Francis Jackson Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, 1805-1879; the story of his life told by his children: volume 4

[252] depository, through which the truth of history may be more intelligently ascertained and correctly illustrated. Your own excellent work, “Anti-slavery Recollections,” will be among the number that will be read with the deepest interest, inspiring many a student to enter the broad and illimitable field of philanthropy and reform.

Our old co-workers are fast disappearing from this earthly stage, and, in accordance with the laws of mortality, we must follow them at no distant day. How unspeakably pleasant it will be to greet them, and to be greeted by them, on the other side of the line! The longer I live, the longer I desire to live, and the more I see the desirableness of living; yet certainly not in this frail body, but just as it shall please the dear Father of us all. ‘It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.’ What a blessed exchange, and how magnificent!

You have doubtless heard of the translation of our dear and venerated friend and coadjutor, Thomas Garrett of Wilmington, Delaware. He was one of the grandest men of the ages.

The ‘translation’ of Thomas Garrett was soon followed by that of the beloved and saintly pastor of Syracuse¹ himself, and Mr. Garrison journeyed to Central New York to attend the obsequies of this “brother beloved incomparably beyond all blood relationship,” July 6. to whom he felicitously applied Wordsworth's description of the ‘Happy Warrior.’ For many years the duties of ministers at large to the ‘come-outers’ of the anti-slavery host had devolved upon Mr. Garrison and Mr. Phillips, and one or both of them were called to officiate or speak at many a funeral (and doubtless would have been asked to perform many a marriage ceremony, had they possessed the legal right to do so). Their services in this direction naturally became more and more in request as the veterans in the cause passed in quick succession from the stage. Notable among these occasions was the funeral of Henry C. Wright, at Pawtucket, R. I., in the summer of 1870, at which Mr. Garrison delivered an admirable² address, and Mr. Phillips and Senator Wilson spoke im-³