The Russellville Democrat., 1893-05-18
Died..


erett, of consumption. She had just
entered her fifteenth year. Little
Bessie was converted and joined the
M. E. church, south, about two
months ago, and gave testimony to
the fact that Jesus was with her in
the trying hour of death, support
ing her and lighting up the way
through the dark valley. Hers was
lovely life and a triumphant
death,
An impressive funeral sermon
was preached by Rev. w. f. Rut-
ledge at the church, after which the
interment took place in the city
cemetery.
Following is tribute from her
Sunday school prepared and read at
the funeral service by R. E. Dog
gett, Esq:
would do violence to my feelings did
| not yield TO their promptings and offer
some tribute to the memory of that dear
girl, and in defeating verse to her, my
bosom heaves with peculiar emotions,
for meeting her almost daily, and hav-
ing her at times around my hearthstone,
bringing with her good cheer and sun
shine. she has entwined her memory
around the tendrils of my heart that is
enduring. Death loves shining mark !;
it comes and seises daughter, an only
daughter, at the age of peculiar attrae-
ton, when the mind begins to move and
the heart is all alive, and confidence Is
l.. 81 fbn re-
feel esteem blending into tenderness,and
have a companion in a child. Its cold
and relentless hand has taken from our
circle fair flower which had not yet
come into full bloom. Bessie-gentle
Bessie-dutiful. affectionate and kind,
has gone. "She is not dead, but sleep
eth" Sleep is short death and death is
but long sleep, during which the body
rests from its tolls, and at the end of
which it swill awake refreshed and re-
newed in the morning Of the resurrec-
ton,
The dear delights we here enjoy,
And proudly call our own,
Are but short favors borrowed now,
To be repaid anon.
Girls, God loaned Bessie to you to
make you happy and streW your path
way with sunshine and good cheer, but
he has claimed his own and taken her to
himself. Her teacher will no more inn
part to her the story of the cross and the
mysteries of the great unknown, for she
now understands the glories OF the upper
world, sitting under the tutorship of the
Great Master of science, That fragile
and tender form will no more be seen
dragging its weary steps up the alsles OF
| this old church house, but in the Taber-
nacle of the living God she fits in seas
of liquid light around the throne OF the
Eternal. Her voice win no longer be
heard in song accompanied by that
harsh old instrument, for she is reclining
under the asphodal bowers of paradise
with harp in hand, as her immortal fin
gers flash across its golden wires, sing
| ing redemption's song and playing the
Chandelier march of the great Jehovah.
Girls, Bessie will no more promenade
with you upon the uneven sidewalks OF
Russellville, for she is now walking the
| golden streets of the new Jerusalem,
surrounded with jasper walls, in the city
Of the King. Elliot, Turner: Sister Bes-
sic is in heaven, and when the winds OF
adyersity, temptation and trial shall
| beat against you, and the waters OF Ma
rah shall gurgle about your pathway las
surely they winl, for Bessiefs memory's
sake be bold, courageous and firm, and
when the black clouds Of unbelief and
uncertainty hover DER your moral sky
look to Bessie as she leans over the bat.
Elements OF heaven, with her locks al
wet with the dew of the morning, swing
ing the beacon light of truth, reckoning
YOU TO the skies. Mother, father, lister
to her: "You were kind and ailectonat'
to me in yonder's world, but | am now
saved from the pitfalls and snares o.
life, from the shoals and breakers Of
/ time / am now the child Of King"
| ABeyond the sunsets radiant glow"
Eternally housed in Heayen,
She's gone where sorroWs never go.
Slnless pure, forgiven.
u Immortal spirits bade her come.
Ese0rting her to the shining home.
Early did she trust in God,
fenturing on His precious word
Early she'll sleep beneath the sod,
Ransomed by His dying love.
Early may her classmates come
To Jesus as did She
To live with Bessie in her home,
Beyond the rolling sea.
Lay her in the tomb,
And DER her pure and spotlesss flesh
A~w via ~