The leader., 1899-12-20


Mrs. WILLIE Cow BARBER, daughter
OF Rev. NJ. T. Conn and sister Of
Judge II. G. and the late Edwin B.
Conn, was born in Copiah county,
Miss, Jan. %, 1853, was married to DIR.
Chas. A. Barber Aug. 18th, 1877; died
Sept. 18th, 1899; aged 40 years, months
and days. A devoted husband and a
sweet little daughter with relatives not
few, and many, many friends are left
to mourn, not selfishly, not, that she is
not better off, but that, to human
views, this poor world needed her. In
early life shesurrendered to the call of
mercy, gave her ALL "with a womans
deathless trust" into the hands of a
loving Savior in whom she lived and
moved and had her highest joy. She
was not only a Christian, but she was
bright and happy Christian. She
could truly sing, "there is sunshine i'm
my soul to-day" As her pastor said,
at was a benediction to be in her pres
ence," and as DR.. Pace wrote, she al
ways felt like better man after meet
ing her" Every day and all the time
her face bore the marks of a deep,
quiet peace, as if lighted by the CLINT
ings of the glory land" Her whole
bearing, whether in the church serving
God, in the social circle enjoying her
friends or in the home circle with her
loved ones: the same cheerful, quiet
peace was with her all the time.
She was therefore useful Chris
tian, one whose light was seen and felt.
In deep sympathy with suffering hui
manity, she was always with the dis
tressed. 1t has been the lot of the
writer to meet with but very few such
choice spirits. Respected and loved by
all, her influence was potential.
No one doubted her christianity or
questioned her motives In faith sim
pie and child-like. in duty persistent
and cheerful, in affliction submissive
and heroic, for her feet had walked by
faith for many years as her eyes had
grown dim from eartbs suffering in
all places and under all circumstances,
she had the same gentle, uncomplain-
ing spirit meek, resigned-a daught-
er of the King. She filled large place
now that she is gone-a great vacan-
ancy remains. Blessed Master, with
Thy presence fill the void!
The citizens of Brookhaven paid the
highest tribute to her, in that they
filled to overlooking the church at the
funeral services. And one of the lar
gest professions ever witnessed in the
city of Brookhaven, with bowed heads
and sad hearts followed the remains to
the silent city of the dead. The pastor,
Elder Bond Elder Boone and Elder Lo-
max spoke words of comfort to the liv-
ing and paid worthy tributes to the
memory of the dead on the occasion.
Deeply grieved we turn away from the
scene, and rejoice in the glorious future.
When the mists shall roll away we
shall see and know Till then we sigh,
for she made home happy, and her
life and death are fruitful topics.
30, for the touch of vanished hand
And the sound of voice that is STILL
God in great mercy comfort the be-
reaved She rests with Him who died
for her. have compressed my thoughts
while trying to suppress my tears, for
it is much like writing the obituary
of one of my family. To write
worthy tribute to the memory of such
a Christian woman would require a
volume in space, and master in COM
position, but God knows the world
feels her worth. May it be said that
her name is inseparably connected
with the history of the Memorial Tab
lets in the Baptist church of jackson,
in that with her, originated the thought
of memoralizing preachers wives las
WE'LL for they assisted in bearing the
burdens of their labors.
A. A. LoMAx.