Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-08-08

remarked: "The experiences which have
come to US as family have been great
trust We may all get home to our own
home, thanking God for all his blessings,
and giving him great glory"
No one of us may know" he COM
mented, referring to his near departure,
why it is, but it is all in Gods hands.
1t is SO strange that should have been
cut down, just in the midst Of my life
work. There seems SO much to do; and
1 had felt that the few years allotted me
could be spent in better service to him.
SO may he keep us and strengthen us
and guide US all, no wanderer lost, the
list all unbroken, to sing the song of re-
demption through Jesus Christ, in the
land where there shall be no sickness, no
sorrow, nor death, nor tears, for Gods
own hand shall wipe all tears away.
And this was uttered with both hands
up]ifted, as if in benediction upon the
family gathered around him; and then
he tenderly recited:
When When gathering clouds s around v9w
On him lean who not in vain
Experienced every human pain,
Who knoweth all my anxious fears,
And counts and treasures all my tears.
'Tears counted!" he said: even our
tears"
Waiting little he looked around and
asked who hears this?" And then, as
if satisfied that only the family heard.
he said: You have all been SO good, SO
competent SO faithful" A little later he
asked what time it was, and was an
asked he. mo, the evening"" he Was
answered. A smile passed over his face.
and very fervently he recited the verse
beginning, Lead, kindly light"
In moment the church bells began to
ring, and quietly, earnestly he said: The
bells of Heaven will be ringing soon."
Still later in the evening he took in
dividual leave of the entire family circle,
asking personally for each member of it,
and giving to each special message. Not
one was forgotten, and missing Edith.
one of the grandchildren, who mad re-
tired for the night, at his request she was
brought from her bed to receive his fare
we'll word. 1t was solemn, sacred hour,
but full of hallowed satisfaction to all.
10 his devoted daughter, Mrs. Park,
he said: You have been blessing to
me ever since you were born, but you
blessed me most when out of your great
sorrow you brought the children here to
be my comfort and gladness. I have
learned from little Bessie and Mabel
many lessons of faith, and patience, and
hope, and trust
70 Jennie. the Oldest of I" the child
rem meaning the grandchildren-who
had most recently read to him from q
favorite book, he said words of discrim-
mating appreciation, adding finally,
We will resume the reading on the other
side." To Edward, next in age, and
toward whom. as toward all the family
group, his great heart opened with strong
lncluslveness, he MADE like grateful
and tender Acknowledgement. Through
composed, never taltering. To his wife
ne paid such tribute, in the presence of
children and grandchildren, as nature
SO appreciative as his would yield SO
loyal and strong nature as hers, but
reserved for next morning the special
ana hnal message he desired for her and
for his son. The housemaid was also
called in, and remembered with q part
ing word; and to the physician who at
tended him in his last illness he spoke in
glowing terms of gratitude for his care
ana consistency. You have been physi-
clan and friend" he said finally; may
you be hereafter both a healer of the
podles and healer of the souls of men. {"
1t IS not to the discredit of DR.. Wilcox
mat he bowed his head upon his patient S
hands, when receiving this message, and
sobbed like child. Il suppose YOU have
often Witnessed such scenes as this, doc
tori said Mrs. Park to the physician,
when the farewells had all been said.
Never" was the answer; II have never
known anything like this"
by and by, when all had withdrawn,
at the physicians request, that sleep
might intervene if possible, Mrs. Park,
lingering near but out of sight, heard her
1ather pray: % Lord! if it be possible,
i 1e1 TINS cup pass from me, and let me
i've II, yet few years longer, to honor
Thee better and serve Thee more"
SO he coveted life not for himself, but
mat through it he might glorify the
Glver OF Life. But he did not fear death
Or dread it.
When he yielded life at last on Wednes-
gay morning. after an other night and day
, OF intermittent suffering and occasional