Memoirs of Mrs. Rebecca Steward Part 4

Steward). They visited the paternal roof once a year. When their visit had terminated, and they were about to depart, she would bid them adieu with cheerful words, and an invocation to heaven to bless them; she would urge them back to their posts of duty, beseeching them to be pious men, and in all things labor for the honor and glory of G.o.d, and be not dismayed if a messenger should come to them, saying: "_Mother is done suffering_." She would say: "The Good Man" would keep her safely and take her home in His own good time.

The premonition of a sudden death was constantly before her; but this was no evidence that it created fear; for she was on a Rock. A few evenings previous to her death, she said, with a tender smile: "Children, you will look for me in the morning, but mother will not be here." She was fully prepared to meet Death, but he came not then. A few days after this she was seized with such violent spasms as to destroy consciousness; but, when the spasms had pa.s.sed, and her consciousness had returned, and observing that her husband and the children, who were at her bedside, were sore distressed, and that her husband had telegraphed to New York for Theophilus, and to Philadelphia for William, the latter a clerk in the A. M. E. Book Room, and the former had just closed his Pastorate of the Bridge St.

A. M. E. Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., she chided her husband, by saying, that it was not worth while to worry and distress them. Then, after telling her husband to meet her in heaven, she expired in the arms of her oldest daughter.

Taine, whose ill.u.s.trations of individual or natural characteristics have been unequalled, has said, with much force, that behind the fossil there was an animal, and that behind the old, faded ma.n.u.script there was a man; and we know the man and his peculiarities from the ma.n.u.script. For such axiomatic expressions as these, Taine has been applauded by the most learned of every land. Yet, to a Bible reader, axioms as forcible as Taine's, stand conspicuous throughout the sacred pages.

A man is known by his works. "Do we gather figs from thistles?" "Can an impure fountain send forth sweet water?" are Bible axioms.

We have been led to the above digression from the facts related to us; because, behind these facts, we shall show there existed no ordinary woman. Though descended from what might be claimed as the aristocracy of one of the original thirteen States, a State as proud of its ancestry as the most pretentious, she a.s.sumed no aristocratic prerogatives; but, among the humblest, still showed herself to be a Christian woman, in the full significance of these words; and, if she claimed homage, it was conceded to her spontaneously by the right of her mental adornments and the graces of an unsullied Christian life.

Here mankind are beginning, though late, to concede all the distinctive traits of preeminence.

Rebecca Steward was a woman of extraordinary ability, and possessed some of the most excellent qualities of both heart and mind. Eulogy will not appear to be exaggeration, when p.r.o.nounced in the presence of those who knew her; and they will unanimously declare, that she feared G.o.d and loved her race. None were her superiors, and few were her equals. She was not influenced by the arbitrary rules conceived in prejudice of caste or race; her sympathies were as wide as humanity, and as uncontaminated as a child's; her sympathies were guided by her judgements, and her judgements were made clear by the teachings of the hand of G.o.d, and not warped by the infections of exclusiveness. Gifted with a mind of ceaseless activity, comprehensive observation, and the most placid reflection, she yet possessed a head whose capacious breadth could feel the pulsations of an humble heart. In whatever cla.s.s, or position, or society she was cast, she was equally at home; with the refined and intellectual, she ranked their peer; to the ignorant, poor, and lowly, she was a helping hand, and a guiding voice to a higher life. Her conversations were distinguished by freedom of language and the appropriate words in which she clothed her thoughts.

She shunned the stilted words of the pedant as she conversed to communicate thoughts and principles. She did not read to treasure ideas and sentiments for her own selfish, personal or mental amus.e.m.e.nts, but she read and thought, that she might communicate to others that which she read; and thus, here and there, plant a seed, whose unending product could be estimated alone before the throne of G.o.d. She was generous with her thoughts as with her means; and they who needed either, received freely and liberally, as she herself had received most liberally from the bounteous Giver.

Charlotte Brunte is often cited as an example of how much can be accomplished by the mind, even when the body is afflicted.

Rebecca Steward inherited a delicate const.i.tution; but, notwithstanding, the superiority of her intellect so husbanded the physical strength, as to enable her in her mental achievements to compensate for a weak body. Her mind seized upon thoughts with marvelous facility; and religious thoughts were the permeating influence that flowed continually through her life. Her influence has been left upon all who came in contact with her; and her influences were constantly on the side of her divine Master, from whose inspired Book she drew the web and woof of her most remarkable and impressive conversations; and she seemed to have relied implicitly upon the words: "_Open thy mouth and I will fill it_." Una.s.suming in all she did; free to give expression to her thoughts; steadfast in faith; with such an abundance of those qualities that adorn humanity, that we cannot enumerate them; she was one of those of whom the world is not worthy; and therefore, G.o.d took her from the evil to come.

