The Republican journal., 1897-05-13

was, but am inclined to think it was the
broad and unselfsh one of the fatherhood
of God, and the brotherhood of man, at
all events we spoke of the future, of
heaven, etc. Perhaps the spirit of spec
ulation and philosophy was then awaken
ing to life in me, for said, ''aunt Rachel
is there future, what is heaven, and
where is it." She shook her head YEARLY,
and said II don't know Then she lay
quietly for moment, then reused and
said. solemnly, "Here we see through
glass darkly, but there we shall meet, eye
to eye, face to face, and know as we are
know Such a spirit of resignation and
faith in one who had passed through near
ly all the trials known to humanity could
not fail to have an effect on the impossible
mind of child of my temperament, and
in later years, when have passed through
dark waters and trodden thorny paths,
l have somehow kept the old faith and
trust impressed on me in the years agone.
She knew not the beautiful words of
Whittier, 1.-THE Eternal Goodness She
could not say in the same language as he:
81 know not where His islands lift
Their fronded palms in air,
| only know l cannot drift
Beyond His love and care.
81 know not what the future hath
OF marvel or surprise,
Assured alone that life and death
His mercy underies.
And if my heart and flesh are weak
To bear an untred pain
The bruised reed He will not break
But strengthen and sustain
but such light as she had shone brightly
through years of hard toll, anxiety and
self sacrifice. A favorite old hymn of
hers ran thus
ITO serve the present age
My calling to fulfil,
And may it all my powers engage
To do my Masters will
"Help me to watch and pray
As in thy sight to live,
And Oh, thy servant, Lord, prepare
A strict account to give"
1t is many long years since she folded
the scanned and tol-worn hands, and rem
dered her account to the great Judge.
The generation who last remember her.
is swiftly passing down the home stretch.
and the memory of the old things Of child
hood days grows DINNER as the swiftly
passing Years glide by. 1t is pleasant to
pause in the busy whill of life and think
of one like this true noble woman who
did so much for humanity. Truly she
''hath done what she could" and am
blest in being able to render her this
slight tribute of respect and love- How
swiftly the new succeeds the old 1t is
long years since | even saw the little bury
ing ground, whose loneliness and isolation
rendered it pathetic. Many of my ances-
tors lie there in sunken graves, and the
messy marbles are weather Worn and
stained.
Bright the sun to the west is advancing his
And his shadows lie thick on the grass
Here they come and they go, as the CEN
turies sway,
Or like images seen in the glass
Like the images they, my kindred, are gone
And forsaken the long cherished spot,
Like phantom | see their descendants
withdrawn,
Here TO close up the drama and plot.
A farewell to the spot, but our memories
To regret for the absent and dead
Must oft turn to lament like the wandering
Jew,
When he wept for the land he had fled,
But adieu to regrets. though they cling to
the scene,
For our pleasures with sorrows must blend,
So environed with thorns, fair the roses he
tween,
Blooming sweet for the heart in the end
HELEN n. PACKARD.
Springfield, Mass, May ;, 1897