OBITUARY
Samuel Cowles, son of Dea. Simeon Mills of Richland, died, March 20th, 1843, aged 19 years,
Samuel C. Mills was born in the town of Orangeville, Wyoming Co, N.Y. When quite young his parents removed to the eastern part of this state, where they resided until about eleven years since, when they came to Richland. From his earliest childhood Samuel manifested a degree of tenderness, a kind and amiable disposition that won the respect of all who knew him. From a very early age he evinced a great reverence for God, a special regard for the sacred institution of religion, and would seem to take much delight in conversing of the things of another world. When about ten years of age, his mind was seriously impressed with the importance of religion; and it seemed for a time that the Holy Spirit was striving within him. He did not however obtain a satisfactory evidence that he was indeed a child of God, but seemed ever after to have an abiding impression of eternal things, and was very punctual in discharging the private duties of religion. Four years after, while attending a protracted meeting in R., his attention was turned to the subject of his soul's salvation, At this time his views of sin were clear and strong, and his impression of truth, deep and lasting. He was led to see his lost and undone condition as a sinner, a rebel against the holy law of God, and the awful danger of living an enemy to his Savior. Returning from church one evening, he had such a realizing sense of his true condition that he could not refrain weeping. On his father's inquiring the cause of his grief, he replied, "O I feel that I am a great sinner," at the same time requesting his brother to go to his chamber to pray with him. That night he was rejoicing in hope through a crucified Savior. He soon after made a public profession of religion, and united with the first Presbt. Church in R., where he has since been an active member, adorning his profession a consistent Christian life. In times of religious apathy, Samuel manifested the same uniformity of feeling, and maintained in a good degree a spirit of prayer. He seemed to feel a deep and lively interest in all the great moral and benevolent enterprises of the day, and could not feel at rest until he had formed a plan to obtain an education that would enable him to be of some service to his fellow creatures. The great object of his mind appeared to be a desire to preach the gospel to his dying fellow men, although the low estimate he bad formed of it is piety and talents, caused him to shrink from the responsibilities of so sacred an office.
He was seized with a violent attack of the lung fever sometime in the month of August, which reduced him to all appearance near the brink of the grave. He never entirely recovered from the effects of this attack. A dry cough which immediately followed, told too plainly that consumption was preying at his vitals. His physician however owing to the peculiar nature of his disease, entertained strong hopes of his recovery; but God's ways are not as our ways. His health continued to decline till spring, when he became sensible that he could survive but a short time. He received the intelligence with the utmost composure, expressing an entire resignation to the will of God.
At his special request weekly prayer meetings were held at his father's house—meetings which will never be forgotten by many who assembled there. These meetings were rendered doubly interesting, by Samuel's always taking an active part, both in general and personal exhortation. He would often when speaking on the subject of death, look at his pale emaciated limbs and exclaim, "How soon these hands will become food for worms, but the grave has no terrors for me. I feel that I am going to dwell with my Savior. And again, while conversing with a friend, "the spring will soon come, the earth will be dressed in all its vernal beauty, but I shall have passed away, my name will soon be forgotten."'
Although he evidently failed very fast, his family were not aware of his leaving them set soon till Friday morning when his relatives and friends were railed in to witness his final departure. He prayed earnestly that he might have his reason to the last when his speech shortly after failed. Sabbath morning, as the members of his family stood around his bed side, he took each one affectionately by the hand and bade them a silent farewell. He lingered until nine o'clock on Monday when he fell asleep, to wake no more till summoned by "the blast that wakes the dead."
The funeral services were attended the following day at the Presbyterian Church, and notwithstanding the weather was extremely cold, a large congregation of all ages were present. A sermon was preached by the Rev. Calvin Clark, Pastor, from Prov., 14, 32d, "The righteous bath hope in his death." The following lines composed for the occasion by a friend of the deceased were sung.
Farewell friend, thy days are numbered,
There thou suff'rest pain no more ;
Now thy sorrows here are ended,
All thy mortal griefs are o'er.
Ling'ring sickness pain and suff'ring,
Wasted soon dry youthful might,
But thy pains are changed to blessings,
Gloomy doubts to glorious light.
Hem thy loss we mourn in sadness,
Loss to in, but gain to thee;
For thy sorrows turned to gladness,'
Thou from every pain art free.
Often thou didst kindly bed tat,
Now prepare your God to meet;
But that warning voice has left us,
We no more its sounds do greet.
