A Noble Woman Gone to Rest.
Sister Margaret A. Elam was born on January 7. 1835; was married to James A. Elam on July 8, 1851; became a member of the church of Christ in 1853. being baptized by Jesse B. Ferguson; and died at the home of her son, E. A. Elam, near Lebanon. Tenn. on February 7, 1907. Her home was at Fosterville, Tenn., but she was on a short visit to her son's, and on the Sunday before her death she fell from the cellar steps, fracturing her skull. She was unconscious when found and remained so until her death. Her husband had preceded her to the heavenly home about seventeen years, he having died from injuries received When his house was wrecked by a tornado. My long and intimate acquaintance with Sister Elam enables me to speak knowingly of her worth and attainments as a woman and a Christian. She was a woman naturally of a fine mind. Her educational advantages were poor, yet by reading and study at home she became cultured above the average. As a neighbor, she was kind, sympathetic, and helpful. To her husband she was a true helpmeet. She was her husband's second wife; she reared five children and three of her husband's by his first marriage. She so impressed herself upon these children that all seemed to be of one family. The older children have frequently told me that they knew no difference between her and their own mother. While she impressed herself on the community in these respects that I have mentioned, it was as a member of the church that she stood preeminent. She was the real founder of the church of Christ at Fosterville, and up to her death one of its strongest pillars. The struggle was a long one, and a less tenacious person would have given up in despair. A union house had been built there and the first meetings for prayer that were ever held there were held at her earnest request. It was in one of these meetings that E. A. Elam, her oldest son, then a boy. prayed his first public prayer. This, for aught we know, was that which gave to the church of Christ that strong advocate. I began to labor with the church there the first of 1884. The year closed with seemingly no impression on the community and the preacher thoroughly discouraged; but, more from the earnest entreaty of Sister Elam than anything else, I agreed to continue another year. That year I baptized twenty-one persons. This gave strength and encouragement. and the struggle has not been so great since. The success was the result of the labors, prayers, and tears of Sister Elam and the faithful few who stood by her. While she bas ceased to serve here and gone to serve above. her influence will still be a benediction to that community. J. D. Floyd, Gospel Advocate, March 14, 1907, p. 166.