ELIZABETH PATTON PHILLIPS, eldest daughter of Gen. William Phillips, died at the residence of her grandfather, Dr. Geo. D. Phillips, in Habersham county, on the morning of the 22d of January, 1865, aged 12 years and 11 months. She was attacked by diphtheria on Tuesday night, and before the dawn of the following Sabbath, she had ceased to breathe; so quickly did she bid adieu to earthly scenes and prospects and friends. If those amicable qualities in childhood, that attract the affections of relations, companions and servants, give promise of a character when mature, that would adorn society, then would she have been an honor and comfort to those who, divided by Divine counsel, had “trained her in the way in which she should go.” If, to have been brought, in the arms of parental faith, to that Saviour who is “the same yesterday, today and forever,” for His blessing, inspires the confidence that the offering was accepted and the blessing bestowed, then may we hope that she is one of those of whom He said, “Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Her regular attendance on the worship of God, her serious attention to the glad tidings of salvation, and her interest in sacred things, afforded evidence that the germ of grace had been implanted in her heart, preparatory to its full development and maturity in a more congenial world than this. While nature is reluctant to give up an object of love, and one on whom so much care had been bestowed, just at a time when their attention began to be appreciated and repaid by affection, yet, grace controls the reluctance of nature, so as to say to our Heavenly Father, in the midst of tears, “Thy will be done,” and permits Him, without murmuring or disputing, to do as He will with His own.
Source: Southern Watchman, Athens, Georgia, March 1, 1865; Pg. 2