Vacant now that lofty station,
Which on earth you filled so well;
Thine in heav'n, a better portion,
Where no pain or sorrow dwell.
Yet we hope at last in heaven
We may join the song of praise;
There no more front thee be riven,
There no farewell song to raise.
And the hymn, "When blooming youth is snatched away."
Four young men about the same age of the deceased, and members of the same class in the Sab. school, attended as pall bearers white a long procession of mourning friends followed his remains to the grave. He sleeps in the village church yard. In the death of this friend the church has lost one of its most promising members, the Sabbath school and Bible class in regular attendant, and large circle of acquaintance, a much beloved and valued friend. That voice so often heard in the circle of prayer, the fervent and earnest petition at the throne of grace will be heard no more. The hind exhortation, the frigidly warning, will never be lost by those with whom he was conversant. He has left a number of relatives to mourn his loss, yet they mourn, not as those who mourn without hope. They have the pleasing assurance that he has made a joyful exchange, an exchange from earth to that happy Heaven where the rain bow of God's glory, will never fade, where the stars of his righteousness will never go out.
Kalamazoo Gazette May 26, 1843 page 2
Samuel Cowles, son of Dea. Simeon Mills of Richland, died, March 20th, 1843, aged 19 years,
Samuel C. Mills was born in the town of Orangeville, Wyoming Co, N.Y. When quite young his parents removed to the eastern part of this state, where they resided until about eleven years since, when they came to Richland. From his earliest childhood Samuel manifested a degree of tenderness, a kind and amiable disposition that won the respect of all who knew him. From a very early age he evinced a great reverence for God, a special regard for the sacred institution of religion, and would seem to take much delight in conversing of the things of another world. When about ten years of age, his mind was seriously impressed with the importance of religion; and it seemed for a time that the Holy Spirit was striving within him. He did not however obtain a satisfactory evidence that he was indeed a child of God, but seemed ever after to have an abiding impression of eternal things, and was very punctual in discharging the private duties of religion. Four years after, while attending a protracted meeting in R., his attention was turned to the subject of his soul's salvation, At this time his views of sin were clear and strong, and his impression of truth, deep and lasting. He was led to see his lost and undone condition as a sinner, a rebel against the holy law of God, and the awful danger of living an enemy to his Savior. Returning from church one evening, he had such a realizing sense of his true condition that he could not refrain weeping. On his father's inquiring the cause of his grief, he replied, "O I feel that I am a great sinner," at the same time requesting his brother to go to his chamber to pray with him. That night he was rejoicing in hope through a crucified Savior. He soon after made a public profession of religion, and united with the first Presbt. Church in R., where he has since been an active member, adorning his profession a consistent Christian life. In times of religious apathy, Samuel manifested the same uniformity of feeling, and maintained in a good degree a spirit of prayer. He seemed to feel a deep and lively interest in all the great moral and benevolent enterprises of the day, and could not feel at rest until he had formed a plan to obtain an education that would enable him to be of some service to his fellow creatures. The great object of his mind appeared to be a desire to preach the gospel to his dying fellow men, although the low estimate he bad formed of it is piety and talents, caused him to shrink from the responsibilities of so sacred an office.
He was seized with a violent attack of the lung fever sometime in the month of August, which reduced him to all appearance near the brink of the grave. He never entirely recovered from the effects of this attack. A dry cough which immediately followed, told too plainly that consumption was preying at his vitals. His physician however owing to the peculiar nature of his disease, entertained strong hopes of his recovery; but God's ways are not as our ways. His health continued to decline till spring, when he became sensible that he could survive but a short time. He received the intelligence with the utmost composure, expressing an entire resignation to the will of God.
At his special request weekly prayer meetings were held at his father's house—meetings which will never be forgotten by many who assembled there. These meetings were rendered doubly interesting, by Samuel's always taking an active part, both in general and personal exhortation. He would often when speaking on the subject of death, look at his pale emaciated limbs and exclaim, "How soon these hands will become food for worms, but the grave has no terrors for me. I feel that I am going to dwell with my Savior. And again, while conversing with a friend, "the spring will soon come, the earth will be dressed in all its vernal beauty, but I shall have passed away, my name will soon be forgotten."'
Although he evidently failed very fast, his family were not aware of his leaving them set soon till Friday morning when his relatives and friends were railed in to witness his final departure. He prayed earnestly that he might have his reason to the last when his speech shortly after failed. Sabbath morning, as the members of his family stood around his bed side, he took each one affectionately by the hand and bade them a silent farewell. He lingered until nine o'clock on Monday when he fell asleep, to wake no more till summoned by "the blast that wakes the dead."
