MEMOIR OF 
 
 "WILLIAM "I). STT7AUT
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 GIFT OF 
 
 H. D. KIRSCHMAN
 
 t
 
 r 
 
 MEMOI R 
 
 WILLIAM DAVID i STUART. 
 
 WITH COPIOUS EXTRACTS FROM HIS 
 
 DIARY AND LETTERS. 
 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 AN APPENDIX. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA-. 
 PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION*. 
 
 1865.
 
 TO 
 
 THE BEREAVED ONE 
 
 WHO, WHILE BEARING HER GREAT SORROW WITH FORTITUDE, 
 
 IS FAITHFULLY DISCHARGING HEtf. DUTIES AS 
 
 A CHRISTIAN, 
 
 Volume 
 
 IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED.
 
 TO THE READER. 
 
 N the preparation of this volume, my object has 
 been, not so much to write a Memoir, as to 
 make such a selection from William's papers 
 as would clearly illustrate his life and character. I regret 
 that the work has not fallen into abler hands; but it was 
 the wish of the friends immediately interested that it 
 should be prepared by some one intimately associated 
 with the deceased, and I have yielded my wishes to 
 theirs. 
 
 His Diary from which copious extracts are given 
 was kept sacredly between God and his own soul ; while 
 on the portions of his Letters to M. now printed other 
 eyes than hers were never expected to look ; and neither 
 would have been surrendered for publication had not 
 their possessor believed that good would be accom- 
 plished by their perusal. 
 
 As the entire work of writing and editing has been 
 performed since March last, in hours snatched from other
 
 vi TO THE READER. 
 
 employments, there will be found, almost necessarily, 
 many defects ; but I confidently rely on the indulgence 
 of William's kindred and friends, for whom alone I have 
 undertaken the unaccustomed avocation of authorship. 
 If any who may peruse the volume shall be stimulated 
 to a similar life of holiness and Christian activity, I shall 
 feel abundantly rewarded for my labour of love. 
 
 J. M'M. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, July 1864.
 
 MEMOIR, ............. , ......... 7 
 
 DIARY, ........................ Si 
 
 LETTERS TO M., ...... ........ . ...... 203 
 
 LETTERS TO C. H. W., ... ... ......... ... 3*7 
 
 LETTERS TO PHIL., ... ...... ......... 337 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 ADDRESS OF REV. DR. WYLIE, ... ... ... 
 
 ADDRESS OF REV. DR. BOARDMAN, ... ... 
 
 J-RAYER OF REV. DR. BOARDMAN, ... ... 
 
 ADDRESS OF REV. ALBERT BARNES AT THE GRAVE, 
 CHILDREN'S GATHERING, 
 
 353
 
 MEMOIR 
 
 WILLIAM DAVID STUART.
 
 MEMOIR. 
 
 JILLIAM DAVID STUART, son of George 
 H. and Martha K. Stuart, was born on Mon- 
 day, August 10, 1840, in the city of Phila- 
 delphia. On the day of his birth, the sad 
 intelligence reached Mr. Stuart of the death of his much 
 loved brother William. In memory of this brother, and 
 of his deceased but honoured father, their first-born son 
 was named WILLIAM DAVID. At the time of his birth, 
 and for a few weeks after, there was much doubt whether 
 his life or his mother's would be spared; which fact caused 
 the mother to feel a peculiar tenderness for her child. 
 This love was abundantly reciprocated in William's sub- 
 sequent life. 
 
 When he had reached his third year, scarlet fever 
 entered the household, and the eldest child, a little girl 
 of five years, and an infant son, were laid in the grave 
 within one week of each other. The stricken hearts of 
 the parents clung yet closer to the little one that re- 
 mained for some time the only child whose prattle 
 broke the silence of the house where death had been. 
 There was one other who had taken, on account of Mrs.
 
 ro MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 Stuart's feeble health, the principal charge of the little 
 girl, and who mourned the loss of the dear children; and 
 when little Fanny and the infant George were hidden 
 from her sight, her affections centred on the remaining 
 child her very soul seemed knit to him, and she claime,d 
 him as her own. Mrs. Stuart rejoiced that she could 
 brighten her mother's declining years by giving her son 
 to be the special object of her care, and make her feel 
 that there was still a precious child depending upon her. 
 The love which sprang up between the pious grandmother 
 and the boy was as rare as it was beautiful. By day and 
 by night, in sickness and in health, she watched over 
 him. For years they met every morning at an early 
 hour, when she instructed him in the Word of God, and 
 led him to the throne of grace. And well has this 
 noble Christian woman been repaid for her faithful affec- 
 tion. Her desires were ever regarded; to her he went 
 with his joys and sorrows ; her chamber was usually the 
 first sought when he entered his home ; and even after he 
 attained the years of manhood he might often be found 
 seated on a stool by her side, as in his childish days. 
 With the keenest anxiety he watched her health, and on 
 seeing a slight change in her appearance, notes it in his 
 journal: "Nanna* oh, it pains me to say it is not as 
 I would wish to see her. She is looking very unwell, 
 and it makes my heart bleed at the very thought of part- 
 ing with her; and that, I was going to say, for ever; but 
 no, blessed be God, 'the good shall meet above.' " 
 Several times he feared he would be called upon to fol- 
 low her to the tomb, and always spoke of it with dread. 
 
 * A name given by William to his grandmother Denison, when learning to 
 talk, and by which she is known in the family to this day.
 
 EARLY DAYS. u 
 
 Little did he think that she would sit beside him in his 
 last hours in perfect health, though advanced in life, 
 having all her hopes in heaven, and longing to depart ; 
 while he, just in the dawn of manhood, with everything 
 to render life desirable, was praying that if it were God's 
 will his life might be spared. Truly, mysterious are the 
 ways of the Almighty ! 
 
 He grew into boyhood. At this period of his life his 
 lovely disposition and personal beauty seem to have made 
 a deep impression upon those who saw him. Impulsive 
 and ardent in temperament, whatever he undertook, 
 whether study, work, or play, was prosecuted with zeal 
 and perseverance. He grew up to manhood retaining 
 these characteristics, mentally and physically, a noble 
 specimen of a young man. He possessed a fine figure; 
 was over six feet in height, and was remarked by all for 
 his manliness of bearing. 
 
 At a very early age he entered the infant class in the 
 Sabbath School of the First Reformed Presbyterian 
 Church. Passing rapidly up through the various grada- 
 tions, he entered the Bible class as a pupil \ and when 
 less than fifteen years of age he became a teacher in the 
 same school. On December 5, 1856, when a little over 
 sixteen years of age, he was admitted a member of the 
 Church on profession of his faith. 
 
 In childhood he had a severe attack of scarlet fever, 
 which impaired his hearing to some degree ever after, the 
 tympanum of one ear having been destroyed. At times, 
 when entirely free from cold, this was scarcely notice- 
 able, but often proved a serious inconvenience, and de- 
 prived him of much enjoyment. Twice during this 
 period of his life he was taken to Europe, and placed
 
 12 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 under the treatment of a celebrated London aurist, who, 
 however, gave him only temporary relief. The scenes 
 and events of these visits made so deep an impression 
 on him, that years afterwards, on going again to Europe, 
 he recognized places/ and inquired for people of whom 
 he had since heard nothing, and would even refer to con- 
 versations remembered from that early period. 
 
 His powers of observation were remarkable, and en- 
 abled him, without being conscious of having paid any 
 special attention, to take in everything before him at a 
 glance ; and much amusement did this faculty sometimes 
 afford his friends. Often when something had been 
 sportively said in his presence in an under-tone, which he 
 was not supposed to hear, he would by a smile, or 
 laughter, show that he had comprehended the whole, 
 literally without catching a word. No doubt the defect 
 in his hearing led him to observe manners and motions 
 closely, and this atoned not a little for the loss of sounds. 
 
 In youth, as in manhood, he was a general favourite. 
 While fond of boyish sports and games, in some of which 
 he excelled, he did not neglect his studies; and in those 
 branches in which he took a special interest he was 
 always among the foremost of his class. His early edu- 
 cation was directed by.J. W. Faires, D.D., who has kindly 
 furnished for this volume the following letter, indicating 
 his character during his school-boy days : 
 
 "T M'\T " PHILADELPHIA, yi' *8, 1864. 
 
 " DEAR SIR, It might be supposed that having had charge 
 of the education of William D. Stuart during so many years, I 
 should be able to record many incidents illustrative of his charac- 
 ter. But unfortunately this is not in my power. The daily routine 
 of the school-room is seldom diversified by any occurrence suffi-
 
 GENERAL CHARACTER. 13 
 
 ciently extraordinary to make a lasting impression upon the mind 
 of the teacher. What follows is, therefore, only a very imperfect 
 sketch of his general character. 
 
 " William D. Stuart was a boy of great liveliness of temperament, 
 to whom it was impossible to continue quiet any long time. He 
 was filled to overflowing with the spirit of fun. His sense of the 
 ludicrous was keen. His transitions from one emotion to another 
 were frequent and rapid, joy and laughter quickly succeeding sorrow 
 and tears. He was kind-hearted, social, generous, and obliging, 
 quick to resent, and equally quick to forgive an injury. 
 
 " His talents were of a superior order. His perceptive powers 
 were quick. He acquired with great rapidity whatever he attempted 
 to study. He had a memory both retentive and ready, and was 
 gifted with uncommon fluency. It gave him no trouble to express 
 his thoughts either by speech or writing. He had little taste for 
 mathematics, but excelled in classics. His appreciation of the 
 classic authors, the elegance of his translations, and the natural- 
 ness and correctness of his original compositions, indicated that he 
 was well qualified to attain to excellence in literature. His morals 
 were pure, and, no doubt, the religious character which he sus- 
 tained before he left college was in process of formation while he 
 was at school. I often thought what a bright Christian he would 
 make, if his heart should be brought under the influence of divine 
 grace. He was honourable, truthful, obedient, submissive to dis- 
 cipline, and affectionate toward his companions and instructors : 
 while too many boys arc disposed to treat their teachers as their 
 natural enemies, he appeared while at school, and ever afterwards, 
 to regard his teachers as his friends. It is hardly necessary to add, 
 that his amiable qualities endeared him to myself, and that holding 
 him in high esteem, viewing with deep interest the unfolding of 
 his beautiful character, and entertaining high hopes of the useful- 
 ness and brilliance of his future career, I deplored most sincerely 
 the early death which snatched him from the world. 
 
 " William D. Stuart entered my school August 30, 1847, when he 
 was between seven and eight years of age, and continued under my 
 care until he entered the University of Pennsylvania, June 28,1855. 
 
 I remain yours very respectfully, 
 
 "J. W. FAIRES."
 
 14 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 He was assisted in his preparation for college by Dr. 
 Labberton, and after going regularly through the pre- 
 scribed University curriculum, graduated creditably in the 
 University of Pennsylvania, July i, 1859. 
 
 In Dr. Labberton, to whom he became warmly at- 
 tached, he enjoyed the instructions of a gentleman of 
 remarkable gifts and accomplishments. Earnest and 
 enthusiastic himself, he soon kindled in the mind of his 
 pupil an eager love of knowledge, and stimulated him to 
 exertion. William's proficiency in History and his love 
 for the Microscope were greatly, if not entirely, owing 
 to Dr. Labberton's instructions. 
 
 Though he was a hard student, with a genuine love 
 for learning, yet in his college studies he cannot be said 
 to have been wholly methodical and regular, being in- 
 clined sometimes to pursue, to the detriment of certain 
 branches, others that especially interested him. Of these 
 he would take up one at a time, reading all that he could 
 find upon it, and then turn to something else. He was, 
 too, very fond of general reading, and making experi- 
 ments of various kinds, and would frequently amuse him- 
 self in this way until nine or ten o'clock in the evening, 
 when he would take up his college studies, and work 
 night after night until one, two, and even three in the 
 morning. This impaired his health, and so injured his 
 eyes that it was difficult for him to complete his last 
 year at the University. Immediately after graduating, 
 he took a trip to Minnesota for a little relaxation. 
 
 In all the natural sciences he took great delight. These 
 seemed more accordant with the natural bent of his mind, 
 and besides, had for him special attraction, as leading to 
 the Creator. In astronomy, chemistry, botany, mineral- 
 ogy, and particularly in entomology, he had made large
 
 LOVE OFNATURE. 15 
 
 attainments. Often has the writer, when strolling with 
 him in the country, been charmed and instructed with his 
 lucid discourse upon the beauties of the common flowers 
 of the garden, dissecting them the while ; or catching a 
 tiny insect, he would with great enthusiasm show, with 
 his pocket microscope, its beauties and perfections as 
 coming from the hand of God. This love of nature and 
 natural objects increased with his years, and manifested 
 itself in his travels by his preference for Scotland and 
 Switzerland above other countries. He read much con- 
 cerning them, the latter particularly. The works of the 
 Alpine Club, and accounts of all the expeditions he could 
 find, together with various treatises on the formation of 
 glaciers, he read with great avidity, and became familiar 
 with the paths and passes even of those he had not 
 seen. 
 
 He had collected a .large and valuable cabinet of 
 minerals, and a small but choice collection of coins. 
 He had also a microscope, one of the best ever imported 
 into this country, with a large number of exquisite pre- 
 parations, collected chiefly in Europe. In the use of this 
 instrument he would spend days together in prosecuting 
 his favourite study of entomology. He prepared several 
 lectures on " The Microscope and its Revelations," with 
 other scientific subjects, which he delivered from time to 
 time for the benefit of Sabbath schools and kindred 
 objects. In a literary as well as scientific point of viexv, 
 these lectures on the microscope are perhaps superior to 
 anything he has written. Of the lectures, essays, tracts 
 and speeches which he has left among his papers, 
 Christianity and the God of nature form the substratum. 
 As a specimen, we subjoin an extract from the intro- 
 duction to one of his lectures on the microscope : 
 
 2
 
 1 6 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 " Do not despise small things, and turn jeeringly away, 
 because, perhaps, a drop of muddy water may be our 
 . study. 
 
 " The perfection of this instrument is but recent, and 
 we are yet, with all the grand discoveries, but in the 
 outer court of this temple of nature, inhabited by Divinity 
 himself. Forty years ago the microscope was a mere 
 toy, and no one ever dreamed that it could be improved. 
 Though for two centuries it had been in the hands of the 
 most gifted students of nature, their progress had been 
 but slow and unsatisfactory; while over the inner gate of 
 the temple there seemed to be written, in undying and 
 unchangeable characters, ' Hitherto shalt thou come, and 
 no further.' But after a lapse of years, how changed the 
 scene ! Now we can behold the wisdom and goodness 
 of the Creator displayed in the smallest objects of his 
 workmanship. Here we are confronted with overwhelm- 
 ing evidence of the being and perfection of Him who is 
 the omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God, none 
 of whose creatures are beneath his care. It has well been 
 said by the infidel Rousseau, ' If the Author of nature is 
 great in great things, he is exceeding great in small ones.' 
 
 " This world is a world of life in the air we breathe, 
 in the water we drink, in the ground on which we tread. 
 Life is hurried on by the whirlwind, or borne on the 
 wings of the summer breeze. It is in the blushing rose, 
 or hid beneath the poison vine, lurking in the damp, 
 dark shade of the wood. We see it in the mountain 
 rivulet, the emblem of purity and joy, as it dances gaily 
 along; and we find it in the stagnant pool, from whose 
 turbid waters disease insidiously spreads. It is found on 
 the banks of the noble river, and far down in ocean's
 
 RELIGIOUS TRAINING. 17 
 
 dark and silent bed. Eternal snows and burning sun 
 alike affect it not. All the forces of nature conspire to 
 produce it. Every pore is bursting into life; every death 
 is only a new birth every grave a cradle. And of all 
 this universal, all-pervading life we know but little, and 
 think less. Why should we thus disregard this invisible 
 creation? The same life that animates us animates 
 them ; we all come from the hand of the same Creator, 
 and all are parts of one transcendent whole! Think of 
 this, and I am sure you will look at nature with more 
 interest and love, remembering, as we must, that they, as 
 well as we, are links in that living chain whose beginning 
 is God, whose end is the lowest of his creation." 
 
 While pursuing his college studies he was systematic, 
 at home and abroad, in reading and studying the Scrip- 
 tures, as well as other religious books, especially those on 
 practical religion. His home training had indoctrinated 
 him in the faith of Presbyterianism ; and from his revered 
 pastor, Dr. T. W. J. Wylie, a profound theologian, he 
 had acquired a vast fund of sound biblical and doctrinal 
 knowledge. During this period of college life he united 
 with the Church, founded his mission school, and in 
 many ways laboured earnestly in the cause of his Divine 
 Master. Yet his Diary and Letters frequently exhibit 
 him as mourning the hiding of God's countenance. When, 
 however, the cloud lifted from between his Saviour's face 
 and his own soul the rapture he experienced was be- 
 yond description. 
 
 Robert Hall says, that " The light and insinuations of 
 the Divine Spirit so often accompany the conduct of 
 a strictly religious education, that some of the most
 
 1 8 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 eminent Christians have acknowledged themselves at a 
 loss to assign the precise era of their conversion." So it 
 seems to have been with the subject of our Memoir. 
 His early consecration to his Master's service may, with- 
 out doubt, be traced to his surroundings and training. 
 Made to feel from infancy, by the power of example, that 
 religion is the chief concern of life seeing always zeal and 
 energetic action where Divine things were concerned, and 
 enjoying companionship with godly men visiting almost 
 constantly at his father's house : under these influences, 
 even as a boy, and prior to his connection with the 
 Church, he "went about doing good" among his fellows. 
 
 He was eminently prayerful, and spent much time in 
 the privacy of his chamber, pleading with God for him- 
 self and those he loved. Nor were his prayers confined to 
 stated seasons or the quiet of his closet, but at all times, 
 whether taking a solitary walk or in company surrounded 
 by the gay and thoughtless, we have evidence that his 
 spirit held frequent communion with the heavenly world. 
 
 While his joyous laugh, his fund of anecdote, his keen 
 relish for wit and pleasantry, his readiness to participate 
 in sport, his acute perception of the ridiculous, combined 
 with excellent imitative powers, made him a most cheer- 
 ful companion, there was a seriousness, a spirituality, the 
 depth of which only one heart fully understood. All 
 who knew him were impressed with the clearness of his 
 views of truth, and the robustness of religious character 
 so beautifully developed in one so young ; all could 
 testify to his goodness, his earnestness in the cause of 
 his Master; and all felt that he had consecrated himself 
 wholly to God. Yet there was an inner life, an almost 
 constant soaring of the soul heavenward, a yearning for
 
 MISSION SCIfdOL. 19 
 
 the fulness of Christ's spirit, which was totally unsus- 
 pected by those around him. 
 
 For the Sabbath his reverence, always profound, in- 
 creased as his character developed. He once wrote to 
 a friend, 
 
 " I have often thought that if they who seek to do 
 away with the Sabbath could enjoy it but once as I do, 
 they would count it one of their choicest and dearest 
 blessings." 
 
 Just one year after making a profession of religion, his 
 preparations were completed for the realization of his 
 darling plan a mission school for the neglected and de- 
 graded coloured population of the city ; and on Sabbath, 
 December 6, 1857, with solemn religious services, it was 
 formally opened for the reception of pupils. The first 
 entry in his minute-book, made by this lad of but seven- 
 teen years, was in these words : 
 
 " This morning, in the midst of a pouring rain, we 
 opened our coloured mission school, with twenty chil- 
 dren; which was highly gratifying. May God bless and 
 prosper us" 
 
 The school v/as in connection with the church of which 
 he was a member, and still remains so. William had only 
 two male teachers with him, pledged to the work, at the 
 organization ; but the subsequent history of the enterprise 
 shows that God did abundantly bless and prosper his 
 labours. He was its faithful and devoted superintendent 
 until death took him from all his earthly cares.
 
 20 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 In connection with the school a prayer-meeting was 
 also established for adults, to be held on Sabbath and 
 Wednesday evenings. On the first evening about forty 
 persons were present; and on almost every occasion 
 afterwards the attendance was limited only by the capa- 
 city of the apartment. The school was commenced in a 
 little room near the corner of Thirteenth and Carpenter 
 Streets, which soon proved too small, and it was then 
 held in a larger one, over a tavern in the neighbourhood. 
 This again becoming too strait, it was finally removed to 
 the basement of a church in St. Mary's Street, between 
 Sixth and Seventh, on the ground formerly occupied by 
 the church in which the Rev. Samuel B. Wylie, D.D., 
 first preached in Philadelphia. 
 
 In addition to superintending the school twice on the 
 Sabbath and conducting his Sabbath and Wednesday 
 evening prayer-meetings, he usually devoted two after- 
 noons in the week to visiting the wretched inhabitants 
 of the neighbourhood, to relieve their wants, to pray with 
 the sick and dying, and to gather the children into the 
 school. Sometimes one of his young Christian friends 
 accompanied him, but in most cases he visited alone. 
 In his record for he kept a pocket-diary in which he 
 noted nearly everything connected with this mission 
 there is an amazing amount of true Christian heroism 
 displayed in overcoming the difficulties and removing the 
 obstacles which constantly beset him, arising for the most 
 part from the vice, the ignorance, and the squalid poverty 
 of the population he wished to benefit. Amid all this 
 misery and degradation, however, he was made happy by 
 the consciousness of being assisted by Divine power in 
 the discharge of duty. In thus feeding the hungry, cloth-
 
 VISITATION OF THE SICK. 21 
 
 ing the naked, and ministering to their spiritual necessities, 
 William became universally known and respected among 
 the people, so that no insult or indignity was ever 
 offered him by any of the desperadoes who inhabit a 
 portion of this scene of his labours : not only so, when 
 distress or disease came upon them, or death threatened, 
 he was frequently sent for; and night or day, rain or sun- 
 shine, cheerfully responded. It is not improbable that 
 the exposure to which he was thus subjected may have 
 contributed not a little to hasten his death. 
 
 An extract or two from his Diary will illustrate the 
 
 nature of his work. He was sent for to visit D P , 
 
 long a godless man, but now anxious about his soul ill, 
 perhaps on a dying bed, with a family around him. After 
 a series of visits, the sick man is made to understand 
 something of the nature of true repentance, and of the 
 mercy of God in Christ Jesus in providing salvation for 
 guilty sinners. William writes, April 8, 1860: 
 
 "Visited P . Found him in bed, and suffering 
 
 much pain. Not so well as when I last saw him. Poor 
 fellow, I fear he will not last long. He is suffering 
 from the inhalation of the effluvia consequent on night 
 work. He seems much happier, and is willing to die, if 
 God sees fit to call him away, although he often exclaims, 
 ' My poor family, what will become of them 1 ' Read to 
 him Christ's conversation with Nicodemus, and prayed. 
 He Avas deeply interested, and when about to leave him 
 he held my hand long and warmly. Gave him to think 
 about the text, ' He that believeth on me shall not 
 perish, but have everlasting life.' I trust, and con- 
 fidently hope, that he has found Christ."
 
 22 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 Again : 
 
 "April 22. As I feared, P 's illness terminated 
 
 fatally. He breathed his last on the morning of Tuesday, 
 1 7th, at half-past ten o'clock. All night long he was 
 engaged in singing and prayer, even after the family had 
 retired. His confidence in God remained firm and stead- 
 fast unto the ^nd ; and when he passed away from 
 earth, it was but to enter heaven. This afternoon, at 
 half-past five o'clock, I went to the house, and there 
 being no clergyman present, took charge of the funeral 
 services. We began by singing that beautiful hymn 
 commencing, 'Why should we start and fear to die 1 ?' 
 after which I read selected portions of Scripture, includ- 
 ing those solemn and appropriate passages in Job iii., 
 iv., xix. ; Psalms xc. and ciii. ; i Cor. xv. ; and Rev. xxii. 
 I then addressed those present at some length, en- 
 deavouring to point them beyond the grave, referring 
 more particularly to the words, ' He, being dead, yet 
 speaketh.' It was a solemn meeting, and all seemed 
 deeply interested." 
 
 What but the grace of God could have moved to such 
 severe and self-denying labours'? He had no mean or 
 selfish ends to subserve, no earthly inducements to 
 enter this trying and in some respects repulsive sphere 
 of usefulness. Delicately nurtured, thoroughly educated, 
 possessing fine conversational talents and an unusually 
 attractive person, accustomed to all the amenities of 
 cultivated and refined life, with a keen relish for the 
 beautiful and the good, and with brilliant earthly pros- 
 pects, nothing but the constraining love of Jesus could 
 have induced him to descend to these lowest places of
 
 HIS LAST LETTER. 23 
 
 the earth. But all these labours were only incidental to 
 his great work of caring for the young of this degraded 
 class, and gathering them into his school. On the 
 perusal of his Diary and Letters, the reader will see how 
 constantly this school was upon his heart, and how 
 regularly he made it the subject of earnest prayer to 
 God. When very sick, and prostrated by fatigue on his 
 way to Santa Cruz, at an hour of the night when he 
 should have been taking rest, he wrote a touching letter 
 to his charge, which will be found in the Appendix, 
 incorporated in Dr. Faires' Address to the Mission Schools. 
 After his return from Santa Cruz, while confined to his 
 room, the following note the last he ever penned was 
 written to the acting superintendent : 
 
 " 1313 SPRUCE STREET, 
 " Saturday evening, March 21, 1863. 
 
 " DEAR FRIEND W. To-morrow afternoon the school 
 will be visited by my father in company with a very 
 particular friend of mine from Edinburgh Mr. Thomas 
 Nelson. I would like you to ask the teachers to visit a 
 little, so as to ensure full classes and punctual attendance. 
 
 " Give my love to all the school : tell them they are ever 
 in my thoughts by day, and through the waking hours of 
 the night. My health is still very poor my cough very 
 painful at times ; still I think I am improving. Should 
 Mr. Nelson wish to visit any of the homes of the children, 
 you might show him a few of the dens in Green's Court. 
 
 " This will greatly oblige yours truly, 
 
 " WILLIAM D. STUART." 
 
 In the religious life of his friends nothing seemed to 
 escape him. If they were in a state of carelessness, he
 
 24 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 gently warned them, always praying for them. If 
 awakened to their danger, he kindly showed them, and 
 with remarkable clearness, the way of life. If they were 
 rejoicing in a newly found Saviour, he rejoiced with them, 
 thanking God that another soul had found its way through 
 the labyrinths of sin to its Redeemer. 
 
 The following letter was addressed to a young lady of 
 Philadelphia, one of his early friends ; 
 
 " 1313 SPRUCE STREET, 
 " Wednesday night, March , 1859. 
 
 " MY DEAR FRIEND C. It was with feelings of no 
 ordinary pleasure that I learned of your intention to 
 devote yourself to God giving yourself away to him 
 in a solemn covenant engagement. My intention was 
 to have spoken with you on the subject, but I have been 
 prevented, and as I shall not probably see you until after 
 the Sabbath, I will endeavour to express my thoughts 
 in the form of a letter. 
 
 " The step which you are about to take is one of deep 
 importance and solemnity. It is a step which, if properly 
 taken, will decide your position and destiny, not for time 
 only, but for eternity. Now is the time when Satan will 
 attack your weakest points with his most subtile darts. 
 His attacks will be desperate, and could you only look to 
 yourself for succour, you might indeed be dismayed ; but 
 look above and hear your heavenly Father's voice saying, 
 ' Fear not, for I am with thee.' 
 
 " You have done well in obeying your Saviour's sum- 
 mons to meet him at his table to commemorate his dying 
 love : it is in remembrance of him ; to testify to him that 
 though absent from us in person, he is yet cherished 
 in our minds. Who can ever forget such a Friend one
 
 LETTER TO MISS C . 25 
 
 who laid down his life that we might be saved 1 ? Re- 
 member that in this solemn compact we bind our souls 
 by a sacred bond ; we surrender ourselves, soul and body, 
 to be the Lord's for time and for eternity striving ever 
 to adorn OUT profession by a life and conversation 
 becoming the gospel. 
 
 " But before we come to this ordinance we must first 
 come to Christ himself. Alas ! how many are there who, 
 while they make a very near approach to God in their 
 bodies, their souls are far from him, and who by their 
 daily actions bring dishonour and shame upon the cross 
 of Christ ! 
 
 " Before partaking of this holy ordinance a strict self- 
 examination is enjoined. ' Let a man examine himself/ 
 said Paul to the Corinthians. Look into the deep 
 recesses of your heart, and see what were the motives 
 that prompted you to such a course. And you might 
 with propriety ask me, ' What is the standard by which 
 I shall examine myself?' The Word of God is the 
 standard just and true. Were we required to fulfil 
 strictly all the requirements of that law, we might well 
 shrink back; but the best coin is alloyed, and with us 
 the great questions are, ' Is love to God and the interests 
 of Christ's kingdom the predominant, prevailing interest 
 in my soul 1 Do I love God, and hate sin with a perfect 
 hatred ] Is it the honest and sincere determination of 
 my heart from this time henceforth to serve the Lord V 
 Examine yourself carefully, for conscience will not be 
 deceived. This is no small matter. Upon it hangs the 
 destiny of your immortal soul. The world may be 
 deceived, but God cannot. The world calls many 
 Christians of whom it shall be said, ' I never knew you.'
 
 26 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 With what care and inquiry should we ask the question, 
 ' Lord, is it I?' It is, then, necessary that our hearts and 
 affections should be turned into a new channel. Is such 
 your condition? Is Jesus to you 'the chief among ten 
 thousand, and altogether lovely?' Does your heart burn 
 within you as you think of his matchless love? And do 
 you delight in the ordinances of his house? If so, then 
 indeed it is well with you, well for time, better for 
 eternity. 
 
 " And now, C , in reading over what I have told 
 
 you as a few of the requisites to a proper performance of 
 this solemn act, you might say, as I did, ' I can never 
 come up to this standard of requirements, and therefore 
 am not fit to approach the table of the Lord.' Not so. 
 Of yourself you can do nothing, but in the strength of 
 promised grace you can do all. Your heavenly Father 
 met your necessity when he said, ' My grace is sufficient 
 for thee.' And how is this grace to be obtained 1 By 
 earnest, heartfelt prayer. Ah ! there is the key that 
 unlocks the treasure-house of Divine mercy. Who knows, 
 who can estimate the power of prayer? The voice of 
 Demosthenes opened the heart of the people of Athens : 
 but the prayer of the humble believer opens the door of 
 heaven, and brings down unnumbered mercies. He 
 who is constant in prayer is like the tree whose roots 
 are cooled by the running stream, and thus remain fresh 
 and green while all around it has dried up and withered. 
 
 " If you would be a true follower of the meek and 
 lowly Jesus, you must pray not only at stated times, but 
 often. Prayer is the life-blood of the Christian : take it 
 from him, and he dies. The reason why we of the pre- 
 sent day have not the devotion and zeal, and do not
 
 LETTER TO MISS C . 27 
 
 receive the blessings that were bestowed upon those of 
 former times, is simply because we do not pray as they 
 did. Luther spent several hours daily in prayer. No 
 wonder, then, that he possessed a faith unshaken by 
 popish prelates or the fear of death. 
 
 " Spend, then, much of your time before going to the 
 sanctuary in secret prayer, that God would show you the 
 path of duty, and lead you in it. Make the Bible your 
 daily study and guide-book. Let your soul be daily 
 nourished with its precious truths. Let your thoughts 
 dwell much on the things of eternity. Remember the 
 solemnity of the step you are taking ; and when at last 
 you shall be seated at a communion table, and have 
 received the emblems of a dying Saviour's love, then 
 commit yourself to his keeping, trusting in him, and him 
 only feeling safe in him as a faithful Redeemer, who 
 will present you in the great day pure and spotless before 
 his Father's throne. 
 
 * * * f f * 
 
 " May God's richest blessing descend upon you, guid- 
 ing you now and ever in the path of duty. May you 
 have grace given you to live a consistent Christian life, 
 an honour to the Church, and a blessing to those with 
 whom you are associated. May all earthly blessings be 
 yours ; and at last may you have a joyful entrance into 
 those mansions of peace 'where the wicked cease from 
 troubling and the weary are at rest.' 
 
 " That these may be yours is the prayer of yours truly, 
 
 " WM. D. STUART." 
 
 The large and well-selected library which he has left 
 bears evidence of his good taste and judgment. In addi-
 
 28 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 tion to a liberal supply of works on theology and science, 
 the departments of history, poetry, Belles-lettres and the 
 fine arts are fully and judiciously represented. He read 
 rapidly, yet understandingly and with system, generally 
 making notes as he progressed. He avoided, and indeed 
 loathed, the pernicious "yellow-covered" literature of the 
 day, but occasionally indulged in well-written works of 
 fiction, by way of mental recreation. Possessing a dis- 
 criminating mind and retentive memory, he was able to 
 cull out all that was worth remembering; so that, in his 
 intercourse with the world, he could avail himself of his 
 rich stores of knowledge to adorn a conversation or fortify 
 an argument. Naturally of a reserved and timid disposi- 
 tion, it was only where he felt himself well acquainted 
 that his fine colloquial powers and well-stored mind were 
 brought thoroughly into requisition. 
 
 As a writer, his style was free and dashing, often rising, 
 when his feelings were interested, to eloquence and 
 beauty. The journal written to his family while travel- 
 ling in Europe abounds with such passages, and exhibits 
 descriptive powers of a high order. With Scotland he 
 was greatly pleased, and wrote enthusiastically of its rich 
 and varied scenery. On bidding farewell to the island of 
 Arran, and the warm friends who entertained him there, 
 he thus apostrophizes : 
 
 " Farewell Arran ! with your lofty crags your wild 
 glens your bleak, barren moors your lovely valleys and 
 heather-clad hills, among which I have wandered, and 
 gathered many of nature's gems your rocky shores and 
 land-locked bays, which have yielded up to me many of 
 ocean's hidden treasures ; rich studies from whence lessons
 
 DESCRIPTION OF A SHELL-FISH. 29 
 
 have been learned not soon to be forgotten. Farewell 
 scenes of historic interest, haunts of the brave, where I 
 have sat and been carried back to the days of Bruce, 
 Scotland's guiding star ! Farewell friends, who in no 
 small degree have contributed to my enjoyment, and to 
 whom I owe much of this pleasure ! Farewell all ! and 
 should my life be spared, many, many years after this, 
 will I look back upon the days spent upon this island as 
 a season of unmarred enjoyment." 
 
 Another extract, giving a description of a tiny shell- 
 fish :- 
 
 "August 21, 1861. About one o'clock went fishing 
 
 with Mr. and Miss N , but caught nothing. We then 
 
 took to the dredge, and sailed up and down for about 
 half an hour. The result of our haul was several star 
 fish and goniasters, hermit crabs, ascidians, and, last of 
 all, a lima a creature for delicacy of form and beauty of 
 colour unsurpassed in the treasures of the ocean. The 
 fragile shell does not entirely cover this little mollusc ; 
 the most beautiful part, a delicate orange-coloured fringe, 
 is entirely outside and unprotected ; and were no means 
 provided for its defence, it would be a most tempting 
 morsel for some roving haddock or whiting. But the 
 same wise and kind Creator who ' tempers the wind to 
 the shorn lamb ' has taught this little creature a wonder- 
 ful art of self-preservation. It is not content with hiding 
 itself amongst the loose coral, for it would soon be washed 
 out by the storms : it becomes a marine mason, and builds 
 for itself a nest constructs a coral grotto ; and proves 
 that it is not only a mason, but a plasterer, a rope-spinner,
 
 30 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 and a weaver of most durable tapestry. In order that 
 the little bits of coral composing its house may be firmly 
 knit together, cordage is needed ; and this cordage the 
 lima spins. But how ? We know not as yet. It has no 
 spinnerets like the spider. The skill of the physiologist 
 has as yet been unable to detect any organ set apart for 
 this purpose. Yet the fact is the same ; and it twines 
 and intertwines its little ropes, with which it binds firmly 
 together the walls of its habitation, and bids defiance to 
 wind and wave and plunderer. When first you see this 
 little house, you are inclined to throw it away as a mass 
 of half-decayed sea-weed and blackened coral. But stop ! 
 look how wisely this is constructed. Externally it is hard 
 enough, and thus better fitted to resist attack and keep 
 secure its frail inhabitant. But look within, and see how 
 it is lined with a curtain soft as silk. See how it has 
 woven the little cords into a tapestry which protects its 
 frail tentacles from being injured by the roughness of the 
 outer walls ! Removing the little creature from its nest, 
 and putting it in a jar of sea water, what a beautiful object 
 it is! Its mode of swimming is the same as that of the 
 clam; it suddenly opens the valves of the shell, and then 
 as suddenly shuts them, and the water being forced out, 
 impels the animal with great rapidity, and thus it swims 
 by a succession of leaps. It is very delicate, and with 
 the greatest care rarely lives in the aquarium longer than 
 a fortnight. How prone we are to admire the creature 
 and forget the Creator ! how apt to admire the dexterity 
 and skill of these lower creatures, to wonder at them, 
 without adoring Him who gave them these powers, and 
 taught them to perform instinctively these things, which 
 so loudly call forth our praise !"
 
 HIS FRIENDSHIPS. 31 
 
 Mr. Stuart's frequent absences from home, and his often 
 recurring attacks of asthma, led William to feel a more 
 than usual interest in all that concerned his mother, and 
 to strive to relieve her from care as far as was in his 
 power. He had the highest respect for her home manage- 
 ment and discipline. His love for her was deep and 
 quiet, manifesting itself in his uniformly affectionate 
 manner of speaking of her ; his unremitting attention to 
 her when suffering from illness ; and the pleasure with 
 which he recalled scenes of his childish days in which she 
 had borne a part the songs she had then sung to him 
 and especially the happy evenings which, at a later time,, 
 
 he spent with her and his aunt, Mrs. R , in showing 
 
 them his minerals and other collections, or in talking over 
 some book which they were reading. No doubt he owed 
 much of his culture to their judgment and good taste, and 
 to the encouragement given him by the interest they 
 uniformly felt in his plans and pursuits. 
 
 While he had many acquaintances, his real friendships 
 were few. With that keen discernment which seemed 
 part of his nature, he sifted and weighed character before 
 offering or accepting the slightest advances toward inti- 
 macy ; but his confidence, once gained, was firm in every 
 emergency. Never was a friend more noble, true, and 
 disinterested. 
 
 On one occasion, when deceived in one whom he 
 believed his friend, he writes : 
 
 " I am sorry to say, that after fully weighing the mat- 
 ter, and even throwing all possibilities in his favour, my 
 opinion is that he is guilty of all I have charged him with. 
 I have fully forgiven him, nor will I ever cease to pray 
 
 3
 
 32 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 for him ; yet I can never look upon him with the same 
 degree of confidence again. I have learned a bitter but 
 I trust profitable lesson by it. How few are our true 
 friends, and how much should we love those who are really 
 such ! A friend is one of Heaven's choicest blessings." 
 
 Such magnanimity as this such forgiveness of enemies 
 and praying for them could only be learned in the school 
 of Christ. High-toned and chivalrous, manly and inde- 
 pendent, he loathed everything vulgar, grovelling, or 
 sycophantic. From persons who had nothing but money 
 or dress to recommend them he instinctively shrank, 
 and did not hesitate, in a becoming way, to express his 
 contempt for their pretensions. There was nothing little 
 or selfish about him. Generous to a fault, self-sacrificing 
 even to his own injury, he lived for others. In a life of 
 half a century we have known but one William David 
 Stuart. From an intimacy of years, spending hours 
 together almost daily, conversing on all subjects, boat- 
 ing, riding, playing practical jokes, travelling, praying, 
 and, in cases of emergency, sleeping together, we knew 
 the man in his inner as well as outer life, and can un- 
 hesitatingly affirm that never have we known one of his 
 age possessed of so beautiful, so symmetrical a character. 
 In William's death the writer lost his youngest, but his 
 most valued friend. 
 
 With young men of his own age he had great influence ; 
 and when he could establish a bond of sympathy, in any 
 way, he greatly enjoyed their society. 
 
 Kind and winning in his manners, he won the confi- 
 dence of his associates ; and, before they were aware of 
 it, the great interests of eternity were, with a singularly
 
 LOVE FOR HIS NATIVE LAND. 33 
 
 happy tact, made the subject of discourse. Yet his 
 tastes, pursuits, and enjoyments being different from 
 those of the majority, and his mind more matured than 
 usual, he naturally sought intercourse and companionship 
 with older persons. The Letters at the close of this 
 Memoir attest how highly he was valued by men of large 
 experience and great learning. Well versed in theology, 
 in several of the sciences, in history, in polite literature, 
 and having kept pace with this rapid age, as its daily 
 events transpired, he not only appeared to advantage 
 among men of culture, but his society was sedulously 
 sought for. On all the great national questions of the 
 day, whether of home policy and politics or those of 
 foreign nations, he was equally well informed, and all his 
 views were broad and enlightened. 
 
 He loved his native land intensely, and would acknow- 
 ledge no blot on her fair name, save the dark one of 
 slavery; of this he pleaded guilty before God and man. 
 The genius and structure of her institutions, her free and 
 untrammelled constitutional liberty, her religion, her re- 
 sources, her power, her population, were all thoroughly 
 understood by him. In the great Rebellion all his sym- 
 pathies were with the North ; and often when travelling 
 in Europe has he stood up nobly in defence of the right, 
 placing the subject in so clear a light as to turn the 
 tide of sympathy in the true direction. In the circle in 
 which he moved, America was the standing topic of con- 
 versation; and he has been known to forget, in the ardour 
 of his zeal, his natural reserve, to explain at length, with 
 great warmth, before crowded drawing-rooms, the nature 
 and working of our Federal Government, insisting upon 
 its superiority over their monarchical system not unfre-
 
 34 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 quently to the chagrin of some of his auditors, who were 
 unable to reply to his arguments. 
 
 During the latter part of William's college life the 
 choice of a profession gave him much anxiety. While 
 his tastes would have led him to some scientific pursuit, 
 duty, as usual with him, prevailed over inclination, and 
 giving up the ministry, for which he feared his health 
 would not be sufficiently strong, he decided on a busi- 
 ness life. His Letters show how earnestly he prayed God 
 to direct him to such a course as would best promote the 
 cause of the Redeemer on earth. 
 
 On his return from a tour in the West, in 1859, his 
 health seemed restored, and he entered his father's busi- 
 ness house with the intention of applying himself with all 
 his energy to its details, to qualify himself for active life 
 as a merchant. Scarcely, however, had he commenced 
 when his strength again began to give way, and he was 
 able to give only partial attention to the department with 
 which he had been entrusted. 
 
 In June 1860 he made a visit to Princeton, and was 
 much benefited by his two weeks' recreation and out- 
 door exercise. 
 
 In January 1861, while visiting Milton, a distant town 
 in his native State, to deliver a lecture on the micro- 
 scope, he contracted a severe cold. The weather was 
 intensely severe, the thermometer ranging from 10 to 20 
 below zero, and the winds high and piercing. Immense 
 blocks of ice were heaped up like a wall on the banks of 
 the Susquehanna. He was out in the air a great deal, 
 wading through the snow to and from the Academy 
 bujlding to arrange the apparatus for exhibiting micro- 
 scopic objects, as well as sleigh-riding, &c. ; and it is
 
 LETTER FROM SICK-ROOM. . 35 
 
 probable that his exposure impaired his health for life, 
 as from this time he was frequently troubled with a 
 cough. 
 
 On his return to Philadelphia, though far from strong, 
 he endeavoured to attend to his business duties and his 
 mission school ; but after leaving the latter on the Sabbath, 
 he was often forced to return home, unable from exhaus- 
 tion to remain at church. 
 
 Toward the close of February he was obliged to 
 acknowledge himself an invalid. On the 2ist of this 
 month he writes from his sick-room : 
 
 " Here I am, a prisoner again. I had hoped, al- 
 though confined to the house all day yesterday, to 
 have been able to go out in the evening; but at dark 
 the doctor came in, and after looking at me gravely 
 for several moments, feeling my pulse, and examining 
 my tongue, strictly ordered me to stay in the house 
 and undergo a course of treatment, the first time he 
 has prescribed for me since I was fourteen years old. 
 Yesterday I was much alarmed at myself; but the doctor 
 has quieted my fears. I had got the idea firmly fixed in 
 my mind that my cold had settled on my lungs, and that 
 I was beginning to waste away; which was strengthened 
 by my entire loss of appetite a thing unusual with me. 
 However, after taking two or three doses of my medicine, 
 I feel much better and brighter, and hope soon to be as 
 strong and hearty as ever. It is so dull staying in the 
 house : true, I have plenty of books and my microscope; 
 but even these I sometimes do not care to use. Then 
 I like to stretch myself on the lounge, and build beautiful 
 hopes for the future.
 
 36 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 "I have lately become impressed more than ever with 
 the duty of self-examination, looking very often into 
 our hearts, and seeing how they stand toward God. It 
 is very important that we should know this. Just as the 
 careful merchant often examines his books to see how 
 his credit stands with those with whom he deals, so should 
 we look very often to see how we stand with God. No 
 one can do it for us it must be a personal work; and if 
 attended to in a Christian spirit and with prayer, will tend 
 greatly to our growth in grace." 
 
 The spring weather being such that he could not often 
 get out in the air to gain strength, he prepared in April 
 for a trip to Savannah; but many of his friends objecting 
 to this, he sailed for Europe, May 18, 1861. He re- 
 mained abroad about six months, and, in accordance with 
 the advice of Dr. Quain of London, spent some time at 
 the sea side at Blackpool. He also made excursions in 
 the Lake District in England; then went to Scotland, 
 visited the Islands on the western coast, and passed 
 through the Highlands. From Scotland he went up to 
 London, thence to Paris and Switzerland, to Baden-Baden, 
 and back to London via Paris. 
 
 During this visit, while he was hospitably entertained 
 by the numerous relatives and friends of his father, he 
 made many new and lasting friends of his own. The kind 
 attentions he received especially those of his kindred in 
 Birkenhead and Manchester, and his friends in Edin- 
 burgh will not soon be forgotten by his surviving family. 
 
 He returned home, October 25, 1861, looking re- 
 markably well, and having gained some thirty pounds in 
 weight. As cold weather approached, however, it was
 
 VISIT TO EUROPE. 37 
 
 found that his health was not permanently established. 
 During the winter and following spring he was much 
 confined to the house, and it was thought advisable for 
 him to make another voyage to Europe. He sailed, May 
 7, 1862, for Liverpool, but very reluctantly, being quite 
 wearied with travelling and with being so much from 
 home ; and, indeed, he would not have consented but for 
 the opportunity of obtaining a knowledge of business by 
 accompanying his friend Mr. Caldwell, one of the partners 
 in his father's house, to the manufacturing districts of 
 England. He could not be prevailed upon to stay longer 
 than was required for business, and for a little trip in 
 Ireland, which he greatly enjoyed, in spite of the weather. 
 He was very hospitably received by the warm-hearted 
 Irish friends and kindred of his father and himself. He 
 also spent a few days in Scotland, and made a hurried 
 visit to Paris. 
 
 He reached home early in July, looking rather better 
 than when he left, but in reality not much benefited by 
 his trip. The weather during his absence was very un- 
 favourable, there being scarcely a day without rain. His 
 'cold and cough became worse as autumn approached, 
 and he gradually lost strength; yet he was ever hopeful 
 with regard to himself, and the report of several physicians 
 led his friends to dismiss all serious fears for his life, and 
 believe that he would soon recover. 
 
 He would not, even at this time, acknowledge himself 
 an invalid ; for about the first of September he joined a 
 military company whose services were expected to be 
 speedily required at the capital of the State, to assist in 
 repelling a threatened invasion by the rebels; but his 
 failing strength soon forced him to give up the drill.
 
 38 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 We now come to the second great event in his life his 
 marriage to Miss Mary Ella Johnson, a daughter of the 
 late Laurence Johnson, Esq., of this city. To this young 
 lady he had been several years engaged, and her personal 
 attractions, intelligence, culture, and piety, rendered her 
 in every respect worthy to be his- companion for life. 
 Her love had long been the sunshine of his existence. 
 Even while yet children they seem to have been irresist- 
 ibly attracted to each other, and an affection so pure and 
 holy is rarely to be found on earth. As winter had 
 approached, his health had steadily declined, and a voyage 
 to Santa Cruz was recommended, with a short residence 
 on that island. This decided the time of his marriage, 
 for he could not bear to contemplate another separation 
 from all he loved ; while the true heart, on whom he was 
 daily learning more and more to lean, rejoiced in the 
 opportunity of nursing him in sickness, and being his 
 solace and support while journeying far from home. 
 They were united on the 4th of December, 1862. The 
 same afternoon they went to New York, and sailed for 
 Havana the following Tuesday, accompanied by William's 
 uncle, Mr. David W. Denison. It was a kind Providence 
 that put it into the heart of this Christian gentleman to 
 go with them, for he rendered them such service as none 
 could but a kinsman and loving friend. It was a journey 
 at once of joy and sorrow : of joy to the young hearts 
 that they were united by the closest and holiest of bonds; 
 of sorrow that the sickness of him the pride and joy of 
 the young wife's heart might be unto death. 
 
 The weather was severely cold, and the ill-furnished 
 and over-crowded steamer promised a voyage full of dis- 
 comfort. The deck, the only pleasant portion of the ship,
 
 VOYAGE TO THE WEST INDIES. 39 
 
 was always thronged, many having mattresses upon it. 
 In this state of things, with the rolling of the vessel at 
 times, it was impossible for William to take the exercise 
 he felt to be necessary; nor could he get needful rest in 
 his close state-room in the lower cabin, never reached by 
 fresh air, and almost intolerable when the engine fires 
 had thoroughly heated the iron vessel, and the temperature 
 of the Gulf Stream was reached. Still he was uniformly 
 cheerful and uncomplaining, and occupied himself with 
 reading, talking, and attending to his sea-sick companions. 
 In the afternoon his symptoms were usually unfavourable, 
 and he suffered from chilliness. 
 
 On the morning of the i6th December they entered 
 the beautiful harbour of Havana, and in a short time 
 found comfortable apartments at the Hotel Cubano. The 
 rain and dampness, however, confined William to the 
 hotel for days together ; and as it was the head-quarters 
 of the Secessionists, he found little pleasure in leaving his 
 own rooms. He was, however, occasionally enlivened by 
 the society of some fellow-passengers, who had proved 
 pleasant companions. When the day was fine he would 
 drive through the city and its suburbs, but sometimes felt 
 unable to leave the carriage to see the various objects of 
 interest, and when occasionally he walked out, he always 
 returned fatigued. After remaining in Havana ten days, 
 and feeling that each one left him weaker, it was deter- 
 mined, by the advice of friends, to go over to Matanzas, 
 there to remain until it should be necessary to embark at 
 Havana for St. Thomas. 
 
 On the 27th of December the change was accomplished 
 to the gratification of all, Mr. Denison having, with his 
 usual thoughtfulness, made arrangements in advance for
 
 40 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 their comfort. The house, though plain, was American, 
 and decidedly Northern in sentiment. 
 
 With pleasant drives by the sea-side, the society of the 
 American Consul and a number of agreeable ladies, 
 William passed his time pleasantly ; but he did not gain 
 strength, and his cough became very painful, keeping 
 him awake much at night. 
 
 The greatest exertion he made while in Cuba was to 
 visit the beautiful valley of the Yumuri, near Matanzas, 
 the execrable road to which fatigued him greatly. The 
 party returned to Havana on the 2nd January, 1863; on 
 the 6th set sail in the steamer "Conway;" and on the 
 morning of the i4th found themselves lying within a 
 stone's throw of the green clad hills and airy palms of 
 Santa Cruz, over which was still shining the beautiful 
 constellation of the Cross, as if to recall to their remem- 
 brance that love which extends to the ends of the earth. 
 
 Here the travellers hoped to make a pleasant home 
 for a few months, but on landing were dismayed to find 
 that there was no longer a boarding-house in the place. 
 In a short time, however, Mr. Moore, to whom they had 
 letters of introduction, hearing of their embarrassment, 
 offered the hospitality of his house. Mrs. Moore received 
 them in the kindest manner, as did also her husband and 
 sons ; and all were unceasing in their efforts to add to 
 their comfort and make them feel at home. Never were 
 travellers more blessed in finding friends. A happy week 
 was spent in their society. Nor did their attentions cease 
 when a person was found willing to open a house for 
 the travellers' accommodation, but daily, indeed almost 
 hourly, did they give some mark of their unwearying 
 kindness.
 
 ALARMING SYMPTOMS. 41 
 
 In their new quarters in Frederickstadt the travellers 
 were again blessed by falling into the hands of an ex- 
 cellent lady, Miss A , who did everything in her power 
 
 to promote their comfort. The weather was charming, 
 the mercury never falling much below 70, and usually 
 standing at about 84 throughout the day. Almost un- 
 comfortably warm as this was for his wife and uncle, 
 coming from the frosty air of the north, William was con- 
 stantly chilly, and never took off the thick flannels and 
 tlothing with which he left home but once or twice, and 
 that for a short time in the middle of the day. The con- 
 struction of the houses on the island, with windows on 
 four sides, and these without glass, was very unfavourable 
 to one sensitive to the least current of air, and he took 
 cold continually, notwithstanding every effort was made 
 to prevent it. 
 
 Before reaching the island, he had purposed riding on 
 horseback every day; but a drive out in a carriage was 
 found to be as much as he could bear, and even this was 
 gradually discontinued, from his increasing weakness. 
 His symptoms became more alarming. His appetite 
 never remarkably good began to decrease, and few 
 delicacies could be procured to tempt it. He was obliged 
 to have recourse to anodyne nightly. His sufferings from 
 chills were at times severe, and the consequent fever 
 seemed as though it would consume his wasted body. He 
 no longer felt able to sit at table to take his meals, and 
 he became assured that he would not recover while 
 remaining there. 
 
 In those dark hours the thoughts of all turned towards 
 home. The invalid especially longed for it. The physi- 
 cians at first refused to permit the journey, but after a
 
 42 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 consultation, said he might depart. Then, like an 
 electric flash, came the thought there is no hope. With 
 apparent calmness his wife prepared for immediate 
 departure, her loving heart strained to the last degree of 
 tension, condemned to bear her sorrow alone, unknown 
 to him who had shared all her griefs and joys from child- 
 hood. Well was it for her in those long days of agony 
 that an Almighty Friend was near. 
 
 Providentially the packet schooner D. J3. Bayles, 
 Captain Jayne, with excellent accommodations, was in 
 port, and in a few days to sail for New York; and to 
 make it still more pleasant, the excellent wife of the 
 captain was to accompany him. 
 
 With sad hearts they bade farewell to the friends to 
 whom they had become greatly attached, and freighted 
 
 with comforts and delicacies prepared by Mrs. M 
 
 and Miss A , they sailed from Santa Cruz on the 
 
 1 7th of February. The invalid seated himself on deck, 
 and as the little vessel moved gracefully off before a fine 
 breeze, he gazed for the last time on the beautiful island, 
 waving his handkerchief in reply to the signals of Mrs. 
 
 M and her sons, feeling that although his health had 
 
 not been restored, God was merciful in having given him 
 such friends as he was leaving, and such as were convey- 
 ing him home. 
 
 Captain Jayne and his wife were unwearied in their 
 attentions, and no sacrifice was too great for them to 
 make. They gave up their own commodious state-room, 
 and provided many things with the special view of add- 
 ing to William's comfort. 
 
 For a few days after leaving Santa Cruz he was very 
 ill, and it was extremely doubtful whether he would live
 
 VOYAGE HOME. 43 
 
 to reach home. Not knowing what might be the result, 
 preparations had been made before leaving the West 
 Indies to return his body to his home and friends, should 
 God take his spirit to himself while at sea. One evening 
 as the invalid was lying on the upper deck, with his con- 
 stant companion seated by his side, the thought that he 
 would die far away from home depressed him greatly; 
 and as she wiped the fast flowing tear from his pale 
 cheek, he turned his clear, deep eye upon her and said, 
 with much energy, " Mellie, never let them bury me in 
 the sea." On being assured that they never would, in a 
 moment he was calm; and from that time it was thought 
 he rallied somewhat. 
 
 Although exceedingly weak and ill during the voyage, 
 he manifested his usual energy of character. He dressed 
 himself with some assistance, every day, with one excep- 
 tion; and the captain and his uncle Denison supported 
 him to the cabin or deck. He took much interest in 
 things about him, noted the daily run of the vessel, and 
 read several volumes during the voyage. Usually the 
 weather was favourable, but occasionally their progress 
 was retarded by head winds and heavy seas, and when 
 nearly in sight of New York they were becalmed for an 
 entire day; yet not a murmur of disappointment rose 
 from the lips of the sufferer. 
 
 Early in the morning of 2nd March the schooner 
 anchored off Jersey City; and the friends of the party in 
 Philadelphia, who supposed them still in Santa Cruz, were 
 startled on receiving the same day a telegram announc- 
 ing their arrival. Some of the family went on immediately, 
 and the next day accompanied him to his home, from 
 which he had been absent just three months. Great was
 
 44 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 his joy on reaching it, and being again under the care of 
 his own physician and friend, Dr. Rumsey. New scenes 
 animated his hopes, his appetite improved, and all 
 thought he would soon be better. He was very hopeful 
 of his own condition, and frequently spoke to his wife of 
 his plans for the future, as though he had no doubt of 
 his ultimate recovery. This hopefulness did much to 
 allay her fears; for she felt that, were he drawing near 
 the invisible world, he would have an instinctive sense of 
 his condition; and though he might be beyond medical 
 aid, he was a peculiar object of God's care, and he could 
 and would restore him. He expected in a few days after 
 reaching home to be able to go up to the library and 
 amuse himself with his books and minerals and micro- 
 scope; but this he never accomplished, and left his room 
 but once or twice when he was wheeled in his chair to 
 the adjoining one. He sat up after he rose in the morn- 
 ing till ten, and often eleven o'clock, conversing with the 
 family or some of his numerous friends at times recall- 
 ing amusing incidents, and speaking with as much 
 enthusiasm as his strength would allow. In one of 
 these conversations, he remarked to his friend Mr. 
 James Grant : " If there is one thing more than 
 another which my sickness has taught me, it is this 
 the absolute folly of putting off the soul's salvation to 
 a sick-bed. My mind and body are so weakened 
 that I can scarcely find strength to read my Bible and 
 pray." He noticed the new publications, and several 
 times sent out for new works. He read chiefly scientific 
 books, and amused himself in arranging his collection 
 of stamps in an album. In the news of the day he took 
 a deep interest, and read the morning papers regularly
 
 MEDICAL CONSULTATION. 45 
 
 before rising, and even did so on the morning before his 
 death. 
 
 After the excitement of his return had passed off, it 
 became apparent that he did not improve. His appetite 
 decreased ; he rose later each morning, and never walked 
 across the room, save to reach his arm-chair when he 
 rose in the morning, and to return to bed at night. He 
 manifested a great desire to know what his physician 
 thought of his state; and on being gently told that his 
 lungs were affected, and his symptoms regarded as most 
 serious, he looked earnestly into his wife's face, and with 
 a voice not entirely free from agitation, said, " I might 
 have known it," and mentioned one of the symptoms 
 which he ought to have recognized. 
 
 Still he continued hopeful, though it was very evident 
 from his remarks that he felt he might not recover. He 
 longed and prayed to live. Life to him was so full of 
 hope and joy, and he felt he had yet so much to do for 
 Christ, that no amount of suffering could wring from 
 him a wish to depart. Yet there was always a willing- 
 ness and desire that God's will might be done. 
 
 Doctors Caspar, Morris, and Pepper were now called 
 in as consulting physicians. Although they could do 
 nothing more than had been done, even to alleviate his 
 physical sufferings, Dr. Morris, who saw him often, brought 
 the balm provided by the great Physician ; and the tones 
 of his voice, and the appearance of his benevolent face, 
 brought strengthening to the hearts of both sufferers. 
 
 On the night of Friday, April 3, while preparing for 
 bed, William had a dreadful attack, and for ten minutes 
 it was doubtful whether he would live through it. It 
 seemed to be spasmodic, and he felt that he would suffo-
 
 46 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 cate. After this he had a pretty comfortable night, but 
 from that time he did not leave his bed. 
 
 The next evening he noticed his grandmother talking 
 with Dr. Rumsey, and after the doctor retired she seated 
 herself at his bedside. He asked her what the doctor 
 thought of him, and questioned her closely, saying, 
 " Nanna, I have to screw it out of you." She told him 
 plainly there was no hope of his recovery. He said, 
 " I would like to live to do more for Christ; but it's all 
 right. I am glad you told me all; it is best to be pre- 
 pared for either event." He then looked up to the head 
 of the bed where his wife was standing, and in a few 
 words expressed the agony he felt at parting from her, 
 adding, after a brief pause, " I hope I am ready." 
 
 The next day William expressed a strong desire to 
 see and talk with Dr. Morris. The doctor was soon by 
 his side. After conversing a little about his symptoms, 
 and the probable length of his life, he learned there was 
 no ground to suppose he would pass away during such 
 an attack as he had on the previous night ; which seemed 
 to comfort and encourage him. William expressed his 
 desire to live, that he might do something for Jesus, 
 when the doctor replied, "You can trust him." The 
 words seemed to flow like healing balm into the sick 
 man's soul. The kind physician then knelt down and 
 prayed with him, and when he arose stooped and kissed 
 the beautiful face, which even then wore the radiant 
 expression that must belong to the heavenly world. 
 
 The day following was the Sabbath. Early in the 
 morning, his wife seeing the tears chasing each other 
 down his cheeks, inquired of what he was thinking. 
 He said, " Oh, I long to go to my mission school ! "
 
 THE MISSION SCHOOL DYING REQUEST. 47 
 
 During one of his paroxysms of pain he whispered to 
 her, " I keep constantly thinking of these lines : 
 
 ' Give me, O Lord, a thankful heart, 
 From every murmur free ; 
 The blessings of thy grace impart, 
 And make me live to thee.' " 
 
 He was visited this day by Rev. Dr. Wylie and Mr. A. 
 Martin, and gave most satisfactory evidence that he knew 
 in whom he had believed. To his pastor he expressed 
 a desire to live, but said, " If it is God's will, I am ready. 
 I look to Jesus alone for salvation." They prayed and 
 sang with him, and the dying teacher seemed to enter 
 into the spirit of both their prayers, as well as the sweet 
 songs of Zion, of which he was remarkably fond. As Dr. 
 Wylie was leaving, William requested his prayers that 
 afternoon, especially that no presumption might be 
 mingled with the confidence he enjoyed of salvation 
 through the atoning blood of Jesus. Later in the day, 
 while conversing with his father concerning his departure, 
 he said, 
 
 "I would like, papa, that you, Dr. Wylie, and Mr. 
 Grant be a committee to look after the mission school, 
 and see that all goes on right. It must go right, for it 
 was planted with a great many prayers. I do not feel 
 as though God were going to take me away. I have 
 felt since I was a boy that He had some special work 
 for me to do. Perhaps the founding of that school was 
 my work." 
 
 Monday was a day of great suffering to the dying 
 saint, and had not the hearts of those around been 
 
 4
 
 4 S MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 blinded by love, they would have seen God's seal upon 
 his brow. It was terrible to see his patient suffering, 
 and know that everything had been done that could be. 
 He had on this day a sweet interview with his friend 
 Grant (who had been, throughout his sickness, unremit- 
 ting in his attentions), in which the interests of his school 
 were mentioned, and committed to his care in part. 
 Towards evening his case became very alarming, and 
 Dr. Rumsey was requested to remain all night. At 
 times his mind would wander for a few seconds. He 
 knew perfectly all about him. None of those with him 
 undressed themselves; but towards morning nearly all 
 left the room, as he seemed inclined to sleep. The still- 
 ness was soon broken by his pouring forth his soul, 
 stirred to the very depths, in a prayer such as none 
 could utter but one of Christ's chosen ones, to whom 
 the veil was being lifted, and who, standing on the con- 
 fines of the heavenly world, sees the necessity of commit- 
 ting to the Saviour those who are still subjected to earthly 
 influences. Supported by a bed-chair, with one hand 
 raised toward heaven, he prayed still, " If it be possible, 
 let this cup pass from me; yet not my will, but Thine be 
 done." Oh ! how earnestly he prayed for his dear 
 partner that she might be strengthened to bear all the 
 trials of life, and that they might be reunited in heaven ; 
 his family, and the one with which he had become so 
 recently connected ; his mission school ; the faithful 
 nurse who sat by his bedside; all were the subjects of 
 earnest appeal to the Mercy Seat. The great difficulty 
 with which this prayer was uttered, the intense effort it 
 cost, added much to its fervour. It had been difficult 
 for him to speak even in whispers throughout the day,
 
 DEA Til DRA WING NEAR. 49 
 
 and now after every few words his cough obliged him 
 to stop, when in a few seconds he would renew the 
 effort. He concluded this long prayer with that which 
 he had learned in early childhood: 
 
 " Now I lay me down to sleep, 
 I pray the Lord my soul to keep ; 
 If I should die before I wake, 
 I pray the Lord my soul to take ; 
 And this I ask for Jesus' sake." 
 
 When asked by his wife whether the effort he had just 
 made was not too much for him, he seemed surprised 
 that she had heard him, and said he was much exhausted, 
 but felt better for it. His pillows were then arranged, 
 and he fell into a quiet sleep. Day was beginning to 
 dawn. The dews of death were on his noble brow. 
 Soon after six o'clock his anxious father thought it best 
 to arouse him, lest he should never wake again on 
 earth. 
 
 " Willie, my dear son," said he, " I trust Jesus is 
 precious to you." 
 
 He recognized the voice, and replied, " Yes." 
 
 William then asked, " Do you think me worse? does 
 the doctor think so 1 ? tell him to come here." He then 
 asked the doctor himself, and when he heard his affirma- 
 tive answer, he replied, " I will feel better when I get my 
 breakfast;" and immediately turning to his wife, said, " I 
 wonder if this is death; if it is, I do not know it; I pray 
 for dying grace in a dying hour." 
 
 He was so weak, that when his father spoke to him 
 again, he said, " I can't speak now I'll talk to you all 
 by-and-by;" when, as though the strength were immedi- 
 ately imparted to him, and he felt he must avail himself
 
 50 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 of the present, he delivered a message, singularly appro- 
 priate, to each one that stood around his bed. 
 
 To his father he said, " God bless you, my dear papa. 
 I had hoped to have been -spared to assist you in your 
 labours." 
 
 To his sisters he addressed a sweet word of exhortation, 
 urging them to give their hearts to Christ. 
 
 To his brother George* he said, "I hope, my dear 
 brother, you will take my place. Seek the Lord early, 
 and you will find him." 
 
 He exhorted his younger brother Francis to give his 
 heart to the Saviour. 
 
 When his little sister Patty, not five years old, was 
 brought to his side by her father for a message, he said, 
 " Oh, papa, she could not understand me ; " and then 
 added, " God bless my dear little sister." 
 
 To his grandmother Denison he said, "Nanna, my 
 devoted Nanna, how can I ever thank you ! From your 
 lips I first heard the name of a Saviour." 
 
 To his aunt and uncle also he spoke most affection- 
 ately. His strength was much reduced by this effort, 
 and after a short silence, he called for his faithful nurse, 
 and after thanking her for all the kindness she had 
 bestowed on him, said, "Eliza,* I want you to read the 
 Bible (one which he had given her,) every day. Give 
 your heart to Christ, and meet me in heaven." She made 
 no answer, when he added, " Eliza, won't you promise 
 me this?" when she replied with sobs and tears, " I will 
 try." 
 
 To Dr. Rumsey, his faithful medical attendant and 
 
 * George and Eliza have, since Willie's death, united themselves to the Church 
 of Christ.
 
 HIS LAST FAREWELLS. 5! 
 
 warmly attached friend, he said, " Doctor, you have been 
 very kind to me since I have been a boy, and you have 
 done all you could to save my life; I have a request to 
 make, that you will meet me in heaven." The doctor, 
 completely overcome, bent over and kissed the dying 
 youth, and said, " Yes." 
 
 To his mother and wife he gave most touching 
 messages, but they are too sacred to be repeated here. 
 
 After the delivery of these tender farewells, a solemn 
 stillness reigned. When he had recovered a little from 
 his exhaustion, he asked his father to " pray if it be yet 
 possible that this cup may pass from me." After prayer, 
 in which he joined with much earnestness, there was 
 another pause, when the silence was broken by the dying 
 voice exclaiming, "I know that my Redeemer liveth;" 
 unable though evidently desirous to finish the sentence. 
 
 On resting for a few moments, with faltering lips he 
 breathed his last words on earth into the ear of her whom 
 he so tenderly loved such words as would comfort her 
 heart when he would be no longer with her here. 
 
