.0 V 
 
 > ^':''^ 
 ^ •" 
 
 •"^■s 
 
 ■■^.J5 
 
 
 '■^0 
 
 A^. 
 
 
 >' 
 
 
v*^. 
 
 v> 
 
 
 ^''^^^'^^ 
 
 V 
 
 

 In Meitioriam, 
 
IN MEMORY 
 
 -OF- 
 
 MRS. JAS. K. FOLK, 
 
 ASLEEP IN JESUS. 
 
 REACHED home after a pilgrimage of eighty and 
 eight years, Mrs. Sarah Childress Polk. Thus 
 one of earth's noblest spirits, one of God's dear chil- 
 dren passes out of the shadows of time into the light 
 of eternity. The long journey ends in the rest that 
 remaineth to the people of God. 
 
 In the early morning of August 14, 1891, at Polk 
 Place, Nashville, Tennessee, she quietly fell asleep 
 in Jesus, in the sure hope of a blessed resurrection. 
 
 Mrs. Polk, the daughter of Joel and Elizabeth Chil- 
 dress, was born near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Sep- 
 tember, 4, 1803. Being a child of bright promise, 
 she received the best educational advantages afforded 
 by that time. At the age of fifteen years, she was 
 sent to the Moravian Seminary at Salem, North Car- 
 olina, making the long journey on horseback. There 
 was laid the foundation of that elegant culture which 
 fitted her for the high places she was to occupy. 
 
 Returning to her home, she met James Knox Polk, 
 then a clerk of the State Legislature, which sat in 
 Murfreesboro. Fascinated l)y her l)eauty, her accom- 
 plishments, and her lovely disposition, he sought her 
 hand in marriage. On the first day of January, 1824, 
 
V 
 
 l\ 
 
 i> 
 
 4 IN MEMORY OF MRS. JAS. K. POLK. 
 
 they were married, he being then a member of the 
 Legislature. They went to his home at Columbia, 
 Tennessee, to live. It was a union of heart and life, 
 full of strength and blessing to both, growing in ten- 
 derness and devotion for twenty-five years, when 
 death dissolved it, and brought to her the one great 
 sorrow, and gave to her the one most precious mem- 
 ory of her life. It was a marriage founded not only 
 in love, but in the highest respect, and congenial 
 tastes. 
 
 In 1825, Mr. Polk was elected to Congress, and with 
 him she spent many winters in Washington ; by her 
 quick sympathy, ready tact, and graceful manners, 
 helping forward the work of the rising statesman. 
 When he became Governor of Tennessee in 1839, she 
 became a leader of social life in Nashville. In 1845, 
 she returned to Washington, after his election as 
 President of the United States, to preside over the 
 social life of the White House. 
 
 There she displayed those qualities of head and 
 heart v.-hich won for her the love and admiration of 
 all parties and classes. With rare grace and skill 
 did she fulfill the arduous duties of her high place. 
 Gentle, dignified, courteous, yet easy, approachable, 
 briglit, she was esteemed equally by the high and the 
 lowly. Well informed, thoughtful, vivacious, her 
 conversation had a charm for all, while she kept 
 strictly within the sphere of a true and noble woman- 
 hood. In her domestic life she did not neglect the 
 little duties of the household, while she kept in sym- 
 pathy with her husband's deeper cares and questions. 
 Firm in her convictions of duty, she banished danc- 
 ing from the President's mansion, and wine from the 
 
IN MEMORY OF MRS. JAS. K. POLK. 5 
 
 table, except at the State dinners ; but it was done 
 go kindly and in so gracious a way that none were 
 offended. She was a lady "to the manner born." 
 
 After Mr. Polk's term of office expired, they came 
 to Nashville to occupy the beautiful Polk Place, look- 
 ing forward to many years of happy companionship, 
 free from the cares and anxieties of public life, hop- 
 ing to grow old together in their own home, and 
 among loving, faithful friends. But in a t>w months 
 the beloved husband was stricken down in his prime, 
 and she was left to linger for more than forty- two 
 years, before she slaould till up the measure of her 
 days. 
 
 Through all these slow-revolving years, she has 
 lived faithful, devoted to the memory of her dead. 
 While the heart yearned often for " the touch of a 
 vanished hand, and the sound of a voice that was 
 still," she yet took up clieerfully the duties of life, 
 gave herself with earnest purpose to making others 
 happy. She was, of course, a center of social atten- 
 tion in the city of her home, and with the same gra- 
 cious tact and unfailing kindness, she made her cir- 
 cle bright. The lofty and the lowly came from far 
 and near to pay respect, and went away feeling the 
 better for her genial welcome. 
 
