Death Notice of Mrs. Isabella Hurst (née Black), composed by William Black and printed on thin cardstock, 7-3/4" by 9-1/2". Isabella was married to William Hurst (died 13 April 1874) and together they had eight children. Both William and Isabella are interred in St. James Cemetery, Stroud. The text of the notice is as follows: "Was a native of the County of Tyrone, Ireland, where was born in the year 1805. In 1828 she emigrated to Canada. The greater part of her married life was spent in the Township of Innisfil, County of Simcoe. At the time when, in connection with her husband and family, she moved to the settlement in which she died, she was without the grace of God in her heart, and was surrounded by a community who sneered at the idea of a present salvation by the power of God. But the prophecy – “The desert shall blossom as the rose,” was fulfilled there. Under the ministrations of the Rev. Thos. Stobbs, in the year 1856, the work of God prospered – scores were converted and joined the Wesleyan Church. Among the number were almost all in the neighbourhood in which she lived, of whom many remain until this day, but some have fallen asleep, we trust in Christ; and among those who then connected themselves with the Church militant, was the subject of this notice and her husband. As before conversion, our departed friend was “dead in sin;” after that time she became and continued alive to the interests of her soul. She made no pretensions to natural and spiritual excellence, but her prayers and related Christian experience were replete with honest, humble, and earnest expressions, betokening a trust in Christ alone for salvation – a determination to serve God – a hope of heaven within, arising out of “the love of God shed abroad in the heart.” The alternately Friday night prayer-meeting was one of the means of grace in which she was greatly blessed, and which she aided to sustain both by voice and presence during its existence, a space of nine years. Her place at the prayer-meeting, morning class-meeting, and public services at Victoria, was generally filled when health permitted. Her anxiety for the salvation of her numerous family was great. Should this notice come under the observation of any of the survivers [sic], it will doubtless call to mind many of her warnings and advices, and many of the prayers offered to heaven’s God in their behalf. As a Christian neighbor, she was generous, sympathizing, kind, and self-sacrificing – ever ready to comfort the distressed by word or act. As her years increased, religious subjects became increasingly the one great theme of her meditation and conversation. Her last illness was very severe, and protracted over several weeks. During those weeks, especially did she express great concern for her aged husband, that he might “be faithful until death,” and with their children meet her in heaven. While in constant expectation of the summons to depart, she expressed unwavering trust in Christ as her present Saviour – as he who had saved her in life, and, who, by the assurance of faith, she felt certain would save her in death. And thus triumphing over the last enemy, she departed this life, June 23rd, 1869. – W.B."
