OBITUARIES.

DIED, November 8, 1874, in Acworth, Ga., after an illness of two days, MARY C. SMITH, daughter of Dr. A. and Mrs. N. E. Smith, in the 13th year of her age.

How true it is that death loves a shining mark.  The subject of this sketch was one of rare gifts.  She possessed superior natural charms; was endowed with an intellect seldom equaled, and never surpassed, for one of her years; blessed with high moral qualities, which made her the joy and delight of the household, the pride of her companions, and the admiration of all who came within the range of her genial smile.  Better than all, she had the true riches—the riches of Christ Jesus—having been made the subject of converting grace and power.  During a precious revival in the Baptist Church of this place, the present Fall, she gave her hand to the pastor and her heart to God, and consecrated the ransomed powers of her nature to the service of her Saviour.

But the insatiate Archer marked her for his victim.  On Friday morning, the 6th inst., while waiting upon a sick child of her sister (Mrs. Ross) in the country, she was violently attacked by that fearful disease, diphtheria.  She was immediately brought home and put under medical treatment, but continued to grow worse.  All night her stricken father and mother watched beside their suffering child, her father using his utmost skill to relieve her.  Saturday morning, the symptoms of her case growing more alarming, Dr. Andrews was summoned to her bedside; but the experience and skill of this gentleman, united with the father’s, could not snatch Mary from the jaws of death.  On Sunday night, after the most intense but patient suffering, she passed away from earth.  But she was not afraid to go.  When told by her father that she must die, no darkening shadow passed over her young brow, but a sunny smile rested upon the face of the beautiful girl, and she calmly replied: “Father, I have no fear of death; the grave has no terrors for me; I am ready to go.”  Then confidently she leaned on the bosom of Jesus, and her departing spirit bidding adieu to the loved ones of earth took its immortal flight, and in robes of silver light sought its home of celestial beauty where the angels sing.

Two days after Mary’s death, WILLIE AUGUSTUS, the little nephew whom she went to nurse, joined her in the sunbright land.

On the 3d day of October last, little WILLIE, a brother of Mary, died of the same terrible disease. Willie was an intelligent boy of eight summers, of a meek, gentle disposition.  In his last moments he begged his parents not to grieve for him.

Thus have fallen before the ruthless hand of death three members from one family.  But they have been transplanted to bloom and blossom forever in the Paradise of God.

“In happy union now they dwell
In Heaven above, where all is well:
No scorching fever or racking pan
Can reach them in their fair domain
Farewell! Farewell! Our dear young friends,
Until we all shall meet again;
And may we meet, to part no more,
On Heaven’s bright and blissful shore.”

Her Teacher.

[Another obituary to Mary Smith follows this one, giving her age as 15 and stating that she was the 4th daughter of Dr. A. Smith.]