 Having no children of her own, shf^ took a little 
 niece, only two years old, and brought her up v.ith 
 tender, motherly care. From her she received the 
 dutiful and loving devotion of a daughter; and her 
 age was gladdened by the voices of children, and 
 children's children, gathering about this daughter 
 and her child. 
 
 Mrs. Polk's religious life was consistent, simple, 
 
6 IN MEMORY OF MRS. JAS. K. POLK. 
 
 earnest. In 1833, she united with the Presbyterian 
 Church at Columbia, Tennessee. When she came to 
 Nashville, she joined the First Presbyterian Church, 
 then under the charge of Rev. Dr. John T. Edgar. 
 Faithfully she fulfilled her duties as a member of the 
 Church for many years. When age and growing in- 
 firmities of body prevented her attendance on the 
 services of the house of God, her heart was with the 
 worshipers, and with yearning she looked out from 
 her window toward the sanctuary. 
 
 She loved the Bible, and read it constantly for the 
 nourishment of her soul. She marked its truths and 
 meditated on them. She was a devout woman. Her 
 religion was to her a great ever-present reality. 
 
 When the summons came to her after all the years 
 of waiting, it was sudden. On Wednesday evening, 
 after a pleasant drive, she arose from the midst 
 of her family, to retire to her room. At her 
 door she was stricken and fell. All that love and 
 skill could do was done, but the earthly house of this 
 tabernacle was dissolving. All day Thursday she lay 
 quietly waiting. Before the dawn of Friday, intense 
 pain gave warning that the end was near. But pain 
 was soon gone. As she turned to sleep a little, she was 
 told by her daughter that it would be that sleep for 
 ^^'4lic]l she had so long waited. She v,as somewhat 
 surprised, but said that she was ready and willing. 
 She called for her loved ones, and with almost rapt- 
 ure spoke of God's mercy in Christ, and of her hope 
 so soon to be realized. Then quoting part of the hymn 
 
 I would not live alway, I ask not to stay, 
 Where storm after storm rises dark o'er the way, 
 
 She said that it did not apply to her, for her life had 
 
IX MEMORY OF MRS. JAS. K. POLK. 7 
 
 never known but one great Borrow, the death of her 
 dear husband. Then repeating another verse with 
 joyful approval, 
 
 Who, who would live always away from his God, 
 Away from yon heaven that blissful abode ? 
 
 she laid her hands in blessing on her daughter's 
 head, and with benedictions on her dear ones about 
 her, she gently gave up the ghost, and was gathered 
 unto her people. Her death was according to her 
 desire, in answer to her prayers, free from struggle, 
 quietly going to sleep. Her work vras done ; her tes- 
 timony was finished and sealed. 
 
 While the body la}' awaiting burial, multitudes 
 testified in various forms their respect, and their 
 sense of loss. 
 
 On Sabbath morning, August 16, at nine o'clock, 
 the funeral service was held at Polk Place. An im- 
 mense crowd of all classes and conditions were pres- 
 ent. All were her friends. The service was con- 
 ducted by Rev. J. H. McNeilly, pastor of Glen Leven 
 Church, Dr. Witherspoon, Mrs. Polk's pastor, being 
 absent on account of his health, in a distant State. 
 Rev. Dr. Robert Price, of the South western Presby- 
 terian University, and Rpv. Dr. S. A. Steel, pastor of 
 McKendree Methodist Church, assisted in the service. 
 President Polk, who was a member of the Methodist 
 Church, was buried from McKendree. The sermon 
 was as follows : 
 
 Zech. xiv. 7 : "At evening time it shall be light." 
 
