MOFFETT, Henry
Source: Saturday Evening Journal 28 November 1885 p 8
Death of Henry Moffett. On last Sunday evening the spirit of little
Henry Moffett took its flight to the mansions of eternal rest. We seldom
think of the great event of death until its shadow falls across our own
pathway, hiding from our eyes faces of loved ones, whose living smile
was the sunlight of our existence. It brings to us a deeper and keener
sorrow than any other event of life. It awakens in the soul thoughts it
never had before. A mortal gloom gather around it like the blight of the
Divine displeasure. Henry was the only son of Thomas and Lida Moffett,
and he was cut down in the flower and tenderness of childhood. He was
seized by a raging and malignant fever, that poisoned every avenue of
life, and his frail tenement of clay tottered and fell, his pure white
spirit cast a halo of light around its way as it "drifted out upon the
dark unknown sea that rolls around all the world." Although the sun had
just risen upon the dawn of his life, he had traveled a weary pathway.
He had struggled for life and borne many burdens, yet he was always as
full of sunshine and hope as Springtime. He was a manly little fellow,
full of life and activity, and with friendship affection for all. A
father's joy, a mother's treasure and a sister's kind and loving
brother. But his kind heart, his gentle voice and his genial face are
felt and heard and seen by them no more, and their day has lost its
music and light, and from the depths of their soul spring fountains of
grief, that like rivers escaped from their beds flow back in torrents
upon their stricken hearts. But, although in deep anguish and bitter
tears, they have laid him to rest in the silent grave. They know that
his rest is sweet, and that by the Eternal Majesty of him who said "I am
the Resurrection and the Life." He wears a crown and his beautiful face
is lit up by the glorious light of immortal youth and though they cannot
see it now, it will shine upon them and light their pathway when the
swift river of life bears them to the ocean of eternity.
Transcribed by: Tracy Jones 3-10-2002