Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-28

02O u - 0A11 y A13OeSOAN
Mstllda. Ttask 0eynten
M. lGaaildA Tsask Boynton
passed; aOaysa& her home In South
Jefferson. June q. 1919. after . sori-
Gus Hines which lasted almose six
months, caused BY diabetic ganErene.
which resulted from . broken limb
received BY. falling. the last day Of
December. The Dsriousne0 Of her
condition was 1t once realised oy
the physicianA Who gave little en-
couragement. but a. the weeks
passed . ray Of hope appeared. and
reallsing her courage, patience and
fortitude through extreme suffering.
q night for life ensued such - - sell
dom witnessed under such extremely
discouragtng conditions. the attend
ing physicians. the patient and her
children who nursed her. fighting
stubbornly until all hope was gone.
Matilda Boynton was born to John
ana Lydia Trask at South Jefferson.
June /. 1850. being the youngest Of
Q family Of two boys and three girls.
She showed musical talent at . re-
markably early age and sang in the
church choir At the Trask meeting
house at tho age Of seven. standing
on q stool beside her mother. Her
father bought for her the hrst organ
ever introduced into the town.
At the age of 20 she married
George e. Boynton. then q licensed
preacher. who was soon after or
dained to the Baptist ministry. She
labored with him in his pastorate in
South Jefferson and Islesboro, Me-.
Weston. Brookfield and Braintree.
VT. and In Medford. Mass. and in
the Glendale Baptist church in Ev-
erett, Mass. and by their united ef-
forts they were instrumental in
bringing many into the church. In
tefmingied with these labors were
evangelistic tours through parts Of
Maine and Vermont which were very
successful. Her voice. Of unusual
range. resonance and sweetness. was
always appreciated wherever she
went. A desire to 60 deeper into
the study Of voice prompted her to
make frequent trips to Boston. where
she studied harmony and voice with
some Of the best teachers. taking .
lesson daily and she then going home
to work out the new ideas she had
received. The pastorate in Medford
and Everett afforded the advantages
to study she 30 much desired.
In 1904, after a separation between
herself and husband. she continued
church singing study and teaching
of voice. and later also engaged in
entertainment work with her two
children who had inherited the
mothers love for music. Both chill
dren enjoyed the advantages Of the
mothsr's teaching and the daughter
Ruby IN opportunity to study with
some OF the worlds best known
pianists and teachers. Although this
often meant sacrifices, the mothers
devotion and the desire to inspire in
the children a love for that which
she believed to be the greatest gift
OF God and the most refining Of arts,
overcame many difficulties. This
idea she always impressed upon her
pupils. squirting them onward to a
goal set high. and those who pas
sessed musical voices but limited
means found in her q real friend
and teacher, and many now rise up
and call her blessed while they bless
the world with their song.
In 1913 Mrs. Boynton received in
juries to her arm and spine. on the
Boston Elevated Railroad, from
which she never fully recovered, the
effect of which resulted in the fall
that caused her death. Realizing
after this injury that her broken
sumo her former activities and feel
ing the call Of the old home town
where she has passed the summers
at Camp Pine Knot" on the shore
Of Dyer's lake. she built a semi
bungalow. pine Zephyr LODGE" on
a plot Of land extending from the
lake to the main road. Here among
her childhood friends whom she al
ways held so dear. she wished to
pass the declining years Of her life.
Here with her children she enter
tanned many Of her friends and
through her large Acquaintance was
influential in bringing many summer
people to the town, who found in its
lakes and streams and woods all
that they desired. She was happi-
est when her home was filled with
life and song and the good cheer and
love she dispensed through her life
came back to her in the kind
thoughts and actions Of her many
friends far and near during the long,
weary months Of her illness. The
ravaees Of pain and sickness could
not erase tho smile she always had
for them. even to the last. -Four
days before she died she sang her
last song. Mote Now. My Child,''
singing strong and clear. After that
she did not speak again above q
whisper.
So passed to her reward she whose
life was lived for others: a devoted
mother. a staunch friend, active in
any work that helped and uplifted
humanity. Her work does not perish
with her. for it will live down the
years in the hearts Of those whc
knew her. In the soi,xs she has sung
and in the songs and lives of other:
whom she has benefited.
The funeral services were held
Sunday in the old Trask church she
loved 80 we'll. conducted by the pas.
tor. Rev. w. E. Brooks. Lead Thou
Ne Home" song written and com.
posed by Mrs Boynton. was rem.