Thus living in the hopes of the Gospel, realizing as much that their “home is in heaven” as that their “rest is not here,” they have, through the years, performed the daily duties of their pilgrimage.

The writer has known them for thirteen years, and gratefully testifies that their faith has strengthened her’s, and that their cheerful hope in the Lord has been a strong consolation to many who were in trouble.

After the sudden death of the youngest son of the family, in 1880, the care of the family devolved entirely upon the two daughters, Mrs. H.J.  Furlong and Miss Addie S. Jordan.

In April, 1876, Mrs. Jordan fell and badly fractured her hip.  She was then seventy-seven years old.  On account of her age she could not well be etherized, nor endure the repeated necessary resetting of the bones, and consequently they grew together irregularly.  Her hip-joint was stiff, so that she was never able to walk without the support of a cane or crutch.  For eight years she could not leave her own little yard, nor climb into a carriage, nor walk without support.

Through this misfortune her afflictions grew worse.  In January, 1884, she fell and broke one bone and dislocated another in the left wrist.  Notwithstanding all that medical help could do, the shock brought on a severe sickness, and when, after eight weeks, she left her bed to move around feebly, she had almost lost her sight and hearing, her hand was useless, and her mind greatly impaired.

On her birthday, June 10, 1884, when she was eighty-five years old, she greatly mourned that she had outlived her usefulness; that she could no longer feed herself, nor read her Bible, nor remember the desirable subjects for her prayers, and she hoped that she should not linger here long in such a helpless and useless condition.

During the latter part of this time the two daughters were sick, Mrs. Furlong with paralysis and Miss Jordan with consumption.

In the latter part of 1882 Miss Jordan, then in feeble health, was needed at home to attend the father’s last sickness, and Mrs. Furlong was left to conduct their business alone.  ’The extraordinary exertion brought on paralysis.  It began in her right arm, which became so insensible that the strongest ammonia produced no sensation or apparent effect.  Gradually her whole right side lost power, her foot dragged, and though she did manage to move about, she was comparatively helpless.  Physicians spoke not hopefully; and protracted rest was recommended as a possible relief.  She planned to take electric treatment, though not very hopeful about the result.  She failed once to meet her physician, and while planning the second time to take the treatment, and considering Christ’s miracles of healing, and the Bible’s promises to the sick, and having a feeling that possibly she might be doing wrong in not relying entirely on the Lord, who had hitherto so much helped them, she delayed a little, and failed again to meet the appointment.  It was a Saturday evening in January, 1883.