Smyrna times., 1898-03-02
TRIBUTES TO MISS FRANCES WILLARD
Our Local W. c. T. U. HOlI a Solemn and
Interesting Mem9ral Service in
the NJ. Z. Church.

The good women of the w. c..
7. U. of this town took occas-
sion on Sunday evening last to pay a
heartfelt tribute to the memory of their
Nation and Worlds President, Miss
Frances E. Willard, whose death so
recently has been felt throughout the
civilized world. 1t was quite fitting
that our local branch of this great
Temperance organization should hold
a memorial service in cOmmemOratiOn
of life so devotedly given to the work.
Miss Willard was at one time guest
in Smyrna, and she always remember
ed it afterwards as the home of "Aunty
Jones' who, just before her death at
the age of SO, was one of the oldest, if
not the Oldest member in the Union.
The NJ. E. Church was crowded to
the doors. Had any more attended
the galleries would have had to be
utilized. There was some preparation
made to give the service a marked in
terest.
The pulpit had been removed and in
| its place was q picture of Miss Willard
about which was wreathed a white rib
bon, the emblem of the society, and
nearby a vase of white carnations,
gift from the Kings Daughters.
White ribbon was also caught and fes-
tOoned from the reeds of the organ.
While the organ was giving forth O
solemn voluntary, the members of the
local society of w. G. T. u, some
forty in number, preceded by thefoul
young ushers, marched up the aisle in
slow and measured tread by couples
and took the seats reserved for them
in front.
After the singing, and prayer by pas.
tor Stengle, the exercises proper began.
Miss Mary W. Thompson read the
Scripture lesson, passages from the
old and new Testament-"S Support and
Victory in Death"
Mrs. Kate Il. Smithers, president OF
the w. G. L. u, followed in an i'm
prOmptu tribute to Miss Willard OF
twelve or fourteen minutes, saying
they had met with sorrow il
their hearts and tears in then
eyes to pay a tribute of respect to theil
sister and great leader, who had giveI
her life to the cause Of temperance anC
purity, and had died at her post. Hel
life had been one of sacrifices for the
public welfare-a pure and unselfisl
spirit that had always worked for thu
| good of others. There was a spirit
tact-a method in Frances Willard tina
made her specially effective as a grea
leader, and in the midst of the creates
applause that often broke forth OF
her appearance in the great conven
tions, she recognized it as n tribute t.
the 100000 w. G. T. U. workers rather
than herself. Mrs. Smithers referred Il
her love for her as an individual a'
well as an officer, saying besides meet
ing her in Delaware, she had spen
five days with her in Washington, five
days in Boston, five days in Toronto
five days in Clevland, five days in Buf
falo, and ought to know her pretty
we'll; she mourned her death as thu
loss of beloved sister.
Mrs. L. H. Haynes followed with q
paper giving an account of her deatl
and the interesting incidents attend
ing it. Her last words were: "Hov
beautiful to be with God" just aftel
she had finished the choir sang i'm
pressively Miss Williard's favoritl
hymn: "Gently, Lord, oh Gently
Lead U.s."
Mrs. Isaac Pennewell read interest
ing tributes from Lady Henry Somer
set and others, followed with another
favorite song, after which Mrs. Adam
Stengle gave her interesting career,
life given almost entirely to the work