The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-04-22
BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE
To THE LATE
MRS. J. v. SHELLEY

oui hoiu piuSho oOuiO VI Jul SWOSe-
est flowers as He has need of them.
His hand reaches out in love and
gathers them to Himself. Not always
from lingering beds Of sickness does
He call His children, but calls the
spirit from it's earthly home to be at
once with Him. The call, the an
swer, and life in all its limitations
becomes the life eternal. What o
glorious ushering in as the spirit goes
to be forever with its Lord.
So the soul of Mrs. Shelley, beloved
wife Of Mr.. J. w. Shelley, as the eve
ming shadows were falling, passed
within the gates of the celestial city.
On Wednesday evening at prayer SER
vice deeply interested in the study Of
the glories Of the TRANSPORTATION; on
Thursday evening she is among the
redeemed host around the throne,
partaker Of the heavenly glory, sing
ing the praises of her Lord in the
heavenly choir. Our sister had en-
deared herself to large circle Of
friends by the sweetness and gentle.
ness of her manner and her consist
ent Christian life among us, deeply
devoted to her church, loyal to her
pastor, regular in her attendance Of
worship, active in the Missionary So
-ciety and much-loved member Of
the T. e. L. class, she will be greatly
missed in our church life. Friday af-
ternoon sorrowing friends gathered
at her home bringing beautiful flow
ers-mute but fragrant messengers
of our love and esteem. As she was
brought within the church she loved
so well the honorary pallbearers pre-
ceded, these being from the officers
of the T, E. L. class-Mrs. Straw, Mrs.
Anderson, Mrs. Edwards, Mrs. Wear
Mrs. Bridges and Mrs. Gresham The
active pallbearers followed, being
from the Board of Deacons of the
Baptist church-Mr. Mays, Mr.. Halde-
man, Mr. Lanier, Mr.. Dickson, Mr..
An1idon and Mr.. Van Sickler. The II.
e. l.. class attended in a body and &C.
cupied the place of relatives. The
sweet strains of abide With Me-
played softly as these entered the
church and the prayer song of the
words sung softly, filled our hearts
with a solemn stiffness. Comforting
and consoling selections from Gods
word were read by her pastor. A
prayer by Bro. Davis was filled with
sympathy for Mr. Shelley in this hour
OF bereavement. "My Jesus as Thou
Wilt" sung by the choir added the
note of submission to the will Of
God. From LIST Cor. 15:54-55 Bro
Wear pointed us to the truth that
death Is swallowed up in victory.
that only through death comes life
eternal-Christ triumphant over death
and the grave.
The Christian faces the future with
his faith in Jesus Christ who gives
him the victory over death-yictori-
GUS over suffering, either mentally,
physically or spiritually. On earth we
anticipate the heavenly glories. The
victory over death gives us possess
sion of all the Lord has in store for
us.
In closing, Bro. Wear paid high
tribute of praise and honor to our
sister Her many friends looked upon
her as she lay ASLEEP in Jesus" In
the cemetery we left the earthly tab
ernacle in which she once abided
where it awaits the resurrection
morn. Pure and beautiful lilies, fra
grant jesamine and pansies were her
coverlid-a last token to one we
loved. CHURCH REPORTER.