The Portland daily press., 1884-05-06
E,,x.be,h wh,,c Coadprd Thon,a..


An appreciative notice of Mrs. Thomas has
already appeared In the PRESS. But it seems
fitting that something should be added to the
brief paragraphs already published, that the
wide and happy influence of Mrs. Thomas in
this community during her entire life, may be
put on record as memorial for tho satisfac-
ton of those coming after her, to whom her
memory will be precious, an heirloom to be
cherished and perpetuated. \ A woman of
rare endo wments of heart, mind and man.
ners. Mrs. Thomas united in her own person,
the peculiar gifts and grsces inherited from
an ancestry among the most ancient and hon
ored of New England Her afinities and
sympathies were with whatsoever is pure, is
lovely, is elevated, is of good report. Alive
to the woudrous beauty of nature, she was fill
ed with exquisite pleasure by all that is fair on
earth. With Joy fresh as a child's in the re-
turn of Spring and the budding of blossoms,
her whole soul expanded in the glory of her
last Easter Day, festival most intimately
connected with the promise of the natural sea-
son and with her own brightest hopes.
Gods singers upon the earth ever found
her, whose life was music, responsive to their
sweet harmonies To the end, she was dis
tinguished for her never failing interest in
the thought and action of the day ,as well as of
pasttimes. And while noticing what was wor-
thy of remark in both small and great events,
far and wide, to all that concerned Portland
she gave particular attention as the one spot
Of all the earth dearest to her.
Most devout and religious, her special love
and tolls and cares were given to her own, the
Second Parish, in whose church, memorial
Of the Payson whom she venerated, she was
able to the last to join in prayer and praise
with those who keep holy-day. Her liberal
spirit and warm sympathies could no., how
ever, be confined to nybody or part of Christ
endom, but were wide as "the field" which is
''the world"
Confidence in Gods mercy and loving kind
ness sustained her and gave her power to sus-
tain others in trials and Affections. She receiv-
ed and keenly enjoyed with simplicity and
gratitude the many good gifts her Heavenly
Father bestowed, ever responding with active
benevolence to the wants of the needy and
distressed in mind, body, or estate, her entire
life showing forth that broader charity which
seeketh not its own, vaunteth not itself, is not
pulled mp, thinketh no evil, reioiceth not in
iniquity but reioiceth In the truth, and never
fsileth. Freely she received, freely gave,
pouring the treasures of her heart and mind
around her as the bird sings, the sun shines,
or the dew falls. Above all, with the devo-
ton of the tenderest affection, she gave her.
self and all that she had unreservedly to her
family in the sacred precincts of her home.
Ever true to what was natural, healthful
and reasonable, ever gracious and winning,
the cheering light of the soul which shown SO
ardently through her delicate frame, is quench-
ed on earth. One of those who by their pre-
sence or memory leaven the world, from the
side of her devoted husband, from the midst
of loving Misunderstanding down on three gen
erations of descendan is, she is translated from
her earthly home to her home in Paradise.
s'Where loyal hearts and true
Stand ever in the light,
All rapture through and through
In Gods most holy sight,