MRS. MATILDA M. ASBURY.

(Read by L. D. Moore.)

Mrs. Matilda M. Asbury was the widow of the late Joseph W. Asbury and mother of Charles E. Asbury, both of the Indiana Conference. She was born in Sullivan County, Indiana, July 31, 1829, and died in the parsonage home of her son in Jeffersonville, Indiana, July 24, 1903, lacking just one week of being seventy-four years old. Her maiden name was Mahan, a prominent family connection in Central Indiana.

She was married in 1850. Her husband was then a plasterer. Immediately after marriage they removed to Terre Haute, Indiana, and became members of the old "Asbury," now "First." Church, where our brother served as class-leader. In 1856, after some schooling in an academy in Farmersburg, Sullivan County, with a view to better preparation for the ministry, he was licensed to preach, and received into the Indiana Conference. Their first appointment was Brazil Mission, then a paltry village, and their pastoral residence was a single room back of a liquor saloon. At this most dismal outlook Sister Asbury, when first left alone, broke down in tears. Their work was greatly blessed, resulting in rapid and substantial growth for Methodism, which has become so strong in that now important city. This place was made sacred to them by the birth of their daughter, Annie, now the widow of W. H. Thomas, and residing in Los Angeles, California. At Quincy, their next appointment, they were intrusted with their only son, Charles E., at present pastor of Wall Street Church, Jeffersonville, Indiana.

In the course of the itinerancy they served in seventeen charges, such as Martinsville, Mooresville, Ames Church, Indianapolis; Rockport, Spencer, Ml Vernon. When at Petersburg, on March 4, 1888, while preaching a funeral discourse, Brother Asbury, almost without warning, sank into a state of unconsciousness, and died a few hours afterward. Then began a pilgrimage of widowhood continuing over fifteen years. She made her home alternately with her most dutiful daughter and son, crossing the continent to and fro ten times to receive this filial care. About seven years ago she met with an accident, by which she was disabled and compelled ever afterwards to use crutches. The necessity thus created for personal service in the families of her children developed very beautifully their filial duty and devotion. There are two grandsons in each family.

The cemetery in Petersburg, Indiana, was chosen as the resting-place for the body worn out in faithful, carefully-directed activities, because the earth there covers the mortal frame of her husband, who, as a Christian soldier, was entombed on the battlefield where he fell. Funeral services were held in the church in Jeffersonville, in charge of the Presiding Elder, Rev. J. M. Baxter, assisted by Rev. John Poucher, D. D., of New Albany District. All the pastors in Jeffersonville and New Albany were present.

Mrs. Asbury was honored in being the wife of one Methodist preacher and the mother of another, both of whom have been very useful servants of the Church. There is no telling how much the efficiency and exceptional acceptability of her husband were due to her quiet, even, unobtrusive, and practical co-operation. Wherever they lived the pastor's home was held in high respect. Her son, who has been honored in serving three of the charges where his father labored so happily, doubtless owes much of his unique usefulness to that earnest, honest, plain, frank, conscientious character of his mother. She sought no conspicuous position. She strove to make a good home and discharge the duties that were thrust on her. There seemed to be little of imaginative sentiment in her tastes and disposition. She was willing for common service, which furnishes the theme for true poetry. She was a professed Christian in childhood, in face of special difficulties occurring in early life. Her reward is well earned.

Taken from the "Minutes of the Seventy-First Session of the Indiana Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church Held at Vincennes, Indiana September 17-22, 1902"