Name/Title
Last days and funeral plans of Margaret Dickson Cahoon, ca 1894Entry/Object ID
2000.FIC.02.038Scope and Content
Typed version of prior record [2000.FIC.02.037] Pages numbered 1-3.
This version covers pages 1-6/A-F of the previous hand written record, [2000.FIC.02.037]. The last page 7, and its talk of John Marshall and Thomas Havenner Cahoon receiving Golden Anniversary rings from their mother Margaret, are not mentioned. Except for this omission, appear nearly identical to the hand written version and more summaries of the contents of each page can be found in that record.
2000.FIC.02.038A
Sunday about noon Sister asked Mother if she heard Dr. Gilbert's prayer when he visited her, and she answered "Oh, yes, every word." She then said there were many things she wanted to tell us if she only had the strength to do so. "My dear children I want you to be very calm, don't weep, I want to talk to you while I can, I may live, I may die, but it does not matter if it comes just now or not, these things I want to say."
"I want to be taken to Rose Hill for my funeral, where I have spent so many happy hours, for I have had many good things in my life, have seen much that is beautiful. I want Dr. Hoyt to conduct the service. He knows me, and need not be told of my trust which has never faltered through 74 years of following Christ."
Sister said, "Are the everlasting arms underneath?" Very firmly her reply came, "Yes, oh, yes," I shall be satisfied when I wake with his likeness." - saying it twice.
To another enquiry she replied, "We are Christ's and Christ is God." When she gave these replies her face beamed with brightness her hands were uplifted and her emphasis very forcible. After giving us each her separate words of parting, she said, "Martha knows the hymn I want read at my grave, I want Dr, Pope to read it so that every word can be heard." Sister said, is it "In heavenly love abiding?" "No." I said is it, "Vital Spark of heavenly flame?" At the mention of each she expressed appreciation for she loved them well, but they were not the ones. But when Martha said, "Shall man, O God of light and life," she raised her hands saying, "That is it, that is the hymn." Get the Hymn book and read it just as well as you can." She listened, responded, waved her hands, and had the last stanza repeated."
When the pain overpowered her, Martha said,
[p. 2]
"Jesus can make a dying bed Feel soft as downy pillows are."
Instantly with a clear tone she followed with, "While on his breast I lean my head and breathe my life out sweetly there."
She said she could not recall Charles Wesley's last hymn, that she so often read to Father when he sat waiting for the gates to open for him, and asked to have it read, repeating with the reader the last two lines in rapturous tones.
She asked to have "Jesus lover of my soul" repeated and joined in, but her accent and emphasis were so beautiful that after the first stanza, she alone repeated the words so precious that her countenance shone.
A nephew came and knelt at her bed singing very softly and sweetly the first two stanzas of this hymn. She seemed almost entranced and asked him to go to his father's sick bed and sing it to him, for her.
She had the 103 Psalm read, and wanted some more favorite hymns repeated. We thought her too weak and urged her to go to sleep. She replied "If we were as comforted as she was with the hymns, we could not sleep."
When a friend asked her if she was thinking of the dear ones she would meet, of Father's joy at meeting her, and "What do you think Leverett will say?", she smiled "Yes" and said "Yes, and dear patient Oscar, who forty years ago was the first break in a family of eleven."
I asked her if she did not regret leaving us. She said, "No you have had me a long time." "When I was so ill the other night Jesus took me in his arms and everything earthly passed away."
2000.FIC.02.038B [p. 3]
"Don't grieve," "Don't Mourn" "Go to Jesus."
When very sick, and asked to go to sleep, she said, "I should like to sleep until I wake with His likeness." She prayed for patience when in intense pain, and comforted herself with passages of Scripture.
She was very tired and asked the time. Martha very gently said,
"Softly now the light of day
Fades upon our sight away
Free from care, from labor free
Lord we would commune with thee.
Thou, whose all pervading eye
Naught escapes, without, within,
Pardon each infirmity,
Open fault and secret sin.
Soon from us the light of day
Shall forever pass away;
Thine from sin and sorrow free
Take us, Lord, to dwell with thee."
With radiant face she exclaimed, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit." When we saw life was swiftly ebbing, Martha said, "Lift up your heads, oh, ye gates, that his heir of glory may enter in, and with her peaceful white face before us, we all weeping repeated the psalm, "Who is the king of glory, etc., as she entered within the gates into the city to be forever with the Lord.Collection
Early Family Papers: CahoonRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Cahoon, LeverettPerson or Organization
Cahoon, OscarPerson or Organization
Gilbert, Dr.Person or Organization
Hoyt, Dr.Person or Organization
Pope, Dr.Person or Organization
Wesley, Charles
