I was informed by her friends
that through her protracted period of suffering she was never heard to
utter a complaining or repining word, but was found daily in a calm even
cheerful frame of mind. After a time I left the village and returned to
my home. Returning thither to visit some relatives after the lapse of a
few months, I met with a friend, soon after my arrival, who informed me
of the death of old Mrs. H., which had taken place the day previous. Two
days later I joined the large numbers who assembled to pay their last
tribute of respect to one of the oldest residents of their village. As
is usual upon funeral occasions, the coffin was placed in front of the
pulpit, and a large number occupied the front pews which were
appropriated to the friends of the deceased. In those pews were seated
men in whose hair the silver threads were beginning to mingle, and women
who were themselves mothers of families who all met around the coffin of
their aged mother. Childhood, youth and middle age were all represented
in that company of mourners. Their pastor, Mr. M., delivered a very
appropriate discourse from the words, "Blessed are the dead who die in
the Lord." In the course of his sermon he took occasion to remark, that
a funeral discourse should apply to the living--not the dead.
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