JOHN NEWTON MULKEY

Below is an article from Recollections Of Men Of Faith, by W.C. Rogers, p.209-229

CHAPTER XI.

JOHN NEWTON MULKEY

ENTERING THE MINISTRY-POPULARITY-HISTORY OF FAMILY, ETC.

     His entering the ministry was rather peculiar, as might be said, form the force of circumstances, but was really providential. Returning from Tennessee, he found a few brethren within and around a small village called Martinsburg, situated on the Cumberland River, and at the mouth of the creek on which he had settled. These persons had given themselves to the Lord, through the labors of his father, and now it was proposed that they give themselves to one another, that they might keep house for the Lord. It was something new and strange to the people of that day, and of that section, to see professing Christians meet on the Lord's Day and attempt to worship God without the aid of a preacher.

     There was much prejudice against this unheard-of procedure in the minds of honest people, and this must, if possible, be removed. No one could be found better able to do this, either publicly or privately, than John Newton Mulkey. He searched the Scriptures daily to know the teachings of Christ and his apostles on this special point, and then attempted to show his brethren and the people at large, who were inquiring for the truth, that the disciples met together on the first day of the week to break bread, and this was the leading object, before their minds coming together, and not to hear preaching, as is generally supposed, although preaching on such an occasion is certainly scriptural and calculated to accomplish great good. He was greatly blessed in being a good singer, at least so regarded in that day. His voice was strong and full of melody, and he sang with the spirit and with the understanding. When only sixteen years of age, one year after his conversion, I heard him sing a song beginning–

"There is a school on earth begun,

Supported by the Holy One;"

and although only a small boy, being eleven years of age, I well remember how I gazed into the bright happy face of the singer, in the enjoyment of sins given and the hope of heaven. I could not appreciate all then, but I trust the Lord will never allow in forget that homely song, or the sweet cadences that then touched my young and tender heart.

     0, what power there is in sacred song! Would that I could sing as I have heard my brother sing. But I trust I shall sing by and by, when I reach the better land, and join my brother in Christ the Lord.

     Bro. Mulkey sang, read the Scriptures and prayed on the occasions of which we speak. In attending to the Lord's Supper, he was the only one for years among the brethren who was competent to officiate at the table. For some weeks he would do little more in presiding than sing, return thanks, partake with his brethren, adjourn, and go home to meet on the next Lord's day.

     Not many meetings passed, however, until he began, unconsciously, to expound the Scriptures to the brethren, and urge upon them the necessity of Christian duty and privilege.

     Being a good reader, a fine singer, and very earnest in prayer, as well as clear and forcible in his comments on the lessons selected for each first day of the week, it was not long until his brethren and the people generally in the neighborhood regarded him as one who promised to become successful in the ministry.

     The brethren urged upon him to extend his comments, to enlarge his talks on the selected portions to be read, and although modest and diffident, he resolved if possible to comply with their request. Hence, during the week he would take the Bible and open to the lesson for the next first day and read and ponder as best he could until the time came for him to lead and to speak. His loving heart was full, and he was so enabled to explain the Scriptures that soon those outside of the church would come in to see and to hear for themselves. His faith, growing day by day, so increased that he became strong, not in self, but in the Lord and in the power of his might. Thus in a short time he was prepared to deliver set discourses on chosen themes. His fame could not be confined, but went abroad. He was now invited to preach in schoolhouses and private dwellings. The pleasant shade of the trees in summer and fall was as good a house as he wanted. Calls came from all parts of Southern Kentucky¾ from friends of the truth–-to pay them a visit, hold meetings, organize churches and build up the cause of the Master. Poor as he was, and working with his own hands to support his family, he never failed to respond when in his power to do so. He would often go a distance and hold a successful meeting and return home after an absence of two or three weeks and not bring money enough with which to buy his wife a calico dress. But like the majority the pioneers of the Reformation, he loved to preach the gospel, for his soul was filled with the love of God, and he felt bound to do what he could to save the lost ones around him. He never thought much about the pay in money; all he cared for was to feed, and clothe, and educate his family, and then the great matter was to lay up treasures in heaven, by doing good.

     The foregoing are some of the foot-prints of Bro. Mulkey in the path of life up to the years of 1827 and ‘28, but not all.

