Hope Kerr
KERR, HOPE
Newspaper.
IN MEMORIUM
In Memory of Hope Kerr
“Sweet is it in strong hope
To spend long years of life
With bright and cheering joy
Our Heart’s thoughts nourishing.”
This small poem expresses well Hope’s effect upon those who loved her. She was rightly named. We know no greater pleasure in this life nor a better remembrance to be left behind one than a long continued friendship with one honest, useful and worthy. But added to these solid virtues, Hope had many others we loved, among them womanly pride and the leaven for lightening the load. What better quality can a woman cultivate than cheerfulness? To her we are convinced no evil has befallen’ ours is the misfortune; and to be severely distressed at one’s own misfortunes, does not show that we love our friend, but that we love ourselves. As for her, who can say that all is not more than well? For unless she fancied to attain immortality, which she did not, what is there for which she could wish that she did not attain? Love of husband, children and friends, grace of manner, devotion of family, consideration of her sister, integrity of conduct to everyone.
What could such a one gain by the addition of a few years? Though age need not be a burden, yet it cannot but take away the vigor and freshness which she was still enjoying. Her life could not have be bettered – good fortune attended her. From such love and admiration as she had here, the next step seems naturally to be an ascent to God above. But as for us, the suddenness of her death deprived us of a friend whose place can be filled by no other.
Such is the pleasure in recalling our friendship, that we look upon our lives as happy because of hours spent with her. Between us there was harmony in our tastes, our pursuits, and our sentiments which is the true secret of friendship. Friendship is the greatest thing in the world for there is nothing which so fits it with our nature or is so exactly what we want in prosperity or adversity. Friendship can exist only between good persons. The repose found in the good-will of a friend makes life worth living.
“Friend, mysterious cement of the soul!
Sweet’ner of life, and solder of society!
We owe thee much....”
The Pierian Club
by Alice Dysart
Newspaper.
IN MEMORIUM
In Memory of Hope Kerr
“Sweet is it in strong hope
To spend long years of life
With bright and cheering joy
Our Heart’s thoughts nourishing.”
This small poem expresses well Hope’s effect upon those who loved her. She was rightly named. We know no greater pleasure in this life nor a better remembrance to be left behind one than a long continued friendship with one honest, useful and worthy. But added to these solid virtues, Hope had many others we loved, among them womanly pride and the leaven for lightening the load. What better quality can a woman cultivate than cheerfulness? To her we are convinced no evil has befallen’ ours is the misfortune; and to be severely distressed at one’s own misfortunes, does not show that we love our friend, but that we love ourselves. As for her, who can say that all is not more than well? For unless she fancied to attain immortality, which she did not, what is there for which she could wish that she did not attain? Love of husband, children and friends, grace of manner, devotion of family, consideration of her sister, integrity of conduct to everyone.
What could such a one gain by the addition of a few years? Though age need not be a burden, yet it cannot but take away the vigor and freshness which she was still enjoying. Her life could not have be bettered – good fortune attended her. From such love and admiration as she had here, the next step seems naturally to be an ascent to God above. But as for us, the suddenness of her death deprived us of a friend whose place can be filled by no other.
Such is the pleasure in recalling our friendship, that we look upon our lives as happy because of hours spent with her. Between us there was harmony in our tastes, our pursuits, and our sentiments which is the true secret of friendship. Friendship is the greatest thing in the world for there is nothing which so fits it with our nature or is so exactly what we want in prosperity or adversity. Friendship can exist only between good persons. The repose found in the good-will of a friend makes life worth living.
“Friend, mysterious cement of the soul!
Sweet’ner of life, and solder of society!
We owe thee much....”
The Pierian Club
by Alice Dysart