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Excerpts from Souvenir Submitted by David M. Waid |
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1889.
Sabbath, December 15, 1889--Yesterday afternoon my youngest son and
I drove to Meadville, where I had business, and here I learned that
Bishop J. H. Vincent, LL.D., would preach at the First Methodist
Episcopal Church on the following forenoon.
Being desirous of hearing this reverend divine, I remained over
night at Meadville, the guest by invitation of my kind friend, Mr.
S. C. Derby, between whom and myself acquaintance and friendship
have long existed, and I may add that this is not the first time I have
been made welcome at his quiet home.
To-day (Sunday) he accompanied me to church, to listen to Dr.
Vincent (after attending Sabbath-school), and shortly after taking our
seats in the church, near the center of the audience room, the Bishop and Dr.
T. L. Flood entered the sanctuary.
The latter gentleman, after sitting down, recognized me and
approaching to where we were sitting he shook hands with us, and invited
us to seats nearer the pulpit, for which we thanked him with the remark
that where we were was "good enough."
Bishop Vincent took for his text part
of the 20th verse of the Epistle of St. Jude:
But ye beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith.
I was greatly helped in my Christian life, and appreciated the
Church in the sense set forth--the school for an eternal Heaven, the
Christian's imperishable home. On
coming out of church Bishop Vincent and Mr. Flood overtook Mr. Derby and
myself, to the former of whom we were introduced. Honored again, thought I.
My dear reader, I tell you that my regret to-day is that I did not
begin in childhood, to regard and have faith in the Bible ami serve the
Lord, instead of in youth; and I have resolved this day to be a better
man, through having additional light thrown on my pathway.
At 4 P. M. I again heard Bishop Vincent, this time in the Second
Presbyterian Church, where he delivered an address on the subject:
Mind your own business. To
the lecturer, and perhaps to some of his hearers, may have mentally
occurred the pungent saying of Savile in effect that "the man who can
not mind his own business is not to be trusted with that of the
nation." In the evening, at the First Methodist Episcopal Church, we,
for the third time to-day, were privileged to listen to the teachings of
the learned Bishop, his text on this occasion being from Psalm cxix:
96: But thy
commandment is exceeding broad. This
Sabbath was truly a profitable day to me.
I had heard Bishop Vincent at Ottawa, Kas., and several times at
Chautauqua, N. Y., but I have to thank my friend, Dr. T. L. Flood, for
personal acquaintance, by introduction.
In fact, I realized, that until then, whilst I had known Bishop
Vincent, he had not known me. I
believe one of my native characteristics (a commendable one, I trust) is
being somewhat reserved in my manner, perhaps too much so for my own good
at times, without being indifferent or exclusive, however.
I do not forget, nor am I likely to, that for one to keep in his
proper place is to "mind his own business."
From the first time I heard Bishop Vincent I had a desire to become
acquainted with him, and at Chautauqua, during the Assembly, I had an
opportunity to speak to him; but here my natural reserve stood in the way.
In passing me he saluted me with "good morning," to which
I simply bowed assent and passed on.
The opportunity I had been wishing for was lost, and I soon
thereafter wished I had spoken to him and introduced myself, so that I
could let him know how much I appreciated his preaching, and loved and
respected him as a good man--one who had helped to build me up in the
faith and lead me into the way of doing good work in the Gospel.
In regard to Dr. T. L. Flood I will
briefly say that I became acquainted with him at Jamestown, N. Y., where
my wife and I heard him preach at the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1874,
since when our acquaintance has ripened, I believe, into true Christian
friendship. During his
pastorate at Jamestown and Meadville, as well as on other occasions, we
occasionally had the pleasure of hearing his sermons and discourses.
Christianity and true friendship are both productive of good, and
in true friendship there are some very bright, happy days.
Of this I will give the reader some poof in my own experience. On December 16, 1888, the Forest Grove Methodist Church
(Crawford County, Penn.) was dedicated, and after the ceremony my cousin
and I, in company with Dr. Flood and others, had the pleasure of taking
dinner at the house of my friend, A. J. Owen.
That to me was a delightful interview, and another day's march
nearer my heavenly home. Surely,
I thought, the path of duty is the path of safety, and the pathway of the
just shineth more and more till the perfect day.
