Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-03-13
OBITUARY.

Elder j. Frank Simmons, of Midlo,
THAN, Texas, son Of j. G. and s. j,
Simmons, of Washington County, Ten
nessee, fell asleep in Christ at the home
Of s. G. Bailey, On First Street, at II
o'clock, January 2S, 1895.
He joined the Baptist Church, June
20, 1885. Licensed August 20, 1891. Or
dained June 10, 1892. The presbytery
consisting of Elders Eli Ratliff, A. d,
Brooks, L. r. Scruggs, j. H. Piper and
s. G. Bailey.
AS a preacher he was very earnes,
and many times in his sermons he grew
very eloquent. As a pastor, he was
kind and affectionate. All of his breth'
rem loved him, and though his ministry
was so very short, yet many souls
claimed Christ under his administra'
ton. He was a great lover of truth.
He practiced what he preached.
The Bible that he gave his loving
mother was the book he loved most.
Oh, precious Holy book, the Bible, born
in the wilderness and rocked by the
hand of God-Horeb's fiery thunders
beating its lullabies on the bare and
granite crags, and the red lightning's
flashing, it's cradle-and who was hap
tized by water and blood kneeling al
the foot of the cross-God's eternal
Truth standing sponsor-and who in
mature manhood was crowned and com
missioned on the cliffs of Patmos, the
blue waters of the Grecian Sea having
their base, and which rippled in music
around the boats and oars of hero and
warrior in classic story-comes forth
with a casket in his right hand and
culver in his left. The casket was filled
with je%wels-bright and sparkling,
from the mines of heaven-jewel prom
Uses which it empties into the lap of the
church; and scatters on our closeI
floors to shine, glitter, and light uI
these temples where we pray; and sowr
along the pathway of the Christian,
It'll the road of heaven, through the
gloom and night of this probation, il
shining and paved with gems-the road
itself leading to a city whose founda'
tions are precious stones, where thiI
saint now beholds the beauty of his
King in the sweet fields of elysium. In
that cline no consumption affects the
lungs; sorrow burrows not the cheek
tears fall not from the eyes; farewellI
are never heard; children never leave
their parents {; pain has taken hel
everlasting flight and death is an etsr
nal stranger. "Oh, Death, where il
thy sting9" 70, Grave, where is thy
victory?"
Here are some of his last sayings:
II am waiting for mother
Mother, am happy all the time"
81 am on the rock"
Am l savedp Yes, l am. l know
am. Brother, are you savedp Mother
are you saved?"
81 love all my friends"
'Friendsl Friends!l Friends!!l Wha
a great thing to have friends" ''Ther,
is my good Aunt Sallie. l would no
take a thousand dollars for her."
"Pa Ground, will you meet me il
Heaven?' Mr.. Brundage, will 20,
meet me in Heayenp"
"There is my tender hearted mother.
Rock of Ages, Cleft for me-"
" know that l am dying"
"Heaven is my home"
The last scripture he quoted was Matt
%: 40.
Elder j. R. Riddle preached his fun
eral aud read this chapter.
He leaves father, mother, brother
sister, and many relatives and friend
to mourn his loss. May God's blessing
rest upon them all. And may we al
live and die like Brother Simmons.
His pastor, S. G. BAILEY