The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-03-09
IN MEMOIRAM.

Helen Kate Powers, ageu Inlityelght
years.
"Kate Powers is dead" We heard 1t
first with thrill of sorrow, followed al.
most instantly by one Of gladness and in
voluntarily we said. "Thank God."'Thank
Him for the release of that royal spirit
from its prison house. Thank Him for
1.-The peace of God" which blessed her
brave life. Thank him for the noble ex-
ample left for all who knew her. Think
of i'll Nineteen years OF absolute imprls-
onment IN q body dead so far as any use
could be made Of 1t.
To YOU who never saw her, sisters OF
hers in the Guild of the Holy Cross, we
may convey an idea, perhaps, of her utter
helplessness, but words cannot portray
the marvellous spirit which dwelt within
those stony walls Of human flesh,
| knew Kate when she was bright
lively girl, full Of girls hopes and enjoy
ments and ambitions, loving life and all
that it brought to her. She seemed born
Tor enjoyment with her quick sympathies,
her keen sense Of humor, her joyous, hap
py temperament, her active disposition
And her mental qualities were proportion
ately great; foremost in everything, but
especially in fun. was Kate Powers, when
the hand was laid upon her which grad
ually grew heavier, taking away first the
ability to pursue her studies so dearly
loved, next the active life so thoroughly
enjoyed, then through pain and anguish
she was brought upon her knees. Subtle
disease had destroyed all power over the
lower limbs and so hardened the muscles
that the bended knees could not be
Strengthened and so she literally "walked
upon her knees"
But even this was not enough. Little
by little, through several years of intense
suffering, the disease crept on to the
muscles of the hack and arms, of the
neck and head till at last the whole out
ward body was immovable except the
lower arms frou the elbows down and
the fingers OF each hand. So our Guild
found her She was one of the early
members OF the Guild and she loved II TO
tue last. All! we can readily believe she
loves IL STILL
When she became member OF the
Guild OF the Holy Cross, Kate was living
in Wellington, o., with her father and
mother-they with broken health and
spirits, she their malnstay and comfort.
One trial after another had befallen these
stricken parents. No effort nor expense
had been spared to restore Kate to health,
but without avail. At last, discouraged,
hopeless, their own health failing, they
were ready to give up the struggle, but
Kate's indomitable spirits never Tagged.
j,ue could use her fingers still and she
1clt conscious Of talent God.given but
81 far little used. She commenced TO
draw and paint and soou the walls Of
their little house we're decorated with |
her work and she was "helping to sup. |
port her parents with the proceeds Of
sales readily made. Kate worked as an
artist with real love of it and iondness
for her creations that was pathetic in lis
tenderness, Can you picture herr In
the invalid chair, from which she never
stirred except as she was lifted from 1t at
night and laid upon her bed, to be again
placed upon 1t in the morning; her head
drawn down TO the left side immovable,
her tortured body always in the same
ugid lines-never for nineteen years the
slightest change of position-her soft
brown hair lying in waves oyer her broad
forehead, the brilliant eyes glowing with
life and expression, the jaws so rigid as
barely to allow food to pass between them
the articulation slightly affected by this
rigidity, but the tone of voice so bright
and joyous that II was pleasure to hear
her speak and above all the brave spirit
which never even suggested afiiiction or
called for pity.
This is the most remarkable thing
about Kate Powers that in her presence
one could not realize the horrors of her
condition. II was only when away from
her and thinking about II that we pitied
her. And this, think, is the secret OF
her content, her thoroughly unseliish dis
position and the power she possessed of
throwing her heart and Soul into things
outside Of self; and above all, her con-
slant trust in the goodness Of the Heavenly
Father, Who, for some wise purpose,
allowed His child TO be so tried.
/ remember on visit TO her in Wei
lington telling her something which
pleased her greatly and with a child's
enthusiasm she exclaimed: "0h goody! |
goodyl I'm so glad, I'd like to get up |
and dance" And l answered, "Do "
Kate" and then we both laughed. 1. did
not feel that my remark was unkind nor
did she. She some way made you feel
that she actually did do such things 80
great was the force Of her indomitable
spirit. And her Imagination was so vivid |
as to afford her great amusement, She
could fancy herself visiting friends or
going 10 concerts and parties, or. as on
one occasion | know, jumping rope.
She would plan the dress to be worn on
these festive occasions TO the minutest
detail She enjoyed life, she did not
,naralv andura 10 And bacL NJ all thia |