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Excerpts from Souvenir Submitted by David M. Waid |
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1888.
April 13, 1888--To-day my wife completes her fifty-sixth year. Crowded on the pages of memory are a thousand pleasant
reminiscences of the past--of the time of our courtship and of our happy
married life. But we are
nearing the end of our journey; each day brings us nearer to the time of
God's calling. We may not
know it, it is not our heavenly Father's wish, but "Somewhere on this earthly
planet, In the dust of flowers to be, In the dew-drop, in the sunshine, Sleeps a solemn day for me."
Bad news as well as good news sometimes comes on a day when we
would wish all to be bright, and it was bad on this anniversary of Eliza's
birth, for we heard of the burning this morning of G.
N. Waid's saw-mill. My
wife and I called to see him, and on our return took supper with our
eldest son. I wrote to-day,
also to Rev. W. F. Oldham who, with his wife,
is a missionary at Singapore, on the Malay Peninsula.
In 1879 Mr. Oldham was our pastor at the State Road Methodist
Episcopal Church, being at the same time a student at Allegheny College.
Brother Oldham once, when trying to raise some money for repairing
the church, came to me with the subscription paper; I put my name down for
$30, and as I handed the paper back I said:
"I reserve the right to pay more if it be needed."
He smiled and replied: "Brother
Waid, I am glad we have a few such men in our church, who after paying
their subscriptions, pledge themselves to make up any arrears."
Well, as it happened the cost of the repairs exceeded the amount
subscribed, and although Mr. Oldham had gone I remembered our conversation
and assumed with pleasure the balance of the indebtedness which amounted
to $58. This is but one
instance in which I have endeavored not only to bear my part, or rather
what I thought my duty, financially, but have rather perhaps gone beyond
it. Let me quote other
instances: I was once handed
a subscription paper in a church, and was asked if possible to raise $45,
that sum being the one-fourth part of the amount necessary to be raised.
Three others were trying to raise a like amount, and soon
succeeded. I was the last of
the four to be sent out to canvass one-fourth of the house.
I was younger then by many years than I am now, and could do more
labor, but I had not the means that I at present possess.
When the other three had counted their contributions, it was
announced that if Brother Waid had been equally successful the entire
amount of $180 would have been raised.
When I counted the subscription I had obtained, I found the sum
fell far short of the amount needed, and as I told the congregation some
one asked why it was that it fell short when the others had been so
successful. I replied that
the reason was because I had not yet put down my name, and that I would
now ask the privilege of subscribing the amount necessary. In that way it was arranged and the debt was paid.
At the time of writing this incident, April 23, 1888, I am just
fifty-five years old, and I do not regret a dollar that I have ever spent
to promote good by advancing the Master's kingdom.
I like to close each year of my life better than I began it, and
last night, as my fifty-fifth year drew to a close, I trust that I
performed a deed that will aid in making me better in reality, as it
certainly has aided in making me feel better.
The Free Methodists of this vicinity are holding meetings in the
Methodist Episcopal Church, Blooming Valley (as they have no church of
their own), on alternate Sabbaths. We attended church there on Sunday morning, and in the
evening also. We heard two
good sermons from the pastor, who is supported from the proceeds of the
collections. One was taken at
the morning service, and another at the close of the evening service.
When both offerings were counted, the total amount was but $7.00.
I thought that ere the close of my fifty-five years of life I still
had another opportunity of doing good, and so, at the end of the sermon,
when Elder McGeary gave all an opportunity to
testify for Christ, and when all was finished, I arose, and addressing the
elder, said: "Is it
still in order to speak?" "That
depends upon what you have to say," he replied.
I quoted this passage from the Scripture: Who can harm you if you be followers of that which is good?
I then told them that Christ had been very kind to me in my
Christian life, and that I had derived great comfort from His Gospel.
With a few other words, I said that I desired to make their
collection double what it was, and thus I made the amount $14.00.
So I ended my year pleasantly by doing a kind act, and I hope to do
it each succeeding year while my life shall last.
No one can be so interested in the return of my birthday as I am. To me it is a day of joy and thanksgiving for having life,
health, peace and happiness, and for being surrounded with friends and
kindred; first, therefore, let me thank the Parent of all good for the
blessings that He has showered upon me.
I believe that if with age there comes infirmity, there also comes
more grace to endure. During
the past year, taking into account the failing health of my dear wife, and
other trials which I have passed through, I feel that I have been upheld,
and that indeed His grace is sufficient for me.
How I ought to honor the Lord when I remember His goodness to me. April 23, 1888.
MY BIRTHDAY. I'm fifty-four years old to-day; Father Time would not delay, But added daily to the store Until my years reached fifty-four, All these natal days I've seen While watching close life's changing
scene; Each day and year brought pictures
new And mem'ry calls them into view. If thinking deeply o'er the past Will save, 0 Lord, my soul at last, Then let me yet the wiser grow As I with faith shall onward go. The fifty-four years I have lived Have taught me lessons to forgive; Its nothing else but truth from
Heaven-- Forgive and you shall be forgiven. It was not said by Him in vain, The merciful shall peace obtain, But every one who will endure Shall find His promise very sure. In eighteen hundred fifty-one My Christian course was then begun; The Bible truth which makes all free Has been a blessing unto me. My years full pleasantly have flown, When deep in search of Truth alone, While working daily in the field His word sweet comfort oft did yield. I am content, by day or night, When Heav'nly landmarks are in sight, Reminders of His favors given, Landmarks leading on to Heaven.
Francis C. Waid.
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