USA > Ohio > Highland County > Hillsboro > Hillsboro crusade sketches and family records > Part 9
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The "camp-fire " of December, 1889, at the "Old Fort" of the Crusade, was a vigorous demonstration, and at this late day memory seems to bring out in clear-cut outline our dear chieftain, with her inspiring presence and " won- derful words." Miss Elizabeth Scoville, whose "Bible-readings" are still treasured as inspired and helpful through so many years, was here from her Southern home, and Anna Gordon, the beloved "indispensable," whom our children love to remember. Then we had the faithful Sunday
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HILLSBORO CRUSADE SKETCHES.
Observance National Superintendent Mrs. Ba- teum ; also Mrs. Peters, the generous donor of the beautiful and useful " Crusade Bible-case." But the executive power behind the throne (and often upon it) was our own unselfish State president, Mrs. Monroe. She came to our rescue with wise plans, and being, with Mrs. Clevenger, State cor- responding secretary, guests of Rev. and Mrs. Murray, they combined, with our own workers, to make the occasion equal to Miss Willard's highest anticipations.
These retrospective views are instructive; but what shall we say of the " harvest" which is now "white for the reapers;" of the noble English woman of titled distinction, whose heart hath been touched, to bring in such rich grain and stately sheaves for the Master? The tender asso- ciation that exists between our own Frances E. Willard and Lady Henry Somerset, to my mind, is a sure indication of God's special care and helpfulness in the "battle" that is "not ours," but "His."
I, who sit and watch, in my eightieth year, the work going on in this great "harvest-field," and catch glimpses of inspiration from the "white ribbons" that gleam "around the world," and especially across the ocean blue, at the great London Convention, feel my grasp loosen upon the busy laborers ; yet quietly and peacefully
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HILLSBORO CRUSADE SKETCHES.
the faith that inspired and has sustained this movement, which is "not of ourselves but the gift of God," grows more steadfast in the ulti- mate result-of self-sacrifice and sobriety.
IV. MY MOTHER'S YEARS APPROACHING LIFE'S SUNSET.
I73
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IV. MY MOTHER'S YEARS APPROACHING LIFE'S SUNSET.
" Faces looking into the sunset are golden." -F. W. FABER.
write of the years of one who descends the hill of life as gracefully and bravely as my mother, is a theme for a more capable pen than mine; but the daughter's hand that so often placed the " old arm-chair," that in pride arranged the fleecy white becoming cap and graceful shawl; the heart that always throbbed in sympathy with the " White Ribbon," and had cozy, loving chats over the fireside about home interests, and do- mestic occupations, is perhaps the one to follow her gently down life's decline. We often said to each other, too,
" So many links have softly Dropped from sight, So many names are now in Sadness spoken,-names Once so bright."
The beginning of my mother's approaching sunset years brought me to a period in my own
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MY MOTHER'S YEARS
life when bereavement caused me to change homes, and return a widow to reside with and assist my parents during their declining years. Mother had lived through many sorrows and be- reavements of her eventful life, and my heart often found solace in her love and tender sympathy.
Years had passed since she led the heroic temperance band forward that bleak winter morning, in Hillsboro, Ohio (December 23, 1873), and broke the snow and ice, not only of weather, but also public opinion, and inaugu- rated the Ohio Woman's Crusade,-
" That pleading voice rose calm and sweet From woman's earnest tongue, And Riot turned her scowling glance, Awed from her tranquil countenance."
The "sober after-thought" of this great movement had crystallized into the "Woman's Christian Temperance Union," and mother's temperance work now was the presidency of the Hillsboro Union, attending National and State Conventions, a correspondence in all parts of our own and other countries with the temperance workers, and the highest work her prayers for the cause and the laborers.
Neither my mother's face, manner, nor dispo- sition had changed much to me with the flight
FRONT VIEW OF THE HOUSE.
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APPROACHING LIFE'S SUNSET.
of years. My earliest recollection of her was that she was very cheerful, and I thought beautiful. She had to me a poetic face, something like Mrs. Sigourney's-such soft brown eyes and lovely curls. I remember once, when I was a young girl away from home (and I suspect home-sick), I purchased a beautiful jewel, and searched in vain for the "gold-stone" that looked like mother's eyes, which the jeweler failed to find to my satisfaction. My sketch is only a brief re- cital of a few incidents of a remarkable descent of life. Mother would shrink from allowing the world to know her best attributes and most un- selfish acts; but when her "works follow her," many appreciative pens will call her "blessed."
