USA > Indiana > Memorials of deceased friends who were members of Indiana Yearly Meeting : published by direction of the Yearly Meeting > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9
Twenty-seventh, early in the morning she said to her husband, "I have suffered much through the night, but I feel the love of the Saviour to me, and that all my transgressions are blotted out." And prayed that her patience might hold out to the end, saying, " Why should I complain ? My sufferings are nothing to compare with my Redeemer's, when he bore the sins of the world in his body on the tree." Soon after observed to a Friend, who expected to be absent several days, that she hoped the conflict would be over before his return ; but desired to be resigned to the Master's will ; and if she should see him no more in this world, she wanted him to encourage the family she was about to leave, as well as the other young Friends of the neighborhood, in the best things, as he had fre- quent opportunities with them.
بار أصبح
40
ANNA LINDLEY.
In the evening she grew worse, and several times her breath appeared quite gone, but she revived again, and imparted much weighty counsel to those present ; warning them to prepare for such a trial as they then witnessed, that they might know a being delivered from sin and transgression, and prepared for a happy immortality. Then said, " Oh! where does strength come from, that I am thus favored !-- from HIM who is ALL STRENGTII !"
28th. On seeing her husband much tried, she said, " My dear, don't be troubled; but submit to the Lord's will, and give me up freely." Next day she was in much bodily pain until about two o'clock, then appeared more easy, and asked the time of day; on being told, she turned to the other side of the bed, and expressed thankfulness that she had been favored with patience to the end. Then raised her hands in supplication, saying, "Lord receive my soul !" and quietly departed the 29th of the Fifth month, 1832, aged thirty-five years, one month, and twenty-two days.
The day following, her remains were interred in Friends' burying-ground, at Blue River, where a solemn was meeting was held, and several weighty testimonies borne.
£
41
NARCISSA OSBORN.
NARCISSA OSBORN.
Memorial of Springfield Monthly Meeting, Indiana, concerning NARCISSA OSBORN, deceased.
NARCISSA OSBORN, daughter of Charles and Hannah Osborn, of Economy, Indiana, died on the morning of the 31st of Eighth month, 1835, aged twenty-one years, two months and eleven days. In her child- hood, she was of a very lively disposition, more so than what is common to be met with in children. She was sent to school as the circumstances of her parents would admit; and having learned to read with considerable ease and propriety, she became fond of books, and devoted many of her leisure hours to the perusal of them. When she was about sixteen years old, she undertook and read the Bible regularly through, and part through again. This she did at intervals, when not engaged in the necessary work of the family; much of which devolved on her, she being the oldest of the children then at home. Often, when the business of the day was gone through, she would sit up reading in the Bible until it was quite late. Among the other books which she used to read, "Youthful Piety " appeared to be a particular favorite. She was as diligent in the attendance of religious meetings as her circumstances and those of the family would admit; and, notwithstanding her
42
NARCISSA OSBORN.
natural lively disposition, she did not manifest the same desire to depart from plainness in dress as some of her equals were accustomed to do.
She was taken unwell, when from home at West Grove Monthly Meeting, on the second Seventh-day in the Eleventh month, 1834. She came home, and, though still unwell, kept up mostly for about two weeks; at which time she grew worse, and was con- fined to her bed and room about six weeks; then getting better, so she could be up most of her time, and both ride and walk out a little, she attended meetings a few times. Hopes of her recovery were now entertained both by the family and physician, who attended on her. She continued in this state, during the spring and forepart of summer, until about the Ist of Seventh month, 1835, when she was again taken worse, and appeared to decline faster than she had done before.
Her complaint, which was thought to be an affec- tion of the liver, not appearing to yield to medical treatment, another physician was called to see her. Ile appeared to entertain some hope of her recovery, and did what he could for her; but she still grew worse; though at times, in the progress of the dis- case, she would appear to be a little better. ller stomach appearing to resist all kinds of nourish- ment, her little remaining strength diminished, and spells of difficulty of breathing came on, and con- sidering her weak state, her father regarded the
13
NARCISSA OSBORN.
frequent occurrence of these spells as a symptom of her approaching dissolution; and feeling much con- cern on her account, and being very desirous for her future happiness, asked her what her prospects were relative to getting well. She replied, in substance, that when she felt some better, she thought she should recover, and appeared to manifest a backward- ness to converse on the subject, and no more was said at that time.
