A SAD DEATH - On the 11 of April, near Mount Eaton, Wayne Co.,
Ohio, after six days, suffering of lung fever, Sister Barbara
Baumgartner, aged 23 years, 4 months and 2 days. The deceased
sister's maiden name was Welty, and she was married on
the 10th of December 1885 to Christian Baumgartner, thus living
in matrimony with her beloved husband 1 year 4 months and 1 day.
Then she was called away from his side to her eternal home. This
was indeed an affecting time, but we can not recall her how and
the Lord tells us His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts
are not our thoughts. The workings of God are mysterious sometimes,
but what things He does are well done.
She was a true example of pious youth, and led a quiet, peaceful
life and was much loved and highly respected by all. In the last
days of her life she was specially interested about the welfare
of her soul and frequently asked the visiting friends to pray
for her. She longed greatly for her heavenly home and did not
wish to live longer. On the day preceding her departure she asked
those about her to sing the hymn "Werden wir uns wieder schen?"
(the English him * is "Shall we know each other there?"),
she, too, singing in a clear voice the first verse with the others.
It was but a short season of blissful life for them, when death
came into their midst and separated them again, but here the truth
is exemplified anew that we have here no continuing city, and
soon it will also be said of you and me: "They have gone
the way of all flesh." We are also reminded afresh that mortal
life is like a blooming flower, which blossoms early and soon
withers and passes away.
She was buried in the Sonnenberg grave-yard followed to her resting
place by a large concourse of people. Funeral services were held
by Christian Shneck and Jacob Nusbaum from James 4:13-15. She
leaves a deeply bereaved husband and an infant, besides a large
circle of loving friends and relatives, who yet weep not as those
without hope, for we feel assured that she has gone to a home
of eternal joy, and is redeemed by Jesus' blood, and that, clothed
in white robes and with palms in her hands, she is awaiting us
before the throne of God. D.W.E.
IN MEMORIAM - Catharine Baer, widow of Preacher Henry Baer, died January 16th, at Cullom, Illinois. Mother Baer had passed her threescore years and ten, and to her can be applied the words of the Psalmist, "Yet is there eternal strength, labor and sorrow." She leaves four children, one son and three daughters, and nineteen grandchildren, also many devoted friends to mourn her departure. Sister Baer was an exemplary member of the Mennonite Church. It seemed as though the church at Collum could scarcely spare her at this time when the enemy is so busy everywhere trying to destroy the church with the deceitfulness of riches and the vanities of fashion which she earnestly opposed. But when God says, "It is enough," man must submit and say, "Thy will be done." "Two more hands are gently folded on a faithful mother's breast, Two more feet have ceased to wander through life's stormy wilderness. Dearest sister, how we miss thee, since thy face we see more more; Yet we hope ere long to greet three, over on the other shore."
BENNER - On the 31st of March, in Hatfield Twp., Montgomery
county, Pa., from injuries received by the breaking of a stone-hoisting
machine, Reuben Benner, aged 43 years, 6 months and 19
days. He leaves a wife and two children to mourn his sudden and
unexpected death. A solemn warning to us all.
BENNER - On the 2d day of April, in Upper Salford Twp.,
Montgomery county, Pa., of croup and a sore throat, Hettie
Benner, aged 4 years, 5 months and 1 day.
ALLEBACH - On the 8th day of April, in Souderton, Montgomery
county, Pa,. Anna (Dalb) Allebach, aged 20 years and 5
months. Before her death she confessed that she had been negligent
about the salvation of her soul, which she now greatly regretted.
However she earnestly sought her Savior and professed to have
found peace. She was baptized upon confession of her faith and
seemed resigned to God's will. She was buried on the 14th in the
Franconia grave-yard, followed by a large concourse of sorrowing
friends. Services by Josiah Clemmer, Michael Moyer and Abel Horning.
This is also a warning to all such as have not yet made a covenant
with their Maker to do so at once.
ALLEBACH - On the 13th day of April, in Hatfield Twp.,
Montgomery county, Pa., David Allebach, aged 69 years and
23 days. He was buried on the 16th in the Pleyner grave-yard.
Services by Jacob Loucks, Josiah Clemmer and H. Godshall from
Ps. 92:13-16.
MAST - On the 6th of April, in Howard county, Indiana,
of consumption, Elizabeth, daughter of Jeremiah Mast, aged
21 years and 7 months. Funeral services by Andrew Troyer.
