News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1892-01-28

On Monday morning, the 18th of Septen
Der 1891, Mrs ABIGAIL A. FRENCH, my
mother, winged her flight to mansions above
The battle was over, and the victory won
After about five days of unusual pain, and
some ment arrangement, the WORKOUT tene-
ment of clay was laid down for it's final rest
and the weary wheels of life stood still, at
the age of nearly 81 years. Mother was
born on the gath of December, 1899, in
Peacham, Vt. After spending her youthful
days in the towns of Peacham and Danvle,
VT, at home and among relatives. che mar
ripd Fofdyce French. of Hard wick, on the
9th of March, 1923. Hardwick en- was
but newly settled, some parts of it being
Wilderness broken here and there by a settle
mpnt. 1t was Il great sacrifice for her las |
have often heard her say to leave the society
and surroundings OF her youthful home, and
90 into so new country as the western part
| of the town then was. But in accordance
with the tide of emigration then moving.
! she bore her part faithfully, Father died in
| 1862 and consequently she has travelled
| the dOwn-hil road of lie for the last twenty
nine years alone. Great has been her be-
| reavement and loneliness, and often has she
| expressed it. One son, Samuel A., died in
! 1884, aged l year and mouths; Grill v,
/ in 1854, aged % years and months; and
| Mary, the oldest daughter, 1867, aged SO.
| Mothers ancestors some OF them, lived to
| an advanced age and were men of God. In
compan with her father, Joseph smes she
visited aged uncle in New Hampshire.
| who placing his bands on the head of the
| boy she had with her tthpp between one and
| two years old), and who was OF the fifth gen
GRAFTON from himself blessed him in the
name of the Lord. She experienced the sal
walton of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
about six or seven years after her marriage.
In regard to the great and glorious change
| thus wrought she has often expressed her
self substantially thus: How good every
body looked to me;-even the most uncouth,
and rough Since tha5 time. she has al
ways done what she could for the religious
education of her children-taking unusual
care to have them attend meetings. She was
| baptized in 1885, by Elder William Cum
mings and Joined union society, which was
about that time formed i'll the neighbOrhoOd.
HhYing changed her place of residence, she
joined the NJ. u. chHrch in 1868, which rela-
ton she held until her DEATH NOT long after
this an exposition of Masonry fell into her
hands. which she read and rc=-ead. And
greatly to her praise. be it said she became
! strong Y convicted Of its lbolieal character
Sincet hen. she has done VII she could to circu
late tracts and other literature of enlighten-
ment on the subject. For the last eight years
ot ner life, have been almost constantly with
her During part of that time, herrellgious
experience has been unsatisfactory to herself
She did not have that evidence of her accep-
lance with God that she desired. Long and
severe was her struggle on this point. Her
language in reference to it was: "All | want
to know is, that | am ready to 60" This
was the language OF her heart, and she ex-
pressed it frequently. Whenever my business
has admitted of it, have heard her closeted
in prayer daily One OF her fiyorite hymns
My latest sun is sinking fast" | havesome-
times refused to sing, for fear of giving false
encouragement. About three years ago, the
evidence of her acceptance came bright and
clear, and since that time have always sung
that hymn when called for, and sometim S
when not called TOR. For the last twenty-five
years Of her life she lived most of the time,
with her youngest daughter, Mrs. A. w.
DAWSON, who has kindly and faithfully cared
for her. The funeral services were held at the
house, September 16. Rev. II. W Worthen
ofiiciated, being assisted by Rev G. l.. Wells,
The burial was at Hardwick Center, by the
side of her husband
The poet, whose name l have forgotten,
nearly expresses my feelings;
''Mother, ! saw the hearse that bore thee
sloW away,
And, turning from my nursery window,
drew
A long, long sigh, and wept last adipu."
F, F. FRENCH,