The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1894-10-31
MARY A. WOODBRIDGE.
Fallen Asleep.

took the first train that evening, arriving in
Chicago the next morning, where he found
sorrowful confirmation of the sad message.
The fond wife and mother, the Christian
scholar and worker, was prostrated in
unconscious helplessness, from which she
never rallied, and at 6:13 o'clock Thursday
night, October 25th, 1894, the spirit of Mary
a. Woodbridge went to its reward.
On Tuesday, the 23d, she was at her desk
all day, and in the evening attended lee
ture, after which she went to her room in
the home of her friend, Mrs. c. E. Bigelow,
359 West Adams Street. About o'clock
the next morning she assayed to arise from
her bed to prepare herself for the duties of
the day, but ere her feet had touched the
floor she was seized with severe chill that
completely enveloped her in its icy enfold-
ment. She called to a lady inmate of an
adjoining room. who hurriedly responded
to her voice, but in very short time Mrs.
Woodbridge sank into comatose state, in
which she remained until the spirit was re-
leased.
Her husband, and daughter-in-law, Mrs.
George b. Woodbridge, had received letters
from her. written on Tuesday, the 23d, only
one day preceding her prostration, both of
which were Enthusiastically bright cheer
full, abounding in anticipations and plans
for her future work, and indicative of even
more than her usual degree of health.
Three weeks preceding her entrance to
the higher life she was present at the mar
riage of her granddaughter, in Cleveland.
in apparent good health. She came home
on the following Sunday, leaving for Chiea-
go on the following evening. Little did the
devoted husband think that was to be their
last Sabbath-day companionship at the home
so dear to them both.
Her daughter, Mrs. Way, and daughter
in-law, Mrs. Geo. B. Woodbridge, of Cleve-
land, arrived in Chicago shortly after Mr.
Woodbridge had reached the bedside of the
unconscious loved one. Her son, George B.,
and daughter, Mrs. Brooks, arrived in Chi
cago Thursday evening.
Brief funeral services were held from the
house at O'Clock Friday afternoon, con-
Quoted by Rev. DR.. Goodwin, one of the
oldest living Congregational Pastors in Chi
cago. The sad journeyto the Ravenna home
was made that night, and at 9 O'Clock the
next morning the casket was tenderly lifted
from the train.
In compliance with the known disapproval
of Sunday funerals entertained by Mrs.
Woodbridge, the services were appointed for
Monday at 2 o'clock, from the house.
Rev. A. NJ Hills, of Oberlin, her warm
friend and former Pastor, delivered the eu-
logy of the life with which it had been his
privilege to associate and labor in the great
cause to which she gave her time and talent.
Seldom have we been permitted to listen to
such review of individual character and
achievement and the words of affectionate
endearment that fell from the lips of the
speaker were responded to with loving ear
nestness by all who heard them. 1t was in
no sense sermon. The lifeitself was SER
mon grander and higher than could be
evolved from human expression. The speak
er said, however, thatif he were to select any
scriptural texts he would choose the follow
ing: "She hath wrought good work on me, q
' She hath done what she could" "Blessed
are the dead who die in the Lord" He spoke
of her as Preacher, Reformer, Friend,
Orator, Church member, and in her Home
| character, and the great theme that made
her life what it was. He spoke in words OF
fine appropriateness of the unselfish devo
ton and appreciation of the husband, who
lived in her and was a complement of hel
, own noble qualities. clad her home sur
roundings been other than whatthey were,
said the speaker, cher experiences in the
work to which she was called would have
been very different" He said that Gods
: baptism called into power her faculties sc
) grand, so large, so true so useful, and spoke
of her last days being filled with such won
drous service. ''Never such weeks as these
last weeks" He closed by reading the fol
lowing letter from Frances E. Willard
1856 COMMONWEALTH AVE,
BOSTON, 26 OCT, 1894. 5
Mr.. F. WOODBRIDGE AND Mr.. AND MRS. GEO
+ WOODBRIDGE,
MY DEAR FRIENDS: &C. Who is sufficient fo1
these things?" is the constantly recurring quer!
as think of all that in this memorable weeI
has come and gone. The mystery of life, the
swiftness of oncomiug death, the sure and Ger
tain hope of blissful Immortality for those who
slip away from suddenly-an these fill Tn!
heart as I write these words of affectionate sal
utation and tender sympathy. Once l dreaded
to approach those who had been bereft, but nov
when all of my near kindred have passed ava!
and find myself " the last of household there
has come, by way of compensation, such sens
of the unseen as the only real world, that fee
myself akin to all who sorrow. Nor can 1 grievt
as in less waywise years, for our beloved who, al
I believe, go on their way rejoicing" since
so strongly realize that, as dear Mary LathroI
| says, We follow that way" and in few NOR
, hours days, few more weeks or months, VI
shall rejoin them. We are but the remnan
clinging to the wreck-they the ships compan,
safely on shore,
" Unbind the armor, her long days work i
DONE" How faithfully and well she did it lie
the records of the White Ribbon movement il
this and in all lands attest; for she was ou
gracious, vigilants and swift ambassador, who
at the pens point, carried victory everywher
that her strong, sisterly words penetrated, en-
forced as they all and always were by person
ality of rich endowment in intellectual attri
butes, moral worth and religious enthusiasm
Mary A. Woodbridge will always be radian
name in our White Ribbon counsels, from tn
days of the Crusade to the ' coming of age,'' TO
which she was preparing with her unequallet
grasp of the situation and skill in the handling
of details. Her benignant presence will be in
, calculably missed and mourned at the COMING
convention in Cleveland, and her clear, womanl.
voice, with its deep tones, will be listened fo
instinctively by thousands who have known AM
loved it long.
need not say that only my own fral healtl
and doctors orders could cause me to miss tn
hallowed services with which you will lay to res
all that is mortal of my beloved comrade ant
sister of 25 years hard work For God and HON
and every land" Lady Henry Somerset joins il
all that have written, and we have sent Mrs
Stevens and Miss Anna Gordon to the funeral a
our representatives.
May the peace and comfort of our Heavenl.
| Father SOOthe your hearts is the IF Won
ever loving Christian sister,
FRANCES E. WILLARD.
Lady Henry Somerset also penned the follow
ing tender tribute;
} my heart goes with these words of our dea
chief. ISABEL SOMERSET.
Miss Anna B. Gordon, who represented
Miss Willard, followed Mr.. Hills in brie
eulogy of her faithful worker. Eulogistit
tributes were also spoken by Mrs. L. NJ. N
) Stevens, of Portland, Maine, Recording Sec
. retarV and Mrs Helen M Barker Treasure