Here let me quote three lines of what the poet, Matthew Prior, says
about duty: "The sum of duty let two words
contain; O may they graven in my heart remain: Be humble and be just."
With the reader's permission I will relate yet another incident
that cast a ray of sunshine on my life's pathway, which I will give
substantially as I wrote it in my diary at the time.
February 16, 1889--To-day, while engaged in business affairs in
Meadville, I was walking up Chestnut Street on the west side, and when
near the Corinthian Block I met Dr. T. L. Flood and
Dr. W. G. Williams (president of Allegheny College), the former of
whom exclaimed: "How do
you do, Brother Waid?" After
a hearty shaking of hands, Dr. William's wife (who had come out of a
store) joined her husband, and to her I was, at once introduced, to me
both a pleasure and honor. There
could be no better time, thought I, to introduce the question of the
Soldiers' Monument than now. However,
the president spoke of his college, and so I told him that I had been a
student there in the spring of 1852.
Dr. Flood then said to me: "Donate
$100 toward the Soldiers' Monument fund," to which my reply was:
"Why not?" Yes,
why not? I had been wanting
to do something in this way from the time the project had been set on
foot, especially since the Pioneer Monument had been erected.
My love of country still lives, and my patriotism, my respect for
the honored dead, seek utterance in this way.
I love the Lord first; next to Him I love my country, and my
contribution (as promised to Dr. Flood) of $100 toward the Soldiers'
Monument fund, I trust will be accepted as a proof of the sincerity of my
declaration."
December 16, 1889--To-day I renewed my subscription to our country
papers, and I mention it not as of any consequence, but because I wish it
as a rider to make known my appreciation of and love toward the printer.
I have always loved the reading of newspapers, and I have profited
much by the information disseminated by the public press. I say, patronize the printer, and settle with him for your
paper, once a year. At page
48 I have given a list of the newspapers and magazines I am at present
taking. When first starting
out in life, I remember we began taking our county paper which has been
continued ever since, the number being considerably increased, and what
affords me gratification is--they have all been paid for as well as read
(to some extent). So much do
I prize the newspaper, that I have frequently sent some one or other of
our county papers as a present to a friend.
I think it a good, useful present, one sure to be appreciated, and
when renewing my subscriptions to-day I remembered five relatives residing
in as many different States, by ordering sent to them a county paper that
will visit each one fifty-two times a year.
Then leaving $20 in the hands of an editor, to be applied to our
church finances, I returned home with a glad heart.
December 21, 1889--On this (Saturday) evening I went from Meadville
to Saegerstown, also in Crawford County, where I had the pleasure of
stopping with my friend, George Floyd, and on the following Sabbath
forenoon of accompanying him to the Methodist Episcopal Church, where we
heard a good sermon by the pastor, Rev. J. A.
Parsons. In the
afternoon my friend and I drove to Blooming Valley (some six miles
distant), which is also one of Mr. Parsons' appointments, and here we
again heard him proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I then returned home to remain till after Christmas. HOW AND WHERE I SPENT CHRISTMAS, 1889.
I was about to have headed this article "Christmas at
Home," and would have done so had my wife been here to enjoy it with
me; but she is still at home with her parents, whither I expect to return
soon after the holidays, should my business then permit.
In our spare hours and leisure moments we have thoughts and
thoughts, but the most active of them usually come to us in our busiest
moments, when we are employed. And
here I am to-day, thinking of WIFE, HOME, BUSINESS and CHRISTMAS.
Christmas--A year ago I spent a very pleasant Christmas in company
with my brother, George N., among relatives
at Athens, Penn., as related on pages 91 and 92.
Of late years I have frequently been absent from home during
holidays, so, when I do spend a day such as this at home, I am naturally
anxious to make the most of it, and turn it to best account.
There were two Christmas tree entertainments held in Blooming
Valley--two, at least, in which I was interested--one given by the Advent
Church Sunday-school, and the other by the Methodist Episcopal Church
Sunday-school, former of which came off on Christmas Eve, and latter on
the evening of Christmas Day. I
am glad these pleasing entertainments came off separately, for it gave me
an opportunity to attend both. The
programs were very interesting, and Santa Claus was as usual generous and
good to the children. The
large arched or twin Christmas tree at Advent Church was lit up and loaded
with hundreds of gifts for both children and parents.
