Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-05-27
oBSEQUIES.
Sermon Delivered by Rev. z. B,
Cousins at the Funeral of
Mrs. L Bilharz The
Last Rites.

In compliance with the request OF
the friends we give complete the
sermon delivered by Rex. L. b.
Cousins at the funeral of Mrs. +.
Bilharz, on Sunday, May 23d, in
which the details attending the acsi,
dent and amentable result are fully so.
recounted that further comment will
not be attempted. The sermon con.
tains beautiful tribute to the charac-
ter and womauly virtues of deceased,
well known to the speaker by long
and intimate acquaintance with the
family.
THE SERMON.
Matthew 9th chapter, 18th verse;" Blessed they
that mourn, for they shall be comforted,"
Zone day are called upon to rejoice with those
who do rejoice, aud the next We weep with those
who weep Thus we pass on through Joy and sor.
row; through sunshine aud shadow; through light
and darkness, until journey Of life is ended and
drop out Of sight for others TO rise and MI places,
and pass ON as we have done to theEunseen world,
What them The young may die, the old must die;
and the middle-aged are by means exempt from
death. Another step may bring to tho tomb Born,
lived, died and passed to eternity is the record Of
the human race. Thus we have another such record
before us today of departed loved whose loss
mourn in deepest sadness.
DRp-At her home in Audubon, Iowa, Friday, May
2lst, 1885, at $40 p NJ, Mrs. Emma Bilharz, in the
Seth year Of her age.
The deceased, Miss Emma Moore, was born in
Berks county. Pa, December Nth, 1850, At about
years of age she moved with her parents Ottawa
ILL.,, where she grew 10 noble womanhood Noyem-
Der, 1871, she married to Emil Bilharz Of Seneca
III. There they lived until June, 1879, whom she
with her husband and family moved to Audubon,
Iowa. and became among the earliest settlers Of this
town. and during her seven years residence here she
had become widely known and most highly esteemed
by very large circle of friends and acquaintance
who todaysmost deeply and sadly mourn her death.
Thus the occasion of this service today Is the sudden
and sad death of one OF our most highly esteemed
neighbors and friends; one whose cheerful, noble
womanhOod and happy, commendable life among us,
made her respected and beloved by all who truly
knew her, and one whose sudden, unexpected death
the deep gloom of sadness the hearts and
homes not only of near and dear relatives hut OF
friends and acquaintance wherever she was known
The manner in which her death was caused, perhaps
makes the occurrence, IL possible more dreadful
and sad from the fact that her nearest and dearest
loved could not be favored with even one part
ing word, or fond farewell fromIher lips. While she
seemed partially recognize her relations anG attend
ants during her Illness yet there WAS clear evil
dence that she was at all conscious of her condition
suffering
he how
about one week ago now, when starting with her
husband to take IA shOIt carriage ride, the horse be-
came unmana geable and dashed down the alyway
and the street striking the carriage against the
platform Of store building, and thus throwing
her out and at the same time kicking her in the head
nhicting the wound that caused her death. She was
carried TO her home in an insensible and seem
ngly almost liteess condition, but by the prompt
and skilful assistance of physician AID friends sigus
of returning life appeared her wounds were carefully
dressed and hopes of her recovery became encvurag-
ing And thus she has lain for over hve days In that
half encouraging, half doubtful condition, partly
conscious of the presence aud attentions Of those who
waited on her. but quite insensibe TO her condition,
and to what the terrible accident had caused her to
endure. While her friends we're hoping even against
hope for her ecoyery, Natures forces and her vital
powers wero last being exhausted and all hopes OF
her restoration proved In vain; 10 that about D.
of the 9th day the Angel Of Death called her away
from her comfortable happy home on earth, wo trust
to the Mansions OF Rest above.
Her husband and two children, son aud daughter,
are left mourn her sad and sudden departure from
their home. She was woman of bright cheerful,
happy disposition, kind, dutiful, devoted mother
and wife, end most valuable and faithful neighbor
and friend, unfaiIing and constant in her friendship
Scarcely could there be found one in all our midst
who would be mo universally missed and m0urned at
death, than our deceased friend and neighbor, Mrs.
Emma Bilharz
why she should be thus so suddenly and unexpect-
eddy called away from the bosom of her beloved ami-
ly and circle OF her many friends and cut OFF from
earth in the very prime of life and usefulness, is not
for to know say. To know 1t is the divine will,
agt, ~ Eat aR
called and she must answer the summons, and we
must submit that all is well and for the best.
