The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-08-22
LONE STAR STATE.
Correspondence
FROM MRS M. G. BILLINGS.

AN INTERESTING COUPLE.
In quiet rural district Of Texas for
many years have lived a remarkable cou-
pie, who enjoyed the loving esteem of all
who knew them.
They were strong believers in Univer-
salism. Alone in their distinctive be.
lief, yet, so simply good and sweet were
their lives. that while strong prejudice
existed against their religious convic
tions. which was always openly ex-
pressed by them-not shade of doubt
respecting their Christian character and
life was harbored in the hearts of those
who opposed their doctrine.
And 80 the years passed in their sim
pie unique life. The hustle and turmoil
of the world did not invade their tran
quillity.
For forty years enjoying belief in
the final triumph of good over evil, this
couple were spiritually united; and life
to them was ennobled and blest by their
mutual religious sympathy. 1t was not
until ten years ago that they had oppor-
tunity to unite with the church of their
love, receiving the right hand of fellow
ship from the Texas Missionary.
This, to them, standing alone in their
religious faith, as they had for many
years, was joyful occasion, full of salts.
faction in the feeling that they had at
length come into personal connection
with their own chosen church.
Their lives were beautiful illus ira
ton of the doctrine they professed. AS
they advanced in years none we're more
respected and loved than Father and
Mother Cross" as they were affectionate-
ly called. They had been pioneers in
the early history of Texas. had endured
privations and dangers from savage
beasts. and still more savage Indians.
Their large flock of children went out
from the home and reared families, set
thing in the same State. All of them
were worthy people, filling their respec-
tive stations in life with honest labor
and faithful service.
Three years ago, family reunion was
held on the sixty. sixth anniversary of the
marriage of this aged couple. This was
remarkable event in this State, where SO
few people have spent such long life in
this comparatively new section of our
Republic.
Children. grandchildren and great
grandchildren thronged from many
homes to participate in the occasion,
and what before was quiet place, out
of the line of travel, became the scene of
bustling activity and hilarious merri-
ment of a great improvised encampment.
1t was a never-to be.forgotten time.
Religious services were held; the ban
quet was spread and the many scattered
members OF the family met together for
the first time in years. The central
figures of all this throng we're the Patri-
arch and the wife of his youth, smiling
serenely upon the scene and accepting
the congratulatory greetings of old and
young, all their own descendants, the
eldest son being at that time sixty-fve
years old.
The writer had the pleasure of assist
ing the Texas missionary in the religious
services held in an arbor built for the
occasion. and also of reading to the as
sembled crowd an interesting paper pre-.
pared by the Patriarch, in which the
glorious faith of universal salvation was
strongly set forth.
This grand reunion was an epoch in
the lives of these two saints, whose
hearts were still young, though the years
of each counted more than four score.
The eeding year saw a similar
gathering, and though the mother was
more feeble than on the previous occa-
sion, she enjoyed having her large COM
pany of dear ones once more about
her, and the July Anniversary" was
joyfullv celebrated again by them all.
This year, there is another reunion"
but it is on the other and fairer side
Of life. The mother, aged no longer,
but clothed with immortal youth, has
been reunited to those "gone before"