Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-05-17
For the SPECTATOR.
Poetic Gleanings.
SECOND PAPER.

MIS- tnaiy 1Le"iS. In former years 81
contributed very frequently to th
SPECTATOR, and long before the write
learned who Meta" was, he becam
interested in her verses, and was i'm
pressed with their style and spirit.
When one reviews Metals modest an
beautiful literary work, many charmin
scenes pass before the minds eye
Most of her life was spent amid the pic
turesque and isolated scenery that make
ROsemOnt one of the most rOmanti
homes in East Augusta.
Her veuerated father, Dr. Franc1
Mcfarland, possessed one of the larges
and most miscellaneous private Libraries
ever collected by any of our country
| pastors, so far as your correspondent
acquaintance extends.
Her early home memories abound in
useful "reminiscences of sainted minis
ters like DR. Hendren, Rev. James Nor
ris0n, and VIM. S. White, D. D., along
with many of the most esteemed anC
useful of living persons. The visits o.
many of these pure and gifted ministers
were sometimes prolonged for days. and
were episodes of religious, social, and
literary enjoyment, in which the moth.
er and daughters were welcome and in.
terested parties.
Much Of Metals best education was
acquired in her fathers study. 1t would
be interesting to inquire to what extent
the country, and especially the Valley
of Virginia, is indebted for its best lit
erary influences to the retired chambers
devoted to books and study, where pa
rental pastors have superintended the
early education of their children, and
the children of their friends and neigh.
bors. The result would be astonishing,
and would lead every community to de-
sire the presence of a settled and teach
ing ministry among them.
Heart Echoes" is the only volume
that Mrs. Lewis has as yet published
This beautiful book was highly compli-
mented by the press, and has found it's
modest way to numerous homes, where
in for long years to come it will be cher
ished as precious heart-treasure.
Many of her poems have been culled
from the weekly journals, and are pre-
served on the blank leaves of the family
Bible, album, or scrap book, and will
ever repeat In choice words the tender
and pathetic incidents they were in
tended to keep III memory.
Her own words tell with exquisite
propriety how she came to write Heart
Echoes ~
sat midnight hour,
When sleep forsook my couch, and anxious fear
Pressed sore on my worn heart, l sought to
soothe
And calm my troubled thoughts; and then
wrote,
And aimed to clothe in simple rhyme my griefs
And thoughts, that cheered in sorrows lonely
hour
To her charming home, nestled among
vines and roses on the sunny slopes of
Rosemont, now and then q newspaper
or letter would come, telling in artless
words of some touching incident. A
brother has come home to die soldier
dying in the hospital; a child saved from
sudden death by clinging to rock or
two aged ministers of Jesus taking
leave of each other TO meet no more on
earth, are the themes of sweet and pure
verse.
when others came and told of stricken homes
And bleeding hearts, and walked my sympathy,
Again l wrote, and sought in varied verse
To tell their tale Of woe; to wreathe around
Each touching story some sweet gospel truth,
That might ailay the pain and soothe the
wound
AS to the motives that prompted Mrs,
Lewis to send forth her book, the tIuest
explanation is found in these very beau
tiful words:
81 sought not praise, yet if the world accord,
l gratefully accept, and freely own
That praise is precious when our W rk is done,
Yet. ii With my heart of carts there breathes
One wish more cherished than ali else, it's this,
That 1 might comfort those who weep and
mourn"
This selection made for this article is
very precious to your correspondent,
because it illustrates so truthfuiiy how
the religion preached by our Virginia
ministers sustains and comforts the
heart at the moment of final separation,
when brethren clasp parting hands on
the confines Of the unseen world.
"Oh, to be found in Christ"
This was much loved and oft-re
peated expression of the Rev. James
Morrison, of New Providence church,
Lexington Presbytery, Virginia. Upon
one occasion he was visiting Rev. DIR.
Mcfarland, to whom he had been long
ana most tenderiy attached. The time
was spent in sweet Christian converse
but the hour came when they must say
farewell, as both knew, to meet no more
till eternity's dawn. Andas they stood
with clasped hands gazing earnestly in
each others face, the tears streaming
down their aged cheeks, Mr.. Morrison
spoke these touching parting words :
"Oh, to be found in Christ-in Christ" "
Oh, to be found in Christ!
When passing thro' this dreary wilderness,
When 81 full thoughts my weary heart oppress,
And daily warderings my soul distress,
would be found Ia Christ.
Oh to be found IL Christ!
When burdened with the weight of earth-born
cares,
When anxious thought each day my spirit
wears,
And dark forebodings fill my heart with fears
would be found in Christ.
Oh, to be found in Christ!
When deep affiiction rends inmost sui,
When the dark waves of sorrow o'er re roll,
And 5riefs fierce tempests seem without con-
troll,
would be found in Christ.
Oh, to be found in Christ
When in the presence OF the King stand,
When all the ransomed -7ait at His right hand
tried and faithful, yea chosen band,
May be found in Christ
Oh, to be found in Christ!
Close folded in the arms of His dear love,
Kept by His hand till I shall rest above,
Safe safe in Christ, never more shall rove.
Oh TO be found in Christi
Oh to be found in Christi
In Him whose blood can wash away each stain
Whose love can soothe my spirits deepest
pain,
Who died that l eternal life may gain,
May l be found in Christi
Heart Echoes, p. Al.
1t is q tenderly beautiful work Mrs
Lewis has already performed in her la
bor of love, and we may hope there il
more of such to follow. There wOulC
be new lustre to gladden. soTrowfu
homes were all to feel as this stanZs
reads:
There is a work for me to do,
| To cheer fhe weary heart,
To soothe the smitten, and to grief
Some kindly words impart,
To seek where wants and suffering dwell,
| To share what God has given,
| TO feed the hungry, and to point
Some anxious soul to Heaven.