Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1891-01-22

| nOnOr ner memory, there are hearts
that think not now OF the name and
fame of the departed one. Gathered
near this coffin are those who called
her child and sister; the aged father
and mother, and those left of the
earthly home where her childhood
years were spent playing in the yard
and garden and singing her little songs
They remember the struggle of those
early years when she walked with her
father from place to place and sung III
the neighboring schoolhouses and villa
ges: and dearer to these hearts than
all the honors won in after years from
kings and courts is the memory of her
pure, loving life. To these sorrowing
ones she was never even in the midst
of her splendid success, any the less
child and sister. And it was thegreat-
est Joy OF this devoted child to be able
to help care for those who had cared
for her. She never forgot or grew away
from her childhood associations; and
plans were found to build here in our
city, where she was born, a beautiful
home where the aged ones might rest
and all be together again.
"Gathered near this coffin are the
members OF her company; with them
she lourneyed and sung; and to these
faithful companions this death must
be q tender loss and sorrow. Beyond
these are the thousands of artists and
the mourning people in our own and
other lands who mourn with us to-day;
for Emma Abbott, like a Stanley IN
Journalism and a Beecher and Cha
pin in the pulpit, honored the profes-
sion to which she belonged; and she
sung to the great heart of the world,
and more perhaps, than any other
since the days of Christine Nillson and
Jenny Lind; and along with Anna
Louise Cary and Abbie Darlington,
who still sing, was she dear to the
non professional yet music-lovingpub-
lie.
against her social reputation there
was never a breath of suspicion and
the unquestionable purity OF her life
did not little to lessen the preiudices
and to rebuke the harsh, unjust criti-
cisms OF the clergy and the church.
She compelled the respect of all; she
was admired and loved by those who
knew her personal worth. She helped
elevate the character, and inspired
with a noble zeal and purpose the
drama of her time. Thousands OF
young and aspiring artists have felt
INC aIAOh vi ILlN llltt anu
will themselves be greater and better
because she added to greatness the
crown of goodness.
''Upon few, if any OF the social ques-
tions of our day has the change oil the
better class of public opinion been
greater of late years than in the kind
lier and more appreciate attitude OF
the church towards the stage. This is
owing, in part, to the gradual wearing
away of the sharp lines once drawn
between the church and the world.
The larger intelligence of the present
is beginning to see that the quality of
goodness is the same wherever found
and that the drama has it's place and
value; that between the hours of work
and worship there are hours when the
mind and heart may find rest and i'm
provement in the diversions and les
sons of the opera and the play. And
then the character OF the singers and
players has shared in the common
growth of morals in all departments
of life; so that more thoughtful minds
now no longer ask, How shall We get
rid of the drama? but, How shall It's
evils be lessened, and it's greatest power
for good be realized?
"Not pausing long, perhaps, if at all
to theorize, Emma Abbott quietly
entered this field OF labor, and it may
be without any aim at first OF making
it better, but simply with the noble
resolve to be herself good. And in
that way she came to know and to
value the good in others, and by the
simple power of her own life and per-
sonality she has helped make the posi-
ton of conscientious artist one OF
. ha hAnnpo h1a. nd r,f hot hanaf.
she was herself Justly proud and ten
derby sensitive. She did not play on
the Sabbath, but used that day for
rest and worship. In southern city,
where she attended service one Sabbath
morning, and heard the minister de-
nounce the stage in almost unmeasured
terms, she asked the privilege OF reply
ing after the audience was dismissed,
and she was heard in it's vindication.
She was herself n Christian, and lived
a life of faith and prayer.
"The death of this noble woman
leaves our world poorer in that which
it needs be richer. The power of music
to charm and bless has not yet been
realized; the mission of song has only
begun; the time will come when the
true dramatic artists will take their
places as among the recognized back
ers and helpers in all that is good.
The great chorus of humanity is yet
to be heard in the glad day when all
the people shall sing.
at is deeply to be regretted that
this child of song, this pure spirit OF
earth has gone away so soon. Had
she obeyed the word of her physician
it might have been different; but only
those who serve the public, know how
hard it is to dissapoint the public; and
how many sing and speak when they
should rest and sleep. 1t was her
energy that made her what she was,
that nerved her to that last effort.
Such voice, culture and power come
only at the end of hard years of tudy.
Emma Abbott was yet in the rich
summertime of life, and there should
have been many years before the su-
tumn and the winter.
at is strange and pathetic to think
how all the treasures OF learning, OF
scholarship of poetry and art are held
in these frail earthen vessels; in brains
and hearts that tire, that wear out or
break down by the way. Oh, it must
be that this is the beginning, and not
the end; that the spirits OF earth go
away to live and love, to think and
sing in some other land that is better.
This was the blessed faith aud hope
that lived in this heart that beats no
more. Il shall sing my next song in
heaven Il am not afraid to die
And think that her hold on life was
weakened by the great sorrow through
which she had passed, and that it was
easier to go away because her husband
had gone before, and the gates were
left open, and sweet voices were calling
her to come"
A Diplomatic Promise.