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Alverson, Margaret Blake, 1836-1923

"Sixty Years of California Song"

Truly all the
heroes do not face the cannon's mouth. It requires bravery beyond
conception to do this last mission for those we love and esteem. I
realized for a moment the difficult task and during the reading of the
scriptures the battle was raging within me. When the moment came and
the organ began the prelude, I arose as in a dream, and casting my
eyes away from the beloved form, I began in a low voice the beautiful
song (by Felix Marti) "By the River." As I sang I forgot all earthly
sorrow and directed my thought above the earthly home into the blue
vault of Heaven and I followed the young spirit into the everlasting
gates of pearl and left her there.
Safe in the Arms of Jesus,
Safe on his gentle breast,
There by his love o'ershadowed
Sweetly her soul shall rest.
[Illustration:
Dolores Bradley
Geneva Griswold
Geo. Jackson
Blanche Kroh
Leslie E. Woodworth
Peter Ramsey
Maud Gerrior
Alice Davies
Edw. H. Sanford
PUPILS, 1908-1912]

BERTHA GRACE HUNTER
The last and fifth string of my musical lute became silent and was
hushed forever when my sweet friend and pupil passed beyond into the
unknown home not made with hands of mortals. Miss Bertha Grace Hunter
was born in Liverpool, England, and in 1889 came to America and then
to San Francisco with her parents, later removing to Oakland. She had
studied the piano in England and played well. In 1893 she decided to
take up music as a profession.


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