Middletown transcript., 1899-12-30


To the abells across the snow"
20 Christmas, merry Christmas,
Tis not so very long
Since other voices blended
With the carol and the song,
1--we could hear them singing
AS they are singing now,
II we could but see the radianc1
OF the crown on each dear brow,
There would be no sigh to smother,
No hidden tear to flow,
AS we listen in the starlight
To the stbells across the snow"
On Sunday afternoon, December "a, 1899,
the sanity spirit Of Mrs. Mary ]. Bnrris es-
capped frnm her body Of pain and was with
the loved and blest beyond.
Her departure was not unexpected; for
more than week she had been seriously
| i'll and the loved ones had entertained buf
little hope of her recovery.
About two weeks ago. while paying
Mother Burris a visit, after singing and
prayer. the dear, devoted woman, in her
age and feebleness, was thinking not Of
herself and ber infirmities, but of distant
loved ones. She said 10 me, with such low
ing tenderness, When you go to the city
again, want you to buy two Bibles and
have them marked ON the covers, George
Berkeley Burris.' and R. Cecil Reed I
wish to send them to my grandsons in
California" Then she added, Don't you
think that is as good a Christmas present
as can give them?"
Truly this was another evidence of the
ruling passion strong in the hour of disso-
luton. Christ and her Bible were supreme
in her affections as she approached the long
looked for home of the soul. How fitting
that the presentation of those Bibles should
become the last act of her long and useful
career! Just before the angelic messengers
came for her happy spirit, she requested
her son Martin Burris to write the follow
ing words in each Of the Bibles, she dictat-
ing the language:
ITO my dear grandsons Berkeley Burris
and Cecil Reed, from his Grandmother Bur
ris Christmas, A. d. 1899.
and promises of this Book of Books may be
q lamp to your feet and light TO your
pathway.
II am too i'll to wfite this to you with
my own hand, my dear sons, and before
this greeting reaches you, may have gone.
Ifso, bid you loving goodnight"
In a little while her expectations were
realized-she had gone from the loving
goodnight to friends on earth to the good
morning welcome of friends in Heaven.
Sister Burris was born in Middletown,
Delaware, in the year 1922. at the early
age OF sixteen she consecratei her life to
Christ and united with the Methodist
Episcopal Church at Delaware City.
In the year 1846 she was united in mar
riage to Nehemiah Burris, who entered the
Heavenly Home nearly two years ago.
The surviving children are Mr.. Martin
Burris and Mary F. Burris, of Middletown.
Fletcher Burris, of Oakland, CAL, Mrs.
Sarah Reed. Berkeley. CAL, and Eugene
Burris, Weiser, Idaho.
Our dear departed friend has been MEM
Der of the Bethesda NJ E. Church during
halfa century; she was therefore one of the
Oldest living members of our Society.
Among the many lovely traits of Sister
Burris' character, was her deep solicitude
for the welfare of others. she was happy
when her loved ones were happy.
Herself she could not save" but lived
TO make the lives Of others useful, ,you
and prosperous Her sympathies went out
beyond her home, her friends and the
church of her choice to all Christians and
all needy ones everywhere.
Her home and fireside were always open
TO friends, to kindred, TO the Christian min
ister and to all who needed hospitality and
social comfort. That was her glory, 10 live
for others. She would often meet friends
at the door with the welcome conplet,
My doors to all are open wide.
And the pilgrim here may safe abide"
No doubt many dear ones whom she had
blessed on earth were at the gate to halp
give her an abundant entrance into the
Uus
have received Motter to Heavenly habita- |
tions, to eternal rewards, to the fellowships
and friendships that are unbroken forever.
It was my privilege to meet the sainted |
Mother but a few times during the past two |
months of my pastorate here, but that was
enough for me to know that Sister Burris |
was surrounded by a spiritual atmosphere
Of gentleness and tenderness, born Of
Heaven, and breathed forth in her meek /
and quiet life, charming all who came
within the circle of her acquaintance.
loved her almost before knew it, and.
being already so well acquainted with the
other members of this household, it is diff
cult today for me to feel otherwise than as
one Of the mourning ones of this bereaved
EaEssiis: Z seems Is though had always
known yous and therefore count il great
privilege to contribute this feeble chaplet Of
'niogy upon the beautiful spirit OF the de.
parted Mother.
Il is not necessary for me to seek to char
'cterize to these loved ones, or to these
friends and neighbors a life
hat has been before you so many years:
Fords are insufficient to picture the noise
sss manner, the affable, dignified bearing.
be ehaste and gentle nature, the patience ,
suffering, the submission in trial the ,
oya, tender and true heart in all the try- +;
lg emergencies Of her long life.
The life Of Mother Burris is before YOU !
nd before this community, loving !,
lcture Of loving deeds, penciled upon
our memories forever. !.
What noble legacy she has left 10 i
inbred dear, to neighbors and friends and \
the church Of her choice O! may We :
member the Divine Model after which 4
ltterned, the Holy Bible which illumined
sr steps, and may we follow her as she
llowed Christ, that the immortal Home
here Mother dwells to-day may open lis
arly portals to our coming in the sweet ii
e and bye. She will be there 10 well I,
me US one by one as we go heavenward,
st As she used to be when loved ones te
me to the earthly Home. f.