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

[254] services. A number of white and colored friends from Salem and Boston were present.

Yesterday forenoon, I was present, with many others, at the¹ funeral obsequies of our departed friend and aged saint, Sarah M. Grimke, at Hyde Park. We all felt the tenderness of heart² and warm appreciation growing out of the attachments, labors, and perils of the past, in a common struggle to break the yoke of bondage and let the oppressed go free. She was the impersonation and incarnation of Divine Love; and, though bowed and wasted by bodily decrepitude, as fresh in her spirit as though but twenty instead of eighty-one years of age. There was no phase of reform or progress in which she did not take a heartfelt interest. She was singularly beloved and venerated by all who knew her. In addition to the services usual on such an occasion, tributes to the character and labors of the deceased were paid by our dear Theodore D. Weld, Lucy Stone, and myself. Theodore spoke with thrilling pathos and power, yet weeping like a child, and almost choking at times with the thoughts and words to which he tried to give utterance. Dear Angelina was very deeply affected.³

Ever generous in panegyric to those who had passed from their earthly labors, Mr. Garrison was no less given to rehearsing the praises of his old coadjutors who still remained. He constantly took occasion, if writing them on other themes, to express his exalted regard for them. He was even repeatedly at pains to write a kindly word to some of his former antagonists in the anti-slavery ranks, recognizing the services they had rendered in the day of small things, and rejoicing with them in the triumph of freedom. One of these was Lewis Tappan, from whom a letter touching his brother Arthur elicited the following reply:

Lewis Tappan to W. L. Garrison.

Brooklyn, N. Y., Jan. 29, 1870.

⁵ my dear Sir: It would be sheer affectation in me not to acknowledge the gratification your letter has given me. I greet