     Bro. Mulkey never engaged in doing anything worth doing that he did not work at with all his, might. That trait in his character he came by honestly, for his father was a man of much energy, and labored hard in all his undertakings, especially in preaching what he believed to be the truth.

     The following incident will show how highly Bro. Mulkey was esteemed by his neighbors who differed from him religiously: Shortly after moving to Warren County, Ky., he was invited to visit a locality entirely, new to him, all persons being strangers except one man, a Cumberland Presbyterian, who had once lived near him, and with whom he was well acquainted. He began preaching in a school-house, and soon some of the most respectable citizens, not belonging to any religious body, as well as many intelligent and enthusiastic Methodists; also not a few honest and fair-minded Cumberland Presbyterians became obedient to the faith. For miles around the interest spread among all classes, who crowded to hear the new preacher and the new gospel–at least new to them. But the excitement among the sects was not only intense, but very bitter. They were not able to answer the scriptural arguments they had heard, and consequently they resorted to abuse of character. They first whispered hard things about Bro. Mulkey, a certain Mr. "They Say" figuring very largely in all that was said and done. Finally they spoke out with great boldness against his character. Col. A., an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and once his neighbor, could stand it no longer. It was now his time to talk, and rest assured he was heard from. He was none of your milk-and-cider men–what he did, he did boldly, and he was a man of standing and much influence. He forthwith went to his friends and brethren and said: "Gentlemen, you have just got to dry up that ugly talk about the character of Mr. Mulkey; you may say what you please about his doctrine, for I have my objections to it as well as you, but as for Mr. Mulkey, I've known the man long and well; I've tried him as a neighbor and as a friend in time of need. He's an honest, upright man - a Christian gentleman. You can talk about his doctrine, but you shall not lay your hand on his character!" That was enough; it stopped the mouths of the gain-sayers, for when Col. A. spoke, they knew what he meant. It was not at all necessary for him to repeat the dose.

     In the year 1843, Bro. Mulkey held a meeting with Elder Sandy E. Jones, in the town of Tompkinsville, within a few miles of where he was born, reared, and became a member of the church. Bro. Jones did most of the preaching, Bro. Mulkey the exhorting and the baptizing. This was a glorious meeting, resulting in 132 by confession and baptism. And this is only one of many meetings of large ingatherings that might be named, held by our dear and self-sacrificing brother in the Lord. I remember an incident that greatly endeared him to the religious denominations. It occurred in the early part of his ministry, and should have been inserted prior to this, in these hasty and imperfect jottings.

