Memoirs of Mrs. Rebecca Steward Part 5

"Friend after friend departs, Who hath not lost a friend?

There is no union here of hearts That finds not here an end; Were the frail world our only rest, Living or dying, none were blest."

When the sad announcement of her death was made at our own dear fireside, "Dead! Dead, Papa!" were the only words that first pa.s.sed from lip to lip, while a silence ensued that was painful.

But the real greatness of soul we purpose noticing, was that that evidenced itself in regard to the Church of her choice. A more zealous _African_ Methodist never lived. She had convictions in regard to the work and the economy of the Church organized by Allen, and these shaped her every course in life. Nothing could turn her against the organization itself. Her love towards it was proof against episcopal misjudgment or pastoral insufficiency. She looked from men to principles. Though exceedingly intelligent, she shrank not back from identifying herself with a cla.s.s, known to be generally ignorant. Well to do in the affairs of this world, she was content to remain as the equal of the poor. And lastly, it might be in place to mention a peculiarity of the locality in which this very attachment to a despised Church was evidenced. The reader of this volumn will already have learned that Gouldtown, N. J., is a peculiar place. Of descent in blood by no means low, and of the strongest Presbyterian proclivities, the Goulds have ever been thought exceedingly _conservative_--utterly free from that fire which many suppose to be the substance of Methodism. Upon the correctness of this thought it is no intention of ours to p.r.o.nounce. Sufficient is it to say, that the general bearing of the community, secular and spiritual, is in keeping with their recognized descent and religious bias. Such being the case, the wonder is that they should have maintained their ident.i.ty with the _African_ Methodist Episcopal Church. Nor is it certain that they would, had it not been for the uncompromising zeal of the subject of this volume, who ever stood like a very breakwater in its defence.

When we call to mind the scores of our people who have left us, on account of our ignorance, our poverty, and our color, the fidelity of Rebecca Steward is but an indication of that greatness of soul with which we credit her, and which is yet to be the admiration of generations unborn.

From our heart we say:

"_Requiescat in pace._"

Mrs. Rebecca Steward BY REV. T. GOULD.

What I have to say is after thirty years' observation, to say nothing of my early boyhood days, when I used to visit her house with my father, who esteemed her as his own daughter and her husband as his own son. To me they both seemed as elder brother and sister.

It appears to me that I can remember when I knew but little difference between her husband and my own brothers. He being the oldest and the first married out of the household, to me it was my oldest brother getting married, and I was wonderfully well pleased with his wife.

When father would say "Theodore, I guess we will go and see James and Beckie to-day," it was a grand treat for me, for I knew, boy like, I was going to get something good to eat. Father having lost his eye-sight, of course some one must lead him, and this was my lot, and I have many a time heard her read the news and books of interest to him. To visit them was pleasant to him to the day of his death.

Although he lived to have eight children married, (four boys and four girls), I do not think he had a son-in-law or a daughter-in-law whom he esteemed higher than he did the boy who spent fifteen or sixteen years under his roof and the lady of his choice. In 1846 I united with the church of which she was a member, and from that time to the day of her death, I looked up to her for that advice and counsel which had much to do with shaping my early life. And if I have been worth anything to the church as a minister, her prayers, instructions and counsel have helped to mould me into what I am.

I shall ever thank G.o.d for permitting me to have the a.s.sociation of this Christian woman, whose very breath seemed to be perfumed with the odor of heaven, for her daily food was G.o.d's word.

She was a Bible student; and in the Bible history was so well informed and upon all the cardinal points of Bible doctrine, and the current or popular questions of the day, that a very eminent and learned bishop said to me several years ago after paying her a short visit, "No one can possibly spend five minutes in conversation with Sister Steward without being edified." Another intelligent minister said to me, "Sister Steward is one of the best read women I ever had the favor of conversing with."

To the church she was a pillar. She was among the few that were found at the prayer meeting and Sabbath-school, and was always aiming to do something for the Master's cause. As a wife and mother, I can only say few husbands are favored as was her's. No woman could possibly be more interested in the welfare of her husband's business than she was. She was a helpmeet in every sense of the word to her husband. To my mind but few children among us have been favored as were her's.

