This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/WCE.2ACIB/1067 Message Board Post: BIGGS --- Henrietta and Emma Estelle BIGGS Lincoln County Beacon, Thursday, Nov. 25, 1880. ---In Lincoln Center, Friday, Nov. 19, at 5:35 p.m., of Diptheria, Emma Estelle, eldest child of A.T. and Emily J. Biggs, aged 13 years 9 months and 23 days. In the space of five weeks has this dreadful scourge twice entered this home and taken the two only daughters. Each lived 6 days from the time she was attacked. To say that the bereaved parents and two little brothers have the sympathies of the community but feebly expresses our sorrow for them. The character of this dear little girl is best expressed in the language of her favorite poem, she need often to so beautifully read: I live for those who love me Whose hearts are kind and true; For the heaven that smiles above me, And awaits my spirit, too; For all human ties that bind me, For the task my God assigned me, For the bright hopes left behind me, And the good that I can do. The funeral sermon of the sisters was preached on Sunday last by Rev. H.C. Bradbury, who has known them several years, and who in the course of his sermon paid the following tribute to their memory: "Diptheria is a terrible messenger from the hand of our heavenly Father. It visits the hamlets of the lowly and the palaces of the rich, and takes the princes and the poor man's dearest treasures. It rages alike in the crowded city and in the pure air of the country. On hill and in valley, in winter and summer it takes the strong and the weak. There are a thousand remedies for it and still there is not one that is truly effectual. Often we have been called to mourn over the loss of our dear ones, slain by this destructive visitor. Near five weeks ago it came into this then happy family and took their youngest daughter, Henrietta Biggs, a bright child 5 years old the 5th of last April. She died the 14th of October. I cannot tell you the history of little "Etta" for what tongue can relate all the bright smiles, the kind acts and tender, pleasing ways of a child, which are treasured up in the hearts of its parents and those around. They are exceedingly precious - how much, we only felt when the little one was taken. When Etta died, her sister, Estelle, threw herself upon her and desired to go with this little cherub to heaven. How soon her prayer was granted. Emma Estelle Biggs was 13 years old the 22nd of last February. She was always very kind to others and when very young used to deny herself, to save some good thing for her mother to eat, or the others of the family to enjoy. She was more like a woman than a child. She took such care of things at home in the house work, and was so industrous and orderly and careful. She was very studious in her habits. Her school teacher and her Sabbath School teacher give good accounts of her and accredit her with a mind stronger than common. One week ago yesterday Estelle was taken sick. I went to see her and after I had the sung the song "It is better further on" she handed me the book and told me to sing that beautiful hymn by Alice Cary, "Nearer Home." I did not want to sing it, it looked so much as ifshe was thinking of dying. But I tried. These are the words: One sweetly solemn thought Comes to me o'er and o'er I'm nearer my home to-day Than I've ever been before. Nearer my Father's house Where the many mansions be, Nearer the great white throne, Nearer the jasper sea. Saviour, perfect my trust, Strengthen the might of my faith, Let me feel as I would when I stand On the rock of the shore of death. Feel as I could when my feet Are stepping over the brink; For it may be I'm nearer home- Nearer now than I think. Friday, the 19th of Nov., the last day of her life came and it seemed as if God kept Estelle all day dying, so that she could show how triumphantly a little Christian dies, and teach others how to die. She had before told what to do with the little things she owned. She desired that father, mother, brothers and all of the neighbors and friends who had watched over her should each have something of hers. She was more than once urged by her mother not to give up to die and she at one time promised to try and live. She was [can't read] as the apostle in the words of our text; "I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." [Phil. I 21-23-24]. Though outwardly she was a terrible picture of suffering and disease, she was happy and calm. "Oh, I am so much better, so much better," she said, "almost well"; and these were the very last words of Richard Baxter, too, before he died and entered into eternal joy. When asked how he did, his reply was "almost well." "Don't cry, don't cry," she said to the weeping father and mother and brother, "please don't cry; you promised me not to cry." She sent for her teachers, her dearest friends, to bid them goodbye, and again and again she said, "Meet me in heaven." At times she clasped her hands as if in prayer. The last word on her lips was "Mother," and may not her first words in that better land be "Jesus, my Saviour, God my Heavenly Father." All those who stood around her were thrilled with wonder and delight, and smiled through their tears as they saw her triumphing over death through her blessed Saviour. We felt it was far better for her to depart and be with Christ as heaven seemed to have dawned on her soul. Forever with the Lord, Amen, so let it be."