The funeral services were attended the following day at the Presbyterian Church, and notwithstanding the weather was extremely cold, a large congregation of all ages were present. A sermon was preached by the Rev. Calvin Clark, Pastor, from Prov., 14, 32d, "The righteous bath hope in his death." The following lines composed for the occasion by a friend of the deceased were sung.
Farewell friend, thy days are numbered,
There thou suff'rest pain no more ;
Now thy sorrows here are ended,
All thy mortal griefs are o'er.
Ling'ring sickness pain and suff'ring,
Wasted soon dry youthful might,
But thy pains are changed to blessings,
Gloomy doubts to glorious light.
Hem thy loss we mourn in sadness,
Loss to in, but gain to thee;
For thy sorrows turned to gladness,'
Thou from every pain art free.
Often thou didst kindly bed tat,
Now prepare your God to meet;
But that warning voice has left us,
We no more its sounds do greet.
Vacant now that lofty station,
Which on earth you filled so well;
Thine in heav'n, a better portion,
Where no pain or sorrow dwell.
Yet we hope at last in heaven
We may join the song of praise;
There no more front thee be riven,
There no farewell song to raise.
And the hymn, "When blooming youth is snatched away."
Four young men about the same age of the deceased, and members of the same class in the Sab. school, attended as pall bearers white a long procession of mourning friends followed his remains to the grave. He sleeps in the village church yard. In the death of this friend the church has lost one of its most promising members, the Sabbath school and Bible class in regular attendant, and large circle of acquaintance, a much beloved and valued friend. That voice so often heard in the circle of prayer, the fervent and earnest petition at the throne of grace will be heard no more. The hind exhortation, the frigidly warning, will never be lost by those with whom he was conversant. He has left a number of relatives to mourn his loss, yet they mourn, not as those who mourn without hope. They have the pleasing assurance that he has made a joyful exchange, an exchange from earth to that happy Heaven where the rain bow of God's glory, will never fade, where the stars of his righteousness will never go out.
Kalamazoo Gazette May 26, 1843 page 2
OBITUARY
Samuel Cowles, son of Dea. Simeon Mills of Richland, died, March 20th, 1843, aged 19 years,
Samuel C. Mills was born in the town of Orangeville, Wyoming Co, N.Y. When quite young his parents removed to the eastern part of this state, where they resided until about eleven years since, when they came to Richland. From his earliest childhood Samuel manifested a degree of tenderness, a kind and amiable disposition that won the respect of all who knew him. From a very early age he evinced a great reverence for God, a special regard for the sacred institution of religion, and would seem to take much delight in conversing of the things of another world. When about ten years of age, his mind was seriously impressed with the importance of religion; and it seemed for a time that the Holy Spirit was striving within him. He did not however obtain a satisfactory evidence that he was indeed a child of God, but seemed ever after to have an abiding impression of eternal things, and was very punctual in discharging the private duties of religion. Four years after, while attending a protracted meeting in R., his attention was turned to the subject of his soul's salvation, At this time his views of sin were clear and strong, and his impression of truth, deep and lasting. He was led to see his lost and undone condition as a sinner, a rebel against the holy law of God, and the awful danger of living an enemy to his Savior. Returning from church one evening, he had such a realizing sense of his true condition that he could not refrain weeping. On his father's inquiring the cause of his grief, he replied, "O I feel that I am a great sinner," at the same time requesting his brother to go to his chamber to pray with him. That night he was rejoicing in hope through a crucified Savior. He soon after made a public profession of religion, and united with the first Presbt. Church in R., where he has since been an active member, adorning his profession a consistent Christian life. In times of religious apathy, Samuel manifested the same uniformity of feeling, and maintained in a good degree a spirit of prayer. He seemed to feel a deep and lively interest in all the great moral and benevolent enterprises of the day, and could not feel at rest until he had formed a plan to obtain an education that would enable him to be of some service to his fellow creatures. The great object of his mind appeared to be a desire to preach the gospel to his dying fellow men, although the low estimate he bad formed of it is piety and talents, caused him to shrink from the responsibilities of so sacred an office.
