Obituary - William N. Yarborough

DIED, on Saturday last [1 Feb 1851] at the residence of his father, after a protracted illness, Mr. Wm. N. Yarborough, aged 30 years. In paying the last sad tribute of respect to the memory of this estimable young man, our sorrow is lightened in no small degree from the assuance of his having departed with full confidence of being partaker in the reservation held in the kingdom of Heaven for the righteous. He had looked forward for some time to his approaching dissolution, and regarding it as a liberator from the pains and sorrows of earth, and a passport to a better country, he bore his sufferings with calm and uncomplaining resignation to the close of life. To die, and be no more--the thought is well calculated to shake the strongest nerve--to watch day after day the approach of the icy monster, and feel at each beating pulse his chilly arm encircling the wasting form, while the eye of sympathy melts, the heart of affection yearns and the strong arm is unable to give relief, where, but on the arm of Isreal's God shall the Christian lean for support in a dying hour? His hope was in God, and from that source he drew consolation amidst sufferings the most intense, while victory perched upon his pale brow the smile of peace lighted up his wan countenance, and the radiance of hope gave strength to bear submissively the burden laid upon him.

As one who waited by the couch of our beloved friend, and was witness to the untiring watchfulness of the wife of his bosom, the devoted attentions of father, brother, sister, and friends, to sooth his pains, we indulged in reflections which brought with them a strong desire to be permitted to "die among our kindred," and be able in that last hour, to adopt his dying words, "ALL IS WELL." We tender our warm sympathies to his bereaved companion and orphan children, and commend them to the protection of Him, who "giveth liberally and upbraideth not," and who is ever mindful of the Sparrow's fall--and doeth all things right. H.P.D. February 4th, 1851.

Contributed Oct 1997 by Claude B. Slaton. "Photocopy was loaned to me by Mrs. Hampton Muse Lea and her son, Jack Lea, of Jackson, La."