The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-06-11

"A SWEET dul pdLlcH kIdCC,
A look OF firm endurance true and tried,
Of suffering meekly borne, rests on her
So pure, so glorifed."
In the full hope OF Heaven, yea, with
Heaven opening before her in all it's
brightness and glory, Mrs. Sophronia
Edwards, relict of the late Lands Ed
wards, departed this life April Goth, in
her 9th year.
She had been an invalid for many years
and had been confined to her bed nearly
two years previous to her death. For
her death had no fears. She calmly
awaited the end, frequently expressing
her willingness, even eagerness to be at
rest with her Saviour.
Her suffering was intense, but she bore
all with patient, submissive spirit. In
the frequent visitations OF the writer she
never heard a murmur or complaint Ps-
cape the lips of the invalid. The writer
recalls one conversation with her, in
which, being sorely tempted to repine
under the heavy pressure of SO long con-
tinued and heavy a calamity as hers
was attended, she replied with the eyes
of faith sparkling, giving life to her pal
lid countenance, that she had found
these affections were necessary to purify
the soul for Heaven, and that she would
not lessen or Tighten them.
From her bed-chamber went forth ser
mons more eloquent than the public ut
terances of many divines. Thank God
for these suffering saints. 1t shows us
that the grace of God can sustain and
comfort His people under the severest
earthly trials. 1t inspires Us with a
mightier courage and more enduring pa
,.ence to run the Heavenly race, beset
though it be with perils and hardships
In Aunt 'Phronie's earlier life there
We're doubtless hopes and fears, doubts
and conflicts, strife with self and vain
longings after health and strength, but
soon she learned not only to endure but
to ''joy in tribulations.'
Her peace flowed like a river No
doubts as to the here or the hereafter
ruffled the serenity OF her spirit. Suffer-
ing and WEAKNESS were her daily burdens
but she stayed herself on God. "Thoush
he slay me, yet will trust him. was the
import of her words when bodily anguish
was sharpest.
In her example We see what patient
confidence in God can implant in the
soul. Nothing short OF this conf
dence would have sustained her in
tuc VI SuCH tACI anu pro-
tracted suffering. The serene patience
and unfaltering trust which sustained
her declining years will strengthen and
help Others. She glorifed God by the
sweet resignation with which she bore
the affections sent by the loving Father
The remains were taken to Union Chap
el, where for so long she held her men,
bership, and after the burial service con-
Quoted by her pastor, quietly laid to rest
in the church cemetery. She left seven
children to mourn her loss and our heart
goes out in sympathy to those so recent
" bereft of both father and mother.
This is the third time within less than
a year that the Great 'Spoiler has en-
tered this home. Their earthly home is
emptying, their mansion above filing
and may they find comfort in the
thought that every dayis bringing them
nearer that home of Joy nearer reuni on
with the glorified one for whom they are
now mourning, where there's no bereave-
ment either to be experienced or dreaded
4 little while and the night of weeping
will be over and a gentle hand in a tear.
less world will dry up the very source OF
tears. NIECE.
Bear Pond, June 3rd, 1886.