Connecticut western news., 1899-12-21
MRS HORACE B. STEVENS.

The death of Mrs H. B. Stevens comes to me as personal loss. When l stood before the large number of friends who gathered at the funeral on that cold and stormy day it was not solely as her for mer pastor, perfunctorily performing sad duty, but as sincere mourner over the loss of one whose estimable quail ties endeared her to all.
 In the five years of ministry as her pastor she constantly grew in my es- teem for her moral rectitude, her con- sistent life, her loyal support of her Church, her deep spirituality, her patience and cheerfulness in suffering, her abiding faith in the loving kindness of God.
 It was evident that her life WAS not lived for self alone, and years ago she had learned that .'the soul lives by giv- ing and receiving" Thus she constant- ly enriched the lives of others and was herself the large recipient of blessings. She felt that God knew best how to de- velope a true character, and that, be- lieve. is one reason why she bore so pa tiently the intense suffering of years; and that is sufficient reason why her sufferings did not embitter her life. She learned in suffering to sympathize with suffering and bring what little help and encouragement she could into stricken lives. So she grew thoughtful concerning the minor things of life, and when little deed might bring sunshine into an otherwise cloudy life she quick ly followed the lead of her sympathetic heart. So recalling the dark days of suffering of another she sent her on her birthday small crocheted candlestick with candle, and 8 card bearing this message: sDon't go groping along in the dark to endanger your life but al- ways take your candle with you"
 For many weeks before her transla- ton it was her daily prayer that when she fell asleep at night it might be to wake up in paradise. and we who have faith in God believe it is well with them who die in the Lord.
 The church of Canaan has met with a great loss. Up to the measure of her strength she was faithful in her endeav- ors to build up true spiritual life. So long as she could she was constant in attendance at church and Sunday school. But nowhere will her loss be felt as within her own home. Though we have witnessed thousand times the destructive work of Death, we have not thoroughly sensed the awfulness of his work until the blow falls at home. The lonliness of life, the emptiness of home, the appalling silence when busy feet are stilled and loving voice is hushed, the intense longing to see the face
 (Which have loved long since
 And lost awhile"
 the thousand and one loving ministries, that missed, make life's day so long and hard-who can picture that like him who sits alone in his grief, For long shall we treasure up her memory as a precious legacy-a rare gift of God to fellow travellers. We shall confidently look forward to the day when we shall go the way of our fathers and know with her that "God holds my hand"
 Our common thought concerning our hope for the future can find no better expression than in the simple lines I quoted on the day of her funeral:
 ''Some day, but when cannot tell,
 To toll and tears I'll bid farewell,
 For I shall with the angels dwell,
 Some day, some blessed day.
 Some day. some blessed day, I know
 I'll find the loved of long ago,
 And find how much to Christ owe,
 Some day, some blessed day"
 B. SEEHoLzER.