 The most beautiful season of the long summer days 
 in high latitudes, is the lingering twilight. After the 
 heat and the brightness have passed away, the air 
 grows cool and still, the light is softened, headland 
 
8 IN MEMORY OF MRS. JAS. K. POLK. 
 
 and mountain stand clear and far, distinct in every 
 outline, in the rosy glow of evening. The darkness 
 steals on gently and unaware. After awhile the quiet 
 stars one by one gleam in the tender skies, and the 
 very spirit of peacf* broods over the world. Our heav- 
 enly Father gives to some of His dear children, after 
 a long bright day of duty, the lengthened twilight of 
 calm waiting for the coming of the night. Then the 
 headlands of their life, which marked the path of 
 God's leading, stand " far withdrawn in tenderest 
 purple of distance," their summits touched with the 
 golden glow of infinite love. And in the bending 
 heavens above, one by one come out all the stars of 
 promise, like " torches that wave their welcome to our 
 eternal home." This dear daughter of God has been 
 long waiting in the beautiful twilight of a long day. 
 She has been watching the deepening of earth's shad- 
 ows, and the brightening of the stars of eternal hope. 
 Now the body lies in the darkness of death ; the spirit 
 rejoices in " the light that never was on sea nor shore," 
 the soft, clear light of her Father's face. His love 
 made the evening light about her, and now it bright- 
 ens all eternity for her. 
 
 In the quietness of an assured trust, she " laid her 
 down in peace and slept, for God only made her 
 dwell in safety." Her flesh rests in hope ; her spirit 
 dwells with God. He hath "given his beloved sleep." 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Childress Polk, one of the most honored 
 and best beloved of the women of our land, was long 
 a familiar figure in the social life of our city. Born #< 
 in Rutherford County, Tennessee, September 4, 1803. 
 After a careful education, she was married, at the age 
 of twenty years, to James K. Polk, who became the 
 
IN MEMORY OF MRS. JAS. K. POLK. 9 
 
 eleventh President of the United States. With rare 
 grace and tact she filled the places to which Provi- 
 dence called her, everywhere winning respect and 
 love. In the high places of the land, as in the gentle 
 charities of domestic life, she was a helpmeet for her 
 husband, and "his heart did safely trust in her." 
 When he retired from office, worn with the cares of 
 State, he looked to her loving companionship to rest 
 his weariness and refresh his coming years. But 
 suddenly God took him, and thenceforth for more 
 than forty years she walked the path of earth's pil- 
 grimage alone. 
 
 The one great sorrow that shadowed all her life 
 was not allowed to darken other lives. Taking up 
 her duties, she set herself to larger ministries of 
 love and kindness. She sought the greatness of 
 being servant of all. Having no child of her own, 
 her motherly heart took a near relative, a little girl, 
 as a daughter. On her she lavished all the wealth of 
 generous love ; and she was rewarded in years of gen- 
 ial companionship and filial devotion. 
 
 She has gone in and out before this community for 
 more than a generation. She has been loved and 
 honored by old and young, rich and poor, for her no- 
 ble character, and for her deeds of kindness. It is 
 needless for me to rehearse in this presence the story 
 of a life 80 well and widely known. 
 
 But when death comes to close the evening of life, 
 the most important questions are : What was the mo- 
 tive and meaning of that life? What was the ground 
 of its hope for the everlasting future? What was the 
 light that made its evening time bright? Did that 
 light penetrate beyond the falling night? 
 
10 IN MEMORY OF MRS. JAS. K. POLK. 
 
 The foundation of her hope was Jesus Christ and 
 Him crucified. His spirit was the inspiration of all 
 her activity. She walked by faith, as seeing him 
 who is invisible. Fifty-eight years ago, she confessed 
 her Saviour, uniting with the Presbyterian Church. 
 In all her after years, in every position, she tried 
 to walk worthy of her calling, and honor God. As 
 the head of the social life of the nation, she felt 
 that " promotion cometh neither from the East, nor 
 from the West, nor from the South, but God is the 
 judge." Therefore, humbly and reverently, every day 
 she sought His guidance and strength. Always be- 
 fore going to receive the great ones of earth, she 
 knelt in prayer to the Lord of the whole earth. 
 
 In her home life, her gentleness, charity, and sin- 
 cerity commended her religion to those who knew 
 her best. Only her own household knew the depth 
 and reality of her religious life. In the last hour, 
 when she knew that the Master had come and called 
 for her, she was ready and willing to go ; and she 
 spent her dying breath in telling the sweet wonders 
 of a Saviour's love, in praising God's goodness, and in 
 invoking His blessings on her loved ones. With 
 bright anticipations of the glory soon to be revealed, 
 she could utter with only tremulous tones the words 
 of a favorite hymn : 
 
 Who would live alway, away from his God. 
 
 Away from yon heaven, thai blissful aV)ode, 
 
 Where the rivers of pleasure roll o'er the bright plains, 
 
 And the noontide of glory eternally reigns? 
 
