Page:Tributes to Helen Bell, Woman's Progress, April 1895.djvu/8

Rh for us to do. How, while she was chairman of the Building Fund, the money seemed to come in as if by magic! How human was her interest in the evening classes, as shown by the cheery and interesting reports she brought us! How unobtrusively she went about the house, quietly looking after its wants!

"Not as though she were doing an important work has she been among us, but 'as a sweet presence of a good diffused,' and all the while, although her face was 'bright with something of angelic light,' we entertained her as if she would always be one of us."

Again, at her very doors, 1112 Girard street, originated another association whose membership now equals in numbers that of the Guild. A few members of the New Century Club met certain afternoons in the club parlor under the leadership of Miss Bennett, now of Ogontz, for the purpose of studying the poetical works of Robert Browning. Owing to many duties as principal of Ogontz, Miss Bennett resigned the leadership and was succeeded by Miss Mary Cohen.

The informal, conversational discussions of this little class attracted Helen Bell, and after a few years the Browning Society with its greatly increased membership held evening meetings at the club rooms, 1520 Chestnut street, and Helen Bell took a large and discriminating interest in the readings, discussions, and arrangement of the programs. Her reading of Browning's poems was very beautiful, and her clear voice and sympathetic rendering of them added much to the enjoyment of the members. In 1891, she was elected President, and fulfilled the duties of that office during four years, with remarkable tact, justice, grace and dignity. Of the crowds who came from all parts of the city to find pleasure and profit in the Browning Society meetings, no one enjoyed the society of literary men and women, no one had finer appreciation of the beautiful than the presiding officer. Nevertheless what she sought was the improvement and progress of the society far more than her own enjoyment. In the papers read at the In Memoriam, the Browning Society have beautifully expressed their mourning for their loss, and their appreciation of her valued services.

Fond of the study of languages, she commenced with Latin and French at Miss Longstreth's, which, with German, were pursued to the end of her days. During two winters the Hebrew language was studied at the University of Pennsylvania. Most freely were they used for others. At Bethany, the French was used in instructing a Bible class of French girls—and the German was mainly for the beloved German class.

Having found a friend, who like herself was seeking a companion in unraveling the mysteries of the masterpiece of German Literature, the second part of Faust, she received and gave unspeakable pleasure during the winter evenings of two winters devoted to Goethe.

Of the Fortnightly, a literary club of twenty-five, meeting at private houses of the members, she was a beloved member, always