Wife of Universalist Pastor Dies – Lucy Sibley McGlauflin
LUCY SIBLEY McGLAUFLIN.
“There is no death! The choicest gifts
That Heaven bath kindly lent to earth;
Are ever first to seek again
The country of their birth.
And ever near us though unseen,
The dear immortal spirits tread;
For all the boundless universe
Is Life, – there are no dead.”
On Sunday afternoon, Sept. 19, at 4 o’clock, our dear Mrs. McGlauflin, the devoted wife Rev. W. H. McGlauflin, D.D., our Southern Missionary, passed out from this life to the life eternal. She had been ill for a short time and was obliged to undergo a severe surgical operation with the hope that it might restore her; that failed, and the beautiful spirit went on to our common home. She has not been strong for some years, but she was so active in good works, that we could not think of her but as full of strength, and when the message came Monday with its sad tidings, it seemed that it could not be.
In the loneliness and heartache which are the husband’s portion these days, our Christian Unioners everywhere send him their tenderest love, their sweetest sympathy, their earnest prayers. We feel that it has been a rich privilege to know Mrs. McGlauflin. Her nature was one of rare sweetness, and we rejoice that everything that was good and true and beautiful in her life abides with us, and will so long as love abides and God lives. Her graces of character are eternal, her helpful spirit has become a part of the lives of all with whom she came in contact.
We personally remember so well, the first time we met her. It was at our National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. McGlauflin shortly before had been engaged as our Southern Missionary, and they were then on their way to Harriman. With what interest we anticipated the meeting, for a good large portion of our hearts, hopes, and some of our money were already consecrated to this new enterprise, and now we were to meet the chosen leaders for the new field. And there they were, our strong, manly, courageous Missionary and the dear little woman in gray, who was so modest that no amount of cheering could bring her to the platform to stand beside her husband who had taken his position there in answer to our greetings. It was three years before we met again. We had climbed the heights on which is located the church, built by the love and generosity of our young folks and their friends. Harriman, the beautiful dream of three years before, was now the beautiful reality. Standing on the steps of the church with outstretched hands and welcoming words, were Mr. and Mrs. McGlauflin. How we were drawn to her in those days of our Convention, as she passed among us with her tender words, her hopeful words, her appreciative words, her words of consecration and faith. How she had grown in all things lovely and of good report. Her rarely endowed nature had been blossoming richly in those years, her feet had reached the tablelands of faith and spiritual things.
How proud we were of her on the opening night of our “Boston ’95” when she brought greetings to that great gathering. Standing there in all her beautiful womanliness, she seemed the embodiment of what culture, religion, and the consecration to and service in a great cause can make of one. At “Jersey ’96,” she was the leader of one of the morning devotional meetings, from which everyone came away with a deeper and holier purpose in his life. At “Detroit ’97,” she was absent, and how grieved we all were on account of that absence.
Because of her unceasing service for our cause, we had come to say, “Our Southern Missionaries,” for these two were ever busily planning and working for our faith in the South.
We shall meet her no more in our Conventions, but the radiance of her life will be in all of them, her deep abiding trust in God’s love and His purposes in the world, will lead, many a Unioner to the same rich experiences. The widening circle above has been enriched. Our hearts are desolate, separations are hard to bear, but faith looks up, love holds sway, and the arms of the Heavenly Father reach out to hold, sustain, and comfort. May the love of the sweet wife, the love of friends, and the Divine Love keep our dear friend, and help him along the rugged path of life up to the hills of God where loved ones wait and watch the coming of us all.
Source: Onward from in Google Books, Vol. IV, No. 35, Oct 1, 1897, Page 137
Other articles on Lucy Sibley McGlauflin:
Funeral Services and other Details of her Life, Onward, Oct 15, 1897
A Beautiful Life, Onward, Nov 13, 1900.