 And the dying note of earth's last song was the 
 first note of heaven's high and never ending praise. 
 Surely the evening time was light to her. Jesus 
 
IN MEMORY OF MRS. JAS. K. POLK. 11 
 
 Christ, who had been her portion and her stay so 
 long, did not fail her at the last. As she passed 
 through the valley and the shadow of death, she 
 feared no evil, for He was with her. His rod and 
 staff did comfort her. Her prayer for His presence 
 was answered. 
 
 Abide with me. Fast falls the eventide. 
 
 The darkness deepens. Lord, with me abide. 
 
 When other helpers fail, and comforts flee. 
 
 Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me. 
 
 Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; 
 Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away; 
 Change and decay in all around I see: 
 Oh, Thou, who changeth not, abide with me. 
 
 Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; 
 Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies. 
 Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee. 
 In life, in death. Oh, Lord, abide M'ith me. 
 
 It was the light of her Saviour's face that made 
 the evening light and filled the darkness with bright 
 shining. 
 
 The character and the works which her life showed 
 were the result of Christ's training and disciplining 
 of her. 
 
 Life's evening time shows its ripened, mellow fruit 
 of character. For years Mrs. Polk lived among us 
 an example of what grace can do for a spirit origin- 
 ally of a noble mould. Her Bible was her constant 
 companion, and it is marked throughout in the pas- 
 sages on which her soul fed and was satisfied. A lit- 
 tle book of devotion, " Morning and Night Watches," 
 was read over and over again, and its pages are 
 marked throughout. From a glance at her favorite 
 scriptures, and the special places marked in her 
 
12 IX MEMORY OF MRS. JAS. K. POLK. 
 
 book of devotion, one can form an idea of her spirit- 
 ual character and disposition. 
 
 One is impressed with her thorough womanliness. 
 She recognized the sphere in which God had placed 
 her — the social sphere of which a true woman is the 
 heart. With no vague ambitions for some different 
 place, she did what she could to make life pure and 
 sweet. While she was a woman of strong mind and 
 of broad culture, yet these were used to minister help, 
 and comfort and blessing in the domain of home. 
 She won friends by showing herself friendly. 
 
 Affections were as thoughts to her, 
 The measures of her hours. 
 
 She was thoroughly unselfish, never seeking her 
 own things. Even to the last she thought of others' 
 comfort before her own. She was ready to make sac- 
 rifices for the benefit of her loved ones. Her age was 
 not made unlovely by harsh exactions of duty from 
 those about her. Old as she was her heart remained 
 young, and she rejoiced in the fresh bright life of the 
 young people. With rare womanly dignity and sense 
 of decorvim, she yet was not stiff and haughty. En- 
 tering into the life of her friends with keen zest, in- 
 terested in the world and its on-goings, seeing and 
 enjoying its beauty, she yet lived above it, and was 
 not snared by its allurements. 
 
 Hers was a gentle, modest nature. With proper 
 self-reliance, when occasion called for it, she was not 
 self-assertive. Firm in her devotion to duty, she yet 
 was mild and patient with those who were not equal 
 to her standard. Her humility was one of her most 
 beautiful traits. She thought not more highly of 
 herself than she ought to think. She did not pre- 
 
IN MEMORY OF MRP. JAS. K. POLK. 13 
 
 sume on her high station to demand more than her 
 due. 
 
 She was cliaritable, not only in helping the needy, 
 but in thinking no e\dl, in speaking kindly, in judg- 
 ing without bitterness. The poor were her friends ; 
 the lowly found m her a sister. 
 
 In her relations to God, she showed the deeper 
 traits of her religious life and experience. 
 
 She trusted Him absolutely. His word vras the end 
 of controversy with her. In all the varying scenes 
 of her life, she believed His promise, and she was 
 confident that He could fulfill it. 
 
