Nauvoo Neighbor, May 28, 1845, p.3
OBITUARY.
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Died on Thursday, May 22d., Mrs. Caroline, wife of Mr. William Smith, aged 30y, 4m.
There seems to be a strange futility following this devoted family. Hardly four years have passed since one of five brothers departed this life; and not a year has gone by since three of them have gone to that bourne whence no traveller returns; two of them were inhumanely murdered by a cowardly mob, while under the protection of the laws. and the solemn pledge of the Governor, and the death of the other, doubtless, greatly accelerated in consequence of his mourning and grief, for the loss of his beloved brethren. And now, there is but one left. All of them were in the prime of their manhood, in the vigor of their intellect and in the midst of a most useful and glorious career. But they are gone — for what purpose, He only knows, “who giveth and who taketh away” — ‘blessed be his holy name.”
The last of the Smiths, by another afflictive dispensation of Providence is now called to add his tears, for the loss of a beloved companion, to those of the widows and children of the deceased brothers, for their husbands and fathers
Truly, “in the midst of life we are in death.” But, God “who tempereth the wind to the shorn lamb,” will doubtless order every thing for the benefit of his children, and the accomplishment of his great designs. Our beloved sister has only passed behind the veil, and is now enjoying the full fruition of all her troubles, trials, and tribulations in this cold unfriendly world, where her sweetness of charity and disposition, and her virtues rightly appreciated by all who knew her. She was indeed one of whom the world was not worthy, and she died in the firm belief that her “redeemer liveth, and shall stand in the latter day upon the earth.” For three successive years, she suffered the most exquisite pain, with the patience of a sincere and devoted christian and a resignation to the will of God well worthy of imitation. After enduring so much in this life, and dying in the triumphs of the Gospel, and in the faith of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who can doubt, but that she is now enjoying a glorious reward for all her sufferings, at the right hand of God, in the mansions of eternal bliss. Through the long period of her sickness, every thing that the most consummate skill could devise, and the most unequaled love invent, was done for the relief of the sweet sufferer. But all was of no avail. Human skills could not restore her to her health and happiness among her friends — she has gone to enjoy a far greater happiness in the regions of the blest. The friends and relatives of the deceased can have no painful reminiscences of neglect to call up, for every thing was done to make her comfortable, and smooth her journey through “this vail of tears.” It is natural to mourn the loss of our friends, for, to be deprived of their company, conversation, and example, is, indeed, a great loss; but, let us remember, “that our loss is their infinite gain,.” Let not the relatives of the deceased “mourn as those who have no hope,” for the time is not distant, when you will meet again to part no more forever; where you can enjoy her sweet company through unnumbered ages, in the celestial kingdom of our God, where there is no more death, sorrow, sickness, or pain, but ecstatic joy and everlasting bliss, in the company of the redeemed for evermore. Remember that “our light afflictions are but for a moment and will work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” The connexions and friends of the deceased were, no doubt, somewhat prepared for her departure, as it was evident for some time before her final end, that she was not long for this world, but, however resigned and prepared we may be, when death comes, it comes sudden;y, as was the case in this instance. But, as saints, who live in hope of a glorious resurrection, they should not murmur at the dispensations of Providence, which are ill suited to the accomplishment of his great purposes.
She has left two orphan children to mourn the loss of their beloved mother, and they most bitterly weep over her departed remains; a father’s care will but inadequately supply the loss of a mother’s tenderness, and they will, doubtless, see many times, when they will most keenly feel their loss; but time, the grand panacea for all earthly wounds, will, gradually heal their grief, and they will live in hopes of again meeting her in heaven, and there with renewed pleasure receive her parental care. The departed was a faithful companion, a devoted wife, a fond mother, and a true friend, as such, her loss must be greatly felt by the whole circle of her numerous acquaintances and friends. And the entire community will sympathize in the grief of her afflicted partner, the only surviving brother of our lamented Prophet and Patriarch, whose murder, yet unavenged, calls loudly from the blood-stained walls of Carthage jail, for justice on their murderers. For, although offences must come, yet wo be to them by whom they come, and notwithstanding God suffered the murder of these noble men, to answer his own purposes; yet, great and tremendous will be the punishment of those by whom the deed was committed. “Vengeance is mine saith the Lord; and I will repay;” in his hands we leave it. When the trump of God shall sound, and the sleeping dead rise from their graves, then can we strike hands with our departed friends and relatives, enjoy their society, and in their company, tune our voices in praise to Israel’s God; while those wicked men who had power over us here, will be weeping, wailing and gnashing their teeth in the regions of the damned.
Then will they most bitterly repent their unhallowed persecution of God’s people, and the stings of their guilty consciences will add fresh fuel to the flame already gnawing their vitals.
The doctrine of the resurrection, is a most glorious one. It is the solace of the miserable, the comfort of the mourner, the hope of the righteous, and the curse of the wicked; it is to this joy-inspiring principle, that we refer the relations and friends of the deceased for consolation. But a few years will pass, during which she will be in a society where her virtues will be rightly established, before you will be called to travel the same road and enter upon an untried sphere of existence,
May you be as well prepared and as resigned to the will of God as she was. May her glorious example and righteous precepts be long imprinted upon your memory, and when you meet above, may she welcome you to her embrace, and continue her kind offices to you in another world, as she has done in this.