The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-17
MRS. LOUISA MOORE HOLT.


Mrs Louisa Moore Holt, widow or
Governor Thomas NJ. Holt, carried a
shock of profound grief, not only to
her immediate family, but to a large
circle of friends III North Carolina,
Virginia. and many other States. Visit
ing an invalid sister Mrs. Holt had
complained during the evening OF a
slight indigestion. She retired early to
her room, but her discomfort continuing,
She rose and took some simple remedy
Immediately afterward she said to her
cousin, Il have pain, but cannot tell
where it is--it seems all over me"
Scarcely had she said this, when she
reeled to her bed, lay down, and In
4 moment passed away.
Mrs. Holt was the daughter of Samuel
and Mary Moore, of Caswell county, n.
c., and was born October 10, 1888. In
October 1858, she married Thomas NJ
Holt and from that time to the day Of
his death was in his home,
.'Thro' all her placid life,
The queen of marriage, most perfect
wife"
Of six children born of this marriage,
four survive to mourn the death of their
parents: Charles II. Holt and Mrs.
H. G. Laird, of Haw River, and Mrs
A. w. Haywood and Mrs. Bruce
Wright, of Raleigh.
With queenly dignity and rare wo-
manly sweetness, Mrs. Holt presided in
circle where every friend found royal
welcome and hospitable cheer, where
the most timid were made to feel at
ease, and the humblest were treated
al 10 4, bo al Nv Of
true manhood. No man or woman ever
crossed her threshold but was charmed
by her gifts OF mind and heart; no child
but was drawn to her by an irresistible
attraction.
Both by nature and by grace, Mrs
Holt was a gifted woman. Hers was a
type Of Womanly beauty in which queen
ly grace of form and carriage and classic
perfection of feature were the counter
parts of intellectual and spiritual quail
ties even more attractive. Like the
Kings Daughter of the Psalmist, she
was all glorious within" She shone
Il star of the first magnitude in the
constellation of home; and she was glo-
rious in manifold attractive virtues.
Were l asked, what single phrase
would sum up the character of Mrs.
Holt, | would say, the phrase, "A
Christian lady"
She was, first of all, lady. Born of
a family noted for its intellectual su-
periority, and especially for the beauty
and refinement of its women and the
generous and honorable character of its
men, she was q woman Of rare nobility
and delicacy of feeling. With large
practical common sense, freeing her from
the self-infiicted pangs. OF that morbid
sensitiyeness which is so often the sad
accompaniment of intellectual and spir-
itual peerage, she united the highest
womanly purity and elevation of senti-
ment. She created round her at all
times an atmosphere that was ennobling
and refining.
She was also a Christian. Not ac-
tive in church work, nor demonstrative
in the expression of her faith, nor yet
regular attendant upon public religious
services, she was, nevertheless, il true
disciple Of Christ. She enjoyed always
the ministrations Of her pastor in her
own home, and knew that Secret or
the Lord" which is with them that fear
Him. She had long ago learned the
meaning Of love to her neighbor, and her
love to her fellowgnan was the sufficient
guarantee of her love to God Without
the slightest tinge OF self-righteousness
in her character, she rested her spirit
ual hopes upon the work and words of
Jesus. Her Bible was ever at hand,
but with Frederick w. Robertson she
believed that .utterance proanes feeling
and makes it commonplace" She pre-
ferrcd rather to show her faith by her
works. and with ''meekness OF wisdom
she declared herself a follower Of
Christ
Earth is poorer. now that she is
gone, and yet richer. Poorer, since all
who knew her must needs miss her gra-
cious presence and noble example, and
mourn the loss Of her living friendship.
And yet richer also, for the forceful in
;luence which she welded has not been
Withdrawn from our sphere, but re-
mains, ever growing stronger. Surviy-
ing her death it is becoming daily more
intense, now that she has gone to join
.the choir invisible
OF those immortal dead who live again
In minds made better by their presence;
Iii pulses stirred to generosity,
In deeds of daring rectitude, III scorn
For miserable aims that end with self,
In thoughts sublime that pierce the
night like stars,
And with their mild persistence urge
mans search
To yaster issues.
She rests from her labors, and her
works do follow her. The world is ber-
ter for her having lived in it, and her
character, stamped with glorious immor-
tality by the hand of death, attests
the reality of the heavenly powers. and
bids us look forward to that home
where, at last freed from earth's him
dering weakness, and finding opportunity
for the accomplishment of all her heart 5
desire, she waits, in the beauty and
gladness of perfect salvation, for the
coming of all she loved and all for whom
she prayed. Dear friends, who mourn
the loss Of this noble mother, sister
and friend, bid YOU
Comfort one another;
Let the grave-gIoom lie behind you,
While the Spirits words remind you
OF the home beyond the tomb,
Where no more is pain or parting,
Fever's flush or tear-drop starting,
E.n. tl,o Y1rosar1ca of rho ord and