Mrs Lena Graham, Dumbarton
The last request Lena Graham made to me, a few days before she died, was to remember to pray that her desire to be taken to Heaven soon, would be granted. The last audible words she uttered, as far as could be made out, were: “Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.” For these reasons, it is difficult to mourn over her death, as we would normally mourn over many another, because her desire and longing to go to the “better country” was granted without further discomfort and inconvenience.
Lena was born to Godly parents on the last day of 1935, and was carefully brought up in the fear of the Lord. All her days she led an exemplary life and was loved by everyone whether neighbour, relation, or church acquaintance. Nevertheless, the great change of a “new heart” was still needed. When she appeared before the Kirk-Session in 1981 she acknowledged this necessity and freely confessed that she was prepared to openly acknowledge what the Lord had done for her.
From the time she knew of her terminal disease, Lena had only one wish and that was to be taken to Heaven quickly. She felt greatly the anxiety and concern of her family as she lived the last few months of her life and it was for their sakes, as well as for her own, that she wished for a speedy removal to Glory, if she was not to get better.
One of the remarkable things about her seven months on a death-bed, was the wonderful way in which her assurance was upheld. It has often been the case that many of God’s children have lost their assurance for a period of time before their death, but this was not the case with Lena Graham. She did have her moments, all the same, and when asked, she sometimes replied that when lying on her bed Satan would present the most awful thoughts to her mind, and, although she knew that the “Truth” was the only way to attack Satan, she mourned over her poor memory of Scripture. On a death-bed, Satan’s chief means of harassment is through the mind, and, when unable to read, a good memory of Scriptural truths can prove invaluable. I must emphasise, however, that Lena never complained of these attacks from Satan, but only mentioned them when asked about them. Indeed, she never complained about anything and it was only when pressed that she opened out about it and one began to realize that she did have her moments of temptation. However, her confidence in Christ was never shaken and whenever the subject of conversation turned to her Lord you heard no more about Satan. She was full of the place she was going to and her eyes would light up when speaking about Heaven and a smile would come on her face. She looked forward with longing for Heaven.
Visiting Lena was not a burden for anyone. One came out of her room strengthened rather than saddened; encouraged rather than discouraged; and more established in the faith rather than weakened in the Christian race. She refused to be drawn into talking about any discomfort she might be suffering, which mercifully was kept to a minimum, replying that she had everything to be thankful for. When she began to get easily tired, she would ensure that when I called, the first thing attended to was to have worship, so that, if she suddenly weakened in company, it was earthly conversation and worldly business that would be omitted. Sometimes, when visiting with others, she would beckon me to stay behind for a few minutes, when her only enquiry would be about the “Heavenly Jerusalem”. With regard to earthly matters her chief concern was the temporal and spiritual provision of her family, and everything that could be arranged in that connection was done and the rest was committed to prayer.
The end came relatively quickly. She had really not been very well all that day but she was her usual bright self and actually sang part of Psalm 116 on her own. Around 5 o’clock she seemed to suddenly weaken and on noticing one of the family becoming upset, she said: “Now, remember, there is to be no mourning over me” and this seemed to strengthen everyone. By 5.30 she went into a coma and could be heard saying “Come Lord Jesus, come quickly” and she never regained consciousness. Several gathered around her bed and although Psalm 23 was sung; two or three prayers offered; and her being told that the Heavenly Bridegroom was coming, it is doubtful if she was aware of anything by then. At first, it was not thought that she would be alive by 8 p.m. but she seemed to rally for a few hours until during the first few minutes of Wednesday, 19th December, 1984 she breathed for the last time.
We cannot but extend our condolences to her aged parents who are still spared in the Lord to reach almost twice her age; to her three sisters of whom she was the youngest; and to assure her husband and two daughters of our continued prayer and sympathy. We would appeal to all who read this obituary that her God can be your God; her people can be your people; and her death can be your death through Jesus Christ the Lord.
“Another lily gathered” (Song of Solomon 6: 2)
G.I.M.