     The Mormons, being routed from Independence, Mo. came to Hancock County, Ill., and commenced building their great Temple in Nauvoo. They resolved to proselyte to the utmost of their ability, and they sent out their missionaries into all parts of the country (and they didn't send fools–not by any means). Two of these came into the same county–but not into the immediate neighborhood – in which Bro. Mulkey lived. They began their canning operations among the Methodists and Baptists, and a few scattering Cumberland Presbyterians. They got along finely until they walked out on their platform, claiming to have the power to work miracles, as did Christ and the apostles. Their plans were ingeniously made out and all their shrewd and plausible arguments were cut and dried, and an answer was easy prepared for every objection that could be offered to their positions. They read from the last chapter of Mark's Gospel, from Ephesians, 4th chapter, 1 Corinthians, 12th chapter, and so ingeniously argued that it seemed almost impossible to believe any other way than as they said. The sects, although unable to answer them or confound them, would not accept their doctrine. They called upon them to perform a miracle and then they would believe. The Mormons would readily excuse themselves by saying they were away from the body of faith–among unbelievers. This was not altogether satisfactory to the sects, notwithstanding they did not know just how to off-set it. It is said "the last straw breaks the camel's back," and the Mormons made a last argument that silenced the sects, and rendered them triumphant in the eyes of those belonging to no denomination. They said to the sects, "Do you not believe in an influence of the Holy Spirit, separate and apart, above and independent of the Word of God? Do you not believe that there is a mystery that cannot be explained by the finite mind, in this influence of the Holy Spirit? Now the reason you cannot work miracles is because you have no faith; if you had faith as a grain of mustard-seed, you could remove mountains-in truth you could do all things." Here the sects bowed their heads in silence; they could go no further-they were stranded-they gave up in despair. However, there was still left a glimmer of hope. Some one had heard of a preacher in the county by the name of Mulkey, who was well posted in regard to the doctrine of Mormonism, was a good speaker, and withal bold enough to attack the lion in his den. Send for him; possibly he can rid us of these pestilent fellows and give us a little rest. So a messenger was immediately dispatched for Bro. Mulkey. He gave up his work at home, and went to the scene of action. He arrived at dusk-just in time to walk into the place of speaking as one of the missionaries began his discourse. He listened attentively and with great patience. His plans were all well prepared, and he knew as well as anyone exactly how to assail the enemy. The speaker had claimed the power to work miracles, had urged these claims vehemently, and defied the world to show to the contrary. At the conclusion of the services, Bro. Mulkey rose up and calmly asked for a confirmation of the claims set forth. The same old plea was set up- "among unbelievers–away from the body of faith." "No, sir," said Bro. Mulkey, "that will not answer; your plea is not good or sufficient; the ambassadors of Christ were able to do and did do just what was promised. Either work a miracle, or never again claim to be able to do so." The Mormons argued that the Savior on a certain occasion could not perform many mighty miracles because of unbelief. Bro. Mulkey replied that that was not to the point; that had the Savior performed no miracles at all it would not excuse them, "God at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets," and be it understood he confirmed all his communications. Your claim that God is now speaking from on high, through Joe Smith, to this generation. Now, I demand that you confirm what you say. You profess to be his ambassadors. The Mormons replied, "You would not believe should we do so." Bro. Mulkey said with emphasis, "That's not the point under discussion, whether we would believe or not. You are here offering a new revelation to the people. As Joe Smith's ambassadors, confirm your message by the manifestation of miraculous power, or abandon your claim. I withstand you; you shall not turn this people away from the faith. If you are competent ambassadors, bring the hand of the Lord upon me, as Paul did upon Elymas the sorcerer, who withstood him while he was endeavoring to convert the deputy. Strike me blind if you can, or acknowledge that you are deceivers-impostors!"

     This was too much for them; they could say more-they were silent. Bro. Mulkey now turned upon them with more severity than ever, and remarked: "Gentlemen, we have no other words for you; besides, we have no further use for you in this part of the country; the sooner you leave, the better. One word, now in closing, to my fellow-countrymen."

     He then proceeded to show up Joe Smith and the apostate, Sidney Rigdon. How they had combined to so mar the manuscript of Solomon Spaulding by additions, subtractions and alterations that it could not be recognized. These men had agreed to offer to the world the most outlandish and corrupt delusion, of religion, or whatever you may please to call it, known in this, the nineteenth century. This was one of the efforts of Bro. Mulkey's life–at least so considered by all who heard him. Had he called for it, these professing Mormon ambassadors could easily have been placed on rails, and with tar and feathers adorned, allowed to ride out of the country. As it was, they saw proper to leave the next morning at dawn of day. The people were at rest, and John Newton Mulkey was ever afterward considered, not only the grandest man, but one of the best in that, section of the country.