The old home which had been the residence of my parents, Judge and Mrs. Thompson, since their removal from "Dewy Lawn," my father's beautiful residence in my childhood, was an in- heritance of my mother from her father, Gov- ernor Trimble, having been her parents' home, and built by her father.
" More dear, as years on years advance, We prize the old inheritance, And feel, as far and wide we roam, That all we seek we have at home."
It had all the old landmarks when I returned again to it, and the combination of my furniture, pictures, rugs, and smaller treasures added com-
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fort and beauty to the rooms, already handsomely furnished with old-time and modern furniture. Partly from taste, and also for convenience, my parents selected for their room the back parlor with a northern view and indoor passage-way to the dining-room; for the old home was built with the general entrance to the dining-room from a southern porch, and although in the summer the view, the vines, and the green grass made it charming, when the winter storms came, delicate persons needed cloaks, and indeed sometimes umbrellas had a mission; and only that we knew in the Southern States, the kitchens were some- times so far removed from the house that the hot buckwheat cakes were carried on horseback to the dining-room, could we feel our architecture had made wonderful strides. But the lack of convenience in the old home was more than atoned for by the large, hospitable halls and rooms, and by the sacred memories and echo of silent footsteps, which made the old Southern porch especially dear; for all loved it. The little birds sang their first sweet spring carols near its low windows, and sought shelter from the win- ter storms in the bushes near the dining-room door. There had been much hospitality in all the years past in the old home, but, as the years of my mother's life increased, came bereave- ments in quick succession, oftentimes also fam-
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THE SOUTHERN PORCH.
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APPROACHING LIFE'S SUNSET.
ily illness, curtailing the usual entertainments; but the latch-string was always out, and a guest was no innovation.
That my father's charming sisters could so seldom visit Hillsboro of late years has been a family regret, and a cherished memory is the , last visit of Mrs. Maria Daviess, with her daughter Anna; my father's sister, and school- mate in youth, of whose talent Kentucky is so proud, whose heart is as gentle as the south wind, and whose face is also turned to the golden sunset.
Among the guests at the old home, none af- forded my mother more pleasure than Miss Frances E. Willard and charming Miss Anna Gordon. They visited us several times in the in- terests of their work, and Miss Willard addressed large temperance audiences, and the people were permitted to hear the peer of woman speakers. ·Mother loved to call Miss Willard her dear daughter and leader ; and after her mother passed to the " Home over there," the affectionate ap- preciation was even more dear to the great and good and lovely woman, the leader of us all. Other prominent temperance workers were my mother's guests,-the lamented Mrs. Wood- bridge, and Ohio's president, Mrs. Monroe; and secretary, Mrs. Clevenger; and Mrs. Perkins, of Cleveland; and Mrs. Hunt, of Boston ; Mrs. Yeo-
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MY MOTHER'S YEARS
mans, of Canada,-all so dear to the cause, and heart of their hostess. I was the only child at home when the approaching sunset years brought the Golden Wedding. The description I insert froin the report of Mrs. D. K. Fenner, written for the Union Signal.
Let our first secretary, Mrs. Mary B. Fenner, tell the story, as appointed by the Hillsboro Woman's Christian Temperance Union for the Union Signal, September 28, 1887:
"Some friendly little bird having whispered that the Golden Wedding was at hand, the idea suggested itself to the members of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union that here was a fitting and delightful opportunity of testifying their affectionate appreciation of Mrs. Thompson's unflinching devotion to the cause, typified in all its ramifications by the white ribbon, as also their personal esteem and respect; the outgrowth of thirteen years' intercourse and companionship in the work of putting down intemperance, during all of which time she has been the honored president of the local Union.
" Ideas soon take form when hands and hearts work togetlier, and in a few days little white-winged messen- gers were flying over the length and breadth of the land, bidding guests to the Golden Wedding.
"The list of invitations included the Crusaders, sign- ers of the Guarantee Fund, members of the Hillsboro bar, mayor and city officials, officers of the Churches, the Young Woman's Christian Temperance Union, State presidents, and National officers of the Woman's Chris- tian Temperance Union, in all about four hundred and fifty.
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APPROACHING LIFE'S SUNSET.
" The reception was given in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and on the appointed evening, September 21st, a large and elegant assemblage gathered in the audience- room. Brave men and fair women were there, but the admiration and interest of all the goodly company were centered on the little bride and her tall and still hand- some husband.
