Sarah Bertha Franklin

FRANKLIN, MARLATT, FORSYTH, LEECH, REES, HARRINGTON, SHENK, LANDEN, LESOURD, TODD, VIGUS, CUDDY, MILLER, MCQUEEN

Posted By: David (email)
Date: 2/7/2005 at 16:25:36

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa
Thursday, November 28, 1907

REV. D.W.C. FRANKLIN, D.D., appointed by Bishop Moore, Presiding Elder of
the Tacoma district, at the recent session of the Puget Sound Conference, is
bereaved in the loss of his wife, SARAH BERTHA, who departed to dwell with
God, Monday evening, October 14th, as the sun neared its setting. While the
end was expected, the separation came with the keen pangs that tender love
must endure. Sunday morning premonitions of the crisis appeared. DR.
FRANKLIN held his quarterly meeting at First Church, Tacoma, but during the
rest of the day and throughout Monday remained close beside the companion of
his years, till she fell asleep in Jesus, as gently as a babe upon its
mother's breast. No spasm, or convulsion, such as the spinal trouble which
brought dissolution would be likely to cause, disturbed the peaceful passing
For more than a year she had faced the inevitable, with a Christian
forbearance and faith that bespoke the soul's inheritance above.

MRS. FRANKLIN was a native of Prince Edward's Island. For thirty-five years
she shared with her husband the sacred duties of home, and bore with him,
from the beginning of his ministry, the sacrifices and labors of an
itinerant. The virtues of her lofty character and self-efficiency placed in
her husband's purposes and life. Her friends were legion. She was queen
within her home, and made her parish parsonages centers of inspiration for
the husband in his calling, for the loved ones, and for the members of the
churches where she lived. Her disposition provided no place for harboring
the small things and weaknesses of others. But with sweet charity she
overlooked the little, hectoring occurrences that make bitter the lot of a
minister, if but permitted. The outflow of her life gave cheer,
encouragement, and steadiness of purpose in the higher walks of life.

It is a kind providence that surrounds the sorrowing husband with these near
of kin. His wife's sister and his own sister are in this Puget Sound
section, while their only living child, a son, with his wife and a little
grandson, will make a home for the bereaved father. The precious children
preceded her to the Heavenly land.

It was permitted MRS. FRANKLIN to be in her new home in Tacoma a few weeks.
Loving hands had prepared the place for her coming. The change from Seattle
was attended with every mark of kindness, on the part of the transportation
officials. The day was one of sunshine and balmy air. When her eyes rested
upon the beautiful lawns, the blooming flowers, and shade trees within and
about her home, she settled back in complete contentment and rest, happy in
the unspoken message of welcome from nature's beautiful environment. New
friends were about her, and some old ones of other days in the East. Thus,
for a few days, her last earthly home became a symbol of the still more
beautiful change that awaited her.

On Thursday, the 17th, from 10 o'clock in the morning till near the service
in the church, the quiet form, so peaceful, and with the lines of care and
suffering vanished from her face, reposed for the tears and farewells of
friends, within the home. Dear friends from Trinity Church, Seattle, where
she had lived with her husband during his two years' pastorate there, came
and mingled their sorrow with his. The undertaker was an old Iowa friend,
for whom DR. FRANKLIN had been both pastor and presiding elder. The funeral
service was held from Epworth Church, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The
Seattle Methodist Preachers' Meeting was represented by a committee to bear
their sympathy. The hymns sung were, "Who are These Arrayed in White,"
Give me the Wings of Faith to Rise," "Sunset and Evening Stars." Dr. J.P.
Marlatt, of First Church, Tacoma, led in the opening prayer. Rev. W.H.
Forsyth, of Ballard, and Rev. W.H. Leech, of Trinity, Seattle, read from the
Scriptures. Dr. W.H.W. Rees, pastor of First church, Seattle, and for
twenty-seven years a member with DR. FRANKLIN of the same Conference in Iowa
preached from the words of Jesus, "I go to prepare a place for you." This
brief notice will not permit of an extended review of the consoling words,
so eloquently uttered that went from the heart of the speaker to the hearts
of those who mourned. But the preparation by loving hands of the beautiful
Tacoma was made a simile of the loving work of preparation, on the part of
the Master, for those who are to dwell with Him. Following Dr. Rees, Dr. W
S. Harrington, Presiding Elder of the Seattle district, who had become
intimately acquainted with MRS. FRANKLIN as her Presiding Elder spoke very
touchingly. Dr. W.W. Shenk, of Epworth Church, led in the closing prayer.
The brethren of the ministry, who carried the casket to its resting place in
Tacoma Cemetery, a spot as beautiful in surroundings as the home she had
left, were: Rev. G.A. Landen, presiding elder of Centralia district; Rev. E
H. Todd, D.D., corresponding secretary of the University of Puget Sound; Rev
D.G. LeSourd, D.D., pioneer presiding elder and pastor in the conference;
Rev. G.L. Cuddy, secretary of the conference; Rev. Joel Vigus, president of
the Tacoma Methodist Preachers' Meeting, and Rev. J.W. Miller, pastor of
Central Church. Those participating in the service at the grave were:
Brothers D.G. LeSound, C.E. Todd, J.T. McQueen, E.H. Todd, G.L. Cuddy, J.P.
Marlatt, and G.A. Landen, while others were present to see the beloved form
laid to rest. How tenderly we Christians lay our dead away. The hope
begotten, of the resurrection, gives sanctity to the tenantless clay, and
the last words of farewell here are swallowed up in the greetings of the
other side. DR. FRANKLIN stricken in love, but strong in faith, has the
profound affection and sympathy of his brethren in this hour.

-- PACIFIC CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
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January 13, 2005
iggy29@rnetinc.net