The Osceola times., 1884-09-13
IN NEvlORIAvI.

n.N W MuiuVDnN n We
DIED-of Consumption, on the
morning of September 2nd., 1884, at
sunrise, Miss Minnie Humphreys, of
Osceola, Arkansas, in the oath. year
of her life.
"The good die first" is a saying
now called to mind by the early
death of Miss Humphreys, of whom
it may be almost said that she left
this life as pure and innocent as when
she first saw the light. Born in
Marshal county, Miss, Oct. 9Th, 49,
81, her young life flowed like tran.
quill stream, in whose calm depths
the pure and beautiful alone were
mirrored." We need not, in this
brief sketch, speak of her beauty, OF
her inbred refinement of manners, OF
her intellect, improved by self-cul-
ture, nor of her devotion as a daugh.
ter and sister. 1t will be sufficient
to say that in her brief life, she ex.
hibited in perfection those noble
traits of feminine character, Love
Hope and Patience: and these were
the graces of heart which made hel
life beautiful and innocent, and ena-
bled her to meet death, not as the
King of Terrors, but as a friendly
messenger to summon her to higher
and better life.
Though from Spring to Autumn,
languishing upon bed Of sickness
ard pain, often choking and gasping
for breath, when the paroxysms pass
ed off, love prompted her to forget
herself as she rapidly approached the
grave, and to speak words of com
fort to her grief-stricken mother, tell
ing her of her assured hopes of a
brighter life, when released from the
pains of dying. "Why, MOTHER
she would say, with radiant smile,
what is death? | am not afraid of
death. There is nothing in my life
to make me afraid to meet my God.
! am ready when He calls me-" In
truth, death was her constant theme,
even predicting exactly the very day
of her departure, subject which es-
pecially occupied her mind during
the silent, sultry nights when her
mother sat by her side tanning her;
and with her seemed to mean only a
change to noblcr form of existence
Thus did she unconsciously exhibit
the truth and beauty of the passage
from her favorite Book, "Thcre is
no fear in love; but perfect love
castcth out fear"
AS the end drew near her suffer
ings ceased, being conscious up to
the last moment, even when speech
less; her dark, speaking eyes still
lighted up with thought and intelli'
gence until, like a child falling t.
sleep, she passed away. Thus did
her brave spirit triumph over death
and wing its flight to never-ending
day, just when the morning sun was
rising upon the horizon and shower.
ing down a food of golden light on
sparkling woods, fields and meadows
In such death, the tendercst love
is sustained by Faith and Hope, and
the death-bed scene becomes an EN-.
blem of the peace of God which
passeth all understanding. She al
least is safe. When the stars dis
appear from the sky in the thick
black clouds, our anxiety is not fol
them; we know when the clouds rol
by they will come again with renew
ed lustre and beauty: we think %
ourselves, who are left to meet til,
storm in the darkness, as we wal
for the clouds to show their silvel
lining. All who attended her in hel
last illness will see how truly these
lines of Mrs. Hemans may be applied
to her:
"Cam on the bosom ofthy God
Fair spirit, rest thee now,
Even while with us thy footsteps trodc
His seal was on thy brow
Dust to it, narrow house beneath
Soul to ITS place ON high
They that have seen thy look In dcath
No more may fear 10 de-"
osceoia, SEPT. mh.. lsss.