The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-29
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH.
Memorial Sermon 20 the Late Nine.
Audubon.

Memorial Sermon TO tho Late Mime.
Audubon.
The Rev. G. A. Stoddard, ID. D., preached a
memorial discourse yesterday upon Mme. Audubon,
the recently deceased widow OF the eminent
naturalist, at the Washington Heights Presbyterian
church. He took as his text the thirtietn and
thirty verses of Proverbs, thirty first chapter:
"a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be
praised. Give her OF the fruit OF her hands ana
let her own works praise her in the gates. The
preacher said
On Tuesday last the ashes OF q remarkable, use
ful and excellent woman were committed to the
tomb II Is rare experience for any commun ~
to be favored with the active presence and visible
example OF woman of iour score years; but
many OF this assembly can recall that aged form
and benignant cOuntenance, as she moved among
US upon errands OF usefulness and beuevolence,
with benedictions upon her tongue and smiles that
were blessing to all that met her. She went
away from this city few years since to close
her life among scenes that were consecratsd
by the love and iabors OF enthusiastic YOUTH for
in Kentucky she began lie With her ardent ana
gifted husband sixty six years ago but she passed
not away from the memory or the affections of
those among whom she had lived Tor q quarter OF
q century. The aged bring their sheaves OF
ripenet grain. rne men ana women Id their prime
weave embems and trophies and the children
gather fresh flowers to deck her tomb. for the
friend of many years has dropped out OF the
thinncd rank where the Old walk few aud feeble.
TIE example and ornament OF SOCIAL and domestic
lie Is gone. the faithful and successful teacher or
many children Is no more.
The speaker then gave an outline OF the early
life OF Mrs. Audubon. tracing her history from the
Pennsylvania. and set out as his vile upon re-
markable and eyentful career to the day OF his
death. He described their wanderings trials and
msiortunes and paid high tribute to Nine. Au.
due0n's
ENERGY, PATIENCE AND DEVOTION
to her husbands interests. Wnen, in the face OF
many obstacles ana contrary to the advice OF
friends who regarded him as mailman, Audubon
decided s 70 pursue ornitnoiogy as his profession
the opportunity which 1t crayed. she gave him
not only words OF announcement but devoted
several thousand dollars which she mad earned by
teaching to help forward tie publications OF his
drawings and insure his success. She went with
with him while he obtained subscribers to his great
work. For years sne bore the pain OF separation
@ While sne provea for eT cnasn ne ey her her
lahors, and rejoiccd In the triumph which she had
aided him to achieve without q thought OF the
struggles and pr,vations whcn 1t had cost her,
and when the keen eye that had caught
50 quickly , each shade Of the pIumage Of
no longer ply the pencil; when 'siient, PATIENT
sorrow filed broken heart" and body and mind
MEAN Tn h Gs YEA nG home
with him; she nurscd and cared for him with un-
firing faithralness and Christian serenity, till in
departed.
The preacher then pictured the life Of the vener.
able woman, who at seventy years Of age could be
seen relieving the poor, teaching the young and
adding charm to social life. He extoiled her use
fulness her strict devotion to duty and her broad
Christian charity, ana closed with this earnest ap-
pcal.-My friends, many OF you have known Nine.
Audubon as friend and ncighbOr, and TO you my
words have perhaps seemed feeble and inadequate.
May urge you, then as u better trou!e to her
memory, TO reproduce her character and illustrate
her virtues for the benefit OF the times In which
you Lvcs Renew her example or interrupted sin
certify, or wi.eiy and mOtherly devotion, OF dsre-
gara Tor the vanities OF fashion and the hollow
pretences OF ARTIFICIAL society. Bring up your chill
dren to respect as well as to love you, and train
them for usefulness as we'll rs for enjoyment. Let
your husbands feel that their honor and success
are dear 10 you, tor other reasons than because
THEY WILL BRING YOU THE PLEASURES or WEALTH.
Make your influence felt wherever you 1--we by
your interest In education, your care for the poor
your consistent piety your liberal charity. Cast
oul pride anu vanity from your lives ana cultivate
the grace OF humility, which Is an ornament OF
great price In the sight or God. Let no scandal
r0ughen your tongues. ana put tar from you the
sin OF evil speaking. Lift your minds into the
pure atmosphere OF intelligence. virtue and piety
and the result VIII be seen not only IN the next
generation or youth, but In the rapid and perma.
nent Improvement OF the men OF the present time
so shall you be praised in the gates OF the CITY
many shall rise up and call you blessed and the
favor and smile OF God shall rest richly upon you.
Grr MApU,c cnAn or mup ona