Princeton Newspaper November 28, 1878 (Obituary Printed By Request)

Mary N. Devin

This highly esteemed Christian woman departed this life after a protracted illness at Shelbyville on the 31^st of August, 1876. Mrs. Devin was born in Carroll county, Ohio, December 12^th, 1837; was married to the now bereaved husband, Alexander C. Devin January 20^th, 1859. She united with the United Presbyterian Church, of Princeton Indiana in the spring of 1860, and moved with her husband to Shelbyville, March 8, 1867, and united with the Presbyterian church in this place the same year. Consumption was developed some three months before her death and rapidly carried her away. And in this providence the husband and family have suffered an irreparable loss; the church an exemplary and zealous member; the Sabbath School one of its most regular and efficient teachers and the community one universally respected and loved not only by the old but also by the young.

Though suffering much and long from great physical prostration, her constant testimony was that she was sustained by Divine grace. It seemed that while on her sick bed scarcely a shadow darkened the sight of faith--and her hope was an anchor both sure and steadfast. Indeed as she came down to the valley, so dark and shadowy to the natural eye, it seemed that her light increased and that she realized her greatest victory in death, for it had ho sting for her.

Her departure was her triumph, for she made it exclaiming, ‘Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!’ While her husband and four children mourn for her as for one whose ‘price is far above rubbles,’ they do not mourn as those who have no hope in their bereavement they have the sympathy of kind friends and the prayers of Christians. They have indeed their cloud, but the bow is very bright in the cloud, for there is an unshaken faith that she who was a vine by the side of their house has been transplanted to the paradise of God.

Mrs. Devin was followed to the grave by a large number of citizens testifying their respect and esteem. And it was a touching scene to see so many young, even the little children, following to the last resting place the remains of their teacher and friend.

She was lovely and pleasant in her life, and even in death they were not divided from her. Ought not everyone to whom this providence calls so loudly make their own the prayer – let me die the death of the righteous, let my last end be like His. It is in such a life and in such a death that the Christian religion find its illustration, and its best vindication. They are fragrant fruits of the love of God shed abroad in the heart. To the writers own knowledge some have sat beside this disciple of Christ and fund her fruit sweet to their taste, for she was indeed a branch of the vine. Even during her sickness, she not only testified to the sustaining grace of Christ but labored with those inquiring the way of salvation. What an illustration of Christian devotion and love to the Master! Is there not a powerful appeal in this fact to all who are the Disciples of Christ, and who are blessed with health and strength to do with their might what their hands find to do? Is there not a powerful plea in it to those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to seek Him now while He may be found and to call upon Him now while He is near.

jed