The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-20


All over the land to-day the churches will
be moved by the pious appeal for the prayers
OF the faithful which comes to the Christian
people of America from that most wiGely and
devoted of women, Lady Franklin. Lying at
the point of death she does not forget how
every pulse had moved in response to her APP
peals in the past in behalf of her noble hus-
band, nor fail to ask the prayers of those
sympathetic hearts in the dark and trying
hour which comes but once to all of us. No
spectacle could be grander than the invoca-
tons which will go up this morning from
thousand affairs to the throne of the Most
High beseeching the Heavenly Father to
smooth the dying pillow of this constant and
devoted lady. For more than thirty years
she held herself true to the memory of the
man to whom she had plghted her girlish
faith, and until certain tidings of his fate had
been at last obtained she not only hoped
against hope for his return, but labored to-
ward that end with q zeal and earnestness
and intelligence which have never been sur
passed All history does not afford another
such example In her own person she COM
heroines of mythology and romance. Even
Homer could not have created goddess SO
sincere and so perfect in oil that pertains to
true womanhood Inspired by the example
of the wife who would not even permit him
to linger day from his duty, though she
knew she was dying and would never see him
again in this world, the second Lady Franklin
~ 81 L.
She was constant to her lord not only till his
death-not merely TO his memory till the
last--but labored constantly to clear up the
mystery of his fate. So great was her faith,
80 unceasing her endeavors, so high and noble
her undertaking, that she enlisted in her work
the sympathies of the whole world. For
nearly fifteen years she was unable to obtain
even a clew to the fate of the distinguished
captain whose name she bore. Two American
expeditions, aided by her purse and full of
the grand purpose which inspired her own
breast, had sailed in vain to find some
tidings of the lost explorer. At last
another American xpedition-Captain
McChntock's-the fruit of her own
pious and pathetic appeals, brought her news
which, though it disappointed her hopes and
confirmed her fears, set at rest the doubt
which filled her soul with agony. She knew,
at least, that Sir John Franklin was dead,
and secured for all her pains and oil that long
and agonizing suspense q brief record Of his
fate, sad as that record was. During oil those
years of suffering and sorrow Lady Franklin
was strengthened by the prayers and SYM
pathies of the people, to whom she now
appeals in the hour of her extremity and the
voices Of supplication which will 60 up for
her to-day will be in great measure praises
of thanktulness for the example she has set
not only by her many Christian virtues but for
the increased sanctity with which she clothed
true womanly devotion. In an age when the
marriage vow is but lightly held, even in some
Of the churches which bear the Christian
name that example is priceless in its worth.
If she had no other claim to our respect the
devotion with which she chung to the memory
of the bold and daring explorer, with whose
fame her own is linked, and the unexamplsd
courage she displayed in following every clew
to his tate would commend her as worthy Of
every honor and entitled to the highest regard
which men can bestow upon womanhood.