Obituaries Australia

The death of the late Mrs. E. [Jane] Vickery, of 'Edina,' Waverley, removes one of the members of our Church whose life for many years adorned her profession, and whose good deeds will live more in the grateful and loving memory than in public records. The deceased lady had attained a ripe old age, and had spent a life that has left a gap far wider than that in her home and family, for many around will miss the sweet and gracious ministry she exercised. Her funeral took place on Saturday morning last, and was conducted, at the special request of the family, by the Rev. George Lane, D.D., who was assisted by the Revs. F. Colwell and W. G. Taylor. In the service in the house the Rev. F. Colwell read from the first epistle to the Thessalonians, the 4th chapter. Referring to the words of the epistle, Dr. Lane said: — 'That is our hope concerning her whose mortal remains lie before us. She has died at home, surrounded by her family, tenderly ministered to by those nearest and dearest to her, in peace and love with all around her, and in the faith and hope of the Christian belief. She went down through the valley and shadow of death fearing no evil, for the Lord was with her. She died in a ripe and completed old age, a greatly beloved wife and mother. She was a woman of singular sweetness and attractiveness of spirit. Not only her own immediate family of children and children's children, but the servants in her household and her large circle of friends and acquaintances felt the charm of that spirit. To all the ministers appointed to the circuit, to their wives and the members of their families, she was remarkable for her great kindness, sympathy, and generosity. Her married life extended over more than half a century. The death of a good Christian mother is ever a great loss to the family. Our mothers are ever dear to us, and the older we grow the more lovingly and reverently we think of them. A mother's love is the earliest, the purest and most enduring of all earthly loves. In a village churchyard on an old stone, all weather-marked and stained, and crumbling with age, was this inscription: 'In memory of our mother. She always made home happy.' What a noble record was this. Precious was the memory of such a mother to her husband and children. They who knew her best had engraven on that rude stone their testimony to her beautiful life. Happy and privileged are those who have such a mother to care for, to train and to influence their childhood. Such a mother was our departed friend in this family and home.

'It is right that we should mourn and lament over such a death, but not as those who have no hope. Our natural instincts and religious teaching prompt us to this. Abraham mourned for Sarah, and Jacob for Rachel, and even Jesus Himself wept at the grave of His friend Lazarus. Yet this is not the end of such a life as hers. She has gone to be with Christ, which is far better, and we may hope to meet her again in the land of life and love.

'The last portion of Scripture which, at her own request, her now bereaved husband read to her was part of the 14th chapter of St. John's Gospel, which records those words of Jesus Christ to His disciples on the eve of His own departure. No one else could have uttered such words but the Son of God, the Lord from heaven. 'He disclosed and unclosed heaven and gave to them the firm assurance of heavenly blessedness in His own presence there. This is our blessed hope of immortality.

'It is right that we should reverently lay to rest the mortal body redeemed by Christ, and share in the glorious resurrection unto eternal life. Religion sanctifies these earthly relationships of ours, and supplies us with the only sufficient comfort in times of bereavement such as this.'

A very large concourse followed in the funeral procession, and numerous wreaths testified to wide esteem and respect.

At the cemetery gates between twenty and thirty of the ministers of our Church formed in front of the hearse and preceded it to the place of interment. At the grave the service was conducted by Dr. Lane, assisted by the President of the Conference (Rev. W. Halse Rogers) and the Revs. F. Colwell and W. Woolls Rutledge.