I doubt not but there are many lessons now fresh in their minds which she taught them, which, if treasured up, will add to their present, future, and eternal happiness. Oh, that we had more mothers like her!

whose devotion to their children would extort from their lips the words of Sister Steward. In conversing with her one day, some years since, when the children were getting pretty well grown, she exclaimed, "Oh, the souls of my children! Oh, what would I do if one of them should be lost! They are all good children, but the Saviour says, 'ye must be born again,' that is what I want; to see them converted is my constant prayer to G.o.d. Oh, it is the burden of my heart." And more than once have we knelt in prayer together that she might enjoy the pleasure of seeing _all of her children converted_.

Years pa.s.sed, and one by one they came in.

I had not seen her for some time, but after the usual salutations among the first things said was: "Thank G.o.d! He has let me live to see all my children converted and in the church! My prayers are answered.

Thank G.o.d! The whole family is in the ark; what a happy woman I am!"

It was my privilege to visit her during several severe spells of sickness. I have the first time yet to hear her murmur or complain; but I have often heard her say: "These light afflictions which are but for a moment, are working for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." "My work is patience" was a familiar word with her in affliction. To me she always seemed cheerful when she was in the furnace, and it was her lot to be often there. She has been a great sufferer, and yet, there seemed to be something in her experience that impressed me that she was keeping up a terrible fight to get the victory until her last sickness, which lasted between three and four years. She said to me one day during that period: "Thank G.o.d, I have got where I have long desired to be; that is, where I can trust G.o.d for all things." She said some of her happiest hours were spent in the sick-room.

The devotion to her aged and infirm mother, who had been confined to her room for twenty-six years, with but little exception, was marked and intense. When her health and circ.u.mstances would permit, she has walked the mile, between her house and her mother's, back and forth, two and three times a week, to a.s.sist in making her mother comfortable. It appears that a wonderful providence was attending her life, and preparing her to depart to that Better Land. It seems that the Master was sparing her to see her mother of ninety years close her eyes before He called her to that blessed reward with that sainted mother, who went three weeks before her, and a dear sister, who had gone a day before her mother. Oh, what a blessed meeting there must have been, when they met in that heavenly land; where affliction and sorrow are all over, and where the dead in Christ rest from their labors and their works follow them!

Aunt Rebecca Steward BY MRS. ELIZABETH LLOYD. (NIECE.)

I cannot remember the time when I did not love and revere Aunt Rebecca; but my most precious remembrances of her are connected with the sabbath school, where, to my mind, she was incomparable; and even now, after the lapse of twenty-five years, the precious lessons that she taught her cla.s.s are still in my mind and heart, and have greatly influenced my life and kept me from forbidden paths. You must know, as long as I attended Gouldtown Sunday School, which was from the reorganization of the school (which, under G.o.d, was wholly through Aunt Rebecca's influence), I was a member of her cla.s.s.

There was one lesson that she used frequently give us, from the second chapter of first Peter, it seems to me, that I shall ever remember.

With what earnestness and with what solemnity did she strive to enforce its beautiful teachings upon our hearts. Again I remember one particular lesson she gave personally to me, and, as I remember it well yet, it must prove how faithful she was in teaching. Among her very words were: "_Search the Scriptures, and may they make you wise unto salvation! May they be a guide to your feet and a light to your path, and may your sins be blotted out!_" Very likely Aunt Rebecca had forgotten it long since, but I never have. When I was fifteen years of age, I was strongly exercised in mind about salvation, and it was Aunt Rebecca who helped me then; and ever since, in my somewhat chequered life, my heart has always turned to her, and, I must say, that never once have I left her presence without feeling better, stronger, and wiser. She was a kind of inspiration to me. I have gone to her when I have felt that I was in the depths, and have left, feeling as if I could brave all things, and endure all things for the love of Christ.

I have been so comforted by her words of wisdom and encouragement, and, sometimes, by her words of reproof also; for she never failed in her gentle, sweet, and yet decided manner in telling me wherein she thought I was wrong, for which to-day I thank her. In one instance, I went to her, overwhelmed with my sorrow, and ready to despair; she reflected a while, and then asked: If I had ever prayed for C----? I found that I never had. She showed me my duty in such a plain way, and said, that if I prayed for him, that I would not have such bitter feelings; and how earnestly she entreated me to begin praying for him.

