USA > Ohio > Highland County > Hillsboro > Hillsboro crusade sketches and family records > Part 13
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The Union Signal, December 10, 1903, contains the following :
"THE PILGRIMAGE TO HILLSBORO.
"From the moment the train-load of five hundred Woman's Christian Temperance Union pilgrims reached Hillsboro until the hour of their return to Cincinnati, the harmonious perfection of plans made by the local reception committee was apparent. On arrival at the station no time was lost in falling into line for the march to the Presbyterian church, Judge Gardner, one of Hillsboro's most honored citizens, leading the long procession and acting as escort for our National President.
"The Crusade Memorial Room, known to all the readers of The Union Signal as the casket which holds the visible mementos of the Crusade, was this day of peculiar interest in that it held the Crusaders them- selves. It is true that they are but a remnant of that praying band, but in them centers the affectionate in- terest of the younger generation of workers who had not the privilege of being identified with the pioneer movement. We call them lovingly by name, the mem- bers of this little group gathered about 'Mother' Thompson on November 16, 1903: Mrs. Colonel Col- lins, Mrs. William Scott, Mrs. Milton Boyd, Mrs. Patterson, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. McSurely, Mrs. Willet, Miss Maria Stuart, and Miss Lizzie Kirby. · Mrs. Stockton, the Rev. Dr. McSurely, and Mrs. McSurely
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journeyed from their home in Oxford, Ohio, in order to join in the celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the Crusade.
"The audiences from these various meetings joined the main body that marched from the Presbyterian Church to the Thompson Home. This historic cot- tage, modest as to exterior, but exceedingly spacious within, holds an atmosphere that contains all the ele- ments of an ideal home. Lives of sturdy integrity, characterized by devotion to God and to any cause that makes for righteousness, speak to one from the. canvases on the walls and from the simple but sub- stantial furnishings that constitute the true 'homeli- ness' of an abiding-place. Over the piano in the cheer- ful parlor hangs an excellent portrait of Governor Trimble, the honored father of Mrs. Thompson. The dining-room, with its old-fashioned mahogany furni- ture and shining silver, was a delight to the eyes, while the kitchens, modern and ancient, down three steps, after the fashion of the quaint old houses of a past generation, contained much that appealed to the femi- nine interest which surveyed the minutest details with a loving comprehensiveness ; there were many expres- sions of delight and wonderment over the rag carpet, but recently completed by the deft fingers of Mrs. Thompson herself. What better refutation could be made to the oft-repeated statement concerning the tendency of women to ignore domestic accomplish- ments in the pursuit of an ideal that promises to. re- form the world? This household saint, eighty-seven years of age, who helped to set in motion the forces
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VISIT OF THE FIVE HUNDRED DELEGATES.
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that resulted in the organization of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, has ever found her great- est joy within the sacred precincts of home. We had the privilege of seeing her within her happiest environ- ment, and memory will hold no sweeter picture than that of Eliza J. T. Thompson extending to her com- rades from all quarters of the earth the hospitality of her own hearthstone.
"The daughters of this beautiful home, Mrs. Marie T. Rives and Mrs. Mary McArthur Tuttle, were on this as on all other occasions, fitting representatives of their gracious mother. Mrs. Rives, assisted by several members of the local committee, received the guests in the parlor ; Mrs. Tuttle conducted them over the house, and it would be hard to say where we loved best to linger .* The apartments occupied by the daugh- ters expressed an individuality-the culture of heart and mind that has contributed so much toward the comfort and happiness of the little 'mother' whom all hold dear. We wandered from room to room, fasci- nated in turn by some particular characteristic of each, coming back always to that Chamber of Peace wherein sat the woman we delighted to honor. We left her there, enshrined within a thousand hearts that had this day come into the joy of her presence.
"The satisfaction of the spiritual feast that had
*And Mother Thompson's charming grand-niece Mrs. Dr. Henry M. Brown, also, Mrs. Lucy Harman, Mrs. John Matthews, Mrs. William Matthews, Mrs. Albert Matthews, Mrs. E. L. Ferris, Miss Lizzie Kirby, Mrs. J. McD. Stockton, Mrs. John A. Trimble, assisted Mrs. Rives and Mrs. Tuttle, during this reception. The absence of Mrs. Margaret Arm- strong and other relatives was much regretted.