 This gave her cheerful confidence as to the future. 
 She "knew Whom she had believed ,and was per- 
 suaded that He is able to keep that which she had 
 committed to Him against that day." She put all 
 things for time and eternity into the hands of her 
 Saviour, and she left all with Him. With joyful hope 
 she looked forward. This hopefulness and bright- 
 ness of disposition doubtless prolonged her days. 
 Even if it were dark about her, she saw the sunshine 
 on the hills beyond, and she knew that after a bit her 
 path would take her up to the hills, nearer to God, 
 where she could look back and forward and see the 
 goodness of her Father in all His leading. Her faith 
 gave her activity in service. She stood up for the 
 Master and tried to ol^ey His commandments. She 
 Avas not satisfied merely with hoping in His promise. 
 Life's duties were done because she knew that her labor 
 was not in vain in the Lord. Faith without works is 
 dead. She showed her faith by her works. It is the 
 spirit of obedience which is well-pleasing to the Lord. 
 He recognizes this spirit in His children even when 
 
14 IN MEMORY OF MRS. JAS. K. POLK. 
 
 they may be mistaken as to the form of duty. In 
 her case the beautiful spirit was the outcome of her 
 trust in God. 
 
 As a sinner, she rested only on what Christ Jesus 
 did for the pardon of her sins. His death was the 
 ground of all her hope. She gave herself to Him be- 
 cause he gave Himself for her. With warm personal 
 love for Him, she ministered in charity to those who 
 were His. fler surrender of herself was her response 
 to the Saviour's love. 
 
 Another feature of her character was her absolute 
 submission to the Lord's will. Without murmur or 
 complaint, she endured all that He saw fit to send. 
 It is true that her life was singularly free from mul- 
 tiplied sorrows. The death of her husband, whom 
 she loved devotedly, was the only great bereavement 
 of her life, and she often spoke of how blessed she had 
 been. All spoke well of her. Yet a life ^o long as 
 hers must know many cares, anxieties, disappoint- 
 ments ; and it is often these petty trials that weary 
 the spirit and embitter the heart. She had her share 
 of them ; but she kept to the last her sunny temper, 
 her cheerful disposition. She felt that everything 
 sent to her in tlip way of sorrow was a means of dis- 
 cipline, which the Father had appointed for her 
 training; her "light affliction, which was for a mo- 
 ment, working out for her a far more exceeding and 
 eternal weight of glory." With patience and meek- 
 ness she waited on God. She was very humble, and 
 felt that God was good to her beyond her deservings. 
 The Psalmist's expressions of humility found response 
 in her heart. In lowliness of mind, she sought to 
 find God in affliction, and she was willing to make 
 
IN MEMORY OF MRS. JAS. K. POLK. 15 
 
 sacrifices for Him, In view of what Jesiis Christ suf- 
 fered for her, she esteemed no suffering too great to 
 be borne for Him. 
 
 A special cliaracteristic was her thankfulness. 
 With a sweet graciousness that acknowledged every 
 humblest service to her from those about her, she 
 also, with profound gratitude, received everything 
 from God's hand. She praised and adored Him for 
 His goodness to her. The language of thankfulness 
 was probably the most familiar to her lips. She 
 called upon her soul " to bless the Lord, and to for- 
 get not all His benefits." She saw His hand in ev- 
 erything, and she rejoiced because she knew that He 
 doeth all things well. In her last hours, she testi- 
 fied to His goodness. To her He was "the giver of 
 every good and perfect gift, the Father of light." 
 She wished her life to bo an expression of her 
 gratitude. 
 
 But the work of Christ, the gift of salvation in Him 
 was above all else the subject of adoring thanksgiv- 
 ing. She felt that eternity only could make known 
 the riches of His grace, and her heart responded to 
 the praises which are recorded in the book of Revela- 
 tion — the praises of the ransomed — "To Him that 
 loved us and washed us from our sins in His own 
 blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God 
 and His father, to Him be glory and dominion for- 
 ever." 
 
 Over her thankful heart was shed the light that 
 comes from within the veil, and in God's light she 
 saw the light, ^^'ith joy she drew water out of the 
 wells of salvation. She took the cup of thanksgiving, 
 and called unon the name of the Lord. 
 
16 IN MEMORY OF MRS. JAS. K. POLK. 
 
 These characteristics of Mrs. Polk's religious life 
 show why she was so even in temper, so gentle in 
 disposition, so kind in ministry. The heart that 
 trusts God, submits to God, and is thankful to God, 
 has the secret of a happy life, and as age came on 
 the light shined more and more to the perfect day. 
 Now the " good gray head," which we all knew, is laid 
 away to rest on a Saviour's bosom. The long life is 
 ended, the journey is done, the tired hands folded,, 
 the weary feet are still ; but they are in God's keeping, 
 waiting the resurrection day. The time shall come 
 when the light of God's glory shall pierce the dark- 
 ness of the grave, and God's voice shall sound in the 
 dull ear of death — the ear of his servant always ready 
 to hear him, and this body, which we sow in weak- 
 ness, shall be raised in power, and coming forth shall 
 cry, " Oh, Death, where is thy sting. Oh, Grave, where 
 is thy victory ! " Then, with deeper joy than ever, 
 shall she say : " Thanks be unto God, who giveth u& 
 the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ." 
 
