Miami
Union
March
28, 1874
SWAIN,
MRS. ELIZABETH - Sudden Death of Mrs. Elizabeth Swain - Impressive Funeral
Ceremony - On Sunday morning last the community was startled by the announcement
of the sudden death of Mrs. Elizabeth Swain, more familiarly known as
"Sister" Swain. She was one of the most zealous co-operators of
the Women's movement, and up to Saturday night had been actively engaged in the
work. She retired in her usual health, and rested well until about five
o'clock Sunday morning. when she awakened with a smothering sensation. Her
husband was aroused and both got up, and before he could summon help, she
breathed her last, sitting in her chair. The immediate cause of her death
was disease of the heart, of which she had been troubled, but, aggravated
doubtless, by over-exertion and excitement in the work in which she was
earnestly and devotedly engaged. But be this as it may, it seems more like
a Christian translation than a death. The funeral of Sister Swain took
place at the Mulberry street Methodist Church, Monday afternoon. The
members of the League, to the number of 160 attended in a body and joined the
funeral train. At the Church they formed a line on either side of the
street-extending from Franklin street to the Church-and at the corner the
remains were unhearsed, and with the following cortege passed down through the
line to the Church, the members of the League rejoining the procession from the
Franklin street end, and continuing in succession along the line. In the
Church the services were impressively solemn.
Programme
Hymn, by the League. Hymn, by the Methodist Choir--"The saints who die in Christ do rest." Prayer, by Rev. Tenney. Scriptural Reading, by Rev. Sturgis--12th chapter of Ecclesiastes, and part of the 4th chapter of 1st Thessalonians. Hymn, by the Choir--"Oh for the rest of those who slumber in the Lord." Sermon and remarks, by Rev. Ball, from the text: "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their laborers, and their works do follow them." Rev. Ball closed with some appropriate remarks upon the life of the deceased and allusions to her faithfulness as a follower of Christ. Prayer, by Rev. Watson. Hymn, by the Choir--"Why should our tears in sorrow flow, when God recalls his own."
At the conclusion of the services the plate of the casket was removed to allow the friends a last look at the deceased sister. As they were taking a farewell of one whose life had been so heavenly, and whose death was so unlike a death, we could not but recall what a beautiful exemplification her life and death had been of the truth of Byrant's injunction, in his "Thanatopsis".
"So live, that when they summons comes to join The innumerable caravan that moves To that mysterious realm, where each shall take His chamber in the silent halls of death, Thou go not like the quarry-slave at night, Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave. Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down on pleasant dreams.
The
remains were taken to Rose Hill Cemetery, where the last and rites of a
Christian burial were performed.
OBITUARY
- Elizabeth Swain, wife of Henry D. Swain, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1812,
and died in Troy, Miami County, Ohio, March 22nd, 1874. She united with
the Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia in 1838, and in Troy, in 1854.
Sister Swain was a devoted, humble Christian-an earnest, faithful laborer;
often sacrificing her own comfort for the welfare and salvation of others, and
the glory of the Master. She believed that she, as a Christian, had a work
to do, and was not slow to embrace every opportunity to do good. To the
multitude or to an individual she was ever willing and ready to speak in the
interest of the religion of Jesus. She engaged actively in grand
temperance reform now going forward through the instrumentality of the noble
Christian women of our State and nation. She was willing to go any where
and say and do anything to prevail on men to forsake their evil ways, and
embrace the Savior of sinners. The saloon keepers of Troy will not soon
forget her earnest appeals, her kind admonitions, and her fervent prayers.
Her death was unexpected. She retired at 11 o'clock Saturday night as well
as usual. After resting well, she awoke at 5 A. M., gasping for breath,
and in a few minutes her ransomed spirit went to God. A husband and three
children and many friends mourn her loss.
B.
A CARD
- The sudden, and almost overwhelming, bereavement that has befallen me in the
death of my beloved wife, I receive as coming from the hand of the Lord.
But very much have my burdens been lightened by the sympathy of Christian
friends. I have no words with which to thank the women of the Temperance
League for their tokens of respect and love for my lamented wife. I wish,
also, to thank the four clergymen who were present and took part in the funeral
services. God bless all the citizens of Troy who have done so much to
sustain and comfort me in this my hour of sore trial. May you have around
you friends as good and true when earthly lights are extinguished in your
dwellings.
HENRY B. SWAIN
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