Hoping this will be of some use to you, I am,
Yours sincerely,
M. T. FISKE.
The annexed note of commendation from the Rev. Dr. Conkling, of this city, who formerly labored in word and doctrine with the deceased, in connection with the Allen Street Church, is concise yet comprehensive.
How much is implied in these words--_faithful, loving, earnest, prayerful and consistent Christians!_
NEW YORK CITY, November, 1886.
DEAR MR. YOUNG--My acquaintance with Mr. and Mrs. Knowles was so limited that my knowledge of them could be only of the most general character. I knew them, as all who knew them could testify, as earnest, loving Christians, faithful in their church duties, prayerful and consistent; and evidently living always near to Christ. I prized their friendship much; I feel how deep the loss to the church must be in being deprived of their active influence and their believing prayers.
With thanks for your kindly note, conveying the sacred request, I remain, dear sir,
Sincerely yours,
NATH"L W. CONKLING.
To show how greatly beloved they were by all denominations we insert this closing tribute from a dear servant of Christ, whose calm, clear eye of penetration recognized that, by prayerfully studying the character of Christ we became a.s.similated to His glorious image. He is a member of the Society of Friends.
CLINTONDALE, N.Y., June 23, 1887.
DUNCAN M. YOUNG:
DEAR BROTHER--Yours received, bearing us news indeed. We had not heard before of the demise of our dear Brother and Sister Knowles.
The effect of it at first, to me, was that I could scarcely speak for a fulness of feeling which it produced, and a home-sickness for the home where they have gone.
My memory was immediately taken back to the visit I paid them a year ago last spring, which was _very pleasant_ and soul-refreshing, and especially to the parting _kiss_ that the dear Mother in Israel gave me on my parting from them; and also she gave me a supply of beautiful tracts, which I had the privilege of using to the comfort of two souls on the cars as I was returning home, and some of the tracts I have yet, and you can depend on it I place higher value on them than ever before.
The little leaflet you sent us is very appropriate indeed, but none can do them justice in writing of them, for we do not know of all their heart-yearnings and achings over poor wanderers, and their personal private labors for their salvation, neither can we ever know until we see the record of it all up there.
And may you, dear Brother, as the honored minister of G.o.d, carry out literally her exhortation to you, "Preach the Gospel Uncolored."
Accept my sincere thanks for your kindness in writing us, and sending the leaflets. You asked if I could use any of them? I can, certainly, and there are a few around here yet living who remember our departed sister and brother when they boarded at our house.
I unite in interest and prayer with you for your important Work in the abundant ripe fields of Harvest, and pray that you will receive many souls for your hire.
I am, yours sincerely, and in the love of the pure Gospel of the Kingdom of our Christ,
ERASTUS S. ANDREWS.
"They lived, and they were useful; this we know.
Oh, take who will the boon of fading fame!
But give to me A place among the workers, though my name Forgotten be, And if within the book of life is found My lowly place, Honor and glory unto G.o.d redound For all His grace!"
CHAPTER x.x.xVII.
CONCLUSION.
Oh, could I flow like thee, and make thy stream My great example, as it is my theme!
Though deep, yet clear; though gentle, yet not dull; Strong without rage; without o"erflowing full.
In concluding these memoirs and looking back over the lives of our departed brother and sister, there is a great lesson to be learned--that of _example_. Such example as theirs possesses incalculable power of effecting good. It takes deep and tenacious root; it fructifies with amazing rapidity and profusion, and flourishes where precept would utterly perish. Its impression is so indelible, that the greatest difficulty is experienced when attempting to eradicate it. The salutary influence which good example propagates, we find stamped on every avocation in life. In some people a heinous negligence, and in others a culpable apathy is evinced with respect to the principles their conduct is implanting. Profuse ill.u.s.trations abound in every profession, calling, and trade, of the effect of evil example, and also of the disregard paid to its consequences. Whether or not this regardlessness arises from negligence, or ignorance, it is difficult to determine. All cla.s.ses of society possess, undoubtedly, though in varying degrees, the important power of exemplifying good or evil, and it behooves them to act with greater circ.u.mspection and discretion with respect to the injurious consequences which their examples may evoke, having due regard to the avidity which is shown by weak minds to follow example, however pernicious. It is natural for man to imitate a model or pattern, as it thereby affords him a much easier and more agreeable opportunity of forming his ideas on any particular subject. Nor is example confined to those holding high public positions. Its presence and power are experienced as much from the humblest Bible woman as from the greatest shining light in the pulpit. I admit that influence, good or evil, is propagated to a greater extent when the source from which it emanates is more prominently before the gaze of the world than if it were less public; but I am persuaded that the closer the relationship between the one who exerts the influence and the one upon whom it takes effect, the more deep and lasting will the impression prove, and any endeavors to eradicate it will involve more strenuous efforts and diligent application than where there is no sympathetic feeling evinced by the one toward the other.
The implicitness with which example is followed is subject to considerable variations, for I am inclined to think that the lower the moral position the greater the apt.i.tude for imitation is displayed.