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been spread before us from the moment of our arrival in Hillsboro, but added zest to the appetite for the material good things that awaited our coming at Arm- ory Hall. We wondered how such a great host of hungry mortals could, in the little time allowed for lunching, be waited upon and sent on their way re- joicing, but here again we found the capable and ener- getic ladies of the Church had accepted and distrib- uted a gift of Mr. John Gregg, a grandson of Mrs. Margaret Gregg, one of the vice-presidents of the local union. And Mrs. Gregg and her fellow-workers deserve special mention for the sacrifice they made in serving upon the committees necessary to the success of the luncheon, in that it debarred them from the privilege of attending the functions at the church and at the Thompson home.
"Women in happy groups in the spacious hall en- joyed a bounteous repast, and at the close were de- lighted by a charming speech from Mrs. Rives, in which she graciously mingled words of welcome and farewell. Again Mrs. Stevens expressed the thanks of the White Ribboners for the welcome and entertain- ment so lavishly bestowed on us all, and without the slightest jar in the many details of the program of the day the large company took the train for Cincinnati, waving their good-byes to Hillsboro, and singing, 'God be with you till we meet again.'"
The Hillsboro papers gave up column after column. One paper added Judge Thompson's poetic account of the Crusade. (See page 65 of this book.)
THE HALL OF THE OLD HOME.
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MOTHER THOMPSON'S NOTES.
November 16, 1903 .- What a day! Help us to in- terpret it aright, dear Lord ! and may much good come to our town because of the zeal of "Thy handmaidens !"
My strength has been as my day ! as it has so often been-How could I doubt Thy promises, O Lord !
December 2, 1903 .- Still wonderfully well, and not in the least jarred by the multitude ! What a "wonder- working God" we have! Help us to love Thee with all our hearts, our souls, our all, until we see Thee as Thou art!
December 5, 1903 .- A beautiful morning ; but too cold for me to go out. What a trial to be kept from the "house of God" by distance, etc .! Give me the needed grace and patience for all my cares, trials, and anxieties, and also give me gratitude for my many and varied blessings !
1903 .- Another year has passed, and we are here! But we are nearer home-nearer to our heavenly home! Strengthen us for the flight, dear Father !
A WORD FROM MOTHER THOMPSON.
JOHN G. WOOLLEY,-How glad I was to find that the spirit of bear and forbear, so in keeping with the compassionate Savior of mankind, and, we think, of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, was to be the mainspring of The New Voice. With your expe- rience, ability, and the new element, I am quite sure
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that The New Voice will be as one "crying in the wil- derness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make His paths straight." . E. J. THOMPSON.
Hillsboro, Ohio.
*
It was Christmas eve, 1903. Two members of the family had gone to play flute and organ in the church for children's festival; a third was at home with "dear mother." She knitted on pink-and-white mittens for the little baby of Rev. and Mrs. Henry O. Faulconer, referred, in course of conversation, to Mr. Detwiler and Mrs. Charles Harsha, and their wonderful Sun- day-school, and remarked that her grandmother, Jane Allen Trimble, started the first Sunday-school in Hills- boro; showed the little book given her by that grand- mother, which was loaned to all the pupils of that Sunday-school. "Don't let us worry about domestic changes in the kitchen this bitter weather; make no resolutions when we are in the midst of a frozen stream; wait until spring to agitate the labor question ; reprove faults in the spirit of love, while we may hate them ; exercise kindness in every rebuke."
The 'next day she was happy over the charming and numerous Christmas gifts which came to her. As one friend was taking leave of her, who had brought in person her gift, she said: "Remember, it takes a life- time of cultivation and care, planting and watching, to make an acceptable old age, just as it takes an acre of roses to make one vial of ottar of roses." After the friend left she said: "I admire her! She has fine
THE KITCHEN IN COLONIAL DAYS.
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spirit, and certainly can make things look prettier on a little Japanese tray than any one I know of."
*
BITS OF CONVERSATIONS WITH FAMILY IN LATE YEARS.
After the visit of the five hundred delegates from the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union Convention, November 16, 1903, I said, "It is a matter of great surprise to some that you have such a fol- lowing." "Not at all," she quickly replied ; "Frances Willard and I each gave our best. Every society must have a leader. 'Ye are my witnesses ; ye shall receive power from the Holy Spirit ; I have spread you abroad as the four winds of heaven, saith the Lord.'" "Where is that?" I asked. "Zechariah, second chapter, sixth verse."
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A CRUSADE HYMN,
Expressive of the Great Idea with which the Women of Hillsboro went forth.
DEDICATED TO MRS. THOMPSON BY PASTOR FELIX.
