THE
Aldens and Rogers were neighbors, both descendants of
the early settlers of New England. Their forebears
had fled from religious persecution that
persisted in England and the Continent,
and found a place on the American
Continent where they might exercise freedom
of conscience, freedom of speech, and
freedom to worship ALMIGHTY GOD according
to the dictates of their own conscience.
Joseph Alden was educated for
the law, at which he practiced for a
time. Having a strong yearning for the
freedom of the wide-open country, he emigrated
west, where he became a large landowner. He
farmed, and his
herds and flocks were numerous. His wife
was mentally brilliant, physically strong, and
a real helpmate. They builded a home in the
West and left the latchstring on the outside,
and that home became a place of rest
and genuine hospitality. Their eldest son
they named John, probably having in mind
the meaning of his name.
David
Rogers, with his young wife Lois, had
located in the neighborhood of the Al-
dens. Rogers had acquired a tract of
land in that vicinity and decided to leave
his busi- ness in the East and become a
farmer in the West, where his children
might be reared to a better advantage.
His wife Lois was a teacher and was
well equipped to train their children.
Among their five children was a daughter
named Eunice, next to the young- est.
Of the five children there were three
boys and two girls. It was a
well-trained and happy family.
The
Alden and Rogers families not only were
neighbors but became fast friends. Their
children played together and attend- ed
school together, and visited frequently at
each other’s homes. Both families were Christians,
as that term is generally under- stood,
but they were not bound by any de-
nominational church ties. The elders of the
family had observed so much formalism and
hypocrisy in the church denominations that
they were glad to rear their children
free from such influence. They believed in
Godand Christ Jesus, and they had a
sincere desire to bring up their children
“in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord”.- Ephesians 6 : 4.
That
obligation they attempted to shoul- der and
bear faithfully. The parents in- structed
their children in their respective homes,
and at stated times the two fami-
lies met together and with their children
participated in a study of the Bible
and en- deavored to instill in the
young minds the fear of God and a
devotion to Him. They frequently, together, joined
in the prayer which Jesus had taught
his disciples: �Thy kingdom come; thy will
be done on earth as in heaven.’
(Matthew 6: 10) The children of the
two families were examples for good to
other children who attended the day schools.
John
Alden had reached the age of six-
teen years. Eunice Rogers was fourteen years
of age. Both had completed the study
course in the country public school. They
must receive further education. John was
sent away to college. Eunice entered
a sem- inary for young ladies. A
four-year course of study had been planned
for each one of them. Meeting together
on a Sunday after- noon just preceding
their departure for their respective places
of education John said to Eunice: “We
shall see little of each other for
the next four years, but we shall not
forget each other. I shall endeavor to
make good use of the time to
improve mymind as well as my body,
and I know that you will do likewise.
I shall look forward to seeing you at
vacation times”; to all of which Eunice
agreed.