American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-07-27
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Semmes and wife of Major Benedict j,
Semmes, III the 34th year of her age.
The recurrence of ii blow from the
death hand, ever a grief to the fam
lily, is marked, now and then, as a
serious calamity to society at large.
| When it strikes from her place III
the home, and in the social order,
the wife. and the mother of children,
who illustrated in her walk and waJ S
the virtues and the graces; all the
Ioftier, as we'll as the gentIer attri-
hood then it dries up the continent
of stream which waters and res
freshes the earth; which carries with
it healthful sentiment, and happi-
ness and cOntentment to all who
approach.
Such n blow has recently desceL'
ded in the death of Mrs. Semmes,
and it is we'll for those who think to
Lause and reflect upon their loss; to
contemplate and try to emulate her
piety, her truth, her purity and de-
vOtion TO duty.
The subject of this tribute was
born in the State of Georgia, on
June 18th, 1845, aud became one of
a family connection which was, aud
still continues to be, one of the most
numerous, and, very deservedly. one
Of the most respectable aud influen-
tial 10 be found in that or any other
State. When she was quite young
her father, since deceased. and
h., ., I'll fnl q
us, removed with his family tn Mad
ison county in this State, near Can
ton, and here she was reared under
the auspices of hereditary pIety and
large wealth honestly acquired.
She was early baptized into the
Holy Catholic Church and her whole
life exc mplified the beauties of the
religion Of Jesus the Christ, and, al
the very last, her fixed and immov-
able faith in HIM aud His promises
made easy her plunge into the
unseen.
In April 1864 she contracted a
marriage with B. j. Seinmes, Esq,
who survives her, gentleman we'll
known among our people as, until ii
recent period, when he removed to
Atlanta, an eminent lawyer of the
Canton bar. As a wife she was ills
deed q help-mate, genial and SYM
pathetic companion to her husband.
She rejoiced in his joys and was a
true CONSIDER and wise counsellor
in his sorrows and troubles. Her
wealth and his having been swept
away by the war, she encOul aged his
energies aud assisted his economy
nntil their efforts had reconst; ucted
their fortune, at least to the extent
of a comfortable independence, from
the muI ual enjoyment of which she
lett him in obedience to that newt.
able summons which must come to
Us all.
She left surviving her five da ugh.
), some of whom were Old enough
rable her TO impress upon them,
'ecept aud example, her excel.
larac.er; and thus, aud by her
Example, will her virtues live
-.-r her. 1t is curious thought,
aud yet as curiously true, that what,
ever of good or evil we do or say is
everlasting in its beneficial or bales
full effect. 1t affects others by con
tagion, is transmitted by descent,
and becomes balm or a sting to the
renOtest generations. How impor.
tant then that we study virtue and
walk in its ways, since whatever of
good or i'll is done by any one of us,
at once escapes our control, IS i'll CO..
exist with tire and become IL means
forever to gladden. or sadden the
world.
The chief characteristic of the
subject of these remarks was her
devotion to duty. Highly endowed
by nature, thoroughly cultivated by
education, thought and liberal read
ing, she left no talent uncultivated,
no duty uuperformed. With scru-
pulous regard to her functions in the
exalted offices OF wife aud mother,
she yet found time for every social
exaction, was we'll known to the
poor and no stranger to the afflicted.
In short, as type of true woman
hood, she was abreast with the high.
est of her class; and her class was
abreast with the highest in the
land.
Conscious to the very last she
met death without fear, as friend
meets friend, and those who share
her religious faith may anchor their
hope with Certainty IN the assurance
of their Divine Master, that:
BLESSED are the pure in heart for they
shall see God. G.
DIISxU .nu,,D,C1C