Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-12-23
OBITUARY.
In MenOrian.

Mrs. HANNAH E. RIDDLE, wife of
Mr.. Robt. B. Riddle, entered into rest De-
cember 10th, 1899, aged A years, months
and q days.
For more than II years Mrs. Riddle
was devoted member of Bethel Presby-
terian church. In her life, in her sick
ness, in her death, she adorned her pro-
fession as Christian.
Her summons to come up higher was
not unexpected. For months she had
been an invalid, and so learned in the
school of affliction the higher lessons of
grace, her chastened spirit ripened rapidly
for the Heavenly home. 1t was beautiful
to behold her steadfast faith, bright hope
and calm submission to her Heavenly
Fathers will.
/ became acquainted with her only
about three months before her release.
During that time it was my privilege as
her pastor to visit her frequently. was
impressed from the first that she was no
ordinary woman. l was drawn to her,
and we held sweet converse on that great
est of all themes-Jesus and His love. l
never visited anyone more cheerful in
sickness. She always greeted you with
a smile. The radiance of joy was in her
.countenance-a joy that evidently sprang
from sweet peace within. While had
the assurance that she was greatly COM
forted and strengthened by my visits, yet
felt that I was the one that was especial
ly benefited. I always felt spiritually
stronger and my heart would 60 out in
praise to God for this new manifestation
of the reality OF the Christian religion,
this living demonstration of the power OF
Christ in the soul to give the victory.
Mrs. Riddle naturally clung to life.
She had much to live for. AS wife and
mother, she could not but see that she
occupied sphere which none other could
fill. Humanity speaking it was hard to
see how she could be spared. But grace
accomplished that which nature could
not. She was much in prayer. She sought
and found submission to the will OF him
who doeth all things we'll.
During my last visit, on the morning of
the day of her departure, she said to NE,
"Yes, have attained to this. am ready
to die and am ready to live, whichever
the Lord wills" Little did we then think
that the end was so near. She seemed
better that morning, and though she
could not speak above a whisper, she
called me to her bedside and said :: II
have something to tell you. want to see
my mother and sister Jessie to tell them
too. 1t does seem so wonderful. Last
Sunday evening"" she continued, II ask
ed them to leave me quiet. l was all
nervous-in dreadful condition. Every
breath was prayer or praise or thanks
giving to God. AS I prayed Jesus appear
ed to me. He seemed to come right over
my shoulder. His presence seemed so
real many time, l turned my head
round to see Him. Once prayed, Leave
me not, leave me not, Lord Jesus and at
once He answered, Il will never leave
thee nor forsake thee' At another time
prayed %, Lord help me! o Lord do
help me- and Immediately He answered, :,
MY grace is sufficient for thee! Again
I prayed %, Lord give me rest /; do give
me rest,' and He answered at once, Come
unto me, and will give you rest And
thus" she said, 'every prayer He an
swered with precious promise"
Thus, for near half an hour, she talked
of things touching the King, till feared
she would 20 beyond her strength. So L
promised to see her again soon, as she
said she wanted to tell me more; but that
very evening the summons came, and she
being ready, entered into the presence OF
the King.
The funeral service was conducted by
her pastor on Sabbath afternoon at the
residence, and her remains were laid to
rest in the burying ground at Bethel
church amid large concourse OF sorrow
ing relatives and friends.
"Why do we mourn departing friends
Or shake at deaths alarms?
'Tis but the voice that Jesus sends
To call them to His arms.
Servant of God we'll done,
Rest from thy loved employ,
The battle fought, the victory won,
Enter thy Masters JOY"
WI ARRowooD,