Middletown transcript., 1895-08-24
Written for the MIDDLErowN TRANSCRIPT.
In Old Forest
Church Yard

&5ZMS3b n rambling through
6 an old church
MSWRsSs:X yard, or rather a
z<<MMy cemetery, we are
M SsS\ \ XSSA often struck by
MAtass sANM,ES the sentiments
G{A AA inscribed on old
sAE tombstones, but
3sgSV as years roll on
SfSJ other eyes may
look on the inscriptions of to-day, and
with their more advanced ideas will
deem our epitaphs as far behind the
age, and for those of our friends who
have been cremated, only the ashes are
there, and a simple urn with name in
scribed holds but a handful of dust.
But here in the Forest Cemetery we
find many old stones. whose letters are
almost obliterated by the storms of
years, and if some Old Mortality does
not soon appear to renew them, they
will be lost to their descendants. Old
Mortality, whose real name was Rob
ert Paterson, was born about the year
IT'S, and from 1853 became imbued
with religious enthusiasm TO renew
the stones of the dead. He left wife,
home, and children to carry out his
project and he Travelled from one church
yard to another on his old white pony
until death overlook him in the winter
of 1901, being in the 81st year of his
age. Sir Walter Scott has made his
memory, and work immortal; and in one
place in his work he speaks of meeting
him in an old church yard, and Nor
tality's last words were these: "The
blessing of our maker be with you,
young man, my hours are like the ears
Of the later harvest, and your days are
yet in the spring, yet you may be
gathered in the garden of mortality
before me, for the sickle Of death cuts
down the green as oft as the ripe, and
there is colour in your cheek that,
like the bud of the rose, serYeth oft to
hide the worm of corruption. Where
fore labor as one who knoweth not
when his maker calleth, and if it be my
lot to return to this village, after ye
are game home to your ain place, these
auld hands will frame a stane of me-
mortal that your name will not perish
from among the people," And now
bidding the old man good bye we will
try to decipher some of the old stones,
with the aid Of a. small knife and
pair of young eyes to help me along.
On broad fiat stone we found the fol-
lowing inscription:
Mary, wife Of John Cochran, died
1912, aged 63 years.
Her prudence, chastity, and religion
were not to be excelled.
My flesh shall slumber In the ground,
Till the last trumpet's joyful sound;
Then burst the chains with sweet surprise,
And in my Savior's image rise.
Then next to this came a similar
stone on which was inscribed:
Sarah, wife of BENZ. Davis and
laughter of John and Mary Cochran,
lied August 10th. 1903, aged 10 years. |
Death cropped the bud in its fullest bloom,
And sent the wife to her Heavenly home;
Oh glorious hour! Oh blessed abode! |
I shall be near, and with my God.
And flesh, and sin no more control
The sacred pleasure of the soul.
The husband did not linger long be-
lind for his tomb tells that he died in |
808, aged 35 years.
The following lines are on his tomb:
THE COMPLETE FARMER.
This life dream, an empty show,
But the bright world to which go
Hath joys substantial and secure,
When shall awake and find me there.
Among the most curiously con-
tructed verses is the one to Margaret,
wife of William Nelson who died
April Sd, 1893, aged 40.
The law brought forth her precepts ten,
And then in grace dissolved this wife,
AS many boughs protected, and then
Resigned her breath.
1t would seem from this verse that |
he was the mother of ten children.
Upon another storm beaten tomb we |
cad the following: William Roth
veil, born May 9th, 1747 died May,
I791.
With heavenly weapons have fought
The battles of the Lord,
Finished my course, and kept the faith,
And wait the sure reward.
Jesus the Lord shall guard me safe,
From every i'll design;
And to his Heavenly Kingdom take
This feeble soul Of mine.
Great God own the sentence just,
And nature must decay,
yield my body to the dust
To dwell with fellow clay.
Also the following: Ann Roth
we'll, wife Of William Rothwell and
laugter of John and Martha Moody, |
BORN Nov. 9th, 1852, died Sept. 9th,
1922. As a Christian daughter, wife
ind mother, her wishes were pre-emi-
lent.
Many daughters have done virtuously
But thou excelleth them all.
There was very old stone on which |
was written: Mary Lucas, died March |
10Th, 1853 aged rs years. This would |
show that she was born in 1858.
Also another old stone inscribed:
In memory of Alexander Stewart,
lied 17SS, aged 72 years.
Also one which bore this inscription:
In memory of John King, late of
Middletown, formerly Of County Don
,al, ireland.
All must pass this dreary road,