 And now he seemed just ready " to depart and be with 
 Christ." In that chamber of death not a sound, save the 
 deep yet tranquil breathing of the dying believer, could 
 be heard. What peace on that lovely countenance! 
 Watch the last gleam of thought stream from his dying 
 eyes. Do you see anything like apprehension 1 The 
 world, it is true, begins to shut in. The shadows of 
 evening collect around his senses. A dark mist thickens 
 and rests upon the objects which have hitherto engaged 
 his observation. The countenances of his friends become 
 more and more indistinct. The sweet expressions of love 
 and friendship are no longer intelligible. The soothing
 
 52 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 accents of tender affection die away unheard upon his 
 decaying senses. The curtain is descending which shuts 
 out this earth, its actors and its scenes. He is no longer 
 interested in all that is done under the sun. Oh, that I 
 could now open to you the recesses of his soul ! that I 
 could reveal to you the light which darts into the 
 chambers of his understanding ! He approaches that 
 world which he has so long seen in faith. The imagina- 
 tion now collects its diminished strength, and the eye of 
 faith opens wide. Friends ! do not stand thus fixed in 
 sorrow around this bed of death. Why are you so still and 
 silent 1 Fear not to move you cannot disturb the last 
 visions which enchant this holy spirit. Your lamentations 
 break not in upon the songs of seraphs which inwrap his 
 hearing in ecstasy. Crowd, if you choose, around his couch 
 he heeds you not already he sees the spirits of the just 
 advancing together to receive a kindred soul. Press him 
 not with importunities. Urge him not with alleviations. 
 Think you he wants now these tones of mortal voices 
 these material, these gross consolations'? No ! He is 
 going to add another to the myriads of the just that are 
 every moment crowding into the portals of heaven ! He is 
 entering on a nobler life. He leaves you; he leaves you, 
 weeping children of mortality, to grope about a little 
 longer among the miseries and sensualities of a worldly 
 life. Already he calls to you from the regions of bliss. 
 Will you not join him there] Will you not taste the 
 sublime joys of faith ?"* 
 
 While the clock was striking seven, on the morning of 
 7th April 1863, without a struggle, he gently fell asleep in 
 Jesus. The soul of WILLIAM DAVID STUART was in 
 heaven. 
 
 * Buckminster.
 
 VISIT OF COLOURED CHILDREN. 53 
 
 When the emaciated body was prepared for its narrow 
 house, many of his former friends and companions were 
 permitted to see it; and all were struck with the almost 
 heavenly expression and exceeding beauty of the counte- 
 nance. By invitation, between thirty and forty of the 
 coloured children of the mission school, with their 
 parents, came to look upon the face of the departed 
 for the last time. Their sorrow of heart at the loss of 
 their best earthly friend found vent in sobs and tears. 
 The whole scene was affecting and solemn in the ex- 
 treme. 
 
 The following obituary notice was published at the 
 time in several of our religious newspapers. It was 
 written by Mr. JAMES GRANT, one of William's intimate 
 friends and fellow-labourers, and is given entire, that so 
 just atribute, from one of his companions, maybe preserved 
 in connection with the memory of our friend : 
 
 "I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH." These precious, SOul- 
 
 comforting words, first uttered in a time of the deepest calamity by the 
 patient dweller in the land of Uz, were the last which passed from 
 the lips of our beloved friend and fellow-labourer, Mr. William David 
 Stuart. 
 
 He had suffered intensely in a severe struggle with the last enemy 
 on the night of April 6 ; but early on the morning of the 7th, when 
 the hand of death had nearly completed its work, a short interval of 
 calm rep6se was mercifully given him. It seemed as if the work of 
 dissolution had been suspended for a brief space, that he might, as he 
 did, with wonderful serenity and Christian fortitude, give a parting 
 message of affectionate love and solemn counsel to those who were 
 gathered around his bed, and, with his dying breath, leave behind 
 him a peaceful testimony that, amid the swellings of Jordan, he was 
 resting on the Rock of Ages.
 
 54 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 But not only when the silver cord was being loosed did this dear 
 young servant of God draw comfort from the consoling thought so 
 beautifully expressed by the afflicted patriarch, but the felt conviction 
 of an ever-living Saviour, and how -much he owed him for his 
 personal salvation, was the motive power which impelled him to 
 consecrate all the energies of his short life to the cause of Him who 
 had redeemed him with his priceless blood. 
 
 Few young men are blessed with such rare natural gifts as he was. 
 Graceful in form, fair and noble in countenance, courteous in 
 manner, ever cheerful in spirit, amiable and benevolent in disposi- 
 tion, with a mind quick to comprehend and eminently practical in 
 its workings, and a body till wasting disease prostrated its strength 
 full of manly vigour and living energy. 
 
 Added to these, he had all the advantages of a refined and liberal 
 education ; and having travelled extensively and mingled much in 
 society, he possessed wisdom and intelligence far beyond his years. 
 
 It is believed that very early in life he became a subject of Divine 
 grace, making a public profession of his faith in Jesus when but 
 sixteen years old. ' From this time onward his Christian character 
 made its mark, leading him, with singular devotion, to seek the 
 soul's salvation of those with whom he was intimately associated, as 
 well as the perishing around him. 
 
 His principal efforts were made in connection with the Coloured 
 Mission Sabbath- School in St, Mary Street, of which he was the 
 founder and superintendent. This locality is one of the very lowest 
 in the city, and to labour in such a district, among such a class, 
 required no little self-denial and zeal. The repulsiveness of the 
 field, however, was entirely overlooked in the desire to elevate the 
 degraded, comfort the distressed, and save the lost. Assuming the 
 management of the school at the age of seventeen, his deep, prayer- 
 ful interest in it never flagged till, in the bloom of early manhood, 
 he was called to cease from his labours, and enter upon the heavenly 
 rest. When declining health, or absence from home, prevented him 
 from being at his post of duty, he would frequently write letters of 
 kind advice and instruction to the teachers and scholars ; and but a 
 few hours before his lamented death, the school and its manage- 
 ment, after he was gone, was the subject of conversation and 
 thought
 
 THE FUNERAL. 55 
 
 It was a touching sight, and one which proved how tenderly he 
 was loved, when, on the day of his burial, a band of the coloured 
 children and people assembled around his silent remains beautiful 
 even in death and made great lamentation over him. His name, 
 the kind words he spoke, the deeds of sympathetic kindness he per- 
 formed, will long be remembered in the miserable abodes of the 
 dark neighbourhood in which he laboured. 
 
 To us it is mysterious that one so gifted and so useful, with such 
 strong desires to work for the glory of God and the welfare of his 
 race, should be so soon removed ; but to use his own words, when 
 convinced of his approaching death, "// is all right." "What I 
 do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." What 
 was said by the biographer of the sainted M'Cheyne, in refer- 
 ence to his brief life, appears peculiarly applicable to him : " Only 
 this much we can clearly see, that nothing was more fitted to leave 
 his character and example impressed on our remembrance for ever 
 than his early death. There might have been envy while he lived ; 
 there is none now. There might have been some of the youthful 
 attractiveness of his graces lost had he lived many years j this can- 
 not be impaired now. It seems as if the Lord had struck the flower 
 from its stem ere any of the colours had lost their bright hue, or 
 any leaf its fragrance." 
 
 In these unhappy days of war and bloodshed, we hear much of 
 death. \Vhen dear William Stuart died an ardent Christian soldier 
 fell, not amid the booming of cannon, the cracking of musketry, the 
 clashing of steel, or the horrible carnage of an earthly battle-field ; 
 but peacefully, hopefully, triumphantly, in the home of his child- 
 hood, in the twenty-third year of his age, he laid aside the spiritual 
 armour wherewith he was girded, and entered into the joy of his 
 Lord. 
 
 May we who remain still in the place of conflict and labour be 
 enabled, by God's grace, to redouble our zeal, and, like him, with 
 unwearied earnestness, "work while it is day," for "the night 
 cometh, when no man can work." G. 
 
 The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon, April 
 ii. The hour named was two o'clock, but it was
 
 56 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 nearly two hours later when the long procession began 
 its mournful movement towards the Woodlands Cemetery. 
 The day was soft and balmy, for the season; and the 
 large concourse in and around the house, and which 
 followed the body to the grave, testified how deeply he 
 was lamented. An aged and devoted minister of Jesus 
 remarked, that he " had seldom, if ever, seen so much 
 respect shown to one so young." 
 
 The funeral services at the house were commenced by 
 the Rev. Alexander Reed of Parkesburg, Pennsylvania, 
 who read appropriate selections from the Scriptures. 
 This was followed by an address,'" of peculiar beauty 
 and appropriateness by the Rev. Dr. Wylie. Rev. 
 Dr. Boardman then made a short but touching ad- 
 dress, t closing with a solemn and appropriate prayer. 
 The coffin was borne by six of his young friends, two 
 of whom, four short months before, had acted as his 
 groomsmen. 
 
 In the cemetery, with the large congregation around 
 him, standing by the open grave of him whom he knew 
 and loved in life, the Rev. Albert Barnes made an appro- 
 priate address. | The Rev. Dr. Suddards offered the 
 concluding prayer; and the solemn funeral rites were 
 brought to a close by his pronouncing the apostolic bene- 
 diction. 
 
 This memorial of our beloved friend and Christian 
 brother would be incomplete without giving the proceed- 
 ings of several Societies with which he was connected. 
 The proceedings of the Associations connected with the 
 First Reformed Presbyterian Church were published in 
 
 * See Appendix. f Ibid. } Ibid.
 
 RESOLUTIONS OF SOCIETIES, &>c. 57 
 
 tlie Banner of the Covenant of May 9, 1863, and were 
 introduced with the following editorial : 
 
 " EARLY RIPE, EARLY GATHERED." 
 
 The following are the proceedings of several Societies connected 
 with the First Reformed Presbyterian Church, in relation to the 
 death of Mr. William D. Stuart. Although prepared in the first 
 warm gush of sorrow which his early death has caused, they do not 
 express more than is proper nor, indeed, do they say enough. 
 The whole-hearted devotion with which our dear young brother 
 served his Saviour has rarely been" equalled. With talents and an 
 education which might have gained him the laurels of fame, with 
 woildly resources which would have enabled him to enjoy all that 
 wealth could procure, he engaged in promoting the welfare of a 
 portion of the most degraded and neglected class in the community. 
 Having established a Mission Sabbath- School for Coloured Children, 
 he was always faithful in his duties as its superintendent; and in 
 addition he conducted services twice every week in the evenings of 
 the Sabbath and a working-day for the benefit of their adult friends 
 and relatives. He visited the sick and poor among them in their 
 abodes of want, amid circumstances so disgusting, oftentimes, that 
 scarcely any one who had not lived among them would have been 
 able to endure them. By the bedside of those whose occupations 
 almost excluded them from all intercourse with society, he was to be 
 found reading the word of God, and leading in earnest prayer, that 
 souls so precious that Jesus died for them might be saved. His 
 self-sacrificing, unsparing labours, we have no doubt, shortened his 
 life ; but though he died young in years, he died old in usefulness. 
 He sought Christ early, and gave evidence that he had found him ; 
 and his short but bright career is a most valuable testimony to the 
 reality and loveliness of youthful piety, and presents an example of 
 personal holiness and Christian usefulness which, it is to be hoped, 
 many will endeavour to imitate. Those who have been bereaved 
 may be consoled in their sorrow when they consider what God made 
 him while on earth, and what God has now given to him in 
 heaven.
 
 58 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 At a meeting of the Officers and Teachers of the St. Mary Street 
 Coloured Mission Sabbath-School of the First Reformed Pres- 
 byterian Church, held on Thursday evening, April 16, 1863, the 
 following Resolutions were unanimously adopted : 
 
 WHEREAS it has pleased our heavenly Father to remove from 
 his field of labour our late honoured superintendent, William 
 David Stuart, it is fitting that we, who have been witnesses of his 
 zeal for the cause of Christ, of his kind and loving disposition, 
 manifested at all times, of his self-sacrifice and devotion to whatever 
 good work he undertook, and especially of the lasting interest he 
 took in this Mission Sabbath-School, which he organized, and 
 laboured in long after his health and strength began to fail, should 
 place on record the estimation in which we held our deceased 
 brother. Therefore 
 
 Resolved, That in the decease of William David Stuart we have 
 lost a faithful and devoted superintendent, a zealous co-worker, a 
 Christian exemplar, a kind friend. 
 
 Resolved, That while we bow in humble resignation to the will of 
 God in this afflictive dispensation, we feel assured that, as for him 
 "to live was Christ," so "to die was gain;" therefore we will 
 cherish the memory of our departed brother, who was endeared to 
 us by his ardent love, manly piety, Christian fortitude, and self- 
 sacrifice in the work of his heavenly Master. " The righteous shall 
 be held in everlasting remembrance. " 
 
 Resolved, That we recall his devotion to the service of his Saviour, 
 manifested by his abundant labours, " in season and out of season," 
 for the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom in this school, as a bright 
 example for us who remain, while, following in his footsteps so far 
 as he followed Christ, we endeavour to feed the lambs of the flock 
 who were the objects of his prayers and efforts while he yet remained 
 with us. 
 
 Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the bereaved relatives, 
 while we would not intrude on their sacred grief, reminding them 
 that they are not called to mourn as they who have no hope; and 
 trusting that Jesus, who wept at the grave of Lazarus, whose com- 
 passions are infinite, will comfort them in this the time of their 
 trouble.
 
 RESOLUTIONS OF SOCIETIES, Srv. 59 
 
 Resolved^ That a copy of these resolutions be presented to the 
 relatives of our departed brother, and that they be published in the 
 Banner of the Covenant. 
 
 JAS. M'LEOD. ELIZABETH HAZEL. 
 
 EPHRAIM YOUNG. EMILY HAZEL. 
 
 JOHN BlGGERSTAFF. MARY M'CALLA. 
 
 EBENEZER YOUNG. ELIZABETH M'NuTT. 
 
 THEO. A. GRAHAM. MARTHA B. WHITE. 
 
 THOS, DONNELL. HELEN C. BLAIR. 
 
 JAS. H. WINDRIM. 
 
 Resolutions of tJie Sabbath- School Association on the death of Mr. 
 W. D. Stuart, Superintendent of the St. Mary Street Coloured 
 Mission Sabbath- School, April 20, 1863: 
 
 WHEREAS it hath pleased Almighty God, in his mysterious 
 providence, to remove by the hand of death into the heavenly rest 
 the beloved superintendent of the St. Mary Street Coloured Mis- 
 sion Sabbath- School, Mr. William David Stuart; therefore it is 
 resolved 
 
 1st, That in his early, but not untimely death, this Association 
 has lost one of its brightest ornaments, and most gifted, faithful, 
 and most active members; one who, by Divine grace, consecrated 
 with singular devotion his great natural talents, his refined and 
 liberal education, his unselfish benevolence, and his remarkable 
 energy of character, to the glory of God and the everlasting welfare 
 of his fellow-men. 
 
 2nd, That while we cannot but deeply lament the shortness of his 
 useful life, we render devout gratitude to God for all the Christian 
 labours he was enabled to accomplish; for the peaceful trust in 
 Jesus which sustained him in the dying hour; and for the precious 
 consolation left us, that, freed for ever from sin and suffering, as a 
 good and faithful servant he hath entered into the joy of his Lord. 
 
 3rd, That inasmuch as the special object of his love, his prayers, 
 and his unwearied efforts, was the St. Mary Street Coloured Mission 
 Sabbath- School, of which he was the founder and superintendent, 
 we, as an Association, pledge ourselves to sustain it effectively by
 
 60 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 every means in our power, in the hope that the seed sown by him 
 and his fellow-labourers, and watered with their prayers, may yet 
 spring up and yield abundant fruit to the praise and glory of God. 
 
 4th, That we will ever cherish his memory as one endeared to us 
 by many acts of generous kindness and hallowed hours of Christian 
 labour; and that we commend his bright example of youthful, 
 vigorous, manly piety, to the young men of the congregation, urging 
 them to follow him in so far as he followed the footsteps of his 
 Divine Master, who went about continually doing good. 
 
 5th, That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be sent to his 
 bereaved relatives, with the assurance of our united prayers, and an 
 expression of our deepest sympathy for them in this season of sad 
 and solemn affliction. And that they be inserted in the Sunday- 
 School Times and the Banner of the Covenant. 
 
 JAS. H. WINDRIM, 
 JAS. GRANT, 
 WILLIAM RAY, 
 JOHN W. FAIRES, 
 
 At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the First Reformed Pres- 
 byterian CJmrch, Philadelphia, held Monday evening, April 13, 
 1863, the following Preamble and Resolutions ivere unanimously 
 adopted: 
 
 WHEREAS it has pleased God, in his inscnttable providence, to 
 remove from the scene of his earthly labours our late friend and 
 brother, William David Stuart ; and whereas it is proper that this 
 Board pay a just tribute of respect to the memory of one who was 
 recently a member and officer of the same ; therefore be it 
 
 Resolved, 1st, That we bow with humble and willing submission 
 to this dispensation of God's providence, resting assured that " He 
 who doeth all things well " has removed our departed friend from 
 the cares and trials of an earthly pilgrimage to share in the eternal 
 happiness of the redeemed in heaven. 
 
 Resolved, 2nd, That in the relation which our departed brother 
 recently sustained to the members of this Board, as well as in that 
 which he bore to them as a fellow-member of the congregation, we
 
 RESOLUTIONS OF SOCIETIES, &v. 61 
 
 had abundant opportunities to estimate his worth, to appreciate 
 those traits of character which endeared him to us by ties of strong, 
 ardent, Christian affection. 
 
 Resolved, 3rd, That the Board of Trustees has by this affliction 
 lost one who, by his warm and generous feelings, his amiable and 
 affable disposition, his earnest and devoted Christian activity, gave 
 promise of great usefulness in the Church of Christ ; yet, while we 
 mourn, we can rejoice that our loss has been his eternal gain. 
 
 Resolved, 4th, That it is our duty to imitate the example of our 
 departed brother, in so far as he imitated Christ; and, reminded by 
 this sad event of our mortality, to have a greater zeal in the service 
 of our Redeemer, to improve the opportunities for usefulness with 
 which God is blessing us, knowing that "the night cometh, in 
 which no man can work." 
 
 Resolved, 5th, That we tender to the family of our deceased 
 brother our warmest Christian sympathy, praying that He who has 
 afflicted them may give them his own grace and strength in this 
 hour of their trial, that they may know " whom the Lord loveth 
 he chasteneth." 
 
 Resolved, 6th, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the 
 family of our departed brother, and published in the Banner of the 
 Covenant. 
 
 GEORGE GORDEN, President. 
 
 Attest, WM. J. CHAMBERS, Secretary. 
 
 At a special meeting of the Christian Association of the First Reformed 
 Presbyterian Church, held Friday evening, April 17, 1863, the 
 following Preamble and Resolutions were unanimously adoptea: 
 
 WHEREAS, in the mysterious but all-wise providence of God, our 
 late friend and brother, William D. Stuart, has been removed from 
 the scene of his labours and usefulness below, to the mansions of 
 rest prepared for the redeemed in " the house not made with hands, 
 eternal in the heavens;" and whereas the intimate relation which 
 he sustained to this Association, as its presiding officer, renders it 
 peculiarly appropriate that we, the members thereof, should express
 
 62 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 our sense of his worth, our sorrow at his departure, and our Chris- 
 tian sympathy with his bereaved relatives ; therefore be it 
 
 Resolved, That this Association bow with humble resignation to 
 the Divine will in this afflictive dispensation, assured that it cometh 
 from the hand of Him " who doeth all things well." 
 
 Resolved, That this Association has sustained a loss not easily 
 repaired in the removal of our beloved brother, who, as its presiding 
 officer from the date of its organization, discharged the duties of his 
 office with distinguished fidelity and success, while in his intercourse 
 with his fellow-members he was ever dignified, affable, and courteous, 
 illustrating by his life and manners the character, and displaying 
 the qualities of the Christian gentleman. 
 
 Resolved, That this Association will long remember the labours of 
 our departed brother in the cause of Sabbath-school instruction for 
 the neglected and degraded, he having organized, and for five years 
 having had the active superintendence of, the St. Mary Street 
 Coloured Mission Sabbath-School of the First Reformed Presby- 
 terian Church, a work to which he devoted his living energies and 
 his dying thoughts. 
 
 Resdlved, That in the life and death of our departed brother we 
 have a convincing proof of the realities of the Christian faith, and a 
 bright example of the power of Divine grace ; while in the ardour 
 of his zeal and devotion in the service of the Redeemer, his love for 
 the souls of others, which led him " in season and out of season" 
 to labour for their spiritual good, he furnishes us an example worthy 
 of our constant imitation. 
 
 Resolved, That we tender to the relatives of our deceased brother 
 our warmest Christian sympathies, praying that the God of all peace 
 .and consolation, who has said, "My grace will be sufficient for 
 thee," will cause them to realize his own declaration, that "all 
 things work together for good to them that love him." 
 
 Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be presented to the 
 family of our departed brother, and published in the Banner of the 
 Covenant. 
 
 JAMES GRANT, ^ 
 
 JOHN W. FAIRES, 
 
 , r r Committee. 
 
 SAMUEL YOUNG, 
 
 GEORGE S. CHAMBERS, J
 
 RESOLUTIONS OF SOCIETIES, 6-v. 63 
 
 The Christian Association of the First Reformed Pres- 
 byterian Church of Philadelphia, was organized on the 
 evening of February 12, 1857, mainly through William's 
 instrumentality; the object of the organization, as ex- 
 pressed in the preamble to their Constitution, being " a 
 desire to promote the furtherance of missionary enter- 
 prise in the foreign and domestic field, and the incul- 
 cation of the spirit of missions upon the young, together 
 with their moral, spiritual, and intellectual improvement." 
 In his assiduous labours for the welfare of this Association, 
 he originated and carried into successful operation a plan 
 of systematic contributions on the part of the members of 
 the Church, for missionary operations at home and 
 abroad. The amount thus collected was nearly $2000 
 annually ; which greatly exceeded their own expec- 
 tations, and enabled the Church to do her full share in 
 the support of foreign and domestic missions, besides 
 contributing largely towards the support of her own 
 mission schools. On the gth March, 1857, William was 
 elected the first President of the Association ; to which 
 position he was re-elected every year until his death, and 
 in which he was distinguished for his urbane and dignified 
 deportment and his genuine Christian intercourse with 
 his fellow-members. The essays which he read before 
 the society, in furtherance of its literary objects, were 
 characterized by an ease and fluency of composition, 
 and a graceful and effective delivery, that imparted 
 delight as well as instruction. On learning of his 
 death, a special meeting of the Association was held, 
 and the above resolutions were subsequently unani- 
 mously adopted.
 
 64 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEE OF THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN 
 ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, April 13, 1863. 
 ROOMS OF THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. 
 
 MRS. WM. D. STUART. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, At a meeting of the Hospital Commission, 
 held last Thursday evening, the departure of your dear husband was 
 announced, and expressions of deep feeling fell from the lips of a 
 number of the members, both on account of his loss to them indivi- 
 dually, and the cause of the Redeemer; and likewise because of 
 your sore family bereavement. 
 
 A request was made by the meeting that I would prepare a letter 
 expressive of their deep sympathy with yourself and the parents, 
 brothers, and sisters, of this beloved friend and associate in Christ. 
 
 We regard it as a just cause of human sorrow, when one in the 
 prime of life, possessing so many Christian virtues, with a heart so 
 warm and a hand so ready for every good work, is smitten down 
 under the power of a fatal disease. But we feel it is then, perhaps 
 more than at any other time, that the worth of the gospel, which he 
 had received and loved to publish, manifests itself in its sustain- 
 ing influence upon the soul. It is in the last conflict with the great 
 enemy of our race that the Christian hero is able to say, " I conquer, 
 though I die. " Death for a season may separate the soul from the 
 body the mortal from the immortal part; but at the same time it 
 sends the spirit home to God, to bathe in everlasting light and love. 
 The grave need have no gloom, for Jesus has been there and 
 illuminated it with his presence, and triumphed over it by rising 
 again. It is now to be regarded as the dressing chamber of the soul, 
 where this mortal puts on immortality, where this corruptible puts 
 on incorruption, and where "death is swallowed up in victory." 
 
 May the happy life, the peaceful death, and the glorious eternity 
 given by our heavenly Father to this, your beloved, cause your 
 heart to be glad, and enable you submissively to say, "The Lord 
 gave, and the Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the 
 Lord." 
 
 On behalf of the Hospital Committee, 
 
 Jos. PARKER, Chief of Commission.
 
 RESOLUTIONS OF SOCIETIES, &>c. 65 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 At a. meeting of the Graduating Class of 1859 of the University of 
 Pennsylvania, convened the gt/i day of April 1863, the follow- 
 ing Resolutions were unanimously adopted: 
 
 Resolved, That we have heard with feelings of unmingled sorrow 
 of the death of our former class-mate, William D. Stuart, whose 
 noble disposition, warm and genial heart, and Christian spirit, 
 endeared him to all in every circle where he moved. 
 
 As a college class we had many opportunities of learning and 
 appreciating his virtues, in the intercourse arising in our common 
 pursuit of literature and the classics, and we are unable to let this 
 occasion pass without paying a tribute, however slight, to the ability 
 evinced by him in historical, scientific, and literary studies ; and, 
 above all, to the generous impulses of his nature, guided and con- 
 trolled, as they ever were, by conscientious convictions 'of duty. 
 
 Resolved, That though we recognize in his removal the hand of an 
 all- wise Providence, whowalkethin clouds and darkness, and whose 
 ways are past finding out, yet we feel his loss irreparable ; and to 
 his parents, his family, and all those most near and dear to him, we 
 tender our sincerest sympathies in this their hour of great affliction. 
 
 Resolved, That we will attend the funeral of our late friend and 
 brother. 
 
 Resolved, That a committee of six be appointed to present these 
 resolutions to the family, and to liave them inserted in the daily 
 papers of this city. 
 
 HENRY A. CONVERSE, Chairman. 
 
 CHARLES BUCKWALTER, -> 
 
 THOMAS HOCKLEY, 
 
 WILLIAM B. ROBINS, \ Committee. 
 
 G. W. RUSSELL, 
 
 ALFRED ZANTZINGER, 
 
 From over a hundred letters of condolence received 
 by Mr. Stuart from all parts of the world, on the occasion
 
 66 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 of the death of his son, a few extracts are made by the 
 editor from some of those whose writers personally knew 
 the deceased, showing the estimation in which he was 
 held by all who enjoyed his acquaintance. It would be 
 gratifying to have given more of these extracts, were it 
 not that our volume already exceeds the limits of its 
 original design. The letters are given in the order of 
 their dates : 
 
 Mrs. Judge JONES, President of the Female Bible 
 Society of Philadelphia, and of the Ladies' Aid So- 
 ciety of Philadelphia, writes to Mrs. Geo. H. Stuart, 
 under date of yth April, 1063, (the day of William's 
 death) : 
 
 I have heard this evening that your dear son has gone to his 
 heavenly home. What inexpressible comfort you have in this 
 sorrow ! True, it is a great cloud ; but it is a great glory too a 
 cloud resting upon the earthly home, but a glory in the heavenly. 
 How sweet to recall the days of his beautiful, joyous, useful life, 
 thanking your gracious Father that you had it in your power to make 
 him so happy ; and then to follow his blessed spirit into that land 
 where they shall no more say "I am sick," and exult in the finished 
 redemption that provided such an eternity of blessedness for him ! 
 I feel like coming to you and pouring all the tenderness of a heart 
 trained in the school of affliction into yours, but shrink from intrud- 
 ing on a privacy so sacred. 
 
 My sympathizing love to all the afflicted circle, especially to the 
 youthful widow. May she be comforted with the comfort wherewith 
 God comforts his chosen ones. 
 
 THOMAS NELSON, Esq., of Edinburgh, Scotland, one of 
 William's most valued friends, who showed him, on the 
 occasion of his visit to Scotland, every attention in his
 
 LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE. 67 
 
 power, to make it pleasant and profitable, was on a visit 
 to this country during William's sickness. He saw him fre- 
 quently during this time, and at the funeral was one of 
 his pall-bearers. He writes : 
 
 NEW YORK, April 7, 1863. 
 
 What can I say to you, my friend, in this sad hour? God bless 
 you and all your family. May He give you that "strong consolation" 
 which comes to those alone who are His children. Deeply, warmly 
 do I sympathize with you all, and trust that to you and other sorrow- 
 ing friends this sore affliction may be sanctified. 
 
 Poor Willie! loved by every one who knew him in Scotland; 
 many a kind inquiry was made to me about him, long after he left. 
 I had learned to esteem and love him as one of the most genuine 
 characters I ever knew ; and I will cherish the intercourse I had 
 with him in Scotland, as one of the pleasantest of life's remem- 
 brances 
 
 Rev. ALEXANDER REED of Parkesburg, Pa., writes from 
 his parsonage under date of Qth April, 1863 : 
 
 A letter to-day informs me of the release of your dear son 
 Willie. No sadder sorrow has fallen upon my heart since Jesus 
 took our darling daughter home ; and yet I can say nothing to com- 
 fort you. I know, and you well know, the emptiness of human con- 
 dolence at such an hour, when God is present in very deed, and 
 His messenger, whom no power can resist, no skill evade, no influ- 
 ence thwart, snaps asunder the fondest ties that earth can know, 
 and leaves our poor hearts bleeding, broken, desolate. .... 
 
 No human ken can comprehend ncnu why one so gifted in 
 person, and mind, and heart ; so winning, gentle, cultivated, noble, 
 with a brilliant future opening, full of hope and rich in promise, 
 with every earthly blessing filling to the brim the cup of joyous life ; 
 no one, I say, can possibly ww know "why he should die! Yet 
 even in the midst of such a gloom as this the words of Jesus come, 
 full of blessed consolation, " What I do thou knowest not now, but
 
 68 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 thou shalt know hereafter.'''' Oh, how full of hope, how full of 
 meaning to the child of God are such words. " Now it is dark, my 
 suffering children, very dark, but trust in me, and by-and-by it shall 
 be light." Surely 
 
 " God moves in a mysterious way, 
 His wonders to perform." 
 
 More than twenty years ago God gave into your keep- 
 ing one of His immortal children, and said to you, "Take this child 
 and nurse it forme, and I will give thee thy wages." He has but 
 taken what He loaned : you were faithful to your trust ; you shall 
 yet receive your "wages." Look upward through your tears, and 
 say, " It is the Lord; let him do what seemethhim good." Oh that 
 God may sustain you in this overwhelming sorrow. 
 
 My heart bleeds in sympathy with you all father, mother, 
 sisters, brothers ; but for that lonely one, who a few brief months 
 since started out upon life's bright journey, leaning lovingly and 
 trustingly upon an arm now so cold ! oh, what can now comfort 
 her? May the "Husband of the widow" be her stay 
 
 I shall mingle my tears with yours on Saturday around that 
 precious dust Would God I could do more ! 
 
 Rev. E. E. ADAMS, D.D., pastor of the North Broad 
 Street Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, became at- 
 tached to Willie in his visits to the family. He writes : 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, April n, 1863. 
 
 Great Tvas my surprise when the notice of your son's funeral met 
 my eye. I knew that he was in feeble health, but had not a thought 
 that the hand of death was so strong upon him. He was a noble 
 young man. Short, indeed, his career on earth ; but he has left a 
 memory precious to you to many of a youth consecrated to great 
 ends, of a manly piety, and of a blessed hope. 
 
 There is a resurrection. Even the body of the saint shall be 
 like that of his glorified Lord ; and it will come soon. Strike the
 
 LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE. 69 
 
 balance between this life and death ; on which side descends the 
 scale ? 
 
 " Life makes the soul dependent on the dust ; 
 Death gives her wings to mount above the spheres. 
 Through chinks styled orgatis dim Life peeps for light ; 
 Death bursts the involuntary cloud, and all is DAY ! 
 Death but entombs the body Life the soul ! 
 Death gives us to repose in festive bowers, 
 Where nectars sparkle angels minister ; 
 And more than angels share, and raise, and crown, 
 And ETERNIZE, the birth-bloom (BURSTS of bliss ! " 
 
 O Death, the palm is thine ! The palm is William's. His the 
 gain. Death is conquered by death. The vine on which life's clusters 
 grow is rooted in the tomb of Jesus. From such clusters only those 
 who die can eat. 
 
 Rev. W. J. R. TAYLOR, D.D., Corresponding Secretary 
 of the American Bible Society, was for many years associ- 
 ated with Willie in the Young Men's Christian Associ- 
 ation of this city, and became very strongly attached to 
 him. He writes from New York (his present location), 
 under date of April 13, 1863 : 
 
 Not until the day of his burial (Saturday) did I learn the sad 
 
 news of the death of your late dear son William You have 
 
 lost a noble son ; one of whom, had his life been spared, you might 
 have expected much good, and an honourable career of Christian 
 usefulness. But, my dear brother, let your heart be comforted with 
 the same comfort wherewith you have often comforted others. He 
 was a Christian ; he is a glorified saint with the dear Saviour, to 
 whom he gave " the dew of his youth." Young as he was, his " works 
 do follow him," and his memory will be fragrant. If it seems 
 strange that he was so soon cut off, it is enough to know that his 
 work was done. 
 
 '' A Christian cannot die before his time ; 
 The Lord's appointment is the servant's hour." 
 
 Multitudes of earnest Christian hearts doubtless united their
 
 70 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 prayers for you and all your bereaved family, when the heavy tidings 
 came that William was dead. Not a few will continually bless God 
 that he ever lived 
 
 Rev. M. L. R. P. THOMPSON, D.D., of Cincinnati, 
 Ohio, has been for nearly twenty years an intimate 
 friend of the family, and became attached to Willie by 
 more than ordinary friendship. He thus writes : 
 
 CINCINNATI, April 13, 1863. 
 
 GEORGE AND PATTY. 
 
 MY VERY DEAR FRIENDS, Mr. Denison's letter on yester- 
 day informed me of the death of your noble and much-loved Willie. 
 The intelligence did not take me wholly by surprise. I had learned 
 before, from various sources besides your own letters, of his critical 
 and alarming condition. I was only not prepared for the sad event 
 of his death so soon. I supposed you would be able to keep him 
 with you through the summer, and was confidently anticipating the 
 privilege of once more seeing him, and conversing with him. But 
 God has ordered otherwise, and I am sure you will say with me, 
 " He doeth all things well." 
 
 Our hearts bleed with yours ; and if by sharing your 
 
 pain we could in any measure relieve it, we would find a melancholy 
 pleasure in the participation. Yours, however, notwithstanding 
 all human sympathies, is the whole burden, which only the Divine 
 mercy can lighten and make supportable : for that mercy be assured 
 that our prayers ascend with yours 
 
 Willie had every quality that could endear him to your hearts. 
 Mrs. T. and I have often said, since we saw him last in Buffalo, 
 that he seemed to combine in himself everything best fitted to make 
 him the joy and pride of his parents. And such was the opinion 
 expressed of him by all who then made his acquaintance. But that 
 which chiefly made him dear to you was owing to the grace of God 
 in him, which more fitted him for higher and holier scenes. Let 
 heaven have him, my dear friends, and instead of mourning that he 
 is so early taken from you, be thankful that you had him so many 
 years, and that now you have a son with Christ
 
 LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE. 71 
 
 CHARLES H. WOLFF, Esq., a merchant of Cincinnati, 
 with whom William kept up a constant correspond- 
 ence, writes to Mr. D. W. Denison, uncle to the de- 
 ceased : 
 
 CINCINNATI, April 13, 1863. 
 
 The painful intelligence of the death of our dear young 
 
 friend Willie reached me several days ago. I loved him as a 
 brother, and mourn him as one of my dearest friends. Aside from 
 his estimable character, there was that peculiar magnetism of love in 
 and around him that drew one imperceptibly to more than value 
 his friendship. 
 
 It was one of the happy plans, sprung directly from my heart, 
 to have him visit us here. At first I only included himself, but after- 
 wards her whom he had chosen for a companion through life. This 
 now is all changed, and must be deferred till we meet in that better 
 world. To me, this day there is added a new interest in that heaven 
 above where he has preceded us for a short time only ; for these 
 rapid moving moments are short, though they should be lengthened 
 out to three or four score years. 
 
 Your graphic and delicate description of his last moments 
 
 is very touching and satisfactory. His pious life was a sure guar- 
 antee as to what his end would be. He died in peace, and is now 
 in heaven. " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken .away ; 
 blessed be the name of the Lord." 
 
 Rev. WILLIAM B. SPRAGUE, D.D., of Albany, N. Y., 
 
 writes : 
 
 ALBANY, April 16, 1863. 
 
 .... I cannot forbear to write you, partly to congratulate you 
 on your being such a favoured mourner, and partly to express my 
 own personal sense of the loss of one whom I had always thought 
 of as a dear young friend. He made a most agreeable impression 
 upon us all, not merely by his devoted attentions to Dr. Edgar, but 
 by the kindliness, and manliness, and propriety of his whole bear- 
 ing. His graceful form, and beautiful expression of countenance,
 
 72 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 and modest demeanour, and fine powers of conversation, are as 
 vividly in my remembrance as if I had seen him but the other day. 
 .... You surely have every reason to think of his departure with 
 devout thankfulness, much as your heart may bleed in view of it. 
 That one whose life has been so brief should have accomplished so 
 much for the cause of Christ, and then gone to heaven in a chariot 
 of glory, and been permitted to speak to you of his blessed expe- 
 rience just as he was reaching his glorious home, furnishes an 
 occasion for gratitude which. I venture to say, you reckon among 
 the richest blessings of your life. With all the sadness which his 
 death has brought with it, I cannot doubt that it will make the rest 
 of your pilgrimage the more happy, that you can reflect that you 
 have educated one son for heaven, who has preceded you in the way 
 thither, and will be ready to greet you with his filial benedictions 
 on your arrival 
 
 EDWARD S. TOBEY, Esq., President of the Board of 
 Trade of Boston, writes : 
 
 BOSTON, April 19, 1863. 
 
 .... What a peculiar and rich blessing you have in the evidence 
 of a triumphal faith in the last moments of your son in the con- 
 soling last words that fell from his lips ; and also in the cheering 
 recollection of his holy, early consecrated, and consistent life and 
 character ! Truly indeed " the memory of the just is blessed. " How 
 Comforting the thought that he is no longer subject to the sufferings, 
 trials, and many disappointed hopes of a delusive world ; but is now 
 rejoicing in the smile of his blessed Saviour, and has securely 
 reached that happy world where there shall be no more sin and no 
 more suffering ! . . . . 
 
 I do not forget that the loss of companionship and hourly 
 sympathy on earth, of one so pre-eminently qualified to fulfil the 
 fond expectation of a parent's heart, is irreparable ; but then, how 
 brief the period before you shall be permitted to be with him ! We, 
 dear brother, have arrived at that period of life when we realize, as 
 we never could in earlier life, that it is indeed but " a span, a vapour, 
 that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." ....
 
 LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE. 73 
 
 Rev. ALEXANDER T. M'GiLL, D.D., Professor in the 
 Theological Seminary, Princeton, who was one of William's 
 most esteemed friends, thus writes : 
 
 PRINCETON, April 20, 1863. 
 
 Theie are not many houses in which the memory of William is 
 more embalmed than in mine. The visit he made in the summer of 
 1860 left a memorial with my wife and children, to which they often 
 turned with interest long before we apprehended he would be 
 removed so soon to his home in heaven. I was absent in Europe. 
 
 A friend of Mary, Miss G of Brooklyn, was on a visit ; George 
 
 was at home ; Wm. H , son of Dr. H of Philadelphia, was 
 
 then in the last vacation of his course as a student of the Seminary ; 
 and the whole party, Mrs. M'Gill says, were full of life and 
 gaiety. 
 
 The family worship was led by Mr. H , William, and 
 
 George, in rotation. But the prayers of William were so rich, and 
 pertinent, and full of unction, that he impressed every one with the 
 deepest interest ; touched the hearts of the children as well as the 
 mother, and his mirthful companions ; leaving on every one the 
 vivid and indelible impression that he was pre-eminently devout in 
 heart. And, though playful as a child, he was even revered by his 
 company for the heavenly fervour with which he would lead them at 
 a throne of grace. 
 
 I think it proper to write down this incident, and offer it to you, 
 in the tide of our heartfelt sympathy and condolence. I could say 
 much more of his kindness to my son at Philadelphia, and the high 
 estimation in which George held both his mind and heart. 
 
 We think and talk here every day of your sorrow, and that of 
 your dear family. But oh, what consolation you have ! Sad as you are, 
 you know how safely that sainted first-born has reached the haven, 
 
 where no storm or danger of any kind may reach him May 
 
 " the God of all consolation " bless you and yours, beyond what I can 
 ask or think. 
 
 Rev. JAMES MOOREHEAD, Presbyterian Minister, Dona-
 
 74 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 cloney, County Down, Ireland, who was Mr. Stuart's 
 pastor before his coming to this country, thus 
 writes : 
 
 LAMB'S ISLAND, DONACLONEY, 
 April 21, 1863. 
 
 It is with. unusual sadness I sit down to express to you our 
 very deep sympathy under your heavy bereavement. We have just 
 learned that on the 7th instant your gifted, amiable, and sainted son 
 was taken from you by death. Although we had heard his health 
 was not good for some time past, his removal has been a great 
 shock here ; and what will and must it be to his parents, and young 
 wife, and tender and attached sisters ! He must have greatly en- 
 deared himself to all who knew him. His spirit seemed to have 
 drunk in much of the mind of our Lord. His bearing was so 
 gentle and kind, his appearance so prepossessing, and his gifts of 
 thought and utterance so commanding, that we thought him des- 
 tined for great and lengthened usefulness on earth. Now we see 
 he was only early prepared, and I would suppose well ripened for 
 glory. His eloquent and earnest address to our young people in 
 the Sabbath school, and his captivating deportment for a few hours 
 in our family circle, cannot soon be forgotten by any of us here. 
 We had hoped to see him again in the flesh. The Lord, "who 
 doeth all things well," has ordered otherwise. May he give us grace 
 to be submissive under his hand. I know natural affection is not 
 weakened in the furthest advanced believers here. It will claim, 
 and may have its tears and sighs. The hearts that love Jesus most 
 are most susceptible of tender feelings in their natural attachments. 
 Our Lord wept at the grave of Lazarus, and David lamented sorely 
 the death of Absalom. We may sorrow under such dark and 
 trying providences; but, dearly beloved, I do hope you and 
 yours will not repine. You cannot sorrow as those who have 
 no hope. 
 
 Mr. GEORGE MACFARLANE, (formerly of Philadelphia,) 
 a friend and companion of Willie's, and one who fre-
 
 LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE. 75 
 
 quently accompanied him in his mission school visits and 
 operations, thus writes from Scotland : 
 
 DALKEITH, May 4, 1863. 
 
 The sad tidings that have recently reached me, that your house- 
 hold has so suddenly been turned into a family of mourners, by the 
 removal of one of its dearest members, came upon me so unexpect- 
 edly that I have not yet been able to realize it. I had seen Willie here 
 so lately, and apparently in such good health, and then so soon after 
 heard the news of his happy marriage, that I cannot appreciate the 
 fact that the gushing, joyous stream of his life has so soon fallen 
 into the silence of eternity. 
 
 I cannot, I dare not, try to comfort you in this sad bereavement. 
 I know you seek it above, where alone it can be found. Would 
 that I could help to ease you of this weary burden of grief that a 
 mysterious Providence has laid upon you. But. I cannot : I can 
 only weep with you 
 
 My memories of William D. Stuart have been, and shall always 
 be, of the most pleasant character. His kind, affectionate man- 
 ner, his warm, impulsive, generous nature, all added their charms 
 to his character, and made any one happy who could call \\imfriend. 
 And when those natural gifts were purified and heightened by the 
 grace of God shed abroad in his heart, no one who knew him could 
 help loving him. 
 
 I can never forget the active and intelligent co-operation he was 
 ever so willing to lend in every work where the advancement of the 
 Redeemer's kingdom was concerned ; and doubt not that his hap- 
 piness is, and will be enhanced, by the presence of those who through 
 his instrumentality have been led to the Saviour 
 
 Mrs. NOTT, wife of Rev. Eliphalet Nott, D.D., the 
 distinguished President of Union College, Schenectady, 
 N. Y., writes to Mr. and Mrs. Stuart : 
 
 UNION COLLEGE, Alay 6, 1863. 
 
 My first impulse, when I saw the death of your dear son in a 
 Philadelphia paper, kindly sent me, was to write at once to assure
 
 76 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 you of the heartfelt sympathy of Dr. Nott and myself; but what 
 could I say to comfort those whom God had smitten ? I know that 
 the Being to whose service your precious son had early consecrated 
 himself was the only one who could pour the oil of consolation 
 into your wounded hearts ; and I believed that he would do so. 
 Has he not? 
 
 What joy must have filled your hearts as you heard his dying 
 exclamation, "I know that my Redeemer liveth!" And so the young 
 Christian hero died. The battle was ended, the victory won. 
 ''Thanks be to God, who gave him the victory through our Lord 
 Jesus Christ." 
 
 Dr. Nott, whose health is very feeble, desires me to say, " that 
 you should be grateful to God for having had such a son." He 
 was deeply affected by the allusion, in the very beautiful memo- 
 rial in the Presbyterian, to the group of coloured children and people 
 who mourned his loss on the day of his burial. Nothing could have 
 been more touching. " Why am I spared, while the young and the 
 gifted are taken ? Even so, Father ; for so it seemeth good in thy 
 sight," was his language, when I announced to him the death of your 
 
 Colonel JAMES GWYN, of i i8th Regiment Penn. Volun- 
 teers, writes from 
 
 HEAD-QUARTERS, n8TH REGT. P. V., 
 CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., May 9, 1863. 
 
 I had commenced ,a letter to you some two weeks since ; but 
 the sudden movement of the army, calling me to active exertiqns in 
 having my command thoroughly equipped, gave me no opportunity 
 of completing it. Amid the din of the late battle-fields I still had 
 time to think of you and your late severe affliction to feel for and 
 to mourn with you. 
 
 Willie was indeed to me as a dearly beloved young brother: 
 perhaps no brother ever loved another more deeply than I loved 
 him. I had known him so long. He had, from a little prattling 
 child, grown up under my eyes to a tall handsome man. As he
 
 LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE. 77 
 
 grew up, he was continually engaged in doing good. Truly the 
 ways of God are inscrutable. The tree here cut down was not 
 cumbering the ground, but bringing forth fruit. 
 
 Had I not seen him the last time I was at home, I could not 
 have realized his death ; but when I saw his poor emaciated form, I 
 felt that he must soon leave you. I felt sick at heart when I bade 
 him farewell ; and never will I forget his warm grasp of the hand 
 and sweet smile, when he said, " God Almighty bless and protect 
 you ! good-bye." With difficulty I restrained my tears, as I left 
 your house with a heavy heart. 
 
 But why should you be sad ? I am sure he whom you mourn 
 could say with Paul, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished 
 my course, I have kept the faith : henceforth there is laid up for 
 me a crown of righteousness." I need not say to you where you can 
 receive consolation. You have so often pointed out the .way to 
 others, that I am sure you have received from God's mercy- 
 seat that rest which he has promised to all the weary and heavy 
 laden. 
 
 Please say to Mrs. Stuart and the young widow that from my 
 inmost soul I sympathize with them I mourn with them 
 
 CHARLES H. WOLFF, Esq., Cincinnati, in a second 
 letter thus writes: 
 
 CINCINNATI, May it, 1863. 
 
 The Presbyterian of the' 2nd instant is just to hand, containing a 
 notice of the character and demise of my dear friend William. 
 Many young men whom I highly esteemed have gone to the better 
 world, but the death of none of them affected me so poignantly as 
 the death of your son. The brief biography is so touchingly beau- 
 tiful, and so truthful in all its delineations, that you will much 
 oblige me by giving me the author's name. 
 
 Were it not that my heart reposes in the wisdom and goodness 
 of our heavenly Father, it would ask, Wherefore, O Lord, hast 
 thou caused this dire calamity to come upon us? But, with the 
 Psalmist, let me say, " I was dumb, because thou didst it." " The
 
 78 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the name of 
 the Lord." 
 
 The loss to your family circle is irreparable, and my deepest 
 sympathies are with you. I cannot write more, my heart is too 
 full. . 
 
 Rev. R. MACDONALD, North Leith, an eminent 
 minister of the Free Church of Scotland, and the inti- 
 mate friend of the late Rev. R. Murray M'Cheyne. He 
 and William visited together the Island of Arran, and 
 became mutually interested in each other. 
 
 NORTH LEITH, jfime 17, 1863. 
 
 I have read with intense and sorrowful interest all that has been 
 said and written about your sorely missed and beloved son. His 
 unexpected removal, just when he was becoming so eminently use- 
 ful and so highly appreciated, is a most mysterious providence. 
 Yet I feel sure that, through Christ strengthening you, you will 
 be able sweetly to trust your Lord, even when ycai cannot trace 
 him, and to say from the heart, " He hath done all things 
 well." 
 
 It may be emphatically said of your dear and honoured son, 
 " He lived much in little time." And one striking proof of this is 
 the fact that, young as he was, he has been so universally and ten- 
 derly lamented. The accounts given of the feeling manifested 
 forcibly recalled to me the touching words of inspiration, " Devout 
 men carried him to his burial, and made great lamentation over 
 him." 
 
 I will always reckon it one of the privileges of my life that 
 I enjoyed so much pleasant intercourse with him during his so- 
 journ in Arran, about two years ago. He was so sweetly lively 
 in spirit, so enlightened, so large-hearted, so manly, and, above 
 all, so nobly Christian, that it was impossible not to admire 
 and love him. I was greatly struck with wTiat the Banner truly 
 calls "his whole-hearted devotion to the cause of his Saviour;" 
 and with his self-sacrificing and unsparing labours as the
 
 LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE. 79 
 
 superintendent of the mission school for coloured children. 
 His labours will not be in vain, and I doubt not that the crown 
 he will receive from the Lord he loved so well will be a very 
 bright one. 
 
 I feel very deeply for you, for a sorer bereavement than that 
 you have experienced I cannot easily conceive. Blessed be God, 
 however, you can mingle much joy with your sorrow, for you have 
 the most assured conviction that your loss has been his unspeakable 
 gain ; and I have every confidence that you will be able to say with 
 one of your own great American missionaries, when he lost in the 
 prime of life a dearly beloved son " If my Lord would rather that 
 he should serve him in heaven than serve him here on earth, why 
 should I say nay?" 
 
 In the course of my lecture last Sabbath afternoon I especially 
 referred to your dear son by name; and after stating some facts 
 regarding him, earnestly urged the young men of my congregation 
 to follow his bright example. I trust many of them may be moved 
 to do so by the blessed Spirit 
 
 Rev. JOHN EDGAR, D.D., Belfast, Ireland, Professor 
 in the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church 
 in Ireland, thus writes : 
 
 BELFAST, June 22, 1863 
 
 I have often tried to muster courage to write to you. My 
 spirit has been heavily bowed down by the state of your country. 
 A ray of light seems to break in now. God grant that you may 
 soon have once more the blessings of peace. Since I was with you, 
 ' many of those I saw then I shall see again no more. My dear 
 travelling companion, who was to me as my own son faithful, 
 attentive, and kind gone. I shall go to him, but he shall not come 
 to me. It gives me the highest pleasure to hear of his own last 
 scenes and triumphs, and of the very many who rightly prized his 
 worth. The news came on me at first like an electric shock ; but 
 it was soothing afterwards to find that you and he had been pre- 
 viously warned that he was a mere tenant at will. The departure 
 
 G
 
 8o 
 
 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 at the last was like what Pollok describes his sister's " calm, self- 
 possessed, cheerful, triumphant." You have a stronger hold than 
 ever both on this world and the next ; on this, for usefulness ; on 
 
 the next, for glory May God fill you with all joy and peace in 
 
 believing, and multiply to you and yours continually his great loving- 
 kindnesses. .
 
 EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY 
 
 WILLIAM DAVID STUART.
 
 DIARY. 
 
 JJABBATH,///;^ 8, 1856. This morning I drove 
 to Rev. Mr. H.'s church in Germantown, and 
 heard him preach a very impressive sermon 
 on the death of Nadab and Abihu for their 
 sin in putting strange fire in their censers to burn before 
 the Lord. The conclusion was especially directed to the 
 unconverted. After dinner retired to my room, where 
 I spend most of my spare time. I have been thinking, 
 especially lately, of my former resolution of turning my 
 attention to the ministry ; and after looking at it in every 
 light, have at last concluded, that if it please God to call 
 me, I will offer myself, soul and body, to His service, and 
 thus endeavour to fulfil my engagements, and win souls 
 to Jesus. How much better is the service of God than 
 that of the world ! 
 
 Sabbath, Aug. 17. Started for town at 8. At Sabbath 
 school had a class of three. After dinner Messrs. G. and 
 M'F. called for me, and we went first to the carpenter 
 shop, and then to Amita Street. Addressed the latter 
 school for about twenty-five minutes tried to impress 
 upon them three things : ist. They are preparing for an
 
 84 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1856. 
 
 eternity either in heaven or hell ; 2nd. Love to Christ ; 
 3rd. Each little boy and girl can do something. I felt 
 that I was speaking for their souls, and did my best to 
 produce an impression hope I was successful. The 
 S. S. teacher has a very important work to do. Sooner 
 or later all must die. Are we prepared 1 If so, well ; if 
 not, hasten! 
 
 Friday, Aug. 22. Every day I am more and more 
 impressed with the necessity of studying for the ministry. 
 Oh that God would give me sufficient grace never to look 
 back, but to press forward in His service ! and, when the 
 hour shall come that I must be separated from all those 
 who are near and dear to me, may I not shrink back nor 
 falter, but boldly exclaim, " O death, where is thy sting ? 
 O grave, where is thy victory ?" and ascend to glory, there 
 to wait at the footstool of God, and sing His praises 
 throughout all eternity. I often find great difficulty whilst 
 praying, to keep my heart completely shut from the things 
 of this world, and my thoughts fixed on heaven. I must 
 still persevere, and God will in no wise cast me out. We 
 should be thankful that Almighty God has protected us 
 from pestilence and disease of every kind during the 
 summer, now nearly past. Shall we ever see another 1 
 Who can tell ? 
 
 Tuesday, Atig. 26. Rose at 3.40. Had worship and 
 breakfast with Nanna. Arrived at Milton at 12. The 
 ride was pleasant, and Nanna enjoyed the scenery very 
 much. I should enjoy walking from Summit to Danville, 
 with my sketch-book and fishing-rod, to contemplate the 
 curious formation of the strata, and to gather for mother 
 the beautiful moss hanging from the trees. It was amus- 
 ing to watch the various persons in the cars this morning.
 
 ALtat. 16.] DIARY. 85 
 
 Behind us sat a man and wife, of the " would be woulds." 
 Before reaching Reading, we were pretty well posted up 
 in all their family affairs. She made the car her dressing- 
 room. Beside us sat a couple of old maids, who amused 
 themselves with eating all the way; in front a snobbish 
 young man his feet on the seats (not a very gentlemanly 
 accomplishment), and answered his sisters in rough yeses 
 and noes. So the time passed. 
 
 Saturday, Aug. 30 MILTON. I have felt more ease 
 of mind for the last day or two. Oh that Christ would 
 shed abroad His glorious light in my heart, and show me 
 the way to heaven. 
 
 Sabbath, Aug. 31 MILTON. Beautiful morning. Very 
 unwell raging nervous headache. Read to M. ; walked 
 with her and her brother L. to church. Rev. Mr. W. 
 preached a very impressive sermon from the text, " The 
 harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not 
 saved." Some of his points seemed to be directed at 
 me. I felt that indeed the harvest was past, and I still 
 out of heaven. Oh, my God, strengthen me. Show, oh 
 show me my Saviour. Teach me to know and feel that 
 I can do nothing of myself, but Christ is all and in all. 
 Make me to feel there is balm in Gilead, a great physician 
 there, who is both able and ready to heal. I hope I have 
 done what becomes a son of an elder, a S. S. teacher, and 
 more than that, one who is looking forward to enlisting 
 under the banner of Jesus. 
 
 I wonder how my dear S. S. class is to-day : though 
 not with them in the body, I am in the spirit. Oh that 
 God would make my labour effectual amongst them ! Just 
 think ! their immortal souls are committed to my care. 
 I must not betray the trust thus reposed in me by my
 
 86 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUAR7\ [1856. 
 
 Saviour. Prayer constant, earnest, heartfelt prayer is 
 one of the great means ; and God will surely answer. I 
 must set them a consistent, holy example. 
 
 The communion is now approaching the time when, 
 if God spare my life, I' intend to make a public profes- 
 sion of my faith in Jesus and dependence on Him. May 
 it not only be a public, but a private profession ; may it 
 be a prayerful one ; may it be an acceptable one. May 
 I be enabled to say, " Let others do as they will, as for 
 me, I will serve the Lord." Oh may Jesus kindle, with a 
 coal from the divine altar, the heavenly fire in my heart, 
 to feel that to live and die for Him is all my desire all 
 that I live for. I feel now that I would rather die than 
 deny Christ that the world can kill my poor mortal 
 body, but, thanks unto God, it cannot touch this soul. 
 Ah, no ! it belongs to Jesus : He gave it, and he only 
 can take it away. He will receive a poor sinner like me, 
 if I come in spirit and in truth. " Come, unto me," He 
 says, " all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will 
 give you rest." I will support you throughout this troubled 
 world ; I will be with you in the hour of trial, when the 
 dearest friend has forsaken you ; and when the cold hand 
 of death is upon you I will bear you aloft to the mansions 
 prepared for you in glory. 
 
 What an honour it is to be a minister to preach the 
 gospel of Jesus ! Would that my life might be spared (if 
 it be His will) to proclaim the glad tidings of great joy 
 to perishing people ! 
 
 After dinner, retired to my room to read and meditate. 
 Read in " Gleanings among the Mountains, or Traditions 
 of the Covenanters " a most interesting book. What 
 great persecutions God's people have suffered in defence
 
 sEtat. 1 6.] DIARY. 87 
 
 of his word ! Oh, ye who sought to obtain renown by the 
 persecution of the saints, where now is your fame 1 Your 
 name is a reproach, and only remembered to be despised ; 
 while those whom ye considered as worse than dogs 
 whom ye oppressed and killed by scores as pestilent and 
 worthless beings, are now honoured in heaven. Sleep on. 
 ye bleeding bodies of the saints ! sleep in your mossy bed, 
 sleep in the martyr's winding-sheet ; and while ye sleep 
 ye shall not be unattended : posterity shall guard your 
 couch, and point out your cot to the passing traveller ; 
 and He in whose service you fell, and in whose sight the 
 blood of His saints is dear, will at length raise you from 
 your lowly bed to shine among the sons of light in God's 
 own house, and in His own presence, throughout the 
 ceaseless ages of an ever-blessed eternity. To you indeed 
 to live was Christ, and to die was gain. You shall wear 
 a crown brilliant with innumerable gems, for you counted 
 not your lives dear unto you that you might finish your 
 course with joy. 
 
 Monday, Sept. i MILTON. Aunt Mary P. has con- 
 cluded to go to Niagara, which will make our party still 
 more agreeable. At 12 we went to the Rail Road, and 
 when the cars came, Nellie and uncle D. made their 
 appearance. Reached the Suspension Bridge at 12 
 
 Tuesday, Sept. 2 NIAGARA. Rose at 4. Took a 
 short walk before breakfast to see the sun rise on the 
 Falls. After breakfast we went on board the hew steamer, 
 Maid of the Mi-st, and having donned oil-cloth suits, 
 prepared to pass almost under the Falls. How grand ! 
 This is Thy work, O mighty God ! Went over to Goat 
 Island, and there having rested ourselves a few minutes, 
 we started for the end nearest the American Fall. Here
 
 88 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1856. 
 
 a scene of terrific grandeur burst upon our view : at our 
 feet the centre Fall, the water rushing, tumbling, plunging, 
 as if in wild despair, before making the fatal leap, and 
 then dashing itself, as if in a dying effort, on the rocks 
 below. M. and I went to Prospect Tower, from which 
 the view is equally grand. Goat Island is one of nature's 
 mightiest cathedrals : its majestic pines are its fluted 
 columns ; and its mighty organ pours forth in notes, too 
 grand to be mistaken, the praise of its glorious Creator. 
 
 Thursday, Sept. 25. Went to Y. M. C. A. Debating 
 Society. Declaimed. Elected Corresponding Secretary. 
 Had a spirited debate. 
 
 Thursday, Oct. 2. Went to college as usual. After- 
 wards painted till 3. In the evening went to Debating 
 Society, and led in the affirmative of a debate on the 
 question, " Has the war with Russia promoted Chris- 
 tianity ]" Gained my side. 
 
 Sabbath, Oct. 19. After worship, papa handed me a 
 letter from my dear pastor urging me to join the church. 
 Why should I delay ? Life is uncertain ; death is sure. 
 I may not live to see another communion season. 
 
 Went to the Home * and brought up the children. 
 
 Taught my class this afternoon from i Cor. xv., and 
 tried to impress upon their tender minds the necessity of 
 receiving Christ. In the evening we had a prayer-meet- 
 ing for the young men of the church. I enjoyed it ex- 
 ceedingly. Truly this has been a day of refreshing from 
 the presence of the Lord. O God, open mine heart 
 bring me to Thee. Let me no longer be out of the fold 
 
 * The Home for Friendless Children. The children were permitted to come 
 up, under the escort of one of the teachers, to the Sabbath school of the First 
 Reformed Presbyterian Church, on the Sabbath, for instruction.
 
 1 6.] DIARY. 89 
 
 of Christ, my Saviour and Redeemer. Thou art my Rock 
 and the God of my salvation. 
 
 Sabbath, Oct. 26. Went to prayer-meeting before S. 
 school. Much pleased, and felt fitted for my labours. 
 During the past week J. N. was removed. I hope that 
 through the grace of God I did him good. Afternoon, 
 school. I see W. M. has come back. Oh that he would 
 stay ! I think I am beginning to see more of Christ ; 
 but still how far from Him am I yet! Prayer is the 
 sinner's only hope. Have mercy upon me, O God. Show 
 me myself. Show me Thyself. 
 
 Sabbath, Nov. 16. After church went to the study [of 
 the pastor] and expressed my desire openly to enlist 
 under the standard of Jesus, for He is our only safety 
 and Rock of defence. Oh that He would give me grace 
 never to dishonour my position, for it is a high one. 
 Just think ! a soldier of King Emmanuel ! a position which 
 the loftiest of earth's potentates might indeed rejoice in. 
 God has said, " My grace is sufficient for thee." If we 
 only trust in Him, coming with an humble, contrite heart, 
 He will supply us with all needful grace from the fountain 
 opened in the house of David. Went down to Marion 
 Street, and had a very interesting meeting spoke for 
 about twenty minutes. We know not what good, with 
 God's blessing, may result. We can do nothing of our- 
 selves. I think I am beginning to see some good in my 
 class. W. H. and J. P. both seem to be religiously in- 
 clined, especially the former. They are yet young, but 
 not too young to die not too young to be saved. If 
 there have been impressions for good made upon them, 
 O God strengthen and confirm them. Make them orna- 
 ments to Thy Church below and take them at last to
 
 90 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1856. 
 
 Thyself. I am afraid E. B. is rather wayward; still, I 
 will not cease to pray for him, that God will open his 
 heart to the reception of the truths of the Gospel, to see 
 the awful position in which he is standing, and lead him 
 to the foot of the Cross. God will always answer prayer 
 when He thinks it is best. 
 
 Sabbath, Nov. 30. Preparation Sabbath. Went over 
 to the prayer-meeting, and down to the Home for the 
 boys. Spoke to my class about the salvation of their 
 souls ; showed them the difference between the two cove- 
 nants ; and gave them that beautiful verse, " I love them 
 that love me," &c., to remember, and guide them through- 
 out the week. Rev. W. J. R. T. made a very touching 
 address in the church. He showed that the first thing 
 the Christian did when he had found Christ was to go to 
 his nearest and dearest friends and relatives, and bring 
 them also to the Messiah. I thought It is my duty, and 
 how much would I love to be the humble instrument of 
 bringing my dear M. to the Saviour to place the crown 
 of her salvation on the head of her Redeemer. 
 
 Before tea, went to my room and spent a few minutes 
 in prayer. Went over to the prayer-meeting. It was one 
 of deep interest the very room seemed fragrant with the 
 air of heaven, a sweet foretaste of the happy, blessed 
 eternity we shall enjoy in the realms of God. Why 
 should we fear to come to God at His holy table, not in 
 our own righteousness, but placing all our faith and 
 dependence on Him 1 
 
 TJiursday, Dec. 4. Very cold. Went to church. 
 Sabbath will be communion. Oh that God would give 
 me grace to come having on the wedding garment of 
 Christ's righteousness.
 
 DIARY. 91 
 
 Friday, Dec. 5. Evening, went over to the church 
 and was formally received by the Session as a member 
 of the Church of the living God. I have now taken the 
 step that separates me from the world. It is an import- 
 ant one one which I shall never, I am sure, regret. 
 
 Sabbath, Dec. 7. Went to prayer-meeting at 9 took 
 part in the exercises. Took the communion for the 
 first time. Oh that God would give me a double portion 
 of His grace to keep my vows to keep me from sin. 
 
 Sabbath, Dec. 14. Pouring. No class. Evening, 
 went with M'F. and G. to Marion Street spoke for 
 nearly half an hour on " I love them that love me, and 
 those that seek me early shall find me." I often find 
 great difficulty on the Sabbath in keeping out wandering 
 thoughts. Satan is trying hard to draw me back to him- 
 self; but I will pray to God, and He will give me grace 
 to resist him. 
 
 Monday, Dec. 15. Examination with Professor F. on 
 chemistry written got through first rate. 
 
 .Friday, Dec. 19. Examined by Professor C. at u. 
 Got through finely. Went to hear Elihu Burritt. 
 
 Saturday, Dec. 20. Professor J.'s examination. Got 
 through. 
 
 Monday, Dec* 22. Rose at 2. Studied my geometry 
 till 7. Examination did not pass very well. Evening, 
 monthly meeting of the Y. M. C. A. very interesting. 
 
 Sabbath, Dec. 28. Led in prayer for the first time. 
 S. school class all present. Tried to impress upon 
 them the necessity of coming now to Christ ; and gave 
 them the verse, "Let not your heart be troubled," to 
 remember. 
 
 Wednesday, Dec. 31. Evening, Nellie had a little
 
 92 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1857. 
 
 company spent a very delightful evening. The last 
 night of 1856; but time never stops always runs on, and 
 so our lives. 
 
 Sabbath, Jan. 4, 1857. Spoke earnestly to my boys 
 about love to Christ. Went with M'F. to Marion Street 
 spoke for twenty-five minutes on the importance of 
 grasping and improving youth ere it be lost in the 
 fathomless depths of eternity. Retired at n, after 
 earnest prayer to God for my Sabbath class, my night 
 school, , as well as all my family. 
 
 Tuesday, Jan. 6. Evening, our soiree came off, and 
 we had a delightful time the room was crowded. M'F. 
 read a fine report; G. a very good essay; S. P. H. made 
 an excellent speech ; and then came mine on " Scottish 
 Martyrs," was received with thunders of applause, and 
 interrupted with it throughout my piece. 
 
 Wednesday, Jan. 7. In bed until 12. Severe pains 
 all over my body. 
 
 Saturday, Jan. 24. Rose at 6. Studied my speech 
 rehearsed " Bernardo del Carpio," read " Childe 
 Harold." Went to the Germania very fine. Walked 
 home with M. and C. Had a long conversation on the 
 necessity of salvation, early how we should set ourselves 
 against those things which would disgrace the calling of 
 a Christian against those things that the enemies of 
 Christ might seize upon to sneer at the religion of Jesus. 
 What pleasure can there be in this world if we have 
 nothing to look to beyond if all eternity lies dark and 
 drear before us 1 Far better, inestimably better, to have 
 an eternity in view, a heaven as our goal, a Saviour as 
 our eternal companion. Oh how I would rejoice to see
 
 Mtot. 1 6.] DIARY. 93 
 
 M. a Christian ! I will not cease to pray to God on her 
 behalf. He will give answer, and cast off none who come 
 to Him. God is the very embodiment of love. Though 
 we are great sinners, Christ is a great Saviour. 
 
 Mrs. F.'s son John is dying from dropsy, arising from 
 scarlet fever. May his soul go to Jesus, free from care, 
 free from trouble, there to rest peacefully for ever. 
 
 Sabbath, Jan. 25. Spoke earnestly to my class about 
 Christ. Told them about John F., how happy he is 
 waiting patiently for Jesus. After church, Mr. H. and I 
 went to see him, and found he was still patiently waiting 
 for his Redeemer. Oh that I were as happy as he! 
 "Watch and pray:" the Son of man cometh in an hour 
 when ye know not, as a thief in the night. Be ready. 
 The tomb has no terrors, for Jesus has made it soft as 
 eider down. 
 
 As I stood at the death-bed of that child this evening, 
 how envious was I of him ! I said, " John, would you 
 like to get well?" "Oh no," he replied, "not for a 
 thousand worlds ; let me go to Jesus ! " Here indeed is 
 a case, one of many, in which Christ shows Himself as 
 the support of the dying saint. Oh that M. could have 
 been with me then! I know, I feel assured, it would 
 have done her great good. It would have shown her 
 that death is a blessing to the believer. He has not a 
 cloud to obscure his setting sun : as it darkens to us on 
 earth, it becomes brighter and brighter in that celestial 
 city, until at last it bursts in its glorious, redeemed, and 
 spotless effulgence before God and the Lamb. Soon he 
 will fold his pinions at the gate of the heavenly mansion, 
 and angels will ring the vault of heaven with loud halle- 
 lujahs, for the ransomed soul, redeemed from sin tc
 
 94 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1857. 
 
 sparkle in the diadem of Jesus. Happy! happy! happy 
 John ! for you " to live was Christ, and to die is gain." 
 
