Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-04-17
Friend Levi and Aunt Katie.
lHslsn Drew, in clneInn.H EpauIr.r.l

Helen Drew, In cincinnah EnquIrsr.l
Who did not know and love Levi
Coffin? Few people in this part OF the
West who had arrived at the reading
age in ante-bellum days failed to learn
something Of the life and work of the
President Of the underground railway
from the Sunny South to Canada via
Cincinnati and Richmond, Ind. He was
a prominent member of the Society of
Friends, an estimable gentleman and a
thorough philanthropist, whose life and
means were devoted to drying the tears
of suffering humanity and cheering the
panied hearts of every creature of God
within rage of his influence. Some time
in the '70s he passed to the better in
heritance, full of years and greatly be-
loved. His widow was everybody's
Aunt Katie. There was not more es-
timable lady on earth. But after the
good mans departure she was lonely
and pinned for him, and in little time
the happy day came for her to put off
her earthly robes and don the mantle OF
immortal youth. She was surrounded
by friends and neighbors, each of whom
strived to make the hour of demise
painless and peaceful, but it soon be-
came manifest that this office was per-
formed by superior power. AS the
white-winged messenger of rest drew
near to convey her to the celestialman-
sions she welcomed him with sweet
smile, and a moment after the smile
was intensified as she exclaimed:
"Why, here is Levi! How kind in
him to come for me. Dear companion!
1 am more than ready and willing to go
home with thee. Yes, to our home in
heaven. But who do / see with thee?
Is our little Katie with thee, our bless
ed darling! Oh, 1 am too happy"
Turning to the circle of friends around
her couch, she said:
"Thee do do not speak to Levi and
Katie, and they are waiting to be well
coined. Do thee not see them? And
here comes friend Hezekiah and Re-
becca and many more. These thee
must see."
Upon receiving the assurance that
they were seen by herself alone, she ex-
pressed regret, but thought that perad-
venture it was all for the best.
"Oh, yes! it is all for the best" After
a pause of several minutes she said, in
an explanatory tone: "Levi tells me it
is for the best. He says his visible pres
ence would disturb thee; but it is Joy
unspeakable to me, and he is here just
as plainly and naturally as ever in his
life. He is very happy, and my sweet
rose, Katie-a little more mature and
much lovelier-she has been born again
to her mother.h After another pause:
Never more to part,' she says. What
happiness. We are all going home to-
gether."
Some of the friends sobbed aloud.
She looked surprised and asked who
was crying.
"Smile, rather, and rejoice" said she,
"for am happy beyond measure, and
my dear husband and child are filled
with rejoicing. They say the happier
days are yet to come, for all of you,
without exception, as we'll as for us.
Just think of this, and let your souls
be at peace. Levi says there can be no
more sorrow for US, for now we are be-
yond the influence of all sorrow, where
trouble is unknown, and that there
should be nothing but happiness and
congratulation among our friends. l
realize the TRUTH see it. Dear Levi!
Darling KatieW
She conversed in the strain for more
than an hour, blissfully and clearly,
and in voice most musical. She saw
and described the brilliant radience of
elysium, and the glory of the life ever
lasting. It was supreme occasion,
when grief was finally hushed, and the
atmosphere seemed to be moved with
the flutter of unseen wings; and the
ministry of angels must have been felt
by every one In that presence. May
we not readily conclude that Aunt
Katie
"Saw distant gates Of Eden CLEAN,
And did not dream 1t was dream;
But heard, by secret transport led,
Fen in the charnels of the dead,
The murmur of the Fountain-headf"
At length she exclaimed, in clear,
ringing tones: "GOod-by, my dear
friends; we are going! Come when you
are ready"
She sank into state resembling
sweet sleep. Breath was intermitted
for q few moments, and then all was
still. The widowed heart had found its
mate, and the reunited family had gone
home together to that long-for condi-
tion where there is no more parting.
To those who knew Mrs. Coffin and incl
dents herein set forth, all comment will
appear tame and useless; but we can
not forbear mentioning that the great
truth Of the ul'simmortality was new
er more conclusively demonstrated.
She was not Spiritualist, yet no one
ever accomplished more for Spiritual
ism than she in her hour Of triumph
over death and the grave. Certainly