Dear reader, in the life and character of this beloved Christian woman, we have a most happy ill.u.s.tration of Christian faith and practice.

In it all the Christian graces are seen to s.h.i.+ne most conspicuously. I repeat, in her life the Christian graces of faith, hope and charity, or the love of G.o.d and humanity, had a most happy ill.u.s.tration.

Go thou and do likewise, and G.o.d shall reward thee as He rewarded her.

May the grace of G.o.d enable thee so to do, is the prayer of thy friend and brother,

JABEZ P. CAMPBELL.

PHILADELPHIA, PA.,

AUGUST 20TH, 1877.

MY RECOLLECTIONS OF Rebecca Steward,

BY PROFESSOR B. F. LEE,

President of Wilberforce University.

Among the persons earliest and dearest in my recollections is she, whose name stands at the head of this article.

In my childhood, I a.s.sociated her with my highest ideas of perfection; in my youth, I looked upon her as one especially interested in my well-being and well-doing; in my manhood I knew her to be a devoted Christian, who was always anxious for all men to know Christ and to keep His commandments, and I never thought otherwise than that she was praying for my success. This has often stimulated me to perseverence and hope in good works, while it has kept me from many snares.

My aunt had an aptness in dealing with and managing children, which made them feel easy in her presence; rendered her instructions impressive, her society agreeable, her manners attractive, and her authority respectable to them.

She possessed a form, general appearance and features, which would have given grace and honor to any position ever filled by woman; while she possessed a native intellect, which had reached that state of culture in which human life appears to best advantage, and which, had she sought it, would have admitted her to the higher circles of life.

Her ideas of life and things were clear, reasonable and definite; while her appreciation of the worth and object of life was highly philosophic and Christian. She always breathed the purest atmosphere her circ.u.mstances and state admitted. It seemed to me that no one could soar higher upon the strength of similar conditions than she. It is one of the finest points in the philosophy of life, to know where to place the lever in order to gain the greatest advantage of the weight, this she seemed to me to nearly always know, and, consequently to carry the burdens of life with comparative ease.

When I was left at ten years of age an orphan, she gave me many items of advice and encouragement, which were as precious ointment to my soul; when I lay on what I supposed was a death bed, she knew how to talk with me and how to pray for me, so as to impress me with her sympathy for me and true faith in G.o.d. I can never forget those days of my fearful looking for the messenger, death, when I was without hope and G.o.d in the world. My dear aunt would say to me, when the physician thought I would hardly recover: "Frank, I think you will get well. I believe G.o.d has a great work for you. I can see it. He will raise you up if you will only trust Him." Then she would bring duty right to my heart, urge me to trust, faith, and repentance towards G.o.d. How well I remember her asking, with the tears streaming down her cheeks: "Now, Frank, can't you see Jesus in this?" the blessed _word_ which she had been reading. "Can't you look right to him and live?"

Then, after it pleased G.o.d to allow me to get well, she never forgot me, but always urged me to give myself up to Christ, pointing out to me the narrow escape which I had made, praying and agonizing with me; so that to-day, whatever I am for humanity and G.o.d, I owe largely to that sainted woman, as G.o.d's instrument.

At the head of the domestic circle, with my uncle, she appeared to have a clear and high notion of home economy. Her house was a house of order, pleasure, books, the Bible, religion, and prayer. Every member of her family was taught that n.o.ble and divine idea of liberty in love. The erring were made to feel the weight of guilt keenly, and the force of love deeply. The well disposed were not flattered to ruin, but urged to grace. She reared her children for heaven and G.o.d. If any of them should fail to enjoy the end of her life in their behalf, she will still have her reward.

In a letter to me, immediately subsequent to the marriage of her youngest child, she said: "I have raised a family of six children. I had long set up in my house an altar to G.o.d to which we all came, but now, thank G.o.d, we have seven altars set up to Him." How great must have been the satisfaction of seeing every one of her children not only settled in life, but given to G.o.d. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it," is well verified in this case.

There was an air of grace and light in her house, which no one could fail to observe, after a very short residence in her family.

Discussion of general topics was free and intelligent. Happy expressions showed that their source was happy hearts.

