Death of Mrs. John Harris.

 

A large number of sympathizing friends accompanied the children of our brother and fellow citizen John Harris, to the Santa Fe depot Tuesday, July 27, as they went to meet their father, returning from Marion Center, with the body of his wife. Seldom have we been present at so touching a scene as this sad meeting between the bereaved husband and father, and his children. Never have we felt the powerlessnesss of human sympathy more, than when, at the graveside, we saw the husband, the children aud the sister, as the casket lay there under the blessing sun, that still face in it looking up into the heavens whither the spirit had  flown, gathering round for a brief farewell. So a woman, a wife, a mother, a neighbor a christian good and true, after long and severe suffering, was laid away; while the solemn "earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust," and a fervent prayer, were the only tribute that, under the circumstances, could be paid.

 

Irene Hallock was born in Union County, Ohio, November 22, 1813. While quite a child, according to her own statement, she drifted into the United Brethren church along with others, her playmates and friends, without fully comprehending the step she was taking. Angust 7th, 1859, she was married to John Harris, in Iowa, and almost immediately came with him to Kansas. Neither husband nor wife were then professors of religion. But in 1869, she was truly converted, entered the M. E. thurch, with her husband, and when be entered the ministry, stood devotedly by his side In bis chosen work, indeed, amid the toil of the itineracy, she injured her health, and it was largely for her sake that Mr. Harris temporarily forsook tha regular work of the mininstry. Although her health since coming to Olathe, over a year ago, has been very poor, and much of the time she suffered intensely, through it all she has borne a deeply devout and prayerful spirit. We shall greatly miss her from the church.

 

Her last sickness found her with a christian preparation for death.. The crisis forf her disease came immediately alter reaching Marion Center last week. While approaching death, she was asked concerning her trust in Christ, said she, "I have lost no confidence in Jesus."

 

Mr. Harris and the five bereaved children, have our genuine sympathy. Allow me, for him and them, to thank the friends who manifested such great kindness during their time of suffering and sorrow.

A.E. Higgins

 

The (Olathe) Mirror and Mewsw Letter

July 29, 1880

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