The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-02-16

bed of the river Jordan and placed
ON it's bank in some form of simple
design as Memorial. This was done,
as we learn from the wonderful story,
to perpetuate the memory of great
event. At the command of the Lord,
through Joshua to the people, these
stones were so placed that when in
after time, the children should ask
the fathers, "What mean these
stones9' the story of the event itself
and all related events would be told.
From living lip to listening ear the
story circulated through all the gen.
erations of Israel.
From the dawn of history through
all the ages we find monuments and
memorials marking great events, and
honoring distinguished persons. Me-
mortal literature is rich, voluminous
and instructive. Standing here in
this place-in this beautiful building
which we are to dedicate this day
the question, "What mean these
stones?" is both natural and timely.
The answer is of tenderness so ten
der, of love so pure and strong, OF
a faith so simple, child like and holy,
of a religion SO uplifting and divine,
and of father and mother among
the noblest and best in the world, that
these stones become vocal and each
poem of grace and beauty telling the
wonderful story of this Memorial. To
interpret these poems, and to speak
of the graces and nobility of charac-
ter which the strength of this build
ing, and it's architectural symmetry,
the grand sweep of it's arches and its
lines of beauty and grace symbolic,
is the delightful task put upon me.
Aided by certain well authenticated
facts of family history, imagination is
helped to bring to view babe in its
mothers arms. We do well to pause
moment to look upon the picture.
Though common as the day, it is
always interesting. The shepherds
ran even unto Bethlehem to see Mary
and the young child lying in man
ger; and wise men from the east came
and worshipped. We look upon
scene in outward semblance at least
as wonderful.
However humble the dwelling the
mothers love transforms it into place
more beautiful and precious to the
child's memory in after years than
any palace on earth. At every birth
the word may go forth with joy,
prince, or princess, is born this day.
This title is the birth right of every
child of God. The possibilities of
every life are divine, and the poets
may prophecy great things. This
little boy upon whom we are looking
is the child of many prayers. His
mother is a most devout and earnest
Christian of the Baptist church. Her
one prayer oft repeated is, 80 God
help me to bring up this child that
his life may be to thy praise and to
thy glory"
We believe that no earnest soul
felt prayer is ever lost, or that it is
without avail. The prayer of this
mother was answered and her hopes,
fond as they were and great, had
fruition in an OVERLOOKING measure.
We shall see.
At a date few years later we ask
you to look upon another picture as
beautiful and interesting as the first
"a mother with little girl baby in
her arms. This mother is, also, a de-
vout Christian in communion with
the Presbyterian church. She, too,
prays the mothers prayer in voice
of great pleading, 30 God help me
to bring this child up to praise thee
in her life, and to honor and to glor-
ify Thee" This prayer was answered
and beyond the mothers fondest
dreams life was honored and blessed.
We shall see.
Seventeen years later the merry
marriage bells rang out in sweetest
tones, and in the village of Auburn,
NY, Sept. 4, 1925, these children,
the one, James Lewis Pullman, now
in the full vigor and strength of
young manhood, and the other, Emily
Caroline Minton, now in the blossom
and beauty of maidenhood, were
united in marriage.
The test of years pronounces this
union to have been perfect. 1t was
most happy combination of strength
and beauty, of feminine and manly
graces, of prose and poetry, the world
ly practical and the artistic senti
ments; all the elements of character
and rare qualities of nature were well
balanced and supplemental.
IA Il IL AL.k L.