketches and paintings. And to this taste
she miuistered to the last. One OF her land
scapes, painted in her old age, was on exhibi-
ton at the last State Agricultural Fair, and
attracted general admiration.
No lady WAS more conspicuousin the refined
society OF Edgeteld village, when she rosideu
in it, and none did more to give TO it its high
character for culture and hospitality. This
hospitality, this cordial welcoming Of her
friends to her house, was distinguishing fea-
turc i'll her character. 1t followed her to her
country home, where sho go freely dispensed
it to the last. In this connection 1t is we'll to
allude to the little church edifice which che
erected near her dwelling, and which had
many OF the embellishments which refined
taste could give it. Here, from time to time,
the minister OF God held worship. and tn e
good lady opened her doors to all who could be
Induced to partako of her hospitality. How
sweet the memory OF these occasions, how
beautiful the commingling OF pure devotion
al sentiment with the kindly offices of friend
aud neighbor!
Mrs. s. lived the full term of days, and in
it's course experienced her share OF pain ana
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 ron, the Hon
Preston Brooks; and, recently. beloved and
mentary upon life-upon length Of years! To
what trials was she subjected, aud with what
truth could she repeattne words OF tho Psalm-
list. that "the best OF our days are but labor
and sorrow"
With such load of affliction, b ad she looked
to earth for comfort she would have been
miserable; but she enjoyed life to the last.
AN old author regards certain pictures with
two faces as emblematic OF death-the one
representing the most horrid and repulsivt
features, the other tho most lovely and beau
tifu scenes. SO with DEATH 1t may be paint
ed with fearful oountenance, a lean body,
iron hands that ravish us from our goods and
our honors, divide our persons, and drag our
bodies into q loathsomo scpulchre. This is u
view which makes Us fear and trcmble. But
We may look upon it as merciful delvcrei
that breaks our chains to pieces, and elevates
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 eye of this estimable
-
ian's view. He enters the path which the
Prophets, the Apostles, and tho favoiites Of
Heaven have trodden before him; he is intro
ducod to Tho innulnerabe company OF an.
gols, to "tho general assembly and church of
the first 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
mingled with the ashes Of ancestors, and kim
dred, and frien6s, and We will share with them
tho repUse OF the grave. Death is now with
out his sting, tho grave without it's victory.
30 long III the communion vi the church, and
steadily sustained by its cheering hopes and
promises, she was without fear, and patiently
awaited the hour Of her delivorance. Not with
her, as with 30 many, did death make hls
nOiseless advances and approach with feet OF
WOOL" She was long the subject Of inourabie
disease; she could SOC it's progress, and knew
that soon she must lay aside this tabernacle
OF the flesh. But she Was comfortod by the
knowledge that IL our earthly house of this
tabernacle were dissolved we have "build-
ing of God, house not made with hands,
eternal in the Heavens" Unterrified could
abe drink Of the cup OF which He drank, and
pass through the vale which He had honored
and sanctifed by His presence.
The word of God shall stand forever. and
that word has declared that they who have
"waehed their robes and made them white in
the blood OF tho Lamb are passed from death
to life, and shall die no more" ''They are be.
fore tho Throne Of God, and serve Him day
and night in His temple, and He that sitteth
on the Throne an all dyyell amontr thepo