Mrs Laura Barnes Obituary Salvaged from Microfilm

Canton Weekly Register, Canton, Illinois, December 21, 1857

DIED,

On the 8th of December, at the residence of her son, Mrs. Laura Barnes, aged 60 years.
The deceased was born in Southington, Connecticut, where she resided until after her marriage to Mr. Truman Barnes. They resided in New Hartford, then at New Haven. They removed to Canton, Fulton county, Illinois, in 1838. She has lived a widow eleven years - she experienced religion at the age of thirteen years. Owing to a want of confidence in God, and fears of her hope not being as satisfactory as she desired, she delayed making public profession until after her marriage. She, together with her husband, united with the Congregtional Church. In 1840(?) she was baptised by Rev. J. D. Newel, and united with the Baptist Church in Canton, where she retained her membership until she was removed to the Church triumphant.
For many years she had been in a declining state of health, and for more than two years an almost constant sufferer, being confined to her room all the time, and the most of it to her bed. Up to the time she was excluded from the world she was a regular attendant on the means of grace, manifesting a consistent Christian life. Her policy was not of any impulsive or fitful character, but like the path of the just, "it shone brighter and brighter unto the perfect day." She endured her protracted and severe illness with remarkable Christian patience. At times her sufferings were so great that she would inquire of her children and Christian friends "Why she was spared to suffer when she felt her living would do no good to the world" but would immediately check herself by saying, "It is all ordered right" "I don't want to complain, I ought not, I will not, but the flesh is weak." Her greatest p?vation was in not being able to associate with Christians in prayer and social meetings and the Sabbath services. As she neared death, her hope of Heaven became firm and bright and death was disarmed of his terrors. When asked if the dark valley was lighted up by the Saviour, she said, with emphasis, "Yes! God is my hope and strength." Her ruling passion was strong in death; ardent love to God and her children. She steps in Jesus.
Her remains were taken to the Baptist Church, where a sermon was preached by her Pastor, S. G. Miner, from Phil. 1, 21, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Her remains lie in the City Cemetery, there to await the resurrection of the just.

"Asleep in Jesus! blessed sleep!
From which none ever wakes to weep -
A calm and undisturbed repose,
Unshaken by the last of foes."