FRANCIS CHARLES SMITH died 1849

SMITH

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 1/5/2019 at 19:11:46

The Miner's Express, Wednesday, Dec 19, 1849, Dubuque, IA Page 2
OBITUARY

FRANCIS CHARLES SMITH, of the Firm of F. C. & E. H. Smith, of this City, died on the 12th inst. He was a member of the Congregational Church. His piety was of that decisive character where practice takes the lead of profession, and the example is ever in the advance of precept. He was an exact and punctual businessman, but a more zealous and faithful Christian. He was attentive to business, but unwavering in duty. With him the counting room and prayer meeting seemed to sustain an intimate relation; and while he never neglected the former, he was never absent from, nor late to the latter. His business habits and manner illustrated his religion, and his devotion to the last, was the secret to his succession the first. Christianity adorned his life, and his life adorned his profession. He lived in but above the world, he tasted of its pleasures, but they were the pleasures of benevolence and faith, he engaged ardently in its pursuits, but he made them to subserve and exemplify his religion.

That such a life could have gained the victory over death; is natural, but the character of that victory, no adequate conception could have been formed. His business was pleasing and prosperous. He was in the prime of life. But five days previously, his health, for fifteen years, had been uninterrupted. Few have had greater cause of attachment to, and not higher assurance of long life. Death came emphatically at an unexpected, but not at an unexpected moment. It found his house in order. After an illness of scarcely five days, and which he had borne with a Christian fortitude that led many if not all, to mistake its severity, he became conscious that the hand of death was upon him. Oh, what a scene now burst upon those who, in great numbers gathered around his bedside. He seemed for four hours upon the trembling verge of Eternity, breathless with anxiety to depart, but still willing to remain until his Master's will was done. As the moment of dissolution approached, so did the scenes, the employments, and the joys of Heaven. At no moment of his life had given evidence of so nice discrimination of character, of such freshness of memory, of such brilliancy of intellect. This was manifest in the various counsel which he gave to those who, in their turn, received his last farewell. The point of greatest danger of impenitent, and of the weakest faith in the professor, where the subjects to which his thoughts were directed with astonishing discernment and certainty. So lucid was his mind, so unquestionable was his faith, so ardent his oft repeated desire to depart and be with Christ; so convincing the character of his triumph, that no one who witnesses his departure, would have arrested or detained it id they could.

Such, very briefly and faintly, in the outline of an event which, if it were not with example, would be convincing proof in the minds of everyone of its numerous witnesses, of the truth and power of the Gospel.

His funeral took place at 2 o'clock on Friday the 14th inst., at the Congregational Church, where a fitting and eloquent sermon was preached by Rev. JNO. C. HOLBROOK, to a very large and solemn audience.