The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-06-26
DEATH OF MRS. JAMES NJ. GILES.
The Close Of Beautiful and Useful
Life.

Early last Sabbath morning, at haltpast
seven o'clock, and before the church bells
pealed forth their invitations to the House of
God, a beautiful and lovely life closed in our
away to join, as we trust, in the worship OF
the Heavenly temple. 1t was Mrs. Giles who
then left US, TO depart and be with Christ" in
His own more beautiful home.
Miss susan Emma. the daughter of the late
DR.. w. L. and Mrs. S. NJ. Templeton. and the
sister OF our widely known and esteemed fel-
low townsman, Mr.. w. 4. Templeton. She
where she was born July 9th, 1850 In her 5th
year the family removed to Columbia. There
she received her education and pleasantly
passed her earlier years.
In 1868 Abbeyille became the family home,
and here, on March 2Sth, in the following
year, she united with the Presbyterian church
whose ;aith she cordially embraced, and
whose principles she has ever since adorned
by Cody and consistent life.
On Nov. 5th, 1872, she was happily married
to Mr.. James NJ. Giles-her pastor. the Rev.
Dr.. j. l.. Martin officiating. AS seals to this
union, elk little ones were privileged TO call
nrhc OF Is months, preceded her to that
world,
"Where dear families are gathered
That were scattered on the wild
Where the child has found its mother,
Where the mother finds her child"
Side by side they walked together. husband
and wife, for nearly II years-full long enough
to realize how essential each was to the hap
pinesS of the other. A home thus conSecrated
by mutual affection, and sanctified by NUT ual
trials, and above all by 'the grace which
nringeth salvation" cannot be other than
hlrSSed-an oasis, as 1t were, in the desert Of
ire Il "holy Of holies' whose inner sanctify
no uncongenial spirit may Invade. "Thy wife
shall be rs fruitful vine by the sides of thine
house; thy children like olive plants round
about thy table" This beautiful representa-
:ion, this inspired ideal, was realized in the
home now so sorely bereaved. AS one little
"olivp plant after another made its appear
ancc in the "high chair by the table, the joy
OF both father and mother seemed ready to
overflow emy cup runneth over" and thus
1t continued till death came and tore the
mother away.
Mrs. Giles was q woman of beautiful and
lovely character. Meek, gentle. unobtrusive,
unselish, she filled we'll her place in life. All
loved her who really knew her. In the homes
of the poor, in the sick room, and by the
couch of death. she appeared as ministering
spirit. BY many in this community her
name will long be cherished. Her religion
and her daily walk were so alike that TO de-
scribe the one is to portray the other. The
two were not at variance.
In her long and painful illness her faith
shone forth beautifully-not in sudden cbul-
litions, not fltiully. but steadily and calmly.
At no time did it seem to be in eclipse. 1t ar-
peared rather in its effects, in patience, sub.
miSsiveness, trustfulneSs, rather than in os.
tentatious expressions, and when death came
there was no reluctance to die, no struggle.
The end was peace, as tranquil and gentle as
a summer sunset. Like dying Stephen, she
simply "tell on Sleep" and thus it was she
left us.
On the next day the tolling bell called to.
and beautiful church where she loved SO to
worship. and for the building of which she
had so long labored and prayed. Many wet
eye attested the sense of personal loss and OF
sympathy for the sorrowing husband and the
motherless children who followed her coffin
ed remains, After the services, conducted by
her pastor, Rev. DR.. J. Lowrie Wilson, her
body was tenderly borne to the cemetery OF
old Long Cane Church, and there in the fam
lily plat, laid to rest in hope Of q Joyful resur-
rection. blessed are the dead who die in the
Lord"