Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1881-12-14
Obituary.

Entered into rest, Alpsna Tues lay, Nov. -, =. I,
aslnil Clara, beloved Wlie OF Benjamin +. -tIrhir.,
and laughter Of George Richardson, EsI.i 1t 'Gls
-..g. Il tie tweaty-ninth year Of her ays.
'Is S.arbird was born in Pitsfeld state
q Maine and at an early age removed with
aer parents % this city. On =. john, Dav,
iu The wear 1859, she was married % M j.
T. -i1rbiri, and became the mother of two
children. who with their father live g.
mourn her departure.
To those Who knew her best, perhaps the
most marked feature Of this dear ones
character was child-like sweetness. l. was
conspicuous in her even "a a child o.
che Jas. ID never left her. She had developed
into an attractive type OF womanhood and
motherhood. and her modest dignity and the
-~ea. graces Of her allectiOuate and gentle
nature onleared her 10 all who knew her.
but her chieftest charm was still that child
likeness and mOdesty that gave expression 10
her lovely face and robed her in purity
sweetness and truth ike an atmosphere.
Nearly a year ago she was seized with an
Illness which her friends soon saw with tear
fol eves, must ere long terminate fatally.
Though nothing Of this was communicated
- her, she nevertheless, herself, recognized
il iu,uitively, and at first could not be recon
Cilcl % il. simply because the tendrils c (.
love for husband and children had 50 strong
lv entwined themselves around her warm
heart. She did not at first perceive Gods
love in the dark cloud that was creeping over
her earthly hopes But very soon the bless
cd Comiorier-the Holy Sophisticated up
her soul with His presence and her whole
being changed. Day after day she suffered
In the flesh but day after day she also
gathered and stored that spiritual strength
which was 50 needed to her, and which wa,
20 wonderful in Its manifestation in her last
hours
For many weeks her physical suferings
were acute and trying in the extreme
but 10 word or look Of complaint or Of i'm
patience escaped her, nor was she exacting
in the least in her requirements, but was ever
thoughtful for those who ministered 10 her
needs and was self-helpful to the last. So
long as she could speak without effort, strong
and CHEEKY words came from her lips often
words Of comfort words Of loving exhorta-
ton to the performance Of duty, and words
Of love and hope. 1T was all right and
all things would work for our good if we
but did our duty" Such were her loving
works and strong faith. Recognizing duty,
spiritual or moral, she at once fulfilled y,
and as she would speak Of her faith and hope
through her blessed Saviour, her whole conn
tenance would be illumined with nm expires
sion full Of ineffable sweetness which was but
an index TO her soul that was filled with all
the fulness of God and possessed that peace
(which passeth all understanding"
She bravely declared before the world her
firm faith in Almighty God, though Christ
the Saviour; and gave her testimony in low
ing participation in the feast of the blessed
sacrament which our Lord consecrated for
our comfort and spiritual sustenance, and
/ lovingly commanded us to eat and drink in
remembrance of Him. Though suffering
and "sore let and hindered" in her body, her
Christian life was consistent, beautiful and
altogether lovely. This brief sweet life
closed in perfect harmony with its continuous
completeness and beauty. No words which
NAV be written can add TO the consolation of
the bereavcd family, or increase their sense
Of the worth Of her whose dear face they
shall see no more on earth. They know that
she Is now q dweller among the redeemed in
Paradise; and they know also the power Of
that grace in which she trusted and through
which she triumphed.
As VIC look over the past brief life Of the
departed and forward 60 the rewards Of the
righteous. we cannot but rejoice that this
sinful and disordered world Of ours can fur
nish for tho realms Of the blessed. charac-
ter 50 largely developed in every element
calculated 20 call forth our reverence and
love as that Of Mrs. Starbird.
] She has departed, but her sweet life and