She had manifested, through the greater part of her illness, that she desired to get well, and that for the most part, she cherished the hope that she should be favored to recover. But still growing weaker, and her sufferings greater, it appeared that after having passing through a night of great suffering, she had lost all, or nearly all hope that she should ever again be restored to health.
On the morning of the next day, which was sixth day, the 28th of Eighth month, as her father was sitting by her, and she being favored with a little case, he spoke to her concerning the prospect of her approaching dissolution. She then stated that she would be glad how soon if she were only prepared, which she desired above all things in this world, and was very much affected. Her father, on hearing these expressions from her, accompanied with so much tenderness, endeavored to comfort her, by tell- ing her "the Lord is merciful," and advising her to strive to have her mind stayed on Him, and to put
8
T
L
44
NARCISSA OSBORN.
her trust in Him, and look forward to a glorious and happy futurity, etc. She appeared to pass through this day with less apparent suffering than was given her to endure through the preceding night. At times, she was able to converse intelligibly, with a clear and pretty strong voice, and appeared quite sensible of her approaching death. At one time, she said : " I have been too anxious to get well, and have not thought enough about dying." Her father, speaking to her, told her that she had been a good girl, and that she had been good to him. She replied : "I have not been half good enough; and if I were to recover, I would be much better to you all."
Seventh-day, 29th .- Having spells of comparative ease, at one time, she vocally supplicated with a clear and very affecting voice. In the forepart of which she very fully confessed that she was unworthy the least of the Lord's mercies; then, after a short pause, she continued : "But there is a hope." Then, in very appropriate language, adverted to him who died on Calvary for sinners -besought him to intercede for her, and take her into his glorious kingdom, where " the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest;" then, after a short pause, she repeated the following lines, viz :
" Jesus can make a dying bed
Feel soft as downy pillows are ;
While on his breast I lean my head, And breathe my life out sweetly there."
1
ro
45
NARCISSA OSBORN.
At another time, the family being about her, she said : " It is hard to part with you all." After a short pause, she added : "Oh! I hope to meet you all in heaven."
After this, she professed to have a hope that all would be well with her; but not that assurance which some had professed, and which she most ardently craved. Sometime in the course of this evening, she expressed a desire to live another night, evidently because she wanted further evidence in her own inind of her acceptance before her close. To some young women who came to see her, she spoke in a very affecting manner of their fashions in dress, telling them that when they should come to be in her situa- tion, they would not care for fashions, nor anything else this world can afford, but for their souls. At another time, she spoke about some at Richmond, with whom she was acquainted, with much feeling and affection. Her father then asked her if he should give her love to her friends and acquaintances. She replied : " Oh, yes, and to everybody."
In the evening, one of the doctors who was tending on her came in, to whom she said, alluding to himn and the other : "You have done all you could for me, and likely I shall 'not live to see another morning's light." He said : "Perhaps not; I hope you are resigned." She answered : "I want to be."
To her father she said: "Oh! if I could have rest." He replied that he thought her rest would
5
الصم الـ
E
46
NARCISSA OSBORN.
soon come. She said : "Dost thou think so, father. Oh! that would be the best of rest." After a severe spell of pain, she said : "Oh! how hard for human nature; but I suppose there is nothing put upon us but what we are able to bear." She was reminded of the sufferings of our Saviour for her, and that those sufferings, which are but momentary and of short duration, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, etc. Getting some easier, she said : "Dost thou think, my dear father, that I can be saved-I don't want to be deceived in myself." Then clasping his hands in hers, and looking him steadfastly in the face, said : "Let us pray." Ile knelt down by her bedside and vocally supplicated to this purport-that she might be enabled patiently to endure her affliction and wait the Lord's time; that it was through his mercy she could obtain rest; that the Lord would encamp around her with the guardian angel of his holy presence; that, if it pleased Him, He would grant her an easy passage, and be with her through the valley and shadow of death ; that He would grant her the evidence of her acceptance with Ilim, and receive her departing soul into his everlast- ing kingdom. She said : "Lord, receive my spirit." She then remained quiet, with her eyes closed for awhile, when all around her thought she was depart- ing. However, after a time of silence, she opened her eyes and said : "I feel quite easy ;" and asked her father if he did not think that a favorable sign.