The books on her shelves, though not so numerous as in many houses, yet were of the best and from the finest authors. I infer, though I never heard her say so, that Burns was one of her favorites among the poets.

In social life my aunt had few superiors. She took a broad view of the state and wants of her community, and was, therefore, one of its leading and most useful members. Her opinions, with regard to matters of general interest, were highly respected, and her advice often sought.

While she was earnestly and plainly Christian in all her thoughts and actions, yet she was not of a sad temperament. This made her able to direct the thoughts of others in the proper way.

In the church she was for the last twenty-five years of her life an abiding and faithful Christian. I have never met with any one who had clearer views of the life and work of faith. Some of the most comfortable, consoling, and impressive conversations I have ever had with Christians, ministers not excepted, have been with her. Her experience was rich, because she had cherished it as from G.o.d. The latter part of her life was attended with great suffering, yet she would not complain, but was made perfect through suffering and allowing patience to have its perfect work. She had learned how to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

I have made it a rule for ten or twelve years to write to my aunt as soon as I returned home from watch-meetings. In this correspondence she has given me much advice and encouragement in the walks of Christianity; telling me of her own experience in suffering and trusting, in the true spirit of Christian heroism, always expressing herself as only awaiting the Lord's call. These letters have been to me as angel's whispers, as heavenly messengers, telling me how to live, how to wait and trust, and I might add, showing me how to die unto the world daily.

With reference to the doctrine of holiness of heart, in my opinion, she was perfectly clear, practical, and scriptural. By practical, I mean in experience and in practice. Her utter rejection of _human_ perfection, but full faith in _Christian_ perfection, I think in perfect keeping with the teachings of the holy Scriptures. She knew the truth, and the truth made her free.

I have never heard one word of her latest testimony to the saving power of the blood of Jesus, but, without hearing this, I venture the a.s.sertion that she died rich in faith and abundantly sustained by grace. O how sweetly, years before she died, have I heard her repeat the consoling words: "I know that my Redeemer liveth!" (O, these blessed words! more than all the words addressed to the human hearts by all religions outside of ours), and "I am striving to make my calling and elections sure," "I am pressing towards the mark," etc.

These added to what I know of her life, are enough to a.s.sure me of her safe pa.s.sage over the dark stream.

In the loss of her, Gouldtown has lost one of its stays and guides; the world, an eminent woman, one of its greatest, because one of its best, and the church one of its most valiant soldiers.

As for myself, I feel to weep with her children in the loss of a spiritual mother, as well as a beloved and highly respected aunt. Let her memory be dear to us, and her exemplary life be to us one of those lights which illuminate the path of the just, "s.h.i.+ning more and more, until the perfect day."

With my grandmother, my aunt Tamson, my own dear father, and the millions of sainted dead, let her body rest and her soul enjoy the eternal bliss of _the promises_ and the G.o.d of the promises.

Mrs. Rebecca Steward BY BENJ. T. TANNER, D.D.

Exactly when or where the writer first made the acquaintance of the subject of this memoir, is forgotten; but he deems himself exceedingly fortunate in the fact itself. To know Rebecca Steward _now_, may not seem much; but in after years, when the real greatness of her character will have become known, as we doubt not it will, to have known her, will be accounted a most happy incident in one's life.

It is so easy to talk of personal greatness, when the fact is, the truly great are as rare as purest diamond. Not one in a thousand approach it; not one in ten thousand attain to it, or, more properly speaking, possess it--for it is a thing of possession, rather than of acquirement. Be it born in you, you have it. If not, not. For while there may be a tide in the affairs of men, which lead on to "fortune,"

there is no such tide to a greatness that is real.

Of the few really great souls whom it has been our privilege to know, Mrs. Rebecca Steward was the peer of any. In a very broad sense she was a great woman. As a daughter she was great in dutiful affection; as a sister, in the very broadest sympathy; as a wife, in her incomparable fidelity; and as a mother, in a patience that knew no bounds.

It need not, however, be expected, that any stranger could sound the depth of her nature, in the above mentioned spheres. The qualities we have presumed to mention, were those that floated upon the surface of her life, and, like sweetest water lily, must need attract the attention of the pa.s.ser by.

It is as a friend and as a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, that the writer himself knew her, and in both which spheres she was eminently great. So vivid, indeed, are the remembrances of the friends.h.i.+p that existed between her and ours, in view of her sudden demise, we find most pertinent the words of Montgomery: