= SSS oh . a s ROS S ek : “SAS SARE SHARAN . Sen Ce TaN " = EXXP SANS SS 2 < * Nit : ~ : Si SoNS SSeS Sse SN NERS NES . 3S x RARE WE = x Seas S Seo e ae : : ane = SARA S \ CO ‘ SAAR SERRA : CS SSA SES SSE SAS SSS ; , y : : SY TEAS < , me : = EN RN S Sy DOE BAESNS RGA NRE Reo SNS SES be : “ 8 x NS . \ ae Wainy ae (ee ie S Rava RRR a SS s ‘ i & " Sie > im se 4 - os , : ; ; ? , } a ~" Y. “ 7 aie ; Seah HSER RRR SS ~ INS SS ~ SWANS Ws SS SAN SN ~ . %. 5, ~ RE x a TA » f + Fm fe oko oo tn Memoriam MICHAEL HENRY SIMPSON **But that large grief which these enfold Is given in outline, and no more,” ES 7-6 BIGE CAMBRIDGE. WELC University Press ow, & Coy ia dawn is breaking. Nature utters her first joyful cry from every nest, and every leaf and flower awaits the glad moment of day’s return. The whole world looks upward to receive this renewed baptism of hope and promise, as the pure white light flushes again with rosy life. Standing in this un- sullied morning, with earnest eyes bent upon the coming day, and with the strength of youth drawn before him as a shield, the dear one we loved was suddenly stricken down. Before the shadows could grow old about him; before the freshness of the beautiful hour could deepen into pain or bitterness ; before the future, palpitating with secret burdens, could be- come cruel and restive, we numbered Harry among those who shall see only life’s morning and know only life’s joys. To reach that other shore ere the heat and weariness of the noonday, and to escape the stains of strife and human dis- appointment, could be the reward only of a soul eager to accept its duties, and resolute to deny its temptations on 4 earth. And thus it was in the full blush of the brightest hopes, and with all that manly ambition or noble desire holds dearest awaiting him, that a summons rang through : the cloudless sky, and we knew he was called to wear the crown of everlasting life. jn Memoriam MICHAEL HENRY SIMPSON. ICHAEL HENRY SIMPSON was born in Boston the M 19th of October, 1850. The first son, his birth caused the greatest rejoicings, and a strong, healthy physique gave promise of a long and happy future for the tenderly wel- comed child. A fairy godmother must have endowed him from his cradle with the best of gifts,— a sunny temperament; for his babyhood passed in a state of uneventful goodness, which is always so becoming to infancy, and so appreciated by the most indulgent parents. Before the little fellow could talk he had become the constant companion of his father, and was admitted by him to the position of the tiniest of friends and the very best of listeners. ‘The effect of this beautiful intimacy between father and son became very noticeable as the boy began to think and act for him- self. His independence of thought, the originality of his 6 suggestions, the singularly comprehensive action of his mind, were delightful traits to unfold and to guide in their first encounter with the laws of God and man. The impression of those primary lessons lasted long after their actual memory had passed away from the remembrance of both father and son, though their rare intellectual sym- pathy remained unimpaired through all the influences that naturally surrounded a boy of Harry’s character. Of course it was impossible to prevent plans and speculations from twining like tendrils around this plastic nature, and to grad- ually form and support the baby steps onward by arousing in the baby mind that intellectual germ which promised to be ardent, bold, and self-poised. Even ordinary children are capable of an intense mental development as unpleasant as it is unnatural after its amusing precocity has passed away; and if he had been merely bright beyond his years, he would have shared the usual fate of a commonplace child. But those who remember him then can understand the progress he made, and appreciate the great temptation it was to talk with him, and draw out his freshly born im- pressions. It would have been strange if, with this constant educa- tion, no fruits had been produced beyond the odd remarks of a precocious baby, to be treasured up in nursery annals, But, despite all the mental and moral training he received, Harry did not degenerate into a child who amuses and alarms the friends of the family with his bright speeches, nor did Yo his mind outstrip its healthy little frame. The ever-working brain seemed protected by a natural physical indolence that was a soft sheath for the active nervous power. Perfect health! the secret of happy babyhood, childhood, and man- hood, if it but last. , Harry’s keen sense of humor and quick appreciation of fun always caused the greatest entertainment among older people who chanced to awaken it. They could not help enjoying his absorption in the drollery or wit that happened to be going on about him. Perhaps there is nothing more inspiring than the genuine, hearty laughter of a little child. It rmgs out from such pure sources and it 1s so spontaneous that we love its music and pardon its noise, however boister- ous, that we may laugh ourselves from sheer sympathy. Harry would often become convulsed with merriment at the witty conversation of two dear and intimate fnends, and would forget to eat his dinner, in the excitement of taking im what was quick and sparkling, and far beyond the com- prehension of most children of his years. Yet, with all the boy’s sunny sweetness and amiability, he had a decided will of his own, and a temper that when aroused would fly, in good old Adam fashion, almost out of sight. There was no doubt at such times of his human nature, or the strong hold he had on life. The hot blood flowing so gently through its channels could on occasions bubble up and make the dreamy, languid eyes flash and flame, until those who loved him most would stand aloof in vague 8 alarm. He was not, however, an easy subject for punishment, so great were his faculties for discovermg some means of amusement under every circumstance; for if deprived of one pleasure, another always supplied its place. As dark closets were never considered legitimate means of correction, it was useless to place him in solitary confinement elsewhere, for a book, no matter what, would entertain him until the punish- ment was commuted, or he had served out his sentence. The fact was, Harry derived more pleasure than pain from being shut up, though the day was never so bright, and temptations for play were never so enthralling. One summer day at Saxonville, he suddenly awakened to the consciousness that he, and no one else, must govern him, and learned the first great lesson of self-control, as we all have to learn it, by accident.