30 The farm and household activities go on routinely. They do not have a yet–seem to use a carriage with 2 horses. October 23. Martha and James plan to move into Cedarville to Mary Murdock’s for the winter. November 16. Martha writes “Clayton and Edith received a son into their family–his name John Rankin” (after Edith’s father) and he will be called Rankin. [Note: John Rankin MacMillan is the author of these notes] December 11. She writes that Clayton and Edith brought Rankin into town to see them; she was happy to see such a bright boy! December 30. Rankin was left with her as Clayton and Edith visited Prof. McChesney’s. 1912 As the year 1912 began Martha and James were staying in Cedarville with Mary Murdock. As Martha says she didn’t realize till the evening of the New Years day that the old year was really gone. January 9. Martha said she felt better, the distressing pain had quieted and she could turn in bed and have peace. She adds that Mr. Mc (James) is in bed most of the day. January 21. She is helped downstairs–she says she is gradually trying to get back to her old life–before she was sick; she also tells that Mrs. McChesney sent in a lovely dinner. January 26. Clayton takes hogs to market. There she says–Clayton has come out on the right side and took the 10th of his money and placed it on his acc’t book for the Lord. February 7. One of Clayton’s horses fell on the ice and broke its neck. April 19. Clayton and Edith take John Rankin to church to be baptized. May 3. She mentions friends who went to Cedar Day at the College; says they report the exercises were fine; had a dinner in Alford Memorial [Gymnasium] May 18. She reports that Clayton buys an automobile–and says it will be a new experience for Clayton. [Martha makes no reference to the company name of the auto] May 24. Reports first trouble with the automobile. June 3. The automobile gets repaired. June 7. More automobile trouble–then tire trouble–then ran out of gas! June 19. Car has been used several times all O.K.–this day had “lamps” put on. (Many entries during summer on car–and its troubles) (Many times she notes that Mr. Mc spends the day on the “rester” –a couch) October 8. Martha’s entry begins saying it’s a nice day–and reports all the activities. Then in the evening a change came over father (James) breath so short; evident a change was near. At nine o’clock he peacefully passed away. (read her comments–page 226-227) [Note: the following entry was not included in the notes] “This evening a change came very suddenly to father–breath so short and quick–it was evident a change was near. He peacefully passed away near nine o’clock. Death never appeared to me as it did tonight–you could almost see this world receding and the other world so near that it seemed but a step across. As he neared the end we all noticed the peace and calmness that came over his face. O the nothingness of the honors and glory of this world when we come to meet death. What do the dying need: Only Jesus–only Jesus. ‘For he can make the dying bed seem soft as downey pillows are. While on his breast I lay my head and breath my life out sweetly then.’ Let us take Jesus for our all and all and live to help others to find him. Father has
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