In His dear name who loved us so, Forth to our duty will we go; The task may seem like loss, like shame,- Forth will we go in His dear name.
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In His dear name! O who can tell What courage in that thought may dwell ! In His dear name! Ah! who can know Where by that impulse he may go?
To admire, to commend, to record virtue-a pleas- . ant, easy task is this. But to do a heroic act when we do not know it heroic-that is of God and God-like. HAMPDEN CORNER, MAINE, February 17, 1896.
March 17, 1905 .- The Pilgrim Magasine requested Mrs. Thompson to send them a photograph of herself and some data to be used in their article on "The Grand Dames of America." The associate editor wrote as follows :
"Knowing the inspiration your success in life has been to thousands of women, and the admiration and esteem in which you are held throughout the country, I am asking the courtesy of the use of your photo- graph in this article I am preparing.
"Cordially yours, STELLA REID CROTHERS."
When it appeared, it included sketches and por- traits of Clara Barton, Mary A. Livermore, Julia Ward Howe, Susan B. Anthony, Fanny J. Crosby, Elize Jane Thompson, Hetty R. Green, Augusta Evans Wilson, Mrs. Jefferson Davis, Amelia E. Barr, Harriet Prescott Spofford, Louise Chandler Moulton, Mrs. W. G. Jones, Mary J. Holmes .- June number of The Pil- grim, 1905.
SOUTH VIEW OF MOTHER THOMPSON'S HOME. HER OWN ROOM TO THE RIGHT.
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The invitation to the unveiling of the Frances E. Willard statue in the National Capitol, Febraury 17th, was the great event for 1905 for the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
Mrs. Thompson sent a copy of the Western Christian Advocate to Sir Wilfrid Lawson, who sent the following reply :
"Dear Madam,-Best thanks for the Christian Advocate containing the very interesting account of the Miss Willard demonstration. It is very interest- ing indeed to find politicians and statesmen hastening to do honor to one who spent a noble life in trying to do good to the world. It is a good sign of the times. With all good wishes for all good causes, both in America and Britain, I am yours truly,
" WILFRID LAWSON. '
CHAPTER III.
EIGHTY-NINTH BIRTHDAY-JOSEPH L. BOARDMAN'S TRIBUTE-ILLNESS AND DEATH-EXTRACTS FROM THE PRESS-LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE.
To MRS. ELIZA J. THOMPSON,
Mother of the "Temperance Crusade," on her Birthday, August 24, 1905.
"Blessed art thou among women" o'er the earth, Thy sisters of the W. C. T. U. . Honor this happy day that gave thee birth, And with glad hearts their prayers for thee renew. Great was the work God called on thee to do, And nobly didst thou answer to the call. Loved and revered thou art to-day by all, Who love their fellow-men and daily pray For their deliverance from the tyrant's sway, Whose power, to all mankind a deadly foe, Has filled so many homes with want anc'. woe. Spared to the ripe old age of eighty-nine, Each day and hour may joy and peace be thine, Till God shall call thee to the Life Divine! JOSEPH LOCKHART BOARDMAN.
COLUMBUS, OHIO, August 23, 1905.
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Some one asked Mrs. Thompson if she would like to give this verse to the local editor of the paper Mr. Boardman had charge of so many years. She replied, "No; it was too much praise beyond her deserving."
¥
The balmy sunshine of a first spring day of 1905 cast its beauty across the spacious hall in the old Hills- boro home.
From the blossoms and velvety modest grass, be- fore unappreciative feet had trodden upon it, came a breath of spring, and the fowls, which had stood hero- ically a zero winter, took their reward in a proud sunning under a cheerful sky. Bright yellow jonquils emphasized spring's return, and Easter greetings were in evidence.
The summer came, with its bright sunshine and twilight evenings. To the delight of Mrs. Thompson's devoted children, it found her in comfortable health, and, although frail, quite equal to walking from room tó hall, and always adding cheer and happiness to the dining-room by her presence. In the twilight she loved to hear the sound of flute and piano from the parlor, and would frequently call attention to the sunset glow upon the Rembrandt picture in the hall, indicating her hearty interest in her children's tastes.
When August 24th brought her eighty-ninth birth- day, she received kind relatives, neighbors, and friends who called upon her, in her most gracious, sweet man- ner and without apparent fatigue.
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"Rebecca Muntz has been faithful to me for years with flowers, fruit, and kindness," she said that day, and she felt it of many others.
The public celebration of her birthday took place at the Children's Home. For years her birthday had been a red-letter day of the National Woman's Chris- tian Temperance Union.