القد ور
.
47
NARCISSA OSBORN.
Ile replied, he thought it was, and that it was through mercy she obtained it.
It appeared that the Lord, in his unmerited mercy, was pleased to grant unto her that assurance of that · acceptance with Him which she so ardently craved, and for which she wished to live another night; and for a time she was favored with some comparative ease and rest. But toward the latter part of the night, her sufferings again became great.
.
First-day, 30th .- This morning she revived a little, and, though very weak, could speak quite intelligibly, and appeared to be in a sweet frame of mind. One of her uncles came to see her, and asked her how she was. She said : "I am going to die," and added, " but I have a hope that I shall be happy." At which he was much affected, and said to this amount : "Thy friends have the same hope concerning thee." She said : " We must all dic." About twelve o'clock she addressed him in nearly these words: "Uncle I love thee, and know thou hast many good thoughts about thy heart. O! do become religious and go to meetings. Tell Aunt and all the children that I love them, and desire their welfare." She then in- quired for one of her little brothers, who came in; she said to him: "Why don't thee come in and see me oftener ? O! I want thee to be a good boy, and mind what is said to thee, and go to meeting when- ever father tells thee to." She then inquired for her two youngest sisters, who were brought. To the
6
48
NARCISSA OSBORN.
younger she said : "IIere is my little sister come to see me, and I am going to die and leave her." She then kissed her. Then speaking to the other, told her " to be a good child and mind her mother, and not cry so about her." She then informed that the chil- dren might leave the room, as noise disturbed her. She then requested her mother and the rest of them not to take it so hard, saying, " she should shortly be out of this world of trouble." HIer father, seeing her sufferings, and feeling a near sympathy for his dying child, was moved once more to kneel at her bedside, and vocally to supplicate on her behalf, that if it was the Lord's will her end might shortly come, that the work might be shortened in righteousness; that his afflicted child might be loosed from her pains; that she might be enabled to safely pass the swelling floods of Jordan, and be landed on his Canaan, where she might join with angels and archangels in songs of never-ending glory, praising redeeming love. Then, after a short pause, she sang in a clear and reaching voice :
" Angels shall bear my soul away, To realms of bliss in endless day."
Then, after a pause, she added :
". Then I shall be forever blest, Partaker of his righteousness."
After many prayerful expressions, she called the attention of the people and said : "I want you all to
49
NARCISSA OSBORN.
remember what I say, and think of these things while in health. O! then 'tis casy to what it is at such a time as this. O ! don't put it off as I have done- remember the words of a poor dying sister."
After a short pause, said : "Lord, receive me into thy glory." Then shortly after sang:
" When ten thousand years are gone, O ! I shall happy be ; When thousand times ten thousand years Have passed away, I'll still be there to see his face In endless day."
Shortly after said :
"O! there's mercy, there is mercy In thy gates, and peace within thy walls.
Now it appeared that her work was done, and that the Lord, in his infinite mercy, was pleased to give her that assurance of everlasting happiness which she so earnestly sought. Though at times through the night her sufferings were great, she still retained the power of speech. Toward the break of day, her father asked her if she still felt that the Lord was good to her. She replied : "I Know he is good to mc." She continued to evince that death was no more a terror to her, until between the hours of six and seven in the morning, when she quietly breathed her last. A solemn stillness pervaded the minds of all present ; a sorrow which indeed was not without hope, for it was accompanied with the consoling evidence,
n
50
MARY ANTHONY.
that, through the unmerited mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, her immortal spirit was received into that glorious "kingdom prepared for the right- eous from the foundation of the world," "where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest."
