OBITUARY OF OBADIAH W. KNIGHT
This obituary of Obadiah Woodson Knight,
an early-day settler in Dallas County, Texas,
was published in 1868 in the Dallas Weekly Herald.*
Obvious typographical errors have been corrected,
and bracketed matter has been added.
Obituary.
Died at his late residence near Dallas, on the 1st April [1868], in the 61 year of his age, O. W. Knight, a most estimable citizen of this County for 22 years, and an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for at least two score years. Born in Virginia, for a number of years residing in Bedford County, Tenn., he settled in Dallas County [Texas] in 1845.
In his decease, society and the Church join the large family connection in sorrow over the loss of one of the most excellent of men. Energetic and provident, he had accumulated comfort and abundance—whilst the citizen, the neighbor, the friend and the Christian united in him, to hallow his name in the heart of the community.
Pure-minded and generous-hearted, tireless in energy and fixed in purpose, he has left as a life, (in his sphere,) to be revered and imitated. Unmurmuring amid a long and painful illness, he awaited for weeks as a white-haired patriarch, his departure to be at rest. The united spirit-land, to him had no gloomy foreshadowings; but firm in Christian integrity, his heart yearned to depart to the world of Light and Life. Even as the very silver cord loosed he shouted Hosanna to Redeeming Blood. To meet boldly and calmly our destiny is a sublime spectacle, but when the aged one, life's race has run, confidently and resignedly goes down to triumph through the last great struggle, it is here we see the glory and the power of the Gospel.
We attempt no needless eulogy—“His works do follow him;” his name has a perennial freshness in our hearts—no words are words of comfort to the widowed and orphaned. Their grief is too sacred to be disturbed. Let them weep and cherish their sorrow, 'tis nature bids them. Yet while heart bleeds, and daily they realize their growing desolateness, may they remember, “what I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know.” True, the “Crown” is taken away, but he is only transferred in advance to await your coming. Father, give us grace in these hours of affliction, steady our faith, and keep us safely pressing on to the home of the redeemed and loved ones above.
W. H. S.
Dallas, April 10th 1868.
*Dallas Weekly Herald, Saturday, April 11, 1868, p. 2, col. 6.