In Milton, Wis., Feb. 20th, 1879, Wid. Maria Clarke relic of Elnathan Clarke, and mother of Elders Joshua and I. D. Clarke, in the 78th year of her age. She was the only daughter of Dea. Silas Spencer, and was born in Berlin, Rensselaer county, July 23rd, 1801, and was married on January 23rd, 1822. She professed religion at the age of seventeen, and united with the Second Brookfield Seventh-day Baptist Church under the pastoral care of Eld. Eli S. Bailey. Her husband, a man of sterling character and tender domestic affections, died in 1844, leaving her with a family of eleven children, only one of whom was of age. Concerning this affliction she said, a short time before her death, 'The blow seemed to crush me to the earth. From the dust I cried in prayer and pleading and the answer of peace came, and so full that privations and losses, or trials of any kind, seemed to be of little moment in the great light of joy and peace of the Comforter who had now come into my heart.' About thirteen years ago, Sister Clarke moved West with her children, and united with the Albion Seventh-day Baptist Church, where she was a member at her death. She suffered much for eight months previous to her death, yet was never heard to murmur or complain. She was tenderly cared for by her children, and died in the family of her son-in-law, G. N. Coon, Esq., Milton, Wis. Her funeral was largely attended, and occured on Sabbath, the 22nd, during the Quarterly Meeting of the Seventh-day Baptist Churches of Southern Wisconsin. Sermon by N. Wardner, from 1 John 3: 2,3, 'Behold now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.' N. W.