ZOOK - On the 10th of February, in Phelps county, Neb.,
Chauncey B., son of John K. and Mary Zook., aged 11 years,
6 months and 20 days. Our darling boy has gone away, Has found
his glad eternal rest, And we can but submissive pray, Good Lord,
thou knowest best.
NEWCOMER - On the 14th of April, near Wakarusa, Elkhart
county, Ind., of cancer, David Newcomer (deacon), formerly
of Bucks county, Pa., aged 68 years, 11 months and 26 days. He
suffered much from his disease, especially during the last months,
but bore it all with Christian fortitude and patience. He never
murmured or complained, and we hope he has entered into the rest
of the people of God. He was buried on the 17th at Yellow Creek,
where a very large concourse of people were assembled. Services
were held by Christian Shaum, Christian Baer and others from 2
Cor. 4:17, 18 and 5:1. He leaves an aged companion to mourn his
death. May God comfort her in her deep affliction.
ROSE - On the 8th of April, in Conemaugh township, Somerset
county, Pa., of scarlet fever, Maggie Rose, aged 9 years
and 25 days. Services by R.A. Fink.
WERTZ - On the 26th of March, in Conemaugh township, Somerset
county, Pa., John Wertz, aged 84 years, 4 months and 2
days. Services by Hiram Musselman. Peace to his ashes.
Transcriber notes:
* Hymn is written as 'him.'
Transcribed by C. Wheeler - British Columbia
NEUHAUSER - On the 13th of April, near Ledger, Lancaster county, Pa., of pneumonia, Harry, son of Stephen and Lydia Neuhauser, aged 8 months and 13 days. Services at the Millwood Church, by Samuel Lantz and Gideon Stoltzus. "Oh, not in cruelty, not in wrath, The Reaper came that day; 'Twas an angel visited the green earth, And took the flower away." S.M.L.
NAFTZGER - On the 5th of May, at Albany, Ill., Pre. Peter Naftzger. He was born in Prussia on the 24th of April, 1818, and lived until 1836 with his parents, who were devout Christians. In that year he emigrated to America, which was then the land of promise to the European peasant, beginning the struggle of life at Smithville, Ohio. On the 5th of April, 1843, he married Catharine Shrock, who, with six children and sixteen grandchildren, survive him. He professed religion in early life and was a minister in the church until of late years, his bodily infirmities compelled him to retire from active duty. Bro. Naftzger died in the faith. He was a kind father, a loving husband, and a consistent Christian. He is now resting from his labors, and his works do follow him.
BYERLY - April 4th, in Newtown, Lancaster county, Pa., David Byerly, aged 76 years, 4 months and 14 days. Buried on the 6th in Newton. Text, Psalm 90:12.
GARBER - April 9th, near Newtown, Lancaster county, Pa., of consumption, Brother John M. Garber, aged 26 years, 5 months and 3 days. Buried on the 11th at Kraybill's Meeting-house. Text, Acts 16:30. Many friends assembled to pay the last tribute of respect for the deceased.
STAUFFER - April 19th, near Clay, Lancaster county, Pa., Bro. Benjamin L. Stauffer, aged 52 years, 5 months and 22 days. Buried on the 22d at Hammer Creek Meeting-house. Text, Rom. 14:8. Bro. Stauffer was a faithful member of the Old Mennonite Church.
BRUBACHER - April 25th, in Landisville, Lancaster county, Pa., of typhoid and brain fever, Fannie S. only daughter of Martin N. and Mary Ann Brubacher, in her 30th year. Buried on the 28th at Kauffman's Meeting-house. Text, James 4:14. A large congregation assembled in respect for the deceased. Another solemn call for the young.
NOLT - May 1st, near Silver Spring, Lancaster county, Pa., Bro. Christian Nolt, aged 80 years, 8 months and 17 days. Buried on the 4th at Silver Spring cemetery. Text, Ps. 34:19. Many people assembled in respect for the beloved brother. He was a bright, shining light.
GRAEFF - On the 29th of April, in Lancaster, Lancaster county, Pa., Matthew Graeff, aged 94 years. He was buried on the 3d of May in the Mennonite graveyard near Millersville. He leaves six children to mourn his departure.
