Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-10-24

preston. In this many sided work she
acquired influence and fame out of al
proportion to her achievements in any
field of her activity. The secret OF
her world-wi influence and fame is
to be found in her world wide sym
pathy, and in the simple, cheerful
sympathy in channels of practical ser
vice. She gave voice to humanity
cry of distress and longing for eman-
cipation. The early years of her mar
ried life, spent in the home connected
with the Institution for the Blind al
South Boston, were transforming years
in Mrs. Howe'S life. In this place
strange cries of oppression reached
her which could not be heard in that
part of Boston which she had been
accustomed to visit. Yet she did moi
isolate herself in South Boston MOI
did she sever her connection with that
Boston society which was exclusivel.
fashionable. Cutting herself off from
none of the natural relationships OF
her life, but rather seeking to increase
and interpret these relationships hel
life touched, on one side, the lives OF
the inmates of the Institution for the
Blind and the immigrants from South
ern Europe, on another side the lives
OF certain friends in Boston and New
york, who were exclusively people OF
fashion. and on yet another side, the
llves of the great men then active ir
many enterprises of reform. In this
way she made of her own life a vehicle
of fra ~ br;r
ance of one social group to the needs
OF another. of the inspiration of en-.
llghtened reformers to the desperation
OF ignorant unfortunates. AS the re.
suit Of her transmitting of these cur.
rents of living energies her own life
became incandescent. One source ol
her influence was her world wide sym.
pathy. another was her simple, cheer
ful faith and genuine piety. Her fine
appreciation of Theodore Parker was q
manifestation of her own genuine
piety. OF him she wrote: Il can trul,
say that no rite of public worship. moi
even the splendid Easter service in ST
Peters at Rome. ever impressed me
as deeply as did Theodore Parker's
prayers. Truly he talked with Coo
and took us with him into the Divine
presence.
Ine same reverent spirit appears ir
another incident Of her later life. Mrs
Howe records it in speaking of John A.
Andrew at that time the governor OF
Massachusetts. Governor Andrew
was an earnest Unitarian" writes
Mrs. Howe. land a charter member
OF the Church of the Disciples. Once
Wnen he was with us at our summer
home, my husband suddenly proposed
that we should hold SUNDAY service
i'll the shade of our beautiful valley
This was on the Sunday morning it,
sell. and the time admitted of nc
preparation. 1 had with me neither
i1ymnal nor book of sermons. The
governor at once came to my assist
ance. He gave the Scripture lessons
from memory and deaconed out the
lines OF favorite hymn. This we
sang to the best of our ability. The
governor had in memory some writ.
ing OF his own appropriate to the oc-
casion; and. all joining in the Lords
Prayer. the simple and beautiful rite
was accomplished.
Is it necessary to say that this in
citei.t reveals one source of powe,
in the lives Of these great leaders
Bear in mind that the place was fash.
ionable Newport, and that the people
concerned were the governor of the
state. and Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe
and Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, and that
the beautiful religion here expressed
is our simple, reverent Unitarian faith
Here was a noble woman who had
many advantages, every privilege OF
social position and culture and wealth
These privileges she accepted, seek
ing to get out of them the best that
was in them. and doing what she could
to transmit these possessions to Others
turning her possessions into trans
missions she lived an abundant life
moved by great conviction to give he
services unsparingly to the service o.
humanity. The countless, unpleasant
routine duties involved in such service
she performed cheerfully. with a happ,
trust that the heart of the univers'
is god and that humanity is moving
onward. in steady. natural course
towrd the fulfillment of it's highes
and best aspirations. In this evolu.
tion of humanity she recognized tha'
everyone has a place to fill and a WORK
to do. All that she could do will
increasing devotion of heart and mind
and soul she accepted as her part ir
this work, which is as varied and as
deep as the various and deep needs
of humanity. Her eyes had seen the
vision of the coming of Gods Kingdom
upon the earth. Her soul was swift
to respond to the vision: and iubilant
We're her feet. She caught the spirit
that glorifed her Master, and living
in it her own life was TRANSPORTED.