MARY ANTHONY.
A Testimony of Cincinnati Monthly Meeting of Friends, held 19th of Seventh month, 1838, con- cerning our esteemed Friend, MARY ANTHONY, a Member and Elder of suid Meeting, who died Sixth month 16th, 1838, aged eighty-eight years und seven months.
SHE was the daughter of Samuel and Hannah Jor- dan, and was born in Nansemond county, Virginia, in the year 1749. Her father was an approved minister in the Society of Friends. Her mother died when she was very young, and her father not many years after; but their piety and exemplary lives were often referred to by her with feelings of gratitude, as a means of turning her attention to serious subjects, and establishing her principles on that sure foundation from which they were never changed. When about
51
MARY ANTHONY.
the age of seventeen, she renounced the gay and fas- cinating things of this world, appeared in the plain garb of a Friend, and confessed her Lord and Master before men ; and such was her devotion and exem- plary conduct, that when about twenty-two, she was appointed to the station of an elder, the important duties of which her sound judgment and religious dis- cernment enabled her to discharge with much useful- ness to society during the remainder of her life.
At the age of twenty-five, she was married to Christopher Anthony, an approved minister of the gospel, with whom she lived in much harmony and love for more than forty years, and was truly an help- mate to him, not only in temporal things, but in pro- moting his labors in the vineyard of her beloved Master.
In the various relations which she bore to others, whether as a parent, a neighbor, or a member of re- ligious society, she was governed by the "law of kindness," and few have passed through life more universally beloved. Her mind was greatly expanded, and deeply imbued with Christian feeling-love to God and love to man. In her the needy ever found a sure and ready friend; her house was for many years an agreeable resting-place for those journeying in defense of the gospel; in whose company and con- versation she experienced great delight.
Although she had the charge of a numerous family (her husband being frequently absent laboring in sup-
52
MARY ANTHONY.
port of the gospel), it may be said, that, like Mary the sister of Martha, she was not cumbered about many things, but had "chosen that good part which should not be taken from her." She so fully appre- ciated the command, " Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and IIim only shalt thou serve," that every other consideration was made to yield to this important duty ; hence it is not recollected that her seat was ever vacant when meeting time arrived, on account of tem- poral concerns, or from the inclemency of the weather. She was careful to take her seat in due season, and it is believed, ever felt a deep concern to "worship God in spirit und in truth ;" and when meeting closed, she observed a gravity becoming the occasion. She was a great lover of silent worship, and well knew the importance of waiting upon God in the silence of all flesh for the renewal of her strength. It was her daily practice to spend a portion of time in retirement and meditation, being careful not to suffer anything to divert her from an observance thereof; saying, with David, "I will not offer burnt-offerings to the Lord of that which costs me nothing."
When services were assigned her in the church, she yielded a ready compliance, without making objections, and performed them with alacrity and zeal. And she held that all who were appointed to such services, should be sound in the faith.
She was a firm believer in the doctrines of the Christian religion, as held by ancient Friends ; and
I foole Sreter
53
MARY ANTIIONY.
on one occasion bore this emphatic testimony to their excellency-" though they are self-denying doctrines, and many there be that fall on the right hand and on the left, yet I can set my seal to them, that they are no cunningly devised fables, but the everlasting truth. I have endeavored, to the best of my ability, to live up to them, and am now willing to die by them."
She also bore a decided testimony to the unchange- ableness of the doctrines of the Christian religion ; she said there were no new doctrines, there could be none; the everlasting gospel, which the angel, flying in the midst of heaven, was commissioned to preach to them that dwell upon the earth, and to every na- tion, kindred, tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, " Fear God, and give glory to him that made heaven, and earth, and the fountains of waters," is the same gospel that is to be preached now, and to the end of the world.
She often bore testimony to the excellency of the Holy Scriptures; she preferred them to all other books, and spent much time in their perusal; and her esteem for them appeared to increase with advancing years. When near her close she became too weak to read them herself, many chapters were daily read to her.
