At Farina, Ill., Sept. 9th, 1874, Randolph Drake, in the 66th year of his age. For several years he had been suffering from poor health, but about nine weeks before his decease he had a fit of apoplexy, which, with a complication of diseases, resulted in his death. Bro. Drake was born in Washington Valley, Somerset Co., N. J., June 28, 1809. In 1821, Jan. 6th, he married Jane E. F. Randolph, the companion who now mourns his departure. About seven years after his marriage, he was converted to Christ, made a profession of religion and joined the church at Plainfield, N. J. He was brought up to observe Sunday as the Sabbath, but about one year before his conversion, he became interested in the Sabbath question, investigated the subject, was convinced that the seventh day of the week was the Bible Sabbath, unabolished, unchanged, binding upon him and all men; therefore he turned to the Sabbath and observed it the remainder of his life. He moved with his family in the autumn of 1858 from Plainfield, N. J., to Delevan, Ill, where he lived until 1868, when he came to Farina and lived there until he departed this life. He was a faithful member of the church, a good worker in the Sabbath School, and a living Christian. His last days he spent much in prayer and repeating passages of Scripture. He firmly trusted in Jesus and the precious promises of God. In his death, the bereaved wife will miss a faithful companion, the family a Christian father and counselor, the church a pillar, the neighborhood a model neighbor. His last word were: "Hark I hear them." His funeral discourse was preached by his pastor, from Phil. 1:21: "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
O. U. W.
