Another chain is broken here, One more anchor fastened there; Another link is severed here, And the chain is lengthened there. CSC.
As we have parted with our dearest In this world, and one near to the hearts of many, it seems fitting that a brief account of some of the circumstances surrounding our last trip and the termination thereof, be shared with our many dear Friends.
Perhaps it was principally dear Bertha's concern to visit Western Yearly meeting, since a year ago, when it seemed impossible to bring it in between our own and Iowa; also other Friends at Laura, Ohio, being part of Western. We all felt unitedly joined in this concern, and Samuel came to the last session of Ohio Y. M. and we started on that afternoon, feeling that the Midweek meeting at Laurel might be on the next day; Howard Edgerton, an Elder of our meeting, accompanied us, and we stopped at a cottage for the night, and proceeded on Fifth day, arriving at the meeting house in good time and found some there. It was a small, but overshadowed meeting; and after it we took dinner with a family, then felt best to start on toward Plainfield; the policy of which was proved by having motor trouble, so could not have made it thru the next morning, had we stayed over night.
Were welcomed at Dear Edward Edgerton's, where we found a hospitable home the ensuing week. Edward had been poorly, but was raised up and enabled to attend all the sessions, being livingly exercised therein. The meeting was felt to be a favored time, and Dear Edward expressed that it was the best in his recollection of a long life of attendance. We made several visits among the families, most of which were strangers to us in the outward but were felt to be near in that spirit which is one. Feeling thru in those parts, after meeting closed on Fourth-day, we left, returning to Laura, reaching Cumming's home in good time, and were there for the Monthly Meeting the next day; which was felt to be a tender, favored time; several exercises being borne to the Truth.
We made some visits in the afternoon, and had a gathering of most of the Friends at the Cumming home in the evening, which truly seemed a baptizing season, after which we felt loath to part, but finally went to George and Eva Kester's hospitable home for the night, and in the morning were present in a very memorable occasion after breakfast. Left there about 7:45 for our home, being a modest days drive of about 250 miles; called on Willard Blackburn's wife at their store in Delaware, Ohio. Then proceeded on thru Mt. Vernon, and stopped along the highway in view of the T.B. Sanitarium for our lunch, which the Kester's so kindly provided. After enjoying this and the pleasant views and balmy air, we proceeded on our way, and were riding along quietly, moderately, comfortably, approaching Massillion, Ohio; when without warning, a semi-trailer loaded with logs, turned across our pathway in front of us, and left no way to escape the collision which ensued. It was, perhaps the slightest blow possible under the circumstances; no upset, or entanglement with the truck, but the shock was responsible for the injuries sustained, being cuts and bruises to all four of us.
Dear Bertha was conscious, though the most serious, and seemed to realize her condition, yet she lived about three hours, and did not suffer much after reaching the hospital about a half hour after the tragedy. There she and the men were given all medical aid possible, but the shock was too much for her frail body, and she was released from this world of suffering and sorrow, three hours after the accident at 5:05 P.M., 9-10-'37. Samuel was preserved from serious injury so that he could give attention to the others, and make the necessary arrangements, which so swiftly were made necessary in the emergency.
Howard and I, both were apparently napping, and after the shock were unconscious, and continued clouded the afternoon and night following. Howard came out clear next morn, but my mind was said to be in a sub-conscious condition the most of Seventh and First days, though I asked Samuel some questions, but not clear until Second-day morn when he returned and told me the result to my dear companion. It was truly a great baptism, and we could not have endured it without the Everlasting arms underneath, to sustain, that the billows go not over our souls entirely. Such things are the test which reveals the Source of our Faith, and the stability of the true Rock, Christ Jesus.
In the hospital, I seemed to be in the Arms of the Church, and this was evidenced by the many letters and visits of friends and acquaintances. I felt the Love of God to go out to everyone, and those about me at the hospital were near to me in my concern for the spread of the Gospel. After three weeks of excellent care and attention, I was released, and came home on a cot in the same vehicle which brought my dear Bertha. At this writing, now two weeks at home, I am able to sit up some, and it seems remarkable that I can get about this much soon. It certainly does seem that we have been helped and preserved beyond human understanding, and with a feeling that it is only by and thru His power, and for His praise and Glory; so that I feel that I should be more fully devoted to the spread of the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord, in the face of Jesus Christ.
Dear B. said she felt it was her last trip, and did not, as we remember, make any allusion to home and its cares, as we turned our faces that way; so while it is a great trial, our hearts have been so filled with the love and joy, yea ,rejoicing, that cometh with the morning, that she had her lamp trimmed and burning, ready to enter with the bride-groom of souls.
The funeral was felt to be an overshadowing of goodness, and the crown and diadem of her sweet ministerial life amongst all who knew her. Our lives, as a family, were as a three-fold cord, bound together, and now that one of the strands, the closest, has been severed, we feel to extend to all a portion of that happiness and joy which has been thus exposed, and in much love, to reach out to all, with the sweet invitation to come, taste, and see that the Lord is good, [Psalm 34:8] and will not withhold any good thing from them that ask of Him, believing that He can and will do for us more exceeding than we can ask or think; yet keeping in submission to whatever He sees meet to bring upon us, for, in very truth, we must come to where we can adopt the language: "Not my will, oh Lord, but thine be done." [Luke 22:42.]
In that love which endures, your friend,