 Wednesday, Jan. 28. College. Wrote out lecture on 
 Sulphur. After dinner went with Mr. H. to see John F. 
 and Mrs. M'B. The former is still living he has had a 
 
 severe hemorrhage I am troubled with a nervous sick 
 
 headache, and dull pain all through my limbs. I must 
 
 do something Practised two hours. Read the 
 
 "Hunter Naturalist." Had a pleasant chat with Mr. H. 
 before retiring. Studied till i. 
 
 God, I think, is beginning to answer my humble and, 
 I hope, heartfelt prayers. I see more of Christ's grace 
 in my heart, less inclination to do evil, and a greater 
 desire to do good during my short stay in this world of 
 care. 
 
 Friday, Jan. 30. Rose at 6. College as usual. 
 Lecture on Phosphorus and Selenium. George not any 
 better. Dr. R. is going to try the galvanic battery. I 
 must begin to study more; indeed I must not be lagging 
 behind. Studied till 2. 
 
 Sabbath^. Feb. i. After dinner went down to see John 
 F. He asked me to kneel down, while he uttered a 
 most fervent prayer. Much weaker may God sustain 
 him to the end, and as he approaches heaven strengthen 
 his hopes and give him a triumphant entrance to glory. 
 Afternoon, had a new class given me persuaded all my 
 boys to pray morning and evening. Read in " Heaven, 
 or the Sainted Dead," by Harbaugh. 
 
 Monday, Feb. 2. Very unwell. Did not go to college. 
 Painted all morning at Mr. L.'s finished my " Brandy 
 Wine." Afternoon, went to see John F. He is much 
 weaker. Studied. Retired at 2.
 
 sEtat. 1 6.] DIARY. 95 
 
 Tuesday, Feb. 3. I am out of sorts to-day. I think 
 my health is giving way I am getting so weak in the 
 chest. It would be a great trial to me to be prevented 
 from becoming a minister; but God knows what is best: 
 He doeth all things well, and we must bow in submission 
 to His will. Very sick this evening. What is the 
 matter with me 1 Retired at 1 2. 
 
 Wednesday, Feb. 4. Wrote out chemical lectures. 
 Studied .till i getting over the blues. George is still 
 the same. I trust God will restore him soon to health 
 and strength. 
 
 Thursday, Feb. 5. Evening, went to Dr. M.'s to a 
 meeting of the young men, members of the church, in 
 college, to establish an organization in the University, 
 called the Christian Brethren. 
 
 Friday, Feb. 6. Went to church meeting to form Con- 
 stitution for Christian Association. 
 
 Saturday, Feb. 7. Experimented with nitric acid. 
 Wrote the proposed Constitution. Practised. Spoke to 
 M. earnestly about her salvation. 
 
 To-morrow will be the Sabbath. May God grant it 
 be to us a Sabbath indeed. May His grace be poured 
 out on our wounded souls like healing ointment. 
 
 Sabbath, Feb. 8. S. school as usual. Damp and rainy. 
 W. J. only present taught him from John x. May God 
 accompany it with His blessing, without which all teach- 
 ing is in vain. John F. is better. Oh that God would 
 make me walk closer with Him, and keep my mind more 
 fixed on Jesus. Read in "Hedley Vicars." It is a sweet 
 book I never tire of it. The more I read of his life, 
 the more I am impressed with the divine love of Jesus. 
 Just see how a young man, depraved, profane, ungodly, 
 
 7
 
 96 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1857. 
 
 when brought under the saving influences of the Holy 
 Spirit, immediately becomes an instrument of good. I 
 firmly believe that God raised him up as a monument, a 
 guide to others to find that blessed Saviour. I have been 
 reading to-day in Pike's " Persuasions to Early Piety." 
 They are indeed beautiful, and should be in the hands of 
 every young person. 
 
 Sabbath, Feb. 15. Before S. school read Pike's " Per- 
 suasions to Early Piety." It is indeed a gem, a rare gem. 
 Took a walk with S. had a long talk about our future 
 lives. I do not think I am called to be a minister. I 
 wonder if M. loves Jesus. Oh that she did ! 
 
 Tuesday, Feb. 17. This evening Messrs. H. and S. 
 started for Pittsburgh. I trust S. will do well. May God 
 bless him and go with him, be his counsellor and his guide, 
 his help in this world, and his only hope in the world to 
 come. May he never swerve from duty, and God will 
 prosper him. 
 
 Wednesday, Feb. 18. Went to see John F. He has 
 had a relapse, and the doctor says he can hardly recover. 
 What an instance of grace ! Jesus has been with him 
 while his body has been racked with pain. Retired at 
 2, after study. I wish I could train myself to study 
 somehow I cannot do it, I get so nervous. 
 
 Sabbath, March i. Another month begun! Am I 
 nearer heaven 1 Studied my morning lesson in Daniel. 
 Went to S. school. W. H. has gone to the country. He 
 was a good, obedient boy. May the grace of God be with 
 him. I have prayed more earnestly to-day than usual 
 for my S. S. class. May I see the fruit of my labour, not 
 for myself, but for His glory. 
 
 Thursday, March 5. Worked at my chemicals. Spent
 
 . 1 6.] DIARY. 97 
 
 all afternoon in laboratory. Studied. Retired at 3. I 
 do not feel satisfied with myself, somehow. I am en- 
 tirely bewildered in making a choice for life. I cannot 
 feel at all that I have a call to the ministry. I fear I 
 will not be of any use there. May God give me grace in 
 my choice. May I live entirely for his service : yet all 
 I can do is nothing compared to what He did for me. 
 God give me grace to be humble. 
 
 Sabbath, March 8. To-day my mind has been filled 
 with wandering thoughts, and I have struggled in vain 
 almost to keep them out. I will pray for more grace 
 and strength from God. Would that I were like Hedley 
 Vicars ! 
 
 Monday, March 9. Went to the first meeting of our 
 Christian Association; was elected President. Had a 
 very warm debate. Came home, and studied till 3. My 
 eyes are very sore indeed. 
 
 Sabbath, March 15. I feel a voice (or whatever it 
 may be called) within me saying, " Stop and consider 
 what is your duty, to be a minister or not?" O God, give 
 me grace to decide. May I have nothing to influence 
 me but a desire to promote Thy kingdom, and do what 
 I can for Jesus, who has done so much for me. 
 
 Thursday, March 19. College as usual. Came home 
 and made sulphur medals and casts. Went to Debating 
 Society. Chemistry coming along splendidly. Prayed 
 earnestly for a change of heart. Oh, the redeeming love 
 of Jesus ! Who, who can form the smallest estimate of it ! 
 boundless, tender, ceaseless, never-changing, good for 
 time and good for eternity. May I have a goodly por- 
 tion of it, and tell others how it may be obtained. What 
 a precious thing prayer is ! It is indeed " the soul's sin-
 
 98 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1857. 
 
 cere desire, unuttered or expressed." God is very good, 
 and we very ungrateful. Could I but love Him as He 
 loves me, I would be so happy ! Make me Thine, O 
 Jesus. 
 
 Saturday r , March 21. I do not know what is the 
 matter with me of late : everything I do seems to tire me. 
 I feel unfit for everything. I am unable to fathom it. 
 
 Sabbath, March 22. Went to the young men's prayer- 
 meeting presided, and led in prayer. Raging headache. 
 To-day I have been unable to keep my thoughts from 
 wandering. O God, assist me; without Thee I can do 
 nothing. Make me one of Thine own anointed ones, 
 loving and serving Thee with all my heart; and may I 
 strive to bring others to Thee likewise to do what little 
 I can to promote the interests of Zion, and spread the 
 glory of the Cross. How many are there in our very 
 midst who do not care for Jesus, but are going down to 
 death without one ray of hope ! 
 
 Monday \ March 23. Swelled neck and raging headache. 
 Professor F.'s examination written got through splen- 
 didly A i. 
 
 Friday, April 3. There is something the matter with 
 me lately. A voice tells me I am not doing my duty. 
 Am I any nearer Christ than I was yesterday, or even 
 a week or a month ago? I dare not answer the ques- 
 tion. True it is that my soul is nearer eternity my 
 life is every day becoming shorter. Am I nearer God ? 
 Oh, may I this night resolve that, in the strength of pro- 
 mised grace, I will not let another day go by without 
 doing something for Jesus. He did very much for me ; 
 He has given me many opportunities, and will require 
 much at my hands. It seems strange how so many
 
 jEtat. 16.] DIARY. 99 
 
 people go to church, believe in the Bible, heaven and 
 hell, and yet are perfectly indifferent as to the salvation 
 of their souls. What do we live for? To eat, drink, and 
 gratify our lusts? The beasts do that. Why did God 
 give us reasoning powers make us in the image of Him- 
 self give us an immortal soul? Why, but to prepare us 
 to dwell with Him throughout eternity. Oh, could I be 
 the means of bringing one soul to God of rescuing one 
 immortal soul more precious than all the world from 
 eternal ruin, I would be satisfied. 
 
 How happy does the Christian feel when he has been 
 labouring for his Master ! He is happy, not only in his 
 Saviour's smiles and approbation, which he feels in his 
 heart's inmost core, but happy in the thought that God 
 will reward him in eternity. There is no real happiness 
 but to the Christian. The monarch on his throne may 
 seem happy ; but could we look into his heart, the canker- 
 worm is there. The beautiful maiden, just blooming 
 into womanhood, admired and courted, a lover of plea- 
 sure, may indeed seem happy; but go with her to her 
 chamber, and when a thought of eternity comes o'er her, 
 and come it will, no matter how much she may strive to 
 drown it see her shed tears of remorse. Whence is 
 this? Where are her gay companions? No friend to 
 console and comfort ! She has not Christ. Let Him be 
 my friend. When all others forsake, He is near to com- 
 fort. 
 
 How would I love to see M. come to Jesus ! 
 
 Tuesday, April 7. To-day I have been reading 
 Young's " Night Thoughts." They are grand indeed. It 
 makes one's very soul thrill to read them, so full of mean- 
 ing, such great truths contained in them. Unquestion-
 
 loo MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1857. 
 
 ably they are one of the finest productions in the English 
 language. 
 
 Sabbath, April 12. Low spirited. Raining. Taught 
 with considerable vigour. Read " Hedley Vicars." This 
 book is indeed a treasure. Oh that I were he ! but God 
 doeth what is best for both of us. He takes care of His 
 own children. 
 
 Sabbath, April 19. Preparation Sabbath. Spent the 
 time before dinner in private prayer for my class and M., 
 that they may be early brought to Christ. Still low 
 spirited. Because I am so is no reason that Christ is not 
 with me. He hides me in the hollow of His hand, and 
 will not show me His great love. He knows it would be 
 too great for me to bear. He stands knocking at the 
 door of our hearts. He is patient, yet He will not stand 
 for ever. Our death-knell will soon be rung, and then 
 woe if we have not let Him in ! John F. is still alive. 
 
 Thursday, April 23. Read my Essay on Electricity 
 before the Debating Society. It was moved that I be 
 requested to repeat it. 
 
 Sabbath, April 26. Rose at 6. Communion Sabbath. 
 Went to prayer-meeting at 9 deeply interesting. Sat 
 down at the first table. Never have I felt the Spirit's 
 presence, and my own weakness, so much as to-day. 
 There I uttered most fervent petitions for one dear unto 
 me, who as yet has not found Jesus. I resolved, in the 
 strength of promised grace, to walk closer with God to 
 labour more earnestly in the vineyard of the Lord to do 
 what little I can to promote His glory. Went to prayer- 
 meeting in the evening, and led in prayer. 
 
 Saturday, May 2. Very unwell to-day cannot tell 
 exactly what is the matter. I feel that I am not living
 
 SEtat. 1 6.] DIARY. 101 
 
 as I ought am not advancing toward heaven, or doing 
 anything to promote Christ's cause. I must be more 
 active. I have not enough association of the right kind. 
 God help me! I am weak, God is mighty; I am a 
 helpless sinner, He the high and holy God. I wish, I 
 pray that M. may become a Christian how delightful it 
 would be ! I think she is becoming rather more serious. 
 Would to God it were so. All we can do is to pray, and 
 trust the rest to God. How kind, how good He is to us 
 sinners, who deserve nothing but punishment at His 
 hands ! 
 
 Sabbath, May 3. Between services to-day I engaged 
 for half an hour in prayer for my class: also for my 
 dearest M., that God would open her heart. Evening, 
 took her to church. After service spent a delightful hour 
 we had a long chat upon the necessity of early coming 
 to Jesus. I think she is more attentive to the things of 
 her soul. God will say to me at the judgment, " Where is 
 the flock, the beautiful flock I gave unto thee?" May I 
 be able to say, " Here they be, Lord ; all redeemed by 
 thy Son." How happy the thought that we who love on 
 earth, shall love still more in heaven! We shall not 
 always be separated. 
 
 Sabbath, June 28. Rose at 6. Church in the morning. 
 After dinner retired to my room and wrote to M. about 
 her eternal salvation; engaged in prayer for her, my S. S. 
 class, and myself. After tea had sacred music. How 
 lovely it is on a Sabbath evening for a family to engage 
 in pouring forth their hearts in praise to their Creator! 
 It makes me think of the eternity we hope to spend 
 around the throne of God. How delightful it is to be a 
 Christian ! Oh that I could do more for God ! that I
 
 102 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1857. 
 
 could bring M. to His footstool ! I will not cease to 
 pray for her till I get an answer to my prayers. God 
 has promised to hear me if I persevere. 
 
 Tfiursday, July 2. Rose at 5. Went in to hear the 
 result of the examinations. I am passed to a Junior. 
 Worked all day in the carpenter shop making shelves for 
 rny laboratory. 
 
 Monday, July 6. Beautiful moonlight! so calm, so 
 bright, so still. How grand are all thy works, Parent of 
 good, and yet how ungrateful are we, guilty sinners ! 
 
 Thursday, Aug. 6 ATLANTIC CITY.* Rose at 5. 
 Rolled ten pins till bathing time. Afternoon took a ride 
 to the dry inlet, round the light-house. Had charades 
 took several principal characters, with which all were 
 much pleased. 
 
 Monday, Aug. 10. Rose at 6. Worked at chemistry 
 all day. Read Regnault. My seventeenth birth-day ! 
 I think there is no better time to make good resolutions 
 than on one's birth-day; and by the grace of God I Avill 
 endeavour to keep those that I have here set down : 
 ist, That I will endeavour strictly to adhere to the truth 
 never make a statement unless I know it to be the truth, 
 never take anything for granted. 2nd. That I will never 
 speak ill of any person that I will live at peace with all 
 that I will break off as many as possible of my foolish 
 habits, and remember I have an example to set as a 
 member of Christ's Church. 3rd. That I will love my 
 brothers and sisters more, and make it more my duty to 
 make them happy will do my share to keep alive the 
 spirit of love and unity in our family circle. Finally, 
 That I will endeavour to lead a more consistent Christian 
 
 * One of the watering-places much resorted to by Philadelphians.
 
 sKtat. 17.] DIARY. 103 
 
 life than I have done heretofore, remembering that God's 
 eye is ever upon me, and I must not disgrace His name. 
 All this I will endeavour to do, not in mine own strength, 
 but entirely in the strength of promised grace. 
 
 And now, my Heavenly Father, be pleased to look 
 down upon me and bless me. Grant me Thy grace and 
 assistance to carry out what I have resolved. May I from 
 this day live not for myself, but for Thy glory. Bless 
 my dearest M. ; guard her and guide her; early bring her 
 into the fold of Jesus. May she be an humble follower 
 of Thee ; and when thou hast done with us on earth take 
 us to be with Thee, throughout the ceaseless ages of 
 eternity. Amen. 
 
 Saturday, Atig. 16. Another week has passed how 
 rapidly! A week more of my life gone a week nearer 
 heaven or hell. I have a week less to prepare for eternity, 
 a week's more sins to answer for at the judgment-seat of 
 God. Have I improved it? I fear, in a measure, I have 
 not; certainly not as much as I ought to have done. I 
 must try, by the grace of God, to do better. He has 
 done for me very much more than I deserve. I trust M. 
 is beginning to feel that the all-important thing is the 
 salvation of the immortal soul. 
 
 Saturday, Aug. 22. I must pull up and study now for 
 examinations. I am not satisfied with myself. I must 
 and can do better. God is not pleased with me : I am 
 not living as I ought. O God, give me grace to love 
 and serve Thee better; and make my dearest M. a child 
 of Thine. I come, just as I am, and cast all on Thee. 
 O God help me. 
 
 Sabbath, Aug. 23. Lovely morning. Read in the 
 Word until church time. Afternoon, took a nap, and by
 
 104 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1857. 
 
 procrastinating became too late for S. school a thing that 
 never happened to me before, and by God's assistance it 
 will never happen again. Oh that my heart were more 
 given to Jesus that I could feel more my need of Him 
 that I may lose my sinful pride, and come to Jesus, 
 poor and needy, place all my trust in Him, for he has 
 cared for me and has promised to receive sinners, even 
 me, who am as the greatest. 
 
 M. gives me much concern. I fear she has as yet not 
 given herself up entirely to the service of God, that she is 
 yet yearning after the world and its sinful pleasures. I 
 will not give up praying for her and speaking to her on 
 the subject: I feel assured that God will ultimately bless 
 my endeavours that He will reclaim her, His lost sheep, 
 and bring her to His arms. Her companions generally 
 are not such as would bring comfort in a dying hour, and 
 pour words of consolation in to her soul when all is dark 
 around. What would I not give to see her a child of 
 God, an heir of glory ! This universe would be a ransom 
 far too small; but no ransom is required; our Redeemer 
 says, " Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall 
 find." May she find that Jesus who died to redeem her; 
 and may she rejoice in Him. If I see her to-morrow, 
 and an opportunity offer, I will again speak to her on 
 the subject. 
 
 Thursday, Aug. 27. I must really work hard, and do 
 myself some credit at college next year. I have been 
 too lazy and careless. How many resolutions I make 
 and break ! I must reform. 
 
 Sabbath, Sept. 13. Read " Night of Toil." Afternoon, 
 went to school very full and attentive class. I pray 
 that God will bless my labours of themselves, they are
 
 . 17.] DIARY. 105 
 
 very fruitless. I will make a practice of retiring to my 
 room immediately on my return from the afternoon 
 service, and invoking God's blessing on my S. school 
 labours during the day. I ought and must seek God's 
 blessing and assistance, if I ever expect to succeed in this 
 important work. 
 
 Friday, Sept. 25. Came in at 8. Great excitement 
 in monetary affairs. Pennsylvania and Girard Banks 
 suspended. 
 
 Thursday, Oct. 20. Bought "Attic Philosopher," and 
 Michaud's " History of the Crusades." Went to John 
 F's. funeral was one of the pall-bearers. 
 
 Sabbath, Oct. 23. Communion Sabbath. Went to 
 prayer-meeting very solemn. Dr. W. preached on the 
 atonement of Christ. Went to first table. It was indeed 
 a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. 
 God's Spirit was in our midst, and the Lord did wonders 
 for us. There did I plead with God for myself, and 
 earnestly for my dear M. I know He will hear me. 
 
 Friday, Jan. i, 1858. Did not go to early prayer- 
 meeting, on account of a severe neuralgia. Made arrange- 
 ments for my Anniversary. Got a new room corner i3th 
 and Mariner. Had seventy children present fed them 
 on mince pies and raisins. Afternoon, went to Parent 
 school. Feel very unwell to-night. Studied until i 
 am to be examined to-morrow. I must set out from to- 
 day to serve God better than I have done must pray 
 that He will give me strength. 
 
 Saturday, Jan. 2. Went to college and was examined, 
 which lasted for two hours. Preceptors said I had done 
 remarkably well. Played chess.
 
 io6 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1858. 
 
 Sabbath, Jan. 3. Rose at 6. Went to my school 
 brought them up to the Anniversary had about seventy- 
 five children. Altogether there were about 850. Mine 
 were the best behaved. They were presented with the 
 "Life of John Fleming." 
 
 Sabbath, Jan. 24. School not as large as I had hoped 
 for in the morning. Took M. to hear Rev. Dudley 
 Tyng text, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his 
 way]" I feel very sick to-night ; at times, low spirited ; and 
 again, when I think God does it all that He is my God 
 and will take care of me I am happy. Oh that M. 
 were a child of God ! then would I rejoice. 
 
 Friday, Jan. 29. Had another discussion with M. to- 
 day about the opera. I think she is beginning to change 
 her views. I hope, I pray it may be so. 
 
 Sabbath, May 9. Attendance at morning school very 
 small much discouraged teachers' prayer-meeting after 
 school. We are too self-confident we must trust more 
 in God. Afternoon, school as usual; attendance seventy. 
 
 Monday, May 10. Commenced study of the Steam 
 Engine. Evening, meeting of Christian Association 
 appointed to prepare an address to our young friends 
 M'F. and G, who are about to leave us for a season. 
 We intend to present each with a Bible. 
 
 Tuesday, May n. Went to Guardians of Poor Office 
 to see about getting a poor coloured woman buried. 
 Bought a malachite and agate. Labelled minerals. 
 How weak, and selfish, and proud we are ! More and 
 more I feel my own weakness ; and more and more I 
 hope I trust in God. What a 'blessed thing is faith! pure, 
 confiding faith, ever "looking to Jesus." He will help 
 us in weal or woe. He will never leave or forsake us.
 
 17.] DIARY. 107 
 
 Blessed promise ! glorious hope ! May M. have great 
 faith. 
 
 Monday, May 17. College as usual. Labelled 
 minerals. Lesson in Miiller with L. Spirals with H. 
 Evening, large meeting at the church to bid farewell to 
 Rev. Mr. W. and Messrs. M'F. and G. read the address 
 to the two latter, and presented each with a copy of the 
 Word of God. 
 
 Friday, May 21. Bought Dana's Mineralogy, and a 
 very fine specimen of sulph. of lead one of the finest 
 in the country. 
 
 Sabbath, May 23. Evening, took charge of the Boys' 
 Meeting in the carpenter shop large attendance very 
 unwell. 
 
 Wednesday, May 26. Rose at 5. Practised. Read. 
 College as usual. Attended noon prayer-meeting very 
 interesting. God's Spirit was of a truth present with us. 
 Long talk with mother. Lessons L. and H. 
 
 Thursday, May 27. College. Attended prayer-meet- 
 ing after third hour. Lessons with K. and H. Went to 
 see aunt J., who is very low. Practised. Evening, 
 went to prayer-meeting at E.'s, and what a delightful 
 time we had ! God was truly in our midst. Walked 
 home with P. W., who seemed much changed, and was 
 deeply impressed with the meeting. I will continue to 
 pray to God for him, that he may be led openly to pro- 
 fess his faith in Christ. 
 
 Friday, May 28. This afternoon M. was received into 
 the Church. I pray God she may be a bright and shin- 
 ing light a consistent Christian. Afternoon, went to 
 the Diligent prayer-meeting. The room was crowded. I 
 opened the meeting with prayer. The exercises were
 
 io8 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1858. 
 
 deeply impressive, and I came away with my soul re- 
 freshed. Evening, went to see M. Now that she has 
 united herself to the Church, I feel a still greater attach- 
 ment for her. How strong the bond of Christian love ! 
 
 Saturday, May 29. Attended noon prayer-meeting. 
 Walked up with F. E. he is a lovely Christian character. 
 I must from this evening give closer attention to my 
 studies. I will pray God to give me strength and a will 
 to do it. 
 
 Sabbath, May 30. School as usual had teachers' 
 prayer-meeting. After dinner went to see Annie S. 
 talked and prayed with her. She is a happy Christian. 
 Went to see Mrs. J. who is sick she was glad to see me. 
 Called also on Mrs. La M., whose husband is a slave 
 took her subscription-book to try to raise some money to 
 buy him off. Evening, went down to school very good 
 attendance spoke half an hour. Came home very sick. 
 Retired at 10.30. 
 
 Monday, May 31. Went to prayer-meeting at Diligent 
 Engine House very large attendance presided very 
 solemn. Several young men stood up and asked to be 
 prayed for. How wonderful is the working of God's pro- 
 vidence ! Evening, read Essay on the " True Hero " at 
 Rev. S. H.'s church, before their S. S. Association. 
 
 Tuesday, June r. Family moved to the country. 
 Nanna and I will keep house alone for a week or two. 
 W T ent to the " Diligent " at 5 very large meeting, and 
 very impressive. How precious the privilege of spending 
 an hour in communion with God ! How we should im- 
 prove these privileges ! God will require much of us. 
 Evening, talked with Nanna. 
 
 Wednesday, June 2. Uncle D. and I went to Mr.
 
 /Etat. 17.] DIARY. 109 
 
 M'A.'s to see his microscope spent a delightful evening. 
 I could spend hours over the microscope. The more we 
 look into these objects, invisible to the naked eye, the 
 more we admire the wisdom, the goodness, and the power 
 of that God who made them all. He controls the most 
 distant system, and the tiniest insect that floats in the 
 sunbeam. 
 
 Thursday, June 3. College. Attended prayer-meet- 
 ing. Went out to Springbrook retired early, very un- 
 well sorry I could not remain in the city to attend 
 prayer-meeting at E.'s. 
 
 Friday, June 4. Rose at 4.30 slept very little. 
 Visited Annie S.'s. family. She died yesterday, full of 
 hope. " Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." 
 
 Sabbath, June 6. S. school as usual very fair attend- 
 ance. Went with P. W. to Rev. Mr. B.'s. church. It is 
 their communion Sabbath, and my dear M. is to be bap- 
 tized and admitted into the Church. Mr. B. preached a 
 beautiful sermon on the subject of our Saviour's cruci- 
 fixion, and then, descending from the pulpit, advanced 
 to her and said, " M. E., I baptize thee in the name of 
 the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." Oh, how happy I 
 felt ; for there I saw what for years I had earnestly prayed 
 and wished for. Truly, God hears prayer. When I saw 
 placed in her hands the emblems of our Saviour's dying 
 love, my heart burned within me I wished to partake with 
 her. Though not with her in the body I was in the spirit. 
 
 Saturday, June 12. Went in to college. Packed 
 minerals, and had lesson with Dr. L. Read Lardner on 
 Steam Engine. Much amused at a young snob wanting 
 another to fight a duel. Read Pickwick, and Humphrey's 
 Glimpses of Ocean Life.
 
 no MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1858. 
 
 Sabbath, June 13. Rode into town with papa. Went 
 to see Mrs J., one of my scholars, who is very ill. Very 
 happy to-day. 
 
 Wednesday, June 16. Spent a very delightful evening 
 with M. How beneficial to a man is the society of woman, 
 especially of that one whom he loves ! How much that 
 is sinful is he kept from doing by the thought that she 
 would not like it ! 
 
 Sabbath, Aug. i. Read "Pearls of Thought," and 
 Newton's " Cardiphonia." Afternoon, had sacred music. 
 I love it ; it seems to lift the soul from earth to heaven, 
 and give it a sweet foretaste of what in a great measure 
 will occupy it in heaven. Evening, went to prayer-meet- 
 ing took part. 
 
 Monday, Aug. 2. Read in Lamartine's Girondists. 
 Practised. Read Goethe's Faust; also in Todd's Student's 
 Manual. I consider the latter an invaluable work : every 
 time I read it I get from it some new thought, and some 
 new light is thrown upon my course of study. 
 
 Wednesday, Aug. 4. Packed in a few minutes' notice 
 came to town at 8, and at 3.30 started for Pottsville. 
 The road from Port Clinton was new to me the scenery 
 grand and much varied. Now we were in a valley, with 
 the mountains rising three and four hundred feet on 
 either side ; again we were upon the summit of the ridge, 
 with the country stretching away for miles at our feet. 
 Arrived at Pottsville at 7.45. 
 
 Thursday, Aug. 5. At 5, took carriages and drove 
 twelve miles over the Broad and Blue Mountains to Ash- 
 land. After breakfast, drove to the Locust Run coal 
 mine. For the first time I here entered a mine, and was 
 much interested with the various operations through
 
 /Etat. 17.] DIARY, in 
 
 which the coal passes. We then visited the colliery of 
 Mr. H., where I obtained some fine specimens of coal and 
 slate fossils, which are now rather rare. After dinner, 
 visited the colliery of Mr. R., where I procured some good 
 specimens of variegated coal. Went three quarters of a 
 mile into the breast. 
 
 Friday, Aug. 6. Started for Tuscarora after breakfast 
 from thence took stage for Tamaqua there again took 
 stage and ascended the Sharp Mountain, 6 miles to Sum- 
 mit. Here entered the cars, and rushed down the side 
 of the mountain, 9 miles, to Mauch Chunk. We here 
 took the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and reached Easton at 
 2, where we took Central Railroad for New York. 
 
 Saturday, Aug. 7. At 5 P.M. we left the Harlem Depot 
 for Lake Mahopec arrived at 8.30, very dirty and tired. 
 Dressed. Saw aunt A. and cousins. 
 
 Sabbath, Aug. 8. Took awalk before breakfast. Went 
 to church at 10. Walked home along the lake. This is 
 a poor place to spend the Sabbath. No one seems to 
 know or care that it is God's holy day laughing, read- 
 ing novels, and flirting, seem to be their occupations. 
 
 Monday, Aug. 9. Uncle D., the boys, and myself 
 rowed six miles and took a bath before breakfast. Started 
 at 8 for Peekskill, 16 miles distant took the Hudson 
 River R. R. for Garrison's, and thence the ferry to West 
 Point. The view from the Parade ground is remarkably 
 fine. Visited Kosciusko's monument. As I looked at 
 it, Campbell's lines came home to me, 
 
 '' Hope, for a season, bade the world farewell, 
 And Freedom shrieked as Kosciusko fell." 
 
 Truly the great and good will never be forgotten. Left 
 at 2.30 for New York.
 
 112 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1858. 
 
 Tuesday, Aug. 10. Left New York at 4.20 P.M. for 
 Boston. Read "Knickerbocker" in the cars. My 
 eighteenth birth-day ! God grant me grace to dedicate 
 myself anew to Thee, and live a more consistent 
 life. 
 
 Wednesday, Aug. n. Went on board the Europa 
 was disappointed in her accommodations bade my 
 friends good-bye at 12, and then the vessel headed for 
 "Old England." At 4.20, left Boston, via Fall River, 
 for New York. 
 
 Thursday, Aug. 12. Arrived in New York at 8, and 
 at 4 left for home, sweet home. Read the Life of John 
 Stevenson in the cars. Reached home at 7.40 found 
 all well, and of course glad to see me. 
 
 Tuesday, Aug. 17. Did not go to town. Spent two 
 hours in cleaning my minerals. The Queen's message 
 was received to-day, thus proving the complete success of 
 the Atlantic Telegraph. Planned an Essay to be entitled 
 " Young Men their Influence." 
 
 Friday, Aug. 20. Rose at 6. Did business for father. 
 Read " Tom Brown's School Days." Came out at 4 
 found all the family had gone to J.'s. Read. Took tea 
 all alone, after which sat on the porch and thought of 
 M. I pray that God will give her grace to resist all the 
 temptations with which she may be surrounded during 
 her absence.* 
 
 August 24. Rose at 6. Went to the house to see 
 mother and grandmother : the former very well ; the latter 
 oh, it pains me to say it not as well as I would wish 
 to see her. It makes my heart bleed at the very idea of 
 
 ' M. \vas to sail for Europe in a few days, and expected to remain abroad for 
 two years.
 
 Mat. 1 8.] DIARY. 113 
 
 parting with her; and that, I was going to say, for ever; 
 but, no ! blessed be God, 
 
 " The good shall meet above." 
 
 Went to the store, and to Jayne's Hall prayer-meeting 
 very interesting. Dined at home. Had a long talk 
 with grandmother. Went up to Lansdowne at 4. Retired 
 at ii very unwell indeed. 
 
 Friday, Aug. 27. Rose at 6. Came in with P. at 8. 
 Heard the news that I have a little sister. God grant 
 that her life may long be spared, and that she may be a 
 bright and happy Christian. 
 
 Sabbath, Aug. 29. Lovely morning. Mr. Scott preached 
 on the observance of the Sabbath. Sat in the lawn until 
 dinner time. After dinner, retired to my own room to 
 read and meditate. Read in " Kennedy's Divine Life." 
 Deeply interested. Am I a Christian 1 True, I am a 
 member of the visible Church; but that will not save me. 
 "Have I experienced that change of heart which marks 
 the true believer, and which alone can secure salvation 1 
 I trust I have. I love Jesus, and look to Him only for 
 salvation. "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." 
 Open mine eyes, and show me Thy law. I find Jesus 
 more precious to me now than ever before. Daily I feel 
 my own insufficiency, and endeavour to rest with more 
 assurance upon the Rock of Ages. 
 
 If God spare my life, in one short year I will have 
 entered the school of the world, whose lessons, (alas, how 
 hard to many !) are taught by the stern rule of experience. 
 Soon I must be exposed to all the taunts and temptations 
 of a jeering, godless world, under whose bitter scoff too 
 many have fallen. How consoling is the thought,
 
 114 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1858. 
 
 " From every stormy wind that blows, 
 From every swelling tide of woes, 
 There is a calm, a sure retreat ; 
 "Tis found beneath the mercy-seat." 
 
 To-day is M.'s last Sabbath at home. May it be to her a 
 precious day of grace. How joyful to think that our 
 prayers, though uttered at points far distant from each 
 other, will come nearer and nearer as they approach the 
 mercy-seat, until blending together they reach the ear of 
 the Lord of sabaoth, who will grant us our petitions as it 
 seemeth best unto Himself. Spent some time in the woods 
 in prayer, previous to going to church. 
 
 Thursday, Sept. 2. Made tow wig and whiskers. 
 Evening, went to B.'s had tableaux and charades. I 
 impersonated eight characters, much to the pleasure of 
 my audience, but not to my own. My heart and thoughts 
 were not in it. Retired at 12, very unwell. 
 
 Friday, Sept. 3. Went to town at 8 o'clock. Very 
 unwell. Came out at 4. I have yet much of my~pro- 
 crastination to break off. God grant me grace and 
 strength to resist it and other sins to which I am subject. 
 
 Saturday, Sept. 4. Saw Mrs. W. T. W. on the boat. 
 Had a long talk with her. She is a lovely Christian. 
 
 Sabbath, Sept. 5. Rose at 6. Went down to my school. 
 All were very glad to see me. How happy am I in that 
 God has spared me to return with new zeal to my labours. 
 Mr. M'E. preached for us a very able and instructive 
 sermon from the text, " Ought not Christ to have suffered 
 these things'?" He was what I would term a clear 
 preacher, leaving no doubt in my mind in regard to the 
 subject on which he preached. After dinner, went to my 
 school as usual. I taught the boys' Bible class. All 
 seemed very attentive and desirous to learn. Mr. M'E. 

 
 DIARY. 115 
 
 preached in the afternoon from the text, " Ye must be 
 born again," if possible a more able sermon than in the 
 morning. He has got hold of the matter, and speaks 
 like one who has experienced in his own soul all that he 
 says. At 7, W. M. called for me, and we went to see 
 Mrs. J., one of my scholars, who is dying of a very rapid 
 consumption. She was not only in great bodily pain, 
 but in great mental agony. She said, " Oh, I cannot, I 
 cannot find Jesus." I told her how and where she could 
 find him. She exclaimed, " Oh, I have not been worse 
 than anybody else why cannot I find Jesus ? " I then 
 told her she must come resting alone on Jesus for salva- 
 tion. I prayed with her for a long time, and was fre- 
 quently interrupted by her cries for mercy. After prayer, 
 we sang the hymn, " Just as I am." Never before did I 
 feel the necessity of seeking Jesus ere laid upon a dying 
 bed. Lord grant that I may have laid up now my trea- 
 sure in heaven, and that I may rest my all on Jesus. 
 How sweet the name of Jesus ! May I be His child. 
 Oh, that I were like Him ! Went to my school at 8 o'clock, 
 and had a very good prayer-meeting. I spoke to them 
 from the subject of Paul's interview with Felix. They 
 listened with marked attention, and seemed much im- 
 pressed. 
 
 Wednesday, Sept. 8. Went to town at 8. Learned the 
 sad news that Mr. A. R. is no more. He died suddenly 
 of apoplexy at their country seat near Auburn. He was 
 preparing for a trip to the south, when suddenly he was 
 cut down. Truly, " in the midst of life we are in death." 
 What a warning to us all to be ready, with our lamps 
 trimmed and burning, waiting for the coming of the 
 Master ! He was a truly Christian man. None knew
 
 n6 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1858. 
 
 him but to love him. College began. Got books. Made 
 arrangements with Mr. G. to enter his laboratory. 
 
 Sabbath, Sept. 12. Went to my school. Attendance 
 small in the morning. Afternoon, much larger. After 
 tea, went for G. M'F. to go with me to see Mrs. J. We 
 found her very happy. When I entered the room her 
 eye kindled, and she said, " Oh, Mr. Stuart, I have found 
 Jesus yes, I have found Him; He is my only Saviour!" 
 We both prayed, and sang several hymns with her. How 
 we should thank God for what He has done for her; and 
 what an encouragement should this be to us in our work 
 and labour of love! Truly, God is the hearer and 
 answerer of prayer. We have but to ask, and it shall be 
 given. God's delays are not denials. In His own good 
 time we shall have what we have asked, or what we ought 
 to have asked. 
 
 Monday, Sept. 13. Sat with mother and nursed Pattie 
 until 8.30. Went to college from there to the labora- 
 tory. 
 
 Wednesday, Sept. 15. Heard that Mrs. J., my S. S. 
 scholar, died in peace. 
 
 Sabbath, Sept. 19. Lovely morning. Walked in the 
 woods. Went to church. After dinner, retired to my 
 room read and prayed. Went to Mr. S.'s Sabbath 
 school taught a class of coloured children. They 
 seemed much interested in what I said. Came home 
 very tired. 
 
 Tuesday, Sept. 21. Went to laboratory. Analyzed 
 Lythia Mica very difficult. Got flower of the aloe pre- 
 served in spirits. Came out at 4. Worked at chemistry 
 and blow-pipe until 9.30. Studied. Saw the comet very 
 distinctly this evening with telescope. Moonlight.
 
 sEtat. 1 8.] DIARY. 117 
 
 Sabbath, Oct. 3. Rose at 6.30. Drove to town with 
 father. Attendance at school small. Dr. L. preached 
 from Joshua xx. 1-5, a most impressive and heart-search- 
 ing sermon. May it be of service to many souls. God 
 bless it to my own. Afternoon school attendance very 
 good. Taught my Bible class. To-day my friend P. 
 joined the Church. I pray that he did it with a sincere 
 and honest heart, trusting only to the merits of Jesus for 
 salvation. Drove out at 6. How many darling sins have 
 I yet to mourn over. I would do right, but "evil is 
 present with me." My old habits cling to me hard, 
 hard is it to shake them off. O God, grant me Thy 
 Spirit's assistance, that I may have this hard and stony 
 heart of mine cleansed from every sin; and may I take 
 delight only in the ordinances of Thy grace. Of myself 
 I can do nothing ; but do Thou make me clean. May I 
 daily grow in grace and in the knowledge of Thy holy 
 word. May I have strength to resist all the temptations 
 with which my path is beset to restrain my evil passions 
 and temper to speak evil of no one. but rather love my 
 enemies ; and may I never in any way disgrace the name 
 of Jesus, but ever walk an humble, devoted, earnest 
 Christian, having my heart and hand in my Master's 
 work. Hear and answer me for Jesus' sake. 
 
 Saturday, Oct. 9. Bought mineral cases and arranged 
 minerals. Evening, saw the comet. It reaches its peri- 
 helion to-night. One of the grandest sights I ever 
 beheld. God's works proclaim Him divine. Studied. 
 Retired at 11.30. 
 
 Wednesday >, Oct. 13. Rose at 6. Raining very hard. 
 College as usual. Wrote out Greek. Came out at 2.30 
 FJJ. Father had a dinner party, at which were present
 
 n8 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1858. 
 
 Dr. M'C., Prof. G., Mr. J. C. and son from Edinburgh, 
 Dr. W., and several otfher clergymen. I showed my 
 minerals to Mr. C., who is much interested in such 
 things. Retired at 12.30. 
 
 Thursday, Oct. 14. Came to town at 8. Did not go 
 to college. Went with Mr. C. to the Academy of Natural 
 vSciences, with which he was much pleased. From there 
 we took a cab and drove over to the Insane Asylum. 
 Dr. S. showed us all through the buildings, and paid us 
 great attention. We then went to see Rev. A. B., who 
 gave us a very warm reception, and we spent a very agree- 
 able half hour in his company. I was very much pleased 
 indeed with Mr. C. He is a perfect gentleman a man 
 of great learning, and withal one of most unaffected 
 manners all rendering him one of the most agreeable and 
 attractive men I have ever met. On returning from our 
 ride bade him farewell, as he leaves this evening for 
 New York. Gave him some minerals. 
 
 Friday, Oct. 15. College. Bought minerals. Worked 
 at laboratory. Came out at 4. Rolled ten pins with 
 E. B. Nursed sister Pattie. She is a sweet darling 
 baby. Evening, labelled minerals and wrote letters. 
 
 Monday, Oct. 18. College. Wrote out chemical notes. 
 Read in Plattner on Blow-Pipe. Feel very unwell this 
 evening. I must control myself more in my words and 
 actions. 
 
 Tuesday, Oct. 19. Rose at 7. Very heavy fog. College 
 as usual. Went with W. to the reception service in honour 
 of Prof. G. and Rev. Mr. M'C. The room was very 
 elegantly decorated ; entertainment good, and addresses 
 most capital, especially that of Dr. L. I enjoyed myself 
 very much.
 
 DIARY. 1 19 
 
 Friday Oct. 22. Did not go to town. Very unwell. 
 Worked all day in my laboratory, which was not bene- 
 ficial. 
 
 Saturday, Oct. 23. Rose at 6. Went to town and 
 college. Very sick. Cold very bad indeed, which with 
 weak eyes, renders me quite miserable. Came out at 2.30. 
 Worked all afternoon in laboratory. Studied until u. 
 
 Sabbath, Oct. 31. Drove to town. Weather cool and 
 clear. Attendance at school small, both morning and 
 afternoon, but very attentive. We must not be dis- 
 couraged, but rather go on with more zeal and with more 
 prayer. We do not pray enough. We are not earnest 
 as we should be in this work. 
 
 Friday, Nov. 5. To-day is mother's 38th birth-day. 
 God grant that she may live to see many more, and long 
 be preserved to us, for what is home without a mother 1 
 Evening, went to hear B. T.'s lecture on Moscow. Not 
 much pleased. Retired at 12. 
 
 Sabbath, Nov. 7. Weather clear and cool. Went 
 down to my school. Had teachers' prayer-meeting 
 very solemn and interesting. Evening, went to my 
 school addressed them from parable of Dives and 
 Lazarus. Meeting one of very deep interest. I pray 
 that much good may result. How solemn the thought ! 
 immortal souls committed to our care ! 
 
 Thursday, Nov. 18. Wrote at my Essay, "The Dignity 
 of Labour," until church time. Thanksgiving day. How 
 much have we to thank God for ! How very much have 
 we received of which we were not in the least worthy ! 
 Mr. Faires preached a very fine sermon, indeed the best 
 I ever heard from him. Text, Ps. Ix. 4. Evening, had 
 prayer-meeting at church deeply interesting addresses
 
 120 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1858. 
 
 by many young men. I spoke from text, "Jesus of 
 Nazareth passeth by." Felt much in the spirit. 
 
 Friday, Nov. 19. Rose at 6. Did not go to college. 
 All day in the laboratory. After tea went over to prayer- 
 meeting at the church. Very interesting address by Mr. 
 Mingins, the converted infidel. I do not feel that I am 
 living up to the requirements of God's law. I am not 
 as much of a Christian as I ought to be do not feel 
 earnest enough when I pray; or if I am earnest in private 
 it does not go with me into public life. I have prayed 
 faithfully, I trust, to God, but from this night resolve that 
 in the strength of promised grace I will do more than I 
 ever have done to know and spread the name of Jesus 
 I will live a closer walk with God. Pour out upon me, 
 heavenly Father, thy Holy Spirit : come and dwell in 
 my heart: cleanse me from all sin, and may I be in truth 
 a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus. Have mercy 
 upon me, Q God : rescue me as a brand from the burning : 
 assist me in following after Thee, for I can do nothing 
 of myself; and may I from this moment be born again. 
 " The Lord bless me, and keep me, make His face to 
 shine upon me, and so I shall be safe." Bless my dear 
 M.: preserve her in all her wanderings: may she daily 
 grow in grace and in heavenly wisdom. Lord, hear me, 
 and grant an answer in peace. How careful should we 
 be, lest while teaching others we ourselves should be 
 cast away ! Let us make sure our own salvation, and. see 
 that we are not indulging a false hope, but may Jesus 
 ever be our friend. We may be members of the Church, 
 and associate with God's people; but this will not save us. 
 
 Saturday, Nov. 20. Rose at 7. Just after worship 
 was seized with severe dizziness, which rendered me very
 
 .Wat. 18.] DIARY. 121 
 
 sick. Wrote up lectures on mathematics. Read Pope's 
 " Essay on Criticism " much pleased with it. Read in 
 chemistry. Labelled salts. Practised. Wrote at my 
 Essay. Dined at 4. Made blow-pipe analysis of Phos. 
 of PI. Dr. M'G. is to preach for us to-morrow, which 
 will be our preparation Sabbath. If one listens to the 
 voice of procrastination, how little he accomplishes ! How 
 much more might I have done to-day than I did, just 
 from this very thing ! We should guard against this ; it 
 is dangerous not only the thief of time, but also of 
 eternity. God can and will deliver, us if we ask Him. 
 
 Sabbath, Nov. 2\. Weather cold. Raining. Dr. M'G. 
 preached a most impressive sermon, well calculated to 
 prepare the mind for holy sacramental communion. After- 
 noon, taught female Bible class. Went to visit L. S., 
 one of my scholars, who is quite sick. Dr. M'G. preached 
 from Isa. xxviii. 17, if possible a still more impressive 
 sermon than the morning one, urging us to self-examina- 
 tion, and to build for ourselves no hiding-place but Jesus 
 Christ. God is blessing us in a remarkable manner. 
 We are indeed a favoured people ; but we must remember 
 to improve all these precious privileges, for " to whom 
 much is given, of them much will be required." Went 
 home and prepared my address for the evening. Took 
 for my subject Christ healing the ten lepers, as mentioned 
 in Luke xvii., especially that verse, " Were there not ten 
 cleansed] but where are the nine?" Had a small but 
 deeply interesting meeting. God was with us. Came 
 up to prayer-meeting at church. I must try, by the grace 
 of God, to have many seasons of sweet communion 
 during the present week, so that on the coming Sabbath 
 I may fully enjoy the Saviour's presence.
 
 122 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1858. 
 
 Saturday, Nov. 27. Rose at 7. Very sick. Went 
 down to store for letters. Wrote until dinner time. Read 
 in Benvenuto Cellini a most interesting book. After- 
 noon, went to church. To-morrow will be our communion 
 Sabbath. God grant that it may be a day of joy that 
 I may feel more than ever my own weakness place 
 more faith in Jesus, and resolve to live a closer walk 
 with God. 
 
 Sabbath, Nov. 28. Rose at 7. Cold and snowing. 
 Went down to S. school. Dismissed school early 
 came up to prayer-meeting at church heard letter 
 from Dr. W. read. Dr. M'L. preached from Solomon's 
 Song i. 12, a sermon well calculated for a communion 
 Sabbath. Went to first table. Have enjoyed to-day 
 great peace of mind. I feel very happy, trusting only in 
 God for grace and strength. Came home immediately 
 after the service, and retiring to my room spent some 
 time in prayer, that God would bless to me this solemn 
 ordinance hear the prayers I had offered at his table, 
 and give me grace to carry out the resolutions there 
 formed. Taught school in afternoon. Evening Dr. M'L. 
 preached the funeral sermon of Rev. A. B. Retired very 
 unwell. 
 
 Monday, Nov. 29. Rose at n, feeling very unwell 
 Had lesson with Dr. L. at 5. Evening, went to church. 
 On account of my recent ill health, after careful con- 
 sideration, I have determined to give up my chemistry 
 for the present. It is a hard thing for me to do, for I 
 take, great delight in it ; but duty calls me to make the 
 sacrifice, and I will do it. 
 
 Sabbath, Dec. 5. Rose at 6. Raining. To-day is the 
 Anniversary of my Sabbath school. God has indeed
 
 sEtat. 1 8.] DIARY. 123 
 
 blessed us, and if any good has been done, to His name 
 be all the glory. I trust that we are all resolved, if spared 
 to see next year, to do more than we have ever done in 
 time past. May we ever abound in the work of the 
 Lord. Attendance in the morning quite large. Dr. 
 M'G. preached from Ps. Ivi. He is such a simple, ear- 
 nest, solid, yet withal charming preacher laying down 
 his Master's law so plainly as not to be mistaken by the 
 most ignorant. Went down to my school at 1.30, to pre- 
 pare for the Anniversary. Though the weather was very 
 disagreeable (just such a day as when we commenced), 
 the attendance was very large. We were addressed by 
 Messrs. H., R, G., B., and father. I added a few closing 
 remarks. The scholars manifested the most marked 
 attention, and their conduct was most gratifying to 
 me and to my teachers. The singing also was very 
 good. 
 
 Monday, Dec. 6. Rose at 4.30. Wrote at my Essay 
 until 7. College as usual. Recitation with Dr. L. at 5. 
 Evening, monthly meeting of Christian Association. 
 Read my Essay on "The Dignity of Labour." Being very 
 unwell, I hardly did myself justice. Retired at 12. 
 
 Wednesday, Dec. 8. Rose at 6.30. Raining. College. 
 Wrote out astronomy. After dinner studied Greek, and 
 recitation with Dr. L. Took a short walk. A. S. came 
 to tea was very glad to see him. He has become 
 much changed. I have good reason to believe that he 
 is a true child of God. He is one of my earliest friends, 
 and I have great regard for him. Evening, studied, 
 wrote. Retired at 12. 
 
 Thursday, Dec. 9. Rose at 6. Weather clear and very 
 cold. College. Studied all afternoon. Evening, went
 
 124 MEMOIR OP iriLIJA.M D. STUART. [1858. 
 
 to prayer-meeting held at J. W.'s, Clinton Street. J. I). 
 presided. I addressed them briefly from the words, " Is 
 it well with thee?" Spent the rest of the evening very 
 pleasantly at Dr. B.'s Retired at 12.45 Ver 7 much 
 worn out. 
 
 Friday, Dec. 10. Received letter from L. A. of Louis- 
 ville, Ky., pressing me to visit them at Christmas; which 
 1 answered in the affirmative. 
 
 Sabbath, Dec. 19. Rev. Mr. W., our dear pastor, whom 
 God has graciously restored to us, preached a most im- 
 pressive and appropriate sermon. Evening, went down 
 to mission school. Spoke from John iii. 16. Felt much 
 of the Spirit's power with me. I hope and pray I am 
 daily growing in grace. I feel concerned about my 
 
 S. S. teacher, ; he is so careless and indifferent to 
 
 spiritual things. He is a good-hearted, clever fellow ; 
 but that will not save him. I will continue earnestly to 
 pray for him, and I feel assured that God will hear my 
 petitions. He has heard them before, and I trust will 
 again. " Hide not thy face from me, O God, neither 
 take thy Holy Spirit from me." 
 
 Tuesday, Dec. 21. Bought books. At 3.30 bade all 
 good-bye, and started for the west. At the depot fell in 
 with Messrs. S. and T., who were going to Cincinnati. 
 I joined their party, and we found in each other very 
 sociable companions. Left in a pouring rain. Reached 
 Harrisburg at 9, Altoona at i A.M. T. and myself got 
 on the back platform of the cars, and rode over the 
 mountains. The scenery was grand beyond description 
 to me more beautiful than by daylight, as the full 
 moon shone brilliantly through the leafless branches. 
 We had a very fine view of Conemaugh and the Pack
 
 SEtat. 18.] DIARY. 125 
 
 Saddle, and I felt repaid for standing in the cold for two 
 hours. Retired to my chair for a nap. 
 
 Wednesday, Dec. 22. Awoke at 3. Arrived at Pitts- 
 burgh at 6. Paid fifty cents for not eating a miserable 
 breakfast. Left at 6.45, via Fort Wayne and Chicago 
 R. Road for Crestline. Arrived at 2.45. Took Cleve- 
 land and Columbus Road for Columbus. Arrived at 5. 
 Sat down to a miserable excuse for a tea. Left at 5.30, 
 via Little Miami Road, for Cincinnati. Arrived at 10.30. 
 Took passage in Ohio and Mississippi Road for Seymour. 
 Arrived at 2 A.M., and instead of starting immediately for 
 Louisville, we had to wait until 7 o'clock for the St. 
 Louis train. Got nothing to eat. Slept in the cars. 
 
 Thursday, Dec. 23. Awoke at 4, after two hours' 
 miserable sleep. Left for Louisville at 7.45. After 
 various delays arrived at 11.30. Went to Louisville 
 hotel. Dressed, and called on my friends, who seemed 
 very glad to see me. Brought my trunk to Mr. A.'s. 
 Mr. and Mrs. G. called to see me. 
 
 Saturday, Dec. 25. Rose at 7. At 1 1 went to church. 
 Home at 12. Sat in parlour with company until 2. 
 Went in to Mr. G.'s. All the family received me very 
 
 cordially. Met Miss L. and Miss . With the 
 
 former I was much pleased, she is such a courtly, refined, 
 intellectual lady, possessing none of those affected graces 
 which make so many young ladies disagreeable. Dined at 
 Mr. G.'s. Came home at 7. Very severe neuralgia. L. 
 and I had a long discussion as to the propriety of church 
 members going to the opera when away from home. 
 
 Monday, Dec. 27. Drove with the young ladies to the 
 Cave Hill Cemetery. The location is very beautiful, and 
 the grounds are laid out tastefully. Very severe neuralgia
 
 126 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1859. 
 
 to-day. Wrote letters home. Went to tea at Mr. P.'s. 
 Spent a very pleasant evening indeed. Home at 12. 
 
 Thursday, Dec. 30. Walked with L. and G. A. to the 
 Artesian well, 208 feet deep, situated on loth Street, 
 near Main. The old coloured fellow who takes care of it 
 is a comical genius, always talking about " de melodeus 
 and harmonius water." It tastes as though strongly 
 impregnated with sulphurated hydrogen. I could not 
 drink it. Bought ticket for Philadelphia. Called on 
 some friends. With Mrs. R., Mrs. A.'s sister, I was 
 much pleased. After tea went into Mr. G.'s, and bade 
 them good-bye. Spent my last evening most delightfully. 
 At 10.30 the coach came for me, and I bade a long fare- 
 well to all my dear friends, who had^ been so kind to me 
 during my stay. My trip is ended. I would fain stay 
 longer, but Duty calls me, and her stern voice must ever 
 be obeyed. Louisville and its people stand high in my 
 regard. After being in the ferry-boat for half an hour, 
 reached Jefferson ville, and started, with not the most 
 pleasant party, for Seymour. 
 
 Friday, Dec. 31. Reached Seymour at 2.30. At 4 
 took train for Cincinnati reached there at 8. Took 
 train on Little Miami Road at 9 for Crestline. Reached 
 Xenia at 2, for dinner ; Columbus at 3, and Crestline at 
 5. Changed cars for Pittsburgh. Reached Alliance at 
 9, where we took tea. Again we started, and I fell 
 sound asleep. 
 
 Saturday, Jan. i, 1859. Awoke at 6.30, and found 
 that we were nearing Pittsburgh. Reached there at 
 1.45, and started at 2 for Philadelphia. Again I slept; 
 and when I awoke we had reached Altoona, where we
 
 sEtat. 18.] DIARY. 127 
 
 breakfasted. The ride was long and tedious. Reached 
 Philadelphia at 4. I was very cold and tired. Found 
 N. and G. sick with measles. All very glad to see me, 
 even dear little Pattie, whom I found to have grown very 
 much in my absence, and to have got a tooth. Another 
 new year begun ! God grant me grace to walk a closer 
 walk with him, "redeeming the time." May I be spurred 
 up to more zeal in my Master's service. May this year 
 be one of special outpouring of God's Holy Spirit upon 
 all lands and people ! Being worn out, took a warm 
 bath, and retired at 1 2. 
 
 Sabbath, Jan. 2. Went to my school as usual. At- 
 tendance very good. No teacher absent. I intend 
 during the present and all future time to insist more on 
 the punctuality of my teachers. Afternoon, brought all 
 the children up to the Anniversary in the church. Their 
 good behaviour was remarked upon by all. 
 
 Friday, Jan. 7. Evening, went to prayer-meeting at 
 " Warren Hose." Led the meeting very large and 
 solemn addressed them. 
 
 Saturday, Jan. S. College. Bought Life of Zwingle, 
 and coal for mission school. Went to Germania concert 
 very fine. 
 
 Sabbath, Jan. 9. School as usual. My dear friend 
 P. W. united with us as a teacher. Afternoon, went 
 with him to church. Rev. Mr. B. preached, from Eph. 
 v. n, 12, a very solemn sermon, warning us all of the 
 snares and wiles of Satan. I was struck with the fact 
 that he did not nail his sermon home with this, namely, 
 that we only can be freed from these assaults by the 
 assistance of Christ Jesus, our only Saviour. He seemed 
 to leave the subject as though we. could free ourselves in 
 
 9
 
 128 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1859. 
 
 our own strength. In short, he did not hold up in his 
 sermon, as I thought he might, that which is the great 
 end of the Christian ministry, " Christ Jesus, and Him 
 crucified." I know Mr. B. is a man of such piety that 
 he would by no means omit this intentionally. I may 
 be mistaken, but thought had he done so his sermon 
 would have been complete. At 6.30 J. M'A. called for 
 me, and we went to visit L. S., one of his class, who is 
 dying of consumption. He was so weak, and in such 
 pain, as to be unable to speak to me. He was an 
 attentive, regular child at Sabbath school, and I trust 
 loves Jesus, and desires to go to be with Him, which is 
 far better. 
 
 Monday, Jan. 10. Cold and clear. Thermometer 4 
 below zero. After dinner went with M'A. to see L. S. 
 Found him very low. He did not know us. Left his 
 mother some money and jelly. Lesson with Dr. L. at 
 5. Studied character of Calvin. Evening, went to 
 prayer-meeting at D. B.'s very solemn and interesting. 
 Had a long discussion with J. D. and F. E. in regard to 
 " predestination." 
 
 Friday, Jan. 14. Felt very sick. Did not go to 
 college. Made out S. S. roll-book. Read in D'Aubigne"s 
 " History of Reformation." Planned and commenced a 
 lecture on Luther. 
 
 Friday, Jan. 21. College. Wrote Christian Associ- 
 ation business. Read Gibbon's " Rome " in regard to 
 the taking of Constantinople by Mahomet II. His 
 description is very simple, yet grand and impressive, 
 carrying you back to the scene of action, and making 
 you as one of the spectators. 
 
 Saturday, Jan. 22. College. Went to noon prayer-
 
 .-Rtat. 18.] DIARY. 129 
 
 meeting deeply interesting. Came away feeling that it was 
 indeed the house of God, and that it was good to be there. 
 Evening, went to Zelosophic Society meeting. Read an 
 essay, and took part in debate. Very spirited meeting. 
 
 Sabbath, Jan. 23. Slight flurry of snow during the 
 night. L. S., my sick scholar, is rather better. Sermon 
 by pastor, Heb. i. ; an able and eloquent discourse, 
 full of sound reasoning, deep thought yes, full of Christ 
 Jesus, the aim and end of all preaching. Afternoon, 
 school ; attendance very good. Distributed eight prizes 
 for regular attendance. Went with P. W. to hear Rev. 
 Mr. B. He preached from Eph. vi. 18, 19, 20. Subject, 
 prayer, ist. How we should pray. 2nd. What we should 
 pray for. After showing us clearly our duty as to prayer, 
 and impressing upon us its importance, he closed with a 
 most earnest appeal to the unconverted ones present to 
 hasten to call upon God ere it be too late ; to bend now 
 the knee in prayer, if they had never done so before ; to 
 flee imploringly to that God who holds their eternal 
 destiny in His hands. Walked home with C., and stayed 
 there to tea. Took her to hear Rev. Henry Martyn 
 Scudder. His text was Ps. ex. i. His sermon consisted 
 of a complete analysis of the whole system of Hindu 
 theology, together with their caste, and the hardships of 
 the missionary. I was chained by his discourse. Al- 
 though I Have heard scores of missionaries speak about 
 India, never before did I hear the dogmas of their religion 
 so clearly set forth ; never did I hear such grappling with 
 error, such a demonstration of the subtlety of their argu- 
 ments and sophisms ; and never did I realize the hard- 
 ships, opposition, and labour to which the faithful mis- 
 sionary is subject.
 
 130 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART, [1859. 
 
 Tuesday, Jan. 25. College. Went to prayer-meeting 
 at the Diligent very solemn and impressive. It was 
 indeed " the house of God, and the very gate of heaven." 
 Very much impressed with the question put by our 
 Saviour to Peter, "Lovest thou me?" It is ringing in 
 my ears " Lovest thou me ?" Would that I could with 
 Peter triumphantly answer, "Yea, Lord, thou knowest 
 that I love thee." Why is it that I cannot answer this 
 satisfactorily to my own soul? "Lord, save me, I perish !" 
 " I believe ; help thou mine unbelief." 
 
 Thursday, Jan. 27. College, &c. Afternoon, read. 
 At 4.30 went to Diligent prayer-meeting led the meet- 
 ing. The hour was one of deep solemnity, and the Spirit 
 of God seemed to be indeed moving amongst us. I 
 trust I came thence a better man, feeling more than ever 
 my dependence on Jesus. Evening, took C. J. to hear 
 Everett's lecture on Franklin not so fine as his discourse 
 on Washington. Retired at 12. 
 
 Friday, Jan. 28. Damp and raining. College. Bought 
 "What will he do with it?" and "N. Am. Review." 
 Very unwell. Read until 5. Lesson with Dr. L. How 
 much I learn from him ! He is a capital teacher, and 
 the cleverest kind of a fellow. Evening, called on Mrs. 
 G. A. a charming lady, and one of the few whom I take 
 great pleasure in visiting. 
 
 . Saturday, Jan. 29. Went to noon prayer-meeting 
 took charge of it very deeply interesting. Went to 
 Diligent prayer-meeting. 
 
 Sabbath, Jan. 30. S. school as usual. Rev. Mr. B. 
 preached a very good sermon in the morning, but spoiled 
 it by mannerism. Afternoon, wrote out a few thoughts 
 from which to speak at Diligent to-night. P. W. went
 
 18.] DIARY. 13 r 
 
 with me to prayer-meeting. I presided, and addressed 
 them from the words, " God is love." I had intended 
 to speak but a few moments, but the subject widened so 
 before me, that ere I knew it a half hour had slipped 
 away. What a precious meeting we had, and what good 
 news it will be to tell M. to-morrow when I write ! If 
 we could only dwell more on the love of God, the very 
 essence of the Divine Being! Love, pure, holy, matchless, 
 infinite love ! We know not God's love, because we 
 have never made use and trial of it as we should. Our 
 love may fade and die, but His cannot. Once in God's 
 love, we are ever in it. Give me grace and strength to 
 know and experience Thine everlasting love. 
 
 Tuesday, Feb. 8. College. Made electrotype casts. 
 Studied. Evening, went to hear Prof. Mitchell's lecture. 
 Was delighted. He has a very fine voice, commands 
 the choicest language, and makes the most difficult 
 things plain. He gave us a general view of the uni- 
 verse. 
 
 TJmrsday, Feb. 10. Went to Diligent prayer-meeting. 
 It was of deep interest. Three men stood up and de- 
 sired the prayers of the meeting on their behalf. How 
 I felt the power of God's Spirit in that meeting ! It was 
 indeed good to be there. Evening, took Miss A. to 
 hear Prof. Mitchell. His subject was, " Is the Great 
 Architect of the heavens the God of the Hebrew Scrip- 
 tures?" The lecture was one of great depth and power. 
 
 Saturday, Feb. 12. College as usual. Went to noon 
 prayer-meeting crowded, and deeply interesting. How 
 refreshing to step in an hour from the noisy, bustling 
 highway of life, and drink of the fountains which God 
 has opened for his people ! Afternoon, took C. J. to
 
 132 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1859. 
 
 the Germania. Evening, took her to hear Prof. Mitchell. 
 His lecture was grand beyond conception. Who can 
 look up into the heavens and deny that there is a God ! 
 Well can we say, with Young : 
 
 " An undevout astronomer is mad." 
 
 Sabbath, Feb. 13. School as usual. P. W. absent by 
 reason of a severe cold. After afternoon church went to 
 see him sat with him an hour. After tea went with 
 M'F. to his school. Found a very large and attentive 
 audience addressed them. Visited the step-father of 
 G. S., one of my pupils ; found him very low with pleurisy, 
 and apparently near death. His mind was nearly gone, 
 so that we were hardly able to talk with him. After 
 prayer we left him, promising to return. 
 
 Monday, Feb. 14. College. Came home at T 2. Worked 
 at electrotyping until 5. Lesson with Dr. L. Went to 
 see P. W. found him much better. Evening, first Anni- 
 versary of our Christian Association. We met in the 
 church. I took the chair precisely at 8 o'clock, and 
 commenced by reading Rom. xii. The Annual Address 
 was then read by the secretary. Addresses delivered by 
 Rev. Drs. W., L., and F. all stirring and eloquent. 
 Studied. Retired at 1.30. 
 
 Wednesday, Feb. 16. College. Electrotyped. After 
 dinner worked with batteries, and read until 5. Lesson 
 with Dr. L. on Reformation in France. Practised until 8. 
 Wrote speech for college on " Labour" until 11.30. 
 
 Friday, Feb. 1 8. -Rose at 6.30. Weather raw and 
 rainy. College Not being able to get to the public 
 prayer-meeting, I spent half an hour in singing, reading, 
 and prayer, and found that sweet communion with God
 
 . 18.] DIARY. 133 
 
 in private is a most delightful exercise. It stimulates 
 and sanctifies the soul, lifting it above earthly to heavenly 
 things. Lesson with Dr. L. Read Autobiography of 
 Arago very much interested in it. Messrs. B. and G. 
 came to tea. The former leaves for Europe to-night. 
 I am sorry he is going so soon. We have all enjoyed 
 his society very much. May God protect him while he 
 journeys, and bring him home in safety. Wrote out 
 mathematical problems. Retired at 12. 
 
 Sabbath, Feb. 20. Rose at 7. School as usual. P. W. 
 absent. Went to see him. Found him very sick, in bed, 
 and threatened with inflammation of the lungs. God 
 grant that his life may be spared, and that he may become 
 a bright and shining light in the Church. Suffered much 
 all day from indigestion. Evening, prayer-meeting at 
 7 o'clock. 
 
 Monday, Feb. 2 1. College. Went to see new Sabbath- 
 school room. Lesson with L. Evening, college prayer- 
 meeting at our house. C. M. presided. 
 
 Tuesday, Feb. 22. Went to college, and heard an 
 oration on Washington, by Hodge. To see P. W. Found 
 him a little better, but far from well. Went to noon 
 prayer-meeting. The room was crowded, and oh, such a 
 meeting ! the day of Pentecost could hardly have sur- 
 passed it, it made me feel so very happy. Afternoon, 
 went to opening of National Sabbath-School Convention, 
 and entered as delegate from my mission school. Gor. 
 Pollock was appointed President. Messrs. Chidlaw and 
 Trumbell of Hartford came to tea. Evening, went to 
 Convention. We were addressed in the most soul-stirring 
 manner by Mr. Pardee, Alfred Cookman, Dr. Tyng, and 
 Bro. Chidlaw.
 
 134 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1859. 
 
 Thursday, Feb. 24. Went to prayer-meeting at the 
 Y. M. C. A. Rooms, and to Convention. Meeting very 
 interesting. Noon prayer-meeting crowded. A brother, 
 who once had been the president of an infidel club, ad- 
 dressed us most feelingly. Mr. Lambert, acting Vice- 
 President of the Association, Mrs. L., and several 
 gentlemen, came to dinner. Afternoon, Convention met 
 at 4. About twenty-five new resolutions were presented 
 and laid on the table. The discussions were very spicy. 
 Went with Bro. M'C, to the Y. M. C. A. Rooms, and to 
 the Diligent prayer-meeting. Evening, Convention at 7.30. 
 Many addresses were delivered. A most touching one 
 from Gor. Pollock, in reply to a vote of thanks tendered 
 him. Ralph Wells of New York made a short but 
 stirring address. Studied English Literature. Retired 
 at 11.30. 
 
 Sabbath, March 6. Rose at 6.45. Weather clear and 
 warm. Opened my new Sabbath-school room at 1324 
 Carpenter Street a much better place than where I was 
 before. Went to see L. S. found him almost well. 
 Evening, went to prayer-meeting at mission school 
 attendance large addressed them from Titus ii. 13 
 spoke about forty-five minutes. Had very sore throat 
 when I stopped. Came home at 8.30, and feeling very 
 tired went to bed almost immediately. 
 
 Tuesday, March 22. College. Noon prayer-meeting, 
 and came thence much refreshed. Went to J.'s spent 
 a very pleasant evening talking with and reading to C. 
 
