The times., 1898-03-07
Touching Tributes in Memory
of the Departed.
L0VELIEST OF CHARACTERS
Her Life Work in Behalf OF HUI
manity-A Leader, an Inspira-
tion. Type of Noble Womanhood
Though Dead, Her Works VIII
Live Forever-The Speakers

| the great white ribbon movement were
| held yesterday afternoon in the audito-
rum of the First Congregational Church,
! Tenth and G Streets northwest.
! The meeting was under the auspices of
the w. C. T. L. of the District of Colum-
bia, and members of the several branches
of that organization assembled in the
! ante-room of the church at 2:3G o'clock
and were provided with tiny knots of
white ribbon and snowy carnations which
Were pinned upon their breasts.
On the pulpit platform, facing the au-
dience, was large portrait of Miss Will
lard, framed with white crepe, smlax and
Gala lilies, while the chancel was banked
with potted palms.
Promptly at 3 O'Clock the members of
the local branches w. c. T. U. formed
by twos and in long lines marched into
the church and occupied the seats which
| had been reserved for them. In d short
| time the auditorium was crowded to the
| doors. Mrs. Margaret B. Platt, president
| of the District union. was in charge of
| the meeting, and Prof. j. W. Bischoff
| presided at the organ. On the platform
were the speakers and officers of the un-
| ion
Mrs. Platt announced that the services
would be by singing the old crusade
| hymn, Rock of Ages" Mrs Alice J.
| Harris. of Boston, sang with touching
effect solo, Beyond the Smiling and the
| Weeping"
| Mrs. Platt in her opening address.
| spoke of the transcendent virtues of Miss
Willard, and said she possessed the love
| liest of characters. love having been the
ruling principle of her life.
Rev. ]. +. Rankin, president of How
ard University, sid the death of Frances
| E. Willard had touched the sensibilties
Of the whole world. While at her hfe
work in behalf of humanity she argued
with the vigor of man when necessary,
| or used all the persuasive eloquence of "a
woman. Mr.. Rankin spoke OF the beau
! ties of Miss Wizards home life and said
she honored ner father. loved her moth
er and regarded her brother as her knight
! errant. He referred feelingly to the last
words she uttered on her deathbed-"How
| beautiful 20 be with God"-and said her
| shibb0leth in life rad been For God and
home and native land" the motto of the
| w. c. T. L. Upon M.ss Wizards return
| from abroad She stated that she was
| appalled, at the condition of the women
in Europe, and expressed her purpose TO
send heaIing to those far-away shores.
DR.. Rankin spoke of the friendship be-
tween Frances Willard and Lady Somer-
set, and said the latter sent a daily greet
ing while the great ribboner was on her
sick bed. Concluding, he added:
Frances Z. Willard is not dead. She
| but rests from her labors. She shall live
forever in all civilized communities as a
leader; an inspiration; type of noble
womanhood."
| Mr.. F. NJ. Bradley, general secretary of
the Sons of Temperance of North Ameri-
ca, was the next speaker. He said:
Frances E. Willard dead? Nay, not
| so. AS long as human hearts shall reach
out for all is best her works will live.
With fun hearts we take up PauPs
| triumphant words and say of our sainted
| leader She has fought good fight she
| has finished her course she has kept the
! faith, and she wears the crown A thou
| sand miles toward the setting sun loved
| face is uDturned TO the sky, but our
| leader is not there for is ii not written
| the gift of God is eternal life through
| Jesus Christ our Lord?
There is no death; the stars go down
| To rise upon some fairer shore
| And bright in Heavens jeweled crown
| They shine forever more"
This is not bereavement to be ex-
| pressed in set phrases and resolutions.
We are here TO comfort one another; to
| stand before some Of the beautiful pic
| lures that hang on the walls of memory;
I to choose bright flowers from memory's
| garden and enjoy their perfumed breath
to listen TO memory bells as they ring
| down to US the sweet songs and words IF
| the days gone by, when our sister sat
with US and participated and enjoyed.
| Frances L. Willard has built her own
| monument in human hearts and human
| lives Speaking in behalf of tens of thou
| sands OF brave, true men who revere her
| name, ! bring my tribute TO the one wo-
| man who has led the hosts of women
| onward, upward, TO higher lives and still
| higher ideals
Mrs NJ. l.. Wells, national organizer
| of the Woman's Christian Temperance
| Union, told of the iirst Legislative work
| she had done in company with Miss Will
| lard, twenty-five years ago. 1t was be-
! fore the Illinois legislature in the interest
of innocent girlhood. Their failure to Sc
! cure the legislation at that time resulted
| in the starting of the womans suffrage
| movement.
Francis Willard is not gone" said
| the speaker. She is here among US to-
! day. These lilies are not purer than was
| her work Until the stars shall fail
| until this world shall roll together as a
| scroll let US not forget that we have
been together in this great work. and
| God grant that the day is not far distant
| when not n drop OF Intoxicating liquor
| will be sold with the consent OF the law"
Hon. Hiram Price, of Iowa, president
| of the National Anti-Saloon League,
| said Frances T.. Willard, trusted, true
| and brave leader in an army working for
God and humanity had fallen She died
at her post. She has only passed to the
| other shore a brief time ahead of those
she has left on the time side of the dark
river which separates us from eternity.
| If Frances Willard could speak today
she would say Stand by our cause"
Mrs. Alice j. Harris sang with much
feeling Miss Wizards favorite song,
| IF l Were a Voice"
Mrs S. D. La Fetra spoke of how
beautifully Frances f. Willard had con-
| Quoted memorial services for the dead
| in days gone by. II can hear her dear
words ringing in my ears now, teach
| ing us love, charity, and hope. Mrs.
| La Fetra quoted a number of Miss Will
| lard's favorite sayings and verses which
| the late leader had used at former me-
mortal services. While on her deathbed
Miss Willard thanked the attending ply
sician, and said: Doctor, ! shall remem-
ber you through all eternity" One Of
her favorite quotations was: Neither do
condemn you; go and sin no more"
1.-The last sound uttered by Frances.
said Mrs La Fetra, was a dear, faint
little moan, so sweet that 1t sounded ike
the music of an aeolian harp.
MrG Ellen Foster spoke en1earingIy