The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-25
IN MENIoRIANt-
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- -~~@-~-~-~-~->--I-
A TRIBUTE TO MRS. S. f. RC


A TRIBUTE TO MRS. S. F. ROACH.
One month ago God called our Mamie
to dwell in heaven. For one year she lay
on her bed, a great sufferer. She, at all
times, was patient and willing to submit
to the wishes of others, not giving self
thought in so doing, with the great desire
to live for her dear husbands sake, she
was taken to Atlanta, and there placed
under the best skill. AS i'll as she was,
she never forgot to perform her daily
duties, that was taught her from child
hood by her sainted mother, to read her
Bible and hold sweet communion with her
heavenly father. But God wanted her,
and after being unconscious for several
days, she walked from a deep sleep at 4
o'clock in the morning, and called her
nurse, and said, Listen, 1 hear sweet
music In the far distance" She pointed
her feeble finger on high, and said, Il love
sweet music, but somehow 1t makes one
feel sad to hear it so early in the morn
ing" In short time her dear ones were
sent for She was sleeping, but soon
walked and looked at each one and said,
Why are you weeping? am not crying
and looking at her dear husband, said
Darling, am a woman; ii is better that
go first; you must not fear death, it Is
not hard to die. She then heard a faint
sound of bells, and told her dear ones to
listen, and said, They are calling me;
come quick and bid me goodbye and said
she would wait for them in heaven. Her
Christian example she left as a legacy to
her dear husband and sisters Therefore,
dear ones, consolation under so heavy an
aff1iction, as we have just experienced,
cannot be derived from human sources. A
higher power can alone pour the healing
balsam In the wounded hearts The blow
has, indeed, been a heavy one, but we
must think, however, of the eternity of
bliss into which our dear one has entered.
And then ask our hearts whether 1t would
not be selfish to wish her back again in
this world of probation and trouble. We
must think of her as only waiting In
heaven to hail loved ones from whom, she
she has been parted, and whose loss Is her
gain for all eternity. / do not try to seek
consolation, for that can only be given
by Him who causes our distress. And I
trust that her loved ones have shown al
ready their resignation to the will of God
Remember, although the ordeal is bitter,
that the parting is only for a few days A
brighter star never glistened in the frma-
ment Of heaven than that which has lust
been transplanted from it's earthly to its
celestial home. And that should be some
consolation. God only lendeth US our
brightest sunbeams, and when that flower
is too fair for this worlds contaminat ton
it then suits His sovereign will to take
from us the treasure we prize most dearly.
but she has gone to a far more lovely and
happy home than any on earth Surround
ed as she doubtless was, by loving friends
and loved ones, who administered every
care with untiring attention to her everv
want, still death was a relief to our loved
one, and the tired heart, like a weary bird
ceased to beat against the gilded bar of
its cage. It is very hard to say Thy will.
not mine, be done" We have something
good purpose. l pray to Him for strength
to sustain us in our troubles, and He. who
is ever merciful to the humble of heart.
will raise our spirit from it's RESPONDENT
state, and that we may be guided down
this long vista of years by the hand of
that Being who rules us all. and at last
meet her4n heaven, where there will be no
parting. A. LOVED ONE.