The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-10-19
Mrs. Kate Hyde Wilson.

The tribute of loving interest and affec-
ton rendered to the memory of Mrs. Kate
Hyde Wilson, at her funeral, at the residence
of her brother, Edward ID. Hyde, on Friday
afternoon, must have been most gratifying
to the bereaved family. Long absence and
Temoteness had not proved able to dissolve
the bond which united her with friends in
Montpelier; and, however precious the
ties formed in the west, it seemed most fit
ting that her body should rest in Green
Mount cemetery, beside the ashes of her
kindred. A large number were present at
the funeral; and roses and carnations in
Professionalism gifts and the gifts of
friends on the Pacific coast in Buffalo, and
elsew here-did their best to tell of love and
life in the presence OF death.
Rev. j. Edward Wright conducted the
service, which was brief, for il was supple
mentary to the service held in Seattle. He
read prayer-poem from the pen of Eliza
beth Prudence Lamb of Omaha, and a few
selections from sacred writ, and, after a
short address, closed with prayer. In his
remarks he contrasted the midnight well
come which prefaced this occasion, with
that OF year ago, when she came to her
Vermont home in buoyant, joyous health.
He likened the weary waiting for the CON-
pletion of the long journey aci oss the con-
tinent to Tennyson's watching for the ship
that brought Arthur Hallam's form across
the seas, and quoted the poets
otis little; but it looks In truth
As II the quiet bones wei blest
Among familiar names to rest
And In the places of his youth"
Surely" Mr.. Wright continued, "In Me-
Daorium will henceforth be more to this
circle than it has ever been before; and oh I
may the mental and spiritual experience
which it reveals,-tbe rising from agony
and unreconciled woe, and depressing
doubt, to aCquiescence, hope, resignation,
sustaining trust, and ultimately triumphant
faith, find repetition among usl'
He referred to the bright and happy ways
which made Mrs. Wilson the life of every cir
Gle she entered her unseltsh contributions to
the happiness of others, whose burdens she
sought to tighten, whatever might be OPP
pressing her own heart. whatever her
own trouble, whether headache or heart
ache, she kept it to herself; and habitually
turned the sunny side OF her nature and ex.
perience toward others. till their faces
glOwed pleasurably in its radiance. Her
vivacity, and animation, her perennial
youthfulness OF spirit seemed to forbid that
death should assert any claim to her. But
Longfellow's Reaper asks,
Shall have nsught that is fail
Have naught but the bearded grain?
And we, too. may we'll ask Is nothing
bright and beautiful, nothing CHEEKY and
charming, nothing provocative OF smiles
and laughter, wanted on the other side?
viii God make the scenes of the upper
kingdom more dark and gloomy than this
stage of being, which, let us remind our
selves. he enlivens with the gleesome pratt
tie OF little children, the songs OF birds, the
gambOls of lambs, and the pranks OF play
full kittens9 Must angelhood itself be So
Der, sad, dull, and insipid, because it is
good? Is there utter incompatibility be-
tween good-humored pleasantness and the
holiness OF heaven? 1 do not believe 1t.
The upper realm itself must have its good
cheer, its innocent raillery, its wit and hu-
NOR and daughters, and death may,
without apologizing, claim for some special
service there-some sweet, gracious and
happy ministry-a royal soul, who has
served the Lord with her gladness here.
" But she was so lovablep True but this
10 a thought which we can turn around,
and make source Of comfort, rather than
an occasion OF increased sorrow. II this
dear one had had fewer amiable traits Of
character, we should indeed shed fewer
tears today. But would any one Of US be
willing at this hour to purchase immunity
from heart-ache at the price of lessening
her worth? Not one. Friends, we are now
passing through one OF those strange ex-
periences of which life is full. 1t presents
itself in the paradox that we are glad that
we are so sad. We are glad that our loved
one was 80 dear. We are glad that there
was in her 80 much OF beauty and sweet, at
tractive grace; 80 much that we shall miss,
and want, and long for, and at times
reach out for, with earnest yearning of
heart; so much that will make the
hope of reunion with her, in Gods own
time, thing to be cherished,-a prepare
ton for our own change, when that shall
come. No. no; we would not have had her
less lovable that our grief might be less
We would be grateful that she has
been with us so long, grateful that she
wrought 80 precious work, grateful that
she won the love of 80 many; and now we
would trustingly resign her to the Infinite
Love, praying:-
Fold her, o Fatheri in Thine arms,
And let her hencefoTth be
A messenger OF love between
Our human hearts and IheeP'