The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-07-26
A GOOD woMANs WORK.

TIE ISrEIMGENCEn is in receipt Of
an interesting little volume entitled
"Yerse and Prose-" by Florence v.
Brittingham, wife of the Rev. Jacob
BrittinghaIn, rector of St. Luke's church,
this city. Mrs. Birmingham died inthe
prime OF her usefulness as a Christian
worker April &c, 1891. The book COM
prises tho literary work Of the deceased,
of prose and verse, with touching me-
moir by Ri. Rev. George W. Peterkin,
D. D.. bishop Of West Virginia, The
work is dedicated by Rev. Birmingham
to his his son; "for whom" says the
dedicatory lines, ~ can ask no greater
blessing than that these pages may help
him to be what his mother was, pure,
gcntle and diligent in the service OF
God and man."
Rev. Mr.. Birmingham in his very
modest preface says: "This volume is
compiled at The solicitation of friends
and for u dear little son, who will high
" appreciate in future years the words
Of his devoted mother. He will also
value, as will all her friends, the
glimpse of noble life and the tribute
to blessed memory, which tho bishop
of West Virginia has added to its pages.
The book makes no special pretentions
and hence its title Verse and Story. It
was written rs a recreation and relief
for an active mind, and it is but just to
add that such OF her work as has not
been previously published is taken d.
rectly from tho original draft of the
author without alteration or correc-
ton"
The best testimonial of the worth and
beauty of Mrs. Brittingham's life, be-
sides the daily witnesses to the lowell
ness of her Christian character, is the
tender and touching memoir OF Bishop
Peterkin, who was intimately acquaint-
cd with her before her marriage. In
speaking OF her childhood and early life
at Moorefield, W. Va, the bishop says:
"Her afiectionate disposition in her
family and to her little friends, and her
cheerful obedience to all in authority,
are gratefully remembered by everyone
who knew her as child. AS a COM
plement to this temper Of singular
sweetness, was her simple and trans.
parent truthfulness, not only in word
but in deed; what we may call the
beautiful integrity Of her character,
which, showing itself. from the time
that she could know right from wrong.
inspired the utmost confidence in all
who came to know her.
Another marked characteristic which
distinguished her through life appeared
also in these early years, the spirit OF
helpfulness for others. When only in
her fourth year, she taught the little
colored children, who were about her
own home, the Lords Prayer, and the
"Now / lay me down to Sleep" and
when little older, being between nine
and ten years Of age, and able to read
correctly and easily, she used to make
long visits to her grandmother's in the
country, and read the Bible to such OF
the old servants us remained after tho
war.
To recall even these few simple things
from her early childhood is a grateful
task to her friends, and to those who
did not know her may serve as some
guido to the appreciation OF her subse-
quent life.
Other residence in this city it is not
necessary to remark, for her life and
work speak for themselves. Bishop
Peterkin in closing his memoir says:
ut will not be thought improper trust
for me to say in conclusion that ]
count it ono Of the chief pleasures and
privileges Of these latter days of my
life. that l enjoyed the acquaintance
and friendship OF Florence Brtting-
ham. The remembrance of all our as.
ISOLATION is sweet and l doubt not will
remain green and frngrans in the yeart
that are to come. shall always think
OF her as
a perfect woman, nobly planned
To warn, to comfort and command,
Aud yet spirit still, and bright
With something OF Ru angel light"
The poems contained in "Yerse and
Story" were written during odd mo-
ments OF leisure. Many OF the verses
breathe the true poetic spirit, and all
the lines are graceful A few arc select
cd to show the sentiments that inspired
Mrs. Brittingham's pen. The After
Glow" bears the date of July %, 1883.
AFTER.GLow.
BY radiant beams the western hill is aurcolcd;
Dense folds oil gray
Veil now the form, erstwhilc so animate,
Otsun.bOm day.
From out his glorious, iridescent lone,
He, natures priest,
Sends forth his hallOwiug, cauOnlEing power
For day deceased,
Aiar above the gloamtngs darkenlng tIntS,
The sAinted ono
Cleans bright and scaSSuring glnnceS down
The earth upon
We, down among tho shadows, hearts a.throb
And, trembling 50,
Forget restoration tlllweliSt
The afterglow.
When dies tho day within tho human SOUL
When clouds Of grief
VCIl from our sight the frail weak Franc OF
Nowhere relief.
We, down among the shadows, sink DER.
whelmed,
Unless we turn
The eye Of faith to whore tho Eternal Son
Doth ccaSeless burn.
The aurcolc Of good deeds, touched by one ray
From Source Divine.
Transformed, becomes glorious crown, which
Forever shine
1.-THE Coming Of the Storm" written
at Mooredeld, August %, 1888, is fine
piece OF descriptive work. At the close
Of a sultry August day one can almost
see tho hurrying clouds, the nodding
trees. and hear the rushing wind when
reading this poem:
THE COMING OF THE STORM.