Putnam patriot., 1914-09-18
Obituary
helen EIizabeth Carpenter

and writing which meant so much 10 her we are sure it was happy release.
 she wes born in quiet New Eng land farmhouse in Sturbridge. Mass.
 There were six children. The father died when the subject of this sketch was one year old. We can picture the mother, as necessity compelled her. rearing the children in industrious and frugal habits, and the methodieaI
 way in which all of her affairs are left doubtless was part of that early training. She completed her course at Mt. Holyoke when Mary Lyon was in- | stilling so much of real worth in the
 way of character building and the fit- ting for useful lives. We fortunately l had her for teacher in North and
 West Woodstock and today there are gray-haired men and women filling important places, that have kept in
 touch with this quiet unassuming life i by their letters of loving remembrance
 and sympathy. One teacher of many
 years said when reading some of those
 letters, If l once thought l had im-
 pressed and inspired one pupil ike this l should feel well repaid for my work.
 Whilst teaching ip North Wood stock the call came from the American
 Board to go to the Hawaiian Islands and establish a school after the Nit.
 Holyoke plan. She thought that an 1 possibility. She was engaged to ] teach and could not leave her school. Again and again came the urgent wish for her to go. She counselled with her older sister, feeling sure she would say "No." Instead she said, "I think l Helen you are fitted for just this work | And the Hawaiian record reads, aIn 1 December, "A, Miss Helen Carpenter accepted the principalship of the East
 Mani Female Seminary as it was then called Through the years the records are rather general and very briei. Between the lines they reveal l the hardship and great deprivations those loyal men and women passed through.
 In 'S4 Miss Carpenters health failed. She stayed as treasurer for year hop ing to be able to go on with her work 1 but was obliged to take 6 much-needed
 rest. Later she returned and resumed her work and gave more than fifteen years of loving service.
 We catch an occasional glimpse of how the memory of those early years 1 are cherished. One writes that while nothing, absolutely nothing, was say ed from the burning school building, someone rushed in and brought out Miss Carpenters !picture. Another writes later on that the picture has q prominent place in the new building. Among her letters are some address 1 ed to my dear mother. They come from sn Hawaiian woman that went as little girl of eight years to Miss Carpenters school. She came to visit her later in her retirement in the little brick cottage on the hill. She came as teacher, visited schools and studied methods. She is now the wife of an English gentleman. She is interested in school and church work.
 But why try to compute anything so impossible as the influence of such life. Many will miss the privilege of holding converse with one so aged and yet so optimistic about the future. Hers was the broad vision and strong faith that although there may be sor- row, darksome shadows and oft times defeat,
 "That behind the dim unknown Standeth God amid the shadow Keeping watch above His own"
 Much she loved her quiet home and her neighbors were all her friends. She felt obliged to go away for the winters. Most of them were spent in Worcester where she formed ties of friendship l that she loved 10 speak about, especial ly the pastor of the Old South church, Dr. Drew, who came to the farewell service and brought, with Pastor Jones of the home church, words of cheer. She was lovingly cared tor in those last days, as eyesight grew dim, by one who loved her and whom she low ed.
 These lines she committed to mem- ory as verse by verse was read to her: Father, l know that all my life Is portioned out to me; The changes that will surely come do not fear to see;
 1 ask Thee for subject mind, Intent on pleasing Thee. 1 ask Thee for thoughtful love Through constant watching wise, To meet the glad with joyful smiles To wipe the weeping eyes; A heart at leisure from itself To soothe and sympathize. l would not have the restless will That hurries to and fro Seeking for some great thing to do, Or secret thing to know.
 1 would be treated as child And guided where to go. My God, l ask for daily strength To none that ask denied; A mind to blend with outward life While keeping at Thy side; Content 10 ill little place If Thou be glorified.
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