The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-12-13
MEMORY HONORED.
Mr.. Bassett Sketches Miss Mclklb-
ben'S Life.

MEMORY hONORED.
Mr.. Bassett Sketches Mss McKib-
ben's Life.
The morning service at the Trinity
Methodist Episcopal Church yesterday
was devoted to the memory of Miss
Matte l.. McKibben, of the Daughters
Of Juarez school, who died of pneumonia
on last Tuesday morning. There was q
large audience in attendance, nearly all
Of whom had known Miss McKibben in
life and who had admired her for her
many sterling qualities. The Rev. h.
A. Bassett, who returned last week from
the life of Miss McKibben. Following
from the third chapter, eleventh verse
Of Revelations, aBehoId 1 come quick.
'ly," The sermon was particularly APP.
propriate for the occasion. Mr.. Bas.
sett's paper on Miss McKibben's life
was as follows:
"Miss Matte l.. Mckibben, who pass
ed to her eternal reward last Tuesday
morning, was resident of Iowa for
many years. When she reached matur-
ity and desiring an education, she en-
tered the Iowa Wesleyan college from
which institution she was graduated
after having completed the full course.
For number of years following she
taught school in various cities. She
was an enthusiastic and successful
teacher. Having given her heart to
God in early life she developed strong
Christian character and was an earnest
worker in all religious and philanthropic
efforts. Walking in the light of divine
guidance she was led to offer herself to
the missionary society for service in
some foreign field. 1t was about decid.
ed that she should come to Mexico,
when her mother sickened and died.
Feeling that her duty was to her father
and brothers and sisters, she wrote the
church authorities asking to be released
from her engagement. For about six
years she assumed the responsibility of
the household matters in her father g
home.
Last year she again offered herself to
the missionary society and she was
appointed to teach in the womans' for
eign missionary school in this city. She
arrived here March "a Of the present
year. Her whole soul was in her pros
pects and not waiting to completely
learn the Spanish language she began
distributing tracts and doing such
other work as she could. Her enthus-
iasm has perhaps never been sarpass-
ed by any worker in this field. Only a
short time elapsed until she was sufi
GENTLY familiar with the language to
be able to assume large share of the
school duties. She was especially sue.
cessful in training large choir Of
native young people who always led
the singing in the Mexican congrega
ton. Miss Mckibben was also very
efficient worker in our English services
She always presided at the organ in
our Sunday school and at the Wednes
day evening prayer meeting. Hel
loyalty to duty and her earnestness
made indelible impressions upon oul
hearts.
She lived but few months aftel
reaching this field but into those
months she crowded great work, the
results of which will only be fully
known when the great record book O
eternity is opened. In her last illness
she said to her associate teacher
"When we all get Home with all these
children We will then feel that love-!
labor has not been lost"
On Sunday, November 4, she assumed
her part in both the English and Next
can services. On Monday she was
feeling poorly and retired earlier thar
usual. For two or three days she re
NAMED in her room hoping that sh
was improving. On Thursday physi
clan was summoned who pronounced
her seriously ill with pneumonia
When informed of her condition sh
replied, 81 do not care to die as tina
closes all opportunity for dong good.
To another friend she said, "Do'not b
anxious about me as am prepared t
die if necessary" From Friday unit
Tuesday morning, November 13, at on
o'clock, the hour of her death, she wa
delirious much of the time. Durin,
her rational moments she said that sh
has heard the children of the kinder
garden singing, sienopre 0q1t
7eDOsa7e" ''forever here my rest shal
be-" only that "the music had NOR
than earthly sweetness"
During Sunday and Monday she cor
tinually grew worse and at one O'cloc
Tuesday morning, November l3, he
spirit left the tenement of clay an
winged its flight to its eternal home"
i'Servant OF God well done?
Thy glorious warfare's past;
1.-THE battles fought and won,
And thou art crowned at last
Redeemed from earth and pain,
"Ah! when shall we ascend?
I"And all IN Jesus presence reign
I"WitE our translated friend,''
n Mov;oo,, Naval