The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1873-02-27
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The subject of this brief memoir In, 7
Griffin, was born July IS, 1872. The pIace &c
his birth, where also he was reared was Fisb-
kill, Dutchess County, New York. Tie -
moved his residence into this section in tho
year 1916. At that time the Counties Of p;LH
Wayne, Luzerne, Wyoming AMI Monroe ~,
they are now known were all In Onel AttorI
ing the services Of the Methodist FnisconaI
Church in the old building about 10 veors o y"
he was wrought upon by the HOLY Spirit a92I
made profession OF conversion TO Christ TIL
years Of his subsequent life were spent !, ,Lo
service of his Redeenler. We believe that Jo
was Il consistent Christian, a kind father
good useful citizen. One who had been init
mately acquainted with him since the vear
1929, says: that he was always a strict c,ra.
full man in his life. About fifteen wears 400
he received a stroke of tire palsy which affect
ed his frame exceedingly, and induced a SIN.
por which he could never afterward complete.
ly overcome. Yet rs long as he was able he
attended the means of grace and doubtless
found that the soul was capable Of rising above
the infirmaties of the body. God SHARED him
full twenty years beyond the allotted limit If
human life. He passed away from earth an
the Sth day of February, 1873, being 80 years.
I months and s DAYS old. 4 wonderful ace
viewed from the standpoint of the average of
human life at present. During the period Of
my acquaintance with him, in consequence Of
the impaired state of his faculties through his
extreme age, it WAS not possible for me TO Sc
cure much knowledge Of his religious state;
yet | trust that he rests with Christ his Saviour.
The keepers of the house have been made to
tremble, the strong man has bowed himself,
the silver cord has been looSed and the golden
1 II Il -
tai youth in which we shall battle and draw
from It's streams eternal vigor. if we are faith
full to Christ. Let us all prepare for that blessed
change which is rapidly approaching. The
young must die as well as the aged. IN sueh
an hour as We think not, the son of man coneth.
Whatsoever thy hand fndeth to do, do it with
thy might, Tor there is no work nor device nor
knowledge nor wisdom in the grave whittier
thou goest.
go that, without 4 lingering groan,
We may the welcome word receive;
Our bodies with our charge lay Town
And cease at once to work and live"
C. w. F. CRAFT.
Elizabeth and Emily Bars9n are the subjects
of this memoir: They were the daughters Of
James and Deborah Burson, and were born in
Stroud township, Monroe Co. Pa. Elizabeth
entering upon this life in the year 1S0S-and
Emily in the year 1913. Elizabeth was clear
iy and satisfactorily converted many years ago,
and although she never connected herself with
any branch of the Church, vet by a godly life
and a chaste conversation she gave iudisputa-
ble evidence 10 the close Of her earthly exist
ence that she was indeed and truth a member
of the body of Christ.
EMILY protested conversion and joined tie
Church, but the date Is not written upon the
record OF membership. For . long period Of
time the sisters illustrated The beauty and pur-
ity of Christianity in their daily life and deeds
of mercy. Both were of 4 very quiet, unoSteR-
tatious disposition. Averse TO form and show
their lives were hid with Christ in God. They
lived TO glorify Him and to DO good. How
many poor they have fed-from how many
hearts they have driven sorrow-to how may
homes they have carried rejoicing Is fully
known only TO that God who will not forget
such labors of love. There are many in this
town, who if permitted would doubtless this
night testify with swelling hearts and stream
ing eyes to their quiet Christian benevolence.
They literally fulfilled the Saviours command;
Take heed that We do not your aims before
men to be seen OF them: otherwise We have no
reward of yoar Father which is in Heaven
But when thou doest aims, let not thy left hand
know what thy right hand doeth." The WIZ
ter had an opportunity of witnessing but ashort
time ago, the nte-e est and sympathy of sister
Emily Burson in behalf of a class of degraded,
and ignorant members of earthly society. She
brought him quite a large sum of money as 4
personal contribution TO the work OF educating
and elevating the freedmen of our land, and
purpcsely engaging her in conversation upon
the subject We found that it was no spasmodc
llberality that prompted the gift, but thought
tully AID intellegently made. She considered
before she gave, and then gave as unto God.
Both the sisters shared in this spirit and also
in possessing large and varied Information upon
secular matters. Elizabeth especially was i
sage and wise counsellor, one that could beap-
preached not only with ease but also with con
fidence. Outside as well as within the limits
of the HON circle she will be missed because
of this fact. In their death both departed a
quietly and peacefully as they had lived, NO
words of dying testimony were needed to COM
plete the history oftheir religious career. lhelF
life was all the evidence that was necessary 10
assure the world about them that ii had IN iheir
departure suffered a positive loss. Ellzaoelh
assembled to the world beyond on the Zith u
November and Emily on the 9th of December
following. God did not deprive them OF eacn
otileiH society very iohS. ihey nave 't"7
across the river, safe in the eternal home,
Elizabeth had been afflicted for more than ~
years and her death was long expected, yet
sudden when the stroke came as death always
is. Emily died Unexpectedly both 10 the fanny
and friends. Sudden death brought sudden
glory.
80, may We triumph so.
When all our warfare's past,
And dying find our latest foe,
Under our feet at last"
G. W. f. GRAFT.
In Stroud township, February 10th, lSlSs;