" Seated on the platform with Judge and Mrs. Thomp- son were Rev. D. W. Clark, pastor of the Church; Rev. Dr. Ketcham, late pastor of the same; Rev. W. J. McSurely, of the Presbyterian Church; Mrs. Monroe, president of the State Union; Mrs. Clevenger, corre- sponding secretary of the same; Mrs. Hart, vice-presi- dent of the local Union, and several of the older mem- bers of the Union.
"Rev. W. J. McSurely, who presided at the first Cru- sade meeting, occupied the chair on this occasion. His cordial congratulations were responded to by Judge Thompson in a most characteristic speech, genial, po- etical, and touching.
"Mrs. Hart's address on behalf of the local Union was short, but gem-like in its perfect finish, pure color, and chaste setting.
"Mrs. Henrietta L. Monroe, of Xenia, president of the State Union, followed in an address of rare elegance, strength, and beauty. She gave a brief outline of the origin of the Crusade, the organization of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and its present widespread influence and working power. No one who heard her could fail to be impressed with the importance and in- fluence of the White-ribbon organization, and of the immensity of the work it is doing.
"Mrs. Monroe closed with a touching and eloquent tribute to Mrs. Thompson, and then presented to her, on
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behalf of the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, a testimonial, engrossed in gold on vellum, and framed in gold and antique oak. The reader will at once recognize Miss Willard's facile pen :
"' 1837-1887. Headquarters Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union, Chicago, Ill., to Mrs. Eliza Trimble Thompson, of Hillsboro, Ohio, leader of the first Praying Band in the Woman's Temperance Crusade, on the occa- sion of her Golden Wedding, September 21, 1887.'
"'To have been the first woman who ever attended a National Temperance Convention ; to have led the pioneer band in that hercic movement of which the National Wo- man's Christian Temperance Union is the organic form ; to have made Hillsboro known to the world as the cradle of the Crusade ; to have impressed your name upon the history of your country,-all this is much; but to have worn so loyally the crown of daughter, sister, wife, and mother; to have won friends, wherever the sacred cause of temperance is loved, and to have exhibited in public life and home's sweet ministries a faith
" That when in darkness knows no fear, In danger feels no doubt,"
is more. You stand upon the heights of answered prayer, and we, your comrades, whom your unwavering cheerfulness has many times animated, wave to you from the plain and thickest of the fight our
"God bless you and yours on this auspicious day."
"'IN BEHALF OF THE W. C. T. U., ETC.'"
"After the reading of this testimonial, Mrs. Monroe unveiled Ohio's offering ; at the sight of which a mur- mur of delighted surprise ran through the house. It was a tall urn, Etruscan in shape, of gold bronze, ex-
THE PARLOR.
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APPROACHING LIFE'S SUNSET.
quisitely chased and hammered. Suspended by a gold chain from the handle is a twenty-dollar gold-piece, bearing on the obverse side the inscription, '1837-1887, Mrs. Eliza J. Thompson, leader of the Crusade, from the Ohio Woman's Christian Temperance Union.' On the reverse, an engraved representation of the Crusade Church with the date ' December 23, 1873.'
"Mrs. Thompson's response to these tributes of loving congratulation was made in her usual quiet, conversa- tional manner, and showed her appreciation of the ova- tion given her, but she confessed herself dazed and be- wildered with surprise, and said: 'The bride should not be expected to do too much at the wedding.'
"The pastor of the Church, Rev. D. W. Clark, read the congratulatory telegrams. They had come from nearly every State and Territory in the Union, and all bore most kindly greetings.
"At the close of these formal exercises the invited guests repaired to the lecture-room, where they were seated and served with refreshments, in number about one hundred. At the close of the banquet, Rev. D. W. Clark, on behalf of Mrs. Marie Thompson Rives, pre- sented to the Hillsboro bar a full-length, life-size por- trait of her father. It was unveiled by Mrs. Sarah Thompson Collins, the granddaughter of Judge Thomp- son, and accepted on behalf of the bar by Hon. Alphonso Hart, in a pleasant, cordial, and appropriate speech.
