The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-11-04
Col. Chas. Il. Lewis.

Col. Chas. Fl. Lewis, recent minister to
Portugal, has returned to his home, in Rock
ingham county. The following testimonials
to the efforts of Mr.. Lewis. while officially res
ident at Lisbon, i'll behalf of Religious Liber.
ty. and the high regard in which he was herf
by the people of Portugal. will be read witt.
pleasure by his friends in Virgnia:
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN PORTUGAL.
o. Porto, March 18th, 1875,
To COL Lewis.
u. 5. Minister at the Court of Porlaqal.
Sir:-flearing that YOU ars about TO lcav.
this country. we desire to pay parting .rib-
ute to the valuable services YOU have rendered
to tue cause OF religious liberty in PORTUGAL
ana, IN particular. to the community which
processes Protestant principles in this city.
At time when Evangelical agencies were
nnder the pastoral leadership of an American
cis'zen' ltiie Kew. A. De Mattos., end,avorne
10 CONFER upon the North of Portugal tho
priceless boon OF pure Gospel. and their ef-
forts were opposed by Il fanatieal and violent
1actlon' VINO, forgetful of the rights granted
DIV our constitution, enGeavored to crush th,,
work oy force, you responded acih prom ptuess
and energy to the appeal which was made ts,
you, and by your representation of the case to
HIS Ala!esty's Ministers. elected an immediate
ana satisfactory response. To Your action in
TINS 'nalter' we attribute, under God, the lfb-
erty which we how enjoy as community. and
whicii not only secures to us the privilege of
unmoiested meeting. but also recoonition Of
our ecctes'astac0t status. We, therefore, in thu,
name OF the Portuguese Methodist Church. In
the city OF " Porto. desire gratefully to ac-
knowledge the obligations under which we
have been laid by your conduct, and TO ex-
press our hope that the blessing of God may
ever follow you. and that you may abunt dainty
prove that, if the cup of cold water Offered i,
the name of disciple cannot pass unrecordcd
in the Court of Heaven, the services yo., lave
rendered to the cause of the Gospel shall in
no wise lose their rewards
We remain sir, with sincere good wishes,
your humble an obedicnt servants,
Signed by RoBT. Fl. NORTON, Minister.
and the Leaders and Stewards of tho
Portuguese Methodist Church in O. Porto.
From the o. Porto formal de Commercio.
June 29th, 1875.
TRANSLATION
Among the passengers for SOUTHAMPTON. ON
board the steamship "Mondego," which sailed
from Lisbon, on the 9th inst, was His Ex'c,v.
Chas. ii. Lewis. who has been Minister of rho.
United States at this Court for more than five
years. Dir. Lewis returns to the country he
with so much discretion and mr.
banlty here. with the sincere regard and kind
wishes OF RI whose good fortune it was to
know this accomplished gentleman. One of
the traits of Mr.. Lewis character that en-
dearcd him to our people. is his kindness of
heart. Under grave and pensivc expression of
and manners reserved and SEEM
ing cold. there beats a warm and genial heart
full OF Kind feeling for all. and of sympathy
for the suffering and afflicted, whose wants hu
was ever ready to relieve tn th, u+ooct - III,
means. This is attested, no: only bv the per
sonages OF the highest position in the King
dom. and the charitable associations of lis
bon and Cintra. but by all classes of our citi-
zens, among whom lie was Il general favorite.
Many and devout, are the prayers that God
will bless the s'Good American Minister with
q long and happy old age.