Hearne History - Page 388

[Continued from page 386]

She entered the vineyard of Christ at Silas, in Bourbon County, Kentucky, during a meeting conducted by Elder J. R. Barbee, Dec., 1850, and such was her zeal that the pastor of her church was heard to say, about the close of the meeting, that she had done as much if not more good in the meeting than he had done. This was remarkable for one of her age and disposition, only in her seventeenth year, mild and unassuming in her disposition. But herein was the grace of God manifest, which was prominently developed through her whole life and in every relation of life. As a companion, she was devoted and faithful, true to her husband in prosperity and adversity, with whom she lived for upwards of ten years; as a mother, she possessed those amiable qualities that fitted her for the responsible station. But alas! she has left four little girls and an infant son to mourn her loss, which to them is irreparable, and gone to join a dear little son in Heaven. Sister Hearne was devoted to her church. None loved the house of God more than she, and none will feel her loss more deeply than the brethren and sisters at South Elkhorn, with whom she lived so pleasantly for four years preceding her death. But the most remarkable period in her history was witnessed in her passing from earth to Heaven. Indeed, my pen cannot describe the scene. The language of her pious physician, who stood by her bed and witnessed the scene, when attempting to describe it to the writer, was "I, sir, have seen many Christians die, and I thought I had witnessed many victories over death, but, sir, it is beyond the power of men or angels to picture or describe this scene, so calm, so composed, so brilliant. Describe it? No, sir; it is beyond the power of man to conceive." The eye of faith had become so intensified that she was permitted to have a full view of Christ and angelic beings. A somewhat strange incident occurred while taking leave of her affectionate husband, her own dear children, her heart-broken mother and sister; her soul was in full rapture, Christ and angels in full view. She said to those around her bed, "We will not be separated long, for these are the last days, these are the last days." As she was leaving the world she sang:

	"Sweet land of rest, for thee I sigh, 
	  When will the moment come 
	When I shall lay my armor by 
	  And dwell with Christ at home?" 
					JOHN L. SMITH. 

[Continued on page 389]


Notes:

Thanks to Catherine Bradford for transcribing this page.


Copyright (c) 1999, 2007 Brian Cragun.