I would not interfere with any one’s religion, either to strengthen it
or to weaken it. I am not able to believe one’s religion can affect his
hereafter one way or the other, no matter what that religion may be. But
it may easily be a great comfort to him in this life—hence it is a
valuable possession to him.
_FROM_ “THE DEATH OF JEAN”
(1909)
It is the time appointed. The funeral has begun. Four hundred miles
away, but I can see it all, just as if I were there. The scene is the
library in the Langdon homestead. Jean’s coffin stands where her mother
and I stood, forty years ago, and were married; and where Susy’s coffin
stood thirteen years ago; where her mother’s stood five years and a half
ago; and where mine will stand, after a little time.
_FROM_ “ONE OF HIS LATEST MEMORANDA”
(1909)