| Lucy H Tharp |
|---|
Lucy H. Adsit, wife of the Rev. T. D. Tharp, of the North Indiana Conference, died at Russiaville, Ind., May 28, 1884, aged 43 years. She was born in Delaware county, Indiana. Her parents were pious. When she was but eight years of age her mother died, but that mother had not neglected her daughter's religious education, for she had taught her to pray as early as she could remember. In one of those childish prayers our sister was converted. She gave all to Christ, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in her early girlhood. Mrs. Tharp was well educated, and finely cultured. When she was sixteen years old she was married to the Rev W. S. Bradford, a promising young minister of the North Indiana Conference. With him she shared the toils and cares of itinerant life, until he died of ill health contracted in the service of his country in the army. Her second marriage was to our Bro. Tharp, to whom she was ever a true and faithful wife in all things. When he felt called to enter the itinerant ministry, she made no objection, but cheerfully went forth a second time to this work. Although quite frail, she willingly did all that she could. For several years before her death she had been a sufferer, but bore it all without a murmur. She declined very rapidly for the last two months, and within a few weeks after their removal to their new charge, at Russiaville, it became evident that the end was near. For two weeks she suffered intensely. About an hour before her death her pains ceased, and all became calm. She was more beautiful and radiant than ever. She asked her husband to read. He quoted some passages of Scripture, but she said, ' No, read." As he took the book, she said, "Now, all sit down," He read the 23d psalm, and turning to the 14th of John's gospel, said, " Do you understand?" Nodding assent, she said again, "Read." He read part of this chapter, and, turning to John's epistles, read portions from them, until she said, " That will do ; now all be still, and let me go to sleep." She then sank into a peaceful slumber, and when she awoke she was in the many mansions, and with the Savior whom she trusted. Our sister was a true Christian woman, faithful in all things. Her life was one of devotion to God, his church, and its institutions. She loved the Missionary Society especially, and was actively engaged in the work of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. Her life always exemplified the true Christian charity as described by Paul. Her married life was eminently happy, and her love to her husband was devoted, sincere, and unremitting. Especially during the closing months of her life her religious experience was luminous, and her prayers and testimonies were filled with the power of the Holy Ghost. She was loved by all who knew her, and especially at Marion, where her home had been so long, and where a multitude of friends mourn her loss. Every possible kindness and care was shown her in her illness in the new charge to which she had but just come. Her funeral services took place at Marion, and were conducted by the Rev. A. Greenman, and in the beautifal cemetery in that city her dust awaits the resurrection morning. May our Brother find support in the precious consolations of the gospel, which he has so often extended to others in like circumstances. May he again find in the other life her who is not lost, but only gone before. |