The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-08-18
DEATH OF REV. A. E. FLEMING.

Rev. Anna e. Fleming was born in
West Lebanon, Ind, May 8, 1850, and
died at the same place July 81, 1883.
Miss Fleming was educated at Buch-
tel college, and graduated July s, 1874.
She entered at once upon her chosen
work, that Of teaching, in which she spent
ten years of hs- useful and beautiful
life. In 1888 she received, through her
intuitive natures very decided call to
preach the faith OF worlds salvation.
She struggled with the thought fearing
that she might be mistaken; but the con-
viction deepened till she felt "woe is me
il preach not the Gospel" She entered
the Theological School at Galesburg and
there developed marked talent for this
higher and more spiritual work. At the
close of her theological course she be-
came at once pastor OF the church at
Avon, ILL.,. where she was ordained in
1885, and where her success has been
marked.
Early in the spring of the present year
her health began to fail, and early in July
she went to her mothers home in Indi-
ana to rest, hoping soon to recruit her
energies; and then return with renewed
vigor to her work. She gradually grew
weaker, suffering no pain, desiring only
to sleep, till without warning the pale
messenger cast upon her brilliant mind
that deeper sleep that knows no waking.
Her fond mother, brother and sisters are
deeply bereaved and can scarcely realize
that she is really gone to return no more.
So insidious was her disease that her
physicians and friends felt little concern
till within few hours of her going away.
Her parish, and her chosen life friend,
Miss Coffin, are stricken almost beyond
expression, while the denomination has
suffered great loss. She was beloved
by her people as are few pastors. She
gave her whole soul to her work and has
left an influence with her people that
must live after her, we trust to their deep
or conservation.
The writer was with her as an
assistant in a series of meetings of a
weeks duration in February, and found
that the love Of her people for her was
very strong and tender. At that meeting
she received thirteen new members into
her church, mostly young people. Her
influence with them was marked and
beautiful. Those who heard her tender
words of advice, and saw the Joy beam
ing in her face as she laid consecrating
hands upon their heads, will not soon
forget how solemn and sweetly sacred
che made that service.
Miss Fleming was in her public, as in
her private life, truly womsnly woman
Strong but tender, wise but winning in
all her ways. Her devotion to the church
was such as only consecrsted heart can
feel. Her faith was precious to her as
her life and she gave herself wholly to
the incubation of it. She had an in.
domitable will, hence surmounted many
difficulties before which those OF less
courage would have fallen. Her sermons
were of high spiritual order and cost
her many struggles. She was tender
rather than powerful and could best win
by personal appeal. In her death the
denomination is deeply bereaved and e.
pecially do the women in our ministry
mourn her loss.
The funeral services were conducted
by the writer. assisted by Rev. I. E. Bal
lard. SOPHIE GIBB.