He was seized with a violent attack of the lung fever sometime in the month of August, which reduced him to all appearance near the brink of the grave. He never entirely recovered from the effects of this attack. A dry cough which immediately followed, told too plainly that consumption was preying at his vitals. His physician however owing to the peculiar nature of his disease, entertained strong hopes of his recovery; but God's ways are not as our ways. His health continued to decline till spring, when he became sensible that he could survive but a short time. He received the intelligence with the utmost composure, expressing an entire resignation to the will of God.
At his special request weekly prayer meetings were held at his father's house—meetings which will never be forgotten by many who assembled there. These meetings were rendered doubly interesting, by Samuel's always taking an active part, both in general and personal exhortation. He would often when speaking on the subject of death, look at his pale emaciated limbs and exclaim, "How soon these hands will become food for worms, but the grave has no terrors for me. I feel that I am going to dwell with my Savior. And again, while conversing with a friend, "the spring will soon come, the earth will be dressed in all its vernal beauty, but I shall have passed away, my name will soon be forgotten."'
Although he evidently failed very fast, his family were not aware of his leaving them set soon till Friday morning when his relatives and friends were railed in to witness his final departure. He prayed earnestly that he might have his reason to the last when his speech shortly after failed. Sabbath morning, as the members of his family stood around his bed side, he took each one affectionately by the hand and bade them a silent farewell. He lingered until nine o'clock on Monday when he fell asleep, to wake no more till summoned by "the blast that wakes the dead."
The funeral services were attended the following day at the Presbyterian Church, and notwithstanding the weather was extremely cold, a large congregation of all ages were present. A sermon was preached by the Rev. Calvin Clark, Pastor, from Prov., 14, 32d, "The righteous bath hope in his death." The following lines composed for the occasion by a friend of the deceased were sung.
Farewell friend, thy days are numbered,
There thou suff'rest pain no more ;
Now thy sorrows here are ended,
All thy mortal griefs are o'er.
Ling'ring sickness pain and suff'ring,
Wasted soon dry youthful might,
But thy pains are changed to blessings,
Gloomy doubts to glorious light.
Hem thy loss we mourn in sadness,
Loss to in, but gain to thee;
For thy sorrows turned to gladness,'
Thou from every pain art free.
Often thou didst kindly bed tat,
Now prepare your God to meet;
But that warning voice has left us,
We no more its sounds do greet.
Vacant now that lofty station,
Which on earth you filled so well;
Thine in heav'n, a better portion,
Where no pain or sorrow dwell.
Yet we hope at last in heaven
We may join the song of praise;
There no more front thee be riven,
There no farewell song to raise.
And the hymn, "When blooming youth is snatched away."
Four young men about the same age of the deceased, and members of the same class in the Sab. school, attended as pall bearers white a long procession of mourning friends followed his remains to the grave. He sleeps in the village church yard. In the death of this friend the church has lost one of its most promising members, the Sabbath school and Bible class in regular attendant, and large circle of acquaintance, a much beloved and valued friend. That voice so often heard in the circle of prayer, the fervent and earnest petition at the throne of grace will be heard no more. The hind exhortation, the frigidly warning, will never be lost by those with whom he was conversant. He has left a number of relatives to mourn his loss, yet they mourn, not as those who mourn without hope. They have the pleasing assurance that he has made a joyful exchange, an exchange from earth to that happy Heaven where the rain bow of God's glory, will never fade, where the stars of his righteousness will never go out.
Kalamazoo Gazette May 26, 1843 page 2
Samuel Cowles, son of Dea. Simeon Mills of Richland, died, March 20th, 1843, aged 19 years,
Samuel C. Mills was born in the town of Orangeville, Wyoming Co, N.Y. When quite young his parents removed to the eastern part of this state, where they resided until about eleven years since, when they came to Richland. From his earliest childhood Samuel manifested a degree of tenderness, a kind and amiable disposition that won the respect of all who knew him. From a very early age he evinced a great reverence for God, a special regard for the sacred institution of religion, and would seem to take much delight in conversing of the things of another world. When about ten years of age, his mind was seriously impressed with the importance of religion; and it seemed for a time that the Holy Spirit was striving within him. He did not however obtain a satisfactory evidence that he was indeed a child of God, but seemed ever after to have an abiding impression of eternal things, and was very punctual in discharging the private duties of religion. Four years after, while attending a protracted meeting in R., his attention was turned to the subject of his soul's salvation, At this time his views of sin were clear and strong, and his impression of truth, deep and lasting. He was led to see his lost and undone condition as a sinner, a rebel against the holy law of God, and the awful danger of living an enemy to his Savior. Returning from church one evening, he had such a realizing sense of his true condition that he could not refrain weeping. On his father's inquiring the cause of his grief, he replied, "O I feel that I am a great sinner," at the same time requesting his brother to go to his chamber to pray with him. That night he was rejoicing in hope through a crucified Savior. He soon after made a public profession of religion, and united with the first Presbt. Church in R., where he has since been an active member, adorning his profession a consistent Christian life. In times of religious apathy, Samuel manifested the same uniformity of feeling, and maintained in a good degree a spirit of prayer. He seemed to feel a deep and lively interest in all the great moral and benevolent enterprises of the day, and could not feel at rest until he had formed a plan to obtain an education that would enable him to be of some service to his fellow creatures. The great object of his mind appeared to be a desire to preach the gospel to his dying fellow men, although the low estimate he bad formed of it is piety and talents, caused him to shrink from the responsibilities of so sacred an office.
