Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1898-03-18
FRANCES u. WILLARD.
Tribute by Richmond w. O. T. U.
Ofncer to the "Uncrowned
Queen"

A great, deep sigh to day goes ur
from the w. o. T. u. host. The
busy, bustling world uncovers in
respectful silenc at The bier Of 8
heroine. The sigh is the echo o.
deep heart sorrow at the death oi
the beloved commadner of the grea'
White Ribbon army. The general
public reverence is commanded by q
noble life's work in behalf of God
and humanity, When the death
angle summoned the sweet spirit OF
Frances E, Willard to the bright
bey ond,' the electric wire flashed
over the continent the tidings that
our leader had fallen, the Whita
Ribbon band encircliug the world
vibrated with the heaving breasts of
a devoted multitude: How sweet
and guileless was ever the spirit of
our chief; how devoted to her cause;
bow Jealous in it's promotion! Her
faith how sublime, her hope how
unclonded and serene i'm sunshine
and storm pure and think
ing no evil" enduring all things,
never falling rejoicing not in
iniquity, but rejoicing in the truth"
Her life was a moral sun whose cheer
ing rays dispelled the gloom from the
darksome abodes of despair; her
heart fountain of love gushing out
i'll crystal streamlets to lave the
parched spirit If the weak and un
fortunate; her motto ever, "Onward
and Upward" calling in clarion
tones to the good and true to rally
for the right. Surely if death loves
a shining mark" it is not strange
she should have been chosen mark
for tue insatiate archer. and yet our
faith scars above such IA sentiment
into the higher atmosphere of im-
plicit belief that He doeth ali things
weli.r
When statesman or warrier dies
there is pause in the routine of
civil service to do honor to the de
parted worth 1t is well. The open
grave of Frances +. Willard should
this day rivet the attention of the
world to the sublimity and impor
tance of those principles for which she
lived and labored and which are bet
ter than gold, more precious than
rubies, more en- during tlan time
OF her it can be said: Though
dead, she yet spoaketh," for her lifes
work is bnt begun The holy influ-
ence for good she set in motion will
permanently abide in sweet potency
and her shining example of loyalty
o the right and devotion to duty is
a world heritage for the good and
the true.
"God buries His work men and
carries OF His work.
The White Ribbon Army slackens
pace In the onward triumphal march
to gaze fitting moment for the last
time on the pallld features of it's
chief and to drop tear on her bier
and then-its ''close up ranks and
forward again" in behalf of the con.
quering cause.
At midnight, when, if some picket
on the outpost of the spirit-land
challenged whence art thouf
Who doubts the serene answerer
'Here am l." and the triumphal
winging of redeemed soul to Join
the singers and the song in the ce
lestial choir! Play no dirse-''all is
WELL" Her monument is already
builded in the hearts of the good
and the true, more enduring than
bronze, more beautiful than sculp
tured marble.
And finally, IL is not too much to
say Of her whose soul was anchored
to the Rock of Ages, whose trust
was in the Eternal Son and whose
life was freely safer, every home
freer from the arch enemy Of peace.
and our social institutions perneated
with the rich perfume OF influence for
higher life, that the world is better
for her having lived in it and heaven
sweeter for her being there.
Mrs. w. M. BIcKERs.
Richmond, Va, Feb, %, 1898.