The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-07-20
A VALUABLE RELIC.

Rev. Edward G. Mason, of Hightstown,
New Jersey, has received as a gift from
Mrs. M. Louise Thomas, very interest.
ing and historic cane.
1t is made of piece of oak wood from
the old church in Boston which was
built by an Independent society in 1742,
but was purchased and rededicated by
the Universalists in 1855.
The gift was accompanied by the fol-
lowing letter.
Req. Edcard g. Mason: DEAR
BRoTHER:-I want to beg your accept
ance of the accompanying cane which /
value very highly as an historical souve-
mir of three of Gods chosen servants.
You will see by the inscription on the
silver band around the top Evangelist
Abel G. Thomas, Philadelphia. This
cane taken from the Old church, Built
1742, in which the venerated John
Murray labored twenty-five years. is
presented by George W. Bazin, 1889
that it is made out of piece of the
second church dedicated by John Muir
ray to the cause Of Universalism in
America, and was presented by George
W. Bazin. the printer of the Trumpet,
and an honored and beloved man in the
church, to Rev. Abel G. Thomas. con-
sistent follower of Christ, our Lord.
Since Mr.. Thomas passed away in 1880
have looked carefully for the man into
whose hands I could entrust the sacred
relic, and I think I have found in you
one who honors the traditions of the
church; who will look beyond the mere
letter into the spirit Of divine truth, and
one who prizes above all earthly things
the sublime system of final holiness and
happiness Of the race as taught by those
sainted men whose footsteps lead the
way of the redeemed upward to the
throne.
My acquaintance with you commenced
in New Jersey, the landing place of John
Murray at Hightstown. where Mr..
Thomas had also lived and preached.
There had been the annual gathering
Of the people at Good Luck, the home of
Thomas Potter, and happened to over
hear some of our good Jersey friends
tell as great joke how Rev. Mr.. Mason
while there tried to find some real relic
of Potter. and all that could be found
was an old wrought iron hinge. out of an
old door, for which he gave the woman
who brought it to him one dollar, and
counted it cheap.
In the general laugh that followed. one
present remarked: II guess dollars must
be plentier where he came from than old
'front.' could get him good many
pounds for that money!"
"a primrose by a rivers brim,
A yellow primrose was to him,
And it was nothing MORE"
But said to myself: "This is the very
man have been looking for,-he has
no dollars to waste, but one of them he
can spare for this visible reminder of
faith which sustained men through all
the trials of life."
thought of the time, which is also
tradition to me, when Abel G. Thomas,
then very young man, went with Rich
ard Norton on a pilgrimage over the
sands of New Jersey,-the first Univer-
salist to find this home of Potter and
his grave near the church he had built,
which was yet unmarked by stick or
stone.
He returned to his home in Philadel-
phia, had monument made which was
designed by the artistic pencil Of Rev.
DIR. LIE Fevre, and the next year went
again to the spot accompanied by DR.. Lee
Fevre, Moses Ballou, and few others
and had it put in place, and simple
wooden fence to inclose the lot. The
cost he paid out of his modest salary of
500 per year.
1t is because find in you, Bro. Mason
the same spirit of self sacrifice, that | ask
you to accept the cane which he priced.
Sincerely your friend.
M. LOUISE THOMAS.
NEW YoRY CITY.