"And I heard a voice from Heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. From henceforth, yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them." Rev .14:18.

Probably no quotation from all the realm of literature, human or divine, more beautifully, more concisely, or more forcefully, sets forth the blessedness of the righteous dead. It is certain that nothing we could say from the most intimate knowledge of such a life, would half so well express it. With all that God has revealed to us of "that better land," our knowledge of Edenic glory is too limited.

But to the soul that has breathed the "Life Divine," what is more glorious than the death-bed of one of God's saints who has come to the earthly close of a long, useful, and Christ-devoted life. When the body, worn out by the arduous years, lies limp and cold, and the spirit, with glad release, wings its way with new-found powers, to the presence of its God and the Glory that is to be revealed at that wonderful Home-coming.Such, we have every reason to believe, is the blessedness of the Mother in Israel, whose body lies before us, and whose life we honor at this hour.

Elizabeth Crawford first saw the light of day, August 17, 1835, in Columbiana county, Ohio, where she spent the first twenty-one years of her life. Here she was married to Thomas Crawford, a native of the same community, but of no blood relationship, Nov 15, 1855. This union lasting more than 59 years, was only terminated by her passing beyond, which took place at the home of her youngest son, Harry, near Washburn, Ill., at about 1:00 a.m. Jan 30, 1915, at the ripe age of 79 years 5 months and 13 days. Her death was the first loss in the immediate family of ten.

Eight children, Samuel J. of New Market, Iowa, John G. of Caldwell, Idaho, Mrs Belle Aohbaugh, of Sherwood, Ore., Sherman, of Paris, Cal., Noah, of Oregon City, Ore., Nelson, of Lowpoint, Ill., Mrs Mary E. Summer, of Tigard, Ore., and Harry, of Washburn, Ill., in the order named, came to share their life and perpetuate, we trust, their vitures. Besides these she lived to see 42 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. Of these 68 descendants, all but six grandchildren, together with her husband, survive to mourn their great loss.

As indicating both their restless energy and the spirit of hope which they possessed in an eminent degree, we have but to mention their several removals, always westward, as the star of Empire ran. In 1856, the year following their marriage, they bade farewell to the home of their early joys, locating in Allen co., Ind. Here they spent the strength of their life. Here their children were born. And here, in 1859, she accepted the Christ as her Savior and King, uniting with the M.E. church. After a residence of 30 years they yielded to the resistless tug of Hope, and in 1886 removed to Thomas co, Kas., which proved to be home to them for 18 years. Here the husband heard the voice of the Master, and both united with the Christian church in Colby. Their next move was to Idaho, where they arrived on New Year's Day, 1904. Thence to Portland, Ore., in 1909. One more move was destined them, but this was not forced by the restless energy that had driven them almost across the Continent, nor was it the old hope. However it was hope and love; the love of their baby boy which sent him to the far Western home, to see how the dear old father and mother fared; the love that brought them to his own home on that bleak December evening, Dec 13, 1914; the love that gave them the new hope of rest and protection for the balance of life's journey in the love and devotion of their two younger sons and their families. And it was well - for that fatal malady, familiarly known as creeping paralysis, induced by a severe fall three years ago, was destined, in less than seven short weeks, to take Mother from them.

How delightsome to hear husband and children talk of her life, and it was her life as a Christian which they emphasize. As indicating something of her devotion to the Cause of Christ, mention is made that she was a Bible School teacher and Superintendent, and a devoted member of the Christian Woman's Board of Missions; her sisters in the Auxiliary at Caldwell, Idaho as a token of their appreciation of her services, presented her with a paid-up life Membership. Their first thought after arriving in Washburn was of the church and their desire to be enrolled in its membership. This was done when the minister visited them on Monday of her last week. Her great affliction and the severity of the weather deprived her of the joy of the Lord's worship, but she rejoiced that there were those here who neglected not the worship of God and the loving memorial of her Savior.

A few days before the end came, she felt its approach, called her husband, sons and families to her, bid them affectionate farewell, entreated them to meet her in the Father's home and only spoke afterward to wish for the end. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."

Funeral services, conducted by the minister, was held in the Christian church, Monday afternnon at 2:30 p.m. Interment in the Baptist cemetery.

Samuel J. Crawford of New Market, Iowa was on the only one of the six children living at a distance that was able to be present at the funeral service.