The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-02-25
A Tribute of Love to the Memory of
Vera Marie Ferguson.

springs up, so a beautiful little child
was born into this world Jan. 9th, 1895.
And as clinging flower she quickly
entwined the sacred tendrils of her low
ing nature about our hearts and lives
and held US enthralled
For seven years she grew in beauty
of form and face, and o, that face!
Twas a joy to look upon it. The light
of Heaven shone from those deep blue
eyes, the windows of that pure soul,
and those golden curls brought sunshine
into our hearts and homes, even upon
the gloomiest days in winter. But,
alas, for our joy and hopes, for, on
Jan. 7th, 1902, great sorrow like a
black, chilling cloud dimmed the bright
horizon of our earthly hopes tor our Vera
had been stricken. The best medical skill
could only alleviate, after seven heart
breaking operations by the most skilled
surgeons, the businesslike, but kind
hearted, chief surgeon said, God only
can heal Vera" We then, with renew
ed fervor, sought the aid of the Great
Physician, and for seven more years
the Hand of Death was stayed. 1t is
of these last seven years of this Christ
like life that we especially wish to
speak, for as the Immaculate Son of
God was made perfect through suffer-
ing Hebrew 5, s. so this great loving
soul began to expand beneath the chas-
tening and therefore loving hand of
God. And as the great growth of
spirit and soul proceeded, the little
fiower-like body dropped and dropped,
bending gently but 81 rely each dav and
each year, and the Christ-like love and
pathos in those dear eyes became more
and more evident. At her own request
she was led to the altar of repentance
and was Immediately accepted of Christ.
Through her desire her Dear Mama"
sought and got nearer to Christ, and
at her pleading her papa sought and
found acceptance of Him who died for
for u.s. and many loving friends were
likewise drawn to Him, and many COM
parative strangers have been led nearer
to God by word or an occasional look
into that spiritual face that always had
upon it the Light of Heaven.
In her ankle y to help mamma and
papa-for the expense of her affiiction
made hard upon them, financially, at
times-she took up the burden, kept the
family accounts, planned the dinners,
selected the family apparel and as a
proof of her divine inspiration she was
successful in her management. When
the funds ran low, Vera prayed and re-
ceived more. When employment failed
Vera prayed and prosperity returned to
the household. If mamma, papa or
sister was sick. Vera prayed and health
returned. Her friends are numbered
by the score. And to illustrate the
breadth of her love and faith | will state
that her intimate friends consisted pro-
miscuously of those of Protestant, Cath
Ole and Jewish faith and descent. And
as we sit here near to where that pure
soul took its flight and read the shower
of letters of loving sympathy that still
keeps pouring in from her Borrowing
friends, we are filled with wonder while
our eyes overflow with tears at the
deep pathos and grief expressed. These
letters are not all from children, but
some come from men of letters and
women of great culture. A literary
man sends poem; prominent minis
ter writes Of her inspiration to him and
of her inf ling pOliteness. | will just
now state that she thanked her papa
with her last breath when he wet her
lips with the water she requested She
thanked her doctor when he raised her
little form that she might breathe her
last BREATH and with a weak, trembling
and dying hand she hastily brushed
away the damp dews of death from that
noble brow, thus hoping to spare dear
mama and papa little longer the grief
she knew would break their hearts. Just
before going she expressed the first and
only anxiety. twas this 81 fear my
work was not quite done" But thank
God her work goes on in our hearts and
lives and the hearts and lives OF all her
loved friends. and to these loved friends
let me say, let US continue Vera s work
by being kinder and more patient when
we suffer and when the way looks dark.
How inadequate are words in portray
ing such life and death. What inf
mite loss is such death to this deform-
ed and benighted old world. Well
might nature itself weep at such loss.
And as we remember when the little
body gently sank into the "silent tomb"
the rain came down as though the very
clouds were weeping and well they
might for Heaven had gained and earth
/ had lost another angel!
A LOVING FRIEND.
Selling Out to Quit Business.
AS | am going to Montana to locate
in the spring, mot later than May 1st),
|