Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-07-28
Charles Reade's Faith.

CnarleS Heade' Is going the rounds OF
the journals. The writer, DR.. Stanton,
has not read Charles Reade's works ncr
consulted onY educated person as to
their character, yet he describes his re-
liglous opinions, as well as bis manners
and personal appearance, and gives his
own view of certain facts confded 10
him by the Rev. Charles Graham, with
a warning that Mr.. Reade shrank from
newsmongers' notoriety. The worst Of
these violations of private intercourse
is that the purveyor of gossip on such
terms dare not submit his copy for cor.
rection to those whose confidence be has
betrayed and 80 indelicacy breed mac =
curocY. l called upon Mr.. Reade the
other day, land found him deeply griev ed
that the most sacred feeliags Of his
heart should have been wormed out Of
his spiritual adviser in the name ofre-
llglon and adulterated for the purpose
Of trade but though much distressed
at some Of DR.. Stanton's fgments, be
vas very desrous not to disturb the
general impression that he is weaned
from the world and humhly desires to
serve God. This has kept him silent,
but he said he would write me letter
and then leave the matter in my hsndS.
1 have since sreceived the letter In
question:
No. 10 ALoERT GATE, June IA.
Ny Dear Hutton:-I shall indeed be
grateful if you will assist me to correct
just two of DR.. Stanton's errors that
wound me cruelty and can ediiy no.
body.
FIRST. That during the lifetime OF
Mrs.. Seymour 1 held Rationalistic
views and perverted my darling friends
mind with them, and this was, as he
understands, the cause Of my remorse
after her death.
SECOND. That, Sin spite Of this Mr..
Graham was able to assure me she did
not die without Christian hope,'
l. 1 was instructed IN the Christian
veritles from my cradle by my dear
mother, who was saint and a deeply
read theologian. 1 have declared my
faith IN my books many times, and, in
face of that public declaration, DR..
Stanton's statement is really too un.
scrupulous IN itself and the base Of
another calumny; for my deceased
friend, though a less instructed, was a
firm belle yer. She acted the Gospel
more than she talked it; but she could
speak, too. l remember once, when
some skeptical opinions were mooted
before her she said, with q certain ma.
jesty and pow er she could command on
uncommon occasions; And what can
they glye the world 10 make up for the
glorious hope they would rob it of?'
These were her words to the letter:
2. Mrs. Seymour andI were old peo-
pie, you know. During the nineteen
years l lived in the same house with
her she led an innocent life, a self
denying life and a slngularly charitable
life. In the exercise Of this grace ther,
was scarcely h scriptural precept she
did not fulfill to the letter. She was
merciful to all Gods creatures /; she
took the stranger into her house for
months, she cared for the orphan she
visited and nursed the sick; she COM
fOrted the afflicted in mind; she relieved
the poor in various classes Of life, con-
stantly hiding her bounty from Others
and sometimes from Its very Objects
These charities are still continued ou
of her funds and through the influence
Of her example.
God drew her near to Him By Eve
months Of acute suffering. She bore
her agonies (from cancer Of the liver.
with meek resignation, and sorrow iol
me, who was to lose her; but none fol
herself.
Several days before her death she
made q distinct declaration of her faith,
viz: that she relied not on her good ant
charitable works. but Only on th'
merits of her Redeemer. Three days
before her death she pLrttok Of the
Holy Communion with feyy.nt respon'
ses and such an expression OF piout
rapture as 1 never saw on any human
face before. My grief for her is selfish
You know what 1 have lost-a peer
less Ecreature, wise, just and full o
genius, yet devoted to me. She alone
sustained me in the hard battle OF M
life, and now, old and broken, / mus
totter on without her, sick, sad and
lonely.
NV remorse Is for this: have live'
entirely for the world, and so disquiete'
her with my cares, instead Of leadin
her on the path Of peace, and robbed
| God of q saint, though not Of believers
| l did also aflict myself with doubts ol
her eternal welfare, but where there
great affection there is always grea
solicitude. Bereaved Christians tor
ment themselves with this eedei
anxiety moro than bereayed nationals
lists do. Mr.. &. Graham, when b
knew the particulars Of her life AM
death, never shared my anxicties. ID
removed them entirely. That livln'
evangelist showed me my doubts were
in reality, doubts Of Gods goodnes
and wisdom and OF His special prom
! ises. But the words OF Mr.. Stantol
has put into his mouth deny the fait
od ,onore tha charity OF her Who'll