The record-union., 1899-06-26


them. Their thoughts we believe come
back to us. They meet, bat do not
salute We cannot picture to ourselves
where they are, but we know they
are somewhere In that prepared place
in some room in the Fathers house Of
many mansions they have been re-
cefved And as love lives on in our
hearts for them after death, SO we
believe love lives on in their hearts for
us. Love will never lose it's own. And
we shall meet them, and we shall know
them when we meet The yearning
and outreach of our hearts after those.
who have gone is principle implanted
in us by our Creator, and the hope He
creates He will not mock or disappoint.
Then let us stretch our hands in dark
And call our loved ones DER and Ger.
Some day their arms will close around us,
And the dear voices speak once more.
These truths of the Gospel are our
comfort to-day as we think of our
sister, Mrs. Mary e. Crocker who dur
ing the last week has been called to
the eternal reward. In her death the
church has lost devoted and loyal
member, and the city a public bene-
factor Many of us feel that we have
lost very dear and helpful friend Her
sunny smile and cheerful greeting we
will sadly miss as the days go by. Her
bright personality has passed from our
midst and left blank that no other
! life can fill.
She united with this church twenty
| one years ago, and has ever been a
reverent worshiper, an appreciatfve
nearer and willing helper. No appeal
was ever made from this pulpit for
help in any part of the varied work OF
the church without meeting a hearty
response from her. This church was
dear to her. The last conversation
{, had with her she expressed her deep
| concern for it's future welfare, and
assured me of her purpose to do more
than ever to make it "a growing moral
force in the city. She seemed to real
ize that it was critical hour in the
church's history; that we must either
go forward and be a stronger force for
God and righteousness, or else dwindle
and grow less. So far as she was con-
cerned, she was resolved to go for
ward, and to this end she voluntarily
doubled her usual offerings In all her
gifts and service she brought will
/ ing. cheerful spirit She worthily has
place with those of whom it is said:
'The Lord loveth cheerful giver," for
such she was.
At the meeting of the roll-call of the
church last January, not being able to
attend personally, she sent the follow
ing message, to be read when her name
was called. 1t is significant that this,
her last message to the church, was a
prayer for its prosperity. Her note
| read as follows: Il regret that 1 cannot
be present on January 18th. AS we
are nearing our semi-centennial ami
versary, I have selected the following
verses: Remember thy. congregation
which thou hast purchased of old; the
rod of thine inheritance which thou
hast redeemed; this Mount Zion where
in thou dwellest. To give unto them
beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for
mourning, the garment of praise for
the spirit of heaviness.' This beautiful
and appropriate scriptural selection is
revelation and expression of the
thoughtful and devout interest she had
in this her church home. While she
did her part in domestic life and in
social life, she did not neglect the
church of God in the community. She
linked herself with Others and by her
gifts and service helped to maintain
the public worship of God in the city
From the church below she has passed
to the church of the first born which
are written in heaven. 1t is our faith
| that her name was written in the Book
of Life, and that through the grace of
icf hov- -l,o y 80
the rest that remaineth for the people
of God.
The passage she selected from the
Scriptures for the roll-call was char
| acterisstic of her in another way Her
prayer that God would give her fellow
members in the church, THE oil of joy
for mourning, the garment of praise
for the spirit of heaviness," was the
outcome Of her own joyous, cheerful
spirit. She had her own share of trouble
and disappointment. AS Into each life
some rain must fall'' and some sorrows
come, so they came to her. The death
of her only daughter some years ago
was a sore bereavement, and one to
which she often referred with tender
emotion and with chasten hope But
she did not obtrude her grief on others
Her Christian faith and hope enabled
her to bear life's sorrows with resigna-
tion- She triumphed over grief, and
was made better by it. Her sweet joy
Gus spirit made others stronger to meet
the trials and sorrows of life. She car
ried a sunny heart and a cheerful smile
into every home she entered. 1t was
always joy to meet her. 1t is
great thing to- have added something to
the brightness and cheer of mankind
and this our sister has done in an emf
nent degree. She adorned the doctrine
of God her Savior by life of Chris
tian cheerfulness and hope Many can
testify to her thoughtful kindness and
loving helpfulness to the poor and
needy Many remember her presence
and comfort in their hour of afflictfon
AS pastor often met her in the home
where sorrow had entered. Her per-
sonal sympathy has strengthened and
cheered many a lonely heart and life
The mother love of her bereaved heart
went out specially to the little children
of others, and when the Christmas sea-
son came round. having. no child Of her
own to gladden., she made glad the
hearts of many other little ones, whose
Christmas might otherwise have been
cherries. She found her joy in giving
| joy to others. We can say of her what
was said of one of old: ''This woman
was full of good works and alnlsdeeds
which she did," While we mourn her
/ loss, we are thankful for all that was
beautiful and noble and helpful in her