Herald of Truth - Volume VI, Number 9 - September 1869 - page 143
On the 15th of August, in Rapho township, Lancaster county,
Pa., Martha, wife of Pre. Christian Nissley, aged
70 years, 7 months and 18 days. A multitude of friends and relatives
followed her remains to their family graveyard and final resting
place. Appropriate addresses were made from Ps. 37: 37, by the
brethren Henry Shank, John Landis and Jacob N. Brubaker. She was
a faithful member of the Mennonite church more than forty years.
She was fully resigned to the will of the Lord, and waited patiently
for the time of her departure. We hope she rests where sickness
and sorrow can never come. Her disease was dropsy.
Farewell husband and children dear,
I am not dead but sleeping here,
Prepare for death, for die you must,
And with me slumber in the dust.
On the 26th of August, in the town of Elkhart, Elkhart county,
Indiana, Susan Crater, daughter of Jacob and ------- Crater,
aged 22 years, 3 months and 2 days. She was buried on the 27th,
at Schaum's burying-ground, where a funeral discourse was delivered
by Daniel Brenneman from James 4: 14. Truly saith the apostle,
your life is but a vapor which appeareth for a little while, and
then vanisheth away. Susan was just in the bloom of early womanhood,
full of health and vigor, yet alas! how soon she passed away.
Her sickness lasted only about two days, during which she suffered
much. Through such events, how forcibly we are reminded that we
too must die. Young man, young woman, Oh! hasten to flee the wrath
of this world and make your peace with God, for you are not secure
a single moment, while you remain in an impenitent condition.
Therefore young friends, hasten to come to Jesus! Learn to love
the blessed Savior who first loved us, and gave his life for us
that we might live.
Lord, what a feeble piece,
Is this our mortal frame!
Our life! how poor a trifle 'tis,
That scarce deserves the name.
Alas, the little clay
That built our bodies first!
And every month and every day
'Tis mouldering back to dust.
Almighty God, reveal they love,
And not thy wrath alone;
Oh let our sweet experience prove,
The mercies of thy throne.
* Transcribers note: as written
Transcribed by Sandra Poulton, Ontario