 Meanwhile the spirit is with God in the fullness 
 of blessing;, the twilight of evening time has been 
 turned to the brightness of that world in which " the 
 Lord is the light of it," just as the stars are swal- 
 lowed up in the splendor of the day. She sees now 
 as never before. Her eyes have received such an- 
 nointing that no dimness shall ever shadow them 
 again. She sees face to face, and knows as she is 
 known. And doubtless this earth life, which her 
 loved ones yet must live, is known by her in its 
 meaning as never before, and with loving gaze her 
 spirit sees the love of hearts that mourn for her, and 
 
IN MEMORY OF MRS. JAS. K. POLK. 17 
 
 appreciates the kindly work of hands that minis- 
 tered to her. 
 
 Let the lesson of this long life enter our hearts 
 and may we, too, when our journey is done, enter 
 into the rest that remaineth for the people of God. 
 
 Thanks be unto God that she was enabled to bear 
 witness to the truth and power of Jesus Christ, and 
 even until the evening time He gave her light. She 
 being dead yet speaketh. 
 
 Can I close more fitingly than with verses she 
 treasured and which describe well the evening of her 
 life? They are entitled 
 
 Growinc; Old Grackfui.ly. 
 Softly, Oh! softly, the years have swept by thee. 
 
 Touching thee lightly with tenderest care; 
 Sorrow and care did they often bring nigh thee; 
 Yet they have left thee but beauty to wear. 
 Growing old gracefully, 
 Gracefully fair. 
 Far from the storms that are lashing the ocean. 
 Nearer each day to the pleasant home light; 
 Far from the waves that are big with commotion, 
 Under full sail and the harbor in sight; 
 Growing old cheerfully, 
 Cheerful and bright. 
 Past all the winds that are adverse and chilling; 
 
 Past all the islands that hired thee to rest; 
 
 Past all the currents that wooed thee unwilling, 
 
 Far from the port of the land of the blest. 
 
 Growing old peacefully; 
 
 Peacefully and blest. 
 
 Ne\ er a feeling of envy and sorrow, 
 
 Where the bright faces of children are seen; 
 Never a year from their youth wouldst thou borrow. 
 Thou dost remember what lieth between. 
 Growing old willingly. 
 Gladly, I ween. 
 
18 IN MEMORY OF MRS. JAS. K. POLK. 
 
 Rich in experience that angels might covet; 
 
 Rich in a faith that has grown with thy years; 
 Rich in a love that grew from and above it; 
 Soothing thy sorrows and hushing thy fears. 
 Growing old wealthily, 
 Loving and dear. 
 Hearts at the sound of thy coming are lightened, 
 
 Ready and willing thy hand to relieve; 
 Many a face at thy bright words has brightened, 
 '•It is more blessed to give than recei\e." 
 Growing old happily, 
 Blest, we believe. 
 
 The choir of her own Church sang with touching 
 pathos her favorite hymns. The body was borne to 
 the tomb by the Elders of the Church and a few of 
 her old friends ; and there, in presence of the great 
 multitude, with simple ceremonial, in the lawn of 
 her own home, she was laid by the side of her hus- 
 band. After the long years of waiting, they are re- 
 united. They " know each other there." 
 
 It was Mrs. Polk's wish that the funeral should be 
 without ostentation. Therefore the military and civil 
 escorts tendered by the authorities were declined. 
 The tolling bells, and the flags at half mast on the 
 State and Federal buildings were the only public 
 tokens of bereavement. But all hearts felt with ten- 
 der regret, that a noble figure had passed out of our 
 sight; a sweet, lovely spirit had gone from among us. 
 Our city was the better for her living in it. May the 
 influence of her life, the savor of her good deeds re- 
 main with us as a benediction. 
 

 
 
 
 
 C^ "^..-^ 
 
 \i, ' ■■>■ • C3 
 
 °o 
 
 ,-^'^''.^^:>^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 •^( 
 

 
 •>^. 
 
 BOOKBINCMNC 
 
 itville Pa 
 lan Feb 1989