Frances E. Willard.
Frances E. Willard, World's and National President of the W. C. T. U., triumphed over death at New York City early on the morning of Feb. 18. A few weeks since she went to that city in the interest of the Temperance Temple, to which she had dedicated the year. Alarming rumors as to her condition appeared in the public press from time to time, among them one that she was suffering from cancer of the stomach. The denial of its truth was soon followed, however, by almost equally startling statements. She battled with influenza for several weeks and had not sufficient strength to rally from its effects. In the early evening of the 17th she asked her physician, Dr. Hills, to tell her exactly what to expect. He replied that she was failing so rapidly that he could not promise her that she might see another morning. She responded that it was well. Turning slightly in her bed, she called Anna Gordon and gave her some final instructions concerning the work of the W. C. T. U. She was conscious until midnight, and just before her departure opened her eyes and seemed to recognize those about her. She pressed Miss Gordon's hand, smiled faintly, and in another moment was gone.
On Sunday afternoon funeral services took place at Broadway Tabernacle, Rev. E. S. Tipple, D. D., officiating. “Blest Be the Tie that Binds Our Hearts in Christian Love” was sung by the congregation. Rev. C. H. Payne, D. D., read the Scriptures and Bishop Newman, of the M. E. church, led in prayer. Other leading ministers of various denominations also took part in the service. At its close, the form of the loved leader of the white ribbon host, over her heart a heart of white flowers, ordered by her dear friend, Lady Henry Somerset, was returned to the home of her niece, Mrs. Baldwin. On Monday evening the sad journey to Chicago was begun. At the earnest request of its citizens, a halt of a few hours was made at Churchville, N. Y., the birthplace of Miss Willard. Arriving in Chicago on Wednesday morning, the remains were placed in Willard Hall and all day an unbroken line of people, numbering tens of thousands, looked upon the dear face for the last time. Throughout the day a choir of fifty voices rendered Miss Willard's favorite hymns and other appropriate selections. A brief service was held at noon. At four o'clock, after the benediction by Bishop Vincent, hundreds were turned away disappointed. By the order of Mayor Harrison, the city flag had hung at half-mast in honor of Chicago's most illustrious woman, and the same tribute was paid to her memory at Washington on the day of the final services. At Evanston students of the Northwestern University took charge of the remains, and as they entered Rest Cottage, “Home, Sweet Home” was sung with faltering voices. On Thursday morning, after “How firm a foundation” had been sung, Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens of Maine, Vice-President-at-Large, and who will take Miss Willard’s place for the remainder of the year, offered a touching prayer, and the remains were borne to the M. E. Church, where for many years Miss Willard had worshipped. At every point the floral decorations had been most elaborate and appropriate. Here they were still more so. On the floor beneath the casket was a rug of roses and violets, and forming a radiant arch over the beloved sleeper was a rainbow of spring's blossoms, Beneath the rainbow and caught away from the casket by a hovering dove, was a broad, white ribbon bearing in silver letters her last spoken words, “How beautiful to be with God!”
Rev. Frank M. Bristol, D. D., Miss Willard's pastor, had charge of the services. Bishop Bowman offered prayer and the choir sang Tennyson's “Crossing of the Bar.” President Rogers of the University spoke of “Miss Willard as an Educator.” Mrs. Louise Rounds, State W. C. T. U. President of Illinois, spoke of “Miss Willard as a Patriot.” Favored was Illinois, she said, in holding the sacred dust of the nation’s grandest man, Abraham Lincoln, and its greatest woman, Frances E. Willard. “Pray you, in this her home and in this her church,&rduo; she appealed, “that the flag she so loved shall no longer give protection to the business she gave her life to destroy.” Dr. Bristol read the Crusade Psalm and the congregation sang the Crusade hymn, “Give to the winds thy fears!” Then Mrs. Clara C. Hoffman bore witness to “Miss Willard as a Leader.” Dr. J. F. Loba of the Evanston Congregational church offered prayer. Mrs. Katharine Lente Stevenson spoke of “Miss Willard as a Friend.” Miss Johannsdottir, of Iceland, in broken accent tendered a testimonial of the Chieftain's fellowship in other lands. “Through her, women all the world over are sisters,” she said.
After the congregation had sung the hymn, “A charge to keep I have,” Dr. M.L. Terry read a beautiful original poem and the choir sang, “The Homeland.” Dr. C. J. Little, President of Garrett Biblical Institute, spoke of “Miss "Willard's Public Life and Characteristics.” “Frances Willard,” he said, “never held public office, but her scepter touched two continents, and she will shape their future from her grave.” Dr. C. F. Bradley gave splendid tribute to the “Woman and Friend”; the choir sang “Gently, Lord, oh, gently lead us!”, the hymn Miss Willard had asked for as she was nearing the end, and Dr. Bristol pronounced the benediction. After thousands had looked upon the face of the loved one, the dear body was taken to beautiful Rosehill and deposited for a few months in the vault. The day was now nearly gone, and though there had been no storm, it closed with a beautiful rainbow, a sign from heaven which many aching hearts seized upon, in the desperate hope that God would somehow bless this heavy affliction to the good of his own and to the cause so dear to the departed loved one.