20 1900 [Note: the following entry was not included in the notes: Martha comments on the new century:] “This is the first time I have written 1900 in this book. Since yesterday, we have passed into a new year–and into a new century. How much the century that is gone effects every one of us. Many whose lifes have been interwoven into ours have past from off this earth. We can ask our selves what shall this twentieth century bring to us or even this year bring to us? Let us not wait for the answer but let us seek refuge ‘under the shadow of Him who is the Almighty.’ Ever looking and waiting for His leading and guiding through the years–and with such a leader we know our pathway will ‘grow brighter and brighter’– even ‘unto the perfect day.’” In 1900–ages of James and Martha McMillan family: James 66 - Martha 56 - daughter Fannie (Francis) 32 - son Fred 30 - son Harlan 28 - son Homer 26 - daughter Clara 24 - son Clayton 20 - son Jason 18 - and son Paul 10. Martha lists where here children are: Fannie married to the Rev. Thomas MacKenzie with their 2 sons, Donald & Malcolm live inn Port Jarvis, N.Y> Fred has been named commercial agent for the Wabash Railroad and lives in Des Moines, Ia. Harlan in Springfield, O. with the Carson Wholesale Groceries. Clara at home until August when she went to Des Moines with brother Fred and entered Drake College in Sept. Homer was at Brunswick, N. J. Seminary where he graduated in May. In June married Mary Kitchen (from Selma area), then they went to their first pastorate at Bogata, N.Y. Clayton and Jason attend Cedarville College in Winter and Spring. Jason attends again in Sept. 1900–but Clayton remains on the farm. Paul is in the grades at McMillan School.. The pages which tell of these events: Homer’s marriage to Mary Kitchen on page 139. [Note: the entry below was not included in the notes] 12 June. Tuesday. A beautiful day indeed. Mr. Mc and Homer were taken to Cedarville to the early train by Clayton for Columbus. This was the morning of his wedding. He and Mary Kitchen were married by [blank] at her brothers Dr. ?–and left on the through train for Bogota, N.Y. It has been a day of days to me. What my experience has been and was, has not been written. It was a sad farewell–yet happy farewell when I parted with Homer. In spite of all I can not but regret to day I was not at the wedding with Mr. Mc and Clara. I wonder if I was really guided–if I thought I had been I would be satisfied. I remember reading that we go on in our life, all of us, not conscious of any constraint upon us, or any directing of our steps, our wills being free; yet we are walking evermore in paths marked out in the divine plan for our life. To get away from this feeling of sadness and regret I went to town–I took dinner with Aunt Mary at Aunt Bells–and this afternoon Aunt Bell and I helped her close her house and we took her up to the train in the mean time however we attended the funeral service of Mr Crawford Stormont at Dr. Martins at one o’clock.... Jason and Paul went to the half past eight train to Ced–and brought their father out.... When Mr. Mc brought the flowers and box of wedding cake–my tears flowed freely when I remembered most keenly ‘that lost of ? have no resurrection.’ I am so sad that I must turn away from my self–to where comfort is found–after all my disappointment I can only blame my self.” Pages 152-159 are kept by Clara for her mother Martha who with her husband James went to visit Fred in Kansas City June 29 to July 10. [Martha’s account of this visit is located in the back of the diary]
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