     Reader, allow me to offer you a picture, after my own fashion. It is not in the least overdrawn: A week of hard labor in the field has passed away, as have many. He is weary and way worn, as well as his horse, Dave, for, he has only one now. Like his master, he is tired from overmuch work. Breakfast is over; Dave is fed, and bridled and saddled. Bright and early Bro. Mulkey mounts his faithful horse (for he can now do no better), rides eighteen or twenty miles, and reaches the place of preaching. He walks upon the platform, and looks over a large congregation, seated on logs, slabs and chairs, assembled to hear him preach the Word. He takes from his pocket a hymn-book, and, announcing the song, sings without lining. The singing is good-and very good. It has thrilled the entire audience. The young, the aged, the middle-aged, have been as still as death. Here and there may be seen a father, or mother, it may be, sobbing, as familiar words have fallen upon their ear–words once sung by "loved ones," whose voices are now hushed forever in the dark valley, where they sleep in peace beneath the shadows of death. The prayer is offered–a prayer fall of tenderness and love. How near the petitioner has approached the presence-chamber of the Lord of hosts! The text is read, and the sermon has been. delivered. It has been a very long one–--two hours, or two and a half. You imagine the people are weary. Well, as often as the time comes for meeting in that same neighborhood, the same immense assembly may be seen on the same ground ready to hear the same preacher. Some have come ten or fifteen miles, and having made the good confession must be baptized without delay. This being attended to, the meeting for the clay is closed. By this time the preacher is greatly exhausted; still, he must make haste and start for home; for on the following day he must follow the plow in the field, to feed those whom God had given him. Dinner is dispatched with some friend or brother, and be it remembered the faithful horse has not been forgotten. He mounts his horse and turns his face homeward, treading the blind paths through the forest, over the hills, or along the winding vales of his native Kentucky. Not a bill, not a valley, not a cabin that he has not passed before, in this region. Touching memories come up before him, as his tearful eyes fall on places in the broad primeval forests where in other days he sang, preached, prayed and worshiped with those now gone to their reward. The day is closing. The setting sun is touching with gold the hill-tops, as twilight is fast coming on. How glorious earth and sky, how wondrous the works of God, whom he serves joyfully without a murmur! He passes the home of the rich man without envy–without scorn. Wealth in abundance everywhere, and he poor and penniless, and likely to be so all of his days. Will he turn aside to gain riches, honor or power? Not he. No such thought has entered his heart. All the burdens, all the toils by the way, with whatever may afflict, he knows full well will "work out for him in the end a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." Through clouds and darkness, through labors more abundant, he is constantly looking, not at the "things seen, but at those unseen," for he knows that the "things seen are temporal," and must soon pass away, while those "not seen are eternal." On he moves homeward, fixed in his purpose to serve God to the end of his days. Darkness has now settled down upon the world, and the bright stars look down upon him as he continues his journey. No human being is with him, and yet he is not alone–God is watching the movements of his faithful servant. Angels are keeping guard along his lonely path, while the hope of heaven is burning as a lamp within his soul. What has prompted this day's labor, as well as the labors of all the days of his eventful life? Not money, surely, for he got but little of that commodity; not the praise of men, for the disciples with whom he was identified were at that time defamed and persecuted. Nothing but love to God–love to the blessed Savior who died for him–love to precious souls, perishing in their sins, moved him thus to labor and suffer hardships as a good soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ.

     John Newton Mulkey's manner of preaching was of its own kind-unlike that of any other man's. Those who were vain enough to try to imitate him, either in manner or in matter, were lost. He was left-handed, held his little Testament in his right hand, and gesticulated, or, may I be permitted to say, talked with his left hand. I do not say that a stranger could understand what he meant to say by the movements of his hand, but being well acquainted with him, I have often been able to anticipate him; that is, I could tell what he would say next by the motion of his hand. He was, of course, not a man of learning–had no collegiate education–only versed in the common English branches. Yet his language was chaste, his reasoning clear and convincing, his sentences well connected and quite complete. It could be said of him truthfully that he reasoned very closely, and all of his illustrations were usually apt and strong, throwing light on the subject under consideration.

     The following incident will speak for itself–showing the superior power, at certain times and places, of the preacher of plain and simple speech, whose soul is filled with the love of God, over the highly-educated, who is often unconsciously held back by unnecessary rules and checks. Nor did Bro. Mulkey at the time, nor afterwards, know anything about the matter of which we speak.

     While living in Warren County, he paid a visit to Elder –¾- Smith, then residing near Bear Wallow, Hart County, KY. He brought with him a Dr. Smith, who had once been a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher, but was now a Christian preacher, having been converted through Bro. Mulkey's preaching. He was a man of fine ability and fine education. He was well acquainted with all the unscriptural methods used by his former brethren in their endeavor to convert people. He had fully tested the Mourner's bench–had weighed it in the balance and found it wanting, and of course did not spare it in his preaching. Nor did Bro. Mulkey fail in his preaching and exhortations to offer his objections to this same bench. The Doctor had married a most excellent Christian woman, and she was justly proud of him. But she readily observed that the people had centered their affections on Bro. Mulkey, and not on the Doctor, and expressed to Sister Dr. T–¾–- her regrets that while Bro. Mulkey had said as much against the mourner's bench in his public efforts as had her husband, Dr. Smith, he had won the affections of the people, while the Doctor had failed to do so. "Ah! Sister T–¾¾ , I understand it now; it's Bro. Mulkey's heavenly tone that has sugared the bench." It was not Bro. Mulkey's reasoning–not his fine language–not his distinct articulation alone that did the work in winning souls to Christ. It was largely his manner, his beaming countenance, his tone of voice, the melody of that voice his words falling pleasantly and sweetly upon the ear. Then his heart was in all he said, and the hearers felt the truth and realized the power of this fact. In those early days there were no baptismal suits, and often our brother, was compelled to pull off his coat and shoes and thus go down into the water in order to baptize. Coming up out of the water, he would sit down on a rock, log or stump, and pulling off his wet socks would wring them out and put them on again; then adjusting shoes and coat as best he could, would mount his horse and ride home, happy as a king in the service of his Master. These things may sound strange to the ears of the refined of our own times, but at that time it was not considered at all out of place, or impolite. I compare not then and now; but if in that day there was not the intelligence and taste of the present, there could at least be found plenty of honest-hearted, self-denying Christian men and women.

