The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1904-07-20
Death of Miss Clara f. Hunter.


Rumberger, we publish the following
sketch of our late friend, Miss Clara f.
Hunter, which was given by him at the
funeral services, Sabbath afternoon.
Clara f. Hunter, daughter of DR.. w. F..
and Elizabeth Holeman Hunter, was
born in Rockland, Vensngo county, Pa,
January l3, ls47, and "iell asleep July
10, 1904. The whole OF her earthly life
except the time she spent in acquiring a
collegiate education and few years
teaching, was lived within the bounds of
what was originally Venango county
her parents, after short stay in Rock
land, returning to Tionsta, then a part
of Venango county-now the county seat
of Forest county. 1t is a good thing in
every way to he born well, and sister
Clara enjoyed the advantage of good birth
from both the paternal and maternal side,
the Hunters and Holemans being among
the most highly respected of the pioneer
families of this section of the State. But
better still, she enjoyed the Incompatible
advantage of early birth into the King
dom of God. In early life she sought
and found favor with her Lord and hav-
ing identified herself with the Methodist
Episcopal church, she continued faithful
to the profession she had made until the
Master deeming her probationship suf-
ficent said, "Come up higher" And so,
in the providence of God, on Friday, July
18th, she was not, for "God took her"
home to himself.
The life story of our departed sister, is
the record of faithful preparation for
work, faithful discharge of duties as
sumed and faithful submission to the
will of the One whom she gladly owned
as master. After full collegiate course,
she graduated in 1871 from the Beaver
Female College, and for some time held
the position of instructor in her Alma
Mater. Prior to this, she had taught in
the public schools of Forest county.
Some one has said that it is only when
"bruised and crushed that the fragrance
If the rose is fully brought out" and the
royal poet, David, finds himself p-aising
God for the Affections which have de-
veloped the highest good in him. So il
may have been that The years OF suf-
fering endured by our patient sister,
Clara, developed the grand, lovable traits
OF character which gained for her the ad-
miration and loving respect of all who
knew her. For years she lived under the
pail OF sutiering-no day exempt from
discomlort-yet in all that time, no mur-
muring word escaped her lips, her cheer
full smile ever testifying to the bright
ness of the "inner light'-the supporting
presence of the "ndwelling Holy Spirit"
As friends of the deceased, and of the
family, we gather to-day to pay the last
tribute of respect to one whose life exem-
| plified every christian grace. We come
not as mourners. The ending OF her
earthly pilgrimage was the ending of a
life Of pain.
Her life's course for so many years had
been so thickly bestrewn with thorns
that surely the coming of the Messenger
whom the Father sent to summon her
home was the bearer of "Glad tidings" of
happy deliverance from worlds woes
into kingdom OF netlible peace and
rest. So we come to pay our tribute Of
respect and we say in our hearts, "Sister,
we extend our heartiest congratulations.
Thou hast entered into rest"
During those long nights when sleep
was driven away by pain, how she looked
for the hour when Gods good pleasure
having been served in her, she would be
released from the body to be forever
with the Master whom she loved' in that
land where the inhabitants never say, 81
am Sick" that land of "unclouded day"
where there is neither sorrow nor sigh
ing, where God himself shall wipe away
all tears.
We cannot sorrow for what must be
Everlasting joy" to her, for although
surrounded by loving friends whose
pleasure it was to anticipate and min
lister to her every want, yet were her days
full of WEAKNESS and pain. In the church
record where her name has been recorded
these many years new entry will be
made-"pied in the Lord" but the
angels have been saying eyer since last
Friday evening, "Behod she lives for
eyermore." Her days were clouded by
suffering, but at "evening time" there
was great light"
1t was my good fortune as pastor and
friend Of the family, TO have an intimate
knowledge of the Christian life of sister
Clara. And it is not in the way ofiulsome
eulogy, but of a well-deservd tribute to
the christian life of the departed, as well
as due testimony to the iaithfulness of
the Friend who makes good his promise,
"Lo, | am with you even unto the end"
that have spoken of the assurance that
death to our sister meant victorious en-
try into the land OF light and life.
81 go to prepares place for you, that
where am, there ye may be also"-tha
promise which brought peace to the
troubled hearts of the disciples was sui
ficient to cheer and comfort the heart of
this patient sufferer, for she felt that
these light Affections which do indeed
appear grievous, were working outin her
and for her ian exceeding and eternal
weight of glory" Sister Clara bad tried,
fully tested the religion of the Blessed
one in the most crucial way. Hers was
no holiday experience-the steep hill
climbing and the darksome deserts where,
had there been no whispering palm trees
grateful shade or Films wells of water"
her soul would have tainted with dis
cOuragement. But in the darkest hour