In Calamus, Valley county, Neb., Dec. 13th, 1877, Phebe Coon, wife of Charles Coon, aged 77 years, 9 months, and 9 days.
Sister Coon's health had been gradually declining for several years, but she was, in the truest sense of the word, a Christian wife and mother, and consciousness of her approaching change brought no terror to her heart. The apostle's words were true in her case, as they are in the case of every consecrated believer, when he says, "Perfect love casteth out fear," and though she regarded the struggle with death as a struggle with an enemy, she could see her triumph and rest beyond the beclouded battle ground, and rejoice in God ?who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.? She had been a professor of religion for nearly three score years, and in all that time, she said, ?God had been good to her when she had been true to him.? She entered the valley and the shadow of death with an abiding trust in that Savior who dais, ?I am the resurrection and the life,? and that Father who careth even for the sparrows that fall, will surely give her rest in the kingdom of heaven.
She was converted under the preaching of Eld. Jacob Ayers and baptized by him and received into the Alfred Church, N. Y. From Alfred she went with her husband to Albion, Wis., then to Alden, Minn., and lastly to Calamus, where three of her children are now living. Though never able to attend service at the North Loup Church, she sent in her letter, with that of her husband, and was received into its fellowship, with him, by her own request.
The funeral service was held in the beautiful new school house at Calamus, but she was buried in the North Loup cemetery. She was an intelligent woman, and well beloved by all who knew her. Her aged husband feels her loss as no other one can, but he believes his loss is her gain.
O. B.
