1858-12-05 Maria Mead Funeral Sermon, 2021.002.001

The closing paragraphs of a sermon preached at Belmont, December 5^th, 1858, -- being the Sunday after the funeral of Mrs Maria M. Mead.

The afflictive event which has suggested to us our theme to-day, I need not name, for it is full in the knowledge, and will long be vivid in the recollection, of us all. It cannot have taken any of us by surprise, for we have long known that our friend's illness was beyond the restoring power alike of affectionate ministrations and of experienced skill. And now death has gently interposed, and released her patient spirit

from pain, and conducted to a peaceful and beautiful termination a life, which, though not long, indeed, as counted by years, has yet been of ample duration as measured by that wherein true length of days consists, -- goodness, and usefulness, and Christian faithfulness. But though we recognize in her departure the hand of Him who "doeth all things well", it cannot but be that sadness should come over our hearts as we remember that we are to see her familiar form never again in these courts of the Lord's house which she loved so well, and in whose prosperity she has from the beginning manifested so lively an interest; -- that never again we are to know her cheerful smile, her cordial greeting, her pleasant words, in that dwelling which she made bright by

her presence; -- that never again she is to cross our path as we traverse this beautiful region, which through all her life has been to her the brightest spot on earth; and that the thresholds of our own homes she will pass no more. The Sovereign Disposer of events has been pleased to call her hence; and we all, and many more than we, feel that in that dealing of God with us, there has befallen us a true sorrow, a real bereavement. How could it be otherwise? If there is aught in affectionateness of disposition, in a sympathizing & loving heart, that can win our regard; -- if there is any attractive power in unselfish zeal and toil, in open-handed liberality, in public spirit, in energy, discretion, patience, cheerfulness and

courage; -- if we love those who without any ostentation or large discourse of religion, have yet religion in its full reality in their souls, and govern their lives by its exalted requisitions; -- if we honor the affectionate and faithful wife, the devoted and conscientious mother, the warm & constant friend; then how could it but be that we should have held her in the highest esteem while she lived, and that we should mourn for her with a tender, unfeigned grief now that she is dead? For, all these qualities, every one of these traits, so potent to win universal regard, she possessed, and gathered around her, as few have more successfully done, a large and ever widening circle of attached, appreciating, cordial friends.

How greatly will she be

missed in her household! How, many times every day for months to come, will the thought of her rise up in the minds of those who were most closely allied to her, and renew their sense of bereavement! The cordial sympathy, the wise counsel, the untiring interest in their welfare, the watchfulness for everything that could promote their happiness, of which she has ever been ^^{to them} the minister, -- these they will miss how deeply and how painfully! Is there any affliction that can come nearer to a child than the death of such a mother? To all the members of that household, amid the heavy gloom that has fallen upon their pathway, may there be afforded consolations which shall be neither few nor insufficient. The