Archive:Ann Whitney Obituary, 20 November 1886

Archives > Archive:Newspapers > Ann Whitney Obituary, 20 November 1886

A TRIBUTE TO A NOBLE LIFE ------- "Full many a gem of purest ray serene The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear." -Gray's Etegy A prophet is not without honor save in his own country; and the quiet vil- lage in the "Valley of Elms" may not realize what a rare light has gone out in the death of Mrs. Eliza Hooker Whitney. Her poetical gifts, her literary tastes her high ideal of spiritual beauty - all uncultivated because her hands were busy with lowly duties - were a treas- ury of undeveloped possibilities. It is no small honor to send out into the world six children influenced by such noble counsels as hers, all to take honorable positions in life; but she stopped not here. Not hers were the narrow views of woman's sphere. She conscientiously believed that a woman is a nobler wife and mother who takes a broad deep interest in the affairs of her country. In quiet retreats and in centres of activity her hands were ever outstreached to lift the weak. Her heart ever open to comfort the sorrow- ing. Many confided their tr??ties to her, for they felt in her the presence of a heart with a sympathy as boundless as the sea. Her religion was no narrow bigotry, it was a true Christi- anity, liberal in its basis, bright and sunny in its outlook, a living benedic- tion. By nature a leader, had her lot been cast in other scenes or in some other age, she may have been a heroine, of history, hers had been "Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed Or waked, to ecstacy the living lyre." But an earnest soul makes its own opportunity. Hers was a broad phil- anthropy, a progressive spirit that looked forward to a higher future for the race, and that inspired her to a truer heroism. O strong beautiful spirit! Eternity alone can reveal the story of thy quiet, radiant life, which is not ended yet, and can never end on earth. Manhood will be purer, womanhood braver, and the world better for its influence as the years go on. S I/S Brooklyn, N. Y., Nov. 20, 1886