The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1886-03-11
OBITUARY..

MCGIEFIN.-Mrs. Elizabeth Smith McGifin
| daughter of Francis and Malinda Smith, borr
near GAINESVILLE Muskingum county, Ohio, the
2Sth of Oct 1885, and died at 81 minutes past
the 9th Feb. 1856, aged 80 years, months
days. The first few years her life passed neal
the place her birth UNTIL In the Fall of 1889, heI
father moved to jackson county, Ohio.
Here at the age of Il years she gave her heart to
Christ and her heart and hand to the VI. E. Church
In lS4S the 3st of August, at Middleton, Jackson
county, Ohio, she united in holy wedlock with
Samuel McGifn, NJ. D., by the Rev. Chas. Ferguson,
Methodist minister. Providence seemed always to
smile upon their union, making to each of them all
that blessing and happiness which congenial tastes
and aims are intended under God to
Seldom has it been the lot of husband and wife to
be constantly in each others society. Their life
was veritable fulfilling of the Scripture, Where
thou goest will go. and where thou lodgest 1 will
LODGE Whether on the toilsome journey Incident
to his profession, the pleasant visit among their
large circle of relatives and friends, the young wife
was his frequent companion. The first part of their
married life spent in Alensville, Vinton county,
Ohio where the Doctor practiced before the war.
The years 1s64-5 found sister McGifin at her hus-
bands side at Camp Douglass, Chicago, when he
there filling the important position of Assistant Post
Surgeon, To understand how deeply her heart
touched at the sight of suffering has only hear
ofhe denial of the luxuries and necessities that
she might procure more nourishng food for the suf
fering soldiers, than the hospital fare, how
stant1y she attended the sick until her very
many inmate of that hospital his life to-day
to her solcitude and attention. Those men loved
her; and when the time came for the Doctors tLans
fer, and she passed down TIL wards their tears and
farewell benedictons declared how much they loved
her For short time after the war Dr. and Mrs.
McGifin made their home in GAINESVILLE. While here
the Presiding Elder of the District Rev. S. NJ. Mer-
rll of the bishops of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, requested him, a local preacher of
standing and practice to take charge of the Nelson
Vile Circuit. This he did, and here again chosen
the wifes earnest and helpful interest in whatever
her husband engaged in. During protracted |
effort of three months which resulted in the
sion and addition to the church of souls she
his treless assistant-at the altar-n the homes of
the people-on her knees in the closet-she work
the efficiency of which has entered into the
eternity in the salvation of undyng souls. Fifteen
years since she came with her husband in 1871 to
Miami county For the last nine years life she
was resident of Tippecanoe City, Ohio.
There during the past two yeers she called to
Undergo that almost unparalleled suffering with
which all so deeply sympathize.
While the result of her disease slil uncertain
md hopes were entertained that her strong vitality
would conquer, she still clung life, believing it
'e her duty to put forth every effort and every
for recovery. This especially
hown by her submission to the terrible operation of
wo years since. None could foresee whether the
outcome would be fatal successful yet she told Mr.
Neakley, then her pastor, that if she never walked
rom the operation all would be WELL Recalling the
vent few weeks since she made the statement,
nd though her natural hold upon life great still
his schooling of herself to resignation has proceeded
through all the months of her sickness.
A few weeks since her pastor going to her bedside
Tas greeted with these words "Oh have had such
peaceful Sabbath" "Have you not suffered ?' "Oh
es, have suffered but Jesus good to me.'' Her
odily anguish, the greater part of the time in
acute. Yet was her complaint bitter
but like that elder sufferer she made her
loan unto God-God whose ear is always open to the
ry of the children, who is afflicted in all their
fnicton. She felt and acknowledged his pres
nee specially in these later weeks when her
istress was coming to climax of intensity. She
Did her husband that she had never before known
ne deep meaning of the words, He maketh TO lie
own in green pastures, he leadeth beside the
till waters. Herestoreth my soul' About the mid
lie of last week the close TO be very near.
allowed her until the morning of
he day she died: and she used it necessarily in
raising God for his goodness, and thanking her .
fthful atendents and friends for their kindness
er, exhorting such unsayed 70 get ready
eaven. Calling to her bedside the young man whom {
ne had reared she said GEORGE, George goodbye
give you the best gift can make you, handing him
er well-worn Bible. To her husband she was spec
lily able to give comfort and blessing, in addition
her expressions of affection, she gave him many
Tidences of the hope that within her, and that
oked forward to happy Reunion in the world to
1me.
The day before her death it was apparent that I
eaven was in sight. She said to her husband Heav-
rs beautiful place" That already she entering
ito communion with the spirits of the just. Often
pronounced the names of dear friends gone before
ar just as though they were present with her. +
Twenty-seven yeare ago year-and-a-haf old baby .
lughter had left her in April, 1858. Through the
ng of separation she had looked forward with
earning and wonder to the time when daughter and
other should meet again, and ON the day above .
entioned she said several times Daughter, where
lau sit?" That question now is answered, how |
issfully and satisfactorily, witness of earth
eclare. Fittingly may we close this account with
lie words of that Psalm which afforded much COM
rt to her, words which verified in her glo-
fed estate, And shall dwell in the house of the
ord forever.