It looked beautiful, and was attractive to even "children of
an older growth." At the
other church the innumerable Christmas presents were hung up in a sort of
house, which when opened up displayed a truly splendid sight delighting
the eyes of all present, and some one near me I heard exclaim:
"Oh how grand! Isn't
that beautiful?" And
what added so much to the pleasure and enjoyment of the occasion was the
music by the choir and the Blooming Valley Band, still in its infancy,
having been but recently organized. A
vote of thanks was given this band at the close of the entertainment; and
after they had left the building, I said to some of those present:
"Can we not show our appreciation for the band in another way? This thanking people is all right, but it is too cheap. This
is a day of gifts, and there is pleasure in giving.
If the audience will raise $5, I will make the sum $10."
No sooner said than done, and the money was paid over. Then, to the Methodist Episcopal Church Sunday-school I made
another offer. I said that if
the scholars would give $5 for the missionary cause this year, I would add
another $5. I then addressed
myself to the president of the Sunday-school, telling him to raise the
amount by collection, or if he thought better to get his scholars to earn
their money in some way, and I would put $5 into his or the secretary's
hands, which money he could lend to the scholars in sums of five, ten,
fifteen or twenty cents, and if any of them were farmers they could raise
potatoes, corn, beans or any other product such as chickens; or they might
speculate, make an investment, and so earn something for the cause of
missions.
On Christmas morning I wrote till nearly 11 o’clock, when,
remembering my invitation to Miss Jennie Hamilton's
eighteenth birth-day party in Mead Township, I proceeded thither with a
happy heart, for I love the company of both young and old, having found
myself much profited by associating with people of all ages, from the
child to the oldest person I ever met.
The day was warm and lovely, and so spring-like that insects of
many kinds--bees, moths, flies, etc., were out disporting in the sun.
Indeed, we have had but little snow, and scarcely any cold weather;
an open winter so far, and farmers plowing, something unusual here at this
time of the year. Well, Jennie Hamilton's party went off very pleasantly, all
seeming to enjoy themselves heartily, none more so than myself, who also
found pleasure in meeting my neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, who
formerly lived near by on his farm, close to the State Road Church. After presenting Jennie and two other members of the family
with photographs of myself and wife, I bethought me that it would be a
pleasing compliment in the near future to present to Mr. and Mrs.
Hamilton, their children and others present with copies of my second
SOUVENIR. Christmas Day,
though an active, busy one, brought real happiness to me, and I would, if
possible, send out some of its fruit to enrich others--study, think and
plan how to bless the greatest number, and do the most good with the means
within my reach. WANT OR WILL.
I have occupied part of this Christmas Day in writing out in forms,
as best I could, my bequest to my wife and children.
This wish of mine is not born of to-day, though I am only now
writing it out. Whilst, under
a kind and merciful Heavenly Father I have been permitted to enjoy health,
share the companionship of a good wife and possess a comfortable home, I
am not unmindful of my children. I
respect and appreciate the scripture command that parents should "lay
up for their children," and give them their rights whenever they
think the proper time has come to do so.
As my parents' home afforded so muck comfort and real happiness,
and, as I know the value of such, I have always not only wished to have
one of my own, but also that each of my children should be equally well
provided; yet not to be so generous as to rob myself of a home, but, if
possible, make one for each of us, which could be done by a united effort
on the part of both parents and children.
And the reason why I make known this request is--life is uncertain.
I do not propose to here write out my entire will, but I want to
make known (and there can be no harm in having it appear in the SOUVENIR,
where it may be read by my kindred and friends) this part of it, as my
wife and my children already understand it.
My desire is to do right by my children as well as by every one
else, and I have my own peculiar way in accomplishing the work.
Parents are not all alike, neither are children.
I believe no one can understand children better than the parents
who have had the best opportunity of knowing what is best in the end for
them.