He was seized with a violent attack of the lung fever sometime in the month of August, which reduced him to all appearance near the brink of the grave. He never entirely recovered from the effects of this attack. A dry cough which immediately followed, told too plainly that consumption was preying at his vitals. His physician however owing to the peculiar nature of his disease, entertained strong hopes of his recovery; but God's ways are not as our ways. His health continued to decline till spring, when he became sensible that he could survive but a short time. He received the intelligence with the utmost composure, expressing an entire resignation to the will of God.
At his special request weekly prayer meetings were held at his father's house—meetings which will never be forgotten by many who assembled there. These meetings were rendered doubly interesting, by Samuel's always taking an active part, both in general and personal exhortation. He would often when speaking on the subject of death, look at his pale emaciated limbs and exclaim, "How soon these hands will become food for worms, but the grave has no terrors for me. I feel that I am going to dwell with my Savior. And again, while conversing with a friend, "the spring will soon come, the earth will be dressed in all its vernal beauty, but I shall have passed away, my name will soon be forgotten."'
Although he evidently failed very fast, his family were not aware of his leaving them set soon till Friday morning when his relatives and friends were railed in to witness his final departure. He prayed earnestly that he might have his reason to the last when his speech shortly after failed. Sabbath morning, as the members of his family stood around his bed side, he took each one affectionately by the hand and bade them a silent farewell. He lingered until nine o'clock on Monday when he fell asleep, to wake no more till summoned by "the blast that wakes the dead."
The funeral services were attended the following day at the Presbyterian Church, and notwithstanding the weather was extremely cold, a large congregation of all ages were present. A sermon was preached by the Rev. Calvin Clark, Pastor, from Prov., 14, 32d, "The righteous bath hope in his death." The following lines composed for the occasion by a friend of the deceased were sung.
Farewell friend, thy days are numbered,
There thou suff'rest pain no more ;
Now thy sorrows here are ended,
All thy mortal griefs are o'er.
Ling'ring sickness pain and suff'ring,
Wasted soon dry youthful might,
But thy pains are changed to blessings,
Gloomy doubts to glorious light.
Hem thy loss we mourn in sadness,
Loss to in, but gain to thee;
For thy sorrows turned to gladness,'
Thou from every pain art free.
Often thou didst kindly bed tat,
Now prepare your God to meet;
But that warning voice has left us,
We no more its sounds do greet.
Vacant now that lofty station,
Which on earth you filled so well;
Thine in heav'n, a better portion,
Where no pain or sorrow dwell.
Yet we hope at last in heaven
We may join the song of praise;
There no more front thee be riven,
There no farewell song to raise.
And the hymn, "When blooming youth is snatched away."
Four young men about the same age of the deceased, and members of the same class in the Sab. school, attended as pall bearers white a long procession of mourning friends followed his remains to the grave. He sleeps in the village church yard. In the death of this friend the church has lost one of its most promising members, the Sabbath school and Bible class in regular attendant, and large circle of acquaintance, a much beloved and valued friend. That voice so often heard in the circle of prayer, the fervent and earnest petition at the throne of grace will be heard no more. The hind exhortation, the frigidly warning, will never be lost by those with whom he was conversant. He has left a number of relatives to mourn his loss, yet they mourn, not as those who mourn without hope. They have the pleasing assurance that he has made a joyful exchange, an exchange from earth to that happy Heaven where the rain bow of God's glory, will never fade, where the stars of his righteousness will never go out.
Kalamazoo Gazette May 26, 1843 page 2
Inscription
Son of Simeon & Clarissa Mills Age 19 yrs, The righteous hath hope in death
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