The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-11-22
MRS. MARGARET E. eRAvATT AT
REST
Words Spoken at Her Funeral.

The funeral Of Mrs Margaret Ellis
Gravatt took place from the Sunday
school room of the Baptist ohnrch
Tuesday morning, at IL O'Clock. and
was attended by large ooncourse oil
her friends and members OF the church.
The words spoken by the pastor Rev.
DR.. ]. S. Dill, which follow, were
especially appropriate and touching
"rhe request from our beloved sister
that these services should be charac-
terized 10y utmost simplicity, l trust
will not be violated by the few words
which, from the pastors heart, seek
expression.
Mrs. Margaret T. Gravatt was born
in the county lof SpOtsylvania In the
year 1928 Viewed from the stand
point of this occasion as we gather at
her bier, the greatest event OF her life
occurred when yet IN her 18th year. IL
was then she was born Of the Spirit,
and baptized into the fellowship Of
Goodhope Baptist church, by Elder
jacob Hernd0n. Thus It Is that for 90
years she has lived the Christian life.
10 1856 she was married 10 George
Gravatt. OF blessed memory, and at
once made fredericksburg her home.
Since then here she has lived, and her
manner OF life has been known TO you
all
Her connection with this church be-
gan with that date, 50 that for A years
she has been among the choicest OF
those whose substance and whose tolls
and prayers have been for the upbuild-
ing " this church, aud for all shat made
for the good Of this Christian commu-
nifty
Her life % l now look upon Is pre-
sents two Distinct phases OF Christian
experience There was fret long
period Of vigorous health, and it was
tilled with the activities OF church
work and service. Ia church circles,
where q wOman's hand could render
appropriate service. she was faithful,
and stands before Us for an example A
few years ago Gods fiuger touched
her, and the whole phase OF her min
istration changed From the activities
Of church work and the worship Of the
sanctuary she was shut by long pc.
riod of invalldism. Yet in this time Of
suffering she showed a sweet Christian
character and exerted an Influence that
is hard 20 match The test Of it Is telt
10 the PASTORS own experience. For
though [ have never had the inspira-
tion Of her presence in the sanctuary,
there is scarcely one from whom have
gathered more Of inspiration for my
work. In the interest she manifested
and the words Of cheer she spoke
always found helpfulness. My visits
to her home we're benedictions 80 my
own soul. I said Gods hnger touched
her and changed the phase OF heI
Christian experience And now God &
finger has touched her once more and
there is another change. and IL Is t.
the last aud most blessed experience
OF the child Of God-the life with
Jesus in the place he has prepared for
her
II asked TO sum up ia one word the
most distinctive characteristic OF this
Christian woman l would use the word
BeuevoleDoe. " And l would put IL
TO the word its broadcast and deepest
meaning. l. would mean charity to
the poor and needy; for whose hand
dispensed VISIT VI DpttNA mop W
those N need? Il would mean services
aud remembrauces TO neighbors and
friends whose good fortune is was to
live ia the sunlight Of her kind and
sympathetic nature It would mean
lind words and kind thoughts for all
and h0d highest expression IN that
sweetest # Bible words charity
AS stood ct her bedside l caught
from her these last words: 1t would
be 30 sweet 90 sleep aud not 90 wake. -
At Fix O'Clock yesteI-mOrn, ere the sun
mad guided the eastern sky and its rays
fallen upon this world Of sorrow and
suffering. she fell on sleep. the sleep
that knows no waking here. But she
was asleep In Jesus-the sleep that
knows o better morning in a better
clime-in the city that John in beatifio
vision saw, Where the Lamb IS the
light thereof. "
The floral offerings we're beautiful aud
among them was q handsome wreath
sent by Dol W. Byron, Of Dayton,
Ohio. The intefmsnt was made in the
City Cemetery and the pail bearers
were: Messrs s. J Oahu, j 2.
Rowe, " H. Richards. Nj. G Willis,
Z. d. Cole and a B. BoweriDg.