Whilst we deplore with anguish
that the young are taken away in their unfaded
bloom, may we not embalm, with a tear, the memory of
those who have lived far beyond the allotted
threescore years and ten, if the Almighty has
mercifully vouchsafed to them intellect as
unclouded, a heart as warm as in the days when the
eye t undimmed, and the cheek glowed with beauty.
Ay, God has the prolonged life (we may so believe),
that words of wisdom and lovely counsel might have
added influence when thus confined, by the
experience of many days spent in piety and
cheerfulness; therefore, we weep to record the death
of Mrs. Johavath Marks, relict of the late
<<64>> Michael Marks, Jan. 18th, in the 85th year of
her age. The children to whom she had devoted the
vigour of her days, the grandchildren to whom, in
her age, she spate of that great Being whose
precepts had been alike her joy in prosperity, her
stay in vicissitude, all contributed, by filial
affection and duty, to render even her last days on
earth so happy, that life had not wearied her,
though in earnest prayer and humble trust, she
resigned it into the hand of Him who gave.
One Who Loved Her
Died, on the 6th of November
last, at
Charleston, S. C., in the
90th year of her age, Mrs. Bella Hart, relict
of the late Daniel. Her life and character fully
bore out the truth of King Solomon's dictum, “Favour is deceitful, beauty is vain; the
woman who feareth the Lord she is to be praised.” Born in
London
in 1762, she resided during the last 65 years of her
pious and beneficial life, in the city in which she
expired. The death of her husband left her, still in
the prime of life, with seven children, the eldest
just entering on womanhood, the younger ones mere
infants. With a degree of energy and perseverance,
not often equaled in her sex, but which, together
with piety, charity, and kindliness, formed the
leading traits in her character, ate thenceforth
devoted herself to the bringing up and prosperity of
her children. A strict observance of God’s holy law,
and orthodox from conviction, she made it her first
care to imprint on their minds, that strong
religious feeling, that firm adherence to principle,
that pure sentiment of integrity and honour which
she herself had imbibed from her own pious parents;
whilst, at the same time, her utmost zeal, prudence,
and diligence, were exerted to protect and promote
their temporal interests. Nor was her activity
limited to the well-being of her own family. But
with a heart ever ready to feel, and a hand ever
open to relieve the distressed, her ample means, and
truly beneficent disposition, enabled and prompted
her to do much good, whilst her singleness of
purpose and genuine modesty prevented her charity
from ever degenerating into ostentation. As her
children grew up, and her own declining years forced
her to lessen the sphere of her
activity, the consolations of religion, and the practice of benevolence, spread their
blessings over a life, protracted beyond the
ordinary span of mortal duration. Thus, beloved by
her children; venerated by their offspring, of whom
she saw the third generation, honoured by the
community of which she was a member, and by all who
knew her, she calmly awaited “the inevitable hour”
when her pure spirit winged its flight on high. May
she rest in glory.
|