The independent-reporter., 1909-12-16

offered at the home by the Rev H. II
Merrill and further services were held
at the Island Avenue Congrega.
tional church. Mr.. Merrill officiat-
Ing. at eleven o'clock. At the
church the Skowhegan Woman +
Christian Temperance Union and
the Town Improvement society We're
present as organized bodies The
bearers were Risdon D. Baker. Elmer
f. Harris. w A. Bailey and f. B. Cur
It's Mr.. Merrill's address was full OF
gratitude for the life and services OF
the deceased. He spoke In part as
follows:
1t is sacred privilege, in behalf OF
such multitude of friends. TO attempt
to express humble appreciation of a
character 30 much admired. Mrs
Weston was a fine example of the
noblest type of womanhood. combin-
ing strength and refined tenderness
in an unusual degree. She was an
oldtime Christian In full accord with
the devotion and firmness of the Puri-
tans. with a liberal modern religious
belief. While she revered the fathers
she never lamented that the sterness
of their preaching had passed away
A few years ago we used often to
hear that liberal theology would
cut the nerve of missions, but she was
very hopeful for the world, and yet
dead in earnest to save 1t. She had
very broad and varied interests.
No one could doubt her patriotic
devotion to town or state or national
improvement. Self culture for her.
self and friends she valued highly, as
the prominent part taken by her in
the literary clubs gives abundant evil
dence. She was philanthropist,
gladly giving money or that which
was far more valuable to every wor-
thy charity.
She was a reformer, ever ready to
do battle in heroic fashion for the
cause of temperance or civic right
eousness; but perhaps above all else
she was a missionary always eager
to do all in her power to help men
far or near to spread the Gospel.
Her life was not one of hardship,
as far as we could see, thanks to a
good Providence and her devoted
friends. She lived in the midst of
comforts and luxuries which she
knew well how to appreciate and en-
joy, but they never made her selfish,
and so never grew stale and unsatis-
flying. Few could enjoy the common
blessings more. Eating and drinking,
scenery, flowers, friends, solitude,
music, art, work and rest were all a
part of her happy life. Both giving
and receiving were a delight, but
giving more than receiving.
Religion was a reality and joy. 1t
shaped her life and satisfied her long
ings. Her creed was short, but
mighty. 1t might be summed up in
the two great commandments of love
to God and love to man. This was
her faith and the spirit of her life.
All the best institutions of the town
have felt, and will continue to feel,
the inspiration of her devoted service.
Those busy fingers will still have
their place among the workers of the
league where she spent 80 many hap
py hours. The literary clubs will
cherish a higher ideal because she
helped them to combine usefulness
with culture. The Temperance Union,
we trust will never lose the spirit of
her enthusiasm. The church will be
ashamed to fall behind in home or
missionary work while there are
those living who remember her Her
memory will be like star going be-
fore us above the path of duty. In
the home there will be fadeless
halo over the vacant chair, and a
shining crown of love in the broken
family circle. Blessed soul, to be
followed by love, escorted by love,
welcomed by love, and overflowing
with love to be poured out without
measure upon all. Her life has
brought God nearer to many of us,
and made His presence seem more
real. Heaven seems bending over
us today, drawing us to its smiles
and benedictions. She loved all that
was best, and drew near it. Some
of us will long remember her radi-
ant face as she sat by the side of her
dear and honored friend, Mrs. Lillian
Stevens. in our church few months
ago, and listened with such delight
to her words, and we can almost
fancy that we see her now rejoicing
with that other great leader whom
she 80 revered, Frances Willard, over
the spreading triumphs of the cause
they had loved and served
When Christiana, the wife of Chris
tian, had answered the call, and
passed over the river, we are told that
the children wept, But Mr.. Great
Heart and Mr.. Valiant played upon
the welltuned cymbal and harp for
joy" So we doubt not, there is JOY
among the sainted ones as new
harp and voice joins the chorus of
Heaven.
The following are the names of
those from out of town who were in
attendance at the funeral of Mrs.
Weston: Mrs. T. F. Houghton; Mrs.
Marta Savage, Miss Gertrude Pierce,
/. c. Pierce and Mrs Mary Colby from
Bingham, Mrs. B. p. J. Weston,
N. II. Weston, e. c. Weston,
Mrs. X. c. Gray from Madison; Rev.
VIM. G. Mann from Cumberland
Mills.
Have We An Incendiaryi