Family History

January 1st—Wednesday

Josie left with the children and Miss Bie, for her home in Philadelphia, yesterday. Wonderful, to know that we have now entered a new century. We have witnessed its entry, but shall never see its departure, Only the memories and history remain of the old, but who can foretell anything of the new? It stands before us as a vast impenetrable mist. What unlooked for events and happenings will take shape in the future, and emerge into view?

"Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom, Lead thou me on;
The night is dark, and I am far from home; Lead thou me on.
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou shoudst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see,my path, but now Lead thou me on;
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.

So long thy power hath blest me, sure it still Will lead me on,
O’er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till The night is gone;
And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile."

by John Henry Newman

Service in our Norwegian church this forenoon, but having come home late from Wake Meeting, we slept a little longer than usual, and thus did not go. John, Alfred and I took a walk late in the forenoon, and stopped in to see the Hansens on 60th St. and greeted them. Andrew called in the afternoon.

Novello, New York,sent me notice of an Organ Recital to be given this evening at St. Bartholomew’s Church, New York, by Edwin H. Lemare of London, England. Late in the afternoon, I called at Lees’, 78th St. and invited “the old man” to the recital. He felt indisposed, but Anna came along. Poor girl! She had been waiting all afternoon for me, and yet tried to concentrate on her high school lessons, which must have been difficult.

The organ recital was exceptionally fine, and indeed the organ music, which thrilled me again and again, was heavenly. But could the music be anything but beautiful with the Angel of my love at my side? We came just a little while before the program was to start, but all seats appeared to be taken, and people were standing in the back. Happily, one of the ushers, Mr. Ives, spied me, whom he knew, and very courteously beckoned for us to come up front, which we did. There we got a lovely seat in the immediate neighborhood of many distinguished organists— Woodman, Morse and many others.

My dear friend, let me put down for the humor of it; having been up so very late last night, and studied during the day, was naturally a little tired. As the rich strains of Bach’s 1) minor Toccata and Fugue rang out, to the immense enjoyment of us all, her head became a little unsteady and began gently to bend forward, as if in an effort to better listen—How it carries her away, I thought. But presently it was raised again only to gently descend a few times more. My beloved darling had slept at my side! My sweet friend how I do love you!