Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-05-04
OBITUARY.
A Tribute to the Memory Of Deceased
Young Lady.

A Tribute to the Memory of a Deceased
Young Lady.
Miss Helen E. Tower, an esteemed yonnp
lady of this city, died on Thursday last
The following obituary and description OF
the funeral have been contributed by a
friend:
On Thursday morning last large number OF
hoping aid praying people were intensely sad.
dened by the intelligence that the sweet spirit
of Helen Z Tower had taken its flight from
fall upon hundreds of households in this city.
and seldom indeed is it that the death OF any
one so young has SO deeply moved a whole
community Even those not personally ac-
quainted, but had come within the reach of
her remarkable influence were moved to tears
or expressions OF regret and sympathy Miss
Tower was one of those natures which carry
with them that mysterious influence for good
that makes one better aud happier for having
seen or come in contact with them-one of those
natures whose presence is felt. which scatter
JOY ana goodness, Just as the violet and tuberose
scatter their perfumes. To those who knew her
best, she was the incarnation of moral intel
lectual and spiritual beauty: an ideal character
whose brief life was spiritual poem-a living
breathing illustration OF the power and posi-.
bilities of religion and goodness. Totally un-
selfish and ever thinking of the welfare AID in.
terest of Others, she has left the memory of her
pure and sainted life as a rich legacy to all who
have ever seen or known her. Physically she
was beautiful, though apparently totally uncon-
scious of it. With a wealth of golden hair,
deep blue eyes, and features at times lit up
with that intellectual and spiritual radiancy
which we are apt only to associate with the
Marys OF Bethany or the Madonnas of the mas
tiers, but which even now may light up the
face of some sanity soul like her who has just
gone from among u.s. By her gentle ways she
had SO endeared herself to the scholars in the
scnool where she taught that her substitute
states that the mere mention of her name not
only moves them to quletness but to tears.
Miss Tower was born twenty-five years ago at
the old Tower homestead at Ira, Vermont
where the family have lived for over three
generations, and came from that highest arts
tocracy-the aristocracy of moral worth and
practical goodness. Before she was eighteen
years of age she graduated at the State Normal
School of Vermont with the highest honors of
that famous institution. For four years past she
has lived at the home of her aunt, Mrs o. II.
Wing-a home over which to-day a dark cloud
seems to rest, but through which the light
breaks upon its sorrowing inmates as though
flashed down from that paradise to which she
was taken.
Her last hours on earth were touching testi.
mony to the power of living faith, and her
death powerful sermon on the proof OF life
beyond. For God does not hold such visions
before dying eyes nor put such hopes in the
human breast to mock or delude, but to for
shadow the realities which are lying in the
sand just when the silver cord was Swapping
she family sang Nearer, My God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee'-and those who stood about
her, dumb with grief. saw more of heaven than
of earth upon her radiant features!
The funeral of Miss Tower took place yester-
day afternoon from the residence of her aunt,
SIS street, and the great love and esteem in
which she was held was evidenced by the num-
Der who were present to pay the last loving
tribute to her cherished memory. After several
sweet and touching selections sung by a quar-
tet choir composed of Mrs. n. E. Kelsey, Mrs L.
C. Jordan. NJ. X. Barrett and J. w. Clough, the
Rev. Arnold I. Needham delivered touching
eulogy on the beauty, power and influence OF
her earnest and spotless life. He dwelt upon
the good she had wrought and the influence
she had left behind her. And SO we say-to
many such life might seem incomplete, un-
finished. But If rightly estimated, she has
given to thousands an ideal standard and pat.
tern worth infinitely more in Its moral and
spiritual results and accomplishments than q
hundred lives of three score years and ten of
the ordinary and common place. This sudden
cutting off gives such life moral result and
a spiritual victory. Many of those lives which
have given the world Its ideals have ended
when they seemed incomplete and unfi aished
The master gen US of the past, Raphael, died at
an early age, Yet he gave 10 the world its high
est conceptions to follow and copy after; his
mission was done-he had mover the world
forward And so. just as if a far off star were
blotted from space its light would still shine for
generations to fol ow-so the influences of such
life will shine about U.s.
The floral offerings sent by loving friends
have seldom been surpassed in this or any other
city. Among the larger pieces were the follow
ing beautiful designs: Coates Ajsr," sent by
| the Young Peoples Society. of which for some
time past she has been their beloved Secretary;
Coates Affair."" with star and dove sent by the
Rev. John F. Won Herrlich, with the words
For of such is the kingdom of heaven written
upon the card attached to it: pillow, with
dove, sent by Mrs. Clara Crawford (nee Byrne);
open book, Mr.. and Mrs. Msydwell; anchor,
Miss Rose ingalls,; dove on PEDESTAL Miss BOIL;
| large sickle, Mr.. and Mrs Wing; large star on
pedestal. Miss S. NJ. Jones; star pillow and rest
Mr.. and Mrs. Hopkins; large anchor Miss
| Ough: heart on pedestal. Mr.. and Mrs. PUNK
EFT; star and basket, Mrs. Gardner; pillow, with
rest, sent for Thomas Tower: magnificent door
| in flowers, sent by Geo. Runyon. There were
also large number of anchors crosses. col
umns and bouquets sent by loving friends
whose names we failed to obtain, sent as testi.
monials of their sympathy and affection.
But the fairest flower of all was she who lay
| like Madonna chisled from purest marble in
| that white and spotiess casket Beautiful in
! death. with the seal of heaven impressed upon
| her calm and peaceful features, and her holy
! influence, ike the perfume of the lilies and
| 'es pervading the house, moving and stirring
the minds and hearts of those gathered to dc
her reverence. And so she passed to life-tha
higher life beyond. For
| There is no death The stars go down
To rise upon some fairer shore,
| And bright in heavens jeweled crown
They shine forever more.
| And ever near US, though unseen,
| The dear immortal spirits tread,
| For all the boundless universe
Is life-there are no dead V.