RAMSAY, Alexander ( -1853)

RAMSAY

Posted By: Jane Adams (email)
Date: 2/12/2005 at 18:04:19

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Thursday, November 24, 1853
Page 3, Column 2.

DIED—At his residence two miles northwest of Fairfield, on the morning of the 17th inst., of chronic dyspepsia and disease of the lungs, Mr. Alexander RAMSAY, in the 62d year of his age.

Mr. RAMSAY was a native of Scotland. Having emigrated to the United States in early life, he united with the Presbyterian church in Washington, Pa., of which he was a member for 25 or 30 years. After his removal to Iowa, he united with the Presbyterian church of Fairfield, then under the pastoral charge of the REV. L. G. Bell, and continued a consistent and devoted member up to the time of his death.

Few men give better evidence of a more thorough work of divine grace, and but few lives were more richly beautified by the lovely virtues of Christianity. Entirely without ostentation in any phase of his character, his piety was modest, unassuming and profound. His desease (sic) was insidious and complicated, and for nearly a year before his death, he was prevented from mingling with the people of God in the public services of the sanctuary. But as his bodily vigor abated his spiritual strength seemed to be renewed day by day. His christian sensibilities were keenly alive to the comfort and well-being of his surviving family; and while his "house was duly set in order" for their temporal advantage, he left them the legacy of a beautiful example and of a tranquil, triumphant death for their spiritual encouragement.

A remarkable weanedness from the world, and an unusual sprituality (sic) of mind, were apparent and impressive features of his closing history, so that what strangers remarked in his life was suggested at his death by one who had known him well, that few men could be found better prepared to died. So much was he accustomed to think and speak of death, that his experience in this respect seemed to have ripened into habits, nor was he ever taken by surprise when the subject of death was suggested, or when attacked, as repeatedly he was, by a sudden hemorrhage of the lungs. Often were his confidences brought into sudden and severe trials, and often did he seize upon the occasion to commend Christ and his salvation to the acceptance of his children and friends. Kindred to that of heaven itself was the atmosphere of his sick chamber, and calm and clear as a summer sunset the visions of his faith and hope.

To all the relations of life he was an ornament, and by none will his loss be more deeply appreciated than by those who knew him best; and while his family and the church below, are called to mourn his departure, how well may our grief be sweetened by the assurance that with him "it is well." In view of a life so pious, so consistent, as the only preparation for a death so happy and hopeful, may we who survie (sic), aspire, after his example, to the "life of the righteous, that our latter end may be like him." He "sleeps in Jesus," no more to wake until the voice of the "son of man" shall bid him rise, to enter with all the redeemed from among men, upon the "far more exceding (sic) and eternal weight of glory" to which their glorified bodies and spirits shall then be promoted.

S.C.M.

This data has been transcribed for genealogical purposes; I am not related to the subject.