1825 December 22, Obituary

              [On the death of Mary Drinker Cope 1st wife of Thos. P. Cope who dies very suddenly from poison given in mistake for medicine.]



Obituary.



The calm, tranquil resignation of the pious mind, in the awful hour of approaching dissolution, was never more conspicuous, more triumphant, than in the recent afflicting dispensation of Providence in the family of Thomas P. Cope. To see the soul, as it were gathered within itself, resting upon a support unshaken by the prospect of death in its most appalling aspect, and undismayed by the final blow, is to bear up the baptized spirit in the most extreme emergency. I believe I shall not hazard the imputation of extravagnecy, in saying, that never was there a person in the extermity of nature more composed, more tranquil and more resigned than the ever to be lamented Mary Cope. Surrounded by all the comforts of life that wealth and a kind affectionate husband could procure, encircled in her domestic retirement by a doating offspring, respected and caressed by numerous friends and connections, she had every human motive to desire a prolongation of life. But when the Divine mandate was issued forth "Steward give up thy stewardship, for thou shalt be Steward no longer" not a murmur, not an expression of regret escaped her lips; even amidst the most extreme rack of pain, she breathed not a complaint, but would only reply to the anxious enquiries of her Physicians "do you suffer much pain?" "Yes, very much". In this heavenly frame of mind she resigned herself into the hands of Him, from whom she derived her being, and towards whom she had acted the part of a faithful Steward. She was fully prepared to obey the command of her Heavenly Father of "Get thine house in order for thou shalt die and not live."-  Ah! how many of us are there who still head the busy stage of life, have set our houses in order? Few of us, I fear, would be prepared to give an account of our stewardship, were we unexpectedly summoned before Him, in