This arises from the incapability of those who occupy such positions to tear asunder the forms which envelope them, and strike a path untrodden for themselves. They find it much more congenial to their tastes and pursuits to act as others around them usually do than to alienate themselves and endeavor to live more in accordance with the laws of morality. No one can deny, especially those who knew her well, that Mrs. Knowles"s great success was as much derived from her example and humility as from any power of teaching and persuasion she possessed.
And now, dear readers, those of you who have not the gift of leading others into the paths of virtue and morality by the gift of ready speech or the force of your conversation and address, can at least so regulate your conduct that the little world around you may look up to _you_ as an example, however humble your position in it may be.
There are lesser lights along the iron-bound coast of England than the Eddystone; still they serve the purpose for which they were erected.
Yea, the widow"s lamp, in the window of the cottage by the sea, saved her own son from shipwreck. The Talisman"s motto ought to be ours:
"Be watchful, be ready, for shipwreck prepare, Keep an eye on the life-boat, but never despair!"
All along our coast the Government has built ma.s.sive and strong light-houses to guide and warn the tempest-tossed mariner. The pa.s.sage may have been hazardous to many a staunch ship and brave crew, occasioned by constant exposure to a multiplicity of dangers seen and unseen. Who can tell of the deep anxiety of the gloomy days and nights they spent waiting and watching, while many a keen blast has mournfully whistled through the shrouds, and many a billow has threatened to engulf their bark; but how cheering is yonder light streaming forth amid the densest darkness. It speaks with trumpet-tongue to the bewildered navigator, and says, "This is the course, steer ye by it."
How refreshing the sight. How a.s.suring those bright beams that quiver over the perilous sea. Clouds and wind must not affright, for the gladsome welcome light of example interposes between us and disappointment and despair. "Ye are the light of the world," said Jesus. It is by beholding the lights that once shone on earth, that are now shining as the stars for ever and ever in heaven, that we, seeing their good works do glorify our Father in Heaven.
How many, alas! are utterly unconscious of the power of a G.o.dly example; it is only prayerful reflection upon it that rivets the connecting link between earth and heaven. Endearing attachments are formed and gradually, eternally perpetuated, strengthened by constant companionship.
It is then we become truer-hearted, more gentle, more generous, and more affectionate. Exquisitely rounded Christian character is only thus obtained. Our hearts, and glad, willing service ought to be laid on the same altar as our humble offering, in proof of the profit and pleasure that we have experienced in reviewing the career of those great examples worthy of study and imitation. This is the only explanation we can give for penning this memorial. Our hearts were deeply stirred by the words uttered with the dying breath of Mrs. Knowles, when she said to me, "PREACH THE GOSPEL UNCOLORED;" I want to recognize their importance as synonymous with Paul"s exhortation to Timothy, "Preach the Word." Yes, dear reader, this is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of G.o.d, and it is quick and powerful. We must wield it earnestly and bravely in the great conflict of life, constantly reiterating the Bible woman"s dying words:
"MY DAY IS SHORT, I MUST FINISH MY WORK!"
In perusing these memoirs, we ask, Who can read the foregoing correspondence and record of G.o.d"s goodness to His saints, and through them to perishing souls, promiscuously scattered among all cla.s.ses, and creeds, and colors, Jews and Gentiles alike, without feelings of unfeigned grat.i.tude to G.o.d for raising up two such worthy persons to adorn "the doctrine of G.o.d, our Saviour?"
Our earnest prayer is, that the Holy Spirit will not allow to pa.s.s un.o.bserved such lives of usefulness and self-sacrifice, without awakening a deeper interest in the lapsed ma.s.ses of the lower part of this city.
We sincerely trust, also, that the publication and perusal of this humble effort to glorify G.o.d by perpetuating the memory of the loved ones so fondly cherished shall not be all in vain, and fall on the heart as a dead letter, "like the wind that pa.s.ses over the rock, leaving it harder than before." Mr. D. L. Moody once said, "I never saw a man who was aiming to do the best work, but there could be some improvement; I never did anything in my life that I didn"t think I could have done better, and I have often upbraided myself that I had not done better. But to sit down and find fault with other people when we are doing nothing ourselves is all wrong, and is the opposite of holy, patient, divine love." May we rather be of that number concerning whom it is said, "Blessed are those servants, who, when their Lord shall come, He will find watching."
The sunset of life will come sooner or later, "Let us, then, give earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." Especially let us consider the importance of Mrs. Knowles"s final farewell exhortation: "_Be kind, gentle, and patient. Be faithful, humble, meek, and constantly keep at the Master"s feet until He calls you up higher._" If we take heed to these dying words, we will be able easily to appropriate as our own the sweet solacing words in the Song of Songs, "I sat under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet unto my taste. He brought me into His banqueting house, and His banner over me was love."
In bidding our readers adieu, I would, in conclusion, urge that they seriously reflect upon the significance of the Bible woman"s last triumphant utterances: "Once I was young, now I am old, and have never been forsaken."
Who to their reward will say them nay, In Heaven or on Earth: Brave Pilgrims of Israel, pa.s.s"d away-- We till now ne"er knew your worth!
Go! write out their lives on leaves of gold, With characters of love, Let the future know, when we are cold, Of our loved ones gone above.