Among the words she used, were: "You could not bear to see that man lost, cut off from Christ forever. Think of the relations.h.i.+p he holds to yourself and your children. _You must pray for him!_" This was four years ago, but the seed, that was sown that day, is still bearing fruit, and I have been blessed myself while praying for _him_. * * * *

I now know that she had been taught of Christ. When I lost my little girl, Annie, though she was unable to walk without a staff, like an angel of mercy, she came to me in my sorrow, and prayed and talked with me, and now, my more than aunt, my almost mother, who, or what will fill your place to me? With tears in my eyes, and pain in my heart, I ask who? Ever since I can remember, I have gone to you with what I could not go to any one else; always sure of a loving welcome, and always the gainer, through your words of wisdom! Oh! how I loved Aunt Rebecca! I remember, when she was confined to her room so long, of her once saying to me, that she often prayed for me. I was overcome to tears, thinking how good, how charitable she was, to remember me in her afflictions. That parlor seemed to me then, and has ever since, like the gate of heaven and house of prayer. When I think of my dear aunt's goodness, and of her truly n.o.ble womanhood, of her grand intellect, and, withal, of her sweet humility, of her perfect faith and trust, and obedience to the Father's will, and of how she labored for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom, I can but say: "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all." She never lost an opportunity of saying a word for Jesus, and no one ever came near her influence, without knowing, that she had learned of Christ. I never remember of asking for instruction of her, upon any subject, without getting it; and I have heard many others say the same. It seemed to me, that she always had a word in season. She was certainly the most self-sacrificing of any woman that I ever knew. She was always willing to do good, no matter at what expense to the body, if she could; and, it seemed to me, that she was always looking for an opportunity.

In the purity and loftiness, and expansiveness of her nature, there was no room for that narrow-minded selfishness, which cannot rejoice with those that do rejoice. Of her it can be truly said: SHE LOVED HER NEIGHBOR AS HERSELF; and she was pleased with the advancement of every one.

As long, and as well as I have known her, I have never known her to speak of the shortcomings of others, only, in what seems to me, as the highest and broadest charity of a pure-minded christian woman, with sorrow and regret that they had so failed.

Another admirable trait was her straightforwardness. Her clear insight, that seemed to grasp and hold the most difficult truths, while the rest of us were struggling with doubts and fears, scarcely telling gold from dross, led her to seize always the pure gold.

Truly, she was ever ready for every good word and labor of love. I call to mind deeds of charity, of which the world knows nothing, which greatly benefitted the recipients; and her ever ready sympathies with the wants and woes of others, a.s.sures me, that she won the approbation of Him, who said: "Inasmuch, as ye have done it to one of the least of these, my disciples, ye have done it unto me."

Dear cousin, there may be many more learned and eloquent tributes paid to your mother's memory, but none can be more loving than mine; and, if you will permit this letter (crude I know, for I am not accustomed to writing out my thoughts), to share a place among them, I shall feel honored.

Your cousin,

LIB.

PART II.

Containing: "Two Years on the Brink of Jordan," with Letters on Sanctification and a Story for Little Folks; the last named written expressly for Two Little Nephews,

BY MRS. REBECCA STEWARD.

TWO YEARS ON THE BRINK OF JORDAN.

Early one spring morning, as I was going about my work, a messenger arrived, saying my Father wanted me. So I made haste and finished up all my work, looked over my wardrobe, picked out and packed up such articles as I thought I should need, and started on my journey, my guide going on before. We had not traveled far before we came to a broad, dark river, whose waters at the time were very much swollen. My guide said, I would have to wait awhile till a ferryboat could come and take me across; so I sat down on the bank of the river and began musing. The river, though so dark and swollen, did not look so dreary, for my guide had given me a telescope, through which I could look away beyond and see my Father's House, which was illuminated with glory and light; and the light from that far mansion shone over the river and the dark valley all around. While I sat there musing, the boat came, but not for me; there were other friends there, the Father had sent for before me; but he sent me this comforting message: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee," and my soul answered: "All the days of my appointed time will I wait till my change comes." (Job iv., 14.) And so for many days I sat there waiting and musing; again and again the boat came and went, friend after friend pa.s.sed over, but still the message came not for me. At length I began to grow weary and impatient; to neglect my Father's business; saying my Lord delays his coming; then came this quiet reproval: "Ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of G.o.d, ye might receive the promise."

