The Portland daily press., 1883-06-07
In Memoriam-Edward P. aaines.

To the Editor of the Press.
ask, as a member OF Maine Lodge, /. o, o.
T., space in your paper to enable me to pay a
slight tribute OF respect to a worthy member
who for long years was constant attendant
upon its meetings:
1t is pleasant to speak words of praise about
our absent friends.
When a good man enters the other life our
sorrow for his loss is softened by the thought
that In greater degree his sphere OF useful
ness has been enlarged that he is fully equipped
TO perform uses in the spiritual world In copss-
quence of his perfect training in the natural.
These thoughts suggest themselves TO me as
think OF the good brother who lately left us.
Born in this city, educated in her schools he
lived among its people past the mile stone of
three score years and ten.
Unobtrusively he picked his way mid the
busy crowds that lostled him in his march
across the stage OF life. Nearly forty wears he
exemplfed in his daily walk the lessons
learned at our affairs
With him Odd Fellowship was an indwell-
ing principle that influenced his whole being,
hence he devotedly loved the Order. For
Maine Lodge, the home Of his choice, his at
tachment amounted to affection and grew
stronger as he neared the setting sun.
Preferring to remain private in our ranks,
he refused all honors that were often urged
upon him.
To show the character of this good man, let
me state one OF his many nnassuming acts of
tenderness and love. 1t was his practice every
year to furnish flowers and place them "Me-
mortal Day" upon the grave of friend who
gave his life TO his country. As that day drew
near his strength had failed him TO such an ex-
tent that he felt that he would be unable
to perform that duty He told his sisters
II he was not here he wanted it done just as
he had done it in the past Loving hands car
ried out his wish. He met the messenger Of
death calmly with smile on his honest face
that was SO much loved by his family.
he had lived TO meet him peacefully. IL
was fitting that in the time of spring when ma
ture was putting ON her beautiful apparel, in
time OF flowers when the birds were singing
love on every spray" that he should enter in
to the rest prepared for those like him; for he
loved the flowers and birds. To him the beau
tiful things in nature were the photograph of
things more beautiful in the spiritual world.
He was laid away among a large number OF
his friends and relatives in our beautiful city
OF the dead in leafy June.
Upon his "headstone" may justly be inscrit-
ed these words of Burns
An honest man here lies at rest
AS e'er God with his image blest!
The friend Of man. the friend of truth
The friend OF age and guide OF youth.
He has entered the perfect lodge. AS we look
over our death roll we are startled to find that
their number would make lodge larger than
can be found in many of our Jurisdictions. No
doubt he was lovingly greeted by angel friends
who loved him on earth; his brother who was
a worthy member who left us moro than tweu-
ty years ago being one of them.
so friend If thought and sense avail not
To know thee hence forth as thou art.
That all is well with thee forever
l trust the instincts of my heart
Thine be the quiet habitation,
Thine the green pastures blossom s0wn
And smiles Of sanity recognition
AS sweet and tender as thine own.
WILLIAM H. SMITH.