OBITUARY NOTICE OF MRS. ELIZA RUTH WOOD.
Died, at her residence in Haverstraw, Rockland County, New York, Eliza R. Wood, wife of the late Col. Joshua B. Wood, and second daughter of Alexander Jones, of Providence, R. I., May 23d, 1867, aged nearly 74 years.
Many loving hearts will receive this announcement wath keen regret, tempered by the recollection that our loss is her great gain. A clear and quick mind, added to a warm and genial temperament and unbounded hospitality, and a deep, though unobtrusive Christian character, made this venerable lady precious to a large and widely extended circle of relations and friends.
Naturally fond of children, she always delighted in their society, and in her early life (in connection with the now senior Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Bishop Smith of Kentucky), established the first Sunday School in Providence, R. I.
Even while an invalid, and a great sufferer, she gave her best interests and efforts towards the establishment of the Orphan House, at Haverstraw, now the House of the Good Shepherd, at Tompkins' Cove (same county), and of which her youngest daughter is the housemother, and her husband, the Rev. E. Gay, Jr., is the rector and housefather.
Most prized where best known, her relatives and friends will ever mourn her loss most deeply, even while thanking God, that her long years of weary and almost incessant sufferings, are exchanged for the happy rest of the people of God. Unmurmuring in pain, patient even to the last, and rejoicing at the near approach of her loved Saviour's presence, she has
" Fallen asleep in Jesus."
My sister was a woman of great vivacity and ability. Her conversational powers were also remarkable, and charmed the young, the middle aged and the old. With quick perceptions, a bright intellect and a somewhat satirical vein of thought, her conversation and her letters were marked by a flowing and easy expression, that gave great pleasure and delight to those who received them. At one time, when blessed with plenty, her house was called the home of hospitality, and in after years, when reverses had dimmed the prospect, she still had a warm and cheering welcome for her relations and her friends. The fond mother, the devoted wife, the loving friend and the true Christian, she carried with her, into her declining years, the love and admiration of all who knew her in the bright days of prosperity and the dark ones of adversity. She experienced many trials and troubles, but passed through them with unabating faith, and came out as "pure and fine gold," "meet for the Master's use." She fought a good fight, and finished her course, and now rests in the presence of her Lord and her Redeemer. ...
