Samuel A. DAY's Scrapbook

Obituary of Stephen DAY, Esq.

The following information was submitted and transcribed by Elizabeth for inclusion in the genealogy articles section for Washington Co., PA web site in May 1999. The information comes from SAMUEL ADDISON DAY'S SCRAPBOOK, the great grandfather of Elizabeth. Samuel Addison DAY (1835-1917) was the son of Samuel DAY (1793-1870) and Hannah COOPER (1798-1878) of Washington Co. Pa. J.Wiley DAY was Samuel A. DAY's brother.

Elizabeth writes:

The following obituary of an old time and esteemed citizen of Morris township, is copied from the PRESBYTERIAN ADVOCATE of September 24, 1851, and published by request.

[Source: obit in hand. The Presbyterian Advocate of September 24, 1851.]

Died, Aug. 27, after an illness of six days, MR. STEPHEN DAY, of Greene Co., Pa. The deceased was for 25 years a member of the Presbyterian Church of Upper Ten Mile, to which in all its vicissitudes, he remained a steady and devoted friend, being seldom absent from his place in the house of God, and never wanting in his duty to its various and cherished interests. A man of eminently peaceful and retiring spirit, but of steadfast and consistent piety, he kept on the even tenor of his way, maintaining a profession without display, a name without reproach and a character without a blemish. To the qualities of an affectionate husband and a kind father he added those of an obliging neighbor and a useful citizen. To the interests of Zion, few men evinced a warmer attachment of a more uniform devotion. When these languished he sighed in secret. When c[C]hristians manifested the life and power of religion, and sinners were brought to enquire after the Savior, his joy was lively and abundant. The prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom, was a subject which to him was ever welcome, and upon which it was his delight to converse. To the mind of one at least, who was witness to his pious breathings after Zion"s welfare, it comes as a sorrowful reflection that the opportunity often afforded of going up with him to the Lord's house, and of taking sweet counsel together, will no longer be enjoyed. For the salvation of his children and friends in particular, his solicitude was so intense that, when in answer to his and a mother's prayers, a number of them were recently enabled, by divine grace, to give their hearts to the Savior, he was quite overcome with emotion, ready with the pious Simeon to exclaim--"Now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." For such a man death could have no terrors, though coming unexpectedly to himself as to others. He had only, when summoned , to set his house in order, and to commit his spirit to God. In the full possession of his mental faculties to the last, he expressed no desire to live, except for the sake of others. Taking an affectionate farewell of every member of his loved and sorrowing family, as they gathered around him, and commended them all to the merciful care of his heavenly father, without a groan or a struggle he fell asleep in Jesus. Truly to him to live was Christ and to die was gain.

[Note: Stephen DAY's wife was Sarah DAY.]