The Arizona sentinel., 1889-09-21
Obituary.

OBITUARY Is puohsneu Oelo", "as an
aunt of Mrs. Geo. w. Norton.
Mrs. Lydia O. Davis, relict of Capt.
Henry W. Davis, died in Nantucket,
Wednesday, August 7, 1889, aged "A
years, 10 months, 10 days.
The life of Mrs. Davis has been one
Of the most remarkable ever recorded,
both FROM pathological and spiritual
point of view. For 81 years she had
been a bed-keeper, and for 81 years
had never been removed from the bed
on which she died. Her lefC side be-
came paralyzed when she was first
afflicted, and in falling to the floor,
injured her spine. Inconsistencies
followed for some weeks, and, after
consciousness returned, 1T was a long
time before her power of speech WAS
regained. During the whole period
of her marvellous affection she main.
tanned cheerfulness that defied sor-
row. Suffering appeared to call forth
from her the profoundest energies of
the mind, and she calmly contemplst-
ed life as the sparkle of a summer
wave, and became resigned. Her
emaciated form was ike d shadow
robed iii vapor, with far-of' sunlight
shining through" yet her patience
was complete, and her faith never
faltered. Amid all the disabilities of
her hslfparalyzed couch-worn frame,
she toiled on, performing wonder Of
crochet and other fancy work, with
one hand, until her power was gone.
With her delicate body incapable of
exercise during the whole of her i'll
ness, she was never cold. The ordinary
heat which others enjoyed oppressed
her, and she always rested beneath
very light be coverlcts. AS a sub
ject of disease her long life was
mystery which death has not solved.
Death WAS the crown of her life.
That she lived thus long without
sadness or repining, taxes the magma
ton to conceive. That she lived at
all, fringes the miraculous. That
with all her burden she was able to
keep the run of the household to the
uIinutest concerns of domestic life, is
a startling revelation. That she was
enabled to labor under acute disad-
vantages and to realize from the fruit
Of her toll, passes comprehension.
That she kept abreast of the adj
vanced thought of the age by CONVEX
sations with those who found it
pleasant to visit her and read to her,
and that she also grew in the grace
and beauty of holiness meath her
many deeply Christening Affections and
the bodily anguish with which her
frail organism was racked, suggests
the presence of the Shekinah-that
marvellous light, or visible glory
which was a symbol of the divine
presence in ages gone.
Her spiritual character was one of
rare exaltation. The kingdom of
Heaven was within her and possessed
her soul in a serenity which was a
constant gospel to those who were
privileged to read it. She went
through severest trials with deep
suffering, but with marvellous peace
which passeth understanding. With
every nerve exquisitely sensitive, she
experienced that divine touch upon
her spirit which made her conqueror
over pain, and uplifted her even in the
deep waters of sorrow. When the
ministries of devoted daughter end
ed by death, she bent to the high de-
cree with submission. And when the
husband of her youth and later years
was called home from his loving
service, her heart, though so sore,
lever rebelled. Since then, as before,
her days have been benediction, now
crowned with the joy of the other
ufe. It's light fell upon her here and
her room had its illumination.
Through the ministrations of sorrow,
she was brought into the most tender
relationship to all other forms of be,
'ng, and gained a glimpse into the
mystery of the eternal life vouchsafed
TO but few.-Nantucket Mirror.