The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-08-06
The Last Sad Rites.

The funeral services of Mrs. J. B.
Curtiss, whose death was announced
last week, were held at the family
Oh North Chestnut street,
Thursday, the S0th ult., at O'Clock p.
m, Rev. Edward NJ. McGuffey, Rec
tor OF Grace Church. Urbapa, Ohio,
The beautiful burial service of the
Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Cur
tiss was devoted and most exemplary
member, was rendered, after which
Rev. McGufTey spoke in substance as
follows: He prefaced his remarks by
saying that it was not in accordance
with the general custom of the Epis-
cOpal Church to eulogize its dead, yet
having known Mrs. Curtiss ever siuce
he was old enough to form the acuuain-
tance and friendship of any one, he
could not refrain from bearing testi.
mOny to her many noble attributes
her true conception of life, its duties,
obligations and privileges-hsr high
aspirations, her desire to do good, her
warm hearted generosity, her loving
disposition, and her pure Christian
life, exemplified daily by her demean-
or in word, action and sentiment. A
good woman was one of Gods best
gifts TO the world. She was needed so
much, and her loss could hardly be-
compensated. Life was, after a certain
period, a continual decline. The vi
vacity, faith and activity of our youth
naturally waned as we passed from
the golden chambers of youths bright
morning to the infirmities of old age
and the solemn mysteries of the tomb.
Left TO ourselves, and our lives were
indeed but as the morning dew, to
vanish and disappear forever, while
our minds were in fearful apprehen-
sion of death, and filled with conster-
nation at its terrors. Herein consisted
the great efficacy and good of Chris.
tianity. that it impelled to a correct
life and robbed death of all its terrors,
by the consciousness of a life well
spent and faith in heaven beyond.
Mrs. CurLiss posses sed this Christian
character in alt its richness. Her life
| was an epitome of goodness so far "a
she was able to render it so. She died
a Christian, beloved and mourned by
all, having left behind her the record
of life well spent-the highest eulo.
~ possible to pay her.
Thus passes from earth one of its
nobiest spirits. In the death of MS
Curtiss, a faithful wife aud mo, her has
been taken from home made desolale
bv her departure. Her lends have
lost loving companion, and society q
useful aud valued member. In the
exercise of the duties of life, whether
pertaing to her home or society, or en-
gagged in works of charity, Mrs. Cur
tiss was always at her post.
! Possessed of a sympathetic nature
her presence was an inspiration o.
,omfert to those in distress, and many
uch will feel the sorrow of great
loss in her death.
A true and loving heart has beer
forever silenced in it's ear Lnly activity
but the putty and goodness of sucI
lives are not laid away in the sileU Ct
and decay of the mortal tenement, but
continue TO live, and a never ceasint
influence for the right emanates there
rom. Well might the poet catch hi:
inspiration from life as sexemplilied by
he subject of this sketch, made up a
it was of good deeds, as he sings:
The good deed through The ages
| Living i'll historic pd,,
| brighter glOws ald CLEANS immortal,
| Uncopsu med by moth OF ust."
A quartet, composed of J I'll. Oak
ley, A. B. Seymour, G. P. Reed anC
y Y Lacey, sang 81 Would Not Live
Away" aud Silently They Rest, ,
The first piece being by request of the
family.
Her remains were placed in the
vault at Maple Grove Cemetery tC
twait interment, which took place on
| sabbath last, *x*