 Sabbath, March 27. School as usual. P. W. still 
 absent from sickness. Evening, usual prayer-meeting at 
 mission school very large and deeply solemn meeting. 
 I addressed them from the words, "Search the Scrip.-
 
 /Etat. 18.] DIARY. 135 
 
 tures," c. Many were moved, even to tears. I felt 
 that it was not I who spoke, but God speaking in me. 
 Made the subject of very special prayer. 
 
 Saturday, April 9. Another week has rolled round, 
 and here I am alone in my study, thinking whether it 
 has been to me mis-spent time. How many good and 
 laudable plans do we form, to be carried out during a 
 week, but Procrastination, that most insidious servant of 
 the Devil, subtle as the arch-fiend himself, comes in, 
 robs us of time and willingness to work, and would fain 
 wrest from us eternal happiness and salvation. For two 
 weeks past I have been resolving to visit my S. S. 
 scholars procrastination has tempted me to put it off 
 from day to day, and here I am another Sabbath has 
 almost come, and the work not done. Fain would I 
 say, " Get thee behind me, Satan." God give me grace, 
 if spared to see another week, to labour with my might. 
 " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it quickly" I 
 have been privileged to attend very regularly the noon 
 prayer-meetings, and find them a source of much joy. 
 They are a sort of spiritual fountain, to which the soul, 
 weary in struggling with sin and the world, can go, and 
 drinking deeply of its reviving and enriching waters, go 
 forth refreshed. Oh, that I had more of the spirit of 
 prayer and of Christ a deeper feeling of sin, and a firmer 
 dependence on Jesus as my Saviour ! " Lord, I believe ; 
 help thou mine unbelief." Took tea this evening at J.'s. 
 After tea had a long conversation with C. She seems to 
 have a proper view of the subject. I pray that she may 
 be a bright and consistent Christian. I wish my own 
 sisters had more serious thoughts. 
 
 To-night. I suppose M. is near Mount Sinai. As she
 
 136 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1859. 
 
 treads the earthly footsteps of her Saviour may she also 
 be treading the path to heaven. As she stands on Mount 
 Calvary, and in the Garden of Gethsemane, may her 
 heart overflow with love to that blessed Saviour who bled 
 and died there that she might live. The Lord be with 
 her and bless her ; cause her daily to grow in grace and 
 in the knowledge and love of God ; preserve her in all 
 her wanderings, and restore her at last to her home and 
 friends. 
 
 Sabbath, April 10. Weather cloudy and very raw. 
 Capital to catch cold. P. W. resumed his S. S. duties 
 to-day, after an absence of more than two months. How 
 thankful we should be to God that He has spared his life 
 and brought him safely through a disease which has 
 proved fatal to so many ! Afternoon, went with P. to 
 hear Rev. Mr. B. He lectured on the 6th Psalm, and a 
 most beautiful lecture it was. One thought struck me 
 very forcibly. It was, that although the Christian will 
 be engaged in higher and more exalted duties in heaven, 
 yet there is one duty which he cannot perform there, and 
 which, if not attended to while on earth, will be to him 
 a source of constant regret, namely, the privilege that he 
 has enjoyed of leading a brother, a sister, or some near 
 and dear friend to the Saviour. It must be done in 
 time, for in eternity it will be impossible. Oh, if Christians 
 would speak more of Jesus with each other, and with 
 those who are strangers to His pardoning grace and love ! 
 Evening, prayer-meeting at mission school. Messrs. G. 
 and H. addressed them. 
 
 Monday, April n. Rose at 7. Pouring rain. Read 
 "Waverley." College at n. Home. Studied mineralogy. 
 Bought a magnificent specimen of " Brucitc " the finest
 
 .-7-: fat. 1 8. | DTARY. 137 
 
 in the country. Lesson with L. Evening, college prayer- 
 meeting at D. B.'s sixteen present among them A. Z. 
 and E. B. I led the meeting. It was one of very deep 
 and solemn interest. What delightful hours these prayer- 
 meetings are ! How they lift one's soul above the world, 
 right up to his God ! Happy ! happy ! happy hours ! 
 Oh that M. were home now to enjoy with me this out- 
 pouring of God's Spirit, and to unite with me in praising 
 God for his goodness. Came home and found E. Club 
 prayer-meeting at our house. About 180 present among 
 them I noticed Messrs. J. and M'M. 
 
 Thursday, April 14. Rain, rain, rain a disagreeable 
 April day. Arranged, labelled, and tested minerals. 
 Read. Did a great many things, and yet might have 
 done much more but for procrastination. What a curse 
 it is ! God preserve me from its baleful influence. 
 Evening, Mr. B. came to tea very much pleased with 
 him, he is so artless and unsophisticated. We had a 
 long talk about minerals. Read Platther on Blow -Pipe. 
 Very painful neuralgia. Retired at n. 
 
 Friday, May 6. Having finished my appointed Greek 
 lesson this morning, I wandered about the house for 
 something to do too unwell to go out too nervous to 
 read. What shall I do 1 The thought struck me, Where 
 is my Diary '2 I have not written in it for a long time. 
 Away I posted up stairs, three or four steps at a time, 
 unlocked the drawer the " sanctum sanctorum," where 
 I keep my private letters and other et-ceteras., and there 
 lay the Diary, just as I had left it nearly a month ago, 
 the cover brown with dust. As I took it from its hiding- 
 place, it seemed to reproach me for my long neglect. 
 Well, old friend. I am glad to see you once again you :
 
 138 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1859. 
 
 to whom I have committed in safe keeping my varied 
 thoughts, and who have kept them so well. I cannot tell 
 you all that has passed through my mind, or all that has 
 happened to me since I last had a chat with you ; but I 
 will begin now and try to be more confiding, and more 
 punctual in waiting upon you. Since I wrote last I have 
 been very sick, first with neuralgia, then with abscess in 
 the roof of my mouth, and lastly with severe diarrhoea; so 
 you see I have run a pretty fair rig. All the time of my 
 sickness I was very busy doing nothing, except occa- 
 sionally reading a little of a novel, which is next door to 
 idleness. If you ask me how I got sick, I will tell you 
 that last Monday week I went out boating, to search for 
 minerals along the Schuylkill. I found nothing curious 
 except a dead horse, cgainst which I ran my boat, mis- 
 taking him for an island ! For that little pastime I have 
 paid with nearly two weeks of suffering an exemplifica- 
 tion, I suppose, of the old saying, " They that dance must 
 pay the fiddler." My fiddler was so expensive that I do 
 not think I will employ him again. Day before yesterday 
 I read " Guy Mannering " need I say, as hundreds have 
 said before me, how charmed I was with it? What 
 between book-wormish, simple old Dominie, never or 
 rarely getting beyond " Pro-dig-ious ! " and wild Meg as 
 she mutters her curse upon the Laird of Ellangowan (he 
 having turned her and hers from their squattings at 
 Dencleugh), I think the tale inimitable. What sad 
 pictures of crime Glossen and Dirk Hatteraick ! 
 
 Since I last wrote in you, I have not purchased, or got 
 in any way, a new mineral. What do you think of that ? 
 The reason may be that funds are low, and I owe enough 
 already for minerals bought.
 
 sEtat. iS.] DIARY. 139 
 
 Rose this morning at 7.30. Slept well all night a 
 new thing for me. Not well enough to go to college. 
 Studied Greek. Read Nichol's " Architecture of the 
 Heavens." 
 
 Saturday^ May 7. College. Seemed quite natural to 
 get back again after a long absence. Had lecture by 
 Prof. F. Met Dr. S., who took me to his study and 
 showed me his exquisite chromo-lithographs of sea ferns, 
 medusae, polypi, &c. The grouping and other work reflect 
 great credit upon the Doctor. Went to Germania with 
 Miss M. and sisters very fine concert, especially the 
 Symphony in C by Beethoven. Went to Mrs. J.'s, took 
 tea with them, and spent a most delightful evening. 
 Talked with C. on the subject broached by some of her 
 friends, as to whether Christ, when on earth, did not lay 
 aside his divine nature a most dangerous and soul- 
 destroying doctrine to be held by any one. Had He 
 died for us only in His human nature, where was there 
 that which was remarkable 1 Will not husband die for 
 wife, and son for mother 1 We have numberless cases on 
 record. Where was then the efficacy and the wonder of 
 the atonement 1 ? It was that the Son of God, as God, 
 still in possession of His divine nature still co-equal 
 with God the Father still God, eternal, omnipotent, and 
 omnipresent, came into the world, died, triumphed over 
 death, and ascended gloriously to heaven, carrying cap- 
 tivity captive. Thought much of M. I fear that the 
 war now bursting out all over Europe will seriously 
 impede their progress, especially in the south of Europe. 
 But I have no fear. I have committed her and her com- 
 panions to the keeping of the " Shepherd of Israel, who 
 slumbers not nor sleeps."
 
 I 4 o MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART, [1859. 
 
 Wednesday, May n. Rose at 7. College. Stayed 
 to prayer-meeting. Came home practised taken with 
 severe attack of vertigo, which rendered me very unfit 
 for study. Lesson with L. To-day is the twenty-second 
 anniversary of mother's wedding. May God spare her 
 to see many, many more ; and may her children be such 
 as will cheer and comfort their parents in their declining 
 years. 
 
 Saturday, May 14. College as usual. Went to noon 
 prayer-meeting. Read. Spent evening at aunt F.'s, to 
 meet Miss D. A. and her sisters a very pleasant even- 
 ing. This night two weeks I will have finished college, 
 and that for ever. Joyous, yet sad thought ! The first 
 great era in my life has closed the preparation is done 
 the strife must now begin. Thus far, in a measure, 
 others have thought for me, now I must think and act 
 for myself. The world lies before me, with its two great 
 paths; the one, broad and smooth, crowded with seekers 
 after pleasure ; the other, a narrow road, with here and 
 there a traveller. Which! the right or the left? Let me 
 say, with Joshua, " Let others do as they may, as for me 
 I will serve the Lord." May God give me grace to earn- 
 out this noble resolution, for without His strengthening 
 Spirit I can do nothing. 
 
 Sabbath, May 15. Rose at 7. One of the most 
 beautiful Sabbaths I ever saw. School as usual. After- 
 noon, taught male Bible class spoke to them very ear- 
 nestly on the subject of prayer. Evening, prayer-meeting 
 at mission school addressed them from Luke xix. 10 
 spoke for almost half an hour. Read Col. i. Retired at 
 1 1.15. Verse to think about during the week, " Let youi 
 conversation be such as becometh the gospel of Christ."
 
 JEtaL 1 8.] DIARY. 141 
 
 Monday, May 1 6. Rose at 6.30. Weather cool and 
 beautiful. College. Prof. F. showed us experiments 
 on polarized light. Went to see about having class 
 photograph taken. Evening, attended Anniversary of 
 Sab. School Association. The exercises consisted of 
 voluntary addresses from S. S. teachers, interspersed with 
 singing. The statements were deeply interesting and 
 thrilling, and two hours very quickly passed away. We 
 do not realize as we should the importance of this work, 
 that the great King has committed to our care these 
 gems, precious gems of immortality. W T hen we leave 
 our classes on Sabbath we know not but that ere another 
 comes round, Death may steal in and snatch away the 
 lamb. We should ask ourselves each Sabbath, Have I 
 done this day all that I could to bring my class to Jesus'? 
 Have I prayed for them as I should? If you can with 
 a clear conscience say, " I have," then happy, thrice 
 happy, thrice blessed Sabbath school teacher: yours will 
 be indeed a rich reward. 
 
 Tuesday, May 17. College as usual. Went to the 
 Academy of Natural Sciences with uncle John spent 
 much time in wandering about there. 
 
 Wednesday, May 18. College. Went to see about 
 class photographs. Called to see A. S., who had a 
 hemorrhage of the lungs last Saturday, and has been very 
 low found him better. Took tea with uncle John. 
 News just arrived of the death of Humboldt. The 
 greatest man of the nineteenth century is no more ! His 
 knowledge is gone, and he sleeps quietly and uncon- 
 sciously as the humblest peasant. Death is truly the 
 great leveller of all men. J. T. of Buffalo spent the 
 evening with us.
 
 142 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1859. 
 
 Thursday ', May 19. College as usual. Last day I 
 will ever be there to recite. Feel sad at leaving, 
 although I would be very unwilling to stay another year. 
 Sabbath^ May 22. School as usual in the morning 
 attendance small. Afternoon, much better. Heard 
 Rev. M. B. lecture on Ps. ix. was delighted with him, 
 as indeed I always am. Evening, addressed S. school 
 from the words, " Watch, for the night cometh." Attend- 
 ance small, but very attentive. 
 
 Saturday, May 28. Rose at 7. Went to town at 8. 
 College. Passed all right anA.B. Hurrah! During 
 the past week I have been unable to write in my Diary 
 as I desired, owing to my examinations. They were as 
 follow : 
 
 Friday Prof. V. Our Government. 
 
 Monday Prof. F. Physical Geography. 
 
 Tuesday Prof. C. English Literature. 
 
 Wednesday. ... Prof. J. Horace, Ars Poetica, and 
 8th Satire of Juvenal. 
 
 Thursday Prof. K. Calculus. 
 
 Friday Prof. A. Plutarch's Vita Caesaria. 
 
 I got through very well, and am now A.B. Since I last 
 wrote we have moved to " Springbrook." Rev. Dr. T., 
 wife, and J., from Buffalo, are staying with us for a few 
 days. To-night, as venerable V. would say, " I step up 
 a step and am one of the alumni." 
 
 Sabbath, May 29. Church in morning. Read in 
 " Footsteps of St. Paul." Walked in the woods. Spent 
 some time in prayer. 
 
 Tuesday, May 31. Went to Synod. Heard Report 
 of Committee on Union, and addresses from Drs. M'L. 
 and H. M'M. Father invited all the Synod to spend the
 
 18.] DIARY. 143 
 
 afternoon at Springbrook. They arrived at 4 and went 
 in at 10. Spent a very delightful afternoon. 
 
 Thursday, June 2. Went to Synod. Worked in 
 laboratory. Arranged finally to start on my western 
 trip next Wednesday. Read in Collins' and Gray's 
 Poems. 
 
 Sabbath, June 5. Drove to town with father. Went 
 to S. school found everything going on as usual. Bade 
 Phil, good-bye. Drove out with father. After tea had 
 sacred music. A thought struck me to-day, and is worth 
 remembering. When our Saviour was walking with the 
 disciples on the way to Emmaus, on reaching that place 
 He would fain go on, but they constrained Him to come 
 in and sup with them, for the day was far spent. They 
 constrained Him to come in and dwell with them, and 
 what was the consequence? He blessed them. Jesus 
 is walking with us now have we asked Him are we 
 asking Him to come in and dwell with us? If we do 
 not, He may pass on and never return. The day, to us, 
 may be far spent. Oh, let us look carefully to it that \\ o 
 constrain Jesus to come in and dwell with us ! He has 
 given us the blessed assurance that He will come and 
 make His abode with us. I am much discouraged with 
 myself that I make so little advance in Christian grace. 
 I fear I trust too much to myself too little to God. 
 
 Sabbath, June 1 2. How weak I feel in my Christian 
 faith 1 What a mere child I am ! Every step I take I 
 falter. When I pray, my thoughts wander over the hills 
 of vanity. Truly, " when I would do good, evil is pres- 
 ent with me." I pray God that all the support I am 
 tempted to place on my weak self may be removed, and 
 that I may rest solely upon the Rock of Ages that 
 10
 
 144 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1859. 
 
 Rock which is higher than I. Oh, that I might live 
 more above the world, and not in the world. What is 
 there that requires sucn careful watching as the human 
 heart 1 ? Man cannot control it but by the grace of God. 
 Conducted family worship. 
 
 Sabbath, June 19 MILWAUKIE. In the morning 
 went to hear Rev. J. C. R., of the Episcopal Church, 
 who was the most eminent man in that Church in the 
 North-west; but, alas, his mind is failing. Severe study 
 has bent the bow of reason beyond what it could endure. 
 The discourse was from Gen. i. i very rambling per- 
 fect blasphemy in the pulpit. The man is more to be 
 pitied than condemned. What a difficult place a hotel 
 is to keep the Sabbath in! One needs to keep his 
 Christian graces in very lively exercise. Read Rev. xi., 
 and retired at 10. Text for this week, " Watch and pray.'' 
 
 Monday, June 20. Wandered about the hotel until 
 dinner time. Took the 3.15 train for Racine. There 
 took the train on the Racine and Mississippi Road for 
 Beloit. The ride was through a country singularly 
 beautiful, and I enjoyed it greatly. Arrived at Beloit 
 about 8 took tea, and at 10.30 started for Belvidere. 
 Again took the cars on the Galena and Chicago Road 
 for Freeport. At the last place took the Illinois Central 
 for Warren. About i, I began to sleep. 
 
 Tuesday, June 21. Awoke about 3, and found we 
 were approaching Warren. Going from the cars we 
 found the morning very cold, and were glad- to gather 
 around the fire at the Burnett House a rather mean 
 little shanty in the middle of the prairie, where we got a 
 very mean breakfast. At 7.45 started for Mineral Point. 
 After a beautiful ride through a hilly country, diversified
 
 ALlat. 18.] DIARY. 145 
 
 with prairies, we arrived at noon. Our friend Mr. B. met 
 us at the depot, and escorted us to the hotel. Here we 
 have as comfortable a room as a man can wish for. After 
 partaking of a very good, substantial, country dinner, we 
 started on horseback for the copper mines. Hardly had 
 we left the hotel when my horse fell, and I barely saved 
 myself from being seriously injured by leaping over his 
 head. Safely ensconced on his back, we pursued our 
 way to the mines, which lie about a mile and a half N.E. 
 from Mineral Point. The largest shaft is about seventy 
 feet in depth the copper is in the form of pyrites, very 
 rich, interspersed with iron pyrites, known to the miners 
 as " mundic." After a tour of inspection through the 
 giounds, with which we were highly pleased, we returned 
 to the hotel. 
 
 Salbath, July 10. MILWAUKIE. Went to hear Rev. 
 Mr. B. preach text 2 Chron. xxxiii. 12, 13 subject the 
 conversion of Manasseh, showing how true his repent- 
 ance was, in contrast with that of Ahab, and how God 
 revealed himself to him in his affliction. Heard Mr. B. 
 again in the afternoon, being so much pleased with his 
 morning discourse. After tea, we walked to the bluff 
 overhanging the lake, and sat there for several hours, 
 enjoying the scenery and watching the moonlight as it 
 rose over the waters. Involuntarily my thoughts sped to 
 the loved ones at home, and lingering there a while, flew 
 onward with unerring aim to that land rendered sacred 
 by the footsteps of the blessed Jesus; and there they 
 rested fondly and happily on her who to me is above all 
 else earthly. How far we are separated ! A thousand 
 miles from home, five thousand from her I love; yet the 
 same God watches over us the same omnipotent hand
 
 146 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1859. 
 
 is ever stretched out to save us, and will ever guard us 
 from danger, and in due time unite us again. Thrice 
 have I been at the very gates of death, I might say, yet 
 God has kept me. What can I render to Him for all 
 His goodness '? All He asks is my heart. 
 
 Monday, Sept. 19. More than two months have passed 
 since I opened my Diary : so much for neglecting it a 
 single day. From this time forth I trust it shall be kept 
 more punctually. Began Essay on the " North- West," 
 to be read before the Christian Association. 
 
 Friday, Nov. 4. Again I open my Diary after a long 
 silence ; but now that I am settled in town I trust it 
 will be faithfully kept. Went to the store as usual. 
 Carne home with a lame foot, and labelled minerals, 
 arranged books, and wrote. Have a prospect of going 
 west next week as far as Louisville and Chicago, but 
 nothing definite is decided yet. We have still with us 
 the Irish delegation, consisting of Dr. Edgar and Rev. 
 Messrs. Wilson and Dill. It is with Mr. Wilson that I 
 propose to go west : he will be good company. 
 
 Saturday, Nov. 5. Went to Germania for the first time 
 this season. Took tea and spent the evening with C. J. 
 Another week has passed, and I am yet spared in life. 
 When I look back over it, I feel that indeed 1 have left 
 undone much that I ought to have done, and done much 
 that I ought not to have done ; and this night my prayer 
 is, " Lord, increase my faith '' perfect my trust in 
 Thee wean my thoughts and affections more from the 
 world, and centre them on Thyself make me a new 
 creature in Christ Jesus, and may it be my meat and 
 drink to do my Master's will. May I live unto the Lord, 
 and not unto myself, ever striving to get nearer and
 
 19.] DIARY. 147 
 
 nearer to my God, and let no opportunity of serving Him 
 pass by unimproved. 
 
 Sabbath, Nov. 6. Sabbath school as usual. Attend- 
 ance large. After school had a prayer-meeting ad- 
 dressed by Messrs. H. and G. I find it very hard to 
 deal with the boys : they are wicked beyond description, 
 and need much patience and prayer; both of which it 
 persevered in will do much to solemnize their minds and 
 bring them to Jesus. Took C. J. to hear Rev. Mr. Dill 
 found church so much crowded as not to be able to get in. 
 
 Saturday, Nov. 1 2 NEW YORK. Rose at 7. Started 
 at 1 1 for Albany. Cloudy and rainy, so that we had no 
 pleasure in viewing the scenery. Arrived at 5.30, very 
 tired. Dr. Sprague met us at the depot, and took us to 
 his house very much pleased with him. 
 
 Wednesday, Dec. 21. Rose at 6.45. Read Job, gth 
 chap. Went to store. Read in Humboldt's VieAvs of 
 Nature. Went to noon prayer-meeting and to see if C. J. 
 would go with me to hear Rev. Mr. Guiness. Heard 
 from S. VV. she is sinking slowly. What is our loss is 
 her inestimable gain. She is a bright, consistent Chris- 
 tian. Would that I were like her ! Evening, went to 
 hear Mr. Guiness text, " If I regard iniquity in my 
 heart, the Lord will not hear me," a solemn, searching 
 sermon. I trust I am beginning to see more of Jesus. 
 God has been hiding His face from me, but if I persist 
 in earnest supplication he will make me to rejoice. I 
 fear that I regard iniquity in my heart that there is 
 something that I love better than Jesus. If there be 
 such in me, O God, 
 
 " Help me to tear it from 1'hy throne, 
 And worship only Thee."
 
 148 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1859. 
 
 I fee! that in times past I have become cold and indiffer- 
 ent, and God has punished me for it ; and now my 
 heart's cry unto God is, " Lord, what wilt thou have me 
 to do 1 ?" Am I now in the line of duty 1 ? If not, direct 
 me, O God lead me in the way in which Thou wilt have 
 me go, even the way everlasting. 
 
 Thursday, Dec. 22. Weather clear and cold. Went 
 to noon prayer-meeting very interesting. From every 
 place the cry of the revival comes, and the anxiety ot 
 awakened souls. Afternoon spent with N. R. a lovely 
 girl, for whom I have a high regard. Went with sisters 
 to Miss M.'s annual party pleasant evening, but do not 
 like parties. Home at u, tired and sleepy. Retired 
 at 12. 
 
 Saturday, Dec. 24. Rose at 7. Store as usual. Went 
 to noon prayer-meeting did not enjoy the exercises as I 
 usually do fear I was not in a proper frame of mind. 
 God grant me more grace. Afternoon, went Christmasing 
 with N. After tea spent Christmas Eve, as we always 
 do, in looking over and talking about our presents. 
 How grateful should we be to God that He has preserved 
 us to see another Christmas in health and prosperity ! and 
 should we not make Him the only present that He asks 
 from us- our undivided hearts 1 It is the least that we 
 can do. He has done much for us should we not do 
 thus much for Him? Retired at 11.30. 
 
 Sabbath, Dec. 25. Weather clear and cold. School 
 as usual. Attendance good. Afternoon, second Anni- 
 versary of our Mission attendance large addresses by 
 Rev. Dr. W., Rev. S. P. H., and J. G. Evening, pre- 
 sided at Diligent prayer-meeting. 
 
 Monday, Dec. 26. Went down town with G. W., and
 
 /Etat. 19.] DIARY. 149 
 
 to noon prayer-meeting attendance very large, and 
 deeply interesting. Afternoon, spent playing with the 
 children and talking with Rev. S. P. H. Retired at 12, 
 and thus ended Christmas 1859. Another year has 
 gone another Christmas passed ! Who shall see the 
 next 1 Not one of us can tell. It becomes us then to 
 be up and doing, now while we have life, and health, and 
 hope to give ourselves away to the Lord Jesus in a 
 covenant never to be forgotten. 
 
 Sabbath, Jan. i, 1860. Weather clear and very cold. 
 " A Happy New Year," I hear from every side. The 
 happiest they can wish me is that I might live nearer to 
 God that I might have more faith and earnestness. 
 That would indeed be a happy new year. S. school as 
 usual. Afternoon, annual sermon by Mr. Guiness at- 
 tendance very large. Our school mustered eighty 
 behaved very well. 
 
 Wednesday, Jan. n. Weather damp and raw. Suffer- 
 ing much from sore throat. Store as usual. Attended 
 class meeting of my fellow-students a very pleasant re- 
 union. Afternoon, store very busy. Evening, went to 
 mission school spoke from Job xxviii. 18-28. Met 
 C. J. on my way home went in and sat an hour. Mrs. 
 W. is sinking rapidly ; but the change will be a glorious, 
 happy one. Would that I were like her ! but I must 
 take no pattern save Jesus. Would that I had more 
 grace more of His Spirit ! In a week M. will be with 
 me, and I shall see her face to face. I wonder if she 
 will be much changed. A brighter, better Christian, I 
 hope. 
 
 Tuesday, Jan. 24. Weather clear and mild. Went to
 
 ISO MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1860. 
 
 see A. and M. who returned from Europe last night. 
 M. goes to Milton to-morrow to see her sister S. It is 
 sad indeed that they have come home only, as it were, 
 to see her die. God grant that as she nears the tomb 
 her faith may become brighter and firmer that daily 
 Jesus may be more and more precious unto her soul; and 
 that at last, in full assurance of hope, she may enter her 
 Father's house, there to dwell with Him who loved her 
 and gave Himself for her, throughout eternity. 
 
 Sabbath, Jan. 29. S. school as usual. Addressed 
 News Boys at their Home, 237 South Third Street. 
 Took for my subject the character of Samuel, as one 
 eminently worthy of their imitation spoke for nearly 
 half an hour felt very deeply what I said. They lis- 
 tened with serious attention. Evening, went to J.'s to 
 hear how Mrs. W. is. They heard yesterday, when she 
 was free from pain, but very weak. Sat with Mrs. J. and 
 C. all evening had prayers with them. Spent, I trust, 
 a profitable evening. 
 
 Saturday, Feb. 4. Very cold. Felt very happy this 
 morning. I believe God is answering my prayers, and 
 that indeed I am beginning to enjoy more of His Spirit's 
 presence. As I read my morning psalm, in regular 
 course, I felt tears of happiness and peace starting in my 
 eyes. Oh, may I daily have a closer walk with God ! 
 What happiness I would then have ! and why should I 
 not have it? I am daily nearing eternity, should I not 
 be also daily nearing heaven, and getting closer to God 1 
 Store as usual. Went to noon prayer-meeting enjoyed 
 it much. God's Spirit was there, and where that is, God's 
 people will be happy. Afternoon, suffered much from 
 dyspepsia. Evening, read M'Clintock's Narrative of a
 
 Altot. 19.] DIARY. 151 
 
 Search for Sir John Franklin a deeply, sadly inter- 
 esting book. What a blessed thing it is to have that 
 peace of mind and joy which passeth all understanding! 
 I feel of late more waked up to duty than ever before. 
 A great work is to be done there are but few to do it. 
 I hear a voice from heaven crying, " Work ! work ! 
 work, while it is day." God grant me grace and strength 
 and energy to engage more deeply in His service. 
 
 Monday, April 30. This day two months ago I at- 
 tended Mrs. S. W.'s funeral; and to-day we have been 
 called to follow the remains of our dear friend Mr. J., 
 [her father,] to their final resting-place. How mysteri- 
 ous is the providence of God ! How are His ways past 
 finding out ! This night a week ago I took tea with 
 him he was in perfect health ; now the grave has for 
 ever closed over his remains! How crushing to that 
 family, so dearly loved, and whose heart-strings were and 
 are so tenderly wound about him. Yet why should they 
 mourn? Rather should they rejoice that he has passed 
 from the land of the dying to the land of the living. I 
 doubt not but that he was an humble child of God. May 
 God bless this sad affliction to every one of them. 
 
 Saturday, June 16. Rose at 6. Damp and foggy. 
 I fear I do not grow in grace as I should. I am not as 
 earnest in prayer as I ought to be. God grant that I 
 may ever be looking more and more unto Jesus. As 
 long as we keep our eyes and our trust fixed upon 
 Him, so long will we continue to grow; remove them., 
 and our steps are backward. 
 
 Monday, July 9. Went to J. T.'s funeral. We laid 
 him in his grave at Woodlands, there to rest until the 
 last trump shall sound and the dead be raised incorrupt-
 
 152 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1860. 
 
 ible. After the funeral had dispersed I walked over to 
 Mrs. J.'s lot, and for some time gazed upon the little 
 mounds beneath whose grassy tops rest the beloved 
 forms of M.'s father and sister. They were dear to me as 
 well as to her. Often have I felt my heart rise and swell 
 within me as I talked with that sister (Mrs. W.) about 
 heaven and Jesus so precious to our souls. Oh, that I 
 may follow her as she followed Jesus ! Her race is run, 
 her conflict o'er; would that her mantle might descend 
 upon me, that I might have that peace and happiness 
 which she so fully enjoyed. Picked for M. a sprig of 
 fern from their graves. Back to the store. Home at 4. 
 Worked with microscope until 6. 
 
 Monday, July 16. Rose at 4, intending to write. 
 Bathed. Found it so hot when I dressed that writing 
 was out of the question. Sat under the trees and read 
 " Quits." Went to town as usual took music lesson. 
 At 4 went to Lansdowne. Conducted family worship. 
 What a consolation the doctrine of the recognition of 
 saints is! It binds us closer to the dear ones here, to 
 think that when re-united after the short separation of 
 death, it will be never to be torn asunder. 
 
 Sabbath, July 22 LANSDOWNE. Rose at 6. Weather 
 clear and cool, after the showers of last night. Break- 
 fasted at 7.30, after which retired to my room and spent 
 a delightful half hour in prayer to God. Rose from it 
 much refreshed in spirit felt as though I had been 
 heard, and that this Sabbath is indeed going to be to me 
 one of precious nearness of God's Holy Spirit. I know 
 God is always with me, yet I do not always feel His pres- 
 ence as I would desire. Sometimes I call, but He an- 
 swers not I seek His face, but in vain; yet I know He
 
 ALlat 20.] DIARY. 153 
 
 is with me, for he has promised " 1 will never leave thee 
 nor forsake thee." 
 
 At the usual hour went to church. Mr. H. preached. 
 Sermon good; and though hardly as clear and concise as 
 I would have desired, all was amply compensated for in 
 the fact that his words were those of one who felt what 
 he said, and who earnestly desired the salvation of his 
 hearers. And this, after all, is what the Church needs 
 an earnest ministry. When men are less in their studies 
 and more among their people ; when they labour more 
 and strive harder to save souls than to polish their ser- 
 mons, then will the Church of Christ go forward and 
 take her stand first, and over all the so-called religions of 
 the earth. 
 
 Read a very beautiful book entitled " Life's Morning." 
 The chapter which particularly interested me was headed, 
 "What have I done for Jesus?" The question struck 
 me forcibly, and came home to my soul with solemn and 
 momentous import, affording me food for an hour's deep, 
 and, I trust, profitable meditation. After the children's 
 usual singing, had family worship, which I conducted, 
 reading Eccles. xii. Retired thinking on this verse, 
 " The love of Christ constraineth us." 
 
 Friday, Aug. 10. My twentieth birth-day! Rose at 
 6. Spent a precious day with M., and left at 4 P.M. for 
 New York, to meet father, who is expected to-morrow in 
 the Adriatic. Well ! twenty to-day ! What a change 
 even a year makes ! Here I am, almost of age, engaged 
 to be married, and in business. Has the same happy 
 change come over my spiritual life 1 ? I am nearer eternity ! 
 am I nearer to God? Are my views of eternity and 
 hopes for heaven brighter and clearer than they were a
 
 154 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1860. 
 
 year ago ? What have I done, for God during the past 
 year? Have I done what I ought, and what I easily 
 might have done? Ah, no! I feel that I have come far 
 short of my duty to God and to those around me. I 
 have wasted many precious hours, and frittered away many 
 heaven-sent opportunities. What is to be done? I can- 
 not mend the past! No ; but this I can do resolve, in 
 the strength of promised grace, to do more during the 
 present year than I have ever done before. Almighty 
 God, pardon my shortcomings, and give me grace to live 
 nearer to Thyself, and to work more earnestly in Thy 
 glorious cause. 
 
 Sabbath, Aug. 19. Very warm. Church, as usual. 
 After dinner, I took up and read a new book which 
 father brought home, entitled " London by Moonlight 
 Mission," by Lieut. Blackmore an account of his 
 labours for thirteen years among the unfortunate females 
 of London. As I read its thrilling pages, and saw the 
 earnest avidity with which they seized upon his offer to 
 save them, together with the dangers which beset them, 
 and the few who care for their souls, the old desire re- 
 kindled in my bosom to do something for them in our 
 own city. Poor unfortunates ! literally, no one cares for 
 their souls. Our mothers, wives, and sisters 'will have 
 nothing to do with them. If their salvation is ever 
 effected, and they are ever snatched from a life of 
 wretchedness and an eternity of woe, it must be done by 
 the sterner sex. A year or so ago this idea forced itself 
 strongly upon my mind; but I felt that I was too young, 
 and did not at all see my way clear. Now that it has 
 come again, shall I resist the call? O God, show me 
 the right way, and then give me grace to press forward
 
 sfaf. 20.] DIARY. 155 
 
 in it. I will write to Lieut. Blackmore soon, and inquire 
 of him fully as to his plans; and then, if I can enlist G. 
 or some other of my working friends, God and eternity 
 only will know the result. I do not intend that this shall 
 at all interfere with my mission school work by no 
 means ; but I am sure I can devote one night a week to 
 it. I will make this the subject of special fervent prayer 
 to God. Having taken the necessary steps, I will leave 
 all in His care, knowing that He will direct me to do 
 that which will be best for myself, and best for the pro- 
 motion of His kingdom. " Work while it is day : the 
 night cometh." 
 
 Wednesday, Aug. 22. Rose at 7. Went to town at 8. 
 Weather very oppressive. Business dull. Went to 
 Mercantile Library, where I spent an hour profitably. 
 Left town at 4 reached Lansdowne at 5.30. After retir- 
 ing to my room, planned my Essay on " The Microscope 
 and its Revelations." Did not get to bed until after i. 
 
 Thursday, Aug. 23. Rose at 7. Overslept myself. 
 Had a severe storm in the night, which I, as usual, un- 
 consciously slept through. Business dull. Came out at 
 4. Very hot. Worked till tea time with microscopic 
 objects. After tea, lit my lamp to continue my work, 
 but hardly had I begun when the perspiration began to 
 stream down my forehead. In disgust I blew out the 
 lamp, and, book in hand, went to find some cooler spot 
 where I might study; but between bugs, heat, and the 
 talking of those around me (I fancy they would not like 
 to see this latter) I was obliged to give up microscoping 
 as a " bad go," for one night at least. 
 
 Sabbath, Aug. 26. Rose at 6.30. Not remarkably 
 well. Weather delightfully cool and pleasant. Church
 
 156 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1860. 
 
 in the morning as usual a good practical sermon. After 
 dinner retired to my room and wrote two little snatches, 
 one on " God's Threatenings," the other on " God's 
 Chastisements." Had a severe attack of diarrhoea, from 
 which I suffered much all afternoon. M. is much in my 
 thoughts to-day. It is one of sadness to her. This day- 
 six months ago her dear sister died ; and this day four 
 months, her father. Thus in half a year God has seen 
 fit to take from that household two of its much-loved 
 members. Yet how consoling the thought of which M. 
 and I were speaking the other evening that none of the 
 sorrows from heaven but have their more than redeeming 
 joy ! Blessed provision of a loving Father ! when He 
 smites, He at the same time pours in the healing oil. 
 
 Sabbath, Sept. 2. Rose at 8. Felt much refreshed 
 and ready for a good day's work. Went to school at 9, 
 and was most heartily welcomed back by both teachers 
 and scholars. Dined with G. Afternoon, school attend- 
 ance very good. After school, in company with Wh., M., 
 and W., started for one of the courts near the school, to 
 hold an open-air prayer-meeting. Having found a place, 
 and obtained permission to use steps as a pulpit, we 
 began to sing the hymn " Just as I am," &c. Immedi- 
 ately the crowd began to gather, and before we were 
 done singing we had an audience of one hundred. I 
 then led in prayer, and never with more pleasure and 
 comfort. After singing and reading, Wh. addressed 
 them, then M. and myself. We continued the exercises 
 three-quarters of an hour, and then distributed tracts. 
 From thence we wervt to i2th and Brinton Streets, where 
 we held a much larger meeting, there being about three 
 hundred and fifty present. I addressed them from the
 
 Mtat. 20.] DIARY. 157 
 
 words, " Pie will by no means clear the guilty." Many 
 were in tears. In the evening held our regular prayer 
 meeting, when my text was, " Consider your ways." 
 Came home at 9.30, rejoicing in my heart for what I 
 had been permitted to see to-day. It is a day long to be 
 remembered. I feel my soul refreshed and strengthened. 
 Sabbath, Sept. 16. Went to church at Holmesburg, 
 and heard a most excellent sermon from Rev. Mr. B. He 
 dined with us. Went to Nanna's room, and sang with her 
 and the children for an hour. Have thought and prayed 
 much for M. to-day. Would that I had more grace. I 
 do not find Jesus as precious as I would like Him to be; 
 nor have I that pleasure in prayer which I would desire. 
 
 Lord, why hidest Thou Thyself? Why dost thou 
 any longer tarry? Come, come quickly! Warm and 
 invigorate my cold and deadened soul. Even this night 
 lead me nearer to Thyself than I have ever been before. 
 Thou, O Christ, art all I want. Thou alone canst satisfy 
 the cravings of my soul. Come and dwell supremely in 
 my heart, driving sin and sense for ever from it, and 
 making it Thine own dwelling-place. I feel my own 
 weakness. Often have I resolved to do good in my own 
 strength, and as often have utterly failed. Now I cast 
 myself upon Thee, and upon Thy promises. Save me, for 
 
 1 trust in Thee. Elevate and sanctify all my thoughts 
 and affections. Cause my heart to go out in love to 
 Thee and my fellow-men. Quicken alf my energies, and 
 make me to labour, so that when I come to die my re- 
 gret shall not be that I had not done as much as I could. 
 
 " I travel through a desert, drear and wild ; 
 
 Yet is my heart with such sweet thoughts beguiled, 
 Of Him on whom I lean, my strength, my stay, 
 I can forget the sorrows of the way."
 
 1 58 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1860. 
 
 Tuesday, Oct. 16. Last evening heard Gough. He 
 has lost none of his magic power, but thrilled us all, as of 
 yore. Received this morning my consignment of Ben- 
 net and Adams' linens. Now is my chance to start, and 
 make myself a name. I pray God that I may never, 
 either by word, equivocation, or mental reservation, in 
 order to make a sale, swerve in the slightest from the 
 truth; never sacrifice integrity to the " almighty dollar;" 
 but so act as that I shall have the perfect confidence of 
 all with whom I have to do ; never be so wrapped up in 
 business as to forget the interests of those who have 
 higher claims upon me. 
 
 Sabbath, Oct. 28. Our communion. Rose at 6.30, 
 feeling very well. Mission school as usual. I had feared 
 that being so much worried about our lectures, * I would 
 not enjoy the day; but as I conducted the opening ser- 
 vices I felt my spirit rising. I felt the love of Jesus 
 .thrilling my heart anew. It continued; and when I took 
 my seat in my pew, how happy I felt ! Surely this was 
 an answer to the prayer of some one. Need I go far to 
 find the loving heart that I know was pleading for me at 
 a throne of heavenly grace? Had a beautifully appro- 
 priate sermon by the Rev. A. M. S., from 2 Sam. xix. 10. 
 Just what we needed for the solemn occasion. Went to 
 the first table, and enjoyed it more than words can tell. 
 I felt a greater leaning on Jesus than ever before. More 
 humble in my own sight. 
 
 Thursday, Nov. i. Rose at 6. Not much trade 
 stirring. Dined at aunt F.'s. Read in Quatrefage's 
 " Rambles of a Naturalist " charmed with the book 
 
 * A series of lectures to be delivered by John B. Gough, under his direction, 
 for the support of his mission school.
 
 sEtat. 20.] DIARY. 159 
 
 talked a long time with Nanna in the library. Evening, 
 lather returned from New York. Had a long discussion 
 on the merits and demerits of High Church Episcopacy. 
 Wish my eyes would become stronger as they are I can 
 do nothing of any account. But what I wish for more 
 than any earthly or bodily blessing is, that I might have 
 more of Jesus, my blessed Saviour. If I could only love 
 Him as he deserves, and as I desire, how much happier 
 and more joyful I would be ! Almighty God, help me to 
 lean more entirely upon Thee. Be Thou in my waking 
 thoughts continue ever uppermost with me throughout 
 the day, so that every action may be done as in Thy 
 sight not to please men, but Thee ; and when I lie down 
 to rest, be Thou with me then help me to review the 
 actions of the closing day with truthful candour, to repent 
 of sin, and resolve to do so no more. Be Thou ever 
 with me, and then what need I fear ! " Make me to 
 understand the way of Thy precepts." 
 
 Sabbath, Nov. n.- Rose at 7. Cloudy and raw. 
 School as usual. All my teachers present. Afternoon, 
 there being no preacher in the coloured church, I offi- 
 ciated, taking for my text "Abide in Me." . My earnest 
 prayer before commencing was that I might have utter- 
 ance given me boldly to declare the whole counsel of 
 God ; and I believe my prayer was answered. The 
 attendance was very good, and they listened eagerly. I 
 felt that it was not J who spoke, but God speaking in me, 
 with an earnestness which I rarely have. Many came to 
 me at the close and thanked me for what I had said. If 
 any good has been done, to Thy name, O God, be all 
 the glory ; for if I have power to speak, Thou hast given 
 it to me. 
 
 11
 
 160 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1860. 
 
 Monday, Nov. 12. Rose at 6. Went to Academy of 
 Music to arrange about tickets. Very busy all day about 
 this lecture business. I heartily wish it were over. Had 
 a long talk with Mr. M'A. as to the practicability of 
 applying the microscope attachment to the magic lantern. 
 After a full discussion of the subject and a consultation 
 of the best authorities, we jointly concluded that it would 
 be an useless and expensive experiment, in which, judging 
 from the experience of others, we would signally fail. 
 
 Tuesday, Nov. 13. Gough lectured for my mission 
 school in the Academy full house. 
 
 Sabbath, Nov. 18. Raining. S. school as usual. Went 
 visiting with S. W. Had a long conversation with the 
 mother of one of our scholars, and with the greatest diffi- 
 culty persuaded her to come to our meetings. How hard 
 the soil is in which we have to work ! greater the glory 
 to God if good is done. Lord, help us to work and per- 
 severe even unto the end. Make me Thine entirely 
 Thine ; control every thought ; guide every action. Per- 
 haps if the struggle is hard I will but love my Saviour 
 more. Do with me as seemeth best in Thy sight. 
 Evening, went to mission school prayer-meeting very 
 interesting. 
 
 Thursday, Nov. 22. Weather cold. Called with N. 
 on Mr. and Mrs. J. A. from Louisville. Store as usual. 
 Bought a Smee's Battery, which I might have done with- 
 out. Set to work electrotyping. Left store at 5.30. Went 
 to M.'s read to her and A. for an hour from Motley's 
 " Dutch Republic " deeply interested. Eyes still in- 
 flame every evening, and are a source of great trouble. 
 
 Friday, Nov. 23. Store as usual. Home at 3. Not 
 feeling very well did not go back. Wrote at my Essay
 
 JEtat. 20.] DIARY. 161 
 
 on the Microscope. Went to M.'s continued our reading 
 in Motley am becoming more and more fascinated. 
 Our subject this evening was the meeting between Don 
 John of Austria, lately appointed Governor of the Nether- 
 lands, and the Commission of Nobles for the ratification 
 of the Treaty of Ghent ; and also the efforts of the crafty 
 Don John to win over the high-minded, noble, patriotic 
 William. Came home at n, and found that George had 
 been taken sick about tea time with a sore throat and 
 vomiting. The doctor is treating him for diphtheria. How 
 sad it makes us all feel. We earnestly pray that God's 
 will is, that he may be spared. Made him a subject of 
 special prayer. 
 
 Saturday, Dec. 15. Bitter cold. Trade dull. Money 
 market easier. Southern prospects not much better. 
 Came home at i. Talked with grandmother. Read in 
 " Rambles of a Naturalist " both before and after dinner. 
 Suffered much from dyspepsia. Bought stereoscopic 
 views. Went to M.'s. Played games until 9. Read in 
 " Dutch Republic," commencing with the rule of Alexander 
 Farnese in the Netherlands. Saw very brilliant Aurora 
 Borealis. Very unwell. 
 
 Oh for more of Christ ! Christ in every word Christ 
 in every thought Christ in every action Christ all and 
 in all ! I do not feel that I want Him, as I should I 
 do not feel his need ! Grant me, O God, to feel how 
 needy and helpless I am. Give me a burning, increasing 
 desire to have Jesus as my friend. Cleanse this wicked 
 heart from every sin. Prepare me for death, judgment, 
 and eternity ! Make me ready ! Reign entirely in my 
 heart, and make me, O God, for ever and for ever 
 Thine !
 
 162 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1861. 
 
 Monday, Dec. 31. 11.45 P - M - 1860 is just passing 
 away passing into eternity, with all its blessings and 
 privileges, never more to return, carrying with it many 
 unpardoned sins all gone to God's judgment-seat. We 
 cannot call it back never ! never ! But we can improve 
 the future. Such should be our earnest desire such is 
 my prayer this night. I ask for pardon of every sin and 
 
 every shortcoming. I ask for a rich blessing on , 
 
 on all I love, and on myself. May all our sins be par- 
 doned, for they are many ! I ask a blessing on ; 
 
 he needs it. O God, touch his heart with the influence 
 of thy Holy Spirit ! Watch over him, and for Jesus' sake 
 Thine own Son's sake save his soul from going down 
 to death. Have mercy upon him, and lead him to Thy- 
 self. (I now spend the remaining moments of this year 
 in prayer.) 
 
 Saturday, Feb. 2, 1861. At it again! What change- 
 able beings we are ! One day a desire comes and burns 
 in our bosoms that it may be fulfilled ; another, and it is 
 gone, or has become of little or no interest. So have I 
 been on the Diary question, and so will (I fear) ever be. 
 The fever has now come, let me make the best of it. 
 Rose this morning at 7.30, feeling much better than I 
 have for a week past, owing to a severe cold and bilious 
 attack. Went with Rev. Mr. Fisch to call on Drs. 
 Brainerd, Boardman, and Jones found all at home, and 
 spent a few moments very pleasantly with each. Dr. 
 Brainerd showed us the Diary of the celebrated David 
 Brainerd, missionary to the Indians. It contained his 
 religious experience, and it was delightful to look at the 
 records of God's dealings with so great and good a man.
 
 A! tat. 20.] DIARY. % 163 
 
 Sabbath, Feb. 3. Weather mild and cloudy. Rose 
 at 7. Afternoon school rather noisy : expelled a very 
 bad boy. Not feeling very strong, did not visit. 
 
 Sabbath, Feb. 10. Suffering much from my cold. 
 Morning school as usual : received four new scholars, all 
 girls. Went to church as usual, but feeling quite sick, 
 was obliged to come home. Took medicine, and dozed 
 until dinner time. Have thought much of M. to-day. 
 My earnest prayer for both of us is that we may grow 
 more in Christ. We are growing in years, and must be 
 advancing in either sin or godliness. I am often led to 
 despair of myself ; I am such a wanderer such a sinner. 
 Often when I kneel down to pray, I cannot fix my 
 thoughts upon God I cannot pour out my soul to Him 
 as I would desire. So it goes on ! Oh that I knew 
 more of Christ- that I felt more my heavenly Father's 
 love ! I am such a weakling in grace. I know so little 
 of Jesus and His precious love to poor dying sinners like 
 me. Yet withal I cannot but believe that I am one of 
 His children. From what I have tasted of God and of 
 His precious grace from the joy that I have felt when 
 engaged in the ordinances of His house, and from the 
 sweet hours of communion in prayer which I have en- 
 joyed, I cannot but believe that I am one of God's own 
 children ; and though He may hide His face from me 
 for a while, yet He will -not cast me off for ever. 
 
 Sabbath, April 21. Rose at 6.30. Weather cloudy, 
 but afterwards a lovely, clear day. To-day is preparation 
 Sabbath, but the doctor has positively forbidden my 
 going to church. How hard it is to be deprived of the 
 ordinances of God's house ! I long to return to my 
 Sabbath school, and resume my labours. This is a severe
 
 164 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1861. 
 
 lesson, and I most earnestly pray that to the fullest 
 extent it may be blessed and sanctified to me. Dressed 
 and walked to M.'s, arriving just before they returned 
 from church : had a delightful chat with her before dinner. 
 Talked with Miss L. until church time, and then read in 
 a most interesting and instructive book, entitled " Success 
 in Life," by Dr. Tweedie. My book was so interesting, 
 that before I knew it the hours had slipped by, and the 
 family had returned from church. After a few moments' 
 conversation, started for home with M., and had a de- 
 lightful walk together. 
 
 In reading that book this afternoon, how much I felt 
 the power of prayer ! If I could only pray as I want to ; 
 but I cannot. My thoughts fly from me when they 
 should stay : I cannot fix my mind, and I even forget 
 what I am saying. How long shall these things be ? " Oh, 
 that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come 
 even unto His seat ! then would I order my cause before 
 Him : I would fill my mouth with arguments." So do I 
 cry, as did Job. He found Him. Why shall not 1 1 
 
 Monday, April 22. Rose at 6.30. Read with interest 
 and faithfully the morning papers, though they contain 
 but little news. Had a long talk with the doctor on our 
 government. We both fully agreed in the centralization 
 of power, and reduction of the right of suffrage introduc- 
 ing property qualification. 
 
 Wednesday, April 24. This afternoon read in the 
 Life of Captain Hodson, of Hodson's Horse a charm- 
 ing biography of a Christian, and a gallant, noble- hearted 
 soldier. Had a talk with the doctor. 
 
 Poor me ! If I were only better than I am. If I could 
 only accomplish half what I desire. I sometimes feel
 
 . 20.] DIARY. 165 
 
 that I will never do much good in the world; yet I ever 
 hear a voice within me saying, " Persevere ! press on! the 
 end is not yet." If I could only be the Christian I want 
 to be, and love to pray as I desire, what a burden would 
 be taken from my soul ! Oh how I desire something 
 better, nobler than I am myself ! May I be guided to 
 that course by pursuing which I may accomplish the 
 greatest amount of good. That such guidance may be 
 given me is my most earnest prayer. 
 
 Thursday, April '25. Fast day. Rose at 6.30. Finished 
 the Life of Captain Hodson, and turned from it feel- 
 ing I had learned something. How these 
 
 " Lives of great men all remind us 
 We can make our lives sublime." 
 
 They show of what human nature is capable, and what 
 may be done when the energies are properly governed 
 and controlled. 
 
 Sabbath, April 28. To-day is our communion Sab- 
 bath. Read in the " Well in the Valley," by Dr. Smyth 
 a very interesting and instructive work, well calculated to 
 awaken us to the solemn responsibility resting upon us 
 as immortal and intelligent beings. At dinner time it 
 began to rain, and I was deprived of the privilege of the 
 communion. After dinner, slept: suffered much from 
 pains in my side and breast, and from oppressive breath- 
 ing. Dr. Wylie and Mr. Herron came to tea had a 
 long talk with them. 
 
 Sabbath, May 5. Rose at 7. Read J ohn xviii. Read 
 Dr. Scoresby's letter to his sister on the subject of reli- 
 gion. It is one of the most concise, comprehensive, and 
 beautifully expressed letters I ever read. Every word
 
 166 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1861. 
 
 comes from the writer's heart, and much, if not all, is 
 the result of his own personal experience. Written as 
 it is with all the tenderness and love of a brother and a 
 Christian, it cannot fail to impress every one who reads 
 it with a right motive. 
 
 In looking over the past week, I find that, as ever, I 
 have much to be thankful for. My health has been 
 greatly. improved, and I have been blessed with precious 
 seasons of prayer. If I only had more faith : could I 
 but trust Christ more and myself less : ah ! this faith is 
 what I need; here is my stumbling-block want of pro- 
 per confidence in God. I do not keep Christ promi- 
 nently before my mind : I forget that it is only through 
 Him I can approach the Father; only by trusting entirely 
 in Him that I can attain unto eternal life. I can say 
 with the Psalmist, "My soul cleaveth unto the dust." How 
 much I need the reviving, quickening influence of God's 
 Holy Spirit, that I may be led in the way everlasting ! 
 
 I trust that M. finds great delight in calling upon God. 
 It is to me such a source of inexpressible happiness to 
 think that she has a hope beyond this world. I never 
 can believe that they who live only for the present life, 
 and who have no abiding hope for the world to come, 
 can b'e as happy as they whose confidence is fixed on 
 God. True, they may love as well as sinful hearts can 
 love, but there is a source of happiness which they know 
 not of a fountain of living, purest love, from whence 
 they cannot draw. The love of Christian hearts increases 
 with their love to Christ: as grows and increases their 
 love to their Saviour, so does their affection for one 
 another deepen and strengthen. This is the inex- 
 haustible source of the Christian's love, from whence it
 
 JEtat. 21.] DIARY. 167 
 
 ever draws, and nourished by which it increases and goes 
 on from strength to strength, until at last it arrives at its 
 perfect fulness in the presence of Him who is the author 
 of this greatest of earthly blessings. 
 
 At 11.30 went to M.'s. Soon after, they returned from 
 church. Went to my mission school, from which I have 
 now been absent three months. All, both teachers and 
 scholars, welcomed me back most heartily. Heard an 
 excellent sermon from Mr. Barnes, containing much food 
 for thought. 
 
 [There is no entry in William's Diary until the i;th 
 November, and instead of writing up his Diary, he kept, 
 during his six months' absence, a full journal for the use 
 of his family, from which the following are extracts : ] 
 
 Aug. 10, 1861. My twenty-first birth-day. In company 
 with Mr. T. N. I left Edinburgh at 10 o'clock en route for 
 Arran. The morning was clear and beautiful. W T e arrived 
 in Glasgow at 11.30, and at 2 went on board the steamer 
 Juno, bound for Lamlash Bay, Arran. As we passed 
 down the narrow Clyde we met many large vessels inward- 
 bound, and at the moorings the Scotia, preparing for sea. 
 Soon the high crag of Dumbarton, upon which Dumbarton 
 Castle is built, came in sight; and then having passed 
 Greenock, the birth-place of James Watt, we were fairly 
 out on the Firth of Clyde. And now what a change came 
 over the scene ! the sky became obscured ; the waters 
 which an hour or so before were calm and smooth, were 
 crested with foam; and the rain and sleet came down in 
 torrents : the consequence of which was, considerable un- 
 easiness was felt by many of our passengers, and sundry
 
 168 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1861. 
 
 stone China basins were in constant demand. After pass- 
 ing the Cumbraes we headed across the Firth for Arran. 
 Soon a thick mist gathered round us the storm re- 
 doubled its fury; but we were not to be put back. Like 
 " a thing of life," our little steamer cut through the waves, 
 and soon we were under the lee of the mountain Goat- 
 fell. Passing Brodick Castle, we were soon at our anchor- 
 age in Lamlash Bay. The wind was blowing such a gale 
 that our steamer could not land, and we were compelled 
 to go ashore in small boats. Of course we were drenched. 
 We found Mrs. N. expecting us, with a nice warm .tea 
 prepared. 
 
 Aug. n, SaWaf/i.When. I arose it was raining in 
 torrents. About church time it moderated, and I started 
 off with Mr. N. to the Free Church of Invercloy, 3 miles 
 distant. The preacher was the Rev. Mr. Macdonald of 
 Leith. His text was 2nd Peter i. 10. A more earnest, 
 simple, faithful discourse I have rarely ever heard. 
 After church we walked back to Lamlash, over a hill 
 covered with most beautiful ferns. 
 
 Aug. 12. When I arose this morning it was rain- 
 ing so heavily that even the fences were quite invisible. 
 Suddenly, however, the rain ceased, the clouds rolled away, 
 and a more beautiful day was never seen. After break- 
 fast we took a boat and sailed to Whiting Bay, a dis- 
 tance of about 4 miles. Here we left our boat and 
 walked about 2 miles up a beautiful glen called Glen 
 Ashdale, to see a fine waterfall. We had a delightful 
 walk : the hills were covered with the rich purple heather, 
 now in full bloom, while on the banks of the little streams 
 ferns were growing luxuriantly. After dinner we all sailed 
 about 4 miles to the fishing ground. Here we caught
 
 DIARY. 169 
 
 many fine large cod, and in an hour had as many fish as 
 we could conveniently carry home. The sun was just 
 setting as we left our boat, the long mountain shadows 
 were stealing across the bay, while far beyond the hills 
 the pale beams of the new moon were playing upon the 
 water. Thus ended our first day in Arran. 
 
 Tuesday, Aug. 13. Another beautiful day. Went 
 out to sail with Mr. N. in his new yacht, which arrived 
 during the night from the Forth. She is a fine large 
 boat, very graceful, and of great speed. The wind was 
 blowing very fresh, so that we sped along in gallant style. 
 After sailing round the bay all morning, we returned to 
 Lamlash to dinner ; after which we again took the boat, 
 having with us Mrs. and Miss N. It was a lovely after- 
 noon not a cloud to be seen as we sailed out of the 
 harbour; so clear was it that we could distinctly see the 
 Ayrshire coast, where a faint line of smoke marked the 
 town of Burns. Before us lay Bute, while in the back- 
 ground were the hills of Argyleshire, among which 
 towered Ben Lomond. As we cleared the harbour the 
 wind freshened, and often we were covered with spray. 
 We now entered Brodick Bay, and after a little tacking 
 succeeded in landing on a ledge of rocks. Here we each 
 one betook ourselves to our favourite studies, the ladies 
 to the ferns and mosses, while I wandered amongst the 
 rocks in search of sea-weed and marine animals. Here, 
 in little pools clear as crystal, covered in by dark damp 
 weed, I found many beautiful plumose anemones, their 
 delicate thread-like tentacles waving to and fro with the 
 slightest ripple. Here, on a barren rock, where man 
 seldom comes unless to study nature, nourished by each 
 flowing tide, these exquisitely beautiful and delicate
 
 170 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1861. 
 
 creatures exist and perish. As I looked at them I thought 
 of the words of the poet; 
 
 " Full many a gem of purest ray serene 
 The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear." 
 
 The rapidly setting sun put an end to our soliloquy, 
 and warned us to hurry back to our boat. The wind 
 had now quite died away, so that we were nearly two 
 hours in reaching the entrance to Lamlash Bay. We 
 were now compelled to take to our oars, and after a long 
 tedious pull got back to the moorings about midnight. 
 As we entered the bay we noticed how beautiful the 
 phosphorescence of the water was. At each dip of the 
 oar the water fell from it like silver rain, while the bow 
 flashed and sparkled as though studded with dia- 
 monds. 
 
 Let me now say a word or two in regard to Arran. It 
 lies in the Firth of Clyde, having on one side the Mull 
 of Galloway and on the other the Ayrshire coast. It is 
 about 80 miles from Glasgow. Its extreme length is 
 2o| miles, its breadth 6|. The north end of the island 
 is a huge mass of rugged, lofty mountains, the highest of 
 which is Goatfell (height 2,875 feet.) The southern end 
 is a gently rolling country. Thus the island affords every 
 grade and description of scenery, from the gentle to the 
 sublime. The rocks are a complete epitome of the 
 geology of Britain. There is no such collection of ferns in 
 the three kingdoms. Insects are abundant, while the shells, 
 sea-weed, and marine animals are of the rarest and most 
 beautiful kinds. All these combine to render Arran by 
 far the most interesting spot in the British Isles to all 
 lovers of nature, no matter what be the form. It belongs
 
 sEtat. 21.] DIARY. 171 
 
 to the Duke of Hamilton, who has erected a fine castle 
 on the eastern shore. 
 
 Thursday, Aug. 15. A clear, beautiful morning. About 
 ti, Miss N., her brother, and myself set sail for King's 
 Cross Point, to gather ferns and sea-weed. The wind was 
 very gusty, so that often our boat heeled over to the water's 
 edge. In about twenty minutes we reached the rocky 
 ledge which served us as a wharf, and soon were on our 
 knees peering into the little pools in search of sea-weed 
 and anemones. Besides the ordinary red anemone, which 
 is to be found here in great perfection, we found also a 
 very beautiful delicate brown variety, which is rather rare 
 in this locality. Having dislodged it without any material 
 injury, it was transferred to our vasculum, together with 
 a very lively little prawn, who by his own activity had 
 made himself our prisoner. Slowly we walked along the 
 beach, peering into every little pool, and carefully turning 
 over every mass of weed in search of something new and 
 rare. At last we reached King's Cross Point, a cluster of 
 rocks jutting out into the sea, famous as the place from 
 which Bruce set forth in his memorable expedition to 
 Scotland. On these rocks we found very beautiful yellow 
 lichens, specimens of which we cut from the rocks " In 
 Memoriam." After damaging our understandings slightly 
 on the slippery rocks, we returned to our boat, and the 
 wind having moderated, concluded to try dredging. So 
 sailing over to Holy Island, the sole occupant of which 
 is Dr. Carpenter, the great physiologist, we borrowed 
 from his son his dredge, and fastening it with our anchor 
 rope, heaved it overboard. After letting it drag for a 
 few moments, we began to haul. It was one thing to let 
 it down, but quite another to pull it up ; so we found.
 
 172 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1861. 
 
 Our first haul was a very rich one, including several 
 varieties of star fishes, a fine sea urchin, hermit crabs, 
 and lovely anemones. Down goes the dredge again, and 
 away we sail. This haul brought us a beautiful goni- 
 aster, as well as a very fine trochus and many beauti- 
 ful shells. After three or four hauls we sailed home to 
 dinner. 
 
 After dinner we started for a drive to Brodick, thence 
 to walk up Glen Rosa. Hardly had we got a mile from 
 home when the rain came down in torrents, and as we 
 were in an open car we were drenched. Nothing daunted, 
 however, we pushed on, and in an hour were at the 
 mouth of the glen. Here we left our car, and consoling 
 ourselves with the fact that we were about as wet as we 
 could be, started. When we had gone about a mile 
 another storm broke upon us, and indeed it was a ludi- 
 crous sight to see our party crouched here and there 
 under the rocks seeking shelter. After being prisoners 
 for about half an hour, the storm cleared away, and we 
 pressed on to a beautiful waterfall called the Rocky 
 Burn. Here we remained for a while to see if we could 
 be favoured with a view of the summit of Goatfell, now 
 hidden amongst the clouds. Strange to say, the patience 
 of our ladies gave out first, and they left us. In a few 
 moments the misty curtain lifted, but for a little, and the 
 lofty summit of the mountain stood out in bold relief 
 against the sky. After another drenching we reached 
 Lamlash about 9 P.M., and putting on dry clothes, we 
 were soon busy around a cheerful fire arranging our 
 ferns. 
 
 Saturday, Aug. 17. And still another cloudy, cheerless 
 day. I am told that August is the most delightful month
 
 SEtat. 21.] DIARY. 173 
 
 in the year here is it 1 I wonder what the worst is like, 
 if the best is far behind our worst. After various delays 
 and sundry detentions, we took a small row-boat and 
 pulled over to Holy Island. Here we landed to visit St. 
 Molio's cave. St. Molio was the friend and companion 
 of the pious Columba, and at the instigation of the latter 
 selected this island as the scene of his labours. He was 
 one of the Culdees (corruption Of Cultores Dei = wor- 
 shippers of God), and lived to the advanced age of 1 20 
 years. He is buried at Strickam, and his tomb is still to 
 be seen. The cave is about 25 feet above the water level, 
 and has evidently been worn out by the action of the 
 water. On the walls are several Runic inscriptions, which 
 have a very antique appearance. At the mouth of the 
 cave is a spring of most delicious water, where no doubt 
 often the old man refreshed himself during his labours. 
 Above the cave are some very fine basaltic columns, in 
 the clefts of which are many fine fenis. On our way 
 back to the boat, we came across a good sized adder. 
 They are very common in this island, and are often 
 found three feet long. 
 
 After dinner, in company with the Rev. Mr. Macdonald 
 we rowed to the fishing ground, about 2 miles distant 
 from Lamlash. Here we anchored for about two hours. 
 Our success was poor ; owing to the weakness of our 
 lines the finest fish got away. After pulling home again, 
 we found ourselves very much fatigued, having rowed a 
 heavy boat, well filled, about 5 miles against a very 
 heavy sea. 
 
 Sabbath, Aug. 18. On looking out this morning I 
 found a fearful storm had been raging all night, and as 
 yet had not abated. The bay was filled with ships which
 
 174 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [i86i. 
 
 had sought shelter during the night; and so great was the 
 fury of the storm, that the bay, usually so calm and 
 peaceful, was so lashed into spray as to render the vessels 
 at times quite invisible. Of course we could not go to 
 church, but drew on Mr. N.'s large library for a good 
 store of reading. 
 
 Motiday, Aug. 19. To use a very classical expression, 
 day broke very pluvial. The most of the morning was 
 spent in writing, and reading the news from America just 
 come to hand per Arabia. After an early dinner, and in 
 the midst of a pouring rain, we took the steamer for 
 Corrie, distant about 9 miles, to ascend Glen Sannox, 
 famous as one of the wildest glens in all Scotland. Our 
 party consisted of about twenty, and despite the storm, was 
 a very merry one. When we reached Corrie it was still 
 pouring, and we were obliged to land in a small boat. 
 One of our party fainted, so much did the little skiff toss 
 up and down upon the waves. Our boatmen were very 
 skilful, and though it appeared at one time as though we 
 would surely be dashed upon the rocks, the next moment 
 we shot into a little cove, just wide enough to admit our 
 boat, and were washed high and dry upon the beach. 
 After getting a conveyance for the ladies, we gentlemen 
 started to walk to the mouth of the glen. Along the 
 road were many exposures of the rock, peculiarly in- 
 teresting to the geologist: on one side the ferns were 
 growing in rich profusion, while on the other, rocks were 
 strewn with beautiful sea-weed. A walk of 2 miles, most 
 of it through a driving rain, when umbrellas were quite 
 useless, brought us to the little footpath leading up the 
 glen. Our attention was first called to the little burial- 
 ground : it is of great antiquity, and is said to contain the
 
 Mtat. 21.] DIARY. 175 
 
 remains of St. Molio, of whom I have before spoken. 
 On a hook set in a slab of stone beside the gate hung 
 the key, and above it carved the request, " Please lock 
 the gate;" certainly showing that the people have great 
 confidence in one another. And, in fact, I have noticed 
 the people here, how kind they are to one another. 
 Crime is almost unknown, and no one seems to think it 
 any trouble to assist his neighbour, no matter to how 
 much trouble he may have to put himself in order to do 
 it. Many of them, especially in the interior, live in a 
 very primitive condition, and are quite ignorant of what 
 we would call the ordinary comforts of life. But while I 
 am peering over this old wall, the rest of the party, not 
 having very antiquarian tastes, are almost out of sight; so 
 I must hurry on. We soon stumble upon the remains of 
 an old mill used for grinding the sulphate of barytes. 
 found in the valley. It is used as a cheap substitute for 
 white lead in paint. About a quarter of a mile further 
 on, we came to the mine from which the barytes is taken 
 and here we were obliged to stop, as the rest of the 
 way was knee deep- in water, owing to the recent un- 
 ceasing rains. What a picture of wild solitude ! what 
 sublime simplicity ! as though daring man's ruthless hand 
 to mar its primeval grandeur. On our right rose the 
 rugged, inaccessible sides of Caim-na-Cailleach ; while like 
 a giant keeper Kir Vohr sat enthroned in awful silence 
 at the head of the glen, and overtopped all the lichen- 
 covered summit of Goatfell. After gazing for a long 
 time on this imposing scene, and being favoured with the 
 sight of the gathering and bursting of a heavy storm on 
 the mountain-top, we hastened back to Corrie, where we 
 arrived just in time to be re-drenched on our way out to 
 
 12
 
 176 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1861. 
 
 the steamer. We reached Lamlash in time for tea, and 
 after changing our clothing we all adjourned to Mr. 
 Stevenson's, where we spent the evening. 
 
 Tuesday, Aug. 20. Pluvial again. Toward n the 
 sky began to break, and tempted us away to sail in the 
 boat. Our party consisted of four, besides ourselves 
 there being the Rev. Mr. G. (U.P.), from Liverpool. 
 The breeze was stiff, and before many minutes we were 
 at King's Cross Point, where we landed; and while some 
 of the party indulged in a dip I wandered over the rocks 
 in search of sea- weed. Nor was I unsuccessful, for in 
 less than half an hour several beautiful specimens of sea- 
 weed and zoophytes found their way into my impromptu 
 vasculum. When in the middle of the bay, on our return 
 home, a fearful storm of rain and wind caught us. Our 
 little skiff rushed through the water at a fearful rate, her 
 bulwarks at times under water ; and had I not had great 
 confidence in Mr. N. and his boatman, I would have 
 been very much alarmed. The storm soon passed away, 
 and when we reached our moorings every vestige of it 
 had disappeared the sky was clear and the water scarcely 
 disturbed by a ripple. 
 
