Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-04-21

Inere is no death An angel form
walk 8 Der the earth with silent tread
lie bears our best loved things away;
And then we call them dead. ~
On Friday last, between the hours
OF IL IN. and p. M, the sad news
was spread over our city, announcing
the sudden death of MRS. JAMES III.
WALKER, at an age of 81 years, s
months and % days. The day was
one bright and beautiful, all nature
seemed to speak ofHis blessings-while
the April sun in heaven, on the scene
looked down and smiled. A family
endeared to the community, had lived
in the height of happiness on the
beautiful morn-only to be stricken
with sorrow and affiiction at its close.
The home that had been SO cheerful
was now silent-the voices that had
been SO bright and merry were now
hnshed IN mirth, and changed to that
or stricken grief. Cold and silent, in
deaths firm embrace, lay the remains
OF all that was mortal here on earth.
A mother had died-the spirit had
winged its way to the realms above
God had called unto Him " His own. ),
The very thought was grief to realize
that" mother " had gone-never more
to speak kind parental word, or give
motherly affection to loving hus-
band and family. Here occur the
words of Coleridge:
So lonely twas, that God himself
Scarce seemed there to be-
The writer had known this kind,
amiable and christian woman, and
concurs with the neighbors, that +" to
know her was to love herr The
greater portion of her life was given
in the service of Almighty God, and
to I" do unto Others as you would have
others do unto you," was ever her
golden rule. Just before she died, she
glanced around with a placid mile !;
as happier look as ever graced the
human face; and to those that saw
her, can well be applied verse of the
Old Testament, Her children arise
up and called her blessed.n Alas,
alas, deaths keen sickle hath again
bereft US, leaving only sorrow and
bereavement; and reminding "that
from whence the soul came; so shall
it return again." Another loved one
was called upon, when least expected,
to answer deaths call. Another home
deprived of family enjoyment by the
sudden departure of mother, and dear
ones made to mourn their loss while
it is heavens gain. Death gave no
warning, but came suddenly, and
carried off it's victim to "that bourne
from whence no traveller returns"
S Go to thy rest, dear mother
Go to thy dreamless bed,
While yet so gentle, undefiled,
With blessing on thy head"
Only short time ago, while in the
sick room, the writer had occasion to
witness her care and anxiety over her
younger son almost night and day she
fingered at the bedside, for the restor-
alton other child, little thinking death
would soon be at her door. God has
seen fit to remove from our midst this
affectionate mother, loving wife, and
devoted christian, and we would point
the sorely afflicted ones to Him, an
allwise and loving father, who doeth
all things well.
:" He leaves our hearts all desolate,
He plucks our fairest, sweetest flowers
Transplanted into bliss, they now
Adorn immortal bowers.D
" And ever near us, though unseen,
The dear immortal spirits tread
For all the boundless universe
Is life-there are no dead" F. V. A.