National Republican., 1880-07-20
INNS BETTE eooDH1cH ronrsn.
Her Death at wnn,Ingtou--A Tribute from
tho Pulpit


Her many friends in this city have beer
panied 70 hear Of the death of Mrs. Belti,
Goodrich Porter, which occurred In Whining
ton, Dol. last Wednesday morning. In tn,
Fourth Presbyterian church of this city, o
which she was n former member, her death
Was announced last Sunday morning In tho
following truthful aud affecting terms:
This family Of believers has been again
called upon during the past week to mourn
The loss Of ono tcnderly loved aud honorcd by
us all. Mis-. Bette Goodrich Porter fell asleer
at her homo in Wilmington, Del, on last
Wednesday morning. and was laid away to
rest at sundOwn ON Friday evening, by the
loving hands Of hor sorrOwing family and
friends Our church and school were repre-
scnted on the sad occasion by cur elder aud
superintendent, DR.. McFaran, Mrs. Vilos and
other friends, who took with them II beautiful
horal tribute of love from cur Sabbath school.
What ono Of us does not tcall with grateful
remembrance the loving ministry Of tho dear
departed one during the years she spent among
usY Comely In person, aud of noble loyal
heart. she proved herself an angel of light,
scattering smiles aud gladncss wherever she
went. In our joys and sorrows. by the sick
bed or at tho cofiiu sido, she was a loving
helpful presence, striving to increase our pleas
ures and dissipate our grieis. Our earlier
thoughts Of her are in connection with the
sabbath school of which she was part and par
eel from her worry infancy.
"Maturer years found her still there, the con.
socratcd teacher of our young ladies' And
this particular work was the fSutago of the
public profession of hor faith in her Saviour,
made in this room years ago during a season
OF special religious interest under our beloved
pastor. whom she now has joined in the upper
aud better kingdom. On the eventful morn
ing of that first communion sabbath she occu-
pied hor accustomed place in tho gallery, sing
Ing with great pathos and tenderness her favor
ite selection, jesus, Lover Of My Soul 1t
was especially in connection With her musical
services in tho church and social meetings
that We knew her best. What a wealth of
harmony there was in that sweet voice, and
how 1t yet seems 10 linger in this church.
home she loved so we'll Sho was appointed
dircctress Of tho church music, and filed the
position so conscientiously and ably IS to
elicit from tho session n letter of warmest
praise aud commcndstion whom sue found IL
necessary finally to roliuquish her charge.
In the missionary meeting, the young peo.
pies prayer meeting, tho weekly services and
all The social gatherings of our people, she was
faithful and true. Loyal to her church, her
pastors and her covenant VOWS, she was a
model worthy tho imitation of us all. Always
willing to spend aud be spent" in the service
OF her Saviour, she moved among us grace
inliy and happily, ministering angel, II sing
lnS cnrStlan we remember the happy mar
rago day when she loft us for her new home
IN Wilmington, followed by the prayers and
bencdictiOns OF our church and commu nifty,
and when, few months since during brief
visit to her old home, she sang once more Ia
this room, she was welcomed by overybod
Tender and true in all the relations of life,
whether as daughter, sister, wife OF friend
how we shall miss her
This morning, our thoughts 90 out 10 the
daikenod home where the young husband sits
under the shadow Of his great sorrow, and
our warnest sympathy is extended 70 him aud
tho other loved ones who mourn their dear
departed. Shall not the memory of this dear
young life DO to us, who remain, constant
exampleY Shall We not bo moro consocratod
to the service of our common Saviour in this
church homer And shall not all these sad
partings draw us nearer the kingly mansions
INTO which our dear ones are being 80 silently
anu tapiUIy usherS1l Sho loved 10 sing III
presence OF our dead that beautiful hymn
Homo Of the Soul, and even as we sit here
to-day thore comes 10 each of us the long.
bushed voice of some loved one;
at slngeih low in every heart,
We hear 1t rise aud full
song OF those who answer not,
However we may call
They throng the silence of tho breast,
We see them es of yorc.
The kind the true tie brave, the sweet
Mho walk with lis no more.
"'More homollko seems the vast unknown
since 'hey have entered there's
They cannot be wherc God Is not
on any sea or shore;
Whato,er, betdes Thy love abides,
Our God. foreyermore.'"