 In the afternoon we sailed to the fishing ground, and 
 were very fortunate, catching in about an hour a large 
 silver haddock, several sole and fine flounders, and sundry 
 cod. Hardly had the sun set, when, like a shield of 
 burnished silver, the moon rose over the top of Holy 
 Island, and now as I write its pale beams are dancing 
 merrily on the water, and the gentle breeze is sighing 
 among the trees, and the stars are one by one beginning 
 to peep out over the Ayrshire hills. 
 
 Friday, Aug. 23. The same old entry, a wet day. As
 
 JEtat. 21.] DIAR Y, 177 
 
 there were some signs of clearing, we took the steamer 
 after dinner, and sailed to Brodick ; from which place we 
 walked home over the hills. The hills of Arran are all 
 covered with a most luxuriant growth of heather, now in 
 its prime; and I know of no more beautiful sight to gaze 
 upon than a hill-side clad with -this rich purple, in striking 
 contrast to the deep green underneath. After tea went 
 out in the bay to try fly-fishing, and would have had good 
 sport had not the storm driven us home. 
 
 Tuesday, Aug. 27. Since my last entry nothing has 
 occurred worthy of mention. The weather has as usual 
 been wet, only more so, and we have been confined to 
 the house, except when, unmindful of rain, we have gone 
 along the shore in search of sea-weed, or out in the boat 
 fishing ; in both of which pursuits our success has been 
 various. This morning there were some signs of clearing 
 . up, so we went out sailing, and in the afternoon took to 
 fishing again. Although our success was poor, we caught 
 one fish for which I would willingly have given all the 
 rest not on the score of its edibility, but in order to see 
 that of which I had read so much and such varied 
 accounts. After we had been on the fishing ground 
 about an hour, Mr. N. felt something tugging very hard 
 at his line. As it neared the surface, water was squirted 
 into his face with such violence as to compel him to let 
 go his line ; fortunately it was secured to one of the be- 
 laying pins, and one of us again drew the fish to the 
 surface. As it came near we could see its eyes flashing 
 like rubies, and we had hardly time to draw back when 
 it again squirted an inky substance (which is poisonous) 
 all over the surrounding water and into the boat. A few 
 blows of the boat-hook rendered it senseless, and we drew
 
 178 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. fiS6i. 
 
 it up on the gunwale. It proved to be a large cuttle-fish. 
 Though the body was scarcely longer than one's fist, the 
 arms or feelers were at least two feet long ; and from the 
 manner in which it flashed its wicked eye, and endea- 
 voured with its long slimy arms to lay hold upon us, I 
 could Well believe all that travellers have told us of such 
 creatures in the tropical seas. It was, without exception, 
 the most hideous-looking creature I ever saw, and after 
 watching it for a few moments to see some of its pecu- 
 liarities, I was glad to throw it back into its native 
 element. It is very voracious, and gets its subsistence 
 by pouncing upon the unwary fish, biting a piece out of 
 its back, and then ejecting this inky fluid, surrounded by 
 which it swims away from present danger, and then re- 
 turning finds its victim poisoned. 
 
 Aug. 20. At 2.30 bade farewell to Arran, and started 
 in the steamer Spunkie. We coasted along the shore for 
 about 10 miles to Corrie, lying at the base of Goatfell, 
 from which point we headed across the Firth to Bute. 
 As we receded from Arran the view was veiy fine, the 
 rugged hills, pierced at intervals by the deep, wild glens, 
 presenting a scene not to be witnessed everywhere. It 
 was what an eminent professor of theology in Edinburgh 
 would call "a pleasing object." This learned gentleman. 
 Prof. C., has no feeling for nature, and whether you call 
 his attention to a roaring cascade or a little mountain 
 rill, a green hill-side or a rugged crag, a perfect calm or 
 a raging storm, his exclamation invariably is, " A pleasing 
 object." About 6 o'clock we entered Rothesay Bay, and 
 having sent our luggage to the hotel, went to dine with 
 a most excellent, good man, thfe Rev. Mr. N., pastor of 
 the Cameronian church in Rothesay.
 
 jEiat. 21.] DIA R Y. \ 79 
 
 Rothesay is situated on the island of Bute, about 50 
 miles from Glasgow. The climate is very salubrious, and 
 it is much resorted to by invalids. On the outskirts of 
 the town are the ruins of an old castle once occupied by 
 the Kings of Scotland. It figures in history first about 
 the year 1225, passed by conquest into the hands of 
 Robert Bruce in 1311, and was bestowed upon his grand- 
 son, Prince David, who was styled the Duke of Rothesay, 
 the first dukedom bestowed in Scotland. 
 
 Aug. 29. Left Rothesay at 10 A.M., in the swift 
 steamer lona. We soon entered the narrow strait lying 
 between. Bute and the mainland, called the Kyles of 
 Bute. It is a narrow, tortuous passage, hemmed in by 
 steep crags, whose bleak tops are covered by the many- 
 coloured lichens. As we entered the Kyles, on our left 
 was Loch Striven, and a little further on, Loch Riddan, 
 famed for their beautiful scenery. On a little island at 
 the mouth of Loch Riddan may be seen the ruins of an 
 old fortress, built in 1685 by the Duke of Argyle, when 
 he attempted the invasion of the kingdom. And now, 
 as we swing round a narrow point, Arran with its lofty 
 peaks comes in full view; while further still we see the 
 coast of Kintyre, and the ruins of Skipness Castle, sup- 
 posed to have been built by the Danes. We are now 
 exposed to the full swell of the Atlantic, and as the day 
 is by no means the calmest, many poor unfortunates are 
 called upon to settle their accounts with Neptune, Esq. 
 Up to this time the day has been beautifully clear, but 
 now, just as we are entering the Highlands, a famous 
 Scotch mist sets in upon us, and the scenery is totally 
 obscured. 
 
 About i o'clock we reached Ardrishaig, where we left
 
 i8o MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. . [1861. 
 
 our steamer and took a canal boat for Crinan 
 
 Shortly after leaving Crinan the island of lona comes in full 
 view, then the island of Scarba; between which island 
 and lona is the much-dreaded whirlpool of Corrievreckan. 
 Passing through the Sound of Luing, we come in sight 
 of Ben More (3,170 feet) the highest mountain in Mull. 
 We now come to Easdale, where 400 men are employed 
 in working the slate quarries. Leaving Easdale we skirt 
 along the precipitous shores of Seil, against which the 
 waves are dashing most furiously. This lasts but a little, 
 for we are soon under the lee of the island of Kerrera. 
 ..... We reached Oban at 7 o'clock, and found most 
 excellent quarters at the Caledonian Hotel. Here the 
 proprietor (of course his name is Campbell, for all are 
 Campbells here), learning that I was a Stuart, took me 
 to his room and showed me the identical coat which 
 Prince Charlie threw off when he donned the dress of 
 Flora M'Donald, and was hid by her in the cave on the 
 coast of Skye. There is no doubt of the genuineness of 
 this relic, as it has been in the M'Donald family ever 
 since, to which clan Mr. Campbell's wife belongs. Oban 
 is a beautiful town, and a great central place for Highland 
 tourists. Nothing could be more beautiful than its situa- 
 tion. Climbing the hill back of the town, a fine view is 
 obtained of the surrounding country. In front are the 
 lofty hills of Mull, with the green island of Lismore and 
 the ruins of Dunstaffnage and Dunolly Castles at your 
 feet. The situation of the latter is wildly beautiful. Its 
 massive ivy-clad walls tell of days when they gave back 
 the echo from the footsteps of mighty chieftains the 
 home of a clan mighty and brave enough to confront and 
 defeat Robert the Bruce. Dunstaffnage, a few miles
 
 . 21.] DIARY. iSi 
 
 further on, is famed as being once the repository of the 
 
 Destiny Stone 
 
 Friday, Aug. 30. Rose at 4.30, and at 5.30 took the 
 steamer for Ballachulish on Loch Leven, where we would 
 take stage for Glencoe. The morning was cloudy almost 
 
 as bad as usual As we advance, the scenery becomes 
 
 wilder and more picturesque, until we reach Ballachulish, 
 famed for its slate quarries. Here we leave the steamer, 
 which awaits our return, and take a coach to Glencoe, 
 distant about 9 miles. Soon after leaving the town the 
 rain came down in torrents, and as our coach was all 
 outside there was no shelter. However, we were in for it. 
 For about 5 miles we skirt along the edge of the loch, 
 then turning inland around the base of the hill of Glencoe, 
 we are soon hidden amongst the hills. The cluster of 
 mountains which here rear their rugged summits to the 
 sky have not been inaptly termed the Alps of Glencoe, 
 for here they have been heaped together in wild confusion, 
 and down their barren sides a thousand mountain streams 
 are rushing, mingling their roar with the piercing cry of 
 the eagle as he soars away to his eyrie in the Black Rock, 
 in the steep face of which, near to the summit, is shown 
 a cave said to have been the hiding-place of Ossian. 
 Leaving the coach half way up the pass, we walk to the 
 dividing ridge. This spot is called the Meeting of the 
 Waters, where three streams, one from the top of the glen 
 and the others from the opposite mountains, unite amid 
 the black rocks, and form the Cora or Coe, which at 
 the foot of the glen expands into a lake called Loch 
 Treachtan. A little above this are to be seen the ruins 
 of the houses of those who fell in the fearful Massacre of 
 Glencoe in 1692. This sad historic incident, coupled
 
 182 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1861. 
 
 with the wild grandeur of the glen, renders it a place of 
 peculiar interest. 
 
 Having spent about an hour in the glen, we returned 
 to our coach, and drove back to the steamer. Continu- 
 ing our way up Loch Leven, we come to Fort William, 
 lying at the foot of Ben Nevis. Here we leave the boat, 
 and prepare to make the ascent of the mountain. Having 
 secured a good guide who is, by-the-by, a namesake of 
 my own, and declares he never had as much pleasure in 
 the thought of going up the mountain as now that he is 
 going to take a "Stuart" we set off on ponies up 
 Glen Nevis, from the head of which we begin to ascend 
 the mountain. Glen Nevis, through which runs the river 
 of the same name, is one of the finest glens in all Scot- 
 land. It is entirely unlike Glencoe. The latter is wild, 
 bleak, and barren, while in the former the hill-sides are 
 covered with rich purple heather and luxuriant ferns. 
 Ben Nevis rises 4,404 feet above the level of the sea, and 
 
 it's a long long, weary climb For about 1,700 feet 
 
 our course lay over heather and long grass. At this 
 height we come to a wild tarn called Loch Nevis. Here 
 all vegetation ceases, and a strange scene of desolation 
 presents itself; we meet, as it were, with a new mountain, 
 with its huge porphyritic rocks covered with lichens and 
 white reindeer moss, looking as though the refuse of 
 creation had been heaped and piled up in wild confusion. 
 We look in vain for some signs of vegetable life, for all is 
 barren, save where here and there the little Alpine plant 
 puts forth its modest blossom between the rocks. At 
 last we reach the top, after a weary pull of four hours, 
 and sit down upon the cairn. To our left is a sheer preci- 
 pice of 1,700 feet all round us desolation reigns the
 
 ALtat. 21.] DIARY. 183 
 
 rocks are covered with snow, and there is not a sign of life. 
 Approaching darkness warns us to leave, and we begin 
 the descent, which, though accomplished in much less time, 
 is as fatiguing as the ascent, if not more so. Weary and 
 worn, in the midst of dense mist and heavy rain we reach 
 the base, and after sundry stumbles over rocks and into 
 creeks, find our ponies and reach the hotel at n P.M., 
 having been out since 2. The toil is soon forgotten 
 over a comfortable .fire and good supper, after which we 
 retired to rest. 
 
 Saturday, Aug. 3 1. Rose at 4.30. Very stiff and sore 
 from last night's exertions. Went on board the steamer 
 Mountaineer for Oban. Arrived there at 8 o'clock, and 
 at once went on board the Pioneer, bound for Staffa and 
 lona. Our party was a very large one, consisting princi- 
 pally of a company of South Englishers, who had come in 
 delaines and dress coats to "do" the Highlands. They 
 were what might be called a queer lot, and we who had 
 been together for some days past had plenty of sport. 
 After passing out of the Sound of Kerrera, we coasted 
 along the southern shore of Mull. Here we met the un- 
 broken swell of the Atlantic as it comes rolling in from 
 the far off coasts of America. Our vessel of course be- 
 gan to roll, and many of the fair damsels were becoming 
 quite uncomfortable. Descending to the cabin, the scene 
 was to a well person ludicrous in the extreme. The poor 
 unfortunates were strewn about the floor in every im- 
 aginable position, each one holding on firmly to his 
 basin, lest some one should snatch it away. As I was 
 returning towards the stairs, I heard a faint voice calling 
 me from behind the door. Looking round, I saw a poor 
 unprotected creature, evidently very sick. " Pray, sir, will
 
 184 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1861. 
 
 you call the steward?" she said, in a very pleading voice. 
 " Steward, you are wanted," says I. " Can't come, 
 can't attend to everybody," he gruffly replied. "Oh, 
 sh*," she said, in more pleading terms, " won't you get 
 me a dish, or plate, or even a coffee cup would do." I 
 procured her a soup plate; after using which she said, 
 "Won't you please to hand it to that gentleman over 
 there, may be he'd like to use it for a little." 
 
 About 1 1 o'clock we came in sight of lona, whose 
 ruined cathedral we could see standing alone upon the 
 rocky shore. We landed in the ship's boat and hastened 
 to improve our hour among the ruins. I need hardly 
 say that upon this island the pious Columba landed in 
 the year 565 and founded the college from which he sent 
 forth preachers and teachers throughout Britain. As we 
 trod the sacred soil we could not but feel as Dr. Johnson 
 did when he said, " That man is little to be envied whose 
 patriotism would not gain force upon the plains of Mara- 
 thon, or whose piety would not grow warmer amid the 
 ruins of lona." In the grave-yard we saw the tombs of the 
 first Scottish, Irish, and Scandinavian Kings, and also that 
 of the Lord of the Isles. But the spot where we lingered 
 longest was at the tomb of Columba. There is no doubt 
 of the exact spot, as a few years ago the Duke of Argyle, 
 the lord of the manor, gave permission to the Scottish 
 Archaeological Society to search for the tomb of the 
 saint. Here they found a stone coffin, having his name 
 and the date of his death engraved upon it. They opened 
 it carefully, and in it found his dust. Having satisfied 
 themselves as to the accuracy of the inscription, they 
 carefully reclosed the coffin and placed it in its original 
 position. Here, then, lived a man who, under God, be-
 
 AXat. 21.] DIARY. 185 
 
 came the means of converting to Christianity the greater 
 portion of the Pictish race; who, though his life was 
 threatened, though the gates of the king's palace were 
 closed against him, and he was denounced by every priest, 
 persevered in his arduous labours, until, having overcome 
 every opposition, he saw paganism and idolatry fading 
 away, and in their stead the gospel of Jesus Christ 
 reigning over the hearts of the people 
 
 A sail of about two hours from lona brought us 
 in full view of Staifa. The first object we could see 
 distinctly was Fingal's Cave, and we felt that indeed the 
 half had not been told us of this wonderful formation. 
 Staffa, lying about 8 miles west of the coast of Mull, 
 is about a mile and a half in circumference, and is un- 
 inhabited save by a herd of cattle. It is rock-bound, 
 and there is no cove where a ship can safely run in. 
 Our vessel lay about a mile from shore, and we went in 
 life-boats. The sea was running very high, and had we 
 not been in very experienced hands we would have had 
 good cause to be afraid. As we neared the shore, we 
 discerned a little hollow between two ledges of rock, 
 barely wide enough to admit a boat : into this our boat 
 shot upon the crest of the advancing wave, which left 
 us high and dry among the rocks. We walked from here 
 across the island, until we came near Fingal's Cave, 
 when we descended a steep staircase, and clambered 
 along the tops of the basaltic columns until we arrived at 
 the mouth of the cave a mighty archway 70 feet high 
 and receding inwards about 250 feet. Along the side 
 there is a narrow path, the side of which is washed by 
 the black, angry waves. The entire front and sides are 
 composed of ranges of countless basaltic columns, beauti-
 
 1 86 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1861. 
 
 fully joined and of most symmetrical though varied forms. 
 The roof exhibits a rich profusion of overhanging pillars 
 incrusted with lime ; the whole forming a picture of un- 
 rivalled grandeur, and when once seen cannot soon be 
 forgotten. It was such a sight as I never expect to 
 see again unless I go back to Staffa, this wondrous arch, 
 through which the wild waters ever urge their way, its 
 dark depths ever and anon rendered visible by the flash- 
 ing light reflected from the surge of the advancing waves, 
 whose wild yet mellow and sonorous moan rises and falls 
 in measured cadence on the ear. With feelings of wonder, 
 and having our minds deeply impressed with the grandeur 
 of the works of God, we slowly retraced our steps from 
 the Cave Cathedral of Staffa. Continuing our course we 
 soon enter the Sound of Mull, and are in full view of 
 Duart Castle, the strength of the M 'Leans of Duart, 
 famous for their prowess in battle. Soon we pass the 
 " Lady's Rock," where one of the M'Leans exposed his 
 wife to be drowned by the rising tide. His wicked de- 
 sign, however, was frustrated by some fishermen, who, 
 hearing her cries, rescued and carried her to a place of 
 safety. 
 
 Monday, Sept. 2. Raining as usual. Left Oban at 
 9. A.M. in the coach for Inverary, distant about 40 miles. 
 About 20 miles from Oban we entered the Pass of Awe, 
 through which runs the river of the same name, famed 
 for its salmon fishing. On our left was Ben Cruachan, its 
 summit capped with clouds. The mountains round the 
 head of the loch were once in possession of the Camp- 
 bells, whose slogan was, "It's a far cry to Loch Awe;" 
 indicating the impossibility of reaching them in the 
 mountain fastness. Skirting along the shores of this
 
 . 21.] DIARY. 187 
 
 beautiful loch, we come to the inn of Dalmally, at the 
 mouth of the Vale of Glenorchy, where we dined. Re- ' 
 suming our seats, we pass along the opposite side of the 
 loch, in full view of the ruins of Kilchurn Castle, a wild 
 yet stately ruin, built in 1443 by the lady of Sir Colin 
 Campbell, the Black Knight of Rhodes. Ascending a 
 steep hill we stop to view the charming scene. Well has 
 this vale been called the Hesperides of the Highlands, 
 for never was a fairer scene than this. Descending into 
 Glen Aray we are soon at Inverary, where is Inverary 
 Castle, the magnificent summer residence of the Duke of 
 Argyle. 
 
 [Sept. 3. He reached Glasgow, where he parted from 
 Mr. N., and took the train at 8 P.M. for Manchester; 
 which place he reached next morning, just in time for the 
 British Association, of which he was a member.] 
 
 Manchester, Sept. 6. Since I came I have been attend- 
 ing the different meetings of the Association, which are 
 very interesting. Last night we had a Microscopic 
 Soiree, which was a most interesting affair. I have heard 
 papers from Du Chailltt of gorilla fame, Sir Roderick 
 Murchison, Armstrong of gun notoriety, Sir Chas. Napier, 
 Owen the great naturalist, Lord Stanley, Brewster, and 
 many other lesser lights. To-morrow I leave for London, 
 spend Sabbath there, and start for Paris early on Monday 
 morning. 
 
 Sabbath, Sept. 8. Arrived in London late last evening. 
 This morning we went to Westminster Abbey, where we 
 heard a very excellent sermon from " the Very Rev. the 
 Dean of Westminster;" immediately after which we were 
 hustled out of church like a flock of sheep by the beadles, 
 of whom there were not a few. At 5, started across the
 
 i88 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [iS6r. 
 
 river to hear Spurgeon. A ride of half an hour over Black- 
 friars' Bridge brought us to the door of his Metropolitan 
 Tabernacle, where we were obliged to stand for about an 
 hour, while the congregation was admitted by tickets at 
 the back. At 25 minutes past 6, just five minutes before 
 the commencement of service, the doors were opened, 
 and we all rushed, as fast as respect to the place would 
 allow us, for the few remaining seats. We were fortunate 
 in being just at the door when it was opened, and conse- 
 quently got good seats in the centre of the house. 
 Whilst waiting for the appearance of Mr. Spurgeon, I had 
 an opportunity of looking at the building. It is of an 
 oval shape, and has two galleries running all round. Jut- 
 ting out from the first is a semicircular platform, having a 
 sofa and a small walnut table, on which rests the Bible : 
 this Mr. Spurgeon uses for a pulpit, and as there is no 
 desk between him and his audience, his movements are 
 much freer than they otherwise would be. Punctually at 
 6.30 Mr. Spurgeon rose, and in a rich, clear voice, read 
 the first hymn. His manner was calm and very impressive ; 
 his style of reading much superior to that of the ordinary 
 run of preachers. The congregation rose, and he read 
 each stanza before it was sung. After this he read the 
 32nd Psalm, accompanying each verse with a few explana- 
 tory remarks. Many of them were very striking, and 
 although I cannot remember the best, the following is one 
 which will show somewhat of their character. In speak- 
 ing on the second verse, as to the necessity of being con- 
 vinced of sin, he said : " Brethren, we must go into the 
 stripping-room before we enter the robing-room; we must 
 be sick before we can be healed." After reading he 
 announced the hymn beginning, " Children of the
 
 . 21.] DIARY. 189 
 
 Heavenly King;" and then made a brief but most earnest 
 prayer. His manner of prayer partakes largely of the 
 colloquial, and was such that even the most careless could 
 not but have been impressed. After singing another hymn 
 he announced his text, Job viii. 13, 14, " TJie hypocrite's 
 hope shall perish : whose hope shall be cut off, and whose 
 trust shall be a spider's web." 
 
 The sermon was not what could be called a grand 
 one, but a most earnest, faithful, affectionate appeal. 
 His arguments were very closely followed, and yet so 
 simple that a child could understand them. His illustra- 
 tions, both in the way of similes and anecdotes, were ap- 
 propriate, and were put with great power. All this coupled 
 with a magnificent voice, and a great natural earnestness 
 of delivery, gave him a perfect mastery over his audience, 
 so that when he sat down, after speaking for more than 
 an hour, we wondered at his brevity, and were astonished 
 to find he had been speaking so long. 
 
 One most pleasing feature of Mr. Spurgeon is, that at 
 least to all appearance he has not been spoiled by his 
 popularity. Everything about him seemed so natural, 
 and he had none of that self-sanctified manner so disa- 
 greeable in the preaching of some. He is a wonderful 
 man. Every sentence bears the impress of a giant mind ; 
 and yet, judging from what we heard this evening, he 
 does not make this a reason for meeting his people un- 
 prepared and trusting to the impulse of the hour, but 
 rather presents them with a carefully studied, well 
 digested discourse. 
 
 Sept. 9, 1861. Left London at 9.50 for Paris via 
 Folkestone and Boulogne. A ride of two hours through 
 a very well cultivated country brought us to Folkestone
 
 190 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1861. 
 
 Harbour, where we embarked in one of the little cockle- 
 shell Channel steamers for Boulogne We reached 
 
 Boulogne in about two and a half hours after leaving 
 
 Folkestone At about 3 o'clock started for Paris, 
 
 distant about 160 miles At 8.30 entered that city, 
 
 and after sundry delays reached the Hotel du Louvre. 
 Having secured our rooms we started out to see the city. 
 Although it was almost midnight, the streets were 
 crowded : long rows of lamps extend as far as the eye 
 can reach, while the Boulevards in many places are lighted 
 with the electric light. Started through the Palais Royal 
 and along the Champs Elysee, and back to the hotel, 
 where we got to bed as the clock was on the stroke of one. 
 
 My first impressions of Paris are very pleasing. It 
 is a very magnificent city by far the grandest that I have 
 ever seen; and yet I am far more content to live in my 
 own beloved land, and would deeply regret the necessity 
 that would cause me to live, or even spend any length of 
 time, in this too gay city. All that I have seen only 
 makes me love and appreciate my own land the more. 
 
 Left Paris at 7.30; travelled all night. 
 
 [Sept. ii. He arrived in Geneva and presented his 
 letter to the Evangelical Alliance assembled there. 
 Visited the Meeting of the Waters, tombs of Sir Humphry 
 Davy and John Calvin; also the houses of Voltaire and 
 Lord Byron.] 
 
 Sept. 12. We left Geneva in a two -horse 
 
 volante for Chamounix at 7 A.M. The morning was all 
 that could be desired, not a cloud was to be seen, and 
 it was warm without being uncomfortable. 
 
 The first village we approached was that of Chesne on 
 the Seine: this stream is the dividing line between Savoy
 
 . 21.] DIARY. 191 
 
 and Switzerland. Our course now lies along the banks 
 of the Arve, a muddy, swift stream, which has its source 
 in the glacier Mer de Glace. At 1 1 o'clock we reach the 
 village of Bonneville, where we rest for an hour. 
 
 Though the beauty of Swiss scenery is unrivalled, much 
 of the charm is taken away by the poverty of the inhabi- 
 tants, which presents itself at every step. One cannot 
 travel through a village, however small, without seeing 
 dozens of women disfigured by goitre. In many cases this is 
 most disgusting; and as they make no attempt to conceal 
 it, one cannot avoid seeing it as it hangs down from their 
 cheek or chin, sometimes being as much as a foot in 
 length. There are also many of the Cretins, those poor, 
 miserable, half-idiotic creatures, whose life seems to be 
 to them a very burden, and to whom death would be a 
 blessing. To see one of these beings lying on the road- 
 side asking for alms, is one of the saddest sights I ever 
 witnessed; and it is indeed a blessing that such a fearful 
 scourge is confined to a very small section of country. 
 
 After leaving Bonneville, our road lay up a most beauti- 
 ful vine-clad valley, having on the one side the Mont 
 Brezon, whose fir-clad peaks tower to the height of 2,000 
 feet above the valley. Crossing the Arve, and passing 
 through the village of Cluses, we enter a deep defile 
 through which the Arve rushes the pass is barely wide 
 enough for the narrow river bed and the road, and is 
 overhung by steep Alpine precipices. A few miles from 
 Cluses the pass opens out; and in the face of the cliff, 800 
 feet above the valley, is the Grotto of Balme. It extends 
 about 2,000 feet into the mountains, and from the mouth 
 a magnificent view may be had of the Jura Alps. About 
 a mile from this cave there is a beautiful waterfall, the 
 
 13
 
 192 MEMOIR OF WTLLIAM D. STUART. [1861. 
 
 Nant d'Asperzas : the stream is quite small, and is lost 
 in spray long before reaching the bottom. 
 
 One most interesting feature in this pass is the wonder- 
 ful contortions in the strata as exposed in the face of the 
 clifts, showing what a power must have been exercised 
 during the volcanic era when these huge masses were 
 heaved up. 
 
 A sudden turn in the road brings us in full view of the 
 range of Mont Blanc, crowned by the majestic peak of 
 the mountain of mountains itself. The sky was a rich 
 deep blue, the sun shining as it only does in Italy and 
 America; that mountain of purest snow, with its glaciers 
 flashing like diamond points, its majestic form, its deep, 
 dark ravines, penetrating into the very bowels of the 
 earth, was the grandest sight I ever beheld. Involuntarily 
 we lifted our hats, and stood for more than twenty minutes 
 transfixed by the grandeur of the scene. We could not 
 but exclaim with the poet, 
 
 " Mont Blanc is the monarch of mountains 
 
 They crowned him long ago, 
 On a throne of rocks, in a robe of clouds, 
 With a diadem of snow. "| 
 
 It would be the height of presumption for me to at- 
 tempt to describe this scene. Man has not words for it, 
 the imagination of the poet cannot grasp it. To feel 
 what it is, you must yourself stand as we stood, upon the 
 little stone bridge of St. Martin, and gaze upon the ma- 
 jestic panorama. About an hour after leaving St. Martin 
 we ascended a steep hill, from the summit of which we 
 had another splendid view of the mountain, no longer 
 white, but reflecting the roseate hues of the setting 
 sun.
 
 . 21.] DIARY. 193 
 
 Descending into the valley, a drive of half an hour 
 brought us to Chamounix, where, after supper, we soon 
 retired ; and as we lay in bed we could see the full moon 
 shining upon the summit of the mountain,, 
 
 Sept. 14. Another splendid day. At the breakfast 
 table we formed a party of seven to ascend the Montan- 
 vert and view the Mer de Glace. At 10 we started, our 
 ladies mounted upon mules. There is a very good mule 
 path to the summit of Montanvert, made lately by 
 Napoleon at great labour and expense, in many cases 
 being blasted out of the solid rock. As we approached 
 the summit, the ascent became very steep, the road being 
 a succession of steps in the rocks, many of them three 
 feet in height. ... A climb of two hours placed us on the 
 summit of Montanvert, with the Mer de Glace at our 
 feet before us, stretching up the hollow, was this Sea of 
 Ice; here it divided, one branch running past the Col du 
 Ge'ant up almost to the summit of Mont Blanc, the other 
 extending round the Aiguille du Dome to the Jardin. 
 All round us rose the unclimbed rocks known as the 
 Aiguilles. They shoot up almost perpendicularly from 
 the mountain-side, and are, as I have said, inaccessible. 
 Having engaged a guide, we prepared to cross the Mer 
 de Glace, leaving the ladies on the heights to await our 
 return. Looking well to our shoes and the spikes of our 
 Alpine stocks, we descended upon the ice. Advancing 
 about 20 feet, we came to a crevice about 2 feet wide ; 
 lying down upon the ice, we looked in to see the deep 
 blue colour which is so remarkable in this glacier. We 
 then took a stone, and dropping it in, listened for some 
 seconds until we heard it plunge into the water below; 
 and we thought what a dreadful death to fall into such
 
 194 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1861. 
 
 a place, and may be linger for days and hours in agony, 
 being gradually crushed by the closing ice, and no one 
 able to render relief. Arriving at the middle of the 
 glacier, the real work began. Here we were obliged to 
 cut steps in the ice and walk along in single file, some- 
 times ascending and sometimes descending, until we 
 reached the edge of a large crevice, which had opened 
 but a few days before. Lying down upon the ice, we 
 looked into this, and it made us shudder to think of the 
 fearful depth, which we found by measurement to be over 
 700 feet 
 
 These glaciers form a subject of most interesting study, 
 and have attracted the attention of the most eminent 
 scientific men. It has now been determined that they 
 move, and that their motion is from 12 to 20 inches 
 a-day. This was practically proved a few days since, by 
 the discovery of the remains of some persons who had 
 been lost forty years before at the head of the Glacier de 
 Boissons. Prof. Forbes told the guides repeatedly that 
 in about forty years from the time the party were lost their 
 remains might be looked for at the foot of the glacier ; 
 calculating that it would take the ice in which they were 
 imbedded just that time to work itself from the head of 
 the glacier. This discovery has proved the correctness 
 of his theory. 
 
 Returning to the Montanvert, we descended the moun- 
 tain and reached the hotel at 5, just in time for the table 
 d'hote, which our sharpened appetites enabled us to do 
 full justice to. After dinner we walked round amongst 
 the shops, and went to see the clothing of Balmat, which, 
 as I have mentioned, was found a few days ago. This 
 Balmat made the first ascent of the mountain in 1798,
 
 JEtat. 21.] DIARY. 195 
 
 and was for many years the only one who could be found 
 willing to undertake so hazardous an adventure. 
 
 Sabbath evening, Nov. 17, 1861. Six months, and not 
 a word in confidence to you, my old valued friend ! I 
 have wandered through England, Scotland, France, Ger- 
 many, and Switzerland, and have not told you a word of 
 it. Well, here I am again, home, in health. How much 
 has transpired since I talked with you last ! Loved ones 
 have passed away, strange sights have been seen, and I 
 am older, nearer eternity I hope better than before. 
 Still, I feel my soul clogged by sin ; sinful thoughts, and 
 from them sinful pleasures, trammel my soul, and cut 
 short its flight. Too much of the world too little of 
 Jesus. How hard it is for one to exercise faith as it 
 should be exercised ! We all talk about it a great deal, 
 but when it comes to a real, severe test, how it falters and 
 doubts ! as if such an anomaly can exist a doubting faith. 
 Such as this will not save us. To be efficient unto salva- 
 tion, it must be such as will carry us through the very 
 gates of death, shouting loud hallelujahs to a Saviour 
 King. 
 
 To-day was to me a pleasant one. The school was 
 good both morning and afternoon. I felt my soul much 
 benefited by the remarks of Mr. Van Meter, of the 
 Wanderer's Home, New York. In the afternoon, Rev. 
 J. Morrison, of the Lodiana Mission, N. India, gave us 
 a most interesting address. Did not go out in the even- 
 ing, but after worship sang hymns with the children 
 
 " Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives, 
 I know that my Redeemer lives." 
 
 Retired early.
 
 196 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1862. 
 
 Sabbath, Dec. i. A bright clear day. Held the fourth 
 Anniversary of our Mission School in the afternoon. 
 There were present 180 children and 40 visitors. Ad- 
 dresses were delivered by Dr. Wylie, Dr. Faires, Father 
 Martin, and Heber Newton all most excellent, and were 
 very attentively listened to by the children, whose good 
 order was remarked by every one. We feel greatly en- 
 couraged in our labours, and go forward with greater zeal 
 in our Master's work. 
 
 Tuesday, Dec. 9, 1 86 2. M ore than a year has passed 
 since last I opened a thought on these pages. What 
 events have been crowded in that year ! A merciful God 
 has protected me in my journeyings on the mighty deep 
 and in a distant land ; friends, familiar faces, have passed 
 from earth to heaven ; means of grace have been em- 
 braced or neglected ; my life has been spared, and even 
 though my health has not been in full measure continued 
 to me, God has given me, to be my partner in life, her 
 on whom my boyish hopes were fixed, and who was the 
 choice of my riper years. Yes, she is mine, and I am 
 hers. " What can I render unto God for all his benefits 
 to me T 
 
 Now we are leaving New York in the steamer British 
 Queen, for Santa Cruz via Havana. The day is clear and 
 very cold. Good-byes are said, the steamer moves slowly 
 down the Bay, and soon Sandy Hook is lost in the dis- 
 tance. It is a most beautiful afternoon, and the sunset 
 is most brilliant. Our quarters are none of the best, 
 either for eating or sleeping ; still we will try and put up 
 with them for the short voyage. 
 
 Tuesday, Dec. 16. Entered the harbour of Havana
 
 sEtat. 22.] DIARY. 197 
 
 about 8 o'clock in the morning, and anchored at 9. The 
 forts at the entrance look more picturesque than for- 
 midable. Getting our baggage in one boat and ourselves 
 in another, after a row of a mile and a half, we reached 
 the Custom House Wharf. Here we pay $2 each for 
 permission to stay in the city, and after the usual exami- 
 nation of baggage, take a volante and drive to the 
 Hotel Cubano. We find commodious rooms, and soon 
 make ourselves at home. Oh, the luxury of getting 
 off a ship, to get a good wash, be able to turn 
 round and stretch your legs, and get on some clean 
 clothes ! After a lunch, we left M. for a while to her 
 meditations, and went to present some letters of intro- 
 duction 
 
 In the afternoon we drove beyond the walls, along the 
 Paseo de Jacon, past the Archbishop's Palace, to the 
 residence of Madame Herrera, a widow, having neither 
 kith nor kin, and the possessor of one of the largest estates 
 around Havana. Uncle D. and M. walked around ; I being 
 too weak stayed in the carriage. Very extravagant, but 
 with an utter want of taste a thing which seems to be 
 quite unknown in Cuba. As we drove in, we saw the 
 senoritas sitting in their parlours protected by iron bars, 
 and shopping in their volantes. 
 
 Sabbath, Dec. 2 1. A beautiful clear day. After break- 
 fast retired to my room read and prayed, Tried to feel 
 the solemnity of the day, but could not fix my thoughts, 
 as at home. No Sabbath sun shines on this beautiful 
 island; over it hangs, in heavy folds, the black, loathsome 
 mantle of Popery. Thought of Heber's missionary hymn, 
 especially the verse beginning, " Salvation, O salvation." 
 Read in " Memories of Gennesaret," a delightful book
 
 198 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1862. 
 
 by Macduff. Had a sweet talk with M. before dinner. 
 Enjoyed that meal more than any time since I landed ; 
 feel a little better to-day, as it is bright. How strange 
 that the weather should thus affect the health of an in- 
 valid ! Thought much of home the family altar the 
 gathering in church and meeting familiar faces ; especially 
 thought of and prayed for my mission school : I cannot 
 think that that little band will be left without a leader : 
 God will raise up some one who will better fill my place, 
 and the work will go on. 
 
 About 5 o'clock walked to the Promenade by the sea 
 with uncle D. and the Messrs. R. my first walk for 
 three days. Came home in about an hour, pretty well 
 fagged out Throat a little sore. 
 
 Wednesday, Dec. 24. I can scarcely believe 
 
 that this is Christmas Eve so different from the scenes 
 of home; yet I know, as those circles are gathered to- 
 gether this evening, we, the absent ones, are often and 
 lovingly spoken of, and the places we filled are not for- 
 gotten. 
 
 Thursday, Dec. .25. Christmas Day ! Damp and 
 dull as usual. M. and uncle D. went out to see some 
 churches whilst I wrote letters. Dinner very late, and 
 supposed to be very grand. 
 
 Friday, Dec. 26. A beautiful clear day. At 1 1 ordered 
 a carriage, and taking Don John as valet, started out for 
 a drive. From Christmas to Sabbath are feast days, and 
 no one does any work. Drove to the Captain-General's 
 gardens, on the Paseo de Isabel were charmed with 
 what we saw long avenues of stately palms, a beautiful 
 aviary, cotton and coffee in full bloom, pine apples 
 in every stage of growth; and in the midst of all a
 
 . 22.] DIARY. 199 
 
 summer residence, which, however, is not open to 
 visitors. 
 
 From the gardens we drove over a most break-neck 
 road to the Cemetery. This is indeed a strange place. 
 Imagine a large grassy quadrangle surrounded by a white 
 stone wall about 25 feet high and 12 feet thick. In this 
 wall the bodies are deposited, feet outwards : the openings 
 look like windows rounded at the top, and are filled up 
 with a slab of marble, or slate, bearing the name of the 
 deceased. For the use of one of these repositories the 
 friends of the deceased pay $200 for ten years: if at the 
 expiration of that time the payment is not renewed, the 
 body is taken out and thrown into one of the large pits 
 in the centre of the quadrangle, where paupers are buried. 
 At the end of a certain time these pits are re-opened and 
 the contents sold to vegetable growers to fertilize their 
 gardens. Returned to the hotel at 1.30 very tired. 
 .Uncle D. returned with a good account of Matanzas, so 
 we will all go down to-morrow. 
 
 Saturday, Dec. 27. A very warm day. Felt very 
 poorly. Left Havana for Matanzas at 3.25 country 
 very monotonous arrived at 6.40 beautiful moonlight 
 night went at once to the Hewitt House, where we 
 found rooms prepared for us : the house is plain, but 
 American, and therefore more home-like. Retired at 
 8.30, very much worn out. 
 
 Sabbath, Dec. 28. Rose at 9.15, having passed a very 
 restless night with my cough. After dinner suffered from 
 indigestion. Towards dusk sat on the porch and enjoyed 
 the cool of the evening. Had a long talk with our 
 Consul, Mr. C., from whom I obtained a good deal 
 of information in regard to Cuba; and also heard from
 
 200 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. [1862. 
 
 him the interesting narration of his arrest and subse- 
 quent release from Rebeldom. Retired at 10. Fleas 
 very bad. 
 
 Monday, Dec. 29. Weather quite warm. Stayed in 
 the house all morning. Read in the " Marble Fawn." 
 Afternoon, had a delightful ride with M. along the sea- 
 shore. 
 
 Tuesday, Dec. 30. Rose at 6.30, and after a hurried 
 breakfast, started with a party for the plantation of Mr. 
 Jenks. Our party consisted of eight, four in volantes 
 and four on horseback. The road over which we went 
 was fearful and execrable, being nothing but huge masses 
 of rock, over which no vehicle but a Spanish volante 
 would ever dare to venture, except to certain destruction. 
 Upward we thus toiled for an hour, when suddenly we 
 came to a level spot; and looking out, the beautiful valley 
 of the Tumuri lay at our feet the first piece of tropical 
 scenery we had seen. It certainly was very lovely as it 
 lay there, its sides clothed with palm trees and richly 
 wooded cliffs. After gazing a while at its beauties, the 
 rest of the party, who had lagged behind, rode up, and 
 in a few moments we drove into the plantation. The 
 sugar-making process is very simple ; but as it was new 
 to us, we were much interested. Our blood ran cold to 
 see the fearful treatment the poor horses that were working 
 the crushing-mill received from the negroes and coolies 
 who were driving them; and then, I thought, why blame 
 them, ignorant creatures ! they know not what mercy is, 
 as they receive but little better treatment from their 
 masters. 
 
 All Cuba is one vast den of oppression, extortion, and 
 cruelty. Only the other day we saw a chicken being
 
 JEtat. 22.] DIARY. 201 
 
 picked alive; and when we called the attention of a 
 Spaniard to it, he laughed and said, " That was common 
 enough." The patient oxen are driven with a long pole, 
 at the end of which is an iron goad several inches in 
 length, which is frequently driven into them till the blood 
 spirts out, and they fairly moan with pain. Such are 
 the Spaniards ! 
 
 Wednesday, Dec. 31. Rose at 6.30, after a painfully 
 sleepless night. Wrote home. Seized with a violent fit 
 of coughing which caused intense pain. Evening, sat 
 with M. in the parlour heard some fine music from a 
 Cuban gentleman educated in Philadelphia. Would 
 like much to stay up and see the old year out, but am 
 too tired. 
 
 Friday. Jan. 2, 1863. Rose at 4.30, and after a hurried 
 cup of coffee drove to the Guinas R. Road, from whence 
 we started at 6. 15 for Havana. Arrived at 8.30, in ample 
 time for breakfast. Uncle D. went to see about the 
 steamer Ocean Bird, to sail for Santa Cruz; and I, taking 
 Don John in a volante, did some shopping and looked 
 after our passports. Returned to the hotel about i, 
 feeling better than any day since I left home. Afternoon, 
 sat in our room with M., not feeling as bright as in the 
 morning. 
 
 After all uncle's trouble about the Ocean Bird, she is 
 not going to sail at all so we must take the Conway, 
 (an inferior vessel). So much for Spanish truth and 
 Spanish punctuality ! 
 
 Saturday, Jan. 3. Rose at 8.30, after a very restless r 
 sleepless night. M. suffering much from a sore throat : 
 she can hardly swallow. My stomach very sore from
 
 202 
 
 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 [1863. 
 
 last night's coughing. Did not go out, but slept an hour 
 or two in the rocking-chair. 
 
 [This is the last entry Willie ever made in his Diary, 
 owing to increased debility.]
 
 EXTRACTS 
 
 FROM 
 
 LETTERS TO M .
 
 LETTERS TO M. 
 
 Extracts which follow are made from a 
 long correspondence with the lady whom 
 William subsequently married. 
 
 419 SPRUCE STREET, November %, 1856. 
 
 I will be unable to see you this afternoon, and pro- 
 bably for some time to come. Our dear Frank was 
 taken very ill last night, and we fear he will not live. All 
 the morning he had violent spasms, but he is a little 
 easier now. God knoweth what is best: He will do all 
 things well. To think that yesterday he was as well as 
 any of us now stricken down 
 
 Decetnler 2, i3s6. 
 
 On Sabbath afternoon we had, instead of Sab- 
 bath school, a prayer-meeting preparatory to communion. 
 Rev. Mr. T. of the Baptist Church made a beautiful 
 address, showing how it was the first impulse of the
 
 206 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 Christian, having found Christ himself, to go immediately 
 to his nearest friend or relative, and say, " I have found 
 the Messiah; come and see." During the whole address 
 I thought of you, dear M. Now that I have found 
 Christ, I would desire to lead you to Him also. He is 
 a loving Saviour. He has accepted me, though a poor 
 sinner; and He will receive you, if you come now. 
 "Now is the accepted time." "Those that seek me 
 early shall find me." It is a choice which I know you 
 will never, no never regret. 
 
 In the evening we had another prayer-meeting, which 
 was addressed by Rev. Messrs. F. and W. It seemed 
 indeed to be a sweet foretaste of that eternity we shall 
 spend around the .throne of God, where I hope to meet 
 you, and sing His praises throughout all eternity. 
 
 419 SPRUCE STREET, December 9, 1856. 
 
 On my return from the house of God this evening I 
 opened your precious note, and words would fail to ex- 
 press the feelings of my inmost soul on reading those 
 sentiments of your heart. I feel that God is indeed 
 answering my earnest, importunate petitions on your 
 behalf. 
 
 You mention as a reason for not coming to Christ, 
 Ridicule. Oh, I hope, indeed I am sure, you will not 
 allow so trifling a thing as this to influence your eternal 
 welfare ! A few sneers of the ungodly to bar you from 
 eternity! Oh, no! They are only means by which God 
 wishes to test your faith. Press onward ! He has said, 
 " Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
 
 LETTERS TO M. 207 
 
 and I will give you rest" " I love them that love me; 
 and they that seek me early shall find me." With such 
 precious promises as these, how, how can you stay away 
 from your Friend, who "sticketh closer than a brother!" 
 A.ngels would rejoice, and bear aloft with shouts of joy 
 the news of your salvation. Could you refuse to come to 
 a Saviour who counted not His life dear for you? Pray 
 earnestly: pour forth the inmost petitions of your soul; 
 and God from His high throne will bend and hear the 
 prayer of the humblest sinner. Think of this, and put 
 not off for a moment the seeking of salvation for your 
 soul. Come, trusting in the merits of the blood of 
 Calvary; come humbly; come with all confidence in a 
 loving, forgiving Saviour, and you will in no wise be 
 cast out. 
 
 I will not cease to make you a subject of special 
 prayer to Almighty God, that He would pour out His 
 Spirit upon you in copious showers, and bring you early 
 to Himself. Give the dew of your youth unto the Lord. 
 Pray for me. 
 
 December 10, 1856. 
 
 1 received your sweet note a few moments ago, and 
 hasten to return an answer. How rejoiced am I to see 
 that you are beginning to come to Christ ! Oh, press 
 onward ! The only way to be saved is first to feel the 
 weight of your sins, your inability to save yourself, and 
 consequently your need of a Saviour. 
 
 Oh, M., as I walk along the streets, or go to college, 
 and see hundreds (I would almost say) of young men 
 rushing on to their destruction, my heart fairly bleeds for 
 14
 
 2o8 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 them. They all must die sooner or later appear before 
 the judgment-seat of a righteous God. It makes me 
 fairly shudder to think what the fate of many of them 
 must be, unless the hand of Mercy is stretched out to 
 save them. 
 
 Pray for me, oh, pray for me, that God would give me 
 grace to resist the many temptations which daily and 
 hourly assail me at every step ; and I will pray for you, 
 earnestly and imploringly, that God would bring you to 
 Himself. Yes, even before leaving my room this after- 
 noon I will go to the throne of grace and mercy, and 
 plead with God on your behalf. 
 
 December 13, 1856. 11.30 P.M. 
 
 Although so near Sabbath morning, I cannot refrain 
 from dropping you a few lines. To-night I am perfectly 
 miserable with my head ; it feels as if melted lead were 
 running from one side to the other. I suppose you have 
 been feasting on Thalberg, Gottschalk, and D'Angri this 
 evening. I envy you. 
 
 When I spoke to you about joining the Church at the 
 approaching communion, you said, " Not this time." Oh, 
 if you do not feel prepared this time, do not defer it 
 longer than the next. Do not, as Felix did, wait for "a 
 more convenient season;" but rather come as you are, a 
 humble, penitent sinner, and throwing yourself at the 
 foot of the cross, say, "Here am I, Lord, a helpless 
 sinner; do with me what Thou wilt." Then will He look 
 down upon you with compassion and tender mercy, and 
 incline your heart unto Himself. How I would rejoice
 
 LETTERS TO M. 209 
 
 to see you taking this step ! " Choose this day whom ye 
 will serve." "Fear not; I am with you." With such 
 blessed words as these addressed to you by a loving 
 Saviour, how can you hold back any longer from doing 
 His commands 1 . , 
 
 December 19, 1856. 
 
 Ere this reaches you, you will have witnessed that 
 most solemn sacrament, the Lord's Supper; and I fondly 
 hope that there you confirmed the resolution I doubt not 
 you have heretofore prayerfully and carefully made, that 
 when another communion season shall have come round, 
 you would sit down at your Saviour's table. You have 
 been much in my thoughts lately, and again and again 
 at the throne of grace have I laid your case, and im- 
 plored a divine and enriching blessing to descend upon 
 you. Be earnest, be steadfast : never despair, but trust 
 in the rich promises of a covenant-keeping God, and He 
 will reward you plentifully. 
 
 PHILAD., yanuary t, 1857. 
 
 So another year is gone ! Another precious 
 
 gem of youth lost in the ocean of eternity ! 
 
 Just before the clock struck 1 2 last night, I arose from 
 my bed and poured forth a burdened soul to God, as the 
 old year departed and a new one was ushered in; and 
 you had a foremost place. Yes, earnestly did I plead 
 with God to bring you early into His fold and make 
 you His own.
 
 2io MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 Saturday morning, 2 cfclock, January 17, 1857. 
 
 Although so late, I cannot refrain from writing you. 
 You cannot imagine how my heart leaped with joy this 
 afternoon, when you said, " I will try." There is magic 
 in the word : how often has it raised the spirits of some 
 wretched one struggling to maintain an existence, and 
 inspired him to new hopes of. success ! I could see 
 yesterday afternoon that Satan was struggling hard in 
 your breast. Drive him out once effectually, and by the 
 grace of God he will never return. " Look to Jesus." 
 
 I have searched out a few texts of Scripture, 
 
 which I would like you to read. 
 
 1. A Rule for Prayer. i Thess. v. 17; Phil. iv. 6. 
 
 2. Promises. Deut. iv. 29; Ps. cxlv. 18, 19; Luke 
 xi. 10; Jer. xxix. 12; 2 Cor. xii. 9. 
 
 3. Benefit of confessing Sins. i John i. 9. 
 
 Read these, and tell me this afternoon what you 
 think. . 
 
 January 26, 1857. 8 A.M. 
 
 ..... Last evening I was by the death-bed of one 
 of our Sabbath scholars. Although not regularly in my 
 class, I have occasionally taught him, and felt a deep 
 interest in his spiritual welfare. Had you heard what 
 that little boy said to me, the message he sent to his 
 class, you would have felt more powerfully than human 
 words could utter, the power of Christ that at the hour 
 of death He is a " Friend that sticketh closer than a 
 brother." [After joyous answers to some pre- 
 vious questions,] I asked, Are you not afraid to die, and
 
 LETTERS TO M. 211 
 
 be laid in the cold and silent grave ? " No," he replied ; 
 " Jesus was there before me, and made it soft as downy 
 pillows. He is my own dear Saviour : He will be with 
 me." And then turning to his brother, who is a bad boy, 
 he said, " Brother ! brother ! come to Jesus : let me 
 carry the news to heaven that you are going to love 
 Christ. Go back to the Sabbath school, go back to 
 church; and then, dear brother, I will die happy!" I 
 have read of triumphal, peaceful death-beds, but never 
 did I see any equal to that little boy, only thirteen years 
 of age. " Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye 
 think not, the Son of man cometh." "Watch and 
 pray." 
 
 Sabbath evening, February i, 1857. 
 
 I have just returned from the death-bed of that little 
 boy. Oh that you had been there ! He offered such a 
 prayer as I never expected to hear on earth. 
 
 In your last note you said you "had succeeded in 
 drowning your thoughts, but the cloud was still there." 
 Yes, and it will remain there. Go where you will, your 
 guilty conscience will still reprove you. Your only rest, 
 only safety, only hope, only salvation, is by going to 
 Jesus, casting yourself a guilty sinner at His feet, and 
 
 crying, " Lord, save me, I perish." Try not to 
 
 sear conscience, but listen to its reproofs : it is the voice 
 of God warning you. God says, " Him that cometh to 
 me I will in no wise cast out." What a promise ! Oh, 
 embrace it ere it be too late. That the blessed Jesus, 
 the Lamb of Calvary, may come and dwell in your heart, 
 is ever my earnest prayer.
 
 212 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 February, 3, 1857. 
 
 I begin to feel more resigned now. After 
 
 much prayer, I feel that God will do with me what He 
 thinks best ; and I will place everything in His hands.* 
 He has been with His people since the creation, and He 
 will not forsake me. He will hear my prayer for you. 
 Write me soon and tell me if you arc still trying to come 
 to Jesus still knocking at the gate of heaven. 
 
 February 7, 1857. 
 
 I was so glad this evening when you promised 
 
 me you would try and serve Christ. The promise to me 
 was trifling compared with the promise to your Saviour. 
 I beg of you do not break it. I entreat you, as you 
 value your own soul, and eternal happiness, to hold on 
 to it. Could you look into heaven this evening you 
 would see angels rejoicing that you had resolved to cease 
 to be a votary of this fleeting, deceitful world, and to 
 look to Jesus as your only hope 
 
 Do you think about connecting yourself with the 
 Church? It is an important step. Come, and Christ 
 will receive you, though you were the greatest sinner. Do 
 not desire the fashions and gaieties of this world : they 
 may please for a time, but the dregs of the cup are 
 bitter even death spiritual 
 
 * His settled convictions were that his life would be short
 
 LETTERS TO M. 213 
 
 February 21, 1857. 
 
 All He asks of you is to give Him your heart. 
 
 Satan is also applying; but how different the rewards they 
 offer! Christ offers heaven and eternal happiness : Satan, 
 hell and eternal misery. One or the other you must 
 choose. Oh let it be Jesus : throw yourself upon His mercy, 
 and He will not be unfaithful to His charge. I know it 
 will be a little hard at first ; but oh make the sacrifice. 
 Christ says of those who are his children, that they shall 
 ''shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father;" 
 and so they shall "ever be with the Lord." "All things 
 are theirs," whether " the world, or life, or death, or 
 things present, or things to come; all are theirs, and they 
 are Christ's, and Christ is God's." Here are promises, 
 among the thousands with which the word of God is 
 teeming : grasp them ; they were intended for you 
 
 In serving Christ, a fountain of real, pure pleasure, 
 heretofore unknown, will be opened, by forming your 
 heart for the enjoyment of delights far superior to those 
 Of sense. In communion with God, in meditation upon 
 the divine promises and love, the Christian has pleasures 
 which he would not exchange for all the pleasures of the 
 world. Even your tears of penitential grief would afford 
 you more real pleasure than the world finds in noisy 
 mirth. . 
 
 Februat-y 28, 1857. 
 
 You say " your heart is not fit to love Jesus 
 
 you cannot love Him." So much the more necessity 
 that you should have that heart regenerated as quickly as
 
 214 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 possible. Do not go to Him proudly and haughtily, or 
 placing any confidence in your own good deeds. If you 
 do, you will never find Him no, never. You must come 
 humbly, earnestly, devotedly, and prayerfully. Let your- 
 self have no peace until you have made secure the salva- 
 tion of your immortal soul. Just imagine the worth of a 
 soul ! The Bible says, " What profit hath a man if he 
 gain the whole world, and lose his own soul 1 ? or what 
 would he give in exchange for his soul?" Here, you 
 see, God values a soul more than all this world. When 
 you are laid upon a bed of death will not all your care 
 be to save your soul 1 Even angels, those pure and holy 
 beings, take a deep interest in your salvation. " There is 
 joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth." Consider, 
 that for your neglected soul the great God, in the person 
 of His Son, descended to this earth, endured all manner 
 of pain and suffering, even the agonizing death of the 
 cross; all to save, not your body that was not worth it, 
 but to save your soul ; yes, your soul. If Jesus Christ 
 thought your soul so precious, why do you slight it 1 ? You 
 are studying hard to get knowledge : the time is near at 
 hand when you must leave all : you are fast hastening to 
 the judgment-seat of God your soul is hurrying to Heaven 
 or Hell. Some time is no time. Remember, the longer 
 you put off attending to the interests of your soul, the 
 harder it becomes. . 
 
 March 19, 1857. 
 
 I have been head and ears into the chemistry 
 
 ever since Monday, working till one or two every morning : 
 and I have succeeded very well so far met with no
 
 LETTERS TO M. 215 
 
 accidents worth naming; the sum total of damages has 
 been a coat and a pair of pants ruined. I find it a most 
 delightful study, not only in practice, but also in the 
 theoretical or scientific part. 
 
 March 24, 1857. 
 
 The pleasures of this world may, and do please 
 
 for a while; but would you have real happiness, true 
 peace of mind, nowhere will you find it but in Jesus 
 in being a Christian. Christ will be a friend to you 
 everywhere. When all is dark around, with the eagle eye 
 of faith you can pierce the clouds, and see Him smiling 
 on you. That will send a thrill of joy through your soul, 
 such as you never can experience while you live in the 
 world. Why, then, why will you any longer reject your 
 Saviour 1 ? Why will you not come and throw yourself at 
 His feet? He will receive and purify your now sinful 
 heart. Think of that woman who died at the opera. 
 She went there as well as you. She died! You are 
 spared ! It might have been you. I beg of you to come 
 to Christ. 
 
 April 10, 1857. 
 
 But then, have I not the promises of God that 
 
 He will care for His children 1 ? Am I one of them? 
 Professedly, I am. Truly, I trust I am. God often sends 
 trouble on His children for their good, to try their faith ; 
 and by His grace I will continue in His faith, steadfast 
 unto the end. I would sooner lay my head upon the
 
 216 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 block than forsake Jesus. Won't you live for Him too? 
 He 10 ill love you. 
 
 True friends are worth more than all the rest of the 
 world. The world's friends are like the bubbles on a 
 lake stay near you for a while the least disturbance, 
 they vanish, 
 
 April^, 1857. 
 
 After much trouble I have obtained some splendid 
 
 specimens of gold, silver, and copper. I had to heat 
 
 them for fourteen hours in a white hot furnace, nearly 
 roasting the people in the house. 
 
 May i, 1857. 
 
 I was looking over "Alone" for a little while. 
 
 There is something melancholy to me in that word alone. 
 But M., you need never be alone. Christ offers to be to 
 you a friend. I pray earnestly to God that you may 
 never be alone that when all is dark and dreary in the 
 outward world, you may look above and within, and find 
 a Friend. I have very few friends real friends ; but I 
 trust I have Jesus as mine. He has promised to do for 
 iis even more than we ask: I have asked Him to make 
 you His own; and I am sure He will do it. 
 
 May 15, 1857. 2.30 A.M. 
 
 I cannot go to sleep. My mind has been 
 
 working itself up for the last two or three days, until now
 
 LETTERS TO M. *,, 
 
 it has reached the very pitch I must say it of torture. 
 My brain fairly burns. The thought that I have lived so 
 long and done almost nothing, and that God will call me 
 to account, makes me shudder. I know He loves me. 
 I know I am one of His children. Would that I were 
 what I ought to be! Would that you were a lamb of 
 God ! I feel as though the Devil himself were trying to 
 take possession of my heart ; but with the help of God I 
 will resist him. 
 
 June i, 1857. 
 
 Here I am in my sanctum all alone. With my window 
 open, looking across that lovely garden, my thoughts 
 have been wandering far away from earth toward that 
 blessed home prepared, I trust, for you and me in heaven. 
 As I look upon those stars that twinkle in the ebon vault 
 of heaven; as I watch that pale moon as she wanders 
 through the misty clouds; as I feel that cooling breeze 
 wafting sweet odours from nature's own inexhaustible 
 storehouse, that line of Bishop Heber's, 
 
 " And only man is vile," 
 
 comes to me with redoubled force. Man, for whom all 
 these beauteous things were made ^and can it be that he 
 has fallen 1 Alas ! too true. 
 
 SPRING BROOK, August y>, 1857. 
 
 I have just returned from a walk alone in the woods, 
 and rarely, if ever, have I felt such a desire to leave this 
 world, and go to that which is far better. Everything
 
 218 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 around showed me the hand of a loving God. Every 
 thing at work. Nature's vast laboratory never at rest. 
 The unwearied sun starting from his chamber in the east, 
 and rejoicing to run his race; the busy swarm of insect 
 life ; the birds exuberant in flight and song, pouring forth 
 their hymn of praise to the great Creator all at work, 
 and all happy. They all seemed to say to me, " What 
 are you doing] What are you living for?" It opened 
 an unexplored avenue of thought in my mind, and touched 
 a new chord in my heart. What am I living for? If all 
 these inferior beings have an end in view; if they all 
 labour, how much greater must be the end, and how 
 much greater the labour, destined for me ! God did not 
 place me in the world for nothing. We have each one 
 a great work to perform. Our reward is eternal life. We 
 must work. The glorious Creator, who never slumbers 
 or sleeps, gives us an example of the dignity of labour. 
 Labour is noble and holy. We must labour to win souls 
 to Jesus. I feel within me that part of my labour is to 
 show you the way of salvation 
 
 1313 SPRUCE STREET, December 7, 1857. 
 
 Although yesterday was so unfavourable, still 
 
 I opened my little school with eighteen; which number 
 was increased to twenty-five in the afternoon. I am well 
 satisfied ; indeed I feel assured that God will prosper it, 
 if I work well my part. To Him, and to Him alone, 
 must I look for success in this important enterprise. As 
 our afternoon sessions were closing I was waited upon by 
 several men and women, who came to ask us if we would
 
 LETTERS TO M. 219- 
 
 not have a prayer-meeting in the evening. We agreed 
 to do so. And although the rain came down in torrents, 
 what was my surprise, on going there, to find nearly fifty 
 men and women, old and young, waiting for us ! Our 
 room was too small to hold them, as many were obliged 
 to go away. We had a delightful meeting. I spoke to 
 them for about half an hour, and I never before felt what 
 I said as I did then. May God bless us. This is the 
 kind of missionary operations that I like ; beginning at 
 home, in our own city, endeavouring to exalt a race as 
 good by nature as we are, but who have been trodden 
 down and oppressed by their fellow-creatures 
 
 1313 SPRUCE STREET, December 22, 1857. 
 
 I feel quite anxious to know how you suc- 
 ceeded in Sabbath-school teaching yesterday. Remember, 
 a solemn and important duty rests upon you. To you 
 are committed those immortal souls, to train them up for 
 eternity ! I hope you have entered the work trusting, not 
 in your own strength, but in that of promised grace. You 
 might, in view of all this, be inclined, as I was, to say, 
 " I am not fit to engage in so important a work." Yes, 
 you are. God has said, " My grace shall be sufficient for 
 thee." Place all your confidence in Him. If you ever 
 expect to succeed, you must make your class the subject 
 of constant, earnest prayer ; and if you do this, God will 
 reward you bountifully. Go on, then, in this great work, 
 and may God grant you His grace " never to weary in 
 well-doing." 
 
 I had fifty-five children yesterday ; and in the evening, 
 as usual, my room was crowded. Two gentlemen, who
 
 220 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 had promised me to address the meeting, disappointed 
 me, so that I had to do all the talking ; and never do I 
 feel the Spirit of God with as much power as I do then. 
 I feel as though the salvation of a soul depended upon 
 my feeble efforts; and gladly would I thus devote my life- 
 time of Sabbaths, if I could be the means of turning one 
 sinner from the error of his ways of leading one soul to 
 seek for an interest in Jesus 
 
 1313 SPRUCE STREET, December 31, 1857. 
 
 Before you and I meet again, another year will 
 
 have been numbered with eternity. And what account 
 will it bear of us to the throne of God? How many 
 of its Sabbaths have we mis-spent ! How many of 
 its privileges have we neglected ! If we could live over 
 1857, how much better would we do it ! But we cannot. 
 Time, ever rolling onward, is like a mighty scroll ever 
 unfolding and refolding. But if we cannot begin again 
 the present year, we can do better in 1858; and let such 
 be our determination that by the help of God we will 
 in the coming year live a life of more zeal and more 
 earnestness in the cause of our Divine Saviour. We have 
 done nothing to what we ought to have done; and were 
 God to summon us to our final account, what answer 
 could we make for all that we have enjoyed 1 
 
 February i, 1858. 
 
 I feel very strangely to-night all out of sorts, 
 
 and angry with myself. My brain burns, and my nervous 
 system is all unstrung. Why 1 ? I cannot tell.
 
 LETTERS TO M. 221 
 
 As I look abroad over the sea of life, and see those 
 who started in life with prospects as bright as any I have 
 before me, tossed about, their hopes and fortunes lost, 
 and themselves a still more melancholy wreck I often 
 say to myself, Where at length shall this poor mortal frame 
 rest in peace 1 What difficulties are in store for me ? 
 How shall this aching heart be torn and shattered, or 
 what anguish and bitterness shall this mind undergo? 
 When I think of all this, my soul shrinks within me, and 
 says, " Let me go now, and flee from all this." And then 
 I hear the Spirit of my God saying, " Fear not, for I am 
 with thee ;"- then would my soul leap forth, and press 
 eagerly to the conflict 
 
 1313 SPRUCE STREET, March 16. 1858. 
 Sabbath evening. 
 
 Although I do not think it exactly proper to write 
 letters on this evening, yet I cannot refrain from writing 
 you before retiring. What I write you now has been 
 pressing on my mind for several days past. 
 
 Whilst I have attended the daily prayer-meetings with 
 great pleasure, and have heard with delight that many have 
 been turned from the error of their ways to the knowledge 
 and service of God; and whilst I joy in believing that God 
 has made me one of His own, still there is one thing that 
 weighs upon my soul and makes me sad it is the thought, 
 alas, I fear too true, that you are not of the fold of Christ 
 that you arc a stranger to that peace and joy which 
 surpass all understanding that while God is pouring out 
 His Holy Spirit in refreshing showers upon the souls of
 
 222 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 many, you remain untouched, still indifferent in regard 
 to your soul. Whilst I hear that this one and that 
 one has been rescued from sin, shall I not hear the wel- 
 come news that you are among the redeemed, and have 
 chosen that better part which cannot be taken from you 1 
 Then would I feel happy in the thought that you are a 
 participator of the same precious promises with myself, 
 and that my many and earnest prayers have been an- 
 swered. 
 
 As I was listening this morning to a sermon from the 
 text, "Am I my brother's keeper?" and as the speaker 
 went on to show how every man is our brother, I thought 
 to myself, Have I done my duty towards M. 1 Have I 
 done all I ought and am able to do to lead her to Christ 1 ? 
 My conscience reproved me, and told me I had fallen 
 short in my duty 
 
 Why are you out of the fold of Christ 1 and why are 
 you a stranger to His people ? Has heaven and its 
 eternal happiness no attractions for you 1 Has Chris- 
 tianity no beauty which you can admire and love 1 Has 
 Jesus, who died for you, taken such little hold upon your 
 heart that you are unwilling to devote yourself to His 
 service] Has temporal and eternal misery no hatred 
 from you 1 Have the communion of the saints on earth, 
 and the still more blessed happiness of the redeemed in 
 glory, no attraction for you 1 Why then do you remain 
 any longer on the side of Satan ? Why will you refuse 
 the offer of salvation 1 ? The time is fast approaching when 
 you will regret your folly when you will be in anguish 
 to think of the many offers you have slighted. Come, 
 and no longer delay, while the door of mercy is open and 
 the lamp of hope is burning brightly. Come, as you
 
 LETTERS TO M. 223 
 
 value your temporal and eternal happiness. I entreat 
 you take Him to be your God, and all will be well for 
 time and eternity. 
 
 1313 SPRUCE STREET, March 22, 1858. 
 
 I have just returned from my Sabbath-school evening 
 prayer-meeting, which was large and intensely interesting. 
 I never before spoke with such interest as I did this 
 evening. Sometimes I could hardly restrain the tears 
 from gushing down my cheeks. My subject was the 
 three banners " Jehovah-jireh," " Jehovah-nissi," and 
 " Jehovah-shalom ;" "The Lord will provide," "The 
 Lord is our banner," and " The Lord send peace." Who 
 can tell what great things God may accomplish by our 
 humble instrumentality 1 ? Eternity alone will reveal the 
 results. 
 
 How rejoiced was I yesterday when you told me 
 you would come out upon the Lord's side, to be for 
 Him, and not for another ! I feel that God is an- 
 swering my prayers. For a year and a half have I 
 earnestly pled with God on your behalf; and I knew He 
 would hear me. I knew it, for He is the hearer of 
 prayer. Often, when I have desired to speak with you 
 in regard to your soul, my tongue has refused to give 
 utterance ; but what I could not do in talking I did in 
 praying. God, I believe, has heard me; and from my 
 inmost soul I thank and praise Him for it that you, 
 who are as dear to me as my own life, have been brought 
 to see the error of your ways, and have turned unto God. 
 Do not, then, any longer delay, but come at once and 
 15
 
 224 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 dedicate yourself to God : come out, and be not ashamed 
 of Jesus, your crucified but now risen Redeemer; and 
 then when we are separated,* if in the providence of God 
 we should never meet on earth again, we may meet 
 around the throne of God on high, never to be severed. 
 
