I have an interest in epitaphs. Epitaphs tell us something of the deceased and/or their near family and community.

During last week’s visit to the Port Arthur Historic Site I took time to do the harbour tour and read up on the Isle of the Dead. The Isle of the Dead holds many secrets but some valuable research has been published by Richard Lord and Partners of Taroona Tasmania in ‘Isle of the Dead: Port Arthur – Inscriptions on the headstones and historical background of the cemetery at Port Arthur penal establishment 1830-1877’, 6th edition 2009.  

The Revd George Eastman served the penal settlement and Tasman community from 1859 to 1870. One cold and stormy evening he responded to a call to visit a dying convict. Following time and Christian ministry to the dying man he returned home and went to bed already unwell. This was to be his own death bed as he never rose from it again. Within 2 days he had died of pneumonia. Two of our guides commented on his compassion and care for the convicts. 

The west side of his raised sandstone vault reads,

SACRED

to the memory of

THE REVD GEORGE EASTMAN.

For 26 Years the faithful Chaplain on Tasman’s Peninsula.

and at other Institutions.

who departed this life

25th April 1870.

Aged 51 years.

 

(East side)

Long and earnestly the Pastor Labored

to bring souls to CHRIST,

And oft on this Calm Isle, proclaimed

to mourning groups, the Christian’s Cheering

HOPE

THE JOYFUL RESURRECTION MORN

and

GLORIOUS IMMORTALITY.

He being dead yet speaketh              HEB. XI.4.

 The Revd George Eastman’s life of service both warmed my heart and inspires my ongoing ministry.

 His epitaph both records and proclaims his passion for evangelism, his pastoral ministry and the HOPE OF THE JOYFUL RESURRECTION MORN in which he lived and ministered. I want to use my (probably shorter) epitaph to proclaim the resurrected Christ. I thank George Eastman for his example and God for The Revd Eastman’s life.

  For further reflection, prayer and work:

• What will I request for my epitaph? 
• What epitaph will be given of me by my family / friends / community?
• What epitaph will the Lord of History write of me?
• And you, my friend; what of your epitaph(s)?

 See also,  Death notices: a place of honouring and proclaiming.

Photo of Revd George Eastman’s tomb courtesy of The Gardens Family website.