Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-02-09
MEMORIAL SERVI rs
In Honor Of Mrs. Rev. P S. Bennett
lately deceased.


memoration of Mrs Bennetts spotless
life, were very appropriate. The read
ings, recitals and papers read were
excellent and to the point. The singing
was fine and the missionary collection
fair. Mrs. D. J. Cole read an original
paper, of considerable merit, and we
reproduce it in this issue for the benefit
of our readers, as follows:
4 Sculptor stands with chisel and
mallet in hand looking at beautiful
block of marble unstained and pure.
His eye lights up and his features are
transformed into matchless grandeur
and power as he sees as in vision the
form that will come forth from the touch
of his hand The strokes fall, and as
we watch them descend the fatc of a
happy hearted child peers out at us
amid the innocence and purity of child
hood. But the artist CONTINUES his
work. Was not the childs face !
ful? Did it not show the seal of divine
favor? All yes! But this is not the form
the artist had in view when he COM
menced his work, and he continues cut
ting while the fair young face grows
more mature and lovelier in expression.
A touch to the eye is added what is it?
T'is the look of the soul when it first
recognizes its creator THE look which
Limners give the beloved disciple"
And our hearts are thrilled with ad
miration. The Artist is enraptured as
he exclaims ooh glorious and blessed
work. and he fain would linger here,
this is one Of the master strokes for
W lich he is so Justly celebrated; while.
our own hearts are attuned and we sing
in praise Of the great artist who hath
wrought such a marvellous work. The
artist must not stop for there is no time to
lose. A few strokes softly descend and
the sweet face has taken on d softer and
more delicate beauty. Would you know
what it is? Let us 90 to the Altar and
watch the young bride as she looks 50
confidingly and trustingly into the ewes
OF the one who has promised to shield
her while life shall last; how softly the
strokes descend just adding a curl here,
or wave there, as gently IS evening
zephyrs play and SO lovingly he touches
the face as he murmurs a beneGictiOn.
Then with renewed energy he. bends
himself to the task of completing his
work. There are more lines to cut,
more blows given, ere this can be con-
sidered one Of the great Master pieces
he is to call his own. There is & look
gradually deeping over the face and We
clasp our hands, and with hushod
breath, await the stroke which changes
the face into that sacred beauty which
we see on face Of the young Mother
when she feels for the first time the
touch OF tiny hand. All beautiful
look, On precious beauty Of Mother
love which shines forth in the counte
nance Of loving mothers. W. think
this is the end of the work; This must
be the Ultimate The Artist steps back
and prOnounces it GOOD. He turns
again to his work it does not yet ex-
press his ideal. More strokes are ad-
ded, our eyes fill with tears as it seems
to us the blows must destroy the face
and mar its beauty, is the artist mistak
en-? All no. for the tear dims his own
eye and he weeps as he adds the lines
Of chastened sorrow. We feel as we
did when we gazed on the form SO chill
ard lifeless OF our friends little child as
our hearts throbbed in sympathy for
the stricken young mother we ask why?
has the artist done this? was it neces-
sary? Yes if his work is to represent
perfect character. We watch with
thrilling interest as stroke after stroke
descend in rapid succession, until it
seems the marble must be rent
asunder and shiyered into pieces and
we turn inqui 1gly to the artist if per-
adventure we may discern his purpose
and we read triumph in his counte-
nance. He has no fear as to the result.
The darkness night, and dew, the
emblem of tears adds to the beauty and
fragrance of the Lily and the storms
that sweep the sky purify the atmos-
phere we breathe" His work show
the lines deeper like as rocks that have
| been beaten by the waves. The chin
and mouth frlner as whe one has met
a great sorrow and conquered it, the
beautiful waves of hair are parted above
a brow scanned with many care and
! disappointment but the same childlike
look of trust and faith remain. The
| blows are still falling, more gently now,
while there comes over the Sculptor a
radiance which is reflected on the form
before him and it glows with strange
beauty which our eyes behold with
gladness yet mixed with tears and we
say it is FINISHED. The Artist surveys
his completed work fo he sees before
him the ideal for which he has labored
ready for the high position for which it
is ordained to be presented faultless
before the presence of his glory with
exceeding joy.
Having sketched Mrs. Bennetts life
in figure we viii come to facts. Cal
phurnia youngest daughter of Joseph
Chase, q revolutionary soldier, was born
in Gorhem Township, Ontario CO., New
York, February 9th. 1917, died August
/ 9th 1887.
Carefully trained by faithful christian
parents she was inclined to religious
life from her parlv cbildhood When :