By Mrs. Thompson's request a resolution passed by order of the Highland County Union that the Chil- dren's Home should benefit by gifts made in her name, and the little children, the waifs, for which she had a tender mother love, were cheered by the wealth of affection and generosity bestowed upon her. Mrs. Thompson expressed to her family at the close of her last birthday „that it had been the happiest she had passed for years.
EXTRACTS FROM THE PRESS.
FUNERAL OF MRS. JUDGE THOMPSON.
"MY DEAR CHILDREN AND FRIENDS,-When the chariot swings low enough for me to step in, let all things be done quietly, modestly, and humbly. No needless expense, no empty words, no useless com- mendations. 'Saved by grace' must be my theme on
*This article appeared in The Western Christian Advo- cate.
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earth and in heaven." This memorandum, bearing date of June 9, 1905, was found among Mrs. Thomp- son's papers, and guided in the conduct of her funeral.
The body was laid in state in the Crusade Memo- rial Chapel of the Presbyterian Church. The casket was covered with Quaker gray cloth and surrounded with banks of flowers, white predominating, sent by the National, State, and local Woman's Christian Tem- perance Unions, and dear relatives and friends far and near. The wreath hung against the stained glass windows was magnificent! 'The surviving mem- bers of the first Woman's Crusade Praying Band acted as a guard of honor. As the hour of serv- ice approached, one hundred women, each wearing conspicuously the significant emblem of the White Ribbon filed out of the church door, two by two. It was an impressive sight, as it thrillingly recalled the historic march of the Crusaders from the same church door, December 23, 1873. It is also a coincidence worthy of mention that this very day and hour, Mon- day 2 P. M., a prayer-meeting for the universal spread of temperance has been maintained without a single omission for thirty-two years since the first meeting on this very spot of original Crusaders.
The funeral cortege proceeded to the Methodist Episcopal church, where the pastor, the Rev. W. A. Deaton, presided. The first address was made by Rev. Dr. Davis W. Clark, of Cincinnati, his theme having been assigned to him by Mrs. Thompson herself. It was, "The Influence of Religion Upon a Human Life."
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Dr. Clark affirmed the continuous presence of Jesus upon the earth; the incarnation of His Divine ideals of love and service in the lives of His followers being the essential repetition of his own life.
The Rev. Dr. W. J. McSurely, of Oxford, Ohio, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro during the Crusade, followed with reminiscences and an analy- sis of character. He spoke of Mrs. Thompson's demo- cratic spirit. She was not lacking in pride of family ; she appreciated the social prestige of being a govern- or's daughter ; but she had a heart to feel for any and for all. This fine, sympathetic tuning of her soul was the secret of her phenomenal influence extending over all classes. In a time when the idle rich are doing so much to drag down the high standard of conduct, she made .a large contribution toward its maintenance. Familiarity with Scripture was another characteristic. Many ministers, even, do not know their Bibles as she knew hers. Thus she enriched her language, whether writing or speaking. All who knew her felt the touch of her intimacy with God. The Rev. Mr. Deaton closed, affirming that the greatness of Mrs. Thomp- son consisted in her consecrated womanhood. The Rev. S. O. Royal, a former pastor ; the Rev. Warren B. Dunham, Presbyterian; the Rev. Louis E. Durr, Episcopal; the Rev. R. D. Licklider, Baptist, shared in the service, while the choir sang favorite hymns. One brief hour was occupied, and the spirit of Mrs. Thompson's directions was faithfully kept.
The four remaining children were present-Mr. John B. Thompson, Salt Lake City; Mr. Henrv B.
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Thompson, Mrs. Dr. Edward Rives, and Mrs. Pro- fessor Herbert Tuttle. Mr. Henry Thompson and his two widowed sisters make their home in the historic old mansion, at Hillsboro.
And please remember that the M. E. Church was the choice of My childhood and has bun the Strength of my Mature years,
FAC-SIMILE OF HANDWRITING OF "MOTHER" THOMPSON.
MEMORABILIA.
Eliza Jane Trimble Thompson, born in Hillsboro, Ohio, August 24, 1816; died November 4, 1905, aged eighty-eight years, two months, ten days. Daughter of Governor Allen Trimble and Rachel Woodrow Trimble. Married to Judge James Henry Thompson, September, 1837. Mother of eight children, Inaugu- rated the Woman's Temperance Crusade, December 23, 1873. Golden wedding celebrated September 21, 1887. Visited by five hundred delegates of the Na- tional Woman's Christian Temperance Union in ses- sion in Cincinnati. Member of the Advisory Council World's Congress of Representative Women World's Columbian Exposition, November 30, 1893. First woman to attend a National Temperance Convention.
