The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-03-15
Glimpses Into the Life OF a Great
Man.

tatl0nS. His progress was rapid, his
industry interchangeable, his record a:
scholar most brilliant. Some time
after he had been in the college pro-
ject which his patrons had in regard
to his entering the ministry was dis
closed to him, but feeling that he was
not adapted for the pulpit, he declined
to enter upon religious studies. Al
the same time he pledged himself tC
repay the money which his kind
friends had expended for his educa,
ton. Subsequently he did so to the
last penny.
On the first Monday in August
1882, still a child in stature, but with
well-stOred mind, a bright intellect
shining through almost supernatural.
ly brilliant black eyeS-eyeS set in d
face which had never known and
would never know the blush of health
he graduated, taking with him the
highest honOrs of his class. His high
standing won him much renown in
the college town, and his immediate
pecuniary neceSsitieS-he was almost
without a penny in the world were
relieved by an offer which he received
and accepeed, to teach high school
at Madison, in his native state. He
taught for four months-four months
the happiest and yet the saddest peri
cd in his life-four months, during
which there came to him a sorrow
which he took to his grave.
AMONG HIS PUPILS
Was a girl of great beauty and gen.
tlenesS. With all the sincerity and
earnestneSs of a passionate al d re-
fined nature he loved that girl. But
he was poor-poor almost to penury.
The curse of i'll health, which had fol-
lowed him from his birth, chung to
him still. He had a great mind, but
he was puny and insignificant in
body. He was assured by medical
advisers, and believed, that death
might come to him at any moment.
He loved with an earnestnesS, a 10y
atty, and unseltiSh devotion which
few men knOw-lOved with love
which, in its tender intensity,
was almost wOmdniSh. But
for more than IA score of years
he kept his secret to himself. No hui
man being knew the cause of his ever
present melancholy. Day by day and
night by night during that time at
Madison, he pondered over the affec-
ton which he knew could bring him
nothing but sorrow, and at last he de-
termined to resign his position and
leave the place. He departed in the
night, and to his faithful journal his
only confidant-he impaired the fact
that ION that night / drove all the
way to Crawfordville. l had terri
BILE headache-a most horrible head
ache" OF his wretched headache, of
his dispair and misery, the poor boy,
even to his confidential journal, said
never word.
= SMILE FAITH.
Sometime ago, during long con-
verSation w3icb had with Mr.. Ste
phens, not OAin regard to the prin-
cipal incidentSin his public career,
but Iuf som, of the events of his
private life, hi touched upon the fact
that during all hissjckness, his many
trials and great suffering, he has been
sustained by simple faith-a faith
which does not come from 'chufch-
going. and about which there is nc
cant. a knowledge of the precise
nature of this faith, or belief-it is
difficult to find the proper word
gives very clear insight into the
motives which have controlled many
of Mr.. Stephens's acts. To give such
a knowledge l cannot do better thar
quote the following passage from q
letter written by him to very neal
and dear friend:
81 have had much to make me mel
ancholy. Indeed, / should have beer
victim of melancholy long ago if
had not resisted it with all my might
l now feel as if l had conquered in
the conflict. 1t was not, however
without great danger from another
source, which | perceived and had tC
guard against with equal vigilance
and energy-that was misanthropy
These have been the Scylla anC
Charybdis of my life. Melancholy
and misanthropy-th rocks and the
whirlpool. i have, l think, escaped
both. This do not think have ac
complished by myself. l feel within
that l have been sustained by an un
seen power, on whom / have relied
and to whom l have looked in my
worst trials-often in the darkest
hours-with the hope and assurance
that all would be well under His guild
ance and protection. L do not fee
justified before Him, but | do fee
that with his long-suffering and Low
ing kindness my frailties will be gra
ciously pardOned, my weakness
strengthened, and
PATIENCE AND FORTITUDE
Impaired sufficient to enable me tt
bear all the ills of this life, and tina
by discharging my duties fully and t.
the best of my ability during thi
probationary existence / snail be fit
ted for the higher sphere hereafter
where there will be no more pain ant
no more suffering, no more trouble
and no more sin. These are the prin
ciples and convictions on which l act
j have for years made it my bushes
to devote a portion of each day t,
prayer-in continuing with this un
seen, all-pervading Power-with God
l was in early life deeply impressed
with what is called religious feeling
but after / grew up and entered tn
world these feelings greatly subsidized
l at one time became skeptical-
lous. The world was a mystery.
could see nothing good in it. wa
miserable, and that continually
But, coming to the conclusion
after a close self-examinatioI
that the error might be in myself
/ determined to adopt new line O
policy for my conduct. The first res
olution was to cease finding faul
with, or thinking about what l coul
not understand. The second was t
| 10 = \
kindlier affections of the heart, an
with this, every day at some hour
put myself in communication wit
God, to the best of my ability, askin
Him to aid, assist, direct and prote(
me in doing right. The effect of thi
upon my mind and feelings and gel
eral views of things was soon felt b
me. The exercises, which had at frs
seemed meaningless and senseles
soon seemed to bring a certain ine1
plicable satisfaction to the spirit. TIL
earlier impressions of life soon r,
vived. l felt better, much mol
contented man. The feeling gre
with it's culture. 1t softened tn
temper, awakened de, per emotion
of reverence. gratitude and love. ]
gave consolation in grie1
: strength in resisting tempti
ton. 1t impressed the min
with mans weakness and frailties an
his dependence on God. 1t seemed
elevate the soul and put it in con
munion with its Maker. This is VIII;
sustains me. Such is the character {
my religion. 1 make no boast of i
: and perhaps very few people WI
know me have any idea of its exis