DEATH OF MRS R. J. GWYNNE.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 256, 8 March 1898, Page 2

DEATH OF MRS R. J. GWYNNE.

It is but six years ago (10th May, 1893), that we chronicled the marriage of Mr It. J. Gwynne to Miss Jeauie Biggs (youngest daughter of the vicar of this parish), at tho same time expressing the hope that their married life might be a pleasant aud a happy one. All those intimately acquainted with the young couple require not to be told by us that this hope has been amply fulfilled, and that since their marriage their lives have been Hooded with the sunshine of domestic happiness and marked with mutual affection. It is now our sad duty to announce the death of Mrs Gwynne at the very early age of 2d, aud after an illness of but a week's duration. Her life had been despaired of for two or three days prior to her death, and although she rallied at times she gradually sank and entered into rest about 11 o'clock on Saturday morning. Her death was indeed a happy one. Fully conscious of the coming change, the deceased lady showed much solicitation for the feelings of those dear to her, and left many kindly messages of love and regard to those of her friends and relatives with whom she was unable to hold personal converse. Buoyed up with the Christian's hope and sustained to the end by her religion, she was quite resigned to the will of the Omnipotent. She died the peaceful death of a Christian, and this fact must greatly mitigate the heaviness of the blow that has fallen upon her bereaved relatives. On Sunday touching reference was made to the sad event at the various churches iu the town, and at St. Peter's the " Dead March " was played at each service. Expressions of sympathy for the bereaved husband aud the aged parents of the deceased were heard on all sides, and they were as genuine as they were general. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, the remains being interred in the Hamilton West Cemetery, Wreaths and other floral designs, accompanied by messages of condolence and sympathy, were received from all parts of the district, the coffin and hearse being completely covered with flowers. Tho cortege was a very long one, many having travelled some distance to show their last token of esteem for the deceased lady and sympathy with those from whom she has been called away. The chief mourners were Mr K.. J. Gwynne and the Rev. R. O'C. Biggs (husband and father of the deceased), immediately followed by Mr A. Wheeler, Mr Jos. Newell, half brotheiymd Mr Frank Jolly (brothers-in-law) and the more intimate friends. The funeral service was conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon Dudlev (of St. Sepulchre's, Auckland), an old friend of the family, who baptised the late Mrs Gwynne as an infant, celebrated her marriage ceremony, and has now performed tho last rites of the church over her remains. The Von. Archdeacon read the service in an impressive manner, and the scene at the graveside was most touching. Iu a short address the Archdeacon paid a tribute to the memory of the deceased lady, remarking that by her life she had set an example worthy of being copied by the women of the district. Her life had been a short one, still it had been long enough to fulfil God's purpose. With her "to live was Christ, but to die was gain," and although the sorrow of those who had loved her here was deep aud evoked their sympathy, they must remember that the love of her Heavenly Father, to whom she had gone, was infinitely fuller and richer than any from which she had been taken away. The service was indeed an affecting one, and such as will, wc think, leave a deep impression upon the minds of those present. RESIGNATION. There is no flock, however watched aud tended, But one dead lamb is there ; There is no fireside, howso'er defended, But has one vacant chair. The air is full of farewells to the dying And mournings for the dead ; The heart of Bachcl for her children crying Will not be comforted. Let us be patient! These severe afflictions .Not from the ground arise, But oftentimes celestial benedictions Assume this dark disguise. We see but dimly through the mists and vapours Amid these earthly damps ; What seem to us but sad fuuoral tapers May be Heaven's distant lamps. There is no death ! What seems so is transition ; This life of mortal breath Is but a suburb of the life Elysiau, Whose portal we cull death. She is not dead—the child of our affection, But gone into that school Where she no longer needs our poor protection, But Christ Himself doth rule. In that great cloister's stillness and seclusion By guardian angels led, Safe from temptation, safe from sin's pollution, She lives whom we call dead. Day after day we think what she is doing In those bright realms of air; Year after year, her tender steps pursuing, Behold her grown more fair. Thus do we walk with her, aud keep unbroken The bond which nature gives, Thinking that our remembrance, though unspoken, May reach her where she lives. Not as a child shall we again behold her ; For when, with raptures wild, In our embraces we again enfold her, She will not be a child ; But a fair maiden, in her Father's mansion, Clothed with celestial grace, And beautiful with all the soul's expansion, Shall we behold her face. Aud though at times, impetuous with emotion And anguish long suppressed, The swelling heart heaves, moaning like the ocean That cannot be at rest. We will be patient and assuage the feeling We may not wholly stay ; » By silence sanctifying, not concealing, The grief that must have way. —Longfellow (F).