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Intimate friend and adviser of Frances E. Willard and Lady Henry Somerset. Visited by Bishop Warren and a committee officially appointed by the Cincinnati Conference during its session in Hillsboro. The bishop, in reporting the visit to the Conference, pronounced it a most precious occasion. "It seemed to us as if a new era dawned upon the world in that heroic coming forth of woman for the moral uplift of the world, like the Deborahs and Hannahs of old. We felt that we were recognizing the great spirit of woman's power over the earth for the salvation of men that were in peril. After we had expressed the feeling of the Conference to her, she, lying there without a sign of weakness in any way, spoke to us like an angel. She said, 'That all trials, all tests of bravery, all difficult straits, had been always followed by great enlargements of spirit- ual life,' and quoted Anna Shipton's lines :
" 'Better to me than all my hopes, Better than all my fears --- He made a bridge of my broken works, And a rainbow of my tears.'"
D. W. C.
A BEAUTIFUL TRANSLATION.
MRS. ELIZA J. T. THOMPSON, THE "MOTHER" OF THE CRUSADE, PASSES TO THE HOME BEYOND.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union owes much to the early leaders whose intrepid courage gave it birth. The inevitable changes incident to passing years and constantly broadening scope have in no way
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lessened our loyalty to the Crusade "Mothers." Al- though no longer taking active part in our annual Conventions they are held in loving reverence, and every National gathering is opened with the reading of the Crusade Psalm and the singing of the Crusade Hymn, and a message of greeting is sent from the Convention to the mothers in Israel who still abide with us. Thus the thoughts of all are directed to the memorable events which called into being the greatest organization of women in the world's, history.
This year, as usual, greeting went to our beloved Mother Thompson, who, even then, unknown to us, was nearing the Borderland. On November 3d, two days after the Convention closed, a message came to Los Angeles, California, from Hillsboro, Ohio, convey- ing the news that this dear saint of God had been released from the frail earthly habitation that had, through weeks of weary suffering, confined her glori- ous spirit. Mrs. Stevens, for the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, immediately sent the fol- lowing telegram to Mrs. Thompson's family :
"We sorrow with the bereaved household. We thank God for her gentle, great life, now crowned with immortality."
An offering of flowers, the sweet messengers of love which in themselves typify so beautifully the life after seeming death, was sent by the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and it is deeply regretted that the great distance prevented the presence at Hills- boro of the National officers .- From The Union Sig- nal, Los Angeles, November 30, 1905.
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EXTRACTS FROM THE TEMPLE APPEAL, NOVEMBER, 1905, BY MRS. MATILDA B. CARSE.
In a letter written August, 1897, she says: "My faith receives new inspiration each week, as I open to Willard Hall Echoes, and hear the joyful songs of the redeemed ones as the scales of blindness and tempta- tion fall from their eyes. O, how I long to be there to rejoice with them and the dear, faithful ones who minister to them! My poor, feeble prayers are ever with you and for your success in your grand work. The answer of peace icomes very sweetly at times, when asking our God for the Temple, and the unseen voice says, 'Be still and know that I am God; with Me all things are possible.' "
When I heard of the serious injury to the beloved Mother of our organization I wrote her that some day, when we get our Temple bonds paid, her dear face would illuminate Willard Hall and beam down upon us from one of the memorial windows. She returned the following message to me, through her daughter, Mrs. Tuttle, just three weeks before her translation : "Those whose faces shine in Temple windows will be those undoubtedly who have come up out of great trib- ulations. 'O, thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows with agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones !' (Isaiah liv, 11, 12.)"
She was lovingly and tenderly cared for, says Mrs.
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Carse (besides the services of devoted trained nurse) by her two adoring daughters.
As we think of this saint of God, we see only the personification of love. Age did not rob her of the tender grace that springs from a soul, which, though called to pass through great tribulations, has sought and found all its source of strength in God. None could approach her without feeling that it was a heav- enly benediction to be in her presence, so full of love was the atmosphere that enveloped her, and breathed from her every act and word.
She had the spirit of heaven in her heart; death only claimed the wornout mantle of clay. Clothed in youth and immortal beauty we think of her to-day, rejoicing in the abundant entrance that has been ad- ministered unto her in the Paradise of God.
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