YODER - On the 11th of April, near West Liberty, Logan county, Ohio, David Yoder, aged 73 years, 6 months and 17 days. Buried on the 13th. Services at the South Union Church by C.K. Yoder, John Wery and W.A. Warner.
LANTZ - On the 23d of April, in McPherson county, Kan., of liver complaint, Levi Lantz, aged 73 years, 3 months and 2 days. He was a member of the Amish Mennonite Church since his youth. He leaves four sons and a daughter and a number of grandchildren. He was buried on the 25th. Services by Matthias Cooprider from Rev. 14:13 and 7:12.
HUNSBERGER - On the 20th of March, in St. Joseph county, Indiana, of diphtheria and croup, John E., aged 1 year, 5 months and 11 days. On the 30th of March, in the same family, James A., sons of William and _____ Hunsberger. Services were held at the Shaum Mennonite Church on Sunday, May 1st, by J.F. Funk from 1 Thess. 4:13, 14. May this sad bereavement lead the sorrowing parents nearer to the dear Savior, and may it teach us all to trust him more confidently, knowing that all things work together for good to them that love God.
SNYDER - On the 19th of April, in Lexington, Waterloo county, Ontario, Magdalena Shantz, wife of Benjamin Snyder, aged 62 years., She was buried at the Eby Meeting-house, in Berlin, Ont. Funeral services by Joseph Nahregang and Noah Stauffer from Rev. 14:13.
MOYER - On the 22d of April, in Berlin, Waterloo county, Ont., of paralysis, Barbara Shantz, wife of Abraham Moyer, aged 74 years, 11 months and 16 days. She leaves a husband and ten children and many grandchildren to mourn their loss. She was buried at Eby's Meeting-house, Berlin, Ont. Funeral services by S. Eby and M. Bowman, from Matt. 24:44 and Phil. 3:20, 21.
SMUCKER - On the 5th of July, 1886, at Haw Patch, Ind.,
of paralysis, Sarah, wife of Preacher Isaac Smucker, aged
74 years, 7 months and 20 days. She lived in matrimony fifty-four
years, and leaves a husband, one son, and three daughters to mourn
the departure of a dear companion and mother. Sister Smucker was
a faithful member of the Amish Mennonite Church. Funeral services
were held by Jonathan Kurtz and Daniel Johns from 2 Tim. 4:7,
8. "Mother, thou art gone to rest, We will not weep for thee,
For thou art now where oft on earth Thy spirit longed to be. Mother,
thou art gone to rest, Thy toils and cares are o'er, And sorrow,
pain and suffering now will ne'er distress thee more. Mother,
thou art gone to rest with Jesus and his saints,
And O, how often do we wish we could be with you there! Mother,
rest we cannot go till Jesus bids us come; Then we shall ever
rest with thee in heaven our longed-for home."
WOODS - On the 6th of March, in Somerset county, Pa., of cancer, Veronica, wife of John. Z. Woods, aged 48 years, 2 months and 9 days. She was afflicted with this dread disease for about two years, but was confined to bed only about two months. About a year and a half ago she had the cancer removed; but it began to grow again, and she finally succumbed. Sister Woods was a faithful follower of Christ, and during all her trials she manifested a strong faith in God, and longed to be released from the troubles of this present life to enjoy the blissful life beyond. She leaves a husband and two daughters to mourn her departure. She was buried on the 8th at Thomas' Church. followed to the grave by many loving friends. Services by Jonas Blough, C. Hershberger and S. Gindelsperger from Rev. 14:13.
GOOD - On the 17th of April, near Bowman's Mill, Lancaster county, PA., Sister Judith Good, aged 83 years and 6 months. She was the last of the brothers and sisters in the family of her parents. She was buried on the 19th in the Pine Grove grave-yard. Services by Benjamin Horning from Isaiah 54:1.
ROTH - Near Trenton, Iowa, of inflammation of the bowels, Widow Maria Roth, in her 67th year. She looked joyfully forward to the time when she would be free from this mortal pain and life, comforting her six children. Services by Benjamin Eicher and Sebastian Gerig.
HUNSBERGER - On the 8th of May, in Elkhart, Indiana, of only a few days' illness, Henry W. Hunsberger, aged 31 years, 8 months and 3 days. He leaves a sorrowing wife and five children to mourn his death. May God sanctify this affliction to the bereaved family and lead them nearer to the dear Savior.
Transcribed by C. Wheeler - British Columbia