She had an unshaken confidence in the goodness, the mercy, and the superintending providence of Almighty God ; she believed that every act of dedica- 6
1
5
1
54
MARY ANTHONY.
tion, every service done in the church, however small, would be duly recompensed; that "whosoever gave to one of the little ones, a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, should in no wise lose his reward."
Slavery was considered by her, as an evil of great magnitude, and she bore a faithful testimony against it. When near her close, she said, she could look back with consolation and rejoice, that although she had spent a large portion of her life in the midst of slavery, she had never participated in the sin of op- pression, but that she had acted up to the rule of "doing unto others as we would they should do unto us."
In the eighty-fifth year of her age, she attended the Yearly Meeting for the last time, and at the con- clusion, expressed much thankfulness that she had been permitted to meet with her friends in that capa- city, and to feel so much love and unity, it being her firm conviction, that it was a final separation from many of them. She gratefully acknowledged their kindness to her, and, as her manner often was, ascribed this favor to the goodness and mercy of her Heavenly Father, and further said, "though the heavens and the earth shall pass away, yet the promises of the Almighty remain sure;" "them that honor me, I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed."
As years increased, her mind was centered more and
1
Ln
55
MARY ANTHONY.
more on heaven and heavenly things; the redemption of the soul was a subject that appeared to occupy much of her time and attention, and she often made it the occasion for solemn and instructive conversa- tion ; every other consideration seemed to be unwor- thy of attention, in comparison to securing an interest in heaven, where nothing that is impure or unholy can enter. Death was viewed by her as an event exceed- ingly awful ; she said it was a great thing, a nice point to be prepared to die, and she feared many rested in a false hope, and that some who are making high pro- fessions will, at the "great day," receive the awful sentence, " I never knew you : depart from me ye that work iniquity !"
When, through age and infirmity, she became con- fined, and was prevented from attending our religious meetings, she still retained a deep concern for the welfare of society, and her views remained clear, deep, and comprehensive on religious subjects. Among other things that engaged her attention, she felt and expressed a deep concern, that there might be a sound and living ministry, and that those, whose duty it is, should exercise timely care therein.
Many were the expressions dropped during her last illness, evincing the same lively faith that had been her support through life ; and it is believed it will be profitable to preserve a few of them.
To a friend, who expressed much sympathy with her, in the great privation of not being able to
JeuDa
£
56
MARY ANTHONY.
attend meeting, she said : "My dear Master knows I am not able to go, therefore he will excuse me, and I have experienced the Divine presence to be very near me in my chamber." She often said, she felt the Everlasting arm to be underneath, supporting and sustaining her.
When she heard, that some who had occupied pro- minent stations had left our Society, and the spiritu- ality of our religion, and had adopted shadows for the substance, she expressed her disapprobation, and the sorrow which she felt on account of their apostacy, and exclaimed, in the language of the apostle, " Why turn ye again to the weak and beggarly clements, whereunto some desire to be in bondage.' Truth is the same : unchangeable-though all men forsake it.
In viewing the approach of death, and speaking of the worthlessness of the riches and honors of this world, she said : " What would I have to support me now, did I not know my foundation to be the Rock OF AGES."
Not long before her close, she was closely tried ; she was permitted to feel great poverty of spirit, and a fear that there yet remained something for her to do; but after being engaged for some time in prayer, she had a remarkable assurance of her acceptance ; she said it seemed as though an audible voice had spoken in her car, "be not dismayed, inasmuch as thou hast been faithful and retained thy first love, when thou passest over this rough Jordan, I will be
57
MARY ANTIIONY.
with thee, and its waves shall not overflow thee ; but the change for thee shall be most glorious !" And such was the effect of this assurance, that she retained her confidence to the last.
In the course of her long confinement, her suffer- ings were very great, but she bore them with much patience. It is not recollected that a murmur ever escaped her lips; but she frequently adverted to the sufferings of her dear Redeemer, and said that hers were not to be compared to those which He endured . for her; and she several times said, "death has no sting, and the grave will have no victory." She had a desire that, when the last hour approached, her mind might be preserved in clearness ; and there was abun- dant evidence that her prayer was granted.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.