The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-13
IN MEN0RlAM.

IN MEk0RlAN.
That was sad message that came to
ne on the afternoon Of Thursday, July
fhc 9th, Mrs. William Watson died
suddenly this evening at half past two
o'clock" Her illness, pr0t1acted
through many months, had made her
friends very anxious about her; and
many Of us knew that her condition was
such that she might suddenly pass away
at any moment, and, yet when the sum
mons came for her, we were not expect
ing 1t. Thank God we have the blessed
assurance that she was ready.
In Isle of Wright county, Virginia, on
the 10th Of September, 1888, daughter
was born to Stephen and Mary Gay
Wright. whom they named Lou Virginia.
The little one grew apace, and as in af-
ter years she was the JOY Of another
home so even then she was JOY TO the
loving hearts Of her parents. Those
days of happy childhood are doubtless re-
ferred to in the first lines or her beauti-
ful poenl-The Past:
Thou hast my better years,
Thou hast my earlier friends-the good
the kind
Yielded to thee with tears
The venerable form-the exalted mind. !"
Her girlhood was spent on the banks
Of the beautiful Nansemond river. OF
those happy years spent on the banks
of the beautiful Nansemond she says in
one Of her poems:
"Oh, lovely stream, when tree and rock
and sky
Reflected in thy CLASSY water lie;
Or when the moonbeans on thy bosom
CLEAN
softly, gently, as a pleasant dream.
Twas ON thy banks / passed my youth
full days
Beside the stream on which ! loved to
gaze.
Oh happy days thou art forever gone
The rosy hours of life's prophetic morn
Have changed to me, and still thou art
the same
In early life the subject of this sketch
was brought under the saving influence
of divine grace, and united with the
Methodist church, and during the re-
mainder Of her life exemplifed the pro-
fession that she had thus early made.
For many years previous to her death
she worshipped with the congregation OF
Browns Baptist Church. although not
member, she regarded it as her church
home, and the pastor of that church al
ways found her one of his firmest
friends
She was educated at Wesleyan Col
lege, Wilmington, Del. from which she
was graduated with honor in 1853, being
the salutatorian Of her class. Among her
instructors were the distinguished
mathematician. l.. c. Loomis, and the
composer, G.. Grobe.
On January 18th, 1868. SHE was united
in marriage to William Watson. of War
rem, with whom the years of her mar
ried life passed peacefully and happily
away. Nine children were born to them.
one of whom died i'm infancy: and eight,
two sons and six daughters, survive to
mourn their irreparable loss In her hap
py home she reigned queen Her de-
voted husband layished upon her the love
OF his great heart, and her children were
devoted to the mother whose loving
faithfulness so wisely guided them in
hes uncertain ways Tile home over
w. she presided was an ideal one,
largely because of her presence in It.
Tier nelghbors were strongly attached to
her; her friends loved her dearly: and
~ nv Aetlihiiy Slie WIS the ODJeCL OF UNe
tenderest, purest and most abiding love.
She was a Kind neighbor a true friend,
and a loving and devoted wife and
mother
Her summons to the eternal world
was sudden; but she was prepared for
it, and doubtless closed her eyes ON earth
to open them in Heaven. May we not
hope that the desire expressed in these
beautiful lines of hers was realized, and
that her mother came to her. home:
And mother when | near that harbor
Wilt thou not thy child embrace?
And take me to my loving Savior
Where ! may see Him face to face?
Bear me DER the heaying Ocean,
Safe into that Haven guide,
Bear this little tossing vessel,
Safe to Jesus bleeding side"
We weep for our departed sister; but
not without hope; and we humbly pray
that God may comfort the bereavcd ones. |
T. j. TAYLOR.