     The foregoing is largely from the pen of Elder Ed H. Smith, himself a pioneer preacher in our ranks, and who has served his Master long and faithfully. He is now closing up the last chapter of a laborious life. The Lord be with him in his declining years. The following is from the facile pen of Elder Isaac T. Reneau, giving an account of Bro. Mulkey's ancestry; also a brief notice of the life, labors and last hours of this man of God. There is a slight difference between Bros. Smith and Reneau as to dates; but this is not a matter of much importance. The statements of both are inserted without note or comment.

     There has been a direct line of preachers in the Mulkey family for about one hundred and fifty years. Philip Mulkey, the great-grandfather of John N. Mulkey; was a Baptist preacher in the Meherain Association in 1756, one hundred and twenty-six years ago (Temple's Hist. Vir. Baptists, page 222).

     But, according to others, he had been a "respectable and successful preacher for many years." If it required twenty-four years of mental and physical labor to elevate him to "reputable" eminence, we have the one hundred and fifty. For his son, grandson and great-grandson continued the line till the death of the great-grandson in 1882.

     Philip Mulkey's son Jonathan was born, probably in South Carolina, and perhaps commenced preaching in that State. But about the year 1780 he, Wm. Reneau and other ministers and brethren, some from Carolina, and some from Virginia, immigrated to East Tennessee and organized a Baptist Church on Boone's Creek. The church is now called "Buffalo Ridge" (Benedict's Hist. Baptists, page 791).

     Jonathan Mulkey was one of the most pious and influential preachers in Tennessee, and made a better mold of character in the Baptist churches than any other man in the State. And he lived to enjoy in his old age the privilege of being associated with his father and his own son John in preaching in the same pulpit and on the same day.

     Jonathan Mulkey's son John was born in South Carolina, Jan. 14, 1773, and commenced preaching in East Tennessee in the twentieth year of his age, and in a few years became one of the finest pulpit orators in the State. But near the beginning of the present century he and his brother Philip immigrated to Kentucky, and settled on Mill Creek, two miles southeast of Tompkinsville, and they soon obtained "a good degree and great boldness in the faith."

     But in the year 1809, the following incident occurred: While John Mulkey was preaching on the 10th chapter of John, in William Sim's house, on the Cumberland River, and making one of his strongest efforts to establish Calvinism, his own argument convinced himself that the doctrine was false. This roused up the powers of his great mind, and caused him to "express a change in his sentiments on unconditional election and some other subjects." This caused great confusion in the Mill Creek Church, and also through the Stockton's Valley Association. They immediately charged him with "heresy," and cited him to appear at the August meeting for 1809, to answer the charge. But not finding him guilty at the August meeting, they agreed to call on five other churches for "help" in the next trial at the October meeting, as requested, and after investigating the charge, the proposition was made for "all that justify Bro. Mulkey to raise their right hands." But as the majority were in his favor, no more could be done then than to continue the suit till the second Saturday in November. In the November trial, John Mulkey proposed to "drop all disputes and bear with one another," but they replied, "Never, till you come back to the very ground from which you started." He then proposed a dissolution of the church, to which all, agreed; and as many as wished to continue on their old platform, enrolled their names as "The Church." But John Mulkey, and all that went with him in the division, met together on the third Saturday in November, 1809, and after prayer organized a church on "the Bible alone"–the Bible without human creed, confession of faith, or book of discipline.

