The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-04-08

1t is exceedingly fitting that her sons should
be the bearers.
What shall say to you who are gathered
here to-day? This is a Christian church and
am an accredited preacher and it is expected
that should emphasize some phase of relig-
ious truth. Our view of what it is to be a
Christian is often vague and mistaken. We
frequently place the emphasis in the wrong
place and too largely fail to get right concep-
ton of what constitutes a true Christian life. !
Far too many of US limit Christian effort to
church. Some of US think that in order to be
Christian we must either preach, be mis-
sionary or engage in some form of what is cal
led religious work.
We are not in the world by accident. God
had purpose in placing us here. 1t is vitality
important to US that we take His assigned place
and in the right spirit do His assigned work,
whatever that work may be. And it is equally
important that we believe that in doing this
work in the right spirit we are serving Him and
furthering His kingdom.
The preacher who stands here and ministers
in this church is no more serving God than the
man who in the right spirit shoes the horse,
tils the soil, builds the house or engages in any
work necessitated by human needs and right
human development. And he who, in the home,
in the shop, anywhere, tolls in his assigned
place in the right spirit is accepted of God, is
doing Christian service.
We came here today drawn by the iron horse.
The coal which made the steam was mined in
the bowels of the earth by some miner. If
there he swung the pick and used the shovel,
doing in the right spirit that work for God and
man, he was conscious of the hand of God rest
ing approvingly on his head and the voice of
God whispering in his ear, "Thou art my below
ed child in whom am we'll pleased" Doing this
work in the darkness of the mine, soiled with
the dust of the coal, he may in this work wor-
ship and serve God as devoutly and acceptably
as the most successful evangelist or preacher
in the most beautiful church edfice. All de-
ponds on the spirit in which one tolls, not on
the work one does.
Before US lies the form of a mother Her
chief place of toll has been in the home Her
chief work ministering to the needs of that
home
In the homes of today, more than anywhere
else, are the characters of the men and women
Of tomorrow being developed and fashioned
There is no greater more important work
than that intrusted to the mother. She is the
almost constant companion of the child, she
more than anyone else shapes and fashions the
child in its most plastic period For the moth
err to give the care of her child to another and
seek her work in public activities of any kind
is for her to miss the best part of life and to
neglect her assigned work.
This mother accepted Gods assigned work
and made it the joy of her life to minister in
her home, to devote herself to the children
God gave her. Patiently, lovingly, wisely, she
wrought in her place until the summons came.
What could be greater eulogy that this: "She
has been true, devoted self-sacrifcing
mother" No greater service than this can be
rendered God and man.
Mrs. S. j. Stevens of Troy has sent us the
following sketch of Mrs. Libby's early life, as
she born in Troy and lived in that town
Tor several years after her marriage:
The recent death of Mrs. l. C. Libby of
Watervlle has brought sorrow to her many
Troy friends, and none more deeply feel their
loss than does your correspondent, between
whom and the deceased existed lifelong
friendship and affection that years could not
lessen but rather increased, for as one by one
the old friends leave US do we not more closely
cling to the few who remain? Like her late
nh1 10 br1ch opI el
est and affection for the companions and
friends of early years, however humble their
stations in life. In the beautiful luxurious
home of Mr. and Mrs. Libby such ever re-
celved warm welcome and were honored
guests, and many are the letters and loving
tokens Of remembrance cherished by those
VINO in hours of sorrow the deceased has
cheered and frightened. She was a devoted
wife and mother and could not leave her chill
dren to others care, but when they were
older, some years previous to her husbands
death-and especially when his health began
to fail-she often accompanied him on his
business trips. She was keen observer,
possessing retentive memory and wonder
1ul gift for describing scenery, places of inter-
est ETC., and her "pen pictures" SO vivid and
llfe-like are among our boarded treasures, as
are also numberless gifts fashioned by her
loving, sklful hands, while the many pleasant
hours-and in childhood often weeks at a
tlme-that we spent together are precious
memories.
awe cannot buy with gold the old associa-
TONS"
Troy friends do not forget the bereaved
family and extend deepest sympathy, while
the writer of this little sketch will always
regret that she was not able to be with them
Except in spirit) on that last sad day.