 Let me entreat you to read a portion of your Bible every 
 morning and evening: the value which this will be to you 
 cannot be estimated. I have carried it out with great 
 success. And may God by His Holy Spirit give you 
 "joy and peace in believing." May you have that 
 "peace which passeth all understanding:" "And I pray 
 God that your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be pre- 
 served blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ." 
 
 Enclosed I send you a copy, or rather form of Self- 
 dedication. I have read it over carefully and prayerfully, 
 and have this day, in an act of writing, given myself away 
 to God. I would advise you to follow the same plan. 
 It is admirable. Copy it, and affix your name to the 
 document; then when you are tempted to evil you can 
 go to this and say, " I cannot sin, for here is the agree- 
 ment in which I have given myself away.". . . . 
 
 [The form of Dedication (by Philip Doddridge, D.D.) 
 alluded to in the foregoing letter, and adopted by William, 
 was found after his death, among his carefully-preserved 
 papers, beautifully written out, and signed in his bold, 
 dashing handwriting, as though resolution to keep his 
 vow was marked on every letter of his name. For the 
 benefit of any of his young friends who may feel it a duty 
 
 * M. and her sister were making their preparations fora two years tour through 
 Europe.
 
 LETTERS TO M. 225 
 
 to make a similar act of self-consecration, and who may 
 not find it convenient to procure a copy, it is inserted 
 here.] 
 
 DEDICATION. 
 
 Eternal and ever-blessed God, I desire to present myself before 
 Thee with the deepest humiliation and abasement of soul, sensible 
 how unworthy such a sinful worm is to appear before the holy 
 Majesty of heaven, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; and 
 especially upon such an occasion as this, even to dedicate myself, 
 without reserve, to Thee. But the scheme and plan is Thine 
 own. Thine infinite condescension hath offered it by Thy Son, and 
 Thy grace hath inclined my heart to accept it. 
 
 I come, therefore, acknowledging myself to have been a great 
 offender smiting upon my breast, and saying with the humble 
 publican, "God be merciful to me, a sinner." I come, invited by 
 the name of Thy Son, and wholly trusting in His perfect righteous- 
 ness, entreating that, for His sake, Thou wilt be merciful to my 
 unrighteousness, and wilt no more remember my sins. 
 
 Receive, I beseech Thee, Thy revolted creature, who is now con- 
 vinced of Thy right to him, and desires nothing so much as that he 
 may be Thine. 
 
 This day do I, with the utmost solemnity, surrender myself to 
 Thee. 
 
 I renounce all former lords who have had dominion over me ; and 
 I consecrate to Thee all that I am, and all that I have ; the faculties 
 of my mind, the members of my body, my worldly possessions, my 
 time, and my influence over others, to be all used entirely for Thy 
 glory, and steadfastly employed in obedience to Thy commands, as 
 long as Thou continuest me in life ; with an ardent desire and 
 humble resolution to continue Thine through the endless ages of 
 eternity, ever holding myself in an attentive posture to observe the 
 first intimations of Thy will, and ready to spring forward with zeal 
 and joy to the immediate execution of it. 
 
 To Thy direction also I resign myself, and all I am and have, to 
 be disposed of by Thee in such a manner as Thou shalt in Thine 
 infinite wisdom judge most subservient' to the purposes of Thy glory.
 
 226 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 To Thee I leave the management of all events, and say, without 
 reserve, " Not my will, but Thine be done;" rejoicing with a loyal 
 heart in Thine unlimited government, as what ought to be the de- 
 light of the whole rational creation. 
 
 Use me, O Lord, I beseech Thee, as an instrument of Thy 
 service. Number me among Thy peculiar people. Let me be 
 washed in the blood of Thy dear Son. Let me be clothed with 
 His righteousness. Let me be sanctified by His Spirit. Transform 
 me more and more into His image. Impart to me, through Him, 
 all needful influences of Thy purifying, cheering, and consoling 
 Spirit And let my life be spent under those influences, and in the 
 light of Thy gracious countenance, as my Father and my God. 
 
 And when the solemn hour of death comes, may I remember Thy 
 Covenant, " well ordered in all things, and sure, as all my salvation 
 and all my desire" (2 Sam. xxiii. 5), though every hope and en- 
 joyment is perishing ; and do Thou, O Lord, remember it too. 
 
 Look down with pity, O my heavenly Father, on thy languishing, 
 dying child. Embrace me in Thine everlasting arms. Put strength 
 and confidence into my departing spirit, and receive it to the abode 
 of them that sleep in Jesus, peacefully and joyfully to wait the 
 accomplishment of Thy great promise to all Thy people, even that of 
 a glorious resurrection, and of eternal happiness in Thy heavenly 
 presence. 
 
 And if any surviving friend should, when I am in clust r meet with 
 this memorial of my solemn transactions with Thee, may he make 
 the engagement his own; and do Thou graciously admit him to par- 
 take in all the blessedness of Thy covenant, through Jesus, the great 
 Mediator of it, to whom, with Thee, O Father, and Thy Holy 
 Spirit, be everlasting praises. Amen. 
 
 (Signed) WM. D. STUART. 
 
 March. 22, 1858. 
 
 March 24, 1858. 
 
 You have made me feel very happy in the sen- 
 timents you have expressed that you desire to become 
 a child of God, and to be enlisted among his people. Be
 
 LETTERS TO M. 227 
 
 assured that if you seek, you shall find; God has pro- 
 mised us that we shall not seek His face in vain. No ! 
 He bids us come. He invites us to partake of His 
 mercy, and offers us freely His salvation. He commands 
 us to serve Him ; and He holds out to us a great reward, 
 which is nothing less than heaven with all its eternal 
 blessings. Fear not, then, that God will leave you in 
 your sins. All you are required to do is to have faith 
 to come unto Him with child-like confidence and sim- 
 plicity, casting all your care upon Him; and He will say 
 to you, as to her of old, " Daughter, thy sins are forgiven 
 thee." But you must pray. Prayer is the great channel 
 through which our wants are made known to God. 
 Earnestly make known all your requests unto God, and 
 expect an answer. Let your prayers proceed from your 
 inmost soul, and they will reach unto the ears of the 
 Lord of sabaoth. 
 
 Oh, how thrice precious is the hallowed name of Jesus ! 
 The thought that He descended from His heavenly 
 home, and suffered and died for me! 
 
 " Love so amazing, so divine, 
 Demands my soul, my life, my all." 
 
 That I should have been the object of His love that for 
 me He was reviled and mocked all for me! On whom 
 could I, then, cast myself with more reliance than on 
 Him? In Him I place all my trust. 
 
 " I know that safe with Him remains. 
 
 Protected by His power, 
 What I've committed to His trust, 
 Till the decisive hour." 
 
 And He did all this for you. Press on, then, in your 
 Christian course, and my most earnest prayers go with
 
 228 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 you. Though you may be many miles away though 
 oceans may roll between us yet the separation will 
 but fasten the ties of love with which we are bound 
 more firmly, and bind you closer to my heart. And if, 
 in God's providence, either of us should be called to 
 heaven, we will meet beyond the swellings of Jordan, 
 upon that happy shore 
 
 " Where death-divided friends at last, 
 Shall meet to part no more." 
 
 There is a verse of Scripture which to me is one of 
 peculiar consolation. It is this "Fear thou not; for I 
 am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I 
 will strengthen thee ; yea, I will help thee ; yea, I will 
 uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" 
 (Isa. xli. 10). Could anything be more consoling than 
 this? From whom, but from God, could or would such 
 a soothing command come? Make up your mind, care- 
 fully and with much prayer, that when another com- 
 munion season shall have arrived, you will profess pub- 
 licly the name of Jesus : but first profess him in your own 
 heart, and ask for grace and strength to adorn your pro- 
 fession ; and then all will be well with you for this life 
 and eternity. Though the clouds of trouble and afflic- 
 tion may gather around you ever so heavily, and threaten 
 to crush you, you will hear the voice of Jesus in the 
 midst of the storm calling to you in accents full of ten- 
 derness and compassion, " Fear not; it is I." Then will 
 your soul rise triumphantly over all earthly calamities, 
 and enjoy a sweet foretaste of the Sabbath of rest pre- 
 pared for believers in glory. 
 
 I am very glad you have adopted the plan of the
 
 LETTERS TO M. 229 
 
 Dedication. I am sure it will be of service to you. My 
 heart is so full that I cannot empty it in writing full of 
 love to God, of zeal in his service, and of a determina- 
 tion to live a better life. 
 
 " Oh for a closer walk with God." 
 
 April 19, 1858. 
 
 Be steadfast. Never allow the flame of divine 
 
 love to burn low on the altar of your heart. Never grow 
 indifferent in God's service, but rather let every day of 
 your life witness increased devotion and earnestness in 
 His cause. Continually subject yourself to self-examina- 
 tion. Let the Bible be your constant study; and often 
 be found bending the knee at the throne of grace. Oh, 
 if a day in God's house, an hour at his table, is so lovely, 
 what will eternity be] What will it be when we enter 
 into that joy, and bathe in those rivers of eternal plea- 
 sure] Let our souls, then, pant for those fountains 
 whence issue these refreshing streams that ocean of 
 eternal love into which they all flow 
 
 May n, 1858. 
 
 I trust that by this time you have succeeded, 
 
 at least in a measure, in ridding your mind of those 
 doubts and difficulties with which you have had to con- 
 tend. They are the hand of God trying your faith, con- 
 vincing you of your weakness, and of His all-sufficiency. 
 Ever be looking to Jesus : keep your eye firmly fixed on 
 Him, as does the mariner upon the magnetic needle
 
 230 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 which guides him over the troubled ocean. You want 
 faith confidence in God; pray that you may have it in 
 rich abundance ; and be assured that He will give it to you. 
 You cannot imagine the happiness which your decision 
 has given me. It has increased my faith to think that 
 God has answered my prayers on your behalf. I do not 
 now feel that going abroad will be hurtful to you. God 
 will go with and guide you, and will direct your foot- 
 steps. 
 
 May 25, 1858. 
 
 .... You are about to take a very solemn step, and 
 one which, I am sure, you have well considered. Have 
 no confidence in yourself; trust not your own strength, 
 but rather look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your 
 faith. I know that you have many doubts and trials ; but 
 you have a Friend able and ready to save. " Cast all 
 your care upon Him ;" trust Him with all : He will make 
 the way clear ; He will comfort you by His Spirit's pres- 
 ence, and give you all necessary grace. Confide in Him 
 for time and for eternity. Hold often silent communion 
 with your God, and remember me when at a throne of 
 grace, for no one needs your prayers more than I. 
 
 SPRING BROOK, July 25, 1858. 
 
 Again the holy Sabbath, in all its loveliness, has re- 
 turned ; the busy world is at rest, and men are engaged 
 in seeking for that treasure which is laid up in heaven : 
 many are searching for those waters of eternal life, of
 
 LETTERS TO M. 231 
 
 \ 
 
 which if a man drink he shall never thirst ; and for that 
 bread which cometh down from heaven. 
 
 Though we are separated * by many miles, our prayers 
 this day have reached the ear of our common Father ; 
 and I trust a blessing has been poured down upon each 
 of us. What our blessed Saviour promised to his disciples 
 ere He departed from them, He has also promised to us, if 
 we ask in faith. Oh, how distrustful, how doubting we are ! 
 Although we have the direct promise of God that asking 
 we shall receive, yet we doubt it ; or, what is worse, we do 
 not think it worth asking. 
 
 I have not as yet felt that God has called me to be a 
 minister of the Gospel, although I have prayed, " Lord, 
 what wilt Thou have me to do 1" and yet I feel that God 
 has a great and important work for me to do. I cannot 
 describe it ; I cannot rid myself of the thought ; it is 
 firmly fixed in my mind. Pray for me that God would 
 show me my course, and that in whatever capacity I may 
 be placed, I may devote all my energies to the promotion 
 of Christ's kingdom. 
 
 One of the great marks of the Christian is, that he 
 works ever about his Father's business. Christ- did not 
 say to his disciples, " Be idle,'' but " Go ye into all the 
 world," &c. ; and we, as well as they, must work. Christ 
 has enemies to be conquered ; we must be the soldiers ; 
 we must endure the hardships ; and we shall, if we remain 
 faithful, receive the Master's welcome, and wear the 
 victor's crown. And to get all this, we must come back 
 to that great stronghold, Prayer the keystone of the 
 Christian's success ; the magic key unlocking the golden 
 
 * M. was visiting a beloved sister in a distant place, ;but now in heaven,' prior 
 to her embarkation for Europe.
 
 232 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 casket of divine mercy ; the Christian's artillery, pene- 
 trating the ear of the God of sabaoth. We do not pray 
 as we ought. Have we an idea of prevailing prayer, 
 before which mountains depart ; of united prayer, which 
 gathers us together to ask help from God ; of practical 
 prayer, which fulfils itself. Oh, let such prayer be under- 
 stood ; let our whole souls be yearning after a blessing ; 
 let our spirits but " break with longing," and our expec- 
 tations will nothing be delayed. " And it shall come to 
 pass that before they call, I will answer ; and while they 
 are yet speaking, I will hear." 
 
 SPRING BROOK, August i, 1858. 
 
 In the psalm which I read in course last evening 
 
 (the 85th) the following words were the subject of my 
 meditation as I lay in bed, " Surely His salvation is nigh 
 them that fear Him." They impressed themselves deeply 
 upon me. How do we know, when we think that God 
 is not hearing our prayers, but that His salvation is very 
 nigh unto us] Truly it is, though we may not be aware of 
 it. God's ways are not our ways : His strength is shown 
 forth in our great weakness : He casts down, but He raises 
 up again : He wounds, but He heals : and it is by feeling 
 our own weakness that we learn to bear with and console 
 others ; by it we obtain a readiness and skill which we 
 could attain in no other way. 
 
 There is nothing that reconciles the child of God to 
 death so much as the weariness of his warfare. Death 
 is unwelcome to nature, but only then can our conflict 
 cease. Then the flesh and all its attendant evils will be
 
 LETTERS TO M. 233 
 
 laid in the grave. Then the soul, having partaken of the 
 new and heavenly birth, and being freed from every en- 
 cumbrance, shall stand perfect in the Redeemer's right- 
 eousness before God in glory. 
 
 It becomes us, as children of God, to lift our eyes to 
 heaven, and say, " Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?" 
 We are under orders from heaven ; let us see to it that 
 these are executed in such a manner as shall give the 
 Master cause to say, " Well done, thou good and faith- 
 ful servant," &c. Our God is a great God, therefore 
 he will be sought : He is a good God, therefore he will 
 be found: He will bestow upon us far beyond our 
 asking even life for evermore. His delays are not 
 denials. 
 
 Earthly beauty attracts only while it lasts ; but virtue, 
 wisdom, goodness, and real worth, like the loadstone, 
 never lose their power. These are the true graces which 
 are linked hand in hand, because it is by their influence 
 that human hearts are so firmly united. Let it be your 
 aim to become one of those of whom Solomon tells us, 
 
 " their price is far above rubies." Remember, the 
 
 growth of the believer is not like a mushroom, but like 
 an oak : many summers' suns and showers, many wintry 
 blasts and chilling storms, sweep o'er it, ere it comes to 
 perfection ; but when it has attained its strength, it is the 
 beauty and king of the forest. So is it with the Christian : 
 many trials and afflictions must pass over him before he 
 can be brought into perfect submission, and be a faithful 
 servant of Christ. 
 
 Keep ever near to a throne of grace : let your prayers 
 be brief, often, and fervent : hold frequent communion 
 with your God and my God : be a praying Christian,
 
 234 MKMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 remembering that those are the safest who are most 
 in their closets, praying not to be seen of men, but heard 
 of God. . 
 
 SPRING BROOK, Augnsi 17, 1858. 
 
 All the family have gone to church and left me alone 
 with my little brothers. I have spent an hour talking 
 with them about Jesus and singing hymns ; and now that 
 they have gone to bed, I am here in my room to talk with 
 you. I have suffered intense pain all day from neuralgia, 
 which made me rather afraid to go out this evening 
 
 Monday evening. Was not that a delightful prayer- 
 meeting to-day ? Truly God was in that place, and as I 
 went from it I said in my soul, " It was good for me to 
 be here." An hour spent in such a place seems to make 
 all the rest of the day go well. As the regulator to the 
 watch, so does it seem to be to our daily actions. Within 
 the past few days I have felt, as it were, a great burden 
 lifted from my soul. I am beginning, I trust, to feel my 
 own weakness and insufficiency ; and as I feel it more 
 and more, I begin to experience the all-sufficiency ot 
 Jesus. Oh, how true, pure religion humbles a man in 
 the very dust before God : how it makes him feel his 
 own nothingness and God's greatness ! . . . . 
 
 September 3, 1858. 
 
 Grandmother (orNanna, as I always call her) is becoming 
 quite well again, and beginning to look like herself. For 
 a long time I feared she was fast sinking into the grave,
 
 LETTERS TO M. 235 
 
 and my very heart bled at the thought of being separated 
 from her who has watched over me from my first breath 
 with a mother's care ; who early dedicated me to God ; 
 who taught my infant lips first to lisp a Saviour's name ; 
 who led me often to a throne of grace, praying by day 
 and by night that I might be saved ; and who, I trust, 
 has seen her " darling boy " born again. Yes, the very 
 thought of being separated from her was agony to me. 
 But thanks be to God it has been warded off, and we have 
 the prospect that she will be spared to us yet many years. 
 
 During the coming winter I am going to take a course 
 of Mineralogy with Prof. G , and hope to make my- 
 self sufficiently acquainted with the science in one year 
 to pursue the study alone with pleasure and profit. 
 
 To-morrow I spend in town, to re-organize my Sabbath 
 school for the winter campaign. I look forward to a 
 glorious work, and pray that many souls may be born 
 there. Our school was founded, built up, and will, I trust, 
 be carried on, in prayer; and you know God's promise to 
 them that call upon His name. 
 
 September 13, 1858. 
 
 Just before I began this letter I thought that 
 
 at least you had reached the end of your oceaa voyage,* 
 and had, for the first time, set your foot on foreign soil. 
 If your feelings were at all similar to mine, they were 
 strange indeed : strange sights, strange people, everything 
 strange even their sky is unlike our own. It is only 
 when we are in such a situation that we feel " there's no 
 
 ' M. sailed for Europe on the ist September, 1858.
 
 236 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 place like home." And to us, who love God, and serve 
 Him with a pure and loving heart, there is no place like 
 our heavenly home : there, if we really love Jesus, all our 
 hopes and affections will be fixed 
 
 College began on last Wednesday. I have settled in 
 
 for a winter of very hard work In addition to my 
 
 other studies I hope to gain a very considerable know- 
 ledge of chemistry and mineralogy, practically, which 
 some day may be of service to me, and always will be 
 a pleasure. 
 
 On yesterday (Sabbath) week 1 opened my mission 
 school for. the winter campaign. The attendance was 
 good ; and there seemed to be manifested, both by 
 teachers and pupils, a desire to do his and her share to 
 promote the kingdom of Christ 
 
 September 22, 1858. 
 
 On waking this morning, the first thought that entered 
 my mind was, " This is M.'s birth-day." And so you are 
 seventeen almost a woman. This day should be to 
 you one of great moment. You should earnestly thank 
 your heavenly Father that you have been so long spared 
 in health and strength, and that so many blessings have 
 been bestowed upon you. And how should you bless 
 and praise Him in that He has, since your last birth-day, 
 brought you from death unto life, and from the knowledge 
 of sin and Satan unto that blessed and glorious hope that 
 maketh wise unto salvation ! Truly, God hath done great 
 things for us, which should cause us from our inmost 
 soul to exclaim, "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all
 
 LETTERS TO M. 237 
 
 that is within me bless His holy name." " His banner 
 over us hath been love." Examine carefully your past 
 life, and see wherein you have come short of the divine 
 law. Seek more of the divine grace to assist you to walk 
 an humble, devoted Christian, aiming not to be seen of 
 men, and approved of by them, but to please God. Deter- 
 mine that from this time henceforth you will live more, 
 not in the world, but above it, remembering that this is 
 not your resting-place, but that you look for a city whose 
 builder and maker is the Lord. Take no earthly stand- 
 ard of Christian piety, but rather, " looking unto Jesus," 
 strive to walk as He walked. How often do we feel dis- 
 couraged and cast down because we think we are not 
 living as we ought ! we feel that we do not love Jesus as 
 we should, and begin to think that God has cast us off. 
 Such have often been my feelings, and many an hour of 
 anguish have they cost me ; but I am consoled and com- 
 forted by that beautiful sentence, " My grace is sufficient 
 for thee." What a balm for a wounded spirit is there ! 
 what consolation to hear our dear Redeemer offering 
 such a support for our sin-weakened souls ! He indeed 
 is the " chief among ten thousand, and altogether lovely." 
 Precious Jesus! what would I be were it not for Thee? 
 These hidings of our Father's face are but to try our 
 faith : we must bear with them, remembering that this "our 
 light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for 
 us a far more exceeding, even an eternal weight of glory." 
 And again let me say, as often I have said before, 
 be not forgetful of prayer. I know that a person when 
 travelling is very prone to be careless or hurried in their 
 religious duties. In whatever else you may be hurried, 
 never, I beg of you, let it be in your prayers. Go often,
 
 238 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 go earnestly to a throne of grace. Prayer is ever profit- 
 able : it is our covering by night and our armour by day : 
 it sanctifies all our actions, and enrolls us under the 
 standard of the Almighty. Fill up the void spaces of 
 your time with prayer and meditation, remembering they 
 are the safest who are most in their closets. An old 
 divine tells us, " They that spend their days in faith and 
 prayer shall end their days in peace and comfort." Be, 
 then, ever earnest in prayer 
 
 Sept. 24. I am swaying to and fro between two pur- 
 suits that of a chemist and a merchant. A great deal is 
 to be said on both sides. For the former I have a very 
 great liking, and I think I would excel in it irt course of 
 time : on the other hand, the mercantile life offers in one 
 way very great inducements to me a house long estab- 
 lished and doing a very large business my father's 
 name and custom everything prepared for me ; all 
 these things are not trifling, and ought not to be over- 
 looked I have prayed to God for direction, for in 
 
 nothing does a young man more require Divine assistance 
 than in choosing his occupation for life. God has pro- 
 mised that all things shall work together for His children's 
 good; and shall we not trust Him, who is both able and 
 willing to do all things for usl 
 
 Sept. 27. .... I have to communicate to you the 
 joyful news that my dear friend Phil, has at last renounced 
 the world, and on next Sabbath will publicly profess his 
 faith in Christ, in sitting down at that blessed table which 
 our Lord has spread, at which His children commemo- 
 rate His death. My heart is filled with joy, and nothing
 
 LETTERS TO M. 239 
 
 save your own and your dear sister's profession has 
 caused me more real happiness. You know that I have 
 ever looked upon him as a very clear friend, and my only 
 regret heretofore has been that he was not a Christian. 
 Now my joy is full. I never had the courage, I am 
 sorry to say, to speak much with him in regard to his 
 soul; but, as you know, I have ever made him the subject 
 of earnest, heartfelt, importunate prayer; and now God 
 has answered me. He answered my prayers for you, 
 and now He has answered them for him. What an 
 encouragement should this be to me to go on and pray 
 yet more and more sincerely, and to ask more than I 
 ever have before ; for truly God has told me in this 
 that no request is too great for Him to grant. Let us 
 both pray for Phil, that God will give him grace and 
 strength to press on in the Christian course, and that he 
 may ever be an humble, devoted, earnest Christian. May 
 our names not only be written in the records of God's 
 Church on earth, but in the Lamb's book of life 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, January 31, 1859. 
 
 The work of God is going on gloriously. Every- 
 where are to be seen the Master's stately steppings in 
 His sanctuary. The great news is 
 
 " The work's reviving all around, 
 
 and everywhere sinners are calling upon the name of the 
 Lord. 
 
 Last Thursday afternoon I presided at the Diligent 
 prayer-meeting, and the room was crowded. There was
 
 240 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 but one spirit upon us, and that was the spirit of earnest, 
 heartfelt prayer. Many of the profane and ungodly 
 members were present, and seemed much impressed. I 
 
 presented an anonymous request for , and I feel 
 
 sure that the prayers, the pleadings with God on his 
 behalf, will be answered. 
 
 On Saturday I presided at the noon prayer-meeting. 
 The room was crowded ; and during our meeting we 
 breathed not the atmosphere of earth, but of heaven. 
 How careful should we be to improve these precious 
 opportunities, for each additional one makes our account- 
 ability the greater! The chairman of the Diligent meet- 
 ing desired me pressingly to lead and address their meet- 
 ing on to-morrow (Sabbath) evening. I hesitated; and 
 yet I felt within me a power urging me to do it, as my 
 privilege and duty. I felt unequal to the task, but I 
 knelt before my God and prayed that He would put 
 words, and thoughts, and desires into me, that I might 
 speak, not at, but to the souls of my hearers. I addressed 
 them from the words, "God is love;" and for upwards 
 of half an hour did I attempt to tell them of this love. 
 We are too much accustomed to look upon God as a 
 Being of stern, unbending justice : true, if we view Him 
 through any other glass than Jesus Christ, He is such; 
 but we are only to look upon Him through Jesus. The 
 Bible says not God is justice, God is mercy but, " God 
 is love." Love is the law of heaven, the essence of 
 Divinity. Deprive God of this, and we deprive Him of 
 Himself. Love binds spirits to angels, angels to arch- 
 angels, archangels to cherubim, cherubim to seraphim 
 all to God. Surely, He who implanted love so deeply 
 in our hearts should Himself be full of it. There is no
 
 LETTERS TO M. 241 
 
 theme so grand, so glorious as this ! When the angels 
 saw the exemplification of it in the sending of His Son, 
 they strung their harps to a higher, more harmonious 
 melody, and burst forth in that song which broke upon 
 the shepherds' ears " Glory to God in the highest, peace 
 on earth, and good-will toward men." Let us dwell 
 upon this love eternity cannot exhaust it: let it be our 
 evening and morning thought. The wonder is, not that 
 we love God, but that He first loved us. Were the 
 mother to tear from her breast her darling babe, it would 
 not be half so wonderful. Some lakes never freeze, be- 
 cause of their great depth; and so, deep, fathomless, is 
 the love of God to us, if we are His children. The 
 springs of God's love are never dried by summer's sun, 
 nor bound by winter's chilling blast. The fires. of God's 
 love are never quenched, because they are unquenchable. 
 God's love is eternal; whom he loveth, he loveth to the 
 end: it is like the bush that was burning, but never 
 consumed. 
 
 My mission school goes on as usual, increasing daily. 
 We are greatly encouraged, and have reason to say that 
 our labours have not been in vain in the Lord 
 
 February 13, 1859. 
 
 I have just returned from a very solemn sight; from a 
 scene through which we must all, sooner or later, pass 
 I mean a bed of death. At the close of school this 
 afternoon I was requested to visit the step-father of one 
 of my scholars, who was dying. Though quite unwell, I 
 felt it my duty to go. One of my co-workers accom-
 
 242 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 panied me. We found him in a little frame building in 
 Bedford Street, in a room about twelve feet square. His 
 disease was pleurisy; and I saw clearly that his end was 
 fast approaching. His mind was well-nigh gone; but when 
 my friend asked him what were his prospects for another 
 world, his reason returned, and the truth flashed across 
 his mind, " I am not saved." How strange that on that 
 all-important subject, and on that only, he should be 
 sensible! "What shall I do for you?" I said. The 
 quick reply was, " Oh, pray for me that's what I want ! " 
 Never before have I so felt the almighty power of prayer 
 as when seeing that strong man, struggling with sickness 
 and death, feeling that his only support and hope lay in 
 prayer. We did pray, long and earnestly, that the bless- 
 ing might come down upon him even while we spoke. 
 I left that house revolving in my mind the power and 
 absolute necessity of secret prayer, not only at stated 
 times, but very often. 
 
 I have often thought that Christians are, in regard to 
 prayer, as a man who has committed to his care some 
 mighty machine possessed of wondrous power : he does 
 not know its strength, because he is afraid to test it 
 
 The tide of salvation which has been sweeping over 
 our land for the past year is daily rising. On Saturday 
 last I attended the noon meeting, and the room was so 
 full that we were obliged to organize a second meeting 
 down stairs. 
 
 The afternoon meetings at the Diligent are crowded 
 daily. One young man, (among many who are anxious 
 about their souls,) was brought to inquire the way of 
 salvation by the question propounded by his little daughter 
 to her mother, namely, " Mother, does father pray 1 ?" It
 
 LETTERS TO M. 243 
 
 stung him to the heart; and though for many months he 
 has been struggling against the Spirit, yet it got the 
 mastery, and he is now living, we trust, a life of holi- 
 ness 
 
 As I gradually approach the time when I must go 
 forth into the world, I become more and more concerned 
 as to what shall be my course. I have almost determined 
 to follow my father's business ; yet I feel as it were an 
 invisible arm holding me back. Shall I plunge into the 
 busy maze of mercantile life, and bid farewell to History 
 and Science, in which I take such delight 1 ? Shall I turn 
 back from the very threshold of Nature's vast laboratory, 
 when the glimpses I have gotten of her wondrous laws 
 and almighty working have only quickened my desire to 
 penetrate more deeply, and know more of her now hidden 
 mysteries? Shall I throw aside the scroll of History, which 
 I have just begun to unfold, and hide from myself those 
 scenes stamped indelibly on her page, in which I have 
 taken such delight 1 ? Shall I no longer hold converse 
 with her mighty dead, and learn lessons of wisdom from 
 their sad experience 1 
 
 Wherever duty lies, there will I go. May God guide 
 me in that path 
 
 March 15, 1859. 
 
 I have had much pleasure, profit, and pain of 
 
 late, in reading Lamb's " Essays of Elia." They are 
 running over with wit, covered with the brightest sun- 
 shine; and yet, here and there through a rift in the clouds, 
 you get an insight into the true heart and feelings of the
 
 244 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 writer; and you can see that although there is a show of 
 gaiety and joyousness without, within there is a heart 
 racked and torn by remorse, and struggling in vain 
 against the cup whose dregs are eternal death. 
 
 SPRING BROOK, May 29, 1859. 
 
 An every-day remark struck me this morning 
 
 in quite a new light. I said to a friend, " I will go and 
 get ready for church;" ' meaning, of course, that I would 
 dress myself. As I went out of the room the remark 
 seemed to cling to me, "Get ready for church." Ah! I 
 thought, how carefully do we prepare the body the 
 external man for the house of God, but how little the 
 soul that for whose benefit the church was intended ! 
 How much time, precious, irredeemable time, do we 
 waste upon the mouldering casket, while the immortal, 
 undying jewel is left untouched ! So is it ever with man's 
 perverse nature : he cares much for that which can never 
 serve him, and naught for that which alone can render 
 him happy for ever. Death, judgment, and eternity, stare 
 him in the face ; and yet, like the foolish boy, he plays on, 
 heedless of them all. When will we be wise ? Never, 
 until the grace of God snatches us as brands from the 
 burning, and instils into us his Holy Spirit. 
 
 I am so much impressed with the importance of the 
 position in which I am now placed; as regards the choos- 
 ing my course for life, that I propose making my next 
 birth-day, August 10, a day of special prayer to God for 
 His guidance, that whatever course I may choose may be 
 the best for His glory and for my own good
 
 LETTERS TO M. 245 
 
 On next Wednesday morning I start on my long 
 western trip, to be gone perhaps three or four months'. 
 T will start alone, but will be joined out there by 
 uncle D 
 
 I had a long talk with the other day. He is a very 
 
 clever business man, but, I fear, cares little for those 
 heavenly treasures which make a man rich indeed. His 
 motto seems to be, "A short life and a merry one." How 
 fearful the thought ! a short, godless life, and what then ? 
 judgment and eternal damnation. Oh that men were wise ! 
 that they would bestow some thought on the never-dying 
 soul ! Down, down, down they go, heedlessly, carelessly, 
 rushing to eternal ruin 
 
 MILWAUKIE, (Wis.,) July ii, 1859. 
 
 Need I say our first visit was to Minnehaha, 
 
 novel-renowned, far-famed, Hiawathaized Minnehaha 
 the Laughing Water. I asked to be alone. Winding 
 down a narrow path along the edge of the rock, the Fall 
 in all its beauty, in all that watery drapery with which 
 dame Nature with lavish hand has decked it, burst upon 
 my enchanted vision. I stood transfixed. And is this 
 Minnehaha, of which I have heard so much 1 ? I am re- 
 paid, thrice repaid, for all my journey, with such an 
 enchanting sight. I wonder not that here the Indian 
 loved to sit; that here he plighted his faith; that here the 
 old warrior sat when the bloody day was o'er, and soothed 
 the heaving, angry soul within, till all was calm, peaceful 
 and happy as the Laughing Water, which leaping from 
 the rocks against which it fell, kissed his burning cheek
 
 246 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 and hurried on its way; that here the youthful warrior 
 stood, and swore to his blushing bride that she should be 
 gay, and happy, even as yon Laughing Water. I wonder 
 not that the poor harmless Indian, when called to give 
 up his hunting grounds as a home for the white man, 
 prays that he may be allowed undisturbed to visit this 
 lovely spot, and, though no longer his own, gaze upon 
 those waters, hastening away fit emblem of himself. After 
 spending a long time in looking on this gem of Nature's 
 choicest workmanship, the darkening shadows warned 
 me to return. Farewell, Mihnehaha farewell Laughing 
 Water, with your bending birch and towering tamarack, 
 your mossy banks and rocky bed all, farewell ! genera- 
 tions, when I am dust, will gaze with delight, as I have 
 done, upon your restless beauty; yet, on you roll, until 
 that appointed time when this earth and all therein shall 
 have been melted with a fervent heat; then your waters 
 
 will cease to flow, while I but begin to live 
 
 On the afternoon of the 5th I went in search of fossils, 
 and being the first who had attempted to creep along the 
 bank of the river since the Flood, I was sanguine 01 
 success. After clambering along the bank for some 
 miles, losing my foot-hold and falling some distance down 
 the rocks which latter did not at all tend to increase 
 my agility I arrived at the spot, and in an instant my eye 
 was greeted with an orthocera, three feet long, the finest 
 specimen I have seen. This animal is a shell-fish, be- 
 longing to the same genus but not the same class as the 
 nautilus, being straight instead of curved, and having, 
 like the nautilus, many compartments, which are joined to- 
 gether by a delicate ligament, answering the same purpose 
 as the spine in the human being : it gets its name from
 
 LETTERS TO M. 247 
 
 two Greek words (meaning " like a horn " ) : it is a Pre- 
 Adamite, and fine specimens of such a size are very 
 rare. I worked a long time exhuming it from the rock, 
 and at last was fortunate enough to get it out without 
 damage, and shouldering it I started for the hotel. Its 
 weight is 90 pounds, breadth 6 inches across the back, 
 and about 5 inches high. I intend presenting it either to 
 the University or the Academy of Natural Sciences. 
 
 The next day we started off to fish on a lake about 
 fifteen miles from Minneapolis: the thermometer stood 
 about 99, and we in an open boat out on the lake! 
 Whew ! it was hot my feet blistered through my boots ; 
 true, I caught 70 pounds of fish, but that was poor pay 
 for the exposure. On getting home, I concluded that 
 fishing on hot days don't pay 
 
 MlCHlLIMACKINAC, STRAITS OF MACKINAW, 
 
 July 24, 1859. 
 
 The other day as I was sitting in a boat and 
 
 watching each succeeding wave as it brought us nearer 
 shore, I thought, What an emblem of ourselves, tossed in 
 this stormy sea of Time; yet every wave of sorrow, of 
 affliction, or of joy, as it rolls by, lessens the distance 
 between us and the haven which we seek, even the haven 
 of eternal rest. The land is not far ahead; should we 
 not, as does the sailor, have everything ready to land the 
 moment the keel of our vessel grates on the shining 
 sands'? Let us be ready, for we know not when the Son 
 of man cometh. 
 
 I have often thought that one of the perfections of the 
 Christian religion is to bring it to bear on the matters
 
 -248 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 and occurrences of every-day life, to unite business with 
 religion, and to keep the soul free from distraction and 
 debasement whilst transacting the affairs of daily life. 
 It is very easy for us to entertain holy and solemn 
 thoughts in the church, in the prayer-meeting, and in the 
 closet; but to carry these same feelings into the counting- 
 house, the manufactory, or the harvest field, requires 
 great watchfulness on the part of him who would adhere 
 to his Christian profession. The atmosphere of the street 
 and, of the world is not that of the communion table : the 
 one is debasing, the other exalting; the one drags the 
 soul deep into sin, the other bears it aloft to heaven; the 
 one shuts out the idea of eternity and future happiness, 
 the other opens it out in all its sublimity' and excellence. 
 To pass from one to the other is like going from the 
 equator to the poles; and just as well might you imagine 
 the rare exotic, blooming and growing beneath a tropical 
 sun, to survive beneath a chilling polar night, as to ex- 
 pect the soul, warmed -and nourished at a communion 
 table, to grow and flourish when exposed to the chilling 
 influence of the cold world without. So difficult is the 
 task, so seemingly impossible to some, that but few under- 
 take it, and fewer succeed in its accomplishment. 
 
 Too many are prone to say, Let sermons, and church, 
 and all that pertains to religion, be for Sabbath ; and let 
 all the week be for business and pleasure. Religion is 
 made a suit of fine clothes, to be carefully put on on the 
 Sabbath, and as carefully laid aside when the day is 
 done. 
 
 If it were true that business and religion could not 
 accord, what sane man would hesitate, monk-like, to shut 
 himself from the world, and devote his time to the pre-
 
 LETTERS TO M. 249 
 
 paration of his soul for eternity ? Life here is but for a 
 moment; life hereafter is for ever. But God assures us 
 that we can do both ; I mean not that we can serve God 
 and Mammon, but that we can be in the world, and yet 
 not (/"the world; and He enjoins us to be " Not sloth- 
 ful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." 
 The great, .the momentous question with us is, How can 
 we attain this summit of Christian character here on 
 earth? The answer is, By prayer; in a moment, quicker 
 than the electric spark, the thrill of aspiration flashes 
 from man to God. When you are in sorrow, when you 
 are in affliction, when you are tempted, flee to your closet, 
 hold close communion with your God; and when you 
 come forth your spirit will be calm and unclouded as the 
 noonday sun. With this potent aid, with the Holy Spirit 
 to direct the soul, you can with ease and joy bring 
 religion into every walk of life, and instead of being a 
 burden, make it a joy and rejoicing. 
 
 Let it be our great aim to carry our religious principle 
 with us into the world; bring it to bear on worldly affairs 
 and every-day actions, and the life of the Christian be- 
 comes nobler than that of the philosopher or physicist 
 everything done by principle, and that the noblest of all 
 principles. Religion does more than lament and mourn 
 over the instability of earthly things : it diligently seeks 
 for and finds in them the seeds of immortality. Let re- 
 ligion be intimately associated with your worldly affairs, 
 and you will take from this world all that is worth keep- 
 ing. Every kind word, and every self-sacrificing act 
 done for Jesus' sake, will impress itself indelibly on the 
 soul, and will pass on with it to comfort and rejoice it 
 in eternity. , . . .
 
 250 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 July 15, 1859. 
 
 It would have gratified me more than I can 
 
 express to have "been with you in Jerusalem, to tread 
 those narrow streets rendered sacred by the footsteps of 
 Jesus and his beloved disciples; to wander over that 
 mountain hallowed by his prayers. , What spot on earth 
 could be more sacred than that where Jesus prayed? 
 How sublime the thought the Son of God supplicating 
 for sinful man ! It is natural for the human mind to love 
 more dearly those persons and places in which it has a 
 peculiar, personal interest; and so I think these hallowed 
 spots will be rendered doubly dear to us when we think 
 of them, not in connection with the Saviour of the world, 
 but with our Saviour; not that on Olivet He prayed for 
 a dying world only, but for us; not that in Gethsemane 
 He suffered such mental agony that His sweat was as 
 great drops of blood, that all the world might be saved, 
 but that we might be brought from death unto life that 
 at last He died on Calvary, that you and I might have 
 eternal life. To me this adds a double chain of love 
 and interest to the scenes of the Saviour's life. And 
 should it not increase our love now, to think that He 
 suffered all for us, unworthy, ungrateful sinners? 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, August 10, 1859. 
 
 Home again. Found every one in perfect health. 
 My birth-day, the day which must decide my course for 
 life. I feel deeply its solemn importance; whether I 
 shall enter the ranks of the Gospel ministry, or serve my 
 Master in the humble capacity of a layman.
 
 LETTERS TO M. 251 
 
 September 5, 1859. 
 
 To-day I enter the store, after much prayer and 
 
 thought. In view of all the circumstances of the case, 1 
 have concluded that it will be best. When I study I 
 have not good health; and of what service can a man be 
 unless he has this blessing, which is primarily essential 
 to his usefulness in any sphere. There is no position 
 more respectable, or more honoured in any community, 
 than that of the Christian merchant. His sphere of use- 
 fulness is much more widely spread than that of the 
 minister; the latter, as a general thing, can only promote 
 the cause of Christ by his personal efforts; the former 
 can serve his Master, not only by his own personal 
 labours, but also by using his means in such a way as 
 the kingdom of Christ may be greatly advanced. It is 
 in this latter calling that I conscientiously feel that I can 
 be most useful. I pray God that I may be " diligent in 
 business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord ; " that I may 
 never, for the sake of gain, do anything that will defraud 
 my neighbour, or cause me any remorse of conscience; 
 and that if God should prosper me in business, I may 
 remember that riches are the gift of God intrusted to 
 me, and are to be used in the advancement of His king- 
 dom. . 
 
 October 22, 1859. 
 
 After much consideration, I have moved my 
 
 mission school permanently, I trust to St. Mary Street, 
 where I have secured the lecture-room of a church, and 
 began last Sabbath with sixty scholars. We have prayer-
 
 252 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 meetings, also, every Wednesday and Sabbath evening. 
 We trust that the mission will result in much good to the 
 neighbourhood. It is very wicked, and there is much 
 need of religious influences. God grant that we may be 
 successful. 
 
 Last Tuesday evening Dr. Scudder delivered a lecture 
 on behalf of my mission. He is the eminent missionary 
 from India ; and truly the lecture was worthy of the man. 
 Every one who was present was delighted; and very 
 many have pressed me to have it repeated which I have 
 concluded to do. The proceeds are to clothe and feed 
 the poor of St. Mary Street during the winter. 
 
 Next Sabbath will be our communion, and then I will 
 again have the blessed privilege of celebrating my dear 
 Redeemer's death and resurrection. It is nearly three 
 years since I joined the Church; and, oh, how little ad- 
 vance I have made ; how weak my faith ; what a babe in 
 Christ I am. Yet I have great reason to thank God 
 that I am even that; to thank Him that He ever put it 
 into my mind to become a Christian to seek not these 
 fleeting, earthly things, but the enduring, lasting treasures 
 of eternity 
 
 December 8, 1859. 
 
 Since I last wrote, our country has been called 
 
 to mourn the death of one who did much to impress 
 fading Nature on the living page to snatch the noble 
 monuments of bygone days from oblivion, and hand 
 them down clad in fresh vigour and beauty to succeeding 
 generations, and who has rendered "Sleepy Hollow"
 
 LETTERS TO M. 253 
 
 world-known by his genial humour and wit. Washington 
 Irving is no more. Another of America's noblest sons 
 is laid low in the dust, and in vain we look for one to 
 fill his place. His remains were laid in the village 
 church-yard, near his much-loved home, and close to the 
 old wooden bridge on which he often musingly stood, 
 and which has been so inimitably described in the 
 " Legend." I trust he had that better glory and hope 
 laid up for him in his Father's house, without which the 
 praise and adulation of the world is worse than nothing, 
 for it only leaves an aching void, which cannot be filled 
 by anything earthly 
 
 Sabbath evening, February 13, 1860. 
 
 This morning I had a severe attack of neuralgia, 
 
 and even questioned whether I should go to my mission 
 school. Duty conquered. I went, and right glad was I 
 that I did. It was a precious day to myself, and also, 
 I trust, to many of the poor outcasts whom I visited, 
 telling them in their own wretched hovels of the love of 
 Jesus, which passeth all understanding. My resolution 
 was, and is, " If they will not come to the Bible, I will 
 take it to them ; if they will not come and be told of 
 Jesus, I will go and tell them of Him in their own 
 homes." I believe that one at least has, by God's grace 
 , and through my humble instrumentality, been awakened, 
 and I trust will soon find Jesus precious unto her soul. 
 
 Is not this a glorious work these missions among the 
 degraded outcasts of our city? ' If we are faithful, God 
 will abundantly bless us, and give us many souls as seals
 
 254 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 to our labours. We must not glory, save in the cross of 
 Christ. In that, and in that only, we may boast. On 
 next Wednesday evening I am to have in our meeting 
 some twenty or twenty-five persons, many of whom never 
 were in a church, and know nothing of Jesus. They are 
 coming, as they say, to see how they like it ; and I feel 
 a very solemn responsibility resting upon me in that I 
 must address these perishing souls. I must address them 
 in such a manner as will interest them and win their 
 attention, so that they will come again; nay more, I 
 must say what will touch their hearts. I am not equal 
 to such a task. May God give me grace and utterance 
 to speak the word of truth with boldness and earnestness, 
 and that every word I utter may come from a heart 
 warmed with love to Jesus, and a desire for the conver- 
 sion of my fellow-men. ..... 
 
 February 27, 1860. 
 
 .... You have lost a dearly beloved sister ;* I have 
 lost a very dear friend. The Church militant has lost 
 one of its brightest and most Christ-like members, and 
 the Church triumphant has added to its ranks a devoted 
 follower of the Lord Jesus. Another star has faded 
 from this earthly firmament, to be rekindled with a 
 brighter, purer, holier light, in the firmament above. Safe 
 at last in her Father's house ! safe in the bosom of that 
 God and Saviour to honour and serve whom was her 
 highest privilege and greatest joy ! The storm at last is 
 over, and she sweetly sleeps. At last she has reached 
 
 * Mrs. Sarah M. Wylie, wife of Rev. W. T. Wylie of Milton, Pa., after a pro- 
 tracted and painful illness.
 
 LETTERS TO M. 255 
 
 the haven of eternal rest, where pain and suffering are 
 unknown. Now she walks the streets of the New Jeru- 
 salem, and has heard the voice of her Saviour saying 
 unto her, " Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the 
 kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the 
 world." Now she mingles her voice with^the redeemed 
 of every age in singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. 
 She sees unfolded to her wondering eyes the fulness of 
 the love of God. I almost think I see her looking down 
 upon us from heaven, and in her own winning voice 
 saying, " Come up hither." 
 
 Your little household is one less on earth one more 
 in heaven. Be not sad. She is not dead, but sleepeth. 
 God is a loving God : He doeth all things well. Think 
 of her, not as a lifeless corpse, but as a glorified saint in 
 heaven. Dry your tears, and rather rejoice in her happy 
 change ; and when you look into that grave where soon 
 the remains of your dear sister will be laid, remember 
 that " this mortal must put on immortality," that " this 
 corruptible must put on incorruption;" look not at that 
 coffin as containing the one whom you love, but look up 
 and see that ransomed soul, having burst the bonds of 
 its chrysalis, soaring aloft to the presence of her Father 
 and our Father, of her God and our God. Would you 
 be comforted 1 There is a balm in Gilead. . 
 
 Sabbath evening, March 26, 1860. 
 
 To-day has been a very encouraging one to 
 
 me. My Sabbath school attendance was better, and my 
 
 teachers seemed more earnest in their work. The attend- 
 
 17
 
 256 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 ance at my Bible class numbered twenty : is not that 
 encouraging for the third Sabbath? How my inmost 
 soul goes up in gratitude to God for ever putting it into 
 my heart to engage in this work, and for giving me such 
 delight and success ! My lesson was the temptation of 
 Christ ; and when I got into my subject, the hour and a 
 half flew rapidly by. As we closed, some came to me, 
 and with the tears almost starting in their eyes, told me 
 how much they enjoyed the instructions, and begged that 
 I would enter their names upon my roll. My plan is to 
 speak very plainly, simply, and understand ingly : and I 
 pray that God will bless it to the conversion of their 
 
 souls 
 
 To make us cheerful and happy Christians, we need 
 more activity in our Master's work. It is spiritual exer- 
 cise that keeps the soul in health. Now is the time to 
 do good. There will be no Sabbath schools or Bible 
 classes in heaven ; no careless to warn ; no ignorant to 
 instruct. Would we exercise our zeal, courage, labour 
 and patience ] we must do it now. Let us hasten, for 
 time is flying. Work ! work ! while it is day, for the 
 night cometh the long, long, weary night of death, in 
 which no man can work. Let us bring out the Bible 
 more when we talk together ; there are in it pearls of 
 inestimable value, if we will but seek them out. Let us 
 speak oftener of the eternal home to which we travel: 
 children, as the holidays draw near, love to talk of home ; 
 and why should not we talk of that home where we 
 expect to dwell for ever 1 ? Let us commune together 
 more, and as the Saviour revealed Himself to the dis- 
 ciples on the way to Emmaus, so He will reveal Himself 
 to us. The spiritual flame within us needs stirring as
 
 LETTERS TO M. 257 
 
 well as feeding to keep it up. The weakest may sharpen 
 the strongest, as the whetstone does the scythe. If we 
 seek to water the souls of others, our own shall be abun- 
 dantly watered. Death will soon be among us : let us 
 all be prepared : let us beware of a spirit of slumber and 
 formality, especially in private reading and prayer : let 
 our path to the fountain be worn with daily journeys, 
 and let our key to the treasury of grace be bright with 
 constant use. . 
 
 Sabbath evening, Afril 16, 1860. 
 
 , I have just come in from my mission school prayer- 
 meeting, completely worn out weary, not of my Master's 
 work, but in it. To-day has been another precious 
 Sabbath to me. My school, morning and afternoon, was 
 good ; then came my delightful Bible class; and then a 
 very encouraging prayer-meeting this evening. How 
 joyful I felt for my own, but inestimably more for my 
 Master's sake, to see that at last we have been enabled 
 to make an impression upon these poor degraded ones, 
 and persuade them to come up to the house of God ! I 
 feel there are glorious things in store for our little mission. 
 There I hope to labour as long as God shall spare my 
 poor life ; and I want no other monument than that a 
 monument each stone of which is an immortal soul, 
 which God has enabled by His grace and Spirit's assist- 
 ance to be snatched from death and made an heir of 
 eternal life. .
 
 258 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 Sabbath evening, May 13, 1860. 
 
 God says, " I will cause you to pass under the 
 
 rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant." 
 Sweet rod, that drives the soul to such a precious resting- 
 place ! blessed affliction, that makes us more confident 
 in God! One of the resolutions made by Jonathan 
 Edwards, when starting out in life, is worthy of such a 
 noble and gifted mind "Resolved, To improve afflictions 
 to the uttermost" If we do thus, we will do well. 
 
 You have now no earthly father* to lean upon and 
 look to for comfort and guidance ; but there is one upon 
 whom you can lean upon "the Beloved." Be found 
 coming up out of the wilderness of natural sin " leaning 
 upon the Beloved." If you are thus found, then every 
 hour that strikes is an hour less between you and glory. 
 An hour with Christ will make up for all the pain and 
 grief that we may have endured here ; " half an hour 
 with God will make us forget a lifetime of agony." Do 
 you want love 1 He is the everlasting fountain of 
 love. 
 
 June 1 6, 1860. 
 
 ...... Marriage was meant to double man's happiness, 
 
 and when contracted in the fear of God it accomplishes 
 its purpose ; on other terms, the misery is insupportable. 
 The man who dares venture here without the guidance of 
 " the Wonderful, the Counsellor," is gambling with a stake 
 which may be to him eternal death ; for who has such an 
 
 * M.'s father departed this life on the a6th April 1860, after a few days 
 illness.
 
 LETTERS TO M. 259 
 
 influence for good or evil over a man as his wife ? If 
 we leave God out of view in the beginning, the downward 
 course is easy and rapid ; the results are not for time, 
 they are for eternity. 
 
 We must, then, have the grace, the truth of God in our 
 hearts. If it is there, it will well up. You may attempt 
 to repress the gushing spring, but it will rise at another 
 place, spreading life and fertility wherever it goes : so 
 with truth in our own souls ; if it is there, it will be seen 
 and felt by ourselves, and by those around us Re- 
 ligion is the crown and glory of man's life : without it he 
 is a pitiful wreck, tossed about upon a boundless sea. 
 Man in his natural condition knows nothing higher or 
 nobler than earthly pleasure ; and when religion comes 
 and drives this away, he fears he is about to lose his all : 
 but when his bonds are broken, and the scales drop from 
 his eyes, then he bows before the majesty and rejoices 
 in the love of God. That heart is happiest whose godli- 
 ness is greatest ; that home the most blessed where it is 
 most on the ascendant ; that work-shop the best condi- 
 tioned where it is most felt ; that nation the safest and 
 most prosperous where the lamp of life sheds light upon 
 the path. 
 
 Religion is the director of the Christian's life. Can we 
 ever have a wiser guide than the all-wise God '\ Can we 
 ever find a safer or more pleasant path than that into 
 which the Eternal leads us 1 Can we select a better 
 standard, a better aim, than that which God provides for 
 us ? Like the ship upon the ocean, we may be beaten 
 and tossed by the storm until hope seems to have for 
 ever faded from us ; but then One comes to us over the 
 angry waves, and we hear His voice far above the howling
 
 260 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 winds, saying, "It is I; fear not;" and His presence 
 makes a calm. The chart which has been given us to 
 guide us through life is divine, bearing the impress of an 
 eternal, unalterable, inflexible mind, and consequently 
 never can be changed. 
 
 We cannot bring our religion to the Bible ; we must 
 get it from it. Man cannot judge the Word of God it 
 judges him ; it is the director of his steps and the sun of 
 his soul. Guided by it, he walks under the direction of 
 the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness 
 neither shadow of turning, to that abode where the glory 
 of God is manifested to all, and the Lamb is the light 
 thereof. That Director, in his all-wise providence, leads 
 us through devious ways to our rest many he leads 
 through paths of bereavement and sorrow, as he has you ; 
 but soon all will merge into the full sunlight and glory 
 of the Father's presence. Is it not a joyous thought, 
 after a long absence in a foreign land, where no familiar 
 face smiled upon us, to know that on turning homeward, 
 " there is an eye will mark our coming, and look brighter 
 when we come 1 ?" How much more gladdening that Word 
 of God which irradiates the Christian's path a pillar of 
 cloud by day and of fire by night ! 
 
 But godliness is the ornament and glory of life, as well 
 as its director. What makes the soul beautiful 1 All 
 God's works are surpassingly lovely. Look at the modest 
 flower as it lifts its dewy cup to greet the morning sun, 
 and see what beauty beams upon us there. Contemplate 
 the firmament above us fitting type of Jehovah's im- 
 mensity and mark the beauty there. Now, if these 
 ephemeral things are clad in loveliness by God, may we 
 not expect more exquisite beauty in the immortal soul of
 
 LETTERS TO M. . 261 
 
 man 1 It was once in the image of God it is capable 
 of wearing that image again. In what is the beauty of 
 the soul 1 In its holiness; and this hoMness is developed 
 by the sorrows, and sufferings, and persecutions of the 
 soul. Were it not for the clouds and the rain, the 
 gorgeous tints of the rainbow would never gild our sky ; 
 and were it not for the trials sent by the Spirit, the beauties 
 of holiness would never shine so brightly in the Christian's 
 soul. Like the fabled dragon, the Christian rises refreshed 
 and strengthened from every blow, even though the 
 clearest heart-string has been severed. It is holiness, then, 
 that is the ornament of life : without it no transcendent 
 talents or rare acquirements can give beauty to the spirit 
 in the eye of God. Knowledge is power, but it is the 
 power of evil : acquirements may be extensive, but they 
 are like gaudy trappings on a hearse, unless truth in the 
 heart become holiness in the life. But let this truth be 
 implanted in the soul of man, and it becomes his joy as 
 well as his director and ornament. Christianity intro- 
 duces us to the highest joy of earth or heaven even joy 
 in the Holy Ghost ; and without this, man is, of all 
 objects in the universe, the most pitiable. Man's heart 
 was made to be happy in God, and without Him eternity 
 cannot fill up the void. We may seek joy in human 
 affections, but death comes, strikes down the object of 
 our love, and hides it from our sight. It is impossible 
 that any object whose root is in the dust can gladden 
 the soul of man, apart from the God who made it. Has 
 God, then, left us without joy 1 No. Even in this sinful 
 world there is a joy; and the knowledge, love, and fear 
 of God are its fountain-head. In reconciliation to God, in 
 growing holiness, in greater love to Jesus, the man of God
 
 262 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 finds the streams of his joy. Is the land of his fathers a 
 source of joy to the returning exile ? Are the green fields 
 and bright heavens a source of gladness to him who has 
 long been immured in a dungeon ] Far more is a sense 
 of God's favour to a soul which has returned from its 
 wanderings to seek rest and repose on the bosom of its 
 God. 
 
 Lastly, truth in the heart holiness is a prelude of 
 the life that is to come. It is a sad thing to stand by an 
 open grave and see dust returning to dust one, perhaps, 
 with whom we have taken sweet counsel, on whose arm 
 we have often leaned, whose soul has touched our own, 
 and in which the inmost secrets of our own heart are 
 entombed. The cold earth must hide them ; and even 
 affection must hasten to bury them out of our sight. But 
 that very body thus consigned to dust must come forth 
 a glorious body, when "death shall be swallowed up in 
 life." That which is sown in dishonour is to grow in 
 glory, if united to Him who is the resurrection and the 
 life, who has abolished death, and brought life and im- 
 mortality to light in the Gospel. And thus we look upon 
 the work of God's Spirit in the soul as the crown and 
 consummation of life." . 
 
 SPRING BROOK, Sabbath, August 26, 1860. 
 
 In just half a year from this day God has, in 
 
 his all-wise providence, seen fit to remove from you two 
 loved ones objects around which your dearest affections 
 earnestly clung a father and a sister. In the hour when
 
 LFTTERS TO M. 263 
 
 affliction first comes upon us we are crushed, and cannot, 
 in the depth of our sorrow, see that any good thing can 
 come out of a bereavement. But when the grave has 
 closed over the loved ones, and we sit down to sober 
 reflection, then we see the lesson God intended to teach, 
 and wonder why we have not seen it before. Surely God 
 had some important end in view in thus snatching away 
 two of his creatures in the prime and vigour of life. Have 
 you as yet learned that lesson ] Have you seen what 
 God intended to teach you ? It may have been that youi 
 spirit was rebellious, and this was sent to teach you 
 patience and submission to your heavenly Father's will. 
 Perhaps you leaned too much upon earthly support, and 
 He took that away in order to make you look to and 
 lean only upon Him. Try arid see what this lesson is ; 
 and having seen it, profit by it. I believe it is our duty, 
 when we are afflicted, to pray for guidance, in order that 
 we may see the lesson intended to be taught us. These 
 afflictions are the salt cast into the Marah fountain of our 
 hearts, bitter with sin, in order that the water may be 
 made sweet. Yea, even though the furnace of our afflic- 
 tion be seven times heated, yet the Refiner sits by : his 
 desire is to purify, not to consume. The spices in the 
 Temple were bruised spices. We need not expect to 
 reach heaven except through much tribulation. It will 
 a thousand-fold add to our enjoyment there, to think of 
 
 what we have passed through to reach it Let our 
 
 voice be, " Not my will, but Thine be done." Let us 
 seek greater nearness to God, striving at all times to be 
 like Jesus
 
 264 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 AT SEA STEAMSHIP " CITY OF BALTIMORE," 
 Sabbath, May 19, 1861. 
 
 Last evening was lovely. The moon shone out 
 
 calmly and beautifully upon us, and reflected from the 
 fading hills of Rhode Island, seemed to bid us God- 
 speed. As I walked the deck and looked toward my 
 native land, a thousand memories rushed upon me, which 
 found utterance in my exclamation to a Scotch lady re- 
 turning to her fatherland " Would that I, like you, were 
 returning to my home again ! '' 
 
 After a fine night's sleep I awoke this morning much 
 refreshed. To-day is lovely. We had a service in the 
 cabin at 10.30, conducted by Captain Petrie. The 
 saloon was crowded, and the service solemn and im- 
 pressive. How hard it is to keep Sabbath on board 
 ship ! . . . . 
 
 I am much pleased with our vessel. The accommo- 
 dations are very good, and the table excellent. Our 
 captain is a jolly good fellow, and both he and the 
 purser have shown me much attention already 
 
 Monday evening. Another delightful day, though now 
 the clouds are black and angry, and threaten a storm. 
 I fear my friends at home have wasted a good deal of 
 sympathy upon me in regard to sea-sickness. I never 
 was better in my life, and can eat my four meals per 
 diem with unexampled regularity. When I came on 
 board, father put me in charge of the captain and purser, 
 as one who had been " very sick, and needed a great 
 deal of attention." Yesterday morning the captain and 
 I had a good laugh about it when he saw me enjoying 
 my breakfast, remarking that he thought " I'd do." This
 
 LETTERS TO M. 265 
 
 morning we were summoned to see the crew put through 
 their exercises. All the officers, crew, and waiters, are 
 portioned off to the several boats, and every few days 
 they are drilled in clearing them away, so that in case 
 of accident there may be no confusion, but by each 
 one knowing his place, and being skilled in his work, 
 many lives may be saved which otherwise would be 
 lost 
 
 Tuesday evening. Rolling! pitching! tossing! How 
 can I write 1 As we apprehended, the heavy clouds 
 which gathered around us last evening brought us a 
 storm. When I went on deck this morning I found a 
 heavy sea running, and the wind dead ahead, blowing a 
 perfect gale. Though the decks were wet with spray, in 
 company with two or three others I walked for a long 
 time, until at length we were driven below by the rain. 
 It was an amusing sight our dinner-table to-day : hardly 
 had the soup been removed when about thirty made a 
 bolt for the scuppers among whom were my travelling 
 companions. When the substantiate came, hardly twenty- 
 five of our one hundred and fifty passengers were left at 
 the table the rest not caring to dine. For myself, thus 
 far I have been exempt. I am very well, and my appe- 
 tite increases. All afternoon I sat on the smoke-stack 
 enjoying the grand scene before me. The ship was 
 under full sail and dashed through the water in right 
 gallant style 
 
 [After describing at length some of his fellow-passengers, 
 he proceeds: ] 
 
 My travelling companions are both very clever, and in 
 company with two other young men, one from California
 
 266 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 and th& other from Switzerland, there is no lack of sport. 
 We have with us another notability. You may remember 
 the advertisements which have appeared for several years 
 past, and have caused a great deal of merriment, reading 
 somewhat thus: "A retired physician, whose sands of 
 life are nearly run out, whilst travelling through India 
 with an only daughter who was dying of consumption, 
 discovered (or fell in with) a preparation which perfectly 
 cured her; and being desirous of serving in some way his 
 fellow-men, he will send the recipe to any one who will 
 enclose him three postage stamps." His dodge was as 
 follows: he would by return of mail send the recipe, 
 adding at the bottom, " that if the heat in boiling was a 
 little too great, it would become a deadly poison." Of 
 course, no one would dare to try it. Sure of the effect 
 of his warning, he would say, by way of Nota Benc, that 
 " he had a small quantity on hand prepared by a skilful 
 chemist, which he would be happy to supply at $2 per 
 bottle." This retired physician, whose sands of life have 
 been running out for a few years past, is a hale, hearty 
 young Yankee, of about thirty-five, whose sands, from all 
 appearances, will run a long time yet. He has made 
 over $90,000 by his quackery, and is now going to 
 Europe to travel and open his trade in London 
 
 Thursday evening. Yesterday I was unable to write 
 owing to the storm. We ran all day through a dense 
 fog, at full speed, with all sail set. It was a terribly 
 grand sight. We passed several icebergs one of them 
 very large coming uncomfortably close. I am still very 
 well, and have been able to act as nurse to several of my 
 sea-sick friends. Not only am I well, but I am
 
 LETTERS TO M. 267 
 
 enjoying myself. A gentleman told me this morning, 
 " You seem to be the happiest one on board." Externally 
 I may be; bat he did not know how my heart was 
 yearning for the loved ones at home how I sit behind 
 the wheel-house, where undisturbed I may look back 
 toward that loved land momentarily becoming more 
 
 distant 
 
 When I arose this morning I found the fog gone and 
 a clear western wind blowing, which hastens us on our 
 course. The sea has been heavy, and the ship rolls 
 considerably. All morning I lay on the deck reading 
 "John Halifax, Gentleman," by Miss Muloch: if you 
 have not read it, I heartily recommend it as one of the 
 most natural, well-written tales I have read 
 
 Friday evening. Another rather gloomy day. Every 
 now and then the sun would peep out upon us from 
 behind a bank of clouds, and then quickly hiding him- 
 self again, a smart shower of rain would drive us within ; 
 long heavy swells would come rolling in from the west, 
 causing our vessel to perambulate rather extensively 
 around her centre of gravity. For a couple of hours I 
 sat in the " Fiddle," (as we have dubbed the main hatch- 
 way,) with the captain and Bayard Taylor: the former is 
 really one of the cleverest (I mean English clever) men 
 I have met a gentleman full of fun and anecdote, and 
 withal a splendid seaman. I picked up a good deal of 
 information from the captain and Mr. Taylor in regard 
 to travelling in Germany, France, &c. ; both of them 
 having been there very often. 
 
 Saturday evening. A lovely day. Although now and
 
 268 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 then a smart shower would drive us in, yet withal the 
 scene was surpassingly lovely; the dark-green billows, 
 crested with foam, broke upon our stern and hurried our 
 vessel on her eastern course 
 
 Sabbath. Morning service is over, and my thoughts 
 
 turn, as ever, to home What a wretched place this 
 
 is to keep the Sabbath in ! If there were only some 
 place, except my dark state-room, where I could be 
 alone, or at least have only such company as I chose. 
 On deck it is too cold to read, and in the cabin it is out 
 of the question. I feel indeed that my two Sabbaths on 
 board have been misspent 
 
 Monday evening. To-day has been charming clear, 
 
 yet the sky has not the deep blue it has in America 
 
 As I look round the cabin I see many busy in getting 
 ready for the morning mail. Our voyage is nearly done. 
 We have had a safe and speedy passage almost across 
 the Atlantic. My health is much improved, and although 
 still weak, I feel that I am rapidly becoming myself 
 
 again I soon shall land among strangers. Strange 
 
 scenes are before me temptations, perhaps, that I know 
 not of; much pleasure and knowledge. Pray that I may 
 avoid the wrong, and use to the best advantage the right ; 
 that I may never forget who and what I am ; that, be the 
 temptation ever so strong, I may have a high, pure bond 
 of restraint a bond above all that is earthly and mer- 
 cenary love to my blessed Saviour. And may this 
 influence be such, as, filling my heart with noblest and 
 holiest desires, I may appear to others as one who is 
 indeed a child of God. .
 
 LETTERS TO M. 269 
 
 Tuesday morning. At 4 this morning we were roused 
 by the cry of " Land ahead !" On going on deck I could, 
 away in the distance, see the mountains of Ireland 
 looming up. A nearer approach showed it to be the 
 "Skittles," a group of rocks at the entrance of Bantry 
 Bay. We have just passed Cape Clear the last point 
 of land seen by outward bound vessels. Would that I 
 could only see them fading in the distance, and myself 
 homeward bound ! I was much amused at an Irishman 
 we have on board. On going on deck this morning, and 
 seeing his native isle once more, he reverently doffed his 
 hat, with the exclamation, " Good-morning to your lady- 
 ship ; how are ye now?" The day is perfect; the water 
 is smooth as glass, and a large flock of sea-gulls are fol- 
 lowing astern, much to the amusement of the youngsters, 
 who are feeding them with crackers 
 
 BlKKENHEAD, " CLAUGHTON FlRS," 
 
 May 31, 1861. 
 
 Here I am, after a delightful passage, safely ensconced 
 in my uncle's house at Birkenhead. 
 
 We arrived off Cork the same day I wrote you, 
 
 about 3 o'clock. The afternoon was calm and clear, and 
 all were very happy in view of a speedy termination of 
 the voyage. After tea a party of us gathered round the 
 smoke-stack, and sat from 8 to 2 o'clock talking and 
 hearing the captain tell stories. When we retired, the 
 half moon was slowly rising over the mountains of Wales. 
 Rising early, and coming on deck, I found that we were 
 just opposite the fatal rocks on which the Royal Chartet
 
 270 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 was dashed to pieces. You may remember the circum- 
 stances. I could not help thinking about it as we left 
 Queenstown. Their passage had been as pleasant as 
 ours; they had telegraphed to their friends of their safe 
 arrival and yet were lost. Long after I went to my bed 
 I thought about it, until the very thought put me to 
 sleep. At 8 o'clock the pilot came on board ; and at i 
 o'clock we arrived off the Huskisson Dock. Soon after, 
 the tug came alongside, on the deck of which I recog- 
 nized my cousin A. S., as well as my uncle D. We came 
 ashore in the tug; our baggage was examined; took a 
 cab; crossed the Woodside Ferry, 'and soon arrived at 
 C laugh ton Firs. 
 
