Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-07
BROWNZNG'S FRSTLOVE WROTE
"MEARER, MY GOD. TO THEE"

tween the two unknown writer's a cordial
friendship and understanding. while Miss
Flowers admiration for her masked
charmer found added justification in his
delightful and scholarly letters.
This was In the year 1893. Miss Flower
was then rs years old, and IT was during
that year that she met Mr.. Adams, her
future husband. He was civil engineer
and a man of eminent attachments as
scientist and a scholar. An instant at
tachment sprang up between him and Miss
Flower, and during the engagement
which speedily followed she was sur
prised and more than delighted to dis
cover that the choice of her heart was
none other than "Junius Redivivus."i
They were married within year after
their engagement, and the marriage prov
ed to be- in its Joys and It's comradeship'
all that their fond hearts had anticipated.
For many years It had been Mrs. Ad-
ans ambition to go upon the stage. With
the encouragement and approval of her
husband she now found the first oppor-
tunity Of realizing her great ambition.
and she prepared herself for the task. Her
first appearance was at small theater
in Richmond, in the role of Lady Mac
beth. It was a decided success and was
followed at once by a f1attering 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 sad and cruel
blow. Yet she bore 1t with a cheerfulness
and a fortitude that ever characterized
her lovable disposition.
Her nature was markedly religious and
devotional AS a girl and young woman
she accepted without question all that her
parents had taught her in their strict re-
ligious training. But as she grew older her
heart was many times troubled with
doubts and misgivings She felt that she
was drifting from the cherished traditions
of childhood. And yet with II all came the
realization that she was drawing nearer
to God She was but casting from her the
dogmas, the traditions that were trammel-
ing her soul in its attitude to the AL
mighty. And out Of the heartaches and
the pargs of many years of spiritual suf-
fering was born at last this most inspir-
ing and most comforting OF the worlds
greatest hymns, Nearer, My Cod to
Thee"
1t is doubtful, however. whether the
hymn would ever have become known had
1t not been for the composer who set its
words to the present familiar tune. 1t was
an 1860 that DR.. Lowell Mason, of New
York, composed for the hymn the tune
that is now so we'll known. 1t remained for
him to unfold the beauties and the power
of the hymn. Through the spirit of, his
sympathetic music It was quickened into
glorious life and within few years had
spread throughout the entire Christian
world and was brought within the reach
of every heart and every voice.
But by the time its beautiful lines
had become known to the world its
sweet author had long since passed
away. She died with no thought, no
expectation of fame. Her tombstone
bears the simple inscription:
SARAH FLOWER ADAMS.
Born, February p, 1905.
Died, August a. 1S4S
And that is all that marks the resting
place of her to whom the world owes
so large a debt of gratitude.