In all reforms lie was among the foremost on the side of justice and progress. When Faneuil Hall used to be a scene of riot and danger in Anti-Slavery days, I remember sitting tip aloft, an excited girl, among the loyal women who never failed to be there; and how they always looked for that serene face on the platform, and found fresh courage in the mere sight of the wisest man in America, standing shoulder to shoulder with the bravest.
When Woman`s Suffrage was most unpopular, his voice and pen spoke for the just cause, undaunted by the fear of ridicule which silences so many.
His own simple, abstemious habits were his best testimony in favor of temperance in all things, while in religion he believed that each soul must choose its own aids, and prove the vitality of its faith by high thinking and holy living.
When traveling in various countries I found his fame had gone before, and people were eager to hear something of the Concord poet, seer and philosopher.
In a little town upon the Rhine, where our party paused for a night, unexpectedly delayed, two young Germans, reading the word Boston on the labels of our trunks as they stood in the yard of the inn, begged to come in and see the Americans, and their first question was,--
"Tell us about Emerson."
We gladly told them what they asked, and they listened as eagerly as we did to anything we could hear concerning their great countryman Goethe.
A letter once came to me from the far West, in which a girl asked what she should read to build up a noble character. It was a remarkable letter, and when I inquired what books she most desired she answered, "All of Emerson's; he helps me most."
A prisoner just from Concord jail came to see me on his release and proved to be an intelligent, book-loving young man, who had been led into crime by his first fit of intoxication. In talking with with him, he said Emerson`s books were a comfort to him, and he had spent some of the money earned in prison to buy certain volumes to take with him as guides and safeguards for the future.
In England his honored name opened many doors to us, and we felt as proud of our acquaintance with him as Englishmen feel of the medals with which their Queen decorates them. So widely was he known, so helpful was his influence, so ennobling the mere reflection. of his virtue and his genius.
Longfellow was beloved by children, and of Emerson it might be said, as of Plato, "He walks with his head among the stars, yet carries a blessing in his heart for every little child."
When he returned from his second visit to Europe after his house was burned, he was welcomed by the school-children who lined his passage from the cars to the carriage, where a nosegay of blooming grandchildren awaited him; and escorted by a smiling troop of neighbors, old and young, he was conducted under green arches to his house.
Here they sang "Sweet Home," gave welcoming cheers, and marched away to come again soon after to a grand house-warming in the old mansion which had been so well restored that nothing seemed changed.
Many a gay revel has been held under the pines, whole schools taking possession of the poet`s premises; and many a child will gladly recall hereafter the paternal face that smiled on them, full of interest in their gambols, and of welcome for the poorest.
Mrs. Emerson, from her overflowing garden, planted flowers along the roadside and in the plot of ground before the nearest schoolhouse to beautify the children`s daily life. Sweeter and more imperishable than these will be the recollections of many kindnesses bestowed by one who, in the truest sense of the word, was a friend to all.
As he lay dying, children stopped to ask if he were better, and all the sunshine faded out of the little faces when the sad answer came. Very willing feet roamed the woods for green garlands to decorate the old church where he would come for the last time; busy hands worked till midnight that every house should bear some token of mourning; Spring gave him her few early flowers and budding boughs from the haunts that will know him no more, and old and young forgot for a little while their pride in the illustrious man to sorrow for the beloved friend and neighbor.
Life did not sadden his cheerful philosophy; success could not spoil his exquisite simplicity; age could not dismay him, and he met death with sweet serenity.
He wrote "Nothing can bring you peace but yourself." Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles and this well earned peace transfigured the beautiful dead face, so many eyes beheld with tender reverence seeming to assure us that our august friend and master had passed into the larger life for which he was ready, still to continue, --
"Without hasting without rest,
Lifting Better up to Best;
Planting seeds of knowledge pure,
Thro' earth to ripen, thro' heaven endure."
