The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1917-11-08
IN MEMORIAM
OF LILLIAN A. SIMMONS,

OF LILLIAN A. SIMMONS.
A highly developed civilization carries
the corollary of a high capacity for suf-
fering. With civilization in the midst
of the most appalling epoch that history
will ever record, involving humanity in
horrors so frightful that the mind recoils
benumbed from the incredible facts, the
tranquil closing of a life far removed
from the arena of the titanic struggle,
when viewed against that awful back
ground, loses something of its dire signif-
canoe. But individually we live in
simple, circumscribed world where the
grim visitant stalks unmindful of the
tragedy of nations. To the immediate
relatives, intimate friends, surviving
schoolmates and former pupils, the un-
timely passing of Miss Lillian A. SIM
mons on October twentieth, at the home
of her younger sister, Mrs. Walter F.
Kimball in Brookline, Mass, brings
poignancy of grief as in world wholly
at peace.
Sorrow floods the heart with questions
forever unanswerable which the intellect
declines to voice, knowing the futility of
finite efforts to fathom the inscrutable
Infinite. But the souls inherent and in
stinctive faith bows the head and mur-
murs the prayer of submission, "God
disposes."
Nature gave to Miss Simmons her
chiefest blessings, good health, gracious
personality, a talent for attracting de-
voted friends and an ability to make
progress in her chosen activities by her
unaided effort, Born in 1855 and reared
in the inconsiderable village Of Stockton,
she turned to the occupation of teaching
when very young woman. After grad
uating at the State Normal school at Cas-
tine in 1880 she continued to teach in the
schools of Maine for several years and
then, like numerous successful Maine
ity in Massachusetts,. After engagements
successively in New Braintree, Ashland,
Maiden and Newton she firally went to
the Minot school in Boston where she re-
manned to the end, a period of nearly
twenty years.
Into the class room she carried a strong
personality which compassed a fine intel
hgence, quiet dignity, high ideals and
earnest purpose. In nearly forty years
of contact with an impressive host of
young men and women in the making,
the influence of so strong character al
though not to be definitely measured is
nevertheless distinct and material con-
tribution to the progress of the race. To
be numbered by hundreds, undoubtedly,
are the men and women today who con-
sciously or unconsciously are the better
for having been under her influence and
tutelage at the formative period of their
lives.
To her intimates she revealed deep
love for the finer things of life, for good
music, art and literature, which with her
appreciation of quiet humor and her keen
wit made her most delightful compan-
! ion. Her religious convictions were
manifested as a consistent Universalist;
and it is needless to mention that in these
narrowing days she was deeply interest
ed in the Red Cross.
A few short weeks ago she left Stock
ton to resume her duties at the Minot
School, refreshed and buoyant after a
customary summer vacation period pass
ed at the old homestead. The year was
fast approaching when she would retire,
and her Stockton friends were anticipat-
ing the time when she would enrich the
life of the small community as perma-
nent resident. But it was not to be-
The scourge of New England which we
call pneumonia claimed her for victim.
And she fell asleep. . The
willing pen of an early pupil and appre-
ciative friend falters in an attempt to pay
loving tribute. But it was written
long ago: " .. after sleep cometh
awakeningP EVE RETT STAPLES