My own experience: In
my youth and manhood I have seen times when my love for my parents seemed
to abate, at least for a while, and I thought, for the time, that they did
not care for me, or my welfare. But
I have since learned to know better and become convinced that I was
mistaken. My parents loved me from the day of my birth till the last
hour of their lives. I have
proof of that, so I love my children.
My love as well as my efforts in their behalf are unceasing, and
the problem for study and to solve is how, by the help of the Lord, I may
best help them that they may continue to help themselves.
I will not say that parents are always right, but I think a child
who will not hearken to the advice of parents is not wise, and too often
wrongs himself.
As the years have gone by, and the boys have helped do the farming,
there has been an object in view beyond mere renting, sharing the crops
and living on the farm; and this object has been to have each of my
children improve and keep up his farm, with the view eventually to become
its owner.
Therefore my desire is that each of my sons, Franklin
I. Waid, Guinnip P. Waid and Fred F. Waid, shall have a farm of 100
acres or more, and share alike or equally in the value of the three
hundred acres of land they now occupy.
Also my desire is that Anna E. Waid,
my beloved wife, shall have $3,000 to possess and use as her own funds,
aided or assisted by myself in its use during the natural term of my life.
I wish her to have the interest or income derived from said sum to
be used as she pleases, but hope that the principal may be kept for her
future benefit. My children
know about my business affairs, that I usually keep out of debt, and am
owing but little at present, and that my purpose is to pay as I go.
It is said "the better the day, the better the deed," and
I have chosen this beautiful, bright and hallowed Christmas Day whereon to
write this article. No better
day in all the calendar could I have selected on which to proclaim my
purpose of encouraging those immediately interested, and in the
fulfillment of my request I pray that I may have the cooperation of TRUTH,
HONOR and PRINCIPLE.
December 31--The last day of another year nearer Eternity! Who shall say what the next year may bring forth, or who of
us shall live to see its dying hour?
There are many to whom death has no terrors, and "our piety
must be weak and imperfect if it do not conquer our fear of death."
Last Saturday (December 28) after attending to business in
Meadville, I stayed over night with my relative, with whom and with other
friends in the city I remained until Monday evening following.
On Sunday forenoon, as I was walking up South Main Street, I
stepped into St. Agatha's Church (Catholic), and in the afternoon I
attended the Y. M. C. A. meeting, where I was kindly received, and at the
close of the services asked to address the audience by Mr. Warner, the
gentleman who conducted the afternoon devotions.
I will endeavor to give the reader in brief, though substantially,
what I said on the occasion; I was glad to be present to enjoy the company
of young men, and I spoke to them somewhat in the following language:
"One step nearer home or heaven.
Go where we will or where we may, we find some friend to greet us
on our way. The goodness of the Lord to me all my life, and especially
since my conversion in 1851, has been great.
How wonderfully His goodness and mercy have been continued to
me!" Many more things I
gave expression to, and at the close of my remarks I was kindly thanked by
the presiding officer.
In the evening I attended the Methodist Episcopal Church, where I
heard Dr. C. E. Hall, whom I have loved ever
since I first met him at my aunt Eliza Phillips'
funeral. His text for this
evening, the last Sabbath in the year 1889, was from Heb. viii: 13; Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to
vanish away. He gave a
review of the past year, and urged an examining of ourselves.
Truly Time is more valuable than Gold!
How good it was for me to be there listening to the words of
encouragement that fell from the lips of that warm-hearted Christian
messenger of God!
At the close of the services my heart was made even more glad when
Brother Hall shook hands with me, saying:
"Brother Waid, you helped me;" my brief reply to which
was: "I appreciate your help." I gave but little, a sort of widow's mite, yet, 0 how much I
received! I have no doubt the
Lord abundantly blessed us both; superfluous, then, to help each other.
On the following day, Monday, I sent two of my friends, one a
neighbor, the other a relative, each a receipt for a year's subscription
to the Tribune, Weekly Republican, as a Christmas or New Year's gift.
Also sent two relatives in Jamestown, N. Y., each the Pennsylvania
Farmer. At 2 P. M., same day,
I attended the funeral of David Compton, the
services being held at the Second Presbyterian Church.
He was born in 1810, and was a member of that church over fifty
years. He lived near
Meadville, and I had known him nearly forty years, being regarded by me as
my father's and my own friend.
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