Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-04-05
OnginaIlsiter from Lord Byron, on Chris
tidnitu.

The lady OF Mr.. John Shepherd, Of
Frome, having died some time ago,
leaving amongst her papers prayer
which her husband believed to have
been composed on behalf Of the noble
Poet, Mr.. Shepherd addressed it to his
lordship; and the admirers Of the Poet
will, we believe, be as much grati6ed
with his reply, as the friends Of Chris
tianity with the address which called
it forth.
TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD DYRoS.-rIsA.
Prone, Somerset, Aov. 81, 1891
More than two years since, lovely
and beloved wife was taken from me,
by lingering disease, after very short
union. She possessed unvaryiug gen.
tleness and fortitude, and piety so re-
firing as rarely to disclose itself in
words, but so influential, as to produce
uniform benevolence of conduct, in the
last hour of life, after farewell look
on a lately born and only infant, for
whom she had even inexpressible affec-
ton, her last whispers were; "God's
happiness! Gods happiness!" Since
the second anniversary of her disease,
have read some papers which no one
had seen during her life, and which
contain her most secret thoughts. l
am induced to communicate to your
Lordship passage from these papers,
which, there is ne doubt, refers to your
self, as / have more than once heard
the writer mention your agility on the
rocks of Hastings:-
ooh! my God, 1 take encouragement
from the assurance Of Thy word, to
pray 10 Thee in behalf Of one for whom
| have lately been much Interested
May the person to whom ! allude (and
who is now, we fear, as much distin-
guished for his neglect of Thee, as for
the transcendent talents Thou has be-
slowed on him be awakened to sense
of his own danger, and led to seek that
peace Of mind in proper sense Of re-
ligion, which he has found this worlds
enjoyments unable to procure! Do
thou grant that his future example may
be productive Of far more extensive
benefit than his past conduct and writ
ings have been of evil; and may the Sun
of Righteousness, which, we trust, will,
at some future period, arise on him, be
bright in proportion to the darkness
of those clouds which guilt has raised,
and soothing in proportion to the keen
ness Of that agaony which the punish
ment Of his vices has inflicted on him!
May the hope that the sincerity of my
own efforts for the attainment of holi-
ness, and the approval of my own love
10 the great author Of religion will rem
der this prayer, and every other for the
welfare of mankind, more efficacious-
cheer me in the path of duty; but let
me not forget, that, while We are per-
mitted to animate ourselves to exertion
by every innocent motive, these are but
the lesser streams which may serve to
increase the current, but which depriv-
ed Of the grand fountain of good "a
deep conviction Of Unborn sin and firm
belief in the efficacy of Christ's death
for the salvation of those who trust in
him, and really seek to serve him),
would soon dry up, and leave US as bar
rem of every virtue as before.
"Hasfings, July 81, 1914"
There is nothing, my lord, in this
extract, which, in literary sense, can
at all interest you, but it may perhaps,
appear to you worthy Of reflection,
how deep and expansive a concern for
the happiness of others a Christian
faith can awaken in the midst Of youth
and prosperity. Here is nothing poet.
ical and splendid, as in the expostulato-
ry homage OF M. Delamartine but
here is the sublime, my lord for this |
intercession was offered, on your &C
count, to the Supreme Source of Hap
piness. 1t sprang from a faith more
confirmed than that of the French poet,
and from charity, which, in comb
nation with faith, showed its power
unimpaired amidst the languors and
pains of approaching dissolution. l
will hope that prayer, which am
sure was deeply sincere, may not be al
ways unavailing.
1t would add nothing, my lord, to the |
fame with which your genius has sur
rounded you, for an unknown and OBJ
scure individual to express his admit
ration oft. had rather be numbered
with those who wish and pray, that
wisdom from above and peace, and |
sjoy,' may enter such mind.
ANSWER.
Piso, Dec. 8, 1921.
S1R-I have received your letter. l
need not say, that the extract which it
contains has affected me, because it
would imply a want of all feeling 10
have read it with indifference. Though
/ am not quite sure that it was intend.
ed by the writer for me, yet the date,
the place where it was written, with
some other circumstances which you
mention, render the allusion probable
But, for whomsoever it was meant, l
have read it with all the pleasure which