Letters of Condolence on death of Jane Stanford, 1905

{preprinted: "UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.

J. CULVER HARTZELL, PH.D., MUNICH PROFESSOR OF GEOLOGY

RESIDENCE THE ALAMEDA, 1755"}

22 Nov. 1905.

Mr. Charles Gaylord Lathrop, Stanford University, California.

Dear Sir -

I have the honor of sending you a copy of the resolutions adopted by the faculty of this institution on the death of Mrs. Jane Lathrop Stanford.

Respectfully,

J. Culver Hartzell Chairman, Committee.

March 2nd, 1905.

My Dear Charles:

Have the following telegram from Mr. Stubbs, at Chicago: "Please communicate to Mr. Charles G. Lathrop the following, 'I and Mrs. Stubbs tender our deepest sympathy and wish to express great sorrow upon learning of the death of Mrs. Stanford. She was a noble woman, and her memory will live after those who have had the honor and delight of knowing her have passed away." '

Permit me, also, to express the sympathy I feel for the great loss which not only the family, but which all of us, have sustained.

Very sincerely, [signature]

To-

Mr. Charles. G. Lathrop, Crocker Bldg, City.

[stamp] Leland Stanford Jr. University Mar 3. 1905 Branch Office S.F.

{in a second hand: J.B.H.}

THE PLAINT OF PALLACE.

Sic transit gloria mundi. Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Jane L. Stanford. Respectfully inscribed to David Starr Jordan L.L.D., President of Leland Stanford University, March, 1905.

As when the golden sun full orbed and bright, sinks through the fleecy fold at close of day, His shield The mirror that reflects the light, Which shines from Heaven's inaffable array; Slow down his course He wends his silent way, painting in safron hues His flight of years: When sudden, as if to mar His features gay, at'wart His course a lowering cloud appears: And day, as if distress't, goes out enrobed in tears.

Such is the picture that the muse unveils, of one whose heart was wed to learning's cause; Whose prosper'd life no idle tongue assails, because 'twas spent in teaching wisdom's laws. From thee, good mistress, my sorrowing pencil draws no vulgar theme; nor idle pen shall state, Nor gaudy rhyme nor all the gloss of art shall prompt my muse thy goddess to relate; 'Tis sorrow bids me sing - grief for thy untimely fate.

But why so pensive, when the eternal Will Hath chosen to call thee to a fairer land? Why weeps the muses when thy voice is still, Or circling round thy bier in sorrow stand? Didst thou not hearken to thy God's command And willingly His fiat trump obey? --Then why the tears of this devoted band Since thou art sleeping in this hallow'd clay. Tis for thy loss we grieve - because thou wentst away.

But thou shalt live as heroes of the past, Whose names are graven on the scroll of fame; Thy worthy deeds shall like the morning last, Reflecting honour on thy spotless name. Thus when Narcissas to the fountain came Ardent t'embrace th' phantom shade, But death surprised him ere the pending shame, And of his blood a fragrant blossom made: So thou hast left behind, a bloom that will not fade.

Then Join ye Sisters of the sacred choir, 'Tis chaste Athena commands the strain; Regail thy Harps with learning's Hallowed fire, Thy tribute due is not in vain. 'Twill wake the slumbering soul again, And haply prompt the lagging mind, Or rouse the spirit of neglected gain To lessen the burden of all mankind; And thus a pleasant way to Heaven find.

(u)- A SOLITARY WAY -(/u)

"There is a mystery in human hearts And though we be encircled by a host Of those who love us well, and are beloved, To every one of us from time to time, There comes a sense of utter loneliness. Our dearest frind is "stranger" to our joy, And cannot realize our bitterness.

"There is no one who really understands, Not one to enter into all I feel;" Such is the cry of each of us in turn. We wander in "a solitary way", No matter what or where our lot may be; Each heart, mysterious even to itself, Must live its inner life in solitude.

"And would you know the reason why this is? It is because the Lord desires our love, In every heart He wishes to be (u)first(/u). He therefore keeps the secret key Himself, To open (u)all(/u) its chambers, and to bless With (u)perfect(/u) sympathy, and holy peace, Each solitary soul which comes to Him.

"So when we feel this loneliness, it is The voice of Jesus saying, "Come to me", And ecery time we are "not understood", It is a call to us to come again, For Christ alone can satisfy the soul, And those who walk with Him from day to day Can never have "a solitary way."

"And when beneath some heavy cross you faint, And say, "Icannot bear this load alone." You say the truth. Christ mde it, purposely, So heavy that you must return to Him. The bitter grief, which "no one understands", Conveys a secret message from the King, Entreating you to come to Him again.

"The Man of Sorrows understands it well, In (u)all(/u) points tempted He can feel with you, You cannot come too often, or too near. The Son of God is infinite in grace, His presence satisfies the longing soul, And those who walk with Him from day to day, Can never have 'a solitary way'."

A Solution to Life's "Problem". If God wants it. I do.