OBITUARY: Carrie L. Lumsden, Jackson County, Oregon ********************************************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE: ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ********************************************************************************* Transcribed and formatted for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Elizabeth Corethers 9 June 2003 *************************************************************************** Medford (Oregon) Mail, Friday, 25 Jun 1897, p. 6, c. 5 Died-- LUMSDEN--In this city, June 22, 1897, at the home of her mother, Carrie L., loved daughter of D. J. and Eunice M. Lumsden, and sister of H. U. Lumsden, a native of Farmington, Minnesota, aged 29 years, 2 months and 8 days. Interment is Odd Fellows cemetery. Carrie L. Lumsden, just six weeks before her death, while attending the funeral of her little eight-year-old niece to a few friends, who sat near, said: "Out of this company I will be the next." "Yes, I know I ought not to have said it. It makes you feel sad. I was weak. Forgive me," said she, smiling, then she changed the subject so adroitly that the little cloud of sadness was at once dispelled, and cheerfulness reigned supreme till death relieved her from the trials and tribulation of this evil world. She was never a member of a church. Therefore, in a churchly sense she was not a Christian. One day, in conversation with the writer, she said, "I prefer to have the great deep ocean, as it were, to sail upon, with a strong, though steady, gentle wind, with proper ballast, to being penned up in some narrow, little, shallow muddy creek, almost becalmed, or, what little gale there may be, only by gusts, and then gone; or, may be, a powerful one arising from a very different point of the compass, so as to puzzle the inexperienced steersman." She said: "I get my cue, while looking for rest, from Cowper, and I am sure Cowper got it from Jesus of Nazareth, and this is the way he puts it- 'Teach me to feel another's woe/And hide the fault I see/The mercy I to others show/That mercy show to me.'" "What's that," said she laughing cheerily, "but the--" "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you do ye unto them, of the Nazarene." Then, I ventured, according to your idea, the poet was a plagiarist. To be sure, but what are we all, but plagiarists, in a certain sense," said she. And continuing she said: "Yes, copyists, and mimics, to the best of our ability, and this will be true as long as men continue to depend upon each other for wisdom. Yes, that is here--say knowledge, and only tends to make a man a wiseacre, and, to one whose spiritual vision is alert, he is a simpleton and a dunce, however much he may know." There is a stream that flows from the fountain of all knowledge," she continued, "and runs close to every man's door, of which when a man drinks he will never thirst again, for in this fountain there is a spirit which shall teach you all things. I know this to be true, for the spirit has so wrought it into my mind, or my imagination, that I feel it in my heart. Yes, this truth is more a part of me than my physical body is." Just here she became serious. Said she: "I have never said so much about my spiritual vision, or my imagination, as I have now, to you, and I talk to you because I know you can understand me, but, O how few there are who can." I suggested that she was talking too much for she was very weak. She replied with a smile, "I talk so little on the subject of my spiritual vision, that now I do not want to stop, or change the subject. I have always thought," she continued, "that a religion which fails us, in the everyday trials of life, has somewhere in it a flaw." Yielding to my entreaty, she extended her hand, and smiling bid me good night. I left her with tears running down my face. Carrie was on her deathbed and she knew it. Five days afterwards she gave up her body, while she went to join the great company that John saw, while on the Isle of Patmos. Without a murmur or complaint from first to last, she died with her mind filled with the peace of God that passeth understanding. Let us give God the glory. T. N. R. Miss Lumsden was one of those sweet, companionable girls who win the hearts of all; bright, intelligent, accomplished, her cheery disposition brought sunshine to every social circle of which she became a member; at home she was a loving, devoted, faithful daughter and sister--the light of the household. Whatever of trouble and sorrow touched her and it came to her as to everyone, more or less; she did not grow morose and disheartened, but ever looked upon the bright side. She was patient, kind and loving. This was amply shown in her last illness. Though suffering greatly there was never any word of complaint or murmuring. Her "spirit was all right--the body only weak." Anxious always to avoid being a care and burden to her mother and friends she bore her sufferings quietly, sustained always by her almighty Father's hand. Many will remember her gratefully for deeds of kindness done that the public knows not of. Gifted, especially in music, both vocal and instrumental--of which she was an instructor--she was ever ready and willing cheerfully to give her aid to all proper objects. There is not, perhaps, a church society in our town but has thus been helped and encouraged by her. That voice so often heard in sweet and sacred song is hushed, but neither the singer nor the song can be forgotten. Her memory will remain, and the sunshine which she diffused. In the home and social circle will remain also to brighten and cheer and encourage us all in life's battle. A. S. F. Funeral services were conducted at the family residence on Tuesday by Rev. A. S. Foster. The services were very largely attended and the floral offerings were most beautiful and in great quantity.