 All evening my tongue was kept busy answering 
 
 questions in regard to American politics, in which I find 
 people take a much deeper interest than I had any idea 
 of. 
 
 At noon, J. S. having heard of my arrival, came down 
 from Manchester. I was rejoiced to see him, and soon 
 we were as of old. After dinner we started out to drive 
 over the hills towards Chester. I enjoyed the ride very 
 much; and between us four cousins fun was not wanting. 
 Along the road the yellow and scarlet hawthorn was 
 growing luxuriantly, while the chirping of the sparrows, 
 the antiquated tower peeping through the trees, and the 
 old windmill lazily turning on the hill, all told me un- 
 mistakably that I was in Old England, and not in 
 Young America. After tea we went for a walk in Birken- 
 head Park. What an advantage the English have over 
 us in their long twilights ! After all work is done there 
 are two or three hours of twilight, when those who have 
 been cooped up all day can go out and enjoy themselves.
 
 LETTERS TO M. 271 
 
 The Green presented a beautiful sight last evening: 
 here a father was playing with his little ones; there a 
 club playing cricket; further on, youngsters enjoying 
 themselves hugely with a game of tag, whilst little knots 
 scattered here and there over the grass seemed in the 
 very hey-day of enjoyment. England far surpasses us 
 in her parks. I do not suppose that in all America we 
 have such an one as this. . 
 
 MANCHESTER, "THE ELMS," June 6, 1861. 
 
 After tea, in company with J. and J., walked 
 
 over Kensall Moor. The view was beautiful from the 
 top of the hills skirting the moor, through which the 
 Irwell winds very sluggishly. On the opposite side we 
 could see the little cottages built upon the rising hill, 
 with their lights flickering through the trees ; while away 
 in the distance were the hills known as the Back Bone of 
 Old England, behind which the sun had just set. J. and 
 I were very happy in meeting again. On returning, we 
 found H., an artist of much celebrity here, had dropped 
 in ; and gathering round the fire, a round of stories, and 
 songs, and conundrums began, which did not end until 
 near the small hours 
 
 Aunt J. says that I am improved so much since I 
 landed, that no one would know me to be the same per- 
 son. I feel well, though my strength is coming to me 
 slowly 
 
 June 7, 1 86 1. A clear sunshiny morning. Left 
 18
 
 272 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 Manchester at 9.45 in the mail-coach for Buxton. The 
 air was clear and bracing, and at full speed we hastened 
 toward the blue hills of Derbyshire looming up in 'the 
 distance. Our road was one of those smooth, level turn- 
 pikes, for which England is justly famous. Long rows of 
 hawthorn hedges lined it, save where here and there the 
 little country inn modestly peeped from out the surround- 
 ing trees. Many of these have queer, and some pompous 
 names, such as, " The Royal Arms" " The Dial," having 
 for a motto, "Go about your business" "The Old 
 Grey Horse," &c. A ride of an hour brought us to Stock- 
 port, noticeable only for smoke and dirt. From this 
 place we began to ascend the hills skirting Derbyshire. 
 The scene on either hand was truly enchanting fields 
 clad in the richest green skirting the mountain-sides, 
 relieved here and there by a little village, whose old gray 
 church-tower, nearly hidden by the clinging ivy, told of 
 days gone by, and of generations now mingled with 
 their kindred dust. 
 
 We continued to ascend by a winding road until we 
 had reached an elevation of 1,300 feet above the level of 
 the sea. Here a sudden turn in the road brought us 
 in full view of the celebrated watering-place of Buxton, 
 chiefly celebrated for its tepid baths, the discovery of 
 which dates back to the Roman invasion 
 
 Back of the town rises a high rock known as the Chee 
 Tor, and from its top a view of great beauty may be ob- 
 tained. 
 
 At Fairfield, lying at the base of the Tor, there is to 
 be seen the following epitaph : 
 
 " Beneath this stone here lie two children dear, 
 The one at Stony Middleton, the other here."
 
 LETTERS TO M. 273 
 
 Took a drag for Castleton, 12 or 14 miles distant. 
 On ascending the hills beyond Buxton we had a fine 
 view of the surrounding country. The ground is not 
 well fitted for vegetation, being very limy a fact that 
 is well attested to by the large number of lime-kilns to 
 be seen in every direction. The country folk are princi- 
 pally engaged in sheep-raising, and in working the lead 
 mines. The latter are neither rich nor deep : .they are 
 worked by what is termed " surface-mining," and while 
 they give a sufficient subsistence to the individual miner, 
 are not of sufficient extent to pay profitably a large com- 
 pany. About two miles from Buxton we pass the hamlet 
 of Peak Forest, which until within a year or so past 
 enjoyed the same privileges as Gretna Green, and was 
 extensively patronized by runaway lovers. The situation 
 is very picturesque, and the old keeper (quite a curiosity 
 in his way) will for a pittance tell many a strange story 
 whose scene lies within these walls. 
 
 A few miles further on we come to the ebbing and 
 flowing well. It is considered one of the wonders of 
 Derbyshire. The water flows for five minutes, at inter- 
 vals of every ten, and the quantity thrown up at each flow 
 is about 1 20 hogsheads. The water was flowing out when 
 we reached; yet, though we sat on the bank for fifteen 
 or twenty minutes, we were not favoured with a sight of 
 the sudden flow probably owing to the long drought. 
 
 About 7 in the evening we came in sight of Mam 
 Tor, or " the Shivering Mountain," one of the highest in 
 the Peak, having an altitude of 2,000 feet above the level 
 of the sea. 
 
 At the top of the Mam Tor is the entrance to the 
 famous Blue John Mine. Dismounting from our vehicle,
 
 274 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 we sent it on to the town, and tried to obtain admission 
 to the little hut guarding the mouth of the cavern. We 
 were too late, and were obliged to turn our footsteps to- 
 ward the hotel. Following a sheep path which leads 
 around the mountain, again the valley burst upon us, 
 more extensive and more beautiful than before. The sun 
 was still bright upon the steep rugged summit of the Tor, 
 while over the valley the subdued twilight was stealing 
 rapidly. Soon regaining the road, a few steps brought us 
 to Castleton, a little old English town where coaching 
 days are still a thing of the present. Its houses of old 
 gray stone half hidden by the clinging vines their snow- 
 white stoops attesting to the cleanliness of the inhabitants, 
 the long narrow lanes, and the old church with its weather- 
 beaten towers, all convey to the mind an idea of true 
 happiness and enjoyment. 
 
 At the " Nag's Head " we found clean and comfortable 
 quarters. Immediately after tea we started out to hunt 
 the guides, in order that if possible we might at once see 
 the mines. By dint of a. little Yankee perseverance we 
 found the son of the keeper of the Blue John, who kindly 
 offered us freely his services. He joined us after finding 
 the guide to the Speedwell, and off we started. Half 
 way up the hill, between the top of which and the Mam 
 Tor the turnpike is cut, we came to the entrance to the 
 Speedwell. This is an artificial opening made in search 
 of lead. The work was commenced upwards of eighty 
 years ago by a party of adventurers from Staffordshire, 
 who, after eleven years labour, gave up in despair. To 
 enter the mine you descend 106 stone steps, at the bottom 
 of which is the level, cut for 700 feet through the solid 
 rock : this is about 7 feet in height, and through it a
 
 LETTERS TO M. 275 
 
 stream of pure water passes, about 3 feet deep At 
 
 the foot of the steps we entered a boat, and each, with 
 candle in hand, impelled ourselves along by staples 
 fastened in the rock. At intervals of 50 or 60 yards we 
 stuck candles in the wall, the effect of which was very 
 fine. The level terminates in a cavern, not unaptly 
 termed the " Bottomless Pit," for its height and depth 
 have never as yet been measured. Although 40,000 tons 
 of rock, obtained in blasting, have been thrown into this 
 gulf, no effect has been produced upon it, for still the 
 fathoming-line shows no bottom : although a rocket has 
 been shot up to the height of 450 feet, no top could be 
 seen nothing but blackness and darkness. Across the 
 gulf an arch has been thrown, so that visitors can leave 
 the boat and gaze into the darkness. Our guide climbed 
 up the side of the cavern to the height of about 100 feet, 
 and there ignited a blue light. The effect was grand: the 
 huge masses of rock, that never saw the light of the sun, 
 looming out from the darkness and casting their black 
 shadows on the walls behind, rising higher and higher 
 until lost in impenetrable gloom all this produced upon 
 us a strange, indescribable effect. To be thus far in the 
 bowels of the earth, witnessing the stupendous, silent 
 workings of nature, it made us feel somewhat of the great- 
 ness and wondrous power of Him who is nature's 
 God. 
 
 Returning again to our boat, we looked far down the 
 stream, and there we could see the lights which we had 
 left, sparkling like jewel-drops upon the water. We made 
 ourselves merry with songs, and the cavern echoed and 
 re-echoed with the notes of the " Star Spangled Banner," 
 " Nelly was a Lady," &c.
 
 276 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 Leaving the Speedwell, we started for the Blue John, 
 through the " Winnats," or Wind Gates. This is a deep 
 ravine about a mile in length, leading from Castleton to 
 the top of the mountain opposite the Mam Tor, and is 
 wild and rugged beyond description. It derives its name 
 from the howling made by the wind as it sweeps through 
 it. On either side the pass are precipices rising to a 
 great height, dark, rugged, and steep ; they seem the very 
 embodiment of all that is forbidding and stern. Yet they 
 are not devoid of beauty, for among their crags may be 
 found lichens and mosses of rare form and beauty; and 
 these, mingling with the more gaudy colouring of the 
 surrounding flowers, seem to bring out in still bolder 
 relief the huge cliffs to which they are attached. 
 
 After a weary walk we reached the entrance of the 
 Blue John Mine the only place in the world where any 
 quantity of this beautiful mineral is found. It is a fluate 
 of lime, not exactly the same as fluor spar, the latter 
 being crystallized, and not having the same colour as the 
 former. 
 
 Having lit our lamps we descended into the mine, first 
 down a number of steps into a small cavern, then along 
 a narrow passage lined with beautiful sparkling stalactites, 
 then down winding steps 100 feet more, when we stood 
 
 in Lord Mulgrave's Dining-Room Passing on, we 
 
 came to a large cavern where our guide lit a Bengola 
 light the effect was grand, the stalactites and stalagmites 
 being coloured. We then retraced our steps and stopped 
 at a spring where we drank Adam's ale, pure and cold, 
 
 trickling from the rock We then passed into the 
 
 end of the workings, to see the Blue John in its natural 
 state, after which we ascended to the upper air. Regis-
 
 LETTERS TO M. 277 
 
 tering our names, and having procured some splendid 
 specimens of the Blue John, we returned to town at mid- 
 night. Not a light was seen or sound to be heard ; so, 
 weary with the labour, of the day, we slipped away to 
 bed. 
 
 June 8 CASTLETON. Rose at 7, and before breakfast 
 walked to see the Peak Cavern. The entrance to this 
 is through a deep gorge in the Peak, whose summit is 
 crowned by the famous castle, once one of the most 
 
 powerful strongholds in Britain The little winding 
 
 path leading up to the mouth of the cavern is eminently 
 picturesque. On one side the rock is fringed with 
 shrubbery and stunted pines, while the other rises a 
 barren rugged steep, from the crevices of which flocks of 
 jackdaws fly forth at the slightest sound, and fill the air 
 with their harsh screams. The mouth of the cave, which 
 is almost a perfect archway, is 45 feet high, 120 feet 
 wide, and about 50 feet deep. This part of the cavern 
 is used as a rope and twine factory, and the burr of the 
 machinery, the sharp voices of the cord-winders, together 
 with the little cottage half hidden among the rocks, give 
 to the scenery a wild effect, as though this were the 
 home of some unnatural beings 
 
 The castle on the summit is one of the oldest and 
 most interesting of Norman fortresses. A venerable 
 wreck of other days, " it is the silent monument of 
 days when ' might made right,' and its history tells of a 
 time when the passions of men ruled over truth and 
 justice." 
 
 After breakfast we took a fly for Edensor. A very 
 pleasant ride of 1 1 miles brought us to the door of
 
 278 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 the " Castle Hotel," at one of the entrances to Chats- 
 worth. Having ordered a dinner to be ready for us 
 on our return, we set off to see this mansion fit for a king. 
 Crossing the Derwent by a substantial stone bridge, we 
 soon found ourselves confronting the gilded iron gate 
 surmounted by two rampant stags. The hour of opening 
 not having arrived, we strolled through the stables; and 
 with them I must say I was greatly disappointed : true, 
 they are large, and are built of stone, but I have seen 
 in our own country stables cleaner, better arranged, and 
 
 much more substantially and elegantly fitted up 
 
 Returning to the entrance, we were conducted to the 
 house by an old man in livery, whose red nose and livid 
 cheeks led us strongly to believe that he had these many 
 years enjoyed the good things of this life. At the house 
 we were put in charge of the housekeeper, who put us 
 through with lightning speed. No time was allowed for 
 anything. When we came to the room where the 
 minerals and malachite vases were, I wanted to stop; but 
 
 no, we must pass on, as another party was waiting 
 
 The Picture Galleries are miserably arranged so narrow 
 that one cannot get at a proper distance to enjoy a picture ; 
 and very poorly lighted instead of having an open ex- 
 posure, the light comes in through a court. One painting 
 in the gallery struck me as very fine it was called 
 " Monks at Prayer." The double light from the setting 
 sun and swinging lamps produced a marvellous effect. 
 The drawing was good, each monk's face being a study 
 in itself. 
 
 In the Billiard Room is Landseer's celebrated picture, 
 entitled " Bolton Abbey in the Olden Time." I have 
 long been familiar with the spirited engraving taken from
 
 LETTERS TO M. 279 
 
 this picture, but it falls far below the original. The 
 happy look of the old prior as he surveys the good things 
 spread out before him, the stag whose body seems almost 
 to quiver with departing life, and the sparkling fish all 
 are masterpieces of art 
 
 The walls of the Sculpture Gallery are of polished 
 gritstone, which forms a very effective background for the 
 statuary. We first noticed Canova's celebrated statue of 
 " Napoleon's Mother." There was something about it so 
 subdued ; the position is not tragic, there is nothing 
 grand, but that quiet, dignified air of repose which so 
 well becomes such a subject. I was better pleased with 
 
 it than with anything else in the room A bust of 
 
 " Petrarch's Laura," by Canova, is also well worth atten- 
 tion, and though small, and in rather an obscure posi- 
 tion, is one of the gems of the collection 
 
 Passing from the Gallery we enter the Orangery. 
 Most of the plants in this collection were the property 
 of Josephine when at Malmaison. Here we leave the 
 house, rather disappointed at having been hurried through, 
 still, not less impressed with its splendour. Taking 
 another guide, we proceed to the Grand Conservatory. 
 This mountain of glass covers an acre of ground. No 
 more enchanting sight can greet the eye than the one 
 presented on entering this crystal structure. Stately 
 palms, gracefully waving acacias, and the slender sugar- 
 cane, luxuriate in their own soil, and in the temperature 
 best suited to their growth and perfection. 
 
 Leaving this, we pass along by the waterfall and foun- 
 tains, thence round by the front of the house, and emerge 
 at the gate parallel to the one at which we entered. 
 
 From Chatsworth we drove to Haddon Hall. . . . This
 
 28o MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 is situated on a natural limestone elevation on the left 
 bank of the river Wye. The first glimpse which we 
 caught of it was eminently picturesque. Its embattled 
 turrets and castellated form rising from a grove of noble 
 trees impressed us deeply. Arriving in front of the 
 building, a narrow lane led to the ancient bridge across 
 the Wye ; a few steps more and we stood at the castle 
 gate. How old it looks! the wood rotted away from 
 the massive bolts, and whole framework seeming just 
 ready to fall to the ground. 
 
 MATLOCK, BATH, DERBYSHIRE, 
 June g, 1861. 
 
 We arrived at this delightful place last evening 
 
 from Chatsworth and dear old Haddon Hall (or, as the 
 natives say, "dear hold Addon All"), and are now very 
 comfortably quartered in the "New Bath Hotel" the 
 nicest English house that I have as yet met with. Every- 
 thing is so clean and neat attentive servants, an agree- 
 able landlady, and capital cooking 
 
 This afternoon I am going to visit Lea Hurst, the 
 home of Florence Nightingale. I regret that she is at 
 present absent, as a gentleman here, a friend of hers 
 and mine, would take me to call on her were she at 
 home. 
 
 I have a poor opinion of many of the English people. 
 Many who call themselves ladies and gentlemen have, 
 according to my ideas, very little politeness. On several 
 occasions, when they have found that I was an American, 
 they have made the most insulting remarks in regard to
 
 LETTERS TO M. 281 
 
 my country, which, at the present time, are both un- 
 christian and unfeeling. I always try never to lower 
 myself by saying anything ungentlemanly, but I give 
 them back in their own coin. Yesterday, to one who 
 had been taunting me in a most sarcastic manner for 
 two days, I gave a few home thrusts which made his ears 
 tingle. It is not every one who acts thus, but the snobo- 
 cracy, the " would-be-woulds," monied toad-stools, that 
 have sprung suddenly upon some wave of fortune, and 
 take upon themselves airs as though William the Con- 
 queror were their father and they had a universal 
 
 license to patronize and snub whom they please 
 
 You cannot make the English understand America. Their 
 perceptions are not quick, and I have talked in vain, for 
 hours, trying to explain, as well as I could, our Federal 
 institutions. They are a solid, substantial, noble-hearted 
 people; but, oh, how self-righteous! England and her 
 deeds are the Alpha and Omega of all they know. Were 
 it not for England, the world would go helter skelter 
 through space, and no power could stop it 
 
 " THE ELMS," MANCHESTER, 
 June 16, 1861. 
 
 This is the twilight hour. The sun is just setting 
 gloriously, and my blinds are rustling with a delicious 
 breeze grateful indeed, after so warm a day. The 
 weather has been perfect, though a shade too warm for 
 almost a week. I am hoping for a cool continuance 
 while I visit London. This morning I heard Rev. Mr. 
 M'Caw. His text was, " For our God is a consuming
 
 282 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 fire." The sermon was extemporaneous, and very good; 
 the more so because his words came from the heart. 
 After tea I took my little Union Hymn Book and re- 
 freshed myself with some of its sweet familiar hymns. 
 A little while ago I was walking round Kensall Moor : 
 the scene was calm and lovely. Looking toward the 
 city, the chimneys were silent, the busy hum of machinery 
 was hushed, the heavy rumbling of carts was unheard 
 all was rest, quiet Sabbath rest. Thought I, Is my soul 
 thus at rest 1 ? and then again, Happy that it is not ; for 
 woe be to him whose soul dwells at ease, and is lulled in 
 peaceful security! Though we are not at rest, tossed 
 about on this troubled sea of life, buffeted by sorrow and 
 sin, yet " there remaineth a rest for the people of God." 
 How the soul leaps with joy at this blessed declaration ! 
 how it spurs us on to be faithful unto the end, that there 
 is a rest ! Not always shall it be thus ; not always shall 
 it be that every joy has its proportionate sorrow, that 
 every pleasure has its pain. No, no; there is a rest! rest, 
 eternal, perfect rest, for the souls of God's children. How 
 I love to think about it! How I love to let my soul soar 
 away to those realms of bliss, and feast itself upon visions 
 
 of heavenly rest ! 
 
 You say rightly, that " literary pursuits, love of poetry, 
 &c., may be carried to such ah extent as to utterly unfit 
 us for every-day life." The poetical mind is rarely the 
 practical mind; it dwells on the ideal, the unreal, and 
 rarely descends, and never with pleasure, to those simple 
 matter-of-fact things of which man's life is made up, 
 and upon which so much of his happiness depends. 
 
 Tuesday evening. Here I am at last in London, and
 
 LETTERS TO M. 283 
 
 alone. It was bad enough when I had company; but 
 now it is a thousand-fold worse. I felt it so much after 
 I arrived; sitting down to my dinner alone, all strangers 
 about me; walking up and down the thronged streets 
 without meeting one single familiar face ; and at last corn- 
 ing up here to my little room without speaking one 
 familiar word to anybody. Is it a wonder that it makes 
 me home-sick, and that I long to be back again with 
 those who love me? There may be pleasure in travelling 
 when one has congenial company, but there is none to 
 me when I have none To-morrow I intend consult- 
 ing Dr. Quain, said to be very skilful in diseases of the 
 chest. Although I feel quite well, I would like to have 
 his opinion. I shall stay here a week or so, and then 
 go to Cumberland 
 
 LONDON, June 22, 1861. 
 
 On Wednesday I went to St. James's Park to 
 
 see the Queen pass to the Drawing Room. As this was 
 her first public appearance since her mother's death, all 
 London was agog, and never did. I see such a collection 
 of finery and toggery as was then and there presented. 
 For at least two hours a continuous stream of magnificent 
 equipages rolled up to the Palace door. At about 2 o'clock 
 music was heard, and, preceded by the Royal Life Guards, 
 Her Majesty, came from Buckingham Palace. I had a 
 capital view of her, and I assure you she is just the image 
 of the little photograph which I have shown you. She 
 was dressed in black, with a head-dress of black feathers 
 no jewels were to be seen. I had also a good look at
 
 284 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D, STUART. 
 
 the Princess Alice. She is very pretty, and I really feel 
 sorry that she is to be married to the Prince of Hesse. 
 A poor thing royalty is, that a man cannot choose his 
 own wife, nor a woman her husband. 
 
 LONDON, jfune 23, 1861. 
 
 Another Sabbath evening. Yesterday uncle J. arrived, 
 so that to-day I had company. This morning, shortly 
 after breakfast, we started out to Surrey Chapel to hear 
 Newman Hall. It is an octagonal building, one story 
 high, and having a very shabby appearance. It is, never- 
 theless, a sacred spot, for its walls have re-echoed with 
 the eloquence of Rowland Hill, of Sherman, and last, but 
 by no means least, of Newman Hall. It is of the Inde- 
 pendents, but Mr. Hall being one of the Countess of 
 Huntingdon's Connexion, a part of the Church of England 
 service is also read. After the service Mr. Hall entered 
 the pulpit. Imagine a tall, rather thin man, having a 
 long, pale face, with black side whiskers, partially bald, 
 and with a deep set black eye. The very moment he 
 opens his mouth you are riveted, and he'carries you with 
 him whithersoever he will; nor is the charm broken until 
 he ceases to speak. It seemed to me as though the 
 mantle of the sainted Hill, whose bust is immediately 
 behind the pulpit, had indeed descended upon him with 
 all its freshness and power. His text was Col. iii. 12, 13, 
 and such a sermon I have rarely listened to such grap- 
 pling with" error such brilliant showing forth of the 
 truth and power of God's word such argumentation ; all 
 coupled with the deepest tenderness and love for the
 
 LETTERS TO M. 28$ 
 
 souls of his hearers, and with most earnest pleading that 
 
 they would look unto Jesus and be saved 
 
 There is one thing to which I cannot reconcile myself 
 here ; it is the common practice of going from place to 
 place in omnibuses on the Sabbath. I know it must be 
 done, as the distances are so great ; still, it seems to me 
 unlike the Sabbath. At this hotel, "Castle and Falcon," 
 they are very strict : when I went down to the coffee- 
 room this morning I found all the newspapers removed, 
 and good religious books scattered along the tables, and 
 the waiters who were disengaged reading their Bibles. 
 Where in America would we see such a sight as this? .... 
 
 Monday evening. You will see by the papers which I 
 send you that London has, within the past forty-eight 
 hours, met with two severe losses ; one in the very sudden 
 death of the Lord Chancellor; and the other, the great 
 fire, which broke out on Saturday afternoon and is still 
 raging. On Sabbath morning the Superintendent of the 
 Fire Brigade was crushed by the falling walls He was 
 an elder in Dr. Cumming's church, and beloved by all 
 who knew him. I was told this morning by a gentleman 
 connected with the Phoenix, the oldest and best insurance 
 company in London, that the loss thus far is ^3, 000,000 
 sterling. The river is covered with tallow from the vaults. 
 And this evening another of the warehouses took fire, and 
 
 is now burning: it contains 18,000 barrels of tallow 
 
 I spent most of this afternoon at Smith, Beck and Beck's, 
 the great microscope makers, where I fairly revelled in 
 beautiful microscopic preparations; nor did I come away 
 without my trophies the temptations were too strong to 
 resist. .
 
 286 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 LONDON, June 28, 1861. 
 
 I passed the whole afternoon just looking through 
 
 the British Museum. It is indeed a wonderful place, and 
 far surpassed my highest expectation 
 
 I was not particularly struck with the Elgin Marbles. It 
 may be a great want of refined taste in me to say so; but 
 I think if the laudations of most people were sifted to 
 the bottom, they would come to the same conclusion. 
 They may be interesting to the antiquarian, but I do not 
 see where the lines of beauty are in those crumbling 
 stumps. Suppose the figures were perfect, the marble is 
 always rough and crumbling on the surface, and they look 
 just like a statue before it is cut out or polished. 
 
 There is some beautiful statuary in the Grand Hall and 
 in the Lycian Room. Many of the Assyrian Remains 
 were very interesting, more on account of their antiquity 
 than anything else. 
 
 From the Statuary I went to the Library. Here I was 
 perfectly amazed at the vastness of the collection. Noth- 
 ing is to me a more pleasing sight than a fine collection 
 of books. With the Autographs I was fascinated, and 
 spent a long time in trying to decipher some of them. 
 Think of gazing upon words penned by Luther and 
 Calvin, Erasmus and Huss; of seeing the very Prayer 
 Book written by Lady Jane Grey, upon which her eyes 
 were last fixed ere they were closed in death; the Will 
 of Mary Queen of Scots, and the Magna Charta to which 
 King John in anger affixed his name; pages too of Childe 
 Harold with Byron's own corrections; all these are in- 
 deed treasures. Here are the workings of mind; and, 
 after all, mind triumphs over matter, for a letter of Rubens
 
 LETTERS TO M. 287 
 
 will bring more in proportion than one of his paint- 
 ings. 
 
 On Thursday morning I called at the American Lega- 
 tion to procure a ticket for the House of Commons. The 
 gentlemen of the Legation were dressing for the Drawing 
 Room, to which I could have gone, but these hard times 
 I would not spend almost $150 for the sake of an hour's 
 pleasure. 
 
 I visited the Victoria Cross Gallery, paintings by M. 
 De Sourges of noble deeds of British soldiers in the 
 Crimea, Baltic, and India, for which they have received 
 the V. C. The collection is very good. M. De S. 
 excels in the freeness of his drawing, together with the 
 rich tone which he gives to his pictures. 
 
 From thence I went to the Water-Colour Exhibition, 
 Pall Mall. With these pictures I was delighted. There 
 was a beautiful painting of the Acropolis, taken at deep 
 sunset : the whole front of the building is one blaze of 
 light, while far back of the building the moon is rising, 
 and its rays are seen stealing across that part of the porch 
 which is screened from the more powerful rays of the 
 sun. There were many other gems, of which I have not 
 time to speak now. One I noticed particularly a view 
 of Coblentz just after sunset. I never saw a picture in 
 which subdued, perfect rest was embodied as in this 
 
 BLACKPOOL, July 7, 1861. 
 
 A very severe attack of neuralgia in my face has pre- 
 vented me from going to church this morning. It began 
 yesterday morning, kept me awake nearly all night, and 
 
 19
 
 288 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 is not much better to-day. Were it not for this I would 
 report myself as perfectly well. Yesterday I bathed in 
 the sea, and enjoyed it greatly. To-day is perfect ; the 
 sea breeze is just enough to be pleasant, neither chilly 
 nor warm. Here, as I sit upon the Cliff and look 
 towards the West, my thoughts fly to that far off land 
 where my loved ones dwell. How my heart is yearning 
 to be with them ! Often I wonder and the thought for 
 the moment brings with it a painful anxiety Are they 
 well? I shudder to think that the hand of sickness, 
 yes, and the cold, damp hand of death, might be laid 
 upon some one of them, and I would not know it. Yes, 
 the grave might have hid them for ever from my sight, 
 and I would still be looking fonvard to meeting them 
 again upon earth. The very thought of this fills my 
 heart with the deepest sadness, and causes tears of regret 
 that I ever left them. Yet the happy thought comes, 
 and all is well, " Say unto the righteous that it shall be 
 well with him." Though I would be far from saying that 
 I deserve such a name, still I cannot 'but think that I 
 have an interest in this precious promise. My Father 
 cares for you all. I know it. To His care, in earnest 
 prayer, have I commended you ; and I know that He 
 will do with you all as seemeth good in His sight, ordering 
 all things so that it shall be well with us in life, and that 
 in the life to come we shall drink of rivers of pleasure 
 for evermore. 
 
 What cause I have for deep gratitude to God this day ! 
 He has in His wonderful goodness brought me back 
 almost from the very gates of death, and I am again 
 perfectly well and strong. Disease has not left its fell 
 mark upon me. I am again myself, and the world is
 
 LETTERS TO M. 289 
 
 bright before me. As Dr. Quain told me, " Blessed with 
 a good constitution, you have every prospect of a long 
 and healthful life," what a responsibility rests upon me 
 to work for Christ ! Although much precious time has 
 been wasted, still it is not all gone ; the opportunities 
 have not all fled ; there is yet time to work, and there is 
 much work to be done. You remember the reason 
 Nehemiah gave for the rapid manner in which the temple 
 was built " The people had a mind for the work." What 
 we all need is a mind to work for Christ. We have mind 
 enough for the pleasures and pursuits of time, but little 
 enough for the concerns of eternity. ..... 
 
 What Sabbath desecration there is here ! You do not 
 see one or two persons engaged in some violent profana- 
 tion of God's holy day, such as swearing, billiard-playing, 
 &c., but nearly every one seems so listless. But few 
 attend church. I heard an old Presbyterian elder saying, 
 "It is too warm to go to church this morning," (the 
 thermometer not more than 70 or 75;) yet he can walk 
 in the sun up and down the cliffs the whole morning. 
 And so it is multitudes lolling about on the grass, or 
 strolling along the sands, seeming as though they thought 
 if they committed no actual sin they were keeping the 
 Sabbath properly. I really must say, that as far as I 
 have seen, the English by no means keep the Sabbath 
 
 as well as we do in America At the dinner-table 
 
 my neuralgia became so excruciating, that in a fit of 
 desperation I took chloroform. It put me asleep, re- 
 moved the pain, and I have been but a short time up 
 from its effects. It is now 9 o'clock ; the sun has just 
 set, and the long, soft, English twilight has set in. The 
 Promenade is crowded, and from my little window I now
 
 S90 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 look down and see them passing and repassing along 
 the Cliff; yet though I am alone, I am sure that none 
 of them is happier than I 
 
 There often comes over me an indescribable feeling 
 of loneliness. The only place I feel at home is at the 
 mercy-seat. There I do feel that I am not at least a 
 stranger. Although very far from what I should be, I 
 feel that I am welcome, and can tell all my cares and 
 thoughts to One who can be touched with a feeling of 
 my infirmity to One who can enter fully into all my 
 feelings, and can give me that assistance and grace which 
 I so much need. May that mercy-seat ever be to us 
 the happiest, most welcome spot upon earth ; may we 
 ever go to it with joyous hearts, and say when leaving, 
 Truly " it was good for me to be there : " there may we 
 find a well of purest joy and peace, from which we may 
 drink to the satisfying of our souls 
 
 I often think of my own little brothers and yours. 
 The world is before them, and they are rapidly advancing 
 toward its temptations and trials. God grant that their 
 every talent may be entirely devoted to His fear and ser- 
 vice; that Wisdom's ways may be their ways, and that their 
 footsteps may be directed in her paths. My own sisters, 
 too, I often think of. My heart's desire and prayer for 
 them is that they may be saved. Oh, that God in His 
 infinite goodness and mercy would lead them seriously 
 to consider the things that pertain to their peace before 
 they shall be for ever hidden from their eyes 
 
 July $ Although the morning was cloudy and the 
 waves dashed angrily against the rocks as though fore- 
 boding a storm, we did not give up our intention of
 
 LETTERS TO M. 291 
 
 spending "the day at Furness Abbey. So after a sub- 
 stantial breakfast we took the train for Fleetwood, and 
 soon found ourselves at the end of the long pier jutting 
 out into Morecambe Bay. As the tide here has a rise 
 and fall of 25 feet, the pier is necessarily very long and 
 high, so that the steamers can land their passengers at 
 all hours. As it was, the tide was running out very 
 rapidly, and the waters of the river Wye, as they rushed 
 past, reminded us somewhat of the lower rapids at 
 Niagara. Soon we were on board the steam yacht Hd- 
 vellyn, and a more beautiful little vessel I never saw 
 sharp as an arrow, and fitted up with great comfort and 
 elegance. Precisely at noon we cast off, and the rapid 
 stream swung us round the light-house and out into the 
 open bay. Looking up the bay, we could see in the 
 distance the old county town of Lancaster ; while in the 
 foreground were the famous Lancaster Sands, now a 
 thoroughfare, but over which in the course of a few 
 hours the water will be flowing 15 or 20 feet deep. 
 
 The scenery of Morecambe Bay has by some been 
 said to surpass that of the far-famed Bay of Naples. Not 
 having seen the latter we cannot express an opinion. To 
 us it was an object of great beauty, as when half way 
 across the sun burst through the clouds, and away in the 
 distance we saw the gray tops of Helvellyn and Lang-, 
 dale Rikes, while on either side the hills were lined with 
 ripening grain. 
 
 Soon the grim black walls of Peel Castle confront us, 
 and we are again at shore. This castle was built by the 
 Abbot of Furness in 1327, for the purpose f guarding 
 the adjacent shore, from which the abbey is "but a mile 
 or so distant. It was used as a depository for the
 
 292 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 treasures of the abbey, and the whole colony betook 
 themselves thither as a place of retreat from hostile in- 
 cursions 
 
 The castle consists of a large tower or keep strongly 
 built, with two outer walls and a deep moat, which at 
 high tide was filled with water to the depth of 20 feet. 
 
 The walls are pierced with holes for the purpose 
 
 of pouring down melted lead upon the unbidden visitors. 
 Arquebuse and culverin were not scarce, as the many 
 remnants testify ; and as this was, in the days of Queen 
 Bess, the only port between Milford Haven and Scotland, 
 its being securely held was of the utmost importance. 
 
 But we stay too long the train is waiting, the guard 
 has shouted for the third time, " Gentlemen, please take 
 your seats" so we must be off. Along the narrow 
 causeway, beside the green fields, and through a long 
 dark tunnel, and the train suddenly stops at a beautiful 
 little station, and we are at Furness. 
 
 Think of it ! the Vale of Deadly Nightshade has been 
 disturbed by a railway ; it runs within a few yards of 
 where the old Baron of Kendal had hoped to sleep undis- 
 turbed ; it whirls along in the very sight of the high altar, 
 and the nave re-echoes the shriek of the engine, where 
 before was heard the Jubilate Deo or the solemn requiem 
 for the dead. The abbot's lodge has been rebuilt for a 
 railway station, and a pretty one it is with its flying but- 
 tresses and antique chimneys, almost leading one to watch 
 for the grave old dignitary himself, corning forth in cowl 
 and cassock to meet his guests. 
 
 Having ordered dinner we sally forth And now 
 
 we enter the little iron gate and the north front of the 
 abbey is before us ; there are the great choir and nave,
 
 LETTERS TO M. 293 
 
 where many a time the long processions of monks walked 
 at midnight swinging their golden lamps ; and there the 
 carved sedilia, where often the old abbot sat in the far 
 back times and listened to the solemn notes of the De 
 Profundis chanted by twice a hundred voices. 
 
 The stone is a red sandstone, and the architecture 
 the severe Norman, in accordance with the rules of the 
 
 Order On entering, our attention was first directed to 
 
 the chancel. It extends some 60 or 70 feet to the east- 
 ward of the body of the church. It is 20 feet broad, and 
 its walls are 60 feet high. The great east window was 50 
 feet high; and the painted window, judging from the parts 
 still preserved in Bowness Church, must have been very 
 
 magnificent In the centre of the chancel lies the 
 
 figure of a knight in armour, cross-legged. In the south 
 wall are the sedilia. These are canopied stalls, adorned 
 in Gothic style; in them the officiating priest sat at in- 
 tervals during the service of high mass. Those beautiful 
 ornaments have been completely disfigured by the vil- 
 lanous attempts of visitors to hand their names down to 
 posterity by scribbling and scratching them upon the seats 
 and sides In the corner are two monuments, sup- 
 posed to be of two knights of the Lancaster family known 
 to be buried here. 
 
 From the chancel we pass into the chapter-house. Here 
 the Order sat in solemn conclave to try cases of misde- 
 meanour and receive applicants for admission to the 
 Order. This is the only building marked with any of the 
 elegance of Gothic sculpture. It has been a noble room, 
 60x45. The roof was vaulted, formed of 12 ribbed 
 arches, and supported by a double row of pillars six in 
 each, the capitals of which were either plain or foliated. . . .
 
 294 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 Over this chapter-house was the scriptorium, where the 
 monks illuminated manuscripts. 
 
 Passing from this and ascending the hill side, we have 
 a good view of the Vale of Deadly Nightshade, and here 
 we would sit down upon this grassy knoll and contemplate 
 the lovely scene. We have had quite enough of knocking 
 our heads against arches lower now than they once were, and 
 of cracking our shins against broken staircases that lead to 
 nothing. To our left the grand old western tower stands 
 out against a bed of green ; and there through its broken 
 arch you may see the avenue lined with the ash, through 
 which came visitors, knights and nobles, to enjoy the 
 abbot's hospitality. Here are the lakes well stocked with 
 fish, and the orchards with fruit; further on are the little 
 cells where the monks often retired to meditate and pray. 
 
 By far the finest view we got of the ruin was from the 
 east side, when sitting upon the tombstone of some old 
 abbot we looked through the vast, shattered, ruined frame 
 of the once gorgeous window, and saw in perspective the 
 choir and distant arches, the remains of the nave closed 
 in by the woods. 
 
 One of the great beauties of Furness consists in the 
 luxuriance of the parasitic foliage, which everywhere is to 
 be found clinging to the walls. Over the arches, around 
 the broken columns of the chapter-house, and in and out 
 the vacant windows clusters the thick ivy; and from in- 
 numerable cracks and crannies, from nooks once adorned 
 with the effigy of saint or angel, droops the graceful fern, 
 while moss and lichen conceal the tombs of knights and 
 prelates; and through all, Nature has spread a luxuriant 
 carpet of high green grass, and save in one little room 
 there is no roof but hers.
 
 LETTERS 'TO M. 295 
 
 Ding-a-ling ding-a-ling ding-a-ling suddenly broke 
 our reverie, and we were called from the dead to the 
 living, from contemplation of the past to a consideration 
 of the present. 
 
 After a very good dinner, and an hour's rest by way of 
 digestion, we resumed our seats in the cars and soon were 
 back at Peel. Here our little steamer was awaiting us, 
 and soon had recrossed Morecambe Bay. Just as the 
 sun was setting we found ourselves back at the hotel, 
 feeling richly repaid by a day spent at Furness Abbey. 
 
 WAST DALE HEAD, HEAD OF WAST WATER, 
 FOOT OF SCAW FELL, July 27, 1861. 
 
 In this little secluded hamlet, far from civilization, I 
 sit down to write. The people here are in about the 
 1 7th century no post-office, no roads, no newspapers, 
 no anything. All is primitive, and as ignorant as you 
 could well imagine; indeed, from personal observation, I 
 do not think that one in ten can tell how old he is. Here 
 in this little valley, not more than two miles square, they 
 have lived as their fathers and grandfathers did before 
 them, and many of them have reached manhood and 
 never saw the outer world except from the mountain-top 
 when hunting lost sheep 
 
 The reason why I have time to write here is, that the 
 rest of my party, consisting of my two cousins arid a clever 
 young gentleman from Liverpool whom we met yester- 
 day, have gone on to the top of Scaw Fell Pike (3,160 
 feet), while I, poor city boy, had to give out. I became 
 so nervous and so dizzy that I concluded prudence would
 
 296 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 be much the better part of valour. I had got to the top 
 of Ling Mell (1,500 feet), almost perpendicular, when my 
 heart began to beat so violently, and I became so giddy 
 as to have to lie down for some time. Finding it quite 
 impossible for me to go on although the tug was over, 
 I requested the party to go forward, intending to come 
 down alone. Coming down was harder than going up, 
 the grass being so wet and the stones so loose as that 
 many times I would slip twenty or thirty feet before I 
 would get my footing. After getting back to our little 
 farm-house I took my glass and walked down to the 
 head of the lake to get a view of Scaw Fell, and a grand 
 one I did get. Just as I arrived at the best place, the 
 misty curtain was lifted from the top of the Pikes, and 
 then I saw them, gray and barren, in bold relief against 
 the deep blue sky. After looking for about ten minutes, 
 Mr. Scaw Fell, thinking I had seen quite enough, and 
 being perhaps rather modest, put on his night-cap and 
 retired. I have got many mosses and ferns upon the 
 hill and crags, which I am pressing in a book. Could 
 my friends see me I am sure they would be amused a 
 pair of treble thick soled boots, breeches to the knees, 
 satchel on my back, my little cap adorned with stag moss, 
 and to crown all, a good shillelah to assist my pedes- 
 trianisms. . 
 
 EDINBURGH, July 31, 1861. 
 
 Here I am in this beautiful old town of eleven-storied 
 houses and bare-legged soldiers this city of Knox and 
 Chalmers; and where, above all other places, they talk
 
 LETTERS TO M. 297 
 
 so much and know so little about America. The Messrs. 
 Nelson have received me with the greatest cordiality: 
 to-day I dine with them : they have invited me to spend 
 a week at their country house in the island of Arran 
 an invitation I am inclined to accept, as I know I will 
 
 have a pleasant time 
 
 From my window I have a fine view of the city; to 
 the right is the old Castle, with its huge Mons Meg point- 
 ing towards me; in front is the Old Town, with its Cow- 
 gate and Grassmarket the silent witnesses to the per- 
 secutions of those of whom it is said that 
 
 " persecution dragged them into fame, 
 
 And chased them up to heaven," 
 
 Between the Old and the New Town there is a deep 
 ravine, which has been turned into a beautiful prome- 
 nade, beneath which the railroad runs; a little to my left 
 is the magnificent monument erected to Sir Walter Scott ; 
 while further on is the Calton Hill, crowned with a monu- 
 ment to Nelson. In the background are Arthur's Seat 
 and Salisbury Crags, at whose foot may be seen the 
 ancient towers of Holyrood, where the beautiful Mary 
 once reigned supreme, and where her favourite Rizzio 
 
 met a bloody death 
 
 The residence of my friends the Nelsons is at the 
 foot of Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags, and from their 
 drawing-room windows there is a splendid view of the 
 neighbouring loch, the fields of Preston, and the ruins 
 of Craigmillar Castle, once a residence of Queen Maty. 
 On opening the door I was greeted by the word " Salve," 
 inscribed in the tiled vestibule ; and I assure you it was 
 no empty word it was welcome indeed, as hearty from
 
 298 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 the ladies as it had been from the gentlemen of the 
 family. After dinner, in company with Messrs. William 
 and Thomas Nelson, I drove to the Grange Cemetery 
 to visit the grave of Dr. Chalmers. It was just at dusk, 
 and the gates were shut, but we obtained admission 
 from the keeper. We walked slowly up that gravel walk 
 along which once moved a sorrow-stricken city to do 
 their last homage at the grave of him who was the noble 
 champion of their religious liberty. Almost at the end 
 of the walk we came to the spot where, marked by a 
 massive slab, repose the remains of Thomas Chalmers. 
 Turning round, attracted by a familiar name, I stood be- 
 side the grave of your former co-pastor Mr. Dickinson; and 
 from his grave I plucked a few flowers, which I am press- 
 ing and will bring home to Mrs. D., as I am sure she 
 will value them. A little further on I was again at- 
 tracted by a slab of Aberdeen granite, on which was 
 chiselled the name Hugh Miller: here again I involun- 
 tarily stopped, and thought of that gigantic mind, over- 
 wrought and over-tasked, which perished ere its rich 
 
 treasures were fully given to the world 
 
 This morning, while pressing the flowers collected last 
 evening, my friend M'Farlane made his appearance. I 
 was delighted to see one so fresh from home, and we had 
 a long talk, after which we ascended Sir Walter Scott's 
 beautiful monument. From thence we went to Edinburgh 
 Castle, where we spent some time in wandering about and 
 inspecting the famous Crown jewels, dating back to King 
 Robert Bruce ; we also saw Mary Queen of Scots' room, 
 in which James First of England was born. Returning 
 down High Street, along which many a martyr has been 
 hurried, we entered Grey Friars' Churchyard, where our
 
 LETTERS TO M. 299 
 
 covenanting forefathers signed the testimony with their 
 blood, and where is the monument erected to the memory 
 of those who fell martyrs in the cause of " Christ's crown 
 and covenant." Here we saw also the monument to 
 
 Alexander Henderson, the great Reformer 
 
 Edinburgh is a charming city; and when in the Old 
 Town it requires but little stretch of imagination to fancy 
 one's self living two or three centuries ago 
 
 LAMLASH, ISLAND OF ARRAN, FIRTH OF CLYDE. 
 August n, 1861. 
 
 I cannot realize that in years I am a man ; so 
 
 gradually has the change stolen upon me, that now when 
 it has come I know it not. I trust I feel what a solemn 
 and important thing it is to set out right to make a 
 proper beginning in the world, for very much of a man's 
 future happiness and success depends upon this. How 
 many a bitter hour and saddening thought it spares him; 
 and what delight he has in thinking that from the begin- 
 ning all has been well ! . . . . 
 
 I am enjoying myself exceedingly. All day long I 
 am out sailing, fishing, or walking; so that now I am as 
 brown as a berry; but what difference does that make, 
 when one's health is good. 
 
 My plan for Switzerland is now pretty well matured. 
 I shall leave here on Thursday night, and reach Liver- 
 pool early on Friday morning, where we will make our 
 necessary purchases. On Saturday morning we will all 
 start for London, and spend the Sabbath either there or 
 in Paris probably in London. We will then push on to
 
 300 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 Switzerland, visiting Geneva, Lucerne, Chamouni, St 
 Bernard, and in fact everything of interest on the way. 
 I am trying to arrange matters so as to be in Geneva 
 when the Evangelical Alliance meets ; and on my way 
 back I will stop in Paris and London 
 
 LAMLASH, ISLAND OF ARRAN, August 18, 1861. 
 
 Again the Sabbath has returned. All night long a 
 fearful storm has been raging, and to-day is as wild as 
 you could possibly imagine. The wind is not sighing, 
 but howling down the glen; and the waves are breaking 
 
 angrily along the shore I feel myself daily taking 
 
 greater delight in prayer and meditation ; and yet I hardly 
 dare say this lest I fall into temptation, and become in 
 a measure satisfied with my condition. Oh, how Satan 
 does tempt me ! whenever a sweet sense of my Saviour's 
 presence comes to me, whenever I am thinking with 
 delight on the goodness of God, then Satan comes with 
 some evil thoughts and disturbs my peace. But why 
 this 1 ? Do I forget that in this world there is no peace, no 
 rest for the weary, no comfort? All must be a continued, 
 continuing struggle, until we reach that higher, nobler, 
 happier world, where all is peace. There the Christian 
 soldier shall at last find rest; there, coming from the 
 dust and heat of the conflict, shall he unbuckle his 
 armour, take off his helmet, lay down his sword, and 
 being clad in the emblem of peace, even the robe of 
 his Redeemer's righteousness, join in the everlasting 
 hymn of praise to a glorified Redeemer, and add another 
 voice to the angelic choir, singing, " Glory, honour,
 
 LETTERS TO M. 301 
 
 praise and power, to Him that sitteth on the throne, 
 and to the Lamb for ever and ever!" 
 
 Sabbath evening. The storm is over; the angry sea is 
 at rest ; the wind has died away, and everything has that 
 peaceful look which seems so especially fitting for the 
 evening of this holy day. Oh, rest, rest, rest ! " that I 
 might fly away and be at rest!" This has all day 
 long been the burden of my thoughts. Still, I fondly 
 hope, indeed I may say with a full assurance of truth, 
 that we are daily approaching this rest; that we can take 
 up the words of the beautiful hymn, and sing from the 
 depths of a happy soul, 
 
 " Here in this body pent, 
 
 Absent from Thee I roam ; 
 Yet nightly pitch my moving tent 
 A day's march nearer home." 
 
 I have often thought what a blessed thing it would be 
 for ourselves if we could enter heaven together. To be 
 together in life, together in death, to begin together our 
 eternal life in glory, would indeed be happiness 
 
 Wednesday morning. I shall remain here perhaps till 
 Monday; then, in company with Mr. Nelson, go to 
 Oban, and make that a central point from which to 
 visit StafFa, lona, and the Western Highlands. My 
 cousin Andrew, through some misunderstanding, went 
 to Switzerland without me. I am, however, going in 
 September so as to be in Geneva at the Conference, 
 which opens on the 3rd. Indeed I am very glad I am 
 not on the Continent now; the weather is so intensely 
 hot that no one can travel, or even walk, in the middle
 
 302 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 of the day, and I am sure such weather would do me no 
 good. 
 
 I often wish, when I see these Scotch girls how they 
 walk and bear exposure without injury, that our sweet 
 lassies were just like them. The fatigue and exposure 
 which the ladies of our party have undergone in the 
 past ten days would, I was going to say, almost kill the 
 majority of American girls. Although the young ladies 
 here have neither the delicacy of form nor feature which 
 characterizes our own, still they have a fresh bloom of 
 health upon their cheek, even when well up in years, 
 which I should much like to see exchanged for the too 
 often pale look of our American ladies 
 
 LAMLASH, August 26, 1861. 
 
 I have given up the idea of going to the Evan- 
 gelical Alliance, and instead will attend the meeting of 
 the British Association at Manchester, which opens on 
 Wednesday first 
 
 You would be amused could you look in here almost 
 any day and hear the battling I do for America. Some- 
 times I have as many as a dozen at me at once; and 
 although I cannot, and would not, attempt to deny or 
 excuse much that they say on the Slavery question, still 
 I answer by suggesting to them, by way of remembrance, 
 a few of their own vile sins: they all, however, do me 
 the credit of saying that I am the warmest advocate of 
 what is right in America that they have yet seen. Be 
 .sure that whatever may be the tone of the English press, 
 or the action of the English Government, we have the
 
 LETTERS TO M. 303 
 
 heartfelt sympathy of the great mass of the Scotch people: 
 all they want is a little more decision on the part of the 
 North in regard to the question of Slavery. Nor can I 
 think them wrong ; for I know full well that this question 
 was carefully and sedulously excluded from all the 
 prayers and addresses in the Union meetings during the 
 
 late revival 
 
 Sad news again from our beloved America. Yet I 
 have not a shadow of a doubt as to the issue. These 
 reverses have gained us a sympathy here that success 
 never would have done. . 
 
 BADEN-BADEN, September 22, 1861. 
 
 To-day as I walked through the town and saw 
 
 every shop open, heard the band playing in front of the 
 Keusall, and everything going on in utter disregard of 
 the Lord's Day, I felt that indeed I was a stranger here. 
 No Sabbath! " There is no God," written on the face cf 
 everything. Unhappy country! poor, miserable people! 
 I could not refrain from lifting up my heart in thanks- 
 givings that my lot was not cast in this place, but in 
 America, among a Sabbath-keeping people; a land with 
 the Bible; a land, though it may have many faults, I 
 love with my whole heart, and out of which I would not 
 live though a palace were the reward. If there is one 
 thing that I desire to return home for, in addition to my 
 desire to be with my loved ones, it is that I may again 
 enjoy my Sabbath privileges. I long for my Sabbath 
 school, and for our delightful prayer-meetings for sweet 
 communion with God's children, and for the regular 
 20
 
 304 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 means of grace. I am weary of this ever-changing 
 scene, this "bustle of travel, and I long for the quiet of 
 my own native city. 
 
 I was reading to-day an exposition of the text, " Thou 
 wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on 
 thee." Notice it. Perfect peace ; what a promise for the 
 poor, doubting, trembling believer ! what a rock on which 
 to build one's struggling hopes ! Perfect peace; not a 
 peace whose joy is marred by sorrow or remorse ; not 
 restless, like the midnight tossings of him whose fevered 
 frame longs for the morning light ; not peace to-day and 
 trouble to-morrow. No, no ! God will keep his dear 
 ones in perfect peace. This promise is to us : we have a 
 deep interest in it : it has much to do with our happiness. 
 Have we this peace 1 Let us examine ourselves, and see 
 whether we have that within us which, when all is dark 
 and black around us, will still keep our souls in perfect 
 peace, enabling us to look above and beyond this vale 
 of tears to something brighter and better beyond the 
 skies. . 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, November 25, 1861. 
 
 To-night grandmother has left me,* and I feel 
 
 her loss deeply. No longer is she under the same roof 
 with me : I can no longer go up to her room and tell 
 her my cares and troubles : to see her now I must go to 
 another house, and I cannot be with her as much as 
 formerly. She has been a very good grandmother to me, 
 and much, oh. how much, I owe her ! . . . . 
 
 * On the death of her son-in-law, John Rumsey, Esq., Mrs. Dennison felt it 
 her duty to live with her widowJ daughter.
 
 LETTERS TO M. 305 
 
 Sabbath evening, January it, 1862. 
 
 My day's work is just completed. .... It has been a 
 great pleasure more even than ordinary to wait in the 
 courts of the Lord's house. I felt, and feel as never be- 
 fore, the solemn import of the work in which I am en- 
 gaged; and am resolved, by God's grace, to be more 
 faithful in my duties. Last night I was reading in your 
 sainted sister's Memoir, and came to those resolutions 
 she penned for her guidance and direction. One of them 
 fixed itself deeply upon me : it was, " To do everything as 
 if worth doing" " Make a business of everything that I 
 undertake." I trust that she, being dead, may yet speak 
 to me in this, and that it may inspire me to a more up- 
 ward earnestness and zeal for my Saviour's cause : He is 
 a precious Saviour, and is worthy of our noblest efforts. 
 
 I feel very much encouraged with my mission school. 
 Never had a superintendent a more faithful band of 
 teachers instant in season and out of season labouring 
 most faithfully to satisfy both the eternal and temporal 
 wants of their respective little flocks. I feel that my 
 position is a very important and responsible one. Oh 
 that God would give me grace to be faithful. Our work 
 widens and deepens on our hands : to-day we devised 
 still more extended plans of usefulness, which, if we are 
 faithful, God will bless 
 
 1313 SPRUCE STREET, 
 Sabbath evening, March 23, 1862. 
 
 A rather weary, because idle day, has passed It 
 
 has seemed strange to me to be in the city, not sick 2 and
 
 306 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 yet not at my work. It reminded me forcibly of one of 
 those long, weary Sabbaths last spring, when I longed so 
 much to be out, and yet could not be 
 
 Oh, could I only be what I want to be ! I sometimes 
 do despair, when I think of my cold-heartedness, my in- 
 difference to the momentous concerns of eternity. To 
 think that at any moment we may be summoned before 
 God ! whether waking or sleeping, it matters not. What 
 must we be made of, to live on satisfied in such neglect ? 
 
 I do not mean that we are not God's children, for I 
 humbly trust that we are; but this should only be a more 
 urgent reason for greater wakefulness and watchfulness. 
 We must be ever ready, with our lamps trimmed, and 
 waiting for our Master 
 
 " CLAUGHTON FIRS," BIRKENHKAD, 
 May 17, 1862. 
 
 Here I am, safe in Liverpool ; and as I sit in this 
 dining-room I cannot but think of my dreaming the last 
 night I slept at Lansdowne of my being here, and ex- 
 claiming to myself, " What a fool I am, to] be away thus 
 from my home again !" Now indeed it is reality, and 
 the broad Atlantic rolls between us. We left Queens- 
 town yesterday at 3, and arrived at the anchorage at 12. 
 The confusion in examining the baggage of so many 
 passengers was necessarily great, so that it was nearly 
 3 o'clock before I left Liverpool. Mr. Caldwell has 
 gone up to Manchester, where I will meet him on Mon- 
 day. Uncle David says that father wrote him saying 
 that I would remain over all summer; to which I gave
 
 LETTERS TO M. 307 
 
 an emphatic denial, and told him that I would not stay 
 later than 7th July. 
 
 When I look back at our voyage, and think 
 
 what it might have been, I cannot but think how God 
 has favoured us; no storms, no fogs, no danger of any 
 kind all bright, clear, and prosperous. There are few 
 indeed who have as many prayers as I have daily offered 
 for their welfare : I know it, I feel it, and I trust it may 
 but stimulate me to greater fervency before the throne of 
 grace. I was thinking to-day, as I left the ship, how in 
 A few hours we would all be scattered, and never meet 
 again until we stand before God's judgment-seat. I trust 
 that I did nothing to dishonour the name of my Saviour : 
 I am not conscious of anything; but that is not the ques- 
 tion. Did I do anything for His cause anything to 
 honour His name 1 I trust my example was not all for 
 nought ; and yet, how do we every day come far short 
 of our duty, and do nothing as we should for our blessed 
 Saviour, who died that we might live. The delight, the 
 joy of doing good ! how the heart thrills with pleasure at 
 the thought of doing that which pleases Him who did so 
 much for us ! . 
 
 MANCHESTER, May 22, 1862. 
 
 In my reading last night I was much struck 
 
 with the following verse (Job xv. n), "Are the consola- 
 tions of God small \\i\h. thee 1 ?" How much there is in 
 that question to one who is a professed follower of the 
 Lord Jesus ! on a moment's thought, with what force and 
 power does it come home to the mind ! To me, at the 
 time, peculiarly so. I was sitting in my room in the
 
 308 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 " Queen's Hotel " alone, about midnight. Sad thoughts 
 filled my mind. I felt the tear starting in my eye, and 
 looking down at the Bible which lay open on my knee 
 before me, my eye fell upon the words, " Are the conso- 
 lations of God small with theeT What comfort they 
 brought ! sadness vanished like a flash. How, thought 
 I, could they be small with one who has enjoyed so 
 much; and, with a heart overflowing with thankfulness 
 and joy, I knelt at the mercy-seat, and committed all to 
 the care of Him who has promised that it shall be well 
 with the righteous. Now my fears are all gone, and I 
 dwell with increased delight upon those precious words. 
 Lay them up in your heart, and let them lead you to ask 
 more and expect more from God ; let them increase 
 your faith in Him who has failed in not one thing that 
 He has promised. 
 
 LONDON, May 24, 1862. 
 
 I left Manchester last evening at 5, and came up here, 
 arriving at 1 1. I am at my old quarters, the " Castle and 
 Falcon," where I am well taken care of. I had a plea- 
 sant trip coming up, barring the gentlemen talked too 
 much when I wanted to be quiet. Can you imagine it ! 
 three sociable Englishmen, and all in favour of the North i 
 Such a spectacle I never saw before, never expected to 
 see, and may never see again. I suggest that, for the 
 character of the nation, they be cased, and added to 
 the list of trophies in the Exhibition. 
 
 To-morrow I shall try and hear Rev. Dr. Hamilton ; 
 and in the evening, either Spurgeon or Newman Hall.
 
 LETTERS TO M. 309 
 
 Since I commenced gargling with salt I find my 
 throat is much better, and I hope to find from it per- 
 manent relief. . 
 
 LONDON, May 25, 1862. 
 
 It is almost midnight, and I have sought the retirement 
 of my little chamber to write. Another Sabbath is almost 
 gone, and what have I done to improve it 1 Not feeling 
 very bright I have stayed in the hotel all day the most 
 of the time in my room, reading, praying, and meditating. 
 Under the circumstances, I thoroughly enjoyed the day. 
 The sermon which I read was one which peculiarly 
 pleased me, and suited my circumstances : it was one of 
 Dr. Addison Alexander's, entitled " Intercessory Prayer," 
 from i Thess. v. 25, "Brethren, pray for us." You have 
 the book ; read this sermon : I think you will like it. It 
 exhibits God's manifold rich grace most beautifully; show- 
 ing how little God might have done for us, compared 
 with what He has, and yet have saved us. Of these 
 blessings, the privilege of praying for others is dwelt upon 
 with great force and beauty. We can appreciate these 
 words : we know, when far separated, how it has glad- 
 dened our hearts to be able to meet at the throne of 
 grace, and to feel that we can plead for one another. 
 This is a blessed gift of God. Though we cannot save 
 others, though we cannot stand for them in judgment, 
 still we can pray for them, and we have been promised 
 that " the prayer of faith availeth much." Let us try and 
 realize this more look upon it more as a gift of God 
 than as a matter of course; and may this lead us to
 
 3io MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 value the privilege more highly How fervent our 
 
 petitions are for the objects dearest to our hearts! What 
 desolation would it be were this denied us, and we could 
 only pray for ourselves ! Do not fail to read this ser- 
 mon, and notice how beautiful it is, especially the con- 
 clusion. 
 
 Monday, May 26. All day long I have been at the 
 International Exhibition ; and now that I sit down to say 
 something about it, I know not where to begin or what 
 to write. Paintings and machinery, bronzes and china, 
 light-houses, Armstrong guns and jewellery, are all in one 
 confused mass in my brain, and I hardly know how to 
 separate them. Perhaps I had better tell you what I 
 saw as I went along ; and first, as to the building. It is 
 in Kensington, adjoining the grounds of the South Ken- 
 sington Museum and the Royal Horticultural Society : 
 being more intended for permanence than the Palace of 
 1851, its walls are of stone and brick, and its roof of 
 wood and glass: it is not, as the other was, a " Crystal 
 Palace;" nor has it that beauty of form nor convenience 
 of internal arrangement which (as I recollect it) charac- 
 terized the building of 1851. There are too many 
 "annexes," as they are called, running out from the main 
 building, utterly bewildering the visitor in his endeavours 
 to see everything. At either end of the nave there are 
 domes, one greater and one lesser. The internal decora- 
 tions are much superior to the other building : the paint- 
 ing is simple, but in good taste ; and the harmony of 
 colour is striking throughout. Around the circle of the 
 dome and along the lower edges of the roof and the 
 facings of the galleries, are painted, in antique letter, texts
 
 LETTERS TO M. 311 
 
 of Scripture, or the sayings of great men, all tending to 
 give God the glory for everything. The display (except 
 from the United States) is, as might be expected, far 
 superior to anything in former years; the English people 
 seem to have laboured hard to make this the greatest of 
 all Exhibitions, and I believe they have fully succeeded. 
 
 The first thing which strikes the eye of the visitor is a 
 beautiful fountain in encaustic tile-work; the subject is 
 mythological, and as that is a branch in which I am not 
 posted, especially the mythology of Britain, I cannot 
 speak of the subject, but merely say that the effect is 
 beautiful : around it, filling the four corners, are cases of 
 magnificent oxydized silver-work ; between these are 
 beautiful bronze figures, large as life. Looking down 
 the nave you see the entrance to the various courts 
 faced by bronze and iron gates of great beauty. Gun 
 trophies and cannon trophies, fur trophies and jewel 
 trophies all of them composed of the most valuable 
 and perfect specimens of their kind, and each a gem 
 in itself. 
 
 The collection of Paintings is by far the finest I have 
 seen. It is said that for general pictures (I mean leaving 
 out such as the Immaculate Conception, than which 
 there are a thousand here I would rather have,) it is the 
 finest collection ever brought together. The Queen and 
 the Emperor, all the galleries of England and Europe, 
 have lent their choicest gems. There is a likeness of 
 Eugenie by Winterhalter, just finished, to which I would 
 be almost tempted to apply the term angelic: also, a 
 picture of the Princess Royal and her children, by the 
 same artist, which is very fine. All the gems of Hogarth, 
 Landseer, Cooper, Eddy, Lawrence, &c., are here col-
 
 312 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 lected , and you can study them from their first attempt 
 to their master-pieces. 
 
 The collection of Statuary is fine, though by no means 
 to be compared with the Paintings. 
 
 The display of Gobelins Tapestry and Sevres China is 
 superb ; and indeed, in bronzes, jewellery, and all that is 
 beautiful and ornamental, France carries the palm. She 
 exhibits likewise considerable machinery, which is very 
 ingenious. 
 
 The Machinery department is very fine. It occupies 
 a room 500 x 1200 feet; and there you may see in active 
 operation, either full size or in miniature, all the appliances 
 of steam engines, pumps, cotton-spinning, weaving, 
 cloth-making, coining, diamond-cutting, &c. 
 
 But I weary you with my detail. It is, in short, a 
 World's Fair, in every sense of the word. There you see 
 people and their works from every clime and nation; and 
 I could not but think, as I came away, What a wonderful 
 creature man is ! Who could have made him but an 
 infinite God ! What an overwhelming argument, I 
 thought, is this against those who call man the produc- 
 tion of chance, or the improvement of a lower being ! 
 The only way of accounting for such versatile and pro- 
 found genius is to be found in these words, " God breathed 
 into man the breath of life, and he became a living 
 soul. .... 
 
 I feel every day that I cannot be sufficiently thankful 
 for what God has done for me. He has thrown around 
 me many safeguards, and given me grace to resist many 
 temptations ; and that grace I know will ever be equal to 
 the trial. Being, as I have been in my travels, all alone, 
 ind with an unlimited purse, many a young man in
 
 LETTERS TO M. 313 
 
 similar circumstances has strayed far from the path of 
 virtue and righteousness, and returned to his home a 
 wreck of his former self. God has mercifully preserved 
 me : to Him be all the glory 
 
 MILLTOWN, BANBRIDGE, IKISI.AND, ' 
 June 10, 1862. 
 
 On Saturday I called upon several clergymen, 
 
 Dr. Edgar and others, and then went out with George 
 Weir to his father's place, Lisnabreeny, about 2\ miles 
 from Belfast, upon the mountain side. Here I was 
 heartily welcomed by all the family, and made to feel, 
 as far as in their power, at home. Home, however, is 
 where the heart is; and all attempts to make one, when 
 absent, feel that he is at home, only serve to render the 
 void more perceptible. Such were my felt thoughts as I 
 gathered with this family around their fireside, and saw 
 how happy they were. 
 
 On Sabbath morning we drove to Belfast in a jaunting- 
 car, in a pouring rain, to hear Dr. Cooke ; but, unfortu- 
 nately, he was sick and could not preach. In the evening 
 we went to the church at Castlereagh, near Mr. Weir's 
 house, and heard an excellent sermon. On Monday I 
 had contemplated visiting an Irish fair; but the young 
 gentleman who was to have gone with me was suddenly 
 called away to see a dying patient, and I did not care 
 about going alone. To-day I left Belfast at i, arrived 
 at Lurgan at 2, and then drove six miles over to this 
 place, the beautiful homestead of the Smyth family. 
 I have no doubt but that I shall enjoy the few days
 
 3H MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 that I am to remain with them, for they are very hos- 
 pitable. 
 
 On my way over from Lurgan I visited Donacloney 
 Church, where father was baptized, and where he wor- 
 shipped up to the time of his going to America. In the 
 yard beside the church my grandparents are buried, and 
 their children have marked the place by a neat slab 
 and railing. 
 
 The weather here is most depressing rain, chilling 
 rain, every day without intermission. If I had not before 
 me the prospect of a speedy return, I would get the blues 
 so badly as to be a most incurable case. This afternoon 
 I have been laid 'hold of by my father's old pastor and 
 some others of the congregation; and nothing will satisfy 
 them but that I must remain here over Sabbath, and ad- 
 dress their Sabbath school. Now you must know that 
 in this section of the country " Stuart" is a charmed 
 name, and is held as the synonym of something very good; 
 and I fear very much that if I stay I would sadly remove 
 the impressions they have of me, for, from what I can 
 learn, some one has given them far too good an opinion 
 of my abilities 
 
 This night three weeks, should all go well, I will again 
 land upon my native shores 
 
 LITTLETON, N. H., September 27, 1862. 
 
 Here we are, after a long ride of 170 miles, in this 
 painfully quiet town, where we are obliged to spend the 
 Sabbath. We left Springfield this morning at 8 o'clock,
 
 LETTERS TO M. 315 
 
 via the Connecticut Valley Railroad, and arrived here at 
 6. The scenery is very fine. Yesterday afternoon we 
 drove about Springfield, and among other places visited 
 the Cemetery, and could testify of it, as the English fop 
 did of Pompeii, " A pretty place, but sadly out of re- 
 pair." Mother came home suffering a good deal from 
 dyspepsia, and went at once to bed ; and I myself, being 
 rather stupid, retired at the premature hour of 8. Do 
 you know, I think I am rather a spoiled child for trav- 
 elling : I do not care to see sights, natural or artificial, as 
 much as I did a year ago. To take me travelling now. 
 as far as seeing anything goes, is just throwing the money 
 away. I do not mean that I do not enjoy myself: but it 
 is the enjoyment, or rather negative pleasure, produced 
 by general change of employment and scene, and not by 
 any particular object. We shall remain in the White 
 Mountains the most of next week, returning to Spring- 
 field to spend the Sabbath, and then go on Monday to 
 
 Albany and Niagara I cannot help thinking, as I 
 
 sit half shivering in this little room, lit by a miserable 
 camphene lamp, and but barely furnished, how much 
 comfort people are willing to sacrifice for the sake of 
 gadding about and seeing a little of the world 
 
 Sabbath, Sept. 28. I have just come down from the 
 cupola, where for some hours I have been enjoying the 
 distant view of the mountains, and the changing foliage 
 
 in the valley between This morning we went to the 
 
 Congregational Church, and heard a very excellent ser- 
 mon on the temptation of Christ. The church was very 
 cold, and I fear that my feelings rather interfered with 
 my full enjoyment of the sermon. The minister began
 
 3i6 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 his sermon with a supposition from which I differed en- 
 tirely; namely, that Christ's temptation was not an actual 
 event, but a vision. He endeavoured to prove his state- 
 ment by quoting the visions of Daniel, Ezekiel, and 
 Peter, ignoring entirely the fact that we are expressly 
 told in Holy Writ that these latter were visions. I would 
 like to know how he would make out our Saviour's fasting 
 forty days and nights to be a vision 1 ? If so, then he did 
 not fast, but only dreamed that he fasted. Is not this 
 absurd?
 