But part in this service is not so much to comment
upon the dead, TO comfort the living. Her account
on earth closed and the perfect Record Is made aud
kept above, that there is now changing 1t either
for better for worse. She now rests from her
labors." Her earthly sulieTings and trials now
all past She has gone in the spirit "to God who
gave" aud cher works do follow her.; and, we trust,
her Just recompense of reward will be the abundant
blessing of God pronounced upon the trustful death
Of tho righteous as one who died in the Lord and
that she has received the welcome plaudt from her
blessed Lord and Master "W ell done good and faithful
servant enter thou into the joys Of thy Lord" Much
you love your dear wife and mother, much as you
will miss her from your broken home circle, still you
would not call her back against your heavenly Faith
ers will II Is your precious privilege feel that
she Is far better there than she could be here on earth
In that heavenly home her su1erings are all past
her rest is gained; and you each and all can go to
her, but she cannot return to you"
Thus, dear friends, l would bring TO your grief
stricken hearts in this hour of not alone the
words and sentiments and sympathies of man for your
comfort and consolation; but more especially would
bring you also the precious words and consoles Of God
himself, and point you to the sweet declarations and
comforting assurances Of Gods own word in love;
whose eye is most watchlul for all needs, whose
is attentive to trustful cries toward Him
for help in every time of trial and trouble; whose
hand stretched out In love Is constantly blessing
with the rich bountes Of His grace and love Like
as father piteth his children the Lord pitieth
them that fear Him For he knOweth frame;
He remembered that we are dust The sweet docla-
ratons of counsel and comfort, and consolation,
which God gives us throughout His word for all such
trials far broader deeper and more permeating in
their divine restoring influence than all the powers
of grief and Of sin to disturb the human soul. And
the assurances of Gods comfort enduring and
Interchangeable as Eternity. The sweet peace He gives
that which passeth all understanding and His
assurances firm and untailing the everlasting
hills they cannot fail 1t Is God, IyiOr Hmsel II,
who says by the Holy Spirit In His VOID, to all who
will hear and receive it. Blessed they that mourn
for they shall be comfOrted.' Blessed the dead
who die the Lord yea, saith the Spirit, for they
rest from their labors, and their works do follow
them.
1t is Jesus Himself who lovingly says to all His
trusting sorrow-laden, griefstrcken disciples, let not
your hearts be troubled neither let II be afraid We
believe In God, believe also in Me; in My Fathers
house many mansions. l go to prepare place
for you. Fear not, for with thee, and my grace
is sufficient for thee. Be not dismayed, for am thy
God; will strengthen thee; yea, l will help the;
yea, will uphold thee with the right hand Of my My
Righteousness. Fear not, for have redeemed thee;
have called thee by thy name thou art mine. When
thou passeth through the waters will be with thee,
and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee;
when though wakest through the fire thou shall not
be burned; neither shall the flames kinde upon thee;
for | am the Lord thy God; the Holy Of Israel,
thy Saviour call upon me and will answer thee;
seek and thou shalt find; / will never leave thee
forsake thee, and my grace shall be sufficient for
thee let not your hearts be troubled neither let It be
afraid; blessed they that mourn for they shall be
comOrted.'
Garry these comforting assurances of Gods word
with you and cherish them iondly In your hearts,
then dear friends, while you deeply mourn the
sad and sudden departure Of your loved from your
earthly home and communion, that they may tighten
love OF Heaven. God thus tells plainly in His
word that the happy condition Of all those who die In
the faith OF Jesus is sweet and blessed condition In
His sight, and is, therefore, condition of eternal
peace and Joy, and rest relief FIR in suffering and
sorrow in Heavenly blesseduess with Him.
Truly, then, we each during our allotted days upon
earth should
80 live, that when summons comes 10 Join
The innumerable caravan, that moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber In the silent halls Of death,
We go not, like the quarry slave at night,
Scouged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed
By an unfaterlug rust, approach our grave,
Like one who wraps the drapery Of his couch
About him, and les down to pleasant dreams.
--Brydnk
brings the pang Of sadness and the burden Of grief to
the heart. There is so much that bghts many Of
cherished earthly hopes, and takes from that
which held most dear Of all earths treasures and
comforts. And then the dark tomb seems such
cold and cherries resting place ourselves and for