The Green Forest tribune., 1897-07-15
Obituary.

steven Dickens died 1T his home
in Long Greek township on July
5, 1897. He was born in Green
county, Nc, March 26, 1849. Ills
parents both died when he was
about six years old, leaving him
and five other boys to battle with
the cares of lite alone. They lived
together and kept house until they
were grown.
He emigrated to Carroll county
where be has lived quiet citizen
until his death.
He was married to Laura Dick
ems in 1872. He profe sed a hope
in Christ about twelve years ago,
but never gave any public express
sion to it until a few week before
his death when he made Il bright
profession of his hope, leaving as
suring evidence of his tuturo peace
tul rest.
He leaves a wife and three chill
dren, ore son and two daughters,
to mourn his absence, and TO make
their way though the world as
orphans as he did.
Just a few hours before his death
he said to his little daughte, that
he knew tha Lord would provide
tor them. A FRIEND.
BY request, we publish the fol-
lowing letter dictated by Stephen
Dickens just before he died. 1t is
letter to his brothers, Matt and
Lcuis Dickens, who live in Green
county, Mo. 1t treads as follows:
DENVER, Ark,
July 8, 1897.
DEAR BRoTHERs:-By the assist
ance of our brother Robert, and
Madison M. Butler, the boy that
yon were acquainted with in 1866
that year you lived on George
Johnson form and he lived at Will
liam Ayres', on Dickey Whitlock's
place. The same is my neighbor
and is with me today, and is the
writer of this message to you.
Dear brothers, [ desire, while yet
alive, to say something to you.
knowing my time here on earth is
short and the time of my departure
is near at hand. I want to say to
you, as kind, loving brothers, l
have no tear of death. My day is
bright and clear and I am willing
to go at any time the blessed Lord
calls for me, let 1t be long or short.
l know Gods goodness has ever
been great to me, but the bright
est hours of my life is now, and 1
can say truly that the life l now
live is by the faith of God.
Dear brothers, the words of our
dear father are still with me, which
said to his children to meet him in
Heaven. Those words are pre-
clous to me and are written in
my mind as with an iron pen,
never to be torg t en-. They havetol-
lowed me through lite and were
great comfort to me in my sad
Affections and last troubles on
earth, which it seems / could not
endure it it were not for them.
Also our dear mother, whose low
ing and tender words for her chill
dren have been precious to me
too precious for my tongue to ex
press. Even her last song :, that
cheered her in death, is of great
comfort to me now, as they were
to her then.
I also want to express to you
my gratitude for the kindness Of
my neighbors and friends who
have given me SO much comfort in
my sufferings and affections.
Now, [ want to say to all, as it
is near my last words, PREPARE TO
MEET DEATH in such "a way that you
will meet the smiles of our Heav-
enly Father. My dear companion
wants to Join me in expressing to
you her gratitude, knowing that
this is the last time she will ever
be permitted to join with her hus-
band in passing Il gratitude on
earth, that the people have been
so kind to US in our troubles that
we have been made to realize bless