Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-08-11
Obituary.

Died of typhoid faver, July 29th,
1874, EDWIN :. MURPHY, son of DIR.
Jno. y. Murphy, aged 20 years, 4
months and one day.
This is another Of those mysterious
and deeply painful dispensations Of
divine Providence which we are so Of
ten called upon to chronicle. We are
fIOt surprised at the death OF the aged
and the good. who have filled up the
full measure of their three score years
and ten" They have served their
age and generation faithfully. and are
gathered home, like ripe sheaves into
the heavenly garner. N0F do we
wonder at tire death Of those who have
utterly abandoned themselves to a
life Of profligacy. They are foul
blot on humanity, and curse to the
world. The death OF the former is but
what we have reason to expect, and it
is to them glorious exchange of the
tolls, and turmoi!s, and suterings OF
this life, for the quiet, and rep0se, and
bliss of heaven. The death of tlie lat
ter is an act Of benev0lence TO the
world.
But when we see man cut down IN
the bloom Of youth, as in the present
instance, with bright prospects of a
long, useful ana Il happy life 4; or in
the pride and vigor of naI hood, in
the midst Of his usefulness and plans
of beEeVolence unaccOmplished, we
wonder. We can only say: Even
50, Father: for SO it seemed good in
thy sight In all such casts our bles-
sed Redeemer as emphatically says TO
us as he did to his disciples in The days
of his humiliation upon earth;
"What / do thou knOwest not now,
but thou shall know hereafter
We were intimately acquainted with
Ned" as he was familiiarly called,
fIom the cradle to the grave. We adj
mired and loved him for his many eX-
ccllent and admirable traits of charac-
ter. Whilst memory fondly recalled
the bright and happy, though brief
career in life, and sOrrowfully dwells
on the painful scenes Of his last sick
ness and death, and mournfully lin
gers around the hallowed spot where
all that was mortal of him unconscious
ly sleeps, we would strew his grave
with fragrant flowers and eveTgreens,
and speak words of comfort and en-
enlargement to heart-stricken parents
and weeping sisters and brothers.
Ned was young man of great prom
Use and bright prospects. Whilst ma
ture had been liberal to him in her
gifts, no pains or expense was spared
in the cultivation of his mind. He
enjoyed the best educational facilities
which the country affords. Fond re-
latiOns and admiring friends had
marked out for him a brilliant and
useful career through life. Ned was a
youth of noble and generous impulses,
and exemplary in ell the social rela-
tions of life. AS a son, he was dutiful
and effectionate, the pride and glory,
and It is To be feared, the idol Of his
family. He was devoted friend. He
was affable and obliging, affectionate
and kind to all, and commanded unus-
u2l admiration and love.
"None knew him but to love-
Nor Eaned him bat 10 praise
But he has gone the way of all the
earth. The sun of his earthly exist
ence, went down in the morning of
life The pail of darkness has been
spread over the bereaved family. a
vacuum has beef created which will
not soon be filled again. A wound has
been inflicted which nothing but the
consolation of our holy religion can
soothe, and time alone can heal. We
deeply deplore his early loss. But
we ''sorro " not as those Who have no
hope" Religion bids us look beyond
this world Of sin and suffering, and
death, to the world of holiness, and
happiness. and life eternal. Our
loved ones are not dead. but sweetly
sleep in Jesus. They are not lost, but
have only gone before us to the
better world, where we shall
soon meet, and greet, and be reunited
with them never more to part. We
are assured that our loss has been our
departed brothers. infinite and eternal
gain. He left behind him, evidence
entirely satisfactory. OF his acceptance
with God, and his preparation for the
solemn and important change through
which he has passed.
dearest brother, thou hast left US;
Here thy loss we deeply feel
Bat tits Geo that hath bereft as
He can all our SORROWS heal
yet again. we hope 10 meet thee,
when the day Of life Is fed,
Then in heaven with Joy TO greet thee,
Whore no farewell tear is she'd"
A. J. B.