The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-06-18
Hon. A. F. Moulton De-
livered the Address.
His Eloquent Tribute to a Noble
Woman.


sentstion OF the memorial window in
memory of the late Mrs. Virginia f.
Wilson, wife of Rev. T. p. Wilson, pastor
of the Woodfords Congregational church,
were held Sunday morning at the con-
clusion of the sermon by the pastor. The
memorial window Is handsomely colored
and was secured by the members of the
church from G.. II. Farley of Portland.
The figures ON the glass represent
Christ as blessing the little children.
Under the picture are the words; Suffer
little children to come unto Me-" BE.
meath this Is inscribed: "In Memory of
Virginia Farnsworth Wilson" The win
dow is the first one at the left of the pull
pit at the front end of the church. The
ceremony of presentation of the memo
rial window was indeed impressive. The
presentation address in behalf of the
donors was made by Hon. Augustus +.
Moulton, who spoke briefly as follows:
This memorial window is placed here
not only as "a token of affection and re-
gard in memory of Mrs. Wilson, but also
to serve for ourselves for the purpose of
keeping in remembrance the life and the
life work, which though comparatively
brief, is of inestimable value and as an
example for las all. SO this shall be no
occasion for mourning because today
we consider not W hat we have lost in her
departure, but what we have gained from
her life.
Mr.. Moulton then followed with
sketch of the life of Mrs. Wilson, in which
he said: Born in Bridgton, she was the
descendant of New England stock, strong
physical and mental qualities and
stronger stlll in moral tone. In her early
girlhood her father removed to Lawrence,
Mass, Mrs. Wilson graduating from the
High school there and then attended the
Conservatory of Music in Boston for
two years.
In 1872 she and our pastor were married
and Immediately went to Watertown,
Mass, where for Is years Mr.. Wilson was
pastor of the Congregational church.
The warmth of affection still felt for her
in Watertown is shown from the fact
that her friends there have already pro-
vided testimonial by the endowment
in her name of = free bed in one of the
missions in India. Mr.. and Mrs. Wilson
came to Woodfords in the spring of 1888.
Since their coming the church has gained
from a membership of 12o TO the present
number of more than 325.
How much of this growth is due to her
efforts is appreciated by all, but by
none so fully as by the pastor him self.
Hers was IA happy disposition. She
sought to dwell in the sunshine and not
in the shadow. She loved life, she loved
her family, her friends and her work,
She would have been glad to have lived
il 1t had been Gods will. She looked
upon death without fear, and her faith
was ample that the circle of family and
friends would be again united in the
eternal country. AS the sun sometimes
shines on the mountain top, above the
clouds below, so we believe that this
present loss, great though it be, is tenn
porary and small, compared with the
brightness of the endless day into which
she has entered. So 1t is hoped that this
memorial window may be taken to rep
resent not the sorrow of the present,
but the radiant hope of the future and
the incentive of every one to look for
inspiration beyond the bounds of this
world as it was ever her solace and de
light to do.
The memorial Ewindow was accepted
in brief words by Mr.. IL A. Lincoln
ON behalf of the church. The hymn
written for the occ Aston by Miss Char
lotte w. Montgomery, u member of the
nd Nl..t Inn nj Ia.
memory of Virginia Farnsworth Wilson,
set to the tune of webb, " was then sung
by the congregation. The words of the
hymn are as follows:
Come not today In mourning,
In sorrow and in gloom;
Christ reigns Ger death triumphant,
And faith looks past the tomb
Christ in the resurrection,
His followers with Him rise,
And live to serve forever
Their Lord beyond the skies.
BY faith we see the loved one
Whom Christ has called away,
In heavenly chorus singing
With us ON earth today.
Her memory inspires us
10 truer speech and thought.
To sweeter. better living,
With love of Christ is wrought.
Her words still linges with us,
Her work on every hand.
Recalling loving service,
Her monument shall stand.
We need no outward symbol
To keep her memory fair;
Our hearts enshrine her image.
Our lives her impress bear.
Help us dear Lord to follow
The Christ she loved so we'll
TO grow in grace and knowledge,
The love OF God to tell.
UNTIL our earth work ended,
w. Ton shall ha.ar tha ttnnl.aa %