Death of Mrs. Alice Dora Davenport.

Mrs. Alice Dora Davenport, nee Sligh, was born in Paulding county, Ga., and died in Etowah county, Ala., in the 24th year of her age.

How much is comprised in this short sentence, born, lived, died? Not much it may be to the great, bustling, world, busy in the race of pleasure or of gain, but a great deal to the circle of kindred and friends, who feel that the very foundation of grief, sympathy and affection, are stirred to the profoundest depths at the mention of her loved name.

Quite early in life she publicly confessed Christ, and cast in her lot with the people of God, by becoming a member of the Baptist church at Cartersville, Ga., under the administration of the Rev. R. B. Headden. Removing to Alabama, she transferred her membership to the Baptist church at Gadsden, and died in its communion. Her experience of grace was fully verified by “the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit,” and a well ordered, Godly walk and conversation. Her character being founded on religious principle, she discharged well all the duties growing out of the varied relations of life. As a daughter, obedient; as a wife, devoted; as a mother, affectionate; as a neighbor, kind and considerate; as a friend, sincere and constant. In the closing scene, God honored his servant by triumph. She saw not the gloomy grave, with its silence and corruption. But the eye of faith revealed hill-tops of the heavenly canaan, resplendent with divine glory, where grows the tree of life, abode for the good of all ages, “the home of the soul.” Amidst the swellings of Jordan she sang, “Jesus lover of my soul,” and calling to her bedside husband, kindred and friends, delivered her dying charge and exhortation “to meet her in heaven.” For such a victory as this, the great of this world might well exchange their honors, the rich their wealth, and kings their crowns. Better to die thus than to have marshaled great armies, founded empires, or accumulated boundless worthy treasures. The great consolation of all the bereaved is, that their loss is her eternal gain. Will they honor the dead by heeding her dying request? In the cemetery at Gadsden, the remains await the resurrection morn.

“Oh, may we triumph so,
When all our conflict’s past;
Victorious o’er our latest foe,
And enter Heaven at last.”
--J. P. Ralls, M. D., Gadsden Times.