The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1907-02-28
MRS. MATTE ANTHONY.
December Is, 1866 February q, 1907

Hal lledlIn ana never WlCneflng How
ers. For many months she had beer
great sufferer and death was 6
gracious deliverance for her.
Born on the 25th of December
1850, she was heavens Christmas
gift to one of North Cardinals royal
homes in the days of Southern chiv-
airy and glory. And always she has
kept heavens brightness in the
home she graced,
In her early girlhood she gave her
heart to God and united with the
Scotland Neck Baptist church, being
one of the charter members. And
through all the years of trial and
struggle she was one of the unfalter-
ing and faithful. Her motto was to
serve her Lord anywhere, every
where and in every way possible.
Her life, so sweet, SO gentle, so faith
full, so hopeful and so sanity, was a
constant inspiration to her pastor, to
her brethren and sisters, to every
one. Her faith was as simple
and unWavering as that of a little
child, and her modest and unassum-
ing cooperation in the work was a
power none can measure.
Her trained mind and loving heart
so full Of the precious truths of
Gods Book were the reservoir where
flowed many a gracious stream of
entreaty and sympathy, to help the
weak, to gladden. the sad, to encour-
age the disconsolate and to point sim
ners to the Lamb Of God.
At the mission school she had a
class and how she reveled in the joy
of telling the little ones of the love
of Christ. All, they loved to hear
her tell it. 1t was her own hearts
experience. Yes, we shall miss her
bright, hopeful, prayerful presence,
so refreshing to her pastor, so help
full to the work, SO attractive to the
scholars, SO inspiring to US all. We
would grieve when we see the vacant
place, but we must not be selfish.
In the Sunday-school Of heaven she
is so much happier.
Her life has not been without it's
shadows and its tears. She had her
sorrows and nights of gloom. But
there never came an hour of trial
when God was not with His child and
whe1f she could not say, Il left it all
with Jesus long ago." Somehow
these shadows left a brighter sky
and the storms left her more firmly
upon the Rock.
She was married to Captain w. H.
Anthony February q, 1871, and bore
to him two sons and one daughter.
About two and half years ago con-
laid its bony hand upon
her companion and brought him to
the grave. For many months he
fingered the helpless victim of the
monster disease, and with a wife's
hottest devotion she kept vigil by his
bedside. It was beautiful to behold
that devotion. But while she was
his closing days, that
same disease was threatening the
vitals of her life, and when he was
gone made haste to bring her to the
end. For more than a year her
friends realized that she was the vic
tim of the terrible disease and
watched with sadness the approach
ing end. Loved ones We'd with each
other in their efforts to gladden. the
few days yet left to her.
And these proved to be the most
beautiful and triumphant hours of
her life. There was no murmur, no
fear, no dependence, just waiting
waiting for a summons she knew
would come, waiting for the tri-
entrance, waiting for the
unspeakable deliverance. 1t did one
good to hear her talk Of heaven and
Of eternal rest. She had gotten
glimpses of glory. She passed away
ike the flight of the bird gone to a
better land.
All yes, we live in unsounded mys-
terry. We wonder why the rainbow
spans the clouds with passing beauty
and is no more; we wonder why the
flowers bloom and gladden. but to
fade; we wonder why the stars, so
radiant and beautiful must cease to
shine; we wonder why the pleasing
forms of dearest loved ones are
presented to us for so brief a season
and then are taken away leaving our
to waste themselves over
vacant chairs and treasured relics.
Yes, we wonder why this, our sister,
SO good, 50 kind, so helpful, so heav-
emily was taken away, when we need
her so much.
All, the parting teaches us a prec-
ious truth, we are born for a higher
destiny. The rainbow never fades
around the throne of God and in the
Paradise above there are no wither
ing flowers. Stars will twinkle in
endless beauty up there, and our
loved ones, passing away like dew
drops will remain with US for
ever. We are heaven-bound and
sister Anthony is not dead but gone
before.
She left four brothers three sisters,
two sons, one daughter and host of
loved ones and kindred. May they
catch her spirit, love her Lord and
meet her on the other shore.
On the evening Of the 22nd she
was laid to rest in the Baptist Gene
terry. 4 large concourse Of friends
bowed their head and wept while her
pastor conducted the funeral services
AMI loving hearts sang abide with
Me"
G. T. Lumpkin.
The Judge Uses FOrCeful Language.