Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-02-03
A Portrait of q lovely Character.
BY REV. CONRAD SPECIE, D. d

From the years 1918 to 1916, Rev.
Conrad Specie, d. D., who was we'll
known as an able and distinguished
Presbyterian minister of this county,
contributed, under the signature of the
"Mountaineer," number of articles to
the Rep ublican Farmer of Staunton,
then published by Mr. Isaac Collect, the
name of which was changed to that of
the Stanton Spectator In 1923, when
Gen. Kenton Harper became its editor
and proprietor.
Among these contributions was the
following, which appeared in the Re-
publican Farmer of June S0th, 1914, and
which we now republish, feeling sure
that it will be read with interest, not
only because of its merits as compost
ton, portraying truly lovely character
but because of the pleasant associations
which it will revive in the memories of
the older people of this county who
knew personally and esteemed highly
the distinguished author. The first ar
ticle in reference to this character ap
peared on the 10th of May, 1914, giving
the circumstances of her death, and was
entitled, 1.-The Death of Emily" These
articles purport to be written by her
husband. They were really written by
DR.. Specie. The following entitled,
1.-The character OF Emily" as before re-
marked, was published June 30th, 1914:
The Character of Emily.
TO THE MoUNTAINEER.
My Dear Friend:
In this letter wish to give you a lit
tie picture of what my Emily was. If|
you think me toierably successful in
drawing the likeness, l know you will
value it; for the original had much of
your friendly regard, as you also had OF
hers. The bright image of her whom L
aim to describe is SO constantly present
to my imagination, whether L am
awake or asleep, that can scarcely say
| am undertaking a work OF memory.
How is it TO be accounted for, that these
melancholy musings upon my lost trea-
sure have an attraction for me beyond
all the cheerful scenes of life which in
vite my participation?
My Emily pos> essed very uncom-
mon share of that kind of beauty which
arrests the eyes of the most superficial,
and induces them to gaze with delight,
aud gaze again. l Was never one OF
those who affect to think personal
beauty u thing of No estimation. No;
| could not contemplate without EN- .
ton the perfect symmetry of Emily's
form har >-iuiJ Hark-hroup ava. 10
complexion, in which the lily and the
| rose sweetly contended for the mastery
her features, where the incest critic
could detect no fault in any one slngIy,
Or in the whole together. l we'll knew,
however, that it was the mind within
which gave to these visible charms much
the greater part OF their power. FIRES
quentIy, and with little concern, | had
seen merely external ,unanimated beau
ty as eXquisitely finished as hers. But
in the first hour that l beheld Emily
Wilson, my heart began to feel impress
sion of admiration and tenderness to
which l had before been entirely a
stranger. Sue appeared to me
." adornd
With all that earth or heaven could bestow
To make her amiabe: i
Grace was in all her steps. heavn in her eye,
IN ev'ry gesture dignity and love-
You may perhaps remember your tell
Ing NE, on the day which made Emily
mine, that, excepting your lamented
Julia, you had never seen so lovely a
woman. When [ mentioned this to her.
she called you u kind and generous
friend for saying it, and i'll the next
breath, with as much sincerity as pos
sibie, disclaimed all title to so high a
compliment.
Emily was not brought up in the fash
ionabIe way of the world for no dane
ing master every had anything to do
i'll the forming of her department. She
was early and often introduced into pu-
iished society, but never joined in the
giddy amusements of ball room Her
education, which was principally con-
Quoted, from its commencement to its
end, by her excellent mother, was far
more solid than snowy. She managed
her domestic affairs with consummate
skill and deXterity. Her mind was
stored with various kinds of useful and
ornamental knowledge, suitable to her
sex and she loved the reading of good
authors dearly, though she never suffer-
ed it to interfere with her incumbent
duties. In her | found not only an af-
fectionate and precious mistress or my
heart, but also u rational, we'll informed
friend ana counsellor. VINO Can COM
pute the amount Of such treasure?
From her personal attractions, the
strength and cultivation of her MUD,
the natural gentieness of her disposition
and the e!egancy OF her manners, my
Emily must have been what the world
calls !. very tiue woman. But for sever
Lot
with her, religion had become the deci-
ded basis of her character, the pure and
sublime religion of the gospel. 1t in
fused its own sacred sprlt into all her
thoughts, feelings, words, and actions.
Her piety was enlightened, ferveut,
constant not Il matter of vain ostenta-
ton, not an occasional ebullitiOn of pas
| sion but steady, comprehensive srin.
| ciple of devotion to God, Accompanied
| with firm, unlimited reliauce upon
| his mercy. Hence that radiauH cheer
| fulness which delighted all her friends,
and WHICH hardly ever suffered a mo-
ment's interruption. And as she deep
iy felt her expressibie obligations to the
! love OF Il crucified Savior, she was. be-
ycnd all other persons whom | ever
| knew, l3wiy il tuind, clothed with the
| CAriatian gaGb of genuine humility.
! Her plety Of God to course inyigorat-
t.. - well is sAnctitied her native be-
nevolence. Her walchfui care to please
me and to make ME happy, a care
which, | trust, was in some good mea-
sure reciprocated on my part, will dwell
in my remembrance forever But her
active kindness was not bounded by her
little domest circle. Always and in
every place size was tenderly cautious
not to give offence by look, word, or
deed, aud DESTROYS to spread innocent
/ pleasure around her. ain her tongue
was the law OF !s:lenessn Like her
heavenly Master, she went about do.
ing good; rejoicing with them that re-
joiced, and weeping with them that
wept." She made it her business to en-
/ ter the humble dwellings of the poor, to
cheer the dropping spirits Of the sick, to
/ administer literally 10 the wants CT the
needy, and TO wipe from the eye CT the
aft icted the tear of sorrow Often "the
/ blessing of them that were ready to per
| ish CAME upon EeF ~ often she caused
the widows heart to sing for JOY" AS
| told you in my former letter, it vas an
! exerti0n Of this ardent benevolence