Butts County GaArchives Obituaries.....Mrs. Morgan Maddox March 25 1884 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Don Bankston http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00024.html#0005864 May 5, 2004, 8:43 pm Middle Ga. Argus – Week of April 4, 1884 To the memory of Mrs. Morgan Maddox, formerly Miss Fannie Preston, who died at her home on the 25th of March 1884, these lines are written: Reader, did you ever see a Christian die? If you did not, then there is a lesson for you to learn, which will refute all the theories of the infidel. The deceased was a young mother. All the responsibilities of a mother surrounded her. All the sacred ties of a happy home bound her to earth, and the care of three little children prompted a mother’s longing for more time to be with them. Her’s were more than ordinary responsibilities. The hand of providence had seen fit to put the burden of deformity upon her oldest, a little daughter of five years, who had been under the treatment of the surgical institute of Atlanta, while her youngest saw the light only one week before the grim monster bid the mother leave it to the care of others. The ties of friendship, the love of a devoted husband, the love and responsibility to their children, all combined with the natural love of life, in biding her struggle against the decree of Heaven. While the assurance of peace eternal, the love of redeemed angels, the glittering splendor of the shining portals, the starry crown of saints immortal, sweet rest from pain and sorrow, all bid her leave these bands of clay and share the blissful joys of life immortal. THE GREAT STRUGGLE The writer was by her bedside for nearly thirty-six hours during the struggle for life or death, and feels that he has learned an important lesson. We saw both sides of the picture, as we never did before. Here we see one in whom is combined innocence, purity and reverence to God suffering this most fearful fangs of pain, sorrow, parting and death. The rushing torrent overflows the reason, and the mind is obscured in utter darkness. We behold the struggle, and exclaim, “Great God! Why does one so good, so pure and holy, have to suffer such agony?” The answer came on angel’s wings, saying, Look at the cross of Calvary, can any humanity escape it. Why should one who never sinned exclaim; My God, my God, Why hast thou forsaken me? When we see the justice of the pangs of death, and while we stand appalled with fear, and trembling, we behold the other side of the picture. The spirit that stands halting on the bank of the dark river catches a glimpse of the home beyond the shining portals, and all is changed. The expressions of misery, pain and grief are changed; it is now and again alternated by an expression of hope, joy, peace and happiness inexpressible and then it is, we can realize how it is that death can be releaved of its (?) and the grave robbed of its victory. A few years ago the writer was bereft of a sister who was a young wife and mother. She left evidence of a blissful immortality. In life she was a warm friend of this deceased, and we were perfectly enraptured by the vision that prevented itself when the spirit of Mrs. Maddox took its flight into the space beyond the skies. Around her dying bed stood the weeping husband, father and mother, brothers and sisters, impressing the last farewell kiss. We stood shuddering in the presence of death, but the dark veil is lifted. We see the glittering splendor, we feel the present of spirits immortal. In the (?) of the mighty host advancing, we see the spirit of our departed sister. Without stretched arms she clapped the departing spirit and the lips that have just received the last kiss of life mortal now receives the kiss of life immortal. While the convoy or redeemed spirits shouting “Saved, her enraptured spirit it quits the tenement of pain, misery and sorrow and is wafted away to immortal glory. Its gone, its gone to dwell forever. We would not call thee back to this land of sin and sorrow, but bid the await our coming. This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 4.4 Kb