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Disclaimer:The opinions on these pages are those of the writers
and don't necessarily reflect my own views. More...
Died 30th Day August |
Mrs. Catherine A. Johns
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This precious woman, After suffering from a painful consumption,
attended by a harassing cough for two years, Died in the full
hope of a blessed immortality. She possessed a character of great
symmetry and loveliness. She was amiable, sincere, modest
and affectionate. Added to these, She possessed the ornament of
a meek and quiet spirit. Her face was a true index to her heart
-- Possessed of rare beauty, She never failed to win the affection
of those with whom she associated by the sweetness of her countenance
and the gentleness of her manner. though young, yet she possessed
a mature judgement and this added to her mildness of manner and
decision of character enabled her to administer the affairs of
a large household with dignity and success. None shed tears more
freely o'er her grave than the servants of the family. So many
virtues clustering in the character of one so beautiful made her
the ornament of her family--the joy and support of her devoted
husband--the most precious of mothers, and the joy and comfort
of her aged parents. As a child she fulfilled in a high degree,
the command to honor father and mother. To them she was eminently
dutiful and affectionate, ever willing to sacrifice her own comfort
and happiness to contribute to theirs. Early in life, at the age
of fourteen, she was made a trophy of redeeming grace, during
a revival of religion at Oxford, Ohio, under the preaching of
Rev. Thornton Wills, Cincinnati. She lived a consistent, humble
christian. But the Lord determined that her pilgrimage should
be short. We removed to the neighborhood of St. Charles, Missouri
in the spring of 1844. She enjoyed fine health until September
when she was attacked with bilious fever, which continued till
the birth of her youngest child, Mary. In January following, her
cough continuing, her throat became seriously diseased and baffling
the skill of her physicians, terminated in a fatal consumption.
Her descent to the grave was gradual, attended at times with much
pain and suffering. But her trust was in that God who has said
"My grace shall ever be sufficient for thee." She contemplated
death without fear and her soul was filled with that peace and
sweet resignation which springs from a well founded hope in a
divine Savior. As the rose faded from her cheek and she drew nigh
unto death, her natural beauty was greatly increased by the heavenly
joy that filled her soul and beamed in her countenance. Sweet
submission to the divine will seemed to possess her soul and during
her long sufferings she was never heard to murmur or repine. To
such a degree were these graces manifested by her that those who
had the privilege of ministering to her felt that they were in
the presence of one, who had by the grace of God, risen above
the suffering and frailties of humanity. In view of her departure
she was enabled, in the exercise of faith, to commit her two sweet
little daughters to a covenant--keeping God--and as their natural
guardian and guide has gone to her rest, may I not fondly hope
that the Lord has made her their guardian angel in heaven. During
the last few months of her life she made frequent visits to Linden
Wood where she spent many pleasant hours with the kind and excellent
ladies who reside at that beautiful place. During the occasional
visits a strong, mutual attachment was formed between her and
the excellent Miss Ott, the teacher in the female school at that
place. This estimable lady hitherto a stranger, the Lord
provided a friend [something was erased or whited
out here] who was minister to her comfort during the last
weeks of her life, and in the affection and devotion seldom seen,
did this lady watch day and night by the bedside of this
precious woman. Thereby bringing on those, Who were so fond of
our sainted Catherine, a debt of endless gratitude. In her
dying hour, the Lord sustained her in a remarkable manner. It
was her prayer that the Lord would continue to grant her the exercise
of her reason to the last. In this she was gratified. The last
day she spent on earth was the Sabbath and at its close, entered
upon an eternal Sabbath above. The death struggle was long and
painful in the extreme, but when amidst its agonies her feeble
voice was raised in exultation and joy, the unearthly brightness
of her eyes seemed to say that the Celestial city was already
in full view. "truly precious in the sight of the Lord is
the death of his Saints." Her remains are deposited in the
private burying at Linden Wood. Such was this beautiful and lovely
woman. The fond heart of her bereaved and desolate husband gladly
pays this to her precious memory. It is inscribed for the benefit
of her dear little motherless daughters that they may see, if
the Lord spares them to grow up, what a precious mother
they have lost and that they may be encouraged to imitate her
lovely character.
John Jay Johns
Near St, Charles , Missouri
January 4, 1847
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Source: Contributed by David Willis. Location of handwritten original unknown. Transcription
to softcopy by David Willis.
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