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

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and return thanks" The Psalm was
read, and the good man on Bonded
knee poured out his JOY in prayer.
Years passed away and l sat by
the death-bed of the uncle whose re-
turn had been welcomed, and he said:
-"Royal, your father was one of the
noblest men; when he began his re-
ligious life thought his zeal would
burn out in short time" do you
remember" he continued in low
whisper, "when your aunt and came
home from Rochester after long alb
sence, and how tenderly your father
read that Psalm, and how fervently
he prayed7 Some of us made quiet
fun of him; think he suspected us,
but it did not stir him in the least.
He never faltered nor swerved in his
purpose. ! want now to say this to
you:-Your father was right and we
were wrong, God bless himl Were
l to live my life over again, no higher
calling could l seek than that of
Universalist minister, and to that l
would consecrate myself"
The time came at last when the Chau-
tauqua home was broken up for the
larger advantages of residence in
this beautiful village of Albion. But
though the outward circumstances
changed to fairer prosperity, the
character of life continued, growing
richer by new experiences, and nobler
by the trials which a jealous holding
to an unpopular theology must al
ways involve.
These trials were heroically en-
dured; when human sympathy was
sought and denied, richer com
munion with God was the balm that
healed. Religious services were held
occasionally in the courthouse, and
at other times the Sunday afternoons
were happily spent in home service
of song, and the reading of selected
sermons, by different members of the
family. These occasions were ex-
ceedingly beautiful and gave inspi-
ration to greater effort. The paren-
tai hearts were cheered by the deep
interest the children-some now hav-
ing reached maturity-continued to
manifest in the religion that had sane
titled the home and blessed it beyond
measure. But the time was short.
The years had wings.
The day came, alas, how quickly!
how Unexpectedly! when he the
father, the strong man whose bodily
vigor and iron will had maintained
unbroken health for half a century,
yielded to disease that baffled all
medical skill and passed away as the
good man dieth, in peace born of
perfect trust.
His testimony to the all-sustaining
power of his faith was rich and full.
"There is no darkness, all is light,
clear, beautiful" he exclaimed in the
rapture Of his soul. "The divine
Father will win the love of all his
children" To those of the family at
his bedside he whispered in gentle
affection, II am not going far away;
1 will always be near, and be in
waiting for you" He seemed to
grasp the thought of our blessed
Lord when he said to his weeping
disciples, 81 go away, but l will come
again"
Will come again! Is it not true of
every noble life; is it not among the
prerogatives of the soul to "come
again" in the sense, at least, of mem
cries quickened and sanctifed by
death2
The good life is seen in new light.
richer, fairer and more beautiful as it
presents itself after "going away"
So this father came again as we per-
ceived in new light the genuine
qualities of his character; so he has
been with his family through all the
years, in steadily accumulating pow
er; and SO he is here today, grand and
strong, in potency of influence
which no man can measure.
Death did not destroy, but made
the conditions for his glorifcation;
the disappearance of the body made
room for a more real presence; the
earlier mode of con munion was inter
rupted that more exalted compan-
ionship could &c established; and
that which at the first seems a cal
amity was Gods way to the high
est good.
For nearly forty years the widowed
mother-a widow only in name
walked in sweet companionship with
her husband whose life, sanctifed by
death, was ever real presence. He
counseled her when the way was