Rarely has death produced a greater vacuum in the family, the church and society, than in the recent decease of MR. JESSE G. COLE, of Perry County, Alabama. He died at his home, surrounded by his beloved wife and children, on the 12th of October, 1863, aged about 47 years. His disease was congestion of the lungs, and so severe and rapid was its work that in less than three days he breathed his last.
Though widely known, still the home circle was the place of his delight. And one who had the best opportunity of knowing his heart and life in the sacred precinct of the family testifies, "He was the best of husbands, the kindest of fathers, and a conscientious and considerate master."
The Providence of God smiled upon him and blessed him in basket and in store. But though successful in his worldly accumulations, he showed nothing of parsimony or illiberality. His heart, hand, and purse were ever open to the demands of charity. In this particular he was a signal example. Convince him that one object of benevolence or religion required aid and he came up to its support with a cheerful spirit and a full bounty. The people with whom he spent his life and in the midst of whom he died, honored him with their confidence and elected him to a seat in the State Legislature.
While a young man, he took upon him the yoke of Christ. For more than a quarter of a century, he has been a regular and consistent member of the Marion Presbyterian Church. His presence, counsel, and ready co-operation will be greatly missed by the congregation with whom he has so long worshipped.
His accumulated business had of late diverted and burdened his mind to such an extent as to distress him, lest his attention should be drawn off too much from spiritual and eternal things. He expressed his great anxiety so to shape his worldly affairs as to have more freedom for the study of God's word and other devotional duties. He received the tidings of his danger without alarm; affirmed his full confidence in Jesus Christ as his savior; prayed for God's presence with his family, and died with words of peace and triumph upon his lips. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."