Middletown transcript., 1914-08-01
MRS. MARY |. COX
A Sketch Of Her Christian Life
by Her Pastor
ORGANIZED THE MITE SOCIETY

| Inc SUBJECT OF CnlS SkeLcn, MRS. Mary
L. Cox, departed this life for the larger
life above July 18th, from her home OF
Green street. in the 8Oth year of hel
pilgrimage.
Her father, Rev. Richard w. Pether.
bridge, was a prominent and influential
member of the New Jersey Conference,
serving as Presiding Elder for number
of years. The atmosphere of her home
was deeply spiritual, and at the tender
age of ten she confessed Christ, and for
seventy years continued in the fellow
ship of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
devotedly following her Lord. She was
a woman of sterling qualities, strong in
her convictions and firm and courageous
in defense of the right as God gave her
to see it. She hated sin in all of its
phases and loved Righteousness. She
was a loyal Methodist and believed
firmly in the doctrines and usages of the
church; was universally regarded as a
good woman and gave to the Master s
work the full measure of her strength
and devotion.
She was an alumnus of Pennington
Seminary and for time taught paint
ing and drawing in that institution. A
diligent reader of good books, church
papers and especially missionary and
Temperance literature, she was woman
of culture and remarkable well-inform-
ed. In September, 1856, she was mar
rie to Alfred G. Cox, who for a half
century has been prominent in PENN
sula Methodism; and for nearly fifty
eight years they Travelled life's pathway
together in tender and loving fellowship.
Their home has ever been open to
Methodist ministers and christian
workers, and here has been dispensed
an openhanded and generous hospitality.
More than fifty years ago this elect
sister organized the Mite Society of
Bethesda Church, a society which has
been potent factor in every work of
building and improving church and par
sonage property. On September 9th,
1874, she organized the W. F. NJ. So
ciety, of Bethesda Church, was elected
it's first president and continued in that
relation till summoned by the Lord of
the harvest to her reward.
She had a passion for missions For
this holy cause she toiled and planned
and prayed and sacrificed. She often
denied herself that she might have more
to put in her missionary mite box, which
was ever at hand. This society was as
dear to her as the first born child is to
its mother. A few days before her de-
parture, when she was so weak that she
could scarcely lift her hand, she asked
her pastor to call the members together
and help them plan for the fortieth an
niversary next September. This cause
was ever in her thought and heart.
For many years she was active as a
teacher in the Sunday School, and many
were led to Christ through her tireless
efforts. She was active in the organi-
cation of the W. C. T. U. and was cor
responding secretary of the local branch
at the time of her demise. She was
honored by being elected State, dele
gate to the national convention which
met at Asbury Park, N. j., last Sep
tember. She was proud to wear the
little bow of white ribbon, the emblem
of purity. For years it was her habit
to write letters to many whom she
knew, pleading with them to accept
Christ. The poor, the needy and the
suffering found in her true and
sympathizing friend.
A few days before her going she said
to her companion, 81 have tried to be
faithful" Who will doubt her faithful
ness?
For eight months she had been con-
fined to her bed and since Easter her
death had been expected any day. But
medical skill, the faithful ministry of one
of the best nurses to be found and the I'M
tiring ministry of husband and loved ones
fought off the last enemy. But on Sat
urday, July the 18th, in the stiffness of
thetnight, the tired pilgrim entered into
rest. The funeral services were held at
her late home on the following Tuesday
afternoon, in the presence of a large
congregation of sympathizing friends
who desired to pay this last tribute of
respect to one the memory of whose
devotion to Christ can not fail to be an
inspiration for years to come. All that
was mortal of this good woman was
tenderly laid to rest in Bethesda Metho-
dist Episcopal cemetary only few feet
from the church she loved so well and
where she held her membership for
years.
She rests from her labors and her
works do follow her.
HER PASTOR.