"Blessed Are The Dead"
On July 23, "Mother" fell asleep in Jesus to await his coming. After more than four years of great suffering she was released from all pain, and went to be with him whom she has deeply loved and served for about seventy-five years. During her more than four years of great suffering, I was by her side day and night. Gall bladder disease (not stone), hardening of the arteries, and heart ailment brought on the most intense suffering.
It was on December 29, 1884, nearly seventy-two years ago, that I met Minnie Showalter for the first time. How vividly I recall that hour! Standing some ten feet distant, I happened to turn my face toward where she was standing. Our eyes met and held as if by magic for a moment. Were I an artist, I could even now, after nearly seventy-two years, paint that unforgettable face, and even the dress she was wearing. I could not see her clearer if she were right now standing before me as she did in that solemn and sacred moment when first we met. The face was a true likeness of maidenly modesty and purity. During our long life together never once did I hear a coarse word fall from her lips; not once did she violate the rule of womanly modesty.
One year after we first met, we pledged ourselves to each other as husband and wife. For nearly seventy-one years we shared our joys and bore our grief's — together. We laughed together; we read God's word together; we prayed together; and together we worshipped Him whom we sought to serve. During these last thirty years, since our children had grown up and gone out from the home, our lives have been the closest and sweetest of all the long sojourn together. Often in the evening, as we sat close together, and as the evening shadows closed down to enfold us, we talked of our children and their welfare, Yes, I am not ashamed to say that we often found ourselves holding hands and talking in tender tones as in the days of our youth. The love of youth was sweet, but it could not be sweeter than this. And most important of all, we talked much about the "land that is fairer than day." We wondered how our time would be spent, and if we would know each other in that glorious land. On this we formed no opinion. We simply said that what is best, God will provide. His provision will be all that we could ask or desire.
I am sure that I have never known any one who was as impartial toward her children as "Mother" was. It was only the one who happened to be sick or otherwise in need of sympathy that received her closest attention. She more nearly loved every body, yes, loved, than any one whom I have ever known. And with few exceptions, possibly, all who knew her loved her. Sympathy, kindness, tender acts characterized her life. No one whom I have ever known loved the word of the Lord, and the hour of worship, more sincerely. And what has been a marvel to me is that for nearly seventy years she remained to the last about the most appreciative listener I had.
Two hearts that beat as one for more than seventy years have now been severed, and mine is left torn and bleeding. "Mother" is not over in Highland Cemetery; no, she is with the angels and is happy.
What of me? The calendar says I will soon be ninety. The doctor says, "You are as sound as a teen-ager." But of course I do not have the strength of a youth. I think I would like to lie down and go to sleep and wake up on the other side. But the will of the Lord is mine. I have never lived in the past. Even now I still have much planned to do if it be His will. The Lord said, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." This, by His help, I shall endeavor to do.