DEATH OF MRS. MURPHY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 396, 12 November 1880, Page 15

DEATH OF MRS. MURPHY.

TO THE EDITOB OF THE TABLET.

Sib, — Observing tie death of this estimable old lady chronicled in your issue of last week, I cannot allow the occasion to pass without offering a few remarks on the deceased. It is an old saying and a charitable one that we ought not to speak of those who have gone before us, except in terms of praise, and were I to state anything to tft contrary on the present occasion, 1 certainly should not look on mgself as being free from maligning the departed. A kinder soul never breathed. Calm, patient, and resigned to the will oi Providence under all circumstances, her generous nature ever sympathised with those in want and distress, whilst nobody who ever made an appeal to her for help was sent away disappointed. She was always happy and contented, nay, even gay and cheerful as the sons and (laughters who have been the consolation of her declining years. For over twenty years she resided in this locality, during which time she endeared herself to all who had the pleasure of making her acquaintance. And who is it that did not know Mrs. Murphy 1 Scarcely any person of respectability paid a visit to this remote district who did not pay a tribute of respect to the grey hairs and advanced age of this venerable old lady, by going in person to offer their felicitations. And right well was the visit appreciated, for the proverbial warm-heartedness and hospitality of the Irish race were never more fully exemplified than in her humble person. Being blessed by Providence with the best and most dutiful of children, her's was not a varied or chequered career. She always lived in comparative ease and comforc. and, towards the decline of life, had the consolation of seeing her children's steady and persevering efforts rewarded by considerable affluence and wealth. Ever generous and charitable, she always set a good example to all, by contributing of her means towards the support of any good cause or helping on any good work. Though knowing that which decayeth and groweth old is near its end, yet so hale and vigorous was she to within a short time of her death, that the end did come rather unexpectedly. But though somewhat unexpected, yet it was not a bit the less provided for. She seemed to live but for one end or object, viz., to serve God faithfully, and to secure the salvation of her own soul. Whilst her conversation was pleasing, and even sometimes amusing, there was always observable something solemn and impressive in her demeanour, which caused one to think that the thoughts of death were not far away. The fact is that her whole life seems now to have been one long preparation for the day of death. She had no reason to be afraid of death, for she feared God during life. Death lor her had no terrors, it was only the last day of her toils and labours. Even at the last hour might be heard falling from her lips her favourite expression during life, "Blessed be the will of God." Calm, patient, and resigned as 6*ne was during life, so also was she on the approach of death. On the morning of Thursday, 22nd Oct., she drew her last sigh and gave up her pure soul into the hands of her Creator. The funeral, which took place on the following Sunday, was by far the largest as well as the most respectable ever witnessed in this district. People of all classes and denomination came from St. Bathans, Clyde, Alexandra, Cromwell, and Ophir, to swell the ranks of the funeral cortege, already large, and to do honour to the remains of the departed. She was interred in the cemetery at Ophir, beside her kindhearted and beloved son, whose death took place a few years ago. The burial service, as prescribed by the Roman Ritual, was read in a very impressive manner by the Rev. Father Sheehan, and was listened to with marked attention by the assembled crowd. Many will mourn her loss, but none will feel this loss more keenly than the three sons and only daughter, who always clung to her with such laudable pride and affection. Much sympathy is telt for the bereaved family, who are highly respected in this district. Mrs. Murphy died as she had lived, a sincere and devout Catholic. — Requiescat in. pace. — I am, &c,

A SYMPATHISE!*.

Tinkers Gully, November Bth, 1880.

Mr. Warton, M.P., writes to the Times :— " Allow me to state that I voted last night in the division on the Lords' amendment (Lord Beaconsfield's) by mistake in the wrong lobby. The truth is I was sleeping so soundly that I did not hear the question put by the Speaker, and completely misunderstood what we were voting about. To my horror, I, a Tory, found myself among advanced Liberals — so advanced that many of them had voted a day or two ago for the unconstitutional motion of the honourable member for the city of Gnlway. I was in favour of the Lords' amendments, and had supported Lord Brabournc's by voice and vote." Important news from Spain, dated August 19tb, says :— " The Cj^cil of Ministers held a lengthy sitting to-day, at which it was debuted to take preventive measures in view of the present attitude of the Carlist party in the Basque provinces. A despatch from the Vatican was read at the sitting, announcing that the Pope accepted the position of god-father to the expected heir to the Spanish throne. It is considered that this will draw closer the friendly relationg existing between Spain and the Vatican. The granddaughter of Sir Mo«es Montefiore has been married, at Paris, to Count Ricci, by a Rabbi of the German Reformed Jews. The bride being a Jewess and the bridegroom a Protestant, no Babbi could be found among the strict Paris Jews to perform the ceremony. Ultimately a German Jew was found willing to do the needful ; but the ceremony had to take place, as it wero extra civitatem, at the British Embassy.