It has been our
unpleasant duty of late to record the death of an unusual number of
individuals who were well-known in this community. This week we
announce, with much sadness, the death of Mrs. Robert Dickey, Sr.,
after a brief illness. Two weeks ago last Sabbath she was in her pew in
the U. P. Church, apparently as well as usual. Early in the week she
complained of feeling ill, but it was not until Friday that her
case became alarming to her friends and physicians. Her nervous system
seemed to suddenly break down, and for several days before her death,
which occurred on Thursday last at 9 p.m. her powers of speech were
almost wholly gone.
We are permitted to make the following extract from the funeral address of Rev. Brittain:
Mrs.
Matilda Dickey was born May 1810, in County Donegal, Ireland. She was
the daughter of John and Isabella Cooper, and one of a family of seven
children, five sons and two daughters. Her parents were members of the
Presbyterian Church, of Ireland, and her early training in the
doctrines of grace bore abundant fruit in a life of consecration to her
Master, who she publicly professed at the age of 16 years. Of her
experience during the early years of her Christian life we have no
definite record. We may properly conclude that it was in harmony with
what we know of her life in the years that followed down to the very
close. In company with her brother, James, she left her home and native
land and came to this country in the year 1831, locating in Pittsburgh,
Pa. Ten years later she was joined in this country by her parents and
other members of the family. Two years after her arrival here she was
married to Mr. Robert Dickey, who lives to mourn her loss, the marriage
service being performed by the rev. Alexander Boyd, of the Associate
Church, Pittsburgh, Pa. After spending some twelve years in Allegheny
county, she came with her husband to this county, locating in
Greenville in the year 1845. Her church privileges, while she remained
in the city of Pittsburgh, were, first, in connection with the
Associate Reformed Church, of which Rev. Joseph Kerr, of precious
memory, was pastor, and subsequently under the ministry of Dr. James
Rodgers, of the Associate Church, Allegheny. The services of both these
eminent men of God were fragrant in her memory to the close of her life.
On
removing to this place she became a member of the Associate
Congregation, under the pastoral care of Dr. D. H. A. McLean, of which
congregation (now U. P.) she remained a beloved and most consistent
member till she was called to join the fellowship of the spirits of the
just made perfect. In noting some of the prominent virtues of this
remarkable life, we would mention her faith. She lived by faith.
Her faith manifested itself in a life of prayer. It was no unusual
thing to find her upon her knees engaged in secret devotion. A few days
before her death her daughter missed her, and thinking she had gone up
stairs, went to look for her, and found her at the bottom of the
stairway in secret prayer. It was her custom when troubled about
anything thus to retire for communion with God. Her faith was further
shown in her love for God's word. Her favorite book was an old copy of
the Scriptures in large type. This volume she had used till it was
almost worn out. The statutes of the Lord were her songs in the house
of her pilgrimage. She "hid God's word in her heart that she might not
offend against Him." His house was equally clear to her. Nothing but
sickness ever kept her out of her pew. But two weeks before her death
she was at the house of God, and carried home most of the sermon,
reporting it to members of the family who had not heard it.
She
was earnest and thoughtful in all her church work. She will be
greatly missed by the congregation of which she was so long a member.
None could have a higher place in the affections of the people. At home
her piety shone the brightest. Her life was given to making comfortable
and happy those about her in the home. Her patience, humility and
self-sacrifice were of the very highest type. She was not forgetful to
"entertain strangers." Her hospitality was large and generous. She made
everyone who went in and out of her home feel a desire to visit her
again. For many years her house was the place of entertainment for
ministers who were stopping in town, and she said "she thought it no
trouble to entertain them . for their prayers brought a blessing on the
home. " Among her neighbors in times of sickness or trouble she was an
angel of mercy. Her charity was remarkable. It was of the kind that
"covers a multitude of sins." It is the testimony of an old and
intimate friend: "I have known her for thirty years and never heard her
speak ill of anyone." She always said, "If we have nothing good to
report of a person, let us keep silence."
Her last sickness was
of short duration, and of such a character as to make it almost
impossible for her to talk. This was a source of regret to the family,
as she seemed to wish to say something which she could not utter. But
her whole life had spoken for her Master, and in such a way as to
leave no doubt that she had made her peace with God, and was fully
prepared to go hence. The few closing words of her life were full of
confident hope that God was her father, Jesus her Saviour, and heaven
her eternal home.
The funeral occurred on Saturday at 10 a.m.,
and the large number in attendance was an evidence of the great
affection entertained for deceased by her neighbors. The services were
conducted by rev. J. R. Brittain, her pastor, assisted by Rev. Prof. H.
W. Roth, of Thiel College and Rev. C. S. Tinker, of the Baptist Church.
Rev. Brittain's address was able and appropriate, closing with a
feeling and well deserved tribute to the memory of the deceased.
Source: The Record-Argus (Greenville, Pennsylvania) 01 Mar 1883, Thu., pg. 3
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