In Lonoke, Ark, Sept. 4, of congestion of the brain, John
Presley Fletcher, son of Wm. P and Ella Fletcher, aged 3 years and 8 days.
The silver cord is loosed, the golden bowl is broken, and
the spirit of little Jhonnie has winged its flight to the Paradise above. A
tender blossom has been taken from the chilling blasts of earth and
transplanted in the celestial gardens.
“But not in cruelty, not in wrath.
The Reaper came that day.
‘Twas an angel visited the green earth
And took the flower away.”
To the bereaved and grief stricken parents, I would fain to
offer words of consolation, but there is no healing for such wounds. save the
balm of Gilead so lavishly poured forth by the Great Physician. I can only
commend them to him who doeth all things well and who doth not willingly
afflict the children of men. May they be enabled to say, “The lord gave, and
the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” D.A.E.
Arkansas Evangel, Little Rock, Arkansas
October 11, 1883