"Then followed the reading of a beautiful poem by J. L. Boardman, Esq., an address and reading of letters by Mrs. Antoinette H. Clevenger, the reading of letters from former pastors and presiding elders, and more tel- egrams. Among the gifts were noticeable several little satin purses of blue and white, on which, in letters of gold were the words: 'Our testimonial, Maryland
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MY MOTHER'S YEARS
W. C. T. U .; ' 'Our testimonial, New Hampshire W. C. T. U .; ' 'Our testimonial, New Jersey W. C. T. U.,' ' Our testimonial, Pastors and Elders, Hillsboro M. E. Church;' 'Our testimonial, W. C. T. U.' These con- tained (in various amounts-gold pieces) the cash value of checks sent by the several State Unions whose names they bear, and for whom the time was too short to allow of sending a testimonial in any other form.
"At the close of the evening many old friends, one of whom, Judge William Meek, had been a guest at the first wedding, fifty years before, pressed forward to ex- press personally to Judge and Mrs. Thompson their con- gratulations, and wishes for both a long, happy, and use- ful future."
The congratulations and gifts of many rela- tives and prominent social friends were received, none more appreciated than the golden lamp from Mrs. Rufus King, and the "History of Prussia," in which is inscribed: "To James H. and Eliza J. Thompson, from Herbert Tuttle."
My mother's fine qualities as a nurse, of pa- tience, attention, and tenderness, can be testified to by physicians, husband, children, parents, and many to whom she ministered as "unto Him." Months of frail health and delicate strength kept her near me, and the days were cheerful because of her devotion, and "never can I forget her sweet glances cast upon me when I appeared asleep; never her kiss of peace at night." Her family physician and nephew, Dr. Henry M. Brown, often called her "the General" because
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APPROACHING LIFE'S SUNSET.
of her fine executive qualities, and Dr. W. W. Glenn, of Hillsboro, and other physicians appre- ciated her disposition of endurance and helpful- ness in the sick-room.
Apparently she bore separation by death with unusual heart-fortitude ; but it was unselfish, for the sake of others. Every family death changed her, and broke her heroic spirit. "Kisses be- came more holy, and partings touched the soul to deeper woe."
She often talked to me about the many fam. ily bereavements, and told me of her " blessed dreams " that her angel children welcomed her home, when she would retire "weary of earth," and, perhaps, physically a little ill. She ever misses the companionship of her gifted, first-born son, Allen T. Thompson, one of the heroes of life, made great by suffering and triumph, and liis Christian victories stimulated her own Christian walk and zeal. "Gentle Anna's" lovely life and death are a vision of beauty which always dim her spectacles to talk about; and the California mementos of dear brother Joseph break her down completely, as do dear Sarah's little treas- ures; and names so dear to her widowed daugh- ters are always sacred to her.
Although her parents both passed away at a very advanced age, her memories and conversa- tion about them have all the freshness and sin-
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cerity of the request, " Make me a child again, just for to-night," as she tells us, in the evenings, around the cheerful fireside and bright lamp, of their devotion and munificence towards her. She ever misses her brothers, and feels stricken as she stands the only one left of the large fam- ily circle.
My mother was a delegate-at-large to all the Na- tional and Ohio State Conventions of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and her presence was called a benediction, and her characteristic and earnest speeches much appreciated. She was always honored by Miss Willard, the Na- tional and State officers, and all the workers; and she returned home invigorated in health, and strengthened in spiritual life to labor.
She greatly enjoys a personal acquaintance with Lady Henry Somerset, England's great leader and White Ribbon temperance advocate, whose gifts and social graces win all hearts.
Rev. Thomas J. Melish and Rev. Peter Tins- ley, D. D., were guests at our home during an Episcopal Convocation. These prominent cler- gymen spoke of her unusual cheerfulness and vivacity, and how well life's lessons had been learned by her and imparted to others.
Although one of the most devoted Meth- · odists of her age, in early life having imbibed
-
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APPROACHING LIFE'S SUNSET.
from her grandmother, Jane Trimble, all the zeal of pioneer Christianity, in her later years the distance of her home from the church, much sickness in the family, and oftentimes her own delicate health, curtails her public worship. Her home spirit of patience, self-denial, and cheer- fulness about it, makes her own soul expand, and through her example, that of others; and who can tell but in the closet, with closed doors, when she would fain be at Church, her prayers do more to build up Christ's kingdom than un- interrupted Church attendance ? She attends as faithfully as possible her Sunday afternoon class- meeting, and always finds comfort and help from her class-leader and friend, Mr. Chaney. Rev. Dr. Marlay says of her: "As Mrs. Thompson's pastor for three years, I had every opportunity to study her religious character and understand it. I esteemed her as one of the most efficient helpers, and as one of the noblest and most de- voted Christian women I had ever known. How much, and in how many ways, she has helped her pastors and her Church, eternity alone can reveal. Others, doubtless, will speak more fully of her connection with the ever-memorable Cru- sade. That work, it seems to me, must forever stand as the crowning glory of her life; for un- doubtedly it was a divine inspiration; and it
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MY MOTHER'S YEARS
was moreover, as I believe, the most effective and far-reaching temperance movement the world has ever seen."
