102 
HELEN ABBOTT MICHAEL 
self realized that her case was very critical, and prepared for 
the worst. After a long and trying illness which was vainly 
ameliorated by a summer spent in Dublin, New Hampshire, 
she passed away in Boston on the twenty-ninth of Novem¬ 
ber, 1904. The funeral took place in Philadelphia on the 2d 
of December, and she was laid to rest in Laurel Hill Ceme¬ 
tery. At the funeral service, one who had been for some years 
a friend of her family spoke a few heartfelt words which may 
be echoed here: — 
“ We cannot help recalling the universality of her personal¬ 
ity and its many-formed expression, of her wide sympathies 
and appreciations. We must realize that as, after all, humanity 
is the essence of religion, she was deeply religious. We must 
mention the many polished facets of her jewel-like mind, and 
how she won distinction in music, languages, expression, 
both prose and poetic, in scientific research, and finally, even 
in the few months of her active practice, in medicine. We 
are certain that medicine, being both subjective and objective, 
and bringing her into ever closer touch with humanity and its 
needs, spiritual and physical, was her final and most fitting 
expression.” 
He remembered her loving kindness to all who came into 
contact with her, in whatever capacity, and her respect for 
their individuality. 
A paraphrase of her own brief “memorial paper” to the 
memory of Dr. Brinton, published in the “ Conservator ” of 
September, 1899, might fittingly characterize Dr. Michael’s 
relations to others: — 
“ Her influence in stimulating the younger minds of her ac¬ 
quaintance to more active growth was one of her pronounced 
characteristics. An hour spent in her presence enabled those 
so favored to carry away the germs of many a fresh thought 
and inspiration. To the few who possessed the key to unlock 
the inner storehouse of Dr. Michael’s mentality was revealed 
a treasure-house of richness not to be forgotten.” 
These words will be appreciated by the circle of those who 
used to gather at her house or elsewhere and discuss every 
imaginable topic of religion, philosophy, poetry, art, science, 
