Troy Times

November 20, 1862

NEWELL, CHARLES - Died, of consumption, in Troy, Ohio, on the 5th inst., Charles Newell in the 30th year of his age. I think it rather was my privilege to visit a sick man every day drawing nearer the grave--who maintained, ____, such a patient spirit and cheerful manner, as did this young brother. He was certainly the most perfect pattern of patience I ever saw. No member of the family, no friend or acquaintance ever heard from him, during all his long, painful illness, any expression that savored of impatience.--Sometimes, when questioned about it, whether he acquiesced cheerfully in the way where God had called him to walk, his uniform reply was "Oh, yes! it's about all I can do now for him, and I am glad that I can do this!" Not only was there no murmuring, but there seemed to be a positive pleasure and real joy to him in the pain he had to endure. Several times have I heard him say that his suffering made him happy, because the more he suffered, the more in that respect, would he resemble Christ. He so often, and earnestly, dwelt on this thought, that I was afraid at one time he was trusting somewhat in the efficacy of his sufferings. But when questioned about it, he replied earnestly, "that he knew all the sufferings he endured could be no atonement for a life of sin; but having done so little for Christ, it was some comfort to him that he might endure pain cheerfully for his sake." To a brother, who was conversing with him on this subject, he replied, "When I had my body under my own control, I used it very badly; but now, when I have given up both soul and body into the hands of my Redeemer, he may use it as he pleases. He may put upon me any amount of pain, and I'll bear it all!" The nearest toward anything that savored of impatience, was the earnest cry the evening before he passed away to be at rest "Come, Lord! and take me to-night if thou wilt." Not only did this dear brother leave us a marked example of resignation, but there was a clearness of intellect a distinctness of perception as to Divine truth, and an absolute joy in contemplating heaven, which gave evidence of a nearness to Gad--very comforting to his friends. His brother, in Fulton, preceded him one week to the heavenly mansion, and when his departure was announced to Charles, he exclaimed, "Glorious news! We shall soon be reunited in heaven!" A few evenings before he died he said that "though there was the valley of the shadow of death; he saw gleam of light through the darkness; he saw the dawning of the morning and the streets of heaven!" His difficulty in breathing would not allow him to rest well the night before his departure; but he could think of the promises, and spent one of the happiest nights of his life. In the morning, though all weary with the wakefulness of labored breathing, he exclaimed, "Oh, mother, I have been so happy!" In something of the spirit of the mother of Gregory, who walked to her husband's grave clad in white, and singing songs, so Charles remarked that he did not wish any mournful hymns sung at his funeral, but rather ________. I send you for publication these few among the many comforting things he said, because it will be no small gratification to some of his friends in Cincinnati and Fulton to know that under this severe affliction he was developing an unusually bright spiritual character; that some of his old acquaintances and fellow church members, now in the army, may possibly see this and know how Charles died, and be prompted to be as true to the covenant vows, which they, with him once uttered, as they are valiant in fight and loyal to their country. And especially that his aged mother, called to give up two sons in one week, may be sustained by the reflection that they were eminently prepared for death, and are waiting to greet her when she goes HOME. W. M. C.