Fitch, Clara Mrs. 1825-1859

FITCH

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 4/28/2005 at 17:23:56

Jasper Free Press October 27, 1859
Died
Fitch, Clara Mrs.

In Newton,[IA] Oct. 9th, of heart disease, Mrs. Clara R. Fitch, in the 34th year of her age.

This dear sister was a faithful and consistent member of the M.E. Church for over sixteen years. Now she is transferred from the church militant to the church triumphant, to mingle with those "who came up through great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them feel their loss is inestimable, and we as a church also feel that we have lost the influence of an Israelite indeed, whose agreeable address and attractive manners rendered her beloved by all who knew her. But now all that is left to love is the imaginary image in the halls of memory; the tones of her voice will vibrate there upon each tender chord, until the heart bell grows soundless.

Though she regretted the absence of her husband, yet she meekly bowed to the Saviour's will, giving her friends a bright assurance of her acceptance, saying that for this preparation of heart, all the energies of her soul were engaged. We are well assured she attended to duty with unwearied constancy, and the grace that sustained her through life, severl in the hour of death as a mariner's compass on a midnight sea, to guide her soul surely and safely into the haven of eternal rest.

The Death-Bed Scene

She said: "As I can no longer stay,
But soon from earth must pass away,
Clothe this body in spotless white
When my spirit takes its lofty tight.

I must leave my litte household band,
To go and dwell in the spirit and,
Then folding her infants to her breast,
On their lips a fervent kiss impress'd.

Turning upon her dying bed,
With a tender look and tone, she said,
"Tell Edward dear, twill not be long
He'll mingle with the busy throng;

I'm going a little while before
Where soon we'll meet to part no more;
then do not bow thy trembling form
In bitter grief at death's alarm.

Our darling babes must cling to thee,
Tell them, oh! tell them, oft of me,
Folding them closer to thy breast
Strive to make them more than blessed."

Originally submitted on Sat Jun 29 17:36:58 2002 by Volunteer Transcriber