"For yet a little while and He that is to come will come and will not tarry." (Heb. ix., 36, 37.) After this gentle reproof, I felt ashamed and strove to humble myself under the mighty hand of G.o.d, and in due time He did build me up, for my guide advised me to take my telescope and take another look towards my Father's House. I did so, and the sight gave me new vigor, for I could see all the surroundings of my Home. I could see its beautiful gardens, all its choicest fruit and its sweetest flowers; and flowing through the midst of the garden I could see the "pure river" of the "Water of Life," which watered and enlivened every plant that grew in the garden; and on either side of the river stood the "Tree of life," "which bore twelve manner of fruit, and yielded her fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree were good for the healing of the nations;" then there was the sweet Lilly of the Valley, in its humble innocence sending up its rich perfume; then the "Rose of Sharon" was there, whose odor filled the air with sweetness, and the Birds of Paradise were there,--those sweet little songsters that the Father had brought from the cold, sterile regions beyond Jordan, and placed in His beautiful garden. They were busily flitting from branch to branch, warbling forth their sweetest notes, and making the air resound with their music. Some of them I thought I almost knew, by the mark of their feathers. As I sat gazing, the river that before had been so swollen, seemed to subside and become very narrow, and seemed as if I had nothing to do, but get up and walk across; but my guide detained me, saying: "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall in due time eat the good of the land, but if disobedient, the sword of the enemy shall devour you."

Being still detained and feeling somewhat weary, "I laid me down and slept, and awoke again, for the Lord sustained me." On awaking, I took up my telescope to take another look across, but I only had it adjusted to my eye, when I again discovered the ferryboat in the distance. This time I thought surely it was coming for me, and began to look around and make all things ready for departure; but again I was doomed to disappointment. The boat came, but not for me this time either; another friend must go before me, one whom the Father thought more weak and needy than I. And as He saw me begin to grieve and fret, He sent me another comforting message, saying: "I will not leave the comfortless, in the sixth trial; and in the seventh, I will not leave thee nor forsake thee." Then again my soul replied, I will fear no evil; in G.o.d alone will I put my trust. When I found I had to wait awhile longer, I thought I would look around on this side of Jordan, for I had been so anxious to get home to my Father's House, and so busy looking beyond, that I had not noticed anything on this side so much; and in the glory of light that beamed across the river, I had not noticed the poisonous flowers that spread their baneful influence over all the land, or the muddy, filthy pools, sending up their miasmatic odors, poisoning the air; and while I was looking, with shame let me say it, poisonous as were those flowers, noxious as was the vapor from the pools, I began to be interested in them, and to seek after them; so much so, that my guide said softly in my ear: "Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." (Matt. xxvi., 41.) But I was so engrossed with the flowers, and the whisper came so softly, that I did not heed it, but kept on going farther away from the river, losing sight more and more of my Father's House. Again my guide called after me, but this time in louder tones: "Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh." (Matt. xxvi., 24.) But still, strange as it may seem, and as ungrateful as it appears after the pleasant view I had had of my Father's House, and the soothing promises he had given me, such is perverse human nature, that I paid but little heed, but still wandered on, plucking flowers, now here, now there, 'till I had gone quite away; but still my loving Father would not leave me, "for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth," and on looking up I saw my guide approaching with a rod, which, when he came near enough, he laid heavily about me. Humbled, ashamed and bleeding, he brought me back and laid me exhausted on the bank, where I lay for many days without power to move or courage to look up. Although I had been so disobedient, yet was my guide most a.s.siduous in his attentions and care of me, saying: "If ye endure chastening, G.o.d dealeth with you as with sons, for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not. (Heb.

xii., 70.) And as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that love him, for he knows our frame that we are but dust."

(Ps. clx.x.xiii, 13.) It sorely repented me, and with the Psalmist I exclaimed: "My feet were almost gone, my steps were well nigh slipped." (Ps. lviii, 2) Then I began to cry mightily unto the Lord for help, and from His temple He heard me, and from His Holy Hill He sent me succor. And I was comforted by this message: "Before thou callest I will hear thee, and while thou art yet speaking, I will answer thee." Being thus comforted and somewhat strengthened, my guide advised me to take up my telescope again and take another look across the river. It had been so long since I had looked across, he thought it would do me good, and so it did; for as I looked the green sh.o.r.es appeared so pleasant and inviting to me, it made me feel at once like pa.s.sing over, and while I was gazing I saw the boat again leave the sh.o.r.e; this time I thought it would certainly come for me. Again I gathered up my things making ready to depart, and many friends gathered around me, mourning and weeping, begging me not to go, but stay with them; yet I was anxious to be gone. Many were the pet.i.tions that went over to my Father's House to spare me a little longer, that "they could not do without me;" in this I could not join them. I could only say: "Lord let thy will be done." Meanwhile the boat came nearer and nearer, and I lay looking, both hoping and fearing; hoping it was coming for me, and fearing it was coming for me; for like the apostle I was in a strait betwixt two: "for me to live is Christ, but to die is gain." (Phil. vii., 21-23.) And I suppose that the prayers of tender friends must have prevailed, for when the boat drew nearer, I found it was not coming for me yet, but I received this message: "Let Patience have her perfect work that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (James, i., 4.) From this I saw that Patience was to be my best friend and I tried to take her close to my bosom, and my heart breathed the prayer: "Lord help me with Patience to do all thy righteous will concerning me," and, as I sat there, with Patience for my comforter, I grew calm and composed and began to wonder what had become of the boat I had seen approaching, when, on looking around, I saw it had stopped close by an old friend that had been laying there for a long time; almost ever since I had been there, and, while I looked, I saw her with a shout spring up and step quickly into the boat. Oh! with what rapture I gazed; and when the boat struck out from the sh.o.r.e I could hardly contain myself, I felt I really must go too.