Morning prayer is a regular service at our home, conducted by mother, and her prayers will be a sacred legacy to her children.
It is difficult to class her occupations, even in later years; for she has always been a busy woman,-housekeeping and all home interests always faithfully and successfully attended to ; sewing and knitting, which, with her, are accom- plishments as well as occupations; general read- ing; diligent Bible study; a large family, gen- eral and temperance correspondence ; social calls at home and upon old acquaintances. She is very fond of her neighbors, and appreciates, as much as any one I ever knew, greetings of dear friends, and sweet children, and faithful domes- tics. Her cheerfulness, humor, and sympathetic qualities endear her to all classes.
My mother's religious interest in the colored people, and their devotion to her, is genuine.
Her later years have been much helped over the cares of domestic life by the faithfulness and efficiency of those who have lived with her for many years.
Several years after my return to the old home, my brother Henry came from Colorado, where he had been living, to visit his parents, who prevailed
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APPROACHING LIFE'S SUNSET.
upon him to give up business prospects away from home, and remain to cheer and aid the small family circle.
Both my brothers, Henry B. and John B. Thomp- son, of Salt Lake City, have added much serenity to the declining years of my parents by their de- votion and helpfulness. One noble grandson, George A. Thompson, of Xenia, Ohio, his lovely family and mother, Mrs. Allen Thompson, are a source of affectionate interest and pride.
When bereavement broke up Mrs. Herbert Tuttle's charming "Cornell" home, "sister Mary arranged her life to pass a part of the time witlı her parents, and to solace herself by home sym- pathy and companionship, and the old home has again what it has so long missed-her society and artistic taste.
Time deals gently with my dear father also, whose declining years are unusually vigorous, mentally and physically. My parents' devotion to each other needs no pen to herald it; and no home scene comes closer to my heart than to see them in the evening of life still together, and with so much left them to enjoy.
Occasionally June roses bring family reunions of unusual pleasure, when the devoted sisters of many years, Mrs. Joseph Trimble and my mother, can weave in conversation a tapestry of lov- ing memories; and the attractive nieces, who
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love and admire Aunt "Eliza," flit through the old hails and rooms, sweet with the precious perfume, and tender echo of "Auld Lang Syne."
As I close these pages, the summer of 1895 is bringing my mother's seventy-ninth birthday. The rich temperance fruitage brought together the great London Convention of June, which Miss Frances E. Willard says is the outcome of the inspired work of the Crusade.
That my mother could not attend the London Convention and accept the hospitality of Lady Henry Somerset was a mutual regret, as the res- olution passed at Queen's Hall during the World's Convention attests :
"Resolved, That we rejoice in the presence of our be- loved Mother Stewart, and applaud the courage that led her to cross the sea in her eightieth year that. she might impart to us the inspiration of her presence and her voice.
" That to Mrs. Judge Thompson, of Hillsboro, Ohio, leader of the first Prayer Band, we hereby send the as- surance that we have missed her gentle and womanly presence, and that the Crusade Bible and Crusade Psalm have been to us hallowed reminders of the brave stand she took when she was called to lead the women of Hillsboro, Ohio, in the great Crusade now known and felt the world around."
December, 1895, will bring the twenty-second anniversary of the Ohio Crusade. The snow will fall gently where noble workers are at rest.
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" Flashing o'er the pathway white," the mighty work will go on, and in quiet homes the Mother Leaders will look out upon the scene, where Right is growing stronger, and " Righteousness that exalteth a nation " is spreading more rapidly because of woman's courage and faithful prayers. .
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V. MY FRIEND MRS. THOMPSON And the Present Condition of the Temperance Work, BY FRANCES E. WILLARD.
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MISS WILLARD.
V.
E VERY whirlwind has its first leaf; for the laws of motion oblige it to begin somewhere in particular. Other leaves are gathered in so rapidly that it is usually impossible to tell which one stirred first; but whichever that one was, with it the whirlwind began.
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