The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-10-11

Johnson Fox, the noted Unitarian
preacher Of London. Because Of the
fact that she belonged to this denom-
ination there were a number Of
churches, especially the Methodist
and Baptist, that refused for many
years to include Nearer, My God, to
Thee" in their hymnals. A Unitarian
was regarded as a hereto, if not an
infidel, and it was pointed out that the
hymn contained no reference to
Christ. The objection to its use, how
ever, was finally overcome by inter-
polating a stanza in which Christ and
the Trinity were specifically mention
ed. The hymn was written in the
year 1910 and set to music by Eliza
Flower, an elder sister of the author.
In addition to his religious work
Rev. Mr.. Fox also edited a literary
magazine, to which Sarah was a fire.
quent contributor, together with John
Stuart Mill, Harriet Martineau,
Charles Dickens, Leigh Hunt, Rob-
ert Browning and others equally ia
nous in the realm of letters. She be-
came much interested in the writings
OF a contributor who signed himself
"Junius Redivivus." She did not
know who he was, but she took oc-
casion to address a note to him in
care Of the magazine, expressing her
admiration Of his work.. She signed
this with her nom de pulme, IS. Y"
| which represented her pet name of
Sally.
Without revealing his identity,
:Junius Redivivus' replied, acknow-
edging her courtesy and returning the
compliment with some commenda-
tory criticism Of the work of rs. Y"
This led to further correspondence
on topics of mutual literary interest
until there was established between
the two unknown writer's a cordial
friendship and understanding, while
Miss Flowers admiration for her
masked charmer found added justif-
cation in his delightful and scholarly
letters.
This was in the year 1888. Miss
Flower was then % years old and it
was during that year that she met
MI. Adams, her future husband. He
was a civil engineer and a man of
eminent attainments as a scientist
and a scholar. An instant attachment
sprang up between him and Miss
Flower and during the engagement
which speedily followed she was sur
prised and more than delighted to
discover that the choice of her heart
was hone other than "Junius Redi-
yivus."
They were married within a year
after their engagement and the mar
~comradeship, all that their fond hearts
had anticipated.
For many years it had been Mrs.
NoAd oAAAOACAoA " 81 upoL1 ~ oCoSS.
With the encouragement and approx
al Of her husband she now found the
first opportunity of realizing her great
ambition, and she prepared herself
for the task. Her first appearance
was at a small theatre in Richmond
in the role of Lady Macbeth. 1t was
a decided success, and was followed
at once by a fattering offer from a
theatrical manager.
But on the very threshold of what
promised to be a famous career her
health compelled her to relinquish
the cherished dream of her life. 1t
was a sac and cruel blow. Yet she
bore it with a cheerfulness and a for
titude that ever characterized her
lovable disposition.
Her nature was remarkably relig-
ious and devotional. AS a girl and
young womn she accepted without
question all that her parents had
taught her in their strict religious
training. But as she grew older her
heart many times was troubled with
doubts and misgivings. She felt that
she was drifting from the cherished
traditions of childhood. And yet with
it all came the realization that she
was drawing nearer to God. She was
but casting from her the dogmas, the
traditions that were trammeling her
soul in it's attitude to the Almighty.
And out of the heartaches and the
pangs of many years of spiritual sui.
fering was born at last this most in
spring and most comforting of the
worlds greatest hymns, Nearer, My
God, to Thee"
1t was doubtful, however, whether