But Patience laid her hand on me, and whispered to me, to take my telescope and look after them; and, as I looked, the boat sprang from the sh.o.r.e with great velocity; the river seemed to become narrower, and the light from my Father's Temple so illuminated it, that the darkness had all fled away; and, as I gazed, my vision became brighter and brighter, and my telescope became more powerful, and it seemed, I might follow the boat with my naked eye, as it sped its way across, until it neared the other sh.o.r.e; and, as it neared the sh.o.r.e, I saw the pearly gates of my Father's House fly open, a company came out to meet her, with songs of welcome, saying: "Come ye, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Math. xxv., 34.) So they took hold of her and led her in through the gates; and, as they went through, I could hear the warbling of the birds amidst the rustling of the leaves, and could see the waving gra.s.s and sweet flowers, and the waters rippling along their winding way. As I looked, I really thought there were more birds than I had ever seen before; and I never heard them sing so sweetly.

As I gazed upon the s.h.i.+ning ones, I tried to see if I could recognize any of them; and I thought I could see several whose faces were familiar to me there, and with whom I had a.s.sociated; and, while I was still looking, they led her into the vestry; then I lost sight of her awhile; but, presently, they brought her forth clothed in white linen, pure and clean, and a palm of victory was placed in her hand; then I saw a greater number come to meet her, and they all joined in one mighty overpowering song, saying: "Salvation to our G.o.d, who sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb." (Rev. vii., 10.)

As I heard this, my heart felt like bursting with rapture. O! how I longed to be there! Just then the pearly gates swung to, and I could see them no more. When I could see no more within, I thought I would take a look around and view the holy ground, and "mark well her bulwarks." So I looked well around her walls, and measured her towers, which I found to be very strong, so that no enemy could prevail against them; and her walls were great and high, and I found they lay four-square and rested on twelve foundations, all of them precious stones, and on each foundation there was a name written, which, when I had looked more closely, I found to be the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel; and in each wall I saw there were three gates, and on the gates I saw the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb; and, as I still looked, I saw numbers coming and entering in at the gates, from all parts of the world, East, West, North, and South; every gate seemed in use, and with every new arrival there were new songs of praise. As I still looked, I discovered, that all that went over, did not enter the pearly gates; but, instead, some were hurled over a dreadful precipice, which lay just below the wall, and led to a dark, dreary gulf below, where the voice of their groanings was dreadful to hear. Then I asked: "Who are these?" And my guide informed me: "These are they that go away into everlasting punishment, and the smoke of their torment ascends up forever and ever." And now my guide thought I had seen quite enough for awhile, and so had better lie down and rest; musing on these words: "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered the heart of man, the things which G.o.d has prepared for them that love Him."

While wondering what more could be for the child of G.o.d, than that which my eyes had already seen, I fell asleep. When I awoke, everything looked calm and bright around me; so I thought, with Patience, I would take a stroll along the banks, and see if there were any friends there whom I knew; for I saw many had gathered there un.o.bserved, while I had been so deeply interested in what was going on, on the other side of the river. As I went around from one to another, I found several I was acquainted with; some had been waiting for a long time, others had just arrived. Some were waiting with patience, others were growing very impatient. To while away the time, and for mutual encouragement, I sat down, and entered into conversation with some of them. "For as iron sharpeneth iron, so doth a man the face of his friend." Some had grown very weary, and one said: "I would have fainted, unless I had believed, to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living; and now I believe, that ere long I shall see the King in his beauty, for I have the promise, that He, that is to come, will come, and will not tarry. And my Father's command is: Wait on the Lord, be of good courage; and also the promise: And He shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord."