The Eupora Progress

M. W. Sharp, Editor and Publisher. Eupora, Mississippi, Thursday, Sept. 12th, 1907. Number 37, Volume XVIII. Front Page. [Type setting errors left as they appear in print.  Transcribed and copyright by James A. Strain, 2004.]

"Oh death, where is thy sting?

Oh grave, where is thy victory?"

To the man who lives the life, and dies the death of the righteous, death has no sting, nor does the grave gain any victory.

Such a man was Bro. M. C. Allen, whose gentle, christian spirit took its heavenly flight on yesterday morning at early dawn at his home in this city. He had lived a beautiful God fearing life in the faithful service of his Master and for him death of that which was mortal had no terrors. It was only a passing of an immortal soul from a time worn body into its sweet, peaceful rest to awaken again on the resurrection morning, there to be gloriously rewarded according to the countless deeds of charity, love and ministry done in the body.

We, his friends everywhere, mourn his loss from among us. We can ill afford his absence from our midst. His departure is a distinct loss to his country, his church, his county, his community, his lodge and to his family. Notwithstanding these sad reflections his was a death, sweet to contemplate, for death to him was eternal gain, eternal peace, eternal glory.

M. C. Allen was born seventy-nine years ago yesterday in Ohio. While he was yet in infancy his parents emigrated to Mississippi and settled in Pontotoc county, where he was reared to manhood. Having attained his majority he removed to Webster county, since which time his life has been spent in this and Calhoun counties. A few years ago he moved from the Slate Springs community to Eupora where his last days were spent.

More than forty years ago Bro. Allen entered the Baptist ministry and for his church and the Master’s cause he fought a noble fight for more than two score years, preaching the gospel, giving kind words of timely counsel and doing whatever good his hands and heart found to do.

His last illness was a stomach trouble, bordering closely upon appendicitis and he was sick only a few days when the final dissolution came. Yesterday afternoon all that was mortal of this good man was borne tenderly to the local cemetery, where after a beautiful and impressive funeral service by Rev. Luther Phelps, he was consigned to his last resting place by the Masonic fraternity, of which he was an honored member, being at death chaplain of Eupora Lodge No. 423.

Bro. Allen has been twice married. By his first union six children survive him, and by his last he is survived by an aged widow and three children. His children are: Messrs. W. W. Allen, Slate Springs; Geo. F. Allen, Texas; Joseph S. Allen, Terry, Miss.; Mesdames H. H. McKee, Eupora; J. W. McPhail, Slate Springs; Lucy Allen Smoak, Jackson; T. C. and Arch Mabry, Texas; J. W. Lowry, Grenada.

The writer, who esteemed Bro. Allen among our nearest and dearest of friends, unites with countless other friends everywhere in the sincerest expressions of sympathy for the bereaved family.