Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-02-03
MRS. SCOTT.

BlUGRAPhl Uf Mk0. Quill
Continued from page ~
raised and thus Alma secured railroad
and became citizen of the world.
The following is a copy of the original
note, once so famous i'll the history OF
Alma and which has been recently
found, as well as book of the proceed
ings of the Alma Ladies r. h. Aid
Society.
500 ALMA MICH April II 1874.
"For the purpose OF aiding and promoting the
construction Of the Chicago, Saginaw X
Canada railroad and in consideration of the
pay to the order of r., l.. Craw the sum OF three
hundred dollars, III installments as follows
One-half as soon as the iron is laid on said road
through the township of Pine River, not TO eN-
coed forty rods north % the corporate limits OF
Alma and one-h half on the opening of the road
for business through Pine River township, and
said railroad to furnish iron and equipments for
all side tracks, the nstallments TO draw interest
at the rate OF ten per cent annum after maturity.
ALMA LADIES RAILROAD AID SOCIETY
MARY T.. ELY, President
MARY T.. SCOTT Secretary.
This note was receipted by Colonel
Ralph Ely on September 6, 1915, and
bears his signature.
Few of our young people can conceive
of what il meant to live III those days
in a lumber town When spring time
came, and with II the logs and the
river men, the village common Ca
part of which Is now occupied by the
Church block was often the scene of
wild debauchery and fighting, while the
saloons coined money hand over fist
Sometimes, for three weeks al n time the
burly log drivers would be on pro-
tracted spree, painting the town red.
Houses had 10 Toe locked while the
fathers and husbands were away at
work.
None realized more strongly than
Mrs Scott the need of religious influence
in our midst. She helped intinerant
ministers from settled points TO come
our way, and usually entertained them,
introducing such sanity and sturdy
Christian ministers 70 Us as DR.. Theo-
dore Nelson and Rev. w. b. Williams.
Amid many repeated discouragements
she was the leading spirit in the organi-
zation of the first Sunday school, which
was held in the building now occupied by
Caldwell & Brown as blacksmith shop
Herself something of "A musician, she
realized the need of attractive music 10
charm people 10 service of worship, and
Alma at that time was fortunate enough
10 have musical talent that would have
graced an older and larger city. She
introduced into the service male and
mixed Quartette music and chorus work
many of our now staid and unsteady
unsupported people helping. Out of this
Sunday school grew the Congregational,
Methodist and Baptist Sunday schools.
Ill 4 q
same Sabbath. Mrs. Scott playing the
organ, singing and teaching in each and
Mr.. Scott having their organ carried 10
each place Bible study fol each service.
Out of these Sunday schools grew the Con
gregational, NJ. +. and Baptist churches.
When sOcials We're given in the old
wooden school house, NOW burned. for
the various church organizations, Mr..
and Mrs. Scott repeatedly took up their
carpets and carried them. with their
furniture and organ, over TO the building
10 grace the glad occasion. and it was
the same public spirit that they showed
when wild game suppers were given for
funds for village improvement. In those
days II was nothing to make from $50
10 5000 at church supper 1--WE We're
all members of the same body.
When 1t was proposed that Alma
should become the seat OF college,
strange 10 say, many did not see the
advantage of welcoming such an insti-
tuition, and Mrs. Scott made il her bust
ness in her quiet, persuasive helpful way
TO prepare public opinion to welcome the
institution of which we are so proud.
The coming of that institution meant, 10
the sagacious heads, the passing of the
Congregational church; and Mrs. Scott,
with her usual sound Judgment. coun-
celled against the opinion Of many. the
transfer and the union with the Presbv-
terrain church, which counsel prevailed.
The passion of her life was TO advance
the cause of Jesus Christ; and TO those
who knew her well, her life seems fine
proof Of the words of our Lord: FIX
cept n kernel of corn fall into the ground
and die, il abideth alone; but if it die
il bringeth forth much fruit" She
died unto herself To have the Lord
Christ live in and through her. And
well did she illustrate the motto of Ray.
mund Lull. the first martyr missionary
10 the Moslems of North Africa: HE
that liveth by the Life cannot die. -
To have known her intimately is tc
believe in the verify OF the Christian
religion and TO realize that the Holy
Ghost can work great things through
surrendered life.
But few of the older members Of our
community have not known her wise
counsel, her kindly interest, her tactful
sympathy, her ministries Of love un.
feigned. And only God alone can know
the crucifying of self that was hers,
who lived among us not to be ministcrcd
INTO but to minister. To the last she
shrank from the thought Of bothering
ANYBODY and TO the very last hour like.
wise. her thought Was 20 minister "a
others. BY strange good Providence
tho last few weeks, even in the