OBITUARY: Mrs. Mattie J. Dumas, 31 Aug 1887 - Smith County, TX Submitted by Vicki Betts 1 January 2003 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************************** TEXAS CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE, September 22, 1887, p. 7, c. 4 DUMAS.—Died, near Tyler, Smith county, Texas, Mrs. Mattie J. Dumas, wife of Mr. A. E. Dumas. She had been confined to her bed four months. Her sickness was sanctified to her conviction for sin. She sent for Rev. U. B. Philips to instruct and pray for her. I accompanied him to see her on the 19th of August. We found her a penitent seeker of salvation. Bro. Philips instructed and prayed with her, and sung some of the songs of Zion. I though, before we left, I could see a marked change in her countenance. A pleasant smile rested upon her face, though she did not express herself satisfied; but on the 29th she found she was nearing the end of her pilgrimage, and that all was well. She sent for the writer to baptize and receive her into the church, which I did on the 30th. I found her resting in Jesus. I felt that it was good to be with her who was so joyful at nearing the end. She died triumphantly on the 31st of August, 1887. I am glad that eternal life is offered to those who will come in even at the eleventh hour; but I think it a great risk to delay, because of the difficulty of those that do so to exercise faith. "For without faith, it is impossible to please God," or be saved. She leaves a disconsolate husband and three small children. May the Lord sanctify her death to the conversion of the husband and proper training of the children, that they may make an unbroken family in heaven. W. N. Bonner. Tyler, Texas.