     After the start of the Restoration, John and Philip Mulkey sowed the good seed broadcast over all the land, and though the beginning was small, they soon prepared a great host for the consummate restoration of the first form, order, work and life of the church which was built on the "Rock." And though it was small at the beginning, it is now very large– "it has begirt the earth around."

     Bro. Mulkey returned from Tennessee in 1833 or '34, and again settled in Monroe County, Ky., but did not preach much for the first four or five years. But for the next forty years he gave himself almost wholly to the work. He studied and preached as much as his mental and physical man could bear, and though his health began to decline, he still continued to labor, as he could bear it, till near his death at his residence in Glasgow, Sept. 26,1882.

     In the year 1850, some of the churches of Kentucky south of Green River sent delegates to Glasgow to form a "co-operation" of churches, in order to "call and send" a suitable evangelist to preach the gospel within their bounds. After organizing, the next business was to inquire, "Whom shall we send and who will go for us?" And as all eyes were fixed on Bro. Mulkey, and all said, "Newton Mulkey is the man," he was unanimoasly "called and sent." And in obedience to the will of the co-operation, as he expressed annually, he continued to preach five or six years with great success and profit.

     This eminent servant of the churches must have delivered, in the fifty-three years of his entire ministry, nearly ten thousand discourses, and immersed as many believers. At one meeting in Celina, Clay County, Tenn., in the summer of 1855, he immersed one hundred and five persons in five days. After having resigned his work to the Warren County Cooperation, and also to the Kentucky Christian Missionary Board, Bro. Mulkey emigrated to Perry County, Ill., and after the death of his beloved wife returned to Kentucky and settled in Glasgow, making that his home for some eighteen months. He then married Nancy Evans, a Christian lady of that city. This lady eminently worthy to be the life-companion of the great and good Newton Mulkey; but they could enjoy the comforts of each other's society but for a very few short years, for he had long sung–¾

"On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,

And cast a wistful eye

To Canaan's fair an d happy land,

Where my possessions lie."

And as the disease advanced upon his vitals, and eternity's ocean heaved into view, with his faithful eye turned to Christ, he gave his last farewell to time and friends, and calmly sunk into the arms of Jesus, on Tuesday, at 7:25 P. M., Sept. 26, 1882, aged 76 years, seven months and fifteen days. That the bereaved family may long remember his noble person, his valuable instruction and his pious example, is the prayer of their brother in Christ, and his true yokefellow in the gospel of Christ for forty-four years.

ISAAC T. RENEAU.

     The following was received from Bro. Mulkey's daughter in Illinois, and read to him while he was dying, but still conscious and able to understand:

     DEAR FATHER:–It is with a sad heart I write these lines to you at this time. I could write to others of the family all I would write to you, but as I am deprived of sitting by you and talking with you of the sufferings and conflicts of this life, and of the bright hope beyond, I wish to write to you.

     I have many things I would like to say to you. The first and most important of all is, that I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the manner in which I was brought up; for the Christian influence which you exerted over me in my earliest days, and for your encouraging me to fidelity. How often have I thanked God that I was blessed with such a father and mother! Who could tell what I might have been had I not been so blessed? It encourages me to exert a Christian influence over my own children. They may see the folly of their way and turn to God, who will abundantly pardon. You cannot know how much I wish to be with you, and especially now, that I might help wait on you, and in some measure return the kindness which you have so often bestowed on me. But alas! many miles stretch between my willing hands and your suffering frame. I know you will be well cared for; you have those around you that will not forsake you, and therefore I will try to submit to my lot in this distress and in all others. We have much in this life that is hard to bear, but it is short–it will soon be over– and then, if faithful, we shall enter into that blissful eternity where the weary are at rest.

     Do not suffer any uneasiness about me, dear papa, for I am fixed in my purpose. I will not let anything prevent my devotion. I will, by the grace of God, stand firm as a rock to the last. I will "run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of the faith." I cannot preach, but I can talk to those around me, and encourage them to fidelity, and in my humble way I will do all I can to bring souls to Christ.

     Now, dear papa, I shall have to say farewell I and if it is for the last time in this life, I feel sure that we shall meet again, and as the poet says–

"Just so our pleasant friendship leaves

A fragrant memory;

And among life's garnered sheaves

For long eternity,

May not we at last discover,

‘Tis for us a joy forever?"

Your loving daughter,

                                                           Lydia Lisenby.