 LETTERS TO C. H. W.
 
 LETTERS TO C. H. W. 
 
 N collecting materials for the preparation of 
 this volume, the author of the following letter 
 was requested to furnish any of Willie's letters 
 that would aid the writer in his work. Al- 
 though a great disparity existed in the ages of these cor- 
 respondents, yet, from a similarity in tastes and pursuits, 
 especially in the blessed work of founding and carrying 
 forward Mission Sabbath Schools in the outskirts of our 
 large cities, an unusually warm and mutual attachment 
 sprang up, which continued to increase in strength until 
 God ended the plans and labours of his younger servant 
 by taking him up to a higher and holier sphere of labour. 
 Accompanying a large package of letters Mr. Wolff 
 writes to the author: 
 
 CINCINNATI, April 5, 1864. 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 Your favour of the 1st instant is before me. As 
 requested, I hereby send you all the letters at present within my 
 reach written by our deceased friend \Vm. D. Stuart. As repre- 
 sentative documents they will furnish you with all in my power to 
 give. Cheerfully, too, will I give my views "of the mind, heart, 
 and character of William." 
 
 21
 
 320 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 1st. His mind. Having conversed with him uninterruptedly for 
 hours at a time, touching upon almost all topics adapted to miscel- 
 laneous conversation, and frequently attempting to solve moral prob- 
 lems pertaining to the happiness of man. we never parted but my 
 memory retained certain admirable axioms that he forcibly stated, 
 and which had been so clearly set forth as to place his mind, in my 
 estimation, far above that of the young men of the age. Among 
 the many pleasing themes was the one referring to the influence our 
 acquirements here would have upon our progress in the better 
 land. His very inmost soul would kindle at the thought of eternal 
 progression. " Oh," said he to me on one occasion, "I have ob- 
 tained a glimpse of God's wonderful creative power and goodness, 
 through my investigations by the microscope, that I had no concep- 
 tion of before; and while man has been given the power thus 
 minutely to examine the beauties of sin-cursed nature here, what 
 will be the powers of untrammelled mind beyond the grave ! " 
 
 There appeared a wonderful intuitive perception in the grasp of 
 his mind. In many instances he would catch the meaning fully 
 before half my sentence would be completed. Then, too, there was 
 a sturdiness, a wholesome vigour and strength in his mind, remark- 
 able in any one, but rare as the most precious stone in the person of 
 a wealthy man's son. 
 
 2nd. His heart. A line or two will explain all I could say. It was 
 gentle as a woman's, noble as the most chivalrous could require, 
 and true as the needle to the pole. 
 
 3rd. His character. In our most intimate intercourse and there 
 were times when he would talk to me in the most confidential man- 
 ner there was a lofty sentiment, a pureness of motive and intention, 
 an abhorrence of anything unjust or unmanly, that stamped him in 
 my estimation the purest, noblest, best young man among the very 
 many I have known. 
 
 4th. His administrative powers. On visiting his Mission Sabbath 
 School for the first time, it was remarkable what a change was 
 wrought in his whole demeanour on entering the stand to open the 
 exercises. There were among his Sabbath-school children both 
 boys and girls, some as unruly and wicked as the' purlieus of the 
 by-ways and alleys of the most wretched part of the city could fur- 
 nish. They were unused to control or discipline; and yet when he
 
 LETTERS TO C. H. W. 321 
 
 took the stand, and commanded order and silence, it was yielded at 
 once. The quiet, firm, but gentle dignity ; the commanding pres- 
 ence in one so young ; the ease and grace with which it was ac- 
 complished, proved it to be a talent never acquired, but a gracious 
 gift from God. Unlike others thus gifted, he seemed to be humbly 
 unconscious of this pre-eminence to rule and control. 
 
 The whole discipline of the school was in accordance with the 
 above. 
 
 It is needless for me to elaborate. You will have access to all 
 
 that is needed to make your Biography complete Let me, 
 
 however, make a suggestion. Cannot you prepare one for the pub- 
 lic Sabbath-school libraries ? It would be invaluable as an incen- 
 tive for our rich families to set apart sons and daughters to work for 
 
 the Lord in the Sabbath schools I remain, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 Truly yours, 
 
 CHAS. H. WOLFF. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, March 23, 1860. 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 In our express parcel from the store to-day 
 I send you the Bible which you desired me to obtain for 
 you. The long delay was occasioned by a difficulty in 
 obtaining the edition you desired, and in getting a cover 
 made; all, however, is now complete, and I trust will 
 meet with your full approval. 
 
 Your commission I have not executed to the letter, 
 but rather beg that you will accept of this as a token of 
 regard from one who is a fellow-worker with you in the 
 Christ-appointed work of bringing in the lambs of the 
 flock, training them for usefulness in this world, and 
 fitting them, by the grace and assistance of God, for 
 happiness in the next
 
 322 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D, STUART. 
 
 Wishing you joy and success in all your endeavours 
 to promote our Master's kingdom, I am 
 Yours faithfully, 
 
 WM. D. STUART. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, September 7, 1860. 
 
 MY DEAR FRIEND, 
 
 My mission school has 
 
 resumed. Fall work with fresh vigour. As long as the 
 warm weather lasts we have open-air services, which are 
 very successful. Our audiences are mixed, generally of 
 the lowest class; yet they are models of decorum and 
 attention. On last Sabbath afternoon we held two meet- 
 ings : the first at 4 o'clock, in the worst den of wicked- 
 ness in the city; we continued there for three quarters 
 of an hour, and distributing tracts, left for our second 
 meeting, which we held among the whites in another 
 neighbourhood. We continued in this latter place for 
 an hour and a quarter, and again distributing tracts dis- 
 missed them until the evening. At our first meeting we 
 had an audience of about 100; at the second about 500. 
 
 Our plan of procedure is simply this : Three or four 
 of us go together, and asking permission to stand upon 
 some one's steps, we begin to sing a hymn, one of our 
 number handing slips of paper with the hymns printed 
 to all who come ; as soon as we close the singing another 
 immediately begins a prayer; then a few striking verses 
 of Scripture are read and commented upon; then we 
 sing and speak alternately, the addresses varying in 
 length from five to ten minutes. This is taking the 
 Gospel to their very doors, making them hear it whether
 
 LETTERS TO C. H. W. 323 
 
 they will or no; and then if they still refuse, their destruc- 
 tion is with themselves. This branch of our labour is 
 new, but has made a good start. Pray for our success : 
 we need your prayers. 
 
 I am now only awaiting a letter from Lieut. Black- 
 more (who has been for twenty-eight years successfully 
 engaged in bringing back unfortunate females in London), 
 to take measures for the initiation of a like movement in 
 our own city. As this would injure us much, should it be 
 a failure, we keep it entirely to ourselves for the present 
 thinking and praying over it often 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, October 12, 1860. 
 
 I regret that I have so long been compelled to forego 
 writing to you; the more so because I desired to thank 
 you most heartily for the kind, more than friendly, advice 
 which you gave me when last we met. It was to me a 
 double assurance that I have in you a friend indeed, and 
 words cannot express my gratitude to you for it, nor 
 tell you how much good it has done me. I would have 
 written you long ere this, but my eyes would not permit 
 me to write at all. I strained them so much in prepar- 
 ing my Essay on " The Microscope," that I have hardly 
 been able to use them since. 
 
 A very fortunate opening has been made for me in the 
 store. I have entire charge of the White Goods; in 
 addition to which I am to have four first class Linen 
 accounts, which will keep me pretty busy. Feeling now 
 that this department is entirely my own, it gives me 
 an impulse such as I never felt before. Judging from
 
 324 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 my own experience, I think that there is nothing like 
 making a young man (no matter how young) feel that 
 there is a responsibility attached to him. I feel it now, 
 and it acts like magic upon me, urging me on in a 
 manner I never knew before. 
 
 I am very busy preparing for Cough's lecture at the 
 Academy of Music, for the benefit of our mission. We 
 expect to realize enough to support a missionary next 
 winter and supply a Dorcas society. 
 
 Our school is filling up rapidly. We average about 
 seventy-five, with a corps of eight teachers. We con- 
 sider this a good year's work, in a neighbourhood where 
 before an attendance of five could only be got after 
 seven years labour. Our third Anniversary will be held 
 on the first Sabbath of December, in the afternoon. I 
 wish you could be with us. Nothing would give me 
 greater pleasure than to hear a word from you. En- 
 closed find a tract which I prepared for our Out-Door 
 Mission.* . 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, November 28, 1860. 
 
 Since I wrote you, Mr. Gough has delivered two 
 
 lectures for the benefit of my mission school, in the 
 Academy of Music, to large and brilliant audiences. 
 We cleared about $1100 a good fund to work on during 
 the winter. Last evening we established our Dorcas 
 society, and everything bids fair for great success. 
 
 All the time I could spare from the store I have been 
 devoting to studying out an apparatus to give micro- 
 scopic exhibitions with an artificial light, so that they 
 
 * See p. 333.
 
 LETTERS TO C. H. W. 325 
 
 may be given at night. Thus far we hare succeeded 
 perfectly, and I hope to be able to give an exhibition 
 
 early in January 
 
 Business is stagnated completely. Most of our manu- 
 factories are working on half time. I fear there will be 
 much suffering this winter. Yet, truth and right are 
 mighty, and will prevail. I believe that a glorious future 
 is before our country. The blackest storm precedes the 
 clearest weather; and when these Fire Eaters are brought 
 to their right mind, and the people wake up, as I think 
 they are doing, to see the necessity of putting honest, 
 yes, and God-fearing men in power, then all will roll on 
 well. We are in the hands of a good and gracious God : 
 let us but trust Him as we should, and all will be well. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, "January 22, 1861. 
 
 Since I wrote you, our Sabbath School Anniver- 
 saries, Festivals, and Annual Meetings have taken place. 
 On last evening our Sabbath School Association met, 
 and the Reports of our Mission Schools were presented: 
 they were of the most interesting and cheering character. 
 My own school never was better : we have 117 children 
 on the roll, and about 75 in regular attendance. Our 
 Dorcas Society has clothed and provided for over 60 
 families, and our children are now comfortable and neat. 
 Our Report shows a distribution of over 14,000 pages of 
 tracts, and over 700 persons conversed with upon the 
 subject of their soul's salvation. There is an increased 
 and growing interest in our city in the cause of Sabbath 
 schools, and especially mission schools. Christians are
 
 326 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 beginning to wake up to the fact that something must 
 be done for the children going to our public schools, 
 where they are denied the privilege of reading or study- 
 ing God's Holy Word, in order that they may not grow 
 up and go out into the world with a Christless and God- 
 less education. 
 
 Our noon-day prayer-meetings continue crowded, and 
 with unabated interest. 
 
 I have just finished reading a book of great interest 
 " Motley's History of the Dutch Republic: " if you have 
 not read it, and have the time, I would heartily recom- 
 mend it to your perusal. I think that the character of 
 William of Orange should be familiarly known to every 
 Christian. 
 
 I see by the London periodicals that there is a great 
 movement among the working men. Twice a week they 
 hold prayer-meetings, not in the day time, for they must 
 be at their work, but from eleven at night until six in 
 the morning: they meet for prayer, conversation, and 
 the devising of plans wherewith the better to reach those 
 of their companions who are careless and indifferent: 
 after breakfasting together they separate to their differ- 
 ent work places. I firmly believe that the present year 
 will witness greater and more momentous events than 
 any previous. .... 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, April 17, 1861. 
 
 , . . . . Since your delightful visit to me I have been im- 
 proving rapidly, owing to a continuation of fine weather, 
 which enabled me to take a great deal of exercise. My
 
 LETTERS TO C. H. IV. 327 
 
 breast is still quite sore, but it is gradually healing, and I 
 am enabled to hold myself tolerably straight. A gentle- 
 man who had not seen me since I was taken sick, met 
 me in the street the other day : throwing up his arms in 
 perfect amazement, he exclaimed, " Why, William, I am 
 very sorry to see you looking so badly;" and then, after 
 a few moments' conversation, he gravely asked me, 
 " Has your physician any hopes at all of your recovery?" 
 Consolation, at any rate. I laughed, and told him I was 
 getting quite well; at which he seemed greatly astonished. 
 
 . . . ; . I suppose that, comparatively removed as you are 
 from the scene of action, your city is hardly so excited as 
 ours in regard to war. Over 8,000 men have been en- 
 listed since Monday, and all our well-drilled volunteer 
 
 corps are ready to move at a moment's notice 
 
 Large bodies of troops are constantly passing through to 
 Washington ; and from every public building, newspaper 
 office, and many private dwellings, the Stars and Stripes 
 are waving. The old Keystone State is aroused, and she 
 will again prove herself as gallant and as brave as upon 
 the plains of Mexico 
 
 I cannot but think and ponder over the present con- 
 dition of affairs a portion of our Confederation striving 
 by every means which Satan' has placed within their 
 power to tear down and trample upon the noblest and 
 freest Government the world ever saw the heritage com- 
 mitted to us in sacred trust by those who bled that it 
 might live; and to establish upon a firmer and more 
 enduring basis the vilest, most fiendish, and most Satanic 
 system of oppression and degradation, both of body and 
 soul. 
 
 We have might and right on our side, and I believe
 
 328 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 that the God of armies will fight for us as He did for our 
 forefathers when they strove to drive oppression from the 
 land. And now that the struggle has begun, my voice 
 is, Let it go on until that fearful evil shall be once and 
 for ever driven from among us when the oppressed shall 
 go free, and the slave shall no more hear the voice of his 
 master! . 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, May i$, 1861. 
 
 I have just made up my mind to go to Europe. 
 
 I sail on Saturday in the City of Baltimore. G. W. is 
 going out in her; and as several physicians have advised 
 me that the best thing I could do would be to take this 
 trip, I have concluded to go at once, while I am sure of 
 good Christian company. My stay is very indefinite 
 certainly not longer than six months. I feel quite well 
 now, but am still very weak. 
 
 And now farewell. May God bless you and yours 
 watch over and keep you in health and happiness pour 
 out upon you abundantly His richest blessings, and make 
 you all His own dear children. May I not ask you in 
 your prayers to remember the wanderer (as for the time 
 being I shall be). Pray for him that he may be kept 
 very near to his Saviour; that his conduct not only may 
 be such as becometh the Gospel of Christ, but that he 
 may be beautiful within one who may be every whit a 
 Christian, that is, Christ-like
 
 LETTERS TO C. H. W. 329 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, November 13, 1861. 
 
 Unless you have heard of my return from some other 
 source, you will, I think, be rather surprised to find me 
 writing you once more from my own home 
 
 They tell me that I am quite altered, having grown 
 much stouter and browner than when I went away. I 
 am sure I never enjoyed such perfect health before; and 
 the next thing for me to do is to keep it. I found all 
 well at home, and looking as before; but there was a 
 sadness attending that reunion one loved face was 
 missing* one dear one was absent from that family circle, 
 never to return. I could not but contrast our condition 
 half a year since he in perfect health, and I much 
 wasted by disease. Now he has been taken, whilst I 
 have been fully restored, and re-invigorated for my duties. 
 
 Poor aunt F. is a perfect wreck, wasted almost to a 
 shadow. It is indeed sad for her to be left so lonely 
 after thirty-three years of as happy a life as ever any 
 woman enjoyed and that is saying a great deal. 
 
 I find my mission school prosperous. We have about 
 150 scholars, and 10 teachers. I notice much improve- 
 ment in the children, and am greatly cheered in my 
 work. . 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, January 15, 1862. 
 
 Our congregation has done me the honour to 
 
 make me a trustee and their treasurer; so that between 
 the duties of the latter and my mission school I have but 
 
 * John Rumsey, Esq., died September 18, 1861.
 
 330 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 little leisure. I have adopted the plan which I believe 
 to be a good one namely, never to seek an office, but 
 if chosen to one, accept, if you can give its duties their 
 full and proper attention, and you feel you can do good. 
 With my mission school I am greatly encouraged. 
 Never had superintendent a more faithful, self-denying 
 band of teachers, so unceasing in their efforts for both 
 the spiritual and temporal good of their scholars. I 
 have good reason to think that they are all men and 
 women of prayer; and you well know that with such a 
 power success cannot but follow. We held our fourth 
 Anniversary on the first Sabbath of December, and a 
 Festival on New Year's Day; both of. which were occa- 
 sions of great interest. . 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, November 7, 1862. 
 
 Only a day or two ago I was thinking how much 
 
 of my life and energy has left me ; and I almost forget 
 how "very well" feels. I do not mean by this to mur- 
 mur, for I know that I am in His hands who " doeth all 
 things well," and who surely knows what is best for me. 
 
 I am much ashamed of myself in not having long ere 
 this thanked you for having planned such a visit for me 
 to your own home a visit which would have given me 
 so much pleasure, and which would have left behind it 
 such pleasant memories. 
 
 And now to a little fact which, I am sure, for my sake 
 you will be glad to hear. My physicians have advised 
 me to spend the winter in the West Indies; and I will 
 sail from New York on December 9. But before that I
 
 LETTERS TO C. H. W. 331 
 
 intend to do as you have often advised me get married. 
 You know, my dear friend, what great pleasure it would 
 
 give me to have you present on that occasion In 
 
 these expressions the bride-elect joins with me most 
 
 cordially The wedding will be on Tuesday, 25th 
 
 instant. . 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, November 18, 1862. 
 
 I wrote you last week in regard to my approaching 
 marriage. In view of my continued sickness, it has been 
 deferred ten days
 
 GOD'S THREATENINGS. 
 
 [The subject of this Memoir, while engaged in his mission work, was in the 
 habit of distributing the following paper as a Tract. It has been ascertained that 
 he was himself the author of it See p. 324.] 
 
 |E is faithful that promised," are words of 
 sweet consolation and comfort to the child 
 of God. When surrounded by enemies, 
 temporal and spiritual ; when the heavens 
 are dark, and no kindly ray of light gleams through to 
 lighten and cheer the saddened soul even in that hour 
 the child of God clings in earnest faith to these precious 
 words, " He is faithful that promised." Yes, faithful to 
 the end. But as " He is faithful that promised," so is 
 He equally faithful that threatened. Mark these solemn 
 words, " He will by no means clear the guilty," uttered 
 as they were amid the thunderings and lightnings of 
 Sinai, when God in his glory appeared unto Moses, and 
 proclaimed himself a God " forgiving iniquity and trans- 
 gression and sin." He devised a glorious plan for the 
 salvation of fallen man ; but when that has been set aside 
 and rejected, there is no means, not even with God, 
 with whom all things are, by which the guilty sinner 
 can be saved. God's justice, his honour, his integrity, 
 demand that the guilty sinner shall suffer the penalty 
 due to him for sin.
 
 334 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 Reader ! are you clinging to any hope of future mercy 
 for salvation. Do you hope that God is so full of com- 
 passionate tender love, that when he sees you going down 
 to eternal punishment He will in pitying mercy devise 
 some way whereby you yet may be saved 1 Be not de- 
 ceived ! God's love is infinite and unchangeable : so is 
 His justice. Those whom He loves, and who obey His 
 commands, He will love to the end; and those who reject 
 the offers of his mercy He will punish to the uttermost. 
 God " is not slack concerning his promises :" neither is he 
 slack concerning his threatenings. The wrath of man time 
 will wear away and appease; but not so with the eternal 
 God. He is " a jealous God." No one who rejects the 
 offer of his Son his " only-begotten and well-beloved 
 Son" shall pass on unpunished. 
 
 There is no cleft in all Sinai where you can escape 
 the vengeance of the coming storm. You may cry, 
 
 " Hide me, O my Saviour, hide ! 
 
 but that Saviour will have become your accuser, and 
 your judge. 
 
 Sinner ! are you yet suffering your precious and im- 
 mortal soul to be tossed upon the ocean of uncertainty ? 
 Are you yet trusting to that which is the most impossible 
 thing under heaven God's changeableness. Heaven 
 and earth may change, but God cannot. Unalterable 
 as Himself, His precepts and His threatenings have stood, 
 and will stand for ever. Trust to no future mercy, which 
 cannot be, but take God at His word, and come to Him 
 now ; or else that same voice, which now, in tender, 
 loving accents, invites you, pleads with you to come and
 
 GOD'S THREATENINGS. 
 
 335 
 
 find rest in Jesus, will be heard in stern tones bidding 
 your condemned and guilty soul " Depart into ever- 
 lasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." 
 
 " Time's sun is fast setting, its twilight is nigh, 
 Its evening is falling in clouds o'er the sky, 
 Its shadows are stretching in ominous gloom, 
 Its midnight approaches the midnight of doom! 
 Then haste, sinner, haste, there is mercy for thee ; 
 And wrath is preparing flee, lingerer, flee."
 
 LETTERS TO PHIL.
 
 LETTERS TO PHIL. 
 
 IHE following extracts are from a correspond- 
 ence with his most intimate friend, nearly of 
 his own age. While a playful vein of humour 
 pervades the entire correspondence, the sub- 
 ject nearest the writer's heart the religion of Christ is 
 prominently uppermost. 
 
 SPRING BROOK, September 29, 1858. 
 
 DEAR PHIL., 
 
 It was with no ordinary feelings of plea- 
 sure that I learned on last Saturday evening that you 
 had at last determined to unite with the Church, and 
 cast in your lot with the people of God. 
 
 I almost feel like reproaching you for not making 
 known such an important event to me yourself; and yet 
 I think your feelings must be somewhat similar to my 
 own for I never had the courage to tell my mother 
 even when I determined to join the Church. 
 
 I feel confident, Phil., that you have fully considered 
 the subject in your own mind, and feel the responsibility 
 you are about to take upon you. Never of yourself can 
 you fulfil your obligations ; but seek wisdom and strength
 
 340 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 from on high. Pray earnestly to God for the outpouring 
 of His Holy Spirit upon you, and He will give you ability 
 to walk a holy, consistent, Christian life, letting others 
 see that you have been with Jesus. And that God will 
 abundantly bless you, and make you one of His own 
 adopted children, is the prayer of 
 
 Your sincere friend, 
 
 WM. D. STUART. 
 
 [After giving some account of his visit to the mines of 
 Wisconsin and to Chicago, he closes his letter under 
 date of Mineral Point, June 24, 1859, thus: ] 
 
 I am very glad to hear of J. M'A. being at the prayer- 
 meetings. I have always felt a deep interest in him, 
 and have ever remembered him in my prayers. I cannot 
 but think that he too will be brought into the kingdom 
 of our blessed Saviour. God will hear and answer 
 prayer. Influence him, dear Phil., by your prayers and 
 example. I know there is much good in him, though, I 
 fear, deeply hid. 
 
 Remember me to my associates in our Monday 
 evening prayer-meetings, but especially to the Sabbath 
 school, to the teachers, and to the little ones, for the 
 welfare of whom I am deeply solicitous. And now, that 
 the Shepherd of Israel, that good Shepherd of the flock, 
 may watch over and preserve us through life, and after- 
 wards receive us into his kingdom, is ever the earnest 
 prayer of 
 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 WILL.
 
 LETTERS TO PHIL. 341 
 
 ON BOARD STEAMER "LADY ELGIN," 
 STRAITS OF MACKINAW, July 13, 1859. 
 
 DEAR PHIL., 
 
 Here I am, away upon Lake Michigan, 
 nearly two thousand miles from home, and bound for the 
 Copper Diggings. But perhaps you will say, "Where 
 have you been 1 what have you seen since you last wrote 1" 
 Let me tell you. My last letter was, I believe, dated from 
 Mineral Point. Having stayed there a week, we took 
 the cars for Prairie du Chi en. The same evening we 
 went on board the splendid steamer " Itasca," en route for 
 St. Paul. For an hour all went " merry as a marriage 
 bell," when suddenly a fearful crash, and a shaking in the 
 upper cabin (for you must know that the upper cabins of 
 these boats are frequently blown off and float down the 
 river, much to the dismay of those on board), warned us 
 of danger. It was indeed a fearful night. One who has 
 not seen it has no idea of the sublime fury of a Mississippi 
 storm. In the midst of this we struck a large raft, which 
 carried away our rudder and back works, crippling us 
 completely. Fortunately, we were near an island, on 
 which the boat was run, until damages could be repaired. 
 
 Next morning was bright and beautiful, and never did 
 I enjoy anything more than the sail up the Mississippi. 
 As we entered Lake Pepin, which is but a widening of 
 the river, the first object that attracted my attention was 
 the " Maiden's Leap," where the fair Winona, who had 
 been wedded by her father to a noble chief, but who loved 
 another and an humbler man, rather than marry him 
 who was not the chosen of her heart, on the eve of her 
 marriage cast herself from the lofty crag. The story is,
 
 342 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 as far as I can learn, true ; there are Indians now living 
 in the neighbourhood who certify to it. 
 
 With St. Paul I was much disappointed. It is a very 
 wicked place judging from the immense amount of 
 gambling and number of drinking shops. Making my 
 stay here short, I went up to Minneapolis, where I spent 
 a week delightfully. I saw Minnehaha. The beautiful 
 maiden, daughter of the arrow-head maker, chief of the 
 Dacotahs, alas ! she had gone. I will not attempt to 
 describe Minnehaha : it would be like a journeyman 
 painter attempting to copy Raphael a stone mason to 
 model from Michael Angelo. 
 
 Minnesota is a grand place glorious climate splendid 
 scenery. Nowhere can you drive five miles without 
 coming upon some of the beautiful lakes, ranging from 
 5 to 25 miles in length, and about half as wide. People 
 never take cold. Doctors call the climate " distressingly 
 healthy." I sat in an open boat all day, with my boots 
 soaking wet, and never felt worse from it. We are 
 approaching the Sault St. Marie, where this must be 
 
 mailed. 
 
 I am truly yours, 
 
 WILL. 
 
 1313 SPRUCE STKEET, 
 Monday night, January 30, 1860. 
 
 DEAR PHIL., 
 
 Your very, very welcome note I received 
 on Sabbath morning, and much I thank you for it. Also 
 I thank you for your warm and kind congratulations on 
 the return of my dear friends from their travels.* I spent 
 
 * M. and her sister had just returned from Europe, where they had been 
 travelling for eighteen, months.
 
 LETTERS TO PHIL. 343 
 
 about two hours with them on the morning after their 
 arrival. They went up to Milton to see their dying sister 
 next morning, and of course I have not seen them since. 
 M. was to have come down to-night, and if she did I 
 will probably see her to-morrow. 
 
 Phil., I feel very much ashamed of myself in that I have 
 apparently neglected you so long ; but I trust you know 
 me well enough to be assured that it arises not from any- 
 thing save necessity. I love you as I ever did, and ever 
 will ; and I trust God will long spare us both to become 
 honoured and useful members of society and of His 
 Church. You ask me if I am tired of Sabbath school 1 
 Tired ! God forbid. I love it more than ever, and 
 rather than shrink back from the work, I would fain seek 
 out some new channel of usefulness. We haven't got 
 long to stay in this world, Phil. time is very short 
 there is a very great work to be done, and there are few 
 to do it. God's people must work they must be ever 
 and always at it. There rests upon me, and upon all of 
 us, a solemn responsibility. I feel it feel it deeply, and 
 I am not happy unless I am at work for Christ. 
 
 And now, Phil., it is almost midnight, and I must close. 
 I am coming to see you some evening this week, if at all 
 
 possible. 
 
 Believe me ever 
 
 Your faithful friend, 
 
 WILL. 
 
 March 7, 1860. 
 
 DEAR PHIL., 
 
 Your welcome note I received on Monday. 
 So you have reached the years of manhood. I suppose
 
 344 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 on the eventful morning you informed your parents " that 
 a man got into the house last night." Accept my warm 
 congratulations on your coming of age. Now that you 
 are your own master, I trust I am sure you will feel 
 yourself under even greater obligations to pursue the 
 right path than when under your parents. Although we 
 naturally think and act for ourselves for some years 
 previous to our majority, still, when that time comes, we 
 cannot but feel that we are then entirely dependent upon 
 ourselves, and have not another to think and act for us 
 except as in a measure a " wife " can. We are exposed 
 to many trials and temptations ; but if we take God for 
 our Father, Christ for our Saviour, and the Bible as our 
 guide, we cannot err. Not " All's well that ends well," 
 but better, All's well that begins well. 
 
 Drop me a line and say what evening you will come 
 round, so that I may be at home. 
 
 Faithfully yours, 
 
 WM. D. STUART. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, March 14, 1861. 
 
 DEAR PHIL., 
 
 Your welcome letters came duly to hand, 
 and would have been replied to long ere this, but ever 
 since a week or so after the first of the year, when I was 
 out of town, I have been confined to the house with a 
 heavy cold and the usual accompaniments. I have not 
 been in bed all the time> being able now and then to go 
 out and take a walk in the middle of the day. This 
 sickness has been accompanied with great nervousness, 
 so that I could not possibly write a readable letter. To-
 
 LETTERS TO PHIL. 345 
 
 day I feel better than I have been yet, although I suffer 
 much from blisters on my breast. As soon as I am strong 
 enough I will go away, most probably to my favourite 
 haunt, Minnesota; it is the greatest place in the world 
 for sick people. 
 
 Our Mission School comes on swimmingly. We 
 
 have a larger school, larger prayer-meetings, and a larger 
 corps of teachers than ever before. On New Year's Day 
 we had our Annual Festival : the room was crowded, not 
 with strange children, but with those who are in regular 
 attendance, and with our friends. The children were fed 
 until they could eat no more, and they took the rest 
 away in their pockets 
 
 Well, Phil., you have found what every young man 
 finds when he is away from home long enough that there 
 is no place like home.* I knew you would be home-sick, 
 and expected to hear of it before this. Never mind, you 
 will soon be back, and it will make you love your home 
 more, and value it more highly. .... 
 
 Faithfully yours, 
 
 WM. D. STUART, 
 
 BLACKPOOL, July 4, 1861. 
 
 DEAR PHIL., 
 
 Ever since I landed I have been trying 
 to get time to write you, but I have been so busy that it was 
 as much as I could do to get two letters per week written 
 home. Now I have come to this quiet place to settle 
 down for a couple of weeks and enjoy the sea breezes. 
 
 * Phil, was at this time in Cuba on business.
 
 346 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART, 
 
 If you look on the west coast of England, between the 
 River Ribble and Morecambe Bay, you will see Blackpool. 
 It is a delightful watering-place, where you can be as gay 
 or as sober, as lively or as quiet as you please. The 
 latter suits me much the best, as my object now is health. 
 I have been to London, and consulted with a very 
 eminent physician there. He says I am perfectly sound, 
 and need have no fear of weakness of the chest or lungs. 
 He has, however, directed me to come here in order that 
 I may have the swellings on my neck reduced ; the sea 
 atmosphere having a very beneficial effect in such 
 cases. 
 
 You will hardly think it credible when I tell you that 
 I have gained thirty-three pounds since I left New York ; 
 yet such is the veritable fact ; and with the exception 
 of my breast being a little tender from frequent blister- 
 ings, I am very well indeed. 
 
 You ought to be here in the evening about sunset. 
 There is a promenade, or "Parade," as they call it, extend- 
 ing from the front of our hotel about two miles down the 
 beach : at this time it is crowded with girls, very pretty, 
 for England, and indeed some of them look very sweetly : 
 they have fine, clear, healthy complexions, but are not 
 so beautiful as our American girls. 
 
 To-day there is a grand dinner in London, given by 
 Americans in honour of the 4th July. I had an invitation 
 to be present, but declined, not being very bright, and 
 the distance too great 
 
 There was nothing, dear Phil., that I regretted more 
 on leaving home than not seeing you. I looked every day 
 for the arrival of the Quaker City, but was disappointed. 
 It seemed rather hard, that after watching to see you, and
 
 LETTERS TO PHIL, 347 
 
 expecting you day by day for two weeks, I should after 
 
 all be disappointed 
 
 Faithfully yours, 
 
 WM. D. STUART, 
 
 [Shortly after the breaking out of the Rebellion, his 
 friend Phil, entered the Navy as an engineer. The two 
 letters which follow were written him while attached to 
 the Squadron of the Gulf : ] 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, January 31, i86a. 
 
 DEAR PHIL., 
 
 As I see by the papers that a mail is to 
 be made up to-morrow morning for the Gulf, per steamer 
 Rhode Island, I eagerly embrace the opportunity of writ- 
 ing you. 
 
 Well, old fellow, how do you like the service of your 
 uncle Samuel? Does it come up to your ideas, and 
 have you concluded to make it a life-long service ? 
 
 Everything is very quiet here. Since you left we have 
 had our Mission School Festival and Anniversary; which 
 passed off very well. Our school is increasing, and God 
 is abundantly blessing our labours. It makes me feel 
 very happy to see the fruits of our labour; and yet we 
 have to be very careful lest we become proud and forget 
 that it is God, and not ourselves, who has done this. I 
 am becoming more and more impressed with the necessity 
 of those who profess Christ doing all they can, and 
 quickly too, for the promotion of His kingdom 
 
 You know that I can speak from experience. Let me 
 tell you, you cannot know what the real happiness of this 
 world is until you have the entire love of a Christian
 
 348 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 woman one to whom you can at all times go and be 
 sure of sympathy, and who will be able to point you to a 
 comfort above that which the world can give. 
 May God bless you, is the prayer of 
 Yours faithfully, 
 
 WM. D. STUART. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, April 2, 1862. 
 
 DEAR PHIL., 
 
 Gulf mails are such irregular things that 
 I do not feel like waiting for an answer to my last, but 
 by way of spending a pleasant half hour and curing a 
 headache, will write again. 
 
 I have not been as well as when you saw me. The 
 fact is I do not get enough exercise for a growing boy, 
 and it tells upon me. I am, however, just on the eve of 
 purchasing a "gallant steed;" daily rides upon which 
 will, I have no doubt, make me quite my antique self 
 again 
 
 It is a not unfrequent query amongst us, " Where is 
 the Wissahickon?"* Every arrival from Ship Island 1 
 read the news carefully, and see mentioned a dozen or 
 two other vessels of which I never heard, but never hear 
 of yours. I have no doubt you will turn up some fine 
 morning, covered with glory, (at least I hope so). 
 
 Gough was here last month, lecturing for the benefit 
 of my Mission School, and we netted the nice little sum 
 of $900. 
 
 May God bless you, old fellow, is the earnest prayer of 
 Yours truly, 
 
 WM. D. STUART. 
 
 * The name of the ship on which he was serving.
 
 LETTERS TO PHIL. 349 
 
 [On receipt of the sad tidings of William's death, Phil. 
 writes : ] 
 
 U. S. STEAMER "JUNIATA," 
 FORTRESS MUNROE, 
 
 To MRS. WM. D. STUART. April v, 1863. 
 
 MY DEAR FRIEND, 
 
 I need not tell you how shocked and 
 
 grieved I was, upon reading the paper this morning, to find I had lost 
 my most valued friend. Of his lovely and lovable disposition I will 
 not speak, for you know that full well ; nor of his many traits of 
 character which endeared him to every one. My poor sympathy, in 
 this hour of your distress, is all I can offer, and this I do most 
 sincerely. 
 
 Willie was to me a brother in affection, and a true friend in 
 counsel. How well do I remember his many pleadings with me, in 
 years past, to turn from my evil ways to the true Light ; and though 
 for a long time I refused his advice, so affectionately urged, he never 
 lost his interest in my spiritual welfare. And when at last I resolved 
 to make a profession of religion, he was the first to bid me God- 
 speed in my new career. We have not lost him, but for a season ; 
 for although removed from this earth, we know he is in the mansions 
 of the blessed, and there awaits our coming. 
 
 May God bless you in this heavy sorrow, and bind you more 
 closely to Himself; and may you find it true that your affliction, 
 " which is but for a moment, worketh out a far more exceeding and 
 an eternal weight of glory. " 
 
 Sincerely your friend, 
 
 P. H. WHITE.
 
 APPENDIX.
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 ADDRESS OF REV. DR. WYLIE. 
 
 T is natural to anticipate the death of the aged. The 
 shock of corn is gathered in its season. The leaves of 
 autumn fall Evening has come, and the sun sets be- 
 hind the distant clouds. But here we have one taken 
 away from us whose bright and beautiful morning was 
 just opening upon him ; whose "sun has gone down while it was 
 yet day." His position in life; the associations with which he was 
 connected; the near and tender ties which had so recently been 
 established, all these things rendered life to him most charming and 
 desirable. He felt this. And we might consider that not only was 
 it proper to feel it, but that it would have been sinful had he not 
 recognized the Divine goodness, and gratefully desired that he might 
 still have lived longer. But, while he had this desire, it was in sub- 
 mission to the will of his heavenly Father ; and never can we forget 
 his language, when, soon after he had been informed that all hopes 
 of his recovery were gone, after remarking that he would like to live, 
 yet he added, "It is all right. I would have desired to labour 
 longer for Christ. I have felt as if there was still more work for me 
 to do; but I trust I am ready I hope I am ready." And ere we 
 parted with him on that occasion, in a most tender manner he drew 
 down our bended head to his lips and whispered to us, "Oh, pray 
 for me, that the hope I have may be upon a sound foundation, and 
 that it may be well with me at the last."
 
 354 APPENDIX. 
 
 And now, while it is natural for us to mourn his early death, we 
 cannot call it an untimely death. The question is not how long a 
 man has lived, but, how well has he lived ; and he had done his 
 work he had secured the salvation, we have every reason to believe, 
 of his own soul, and he had done good service for the cause of God 
 his Saviour. And therefore we may feel assured that he was ready to 
 depart, and that he has gone now TO BE WITH JESUS. 
 
 There was very much in the character of our departed brother to 
 render him an object of love to those with whom he was associated. 
 Naturally he was warm-hearted, generous, frank, and ardent ; and 
 we are not surprised that he was almost idolized by those with 
 whom he came in contact and was familiarly associated. He was 
 a person, too, of superior talents ; he was fond of the pursuits of 
 literature and of science, and we believe that had he devoted him- 
 self to these objects he would have attained to eminence. But he 
 had higher aspirations ; and those things which to many are but 
 recreations he aimed to render subservient to the cause and work of 
 Jesus Christ. He devoted himself, we have every reason to believe, 
 with an undivided heart to the service of the Saviour." For him to 
 live was Christ. We know not, indeed, at what time he may have 
 come under the regenerating power of the Spirit of God, but in early 
 life the truths of religion made a deep impression on him. When 
 scarcely fifteen years of age he became a teacher in the Sabbath 
 school connected with the congregation to which he belonged, and 
 afterwards the superintendent of another school a mission school. 
 Some might have supposed that from his extreme youth he would 
 have proved unfit for such a responsibility ; but he manifested that 
 he was equal to its performance. I do not remember ever having 
 heard of one so early in life occupying a position such as this. And 
 yet he discharged its duties so faithfully and successfully, that there 
 never was cause for anything but gratulation that he had undertaken 
 them. 
 
 He gave himself thoroughly and fully to any work in which he was 
 engaged, and especially to the work of instructing and benefiting the 
 degraded and neglected ones who formed his mission Sabbath school. 
 That Sabbath school was especially near to his heart. He men- 
 tioned, when he was about to depart, that he desired it should be 
 most prayerfully attended to and cherished ; that it was a tree he
 
 APPENDIX. 355 
 
 had planted with a great many prayers, and he looked for the fruit 
 to grow. Said he, "I have felt that God was not going to take me 
 away so soon; that he had more work for me to do. I have felt 
 since I was a little boy that the visitation of the sick was my work. " 
 It was his work, and now it remains his monument. 
 
 It was about the sixteenth year of his life that he made a public 
 profession of religion. It was a period of revival in the congre- 
 gation, and in company with a large number of young persons he 
 gave himself up to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ. And those 
 who witnessed his daily conduct could testify that his profession was 
 sincere and genuine ; and now we feel it to be our duty to give this 
 testimony that he was one who adorned the doctrine of God his 
 Saviour by a walk and conversation becoming the gospel. 
 
 It is perhaps two years since the anxious love of friends noticed 
 that his health was declining. Once and again, and a third time, 
 he left his native land, in order that he might be restored. But it 
 was in vain. All that kindness and love and the best of skill could 
 do were of no avail. He came home a few weeks ago, in order that, 
 surrounded by those who loved him so well, where he could see 
 their faces and hear their voices, he might say to them " FAREWELL," 
 and give his testimony for the comfort of those who survived him ; 
 he came home, that he might die. 
 
 And when we think of the circumstances connected with his de- 
 parture ; when we think that life was so attractive to him, and yet 
 he was so willing to go ; and when we think of his sweet composure, 
 and solemnity, and earnestness, and freedom from perturbation and 
 fear of every kind, and his joyful anticipations of the better life oh ! 
 we feel as though those who have been bereaved might rather to- 
 day rejoice than mourn. 
 
 May not these parents, whose beloved son has been called away to 
 heaven, well say, " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; 
 blessed be the name of the Lord ? " Oh, what would their highest 
 ambition desire for that dear child beyond, above, nay equal to that 
 he has now attained and is now enjoying? What are the brightest 
 crowns of earth compared with that crown of unfading glory he is 
 wearing now ? All their anxieties are relieved. All their fears for 
 his future are dissipated. He has entered into his REST; he has 
 obtained possession of the "inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,
 
 356 APPENDIX. 
 
 and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for them who are kept 
 by the power of God through faith unto salvation. " 
 
 And may not those from whom a brother has been taken be re- 
 signed? Oh, we would say to them, to each one of them "Thy 
 brother shall live again ; " nay, he is living even now, he is living as 
 really as when he was on the earth it is merely a change of place and 
 condition his existence is as actual and his enjoyment is far greater. 
 
 Oh, then, may we not give him up, when God has called upon us 
 to make this surrender? May not that stricken one, who has been 
 called to endure a loss so painful as this, be submissive to the will of 
 Heaven? "Thy Maker is thine husband," says the Lord of hosts. 
 "As thy day is, so shall thy strength be." " I will never leave thee 
 nor forsake thee." More treasure than ever before in heaven, and 
 therefore the heart more there also. Oh, what bright anticipations 
 does the removal of those we love to a better land present to us, 
 when we think that after our brief conflict on earth is terminated we 
 shall meet with them again in heaven ! 
 
 To those who were his friends and associates what a solemn lesson 
 this providence affords ! Was he not one of whom it could be said, 
 he acted wisely when he chose that "good part" that should never 
 be taken from him ? There were influences which might have 
 turned him in other directions ; there were circumstances which might 
 have caused him to make a different choice; but he chose the ser- 
 vice of God his Saviour and never had he reason to regret it. And 
 whatever honours he might have attained, whatever position in 
 society, whatever name among the eminent, learned, or distinguished 
 of any kind might have been his, all these things are as nothing 
 compared with what he now has. If there be, then, those asso- 
 ciated with him who have not made a similar choice, I would call 
 upon them now to act, and to act wisely, in view of the eternal 
 world, in view of their souls' best interests. Let all be admonished 
 how uncertain and unsatisfying our life is. Things we love most 
 tenderly, the object of our dearest affection, may be torn away from 
 us at any moment. Let us learn to set our affection on things above, 
 and not on things on the earth. The voice of God speaks to you 
 and says, " Prepare to meet thy God." It is not those who are far 
 advanced in life, who anticipate an early removal from the world, 
 but the youngest here, those in strongest vigour and health, should
 
 APPENDIX. 357 
 
 take warning and feel that they may be called away. Oh, may 
 it be the happiness of every one of us, when -we shall be separated 
 from those we love, to be able to leave behind us the testimony 
 of our dying lips to the steadfastness of our faith in Christ ! May 
 we have that Saviour to support us whose arms of love alone can 
 uphold us as we pass through the swellings of Jordan ! Let us con- 
 sider that we must some time or other grapple with Death, enter into 
 conflict with the king of terrors; and what have we to support us in 
 that hour ? Oh, if we have not a Saviour we must perish ! 
 
 God grant that each of us, admonished by His word, admonished 
 by His providence, may choose Jesus as our Redeemer; and we will 
 then find that this God will be our God, and will guide us even unto 
 death ; that He will guide us by His counsel while we live, and that 
 afterward He will receive us into His glory. 
 
 Happy will it be for us if such shall be our condition.
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 ADDRESS OF REV. DR. BOARDMAN. 
 
 I SHOULD not have ventured to add even one word to the excellent 
 Address we have just heard, had I not been providentially present this 
 morning at a scene of touching interest, closely connected with these 
 solemnities. It was the gathering in yonder room of the children 
 and adults comprising the Coloured Sunday School of our departed 
 young friend around the remains of their beloved superintendent 
 Very affecting it was to witness the mute sorrow of that group of 
 mourners. They had received too many benefits at his hands, they 
 knew too well the unselfish kindness he had lavished upon them, 
 not to feel keenly their great bereavement ; and the single thought I 
 have to present is this : It has been announced that the college class- 
 mates of our friend were to attend his funeral I take it for granted 
 they are present; and I beg to point these young men to the scene 
 I have described. I beg to say to you that the silent tears of these 
 children of Africa are a nobler tribute to his character and worth 
 than you will any of you be likely to secure amidst the mere earthly 
 honours of the most eminent professional career. I cannot answer 
 for those around me, but my own experience supplies no parallel to 
 the case before us. I recall no other instance of a young man born, 
 like William Stuart, to fortune, carefully educated, graced with 
 the generous culture supplied by books and choice companionship 
 and foreign travel, surrounded with all the amenities of social life, 
 and cherished with admiring affection by a wide circle of friends 
 such a youth turning away from the blandishments of earth, and 
 selecting as the sphere of his activities and his happiness a coloured 
 mission school in a neglected neighbourhood of a great city. With 
 such vigilance did he prosecute this work, and so deeply were his 
 sympathies enlisted in it, that one of the last things he did, before 
 going on board the steamer at New York which was to convey him 
 to the West Indies, was to sit down, in his weakness and sorrow of 
 heart, and write a long, faithful, and affectionate letter, to that most 
 interesting charge, pointing them to the Lamb of God, and entreat- 
 ing them for Christ's sake to be reconciled to God. Can you
 
 APPENDIX. 359 
 
 wonder that they came this morning to take a sorrowing farewell 
 of their cherished teacher and friend ? Or can you wonder that I 
 press this bright example upon you for your imitation ? I speak to 
 you, young men, "because ye are strong." Go, follow William 
 Stuart, as he followed Christ. Dedicate your strength, your time, 
 your honours, and your lives to the service of Jesus of Nazareth. 
 On every side there are fields white to the harvest. Thrust in 
 your sickles and gather the precious grain into His garner, and you, 
 too, will hear from His lips that heavenly benediction, " Well done, 
 good and faithful servant ; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
 
 360 APPENDIX. 
 
 PRAYER OF REV. DR. BOARDMAN. 
 
 O LORD, our God, who is like unto Thee ? Thy wisdom is un- 
 searchable, and Thy ways past finding out Thy judgments are a 
 great deep. We bow down before Thy righteous judgments. Thou 
 doest Thy will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of 
 the earth; and none can stay Thine hand, or say unto Thee, What 
 doest Thou ? 
 
 It has pleased Thee to come near to this family, and sorely to 
 afflict them. Blessed be Thy name for the consolation which Thou 
 hast mingled with their sorrows. We praise and magnify Thy name 
 for Thy love and mercy to Thy young servant ; for all his gifts and 
 all his graces ; for the love of Christ which was shed abroad in his 
 heart ; for the fidelity, watchfulness, and zeal with which he conse- 
 crated himself to the glory of God and the good of man. We bless 
 Thee that in Thy good providence Thou didst permit him to lead a 
 life of great usefulness ; and we pray that Thou wouldst cause that 
 ' ' tree " which he planted to take root and bear fruit unto eternal 
 life ; and in the last great day may he who sowed, and they who, 
 coming after him, shall reap, rejoice together in a glorious harvest. 
 
 O Lord, our Father in heaven, Thou who hast afflicted this 
 family, alone canst comfort them. Thou art leading them in a way 
 that they knew not In the midst of affluence and prosperity, of 
 sweet companionship and all domestic blessings, Thou hast been 
 pleased to bring upon them the shadow of a great sorrow. Enable 
 them with humble and steadfast faith to lay hold upon Thy strength, 
 that they may be supported. Help these beloved parents to say, 
 Thy will be done. Enable them to give into Thy hands the son of 
 their love, whom Thou dost love even more than they loved him. 
 Enable them to give him back to Thee, with all his gifts and all his 
 virtues, feeling that it is a precious sacrifice to lay upon Thine altar, 
 and grateful to Thee for all Thy goodness and loving-kindness to 
 him and to them. Bind up, O Lord, the hearts of this bereaved 
 household. Bless these sisters and these youthful brothers. O that 
 they may have the teachings of Thy Spirit; that they may be drawn 
 to Christ by a Saviour's love. May they follow him who has gone
 
 APPENDIX. 361 
 
 as he followed Christ, and so be prepared for a blessed and eternal 
 reunion with him in the presence of God and the Lamb. 
 
 And O God of pity and of grace, here is one other stricken heart 
 before Thee, who comes with nuptial flowers to strew them upon the 
 grave. Wilt Thou comfort her ? Enable her in patient submission 
 to bow to this afflictive stroke, rejoicing in all the love she has given 
 and felt rejoicing still more in the precious consolations of the 
 Gospel of Christ. Enable her humbly and gratefully to feel that 
 union to Christ is an immortal union. Enable her to commit her- 
 self into the hands of that Saviour who loved him who has gone 
 with an infinite love, and provided for him in his Father's house a 
 nobler portion than earth could furnish. May Thy everlasting arms 
 be about her. May Thy divine love support her. And may she be 
 enabled to take hold of the promises, which are all yea and amen in 
 Christ Jesus. May she find peace in believing. 
 
 Look in mercy, we entreat Thee, upon all this family circle. 
 Send consolation wherever Thou hast sent sorrow. Impress upon 
 the hearts of the young men present the solemn and monitory lessons 
 of this providence. Turn off" their thoughts from this empty world. 
 May they renounce its pomp, and pleasures, and honours, for the 
 love, and praise, and service of God. O Lord, draw them away 
 from the enticements of earth and sin, that they may choose that 
 good part which shall never be taken away from them. 
 
 O God of mercy and of grace, we adore and praise Thee for the 
 love which Thou hast manifested to our lost world. Here, in this 
 house of sorrow ; here, gathered around the dead, we praise Thee 
 for the great love wherewith Thou hast loved us : that we have a 
 Saviour who has triumphed over death and hell ; one who is mighty 
 to save, and to console ; one who is preparing His people, by the 
 discipline of His providence and the teachings of His Word and 
 Spirit, for a blessed reunion in those realms of light and glory into 
 which sin and sickness, sorrow and death, shall never enter. Here 
 would we lay the tribute of our praise and thanksgiving at our 
 Saviour's feet, imploring Thee of Thy mercy to prepare us all to 
 stand at length in Thy presence, washed in the blood of the Lamb, 
 clothed with the righteousness of the Redeemer, and accepted in the 
 Beloved ! 
 
 Have mercy upon us, and accept and save us in Christ our 
 Saviour. Amen.
 
 362 APPENDIX. 
 
 ADDRESS OF REV. ALBERT BARNES 
 AT THE GRAVE. 
 
 AFTER a few introductory sentences, expressive of joyfv! triumph 
 over the grave opened before the sad group of mourners, and of the 
 manner of life of the departed, and of his early and complete con- 
 secration of himself to the service and glory of Christ, through whom 
 he obtained the great victory, the Rev. Mr. Barnes proceeded to 
 enforce the lessons of the solemn scene upon those around him. 
 
 My friends, said he, preparation for usefulness in this life, in its 
 best sense, is preparation for heaven; and the fitness for usefulness 
 which he had while on earth, through the grace of God in Christ 
 Jesus, was a fitness for a higher, a heavenly sphere. That which 
 qualified him so eminently for usefulness on earth, was, through the 
 grace of God and the divine purposes of mercy, a qualification for 
 an entrance among the angels, and among the redeemed of God, 
 the spirits of just men made perfect. That which bound him to so 
 many Christian hearts here by the ties of affection and love, was 
 the same which now qualifies him for being united to the Redeemer 
 in heaven, and for being made happy through everlasting ages ! 
 
 I regard the very large assemblage gathered together in the house, 
 and this large concourse around this open grave of our departed 
 brother, as a tribute to Christianity as an expression of the views 
 cherished by those assembled in regard to the value of religion in a 
 young man. Notwithstanding all that there was in his birth, his 
 social position, his prospects in life, his relations to the world 
 however worthy of attention and respect yet these would not have 
 drawn together this assemblage on this occasion. It is because 
 William Stuart was a Christian young man, warm-hearted, generous, 
 full of love to God and love to man, that you have gathered here 
 to-day, that you may express not only your interest in him, but your 
 regard for that religion which he commended in his life and death. 
 If we wish our friends to gather around our grave when we are dead, 
 we must show in our lives that there is something in us that makes 
 us worthy to be loved while living, and to be regretted when we die.
 
 APPENDIX. 363 
 
 We must live for other purposes than for ourselves. We must look 
 out upon the world, upon our suffering fellow-men, and relieve their 
 burdens, lighten their cares, sympathize with them in their trials, if 
 we would wish them to come around our graves, and drop a tear 
 over us when we die. 
 
 How impressively does this open grave speak to us respecting the 
 shortness and uncertainty of life ! It will not be improper for me to 
 say, that a few short months ago I pronounced in relation to him 
 these words, "What God hath joined together let not man put 
 asunder." But God has put asunder in a little while what we had 
 joined. His hand has done it. There is consolation in the reflec- 
 tion that His grace is sufficient to sustain and to comfort all these 
 stricken hearts to-day. 
 
 And how impressively does this scene speak to the Christian 
 young men here assembled ! There are not a few young men here 
 who have, like Stuart, devoted themselves to the service of God, 
 Behold now what is the value of religion ! What else can avail 
 now ? What in life could be of value to him now in this grave ? It 
 is religion that imparts consolation to us as we weep ; religion that 
 receives our tribute here this afternoon. It is the religion of Christ 
 that draws us here. Oh, let us cherish this religion. Let us also 
 imitate Christ, and imitate our friend as he imitated the Saviour. As 
 we stand here let me entreat you to remember that the grave is before 
 you ; that but few steps are left for any of us to take but few for 
 the bright and healthy young men around me, before they too shall 
 lie in the cold, silent grave. What, therefore, your hands find to 
 do, do it with your might ; for there is no wisdom, nor device, nor 
 knowledge in the grave, whither we are going. Bear in remem- 
 brance, dear young friends, that whatever may be regretted on the 
 bed of death, you will never regret that you devoted yourselves 
 early to the service of God ; that you practised self-denial and 
 sacrifice that you might follow that Saviour who sacrificed Himself 
 for you, and gave His own precious blood that you might live and 
 be useful and happy for ever. 
 
 Are there, in this large assemblage, within the reach of my voice, 
 any who are unreconciled to God who have no religion, no faith in 
 Christ ? Oh, let me entreat you to look at this grave, and to remem- 
 ber what is here done. Here, I entreat you, in the name of my
 
 364 APPENDIX. 
 
 Master, and in view of the eternity before you, to give your youth- 
 ful hearts to Christ. I entreat you, by all that you behold to- 
 day ; by the last look that you will cast upon the coffin of your dear 
 departed friend ; by all that is tender and sacred in religion ; by all 
 that is valuable in your own souls, to consecrate yourselves to the 
 service of the Son of God. Be a Christian ; live a Christian ; live 
 so that you may die a Christian, and win and wear a bright crown 
 in the realms of eternal blessedness. 
 
 On the conclusion of Mr. Barnes' remarks, a brief and impressive 
 prayer was offered by the Rev. Dr. Suddards, and the mourning 
 train of sorrowing relatives and friends (though, thanks be to God, 
 sorrowing not as those having no hope), slowly moved away from 
 the quiet resting-place of the dead.
 
 APPENDIX. 365 
 
 CHILDREN'S GATHERING. 
 
 ON the afternoon of Sabbath, April I2th, succeeding the death of 
 Willie, a meeting of the Sabbath schools of the congregation was 
 held in the church. The place was filled by a very large and 
 deeply attentive audience. A feeling of solemnity pervaded the 
 entire assemblage. The teachers and children of the Coloured 
 Mission School occupied the middle aisle. The noticeable attention 
 given by the latter to the exercises of the occasion evidenced that 
 they were aware of its solemn nature and import. It needed but a 
 slight effort of memory to recall the appearance of him who had so 
 recently been their superintendent, as on the anniversary occasions of 
 the schools he had met in the same place with the children whom he 
 loved, and who loved him. The comparison of the circumstances 
 under which they had been wont to assemble, and those which now 
 called them together, could not fail to sorrowfully suggest itself to 
 every mind. 
 
 After appropriate devotional exercises, the following Addresses 
 were delivered : 
 
 REV. DR. WYLIE'S ADDRESS. 
 
 My dear Children, I need not ask you to sit very still and quiet this 
 afternoon. Think what it is that has led to our being here. It is 
 but a few months since these schools were assembled in this place, 
 but under very different circumstances. One was then among the 
 living who is now among the dead. One was then on the earth who 
 is now, we have every reason to believe, in heaven. One then was 
 here in regard to whom we cherished the fond expectation, at that 
 time, that he would live to labour among the beloved children to 
 whose welfare he had devoted himself. But he has gone away from 
 us on earth for ever. We may apply to him the language that was 
 used in reference to the Saviour "He is not here; he is risen." 
 The voice of Christ came to him saying, "Come up hither." He 
 has left the field of his usefulness and of his service on earth, and he 
 has gone to enter upon the rest remaining for the people of God.
 
 366 APPENDIX. 
 
 We have no doubt that even in heaven he will think of this Sab- 
 bath school, which was his special charge. We have no doubt that 
 even in heaven he will pray for it ; for we believe that persons who 
 are in heaven do pray, and we cannot see anything wrong in sup- 
 posing that they pray, in submission to the will of God, for those whom 
 they left behind them in this world. 
 
 Now, my dear children, I feel that you will all cherish with love 
 the remembrance of that dear young man. There were no persons 
 who knew him well who did not love him. There were so many 
 amiable traits of character in him, that, so far as we know, he won 
 the affection of all with whom he associated. And though he might 
 have turned aside to the enjoyments which wealth and position in 
 society would have given him, he chose to devote himself to the 
 service of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have no doubt that if he did 
 not plant the seeds of disease, at least he hastened the result by what 
 he did for this Coloured Mission School. Think of the Wednesday 
 evening and Sabbath evening meetings, which he attended in all 
 kinds of weather; no matter what might be his own condition, 
 he was sure to be there. Think of the punctuality with which he 
 was present in the Sabbath school ; and think of the time and the 
 toil that he devoted throughout to the welfare of that institution. 
 And then remember that not merely did he give and labour for it, 
 but it was the subject of his most earnest prayers. It was founded 
 in prayer. Many a prayer he offered for it ; and when he was about 
 to leave this world that Sabbath school was among the last things 
 that he spoke of; and he did not leave the world without making 
 arrangements in regard to its future management, and committing 
 it to those to whom he thought proper to confide the trust Oh, 
 then, surely we must feel that we ought to cherish his memory. 
 
 I will not speak much more about it, because there are others who 
 will refer to the subject more at length ; but there is another thing 
 which I have to say this afternoon. Just before I came here I was 
 by the bedside, probably I should say the dying bedside, of one who 
 was for many years a teacher in our Sabbath school, and who had 
 been William Stuart's teacher. He gave me a message for the 
 school: "Let all of them be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 He is all my salvation, and all my desire." He was very weak. He 
 had just been moved in his bed, and was exceedingly exhausted, and
 
 APPENDIX. 367 
 
 could not say much, but he referred to William Stuart, and men- 
 tioned that he had presented many a prayer in his behalf. 
 
 And it occurs to us here to mention what encouragement there is 
 to teachers to pray. He prayed for that pupil, and for other pupils, 
 and observe how his prayers have been answered. So, my dear 
 teachers, you may be confident that if you, with earnestness and sin- 
 cerity, present your petitions at God's throne, you will find that God 
 will give an answer, and you will accomplish the great end and aim 
 at which you are striving the conversion of the souls of the dear 
 children who are to live for ever, either in eternal happiness or 
 eternal woe. 
 
 And now remember, dear children, that there should be this 
 afternoon a most solemn and earnest attention. For my own part, 
 I do not know that I have ever been at a meeting in this church that 
 has affected my own mind with deeper feelings of solemnity than 
 this. Personally, I loved warmly that young man, and I respected 
 him and admired him too, and I would have rejoiced if God had 
 spared him for longer days and greater usefulness. But he is taken 
 away ! It is natural for us to mourn. And yet, we ought to be 
 thankful and to rejoice that we feel he has gone to heaven, and is 
 now with Christ, which is far better. I hope there are many in our 
 Sabbath school who will follow his example. I hope many a little 
 boy and many a little girl will try to follow him as he followed 
 Christ ; and that all the teachers together will imitate his fidelity 
 and punctuality, and his diligence in every good word and work. 
 
 And oh, what a satisfaction that will be to you in a dying hour ! 
 I am sure that there was not the least regret, when he was about to 
 leave this world, that he had sacrificed anything, that he had toiled 
 and laboured in the cause of Christ ; and though he desired to live, 
 the reason he gave for his desire was, that he might do still more for 
 Christ. He was not weary of the work he rejoiced that he was 
 permitted to engage in it. 
 
 Now sing two verses of the 23rd psalm. You all know it, my 
 dear children, and I think it is a very suitable psalm for the occasion. 
 Let every one sing aloud and with spirit. 
 
 Dr. Wylie now introduced the Rev. Dr. Faires to the children, 
 who addressed them as follows : 
 
 24
 
 368 APPENDIX. 
 
 REV. DR. FAIRES* ADDRESS. 
 
 Dear Children and Teachers, the Lord has seen meet to call 
 away one very dear to us from his work on earth to his reward in 
 heaven. We have therefore met together to express our sorrow 
 that we shall no more on earth see his face or hear his voice. 
 
 But we must mourn with submission to the will of God. If a 
 friend has lent us a rare jewel, and permitted us to hold it in our 
 hands and admire its brightness and beauty, when he reclaims it, 
 and extends his hand to receive it from us, shall we strive to keep 
 that which was only lent, and refuse to give back to the proprietor 
 that which is his own ? The friend whose early death we lament 
 was such a jewel, beautified by the grace of God with holiness, and 
 bright with manifold virtues. Shall we, then, repine and murmur 
 because the King of heaven has, if we may so speak, resumed pos- 
 session of his own jewel that he may set it to shine for ever in the 
 crown of our glorious Redeemer ? 
 
 There is, moreover, a consideration which should greatly Alleviate 
 our sorrow. Instability appertains to the things of earth. The most 
 solid and costly structures crumble into ruin the brightest colours 
 of the most exquisite painting become faint the grass withers the 
 flower fades the rainbow, the beautiful sign of God's covenant, 
 vanishes the sun will in time grow dim, and the very heavens will 
 pass away with a great noise. Instability, moreover, appertains not 
 only to things material, but extends also to things possessed of moral 
 qualities. Thus human character so frequently changes for the worse, 
 that concerning those we deem the purest and best of men, we can 
 never be certain whether they will continue such to the end of their 
 lives. How often in our experience has the gold become dim, and 
 the most fine gold changed ! We are unable to read men's hearts, 
 or to predict the end of their course from ite beginning, or to know 
 beforehand what is written in God's book. But when the good and 
 pure have persevered unto the end ; maintaining consistency of char- 
 acter ; growing constantly in holiness, moral strength, and usefulness ; 
 yielding in increasing abundance and variety the fniits of the Spirit, 
 and becoming more and more like Christ, we know that by death 
 they are removed beyond the reach of temptation and the possibility 
 of sin; and that the moral excellences which they exhibited during
 
 APPENDIX. 369 
 
 life, purified from every taint, are enstamped indelibly upon their 
 souls as their character for eternity. 
 
 Believing such things, should we not be comforted in our sorrow, 
 and rather rejoice that our departed friend, freed from all imperfec- 
 tion and sin, and confirmed in holiness, now stands a beautiful pillar 
 in God's heavenly temple, to go no more out ? 
 
 But without dwelling longer on such topics, I proceed to the 
 special duty assigned to me, and read in your hearing the farewell 
 letter which he wrote to the teachers and children of the St. Mary 
 Street Mission School, only a few hours before he embarked for a 
 distant island seeking restoration of health : 
 
 NEW YORK, Dec. 8, 1862. 
 
 MY DEAR TEACHERS AND CHILDREN, 
 
 It is a matter of the deepest regret to me that I was prevented from 
 meeting with you on last Sabbath afternoon to say farewell. It was not because 
 I have lost my interest in you far from it. Ever since I was privileged to or- 
 ganize our little mission it has been an object lying very near my heart, and one 
 for which I have daily prayed. Feeling that I have come far short of duty, I 
 nevertheless do feel that whilst my health lasted I endeavoured to do it. God 
 has seen fit, in his all-wise providence, to remove from me this blessing, and I am 
 now about to leave my native land for the third time in search of health. It is a 
 sore trial for me thus to be laid aside and deprived of the delightful labours of the 
 Sabbath school. [The speaker read this sentence again, as a most suggestive one 
 to Sabbath-school teachers.] Though absent in body I will be with you in spirit, 
 and feel sure that while the ocean may separate us, our prayers will meet before 
 a common mercy-seat. 
 
 To you, dear teachers, who have given yourselves to this self-denying work, 
 what shall I say? Your work is most solemn and important. The salvation of 
 immortal souls in a degree depends upon your efforts. Be diligent, be earnest, 
 be prayerful. I know there will come many a dark hour, when all entrance to 
 the sinful heart seems cut off, and you are tempted to say, " Ephraim is joined 
 unto his idols, let him alone." Remember then the encouraging words of the 
 Lord Jesus, " Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of 
 life." " He that turueth many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever 
 andfever." Let these words cheer you in your noble work, remove every sadness, 
 and lighten every trial. Remember that though earthly works may fade, the work 
 ilone for God it fadeth not. May God's blessed Spirit be ever nigh unto you ; and 
 when death's short way is passed, may you every one receive from your Saviour 
 the welcome summons, "Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into 
 the joy of thy Lord." 
 
 To you, children, what shall I say ? Love your teachers ; be regular and punc- 
 tual in your attendance upon the school ; be respectful and obedient to him, and 
 love your superintendent ; but above all. learn to love Christ. For this purpose
 
 370 APPENDIX. 
 
 this Sabbath school was opened in your midst. For this your teachers labour 
 and pray. For this God is waiting. As I have often told you when in your midst, 
 all will go for nothing unless you give yourselves to Christ. Remember life is 
 uncertain. Death, judgment, and eternity are before you. Choose, then, for 
 yourselves that better part, which cannot be taken from you. Serve God, and he 
 will not forget you. Love him, trust him, and he will be to you a pillar of cloud 
 by day, and a pillar of fire by night, guiding you safely through this world's 
 wilderness, over the Jordan of death, to that Canaan of eternal rest, 
 
 " Where the anthems of rapture unceasingly roll, 
 And the smile of the Lord is the feast of the soul." 
 
 And now, teachers and children, FAREWELL ! Be perfect, be of good com- 
 fort, be of one mind, live in peace ; and the God of love and peace shall be 
 with you. And the very God of peace sanctify you ; and I pray God your whole 
 spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 Yours in Christian bonds, 
 
 WILLIAM D. STUART. 
 
 Children of the St Mary Street Mission School, you know in 
 what circumstances these words were written. You perceive how in 
 his weakness and weariness, and amid the confusion and many distrac- 
 tions attendant upon departure from home for a long absence, your 
 kind superintendent remembered you with tender solicitude. Will 
 you not, then, yield to his urgent entreaty, and give your hearts to. 
 the Saviour? It was for this he established the mission school, and 
 brought you into it. It was for this he prayed and laboured, in 
 summer and in winter, by day and by night, in health and in sick- 
 ness. It was for this he wrote the affectionate letter to which you 
 have just been listening. 
 
 If, then, you appreciate his devoted, self-denying, and incessant 
 labours for your good if you remember with gratitude his many 
 acts of kindness if you fondly cherish his memory if you desire to 
 see him again love Christ. Thus you will secure for yourselves the 
 highest possible good the salvation of your souls ; thus, and only 
 thus, you may reasonably hope to enjoy the high happiness of at 
 last meeting in bliss and glory the redeemed and beatified spirit of 
 your departed friend. 
 
 Teachers of the St. Mary Street Mission School, note well the 
 remarkable sentence in the letter of your late superintendent :
 
 APPENDIX. 371 
 
 " It is a sore trial for me thus to be laid aside and deprived of the 
 delightful labours of the Sabbath school." Catch the spirit of these 
 memorable words; imitate the noble example of the writer; and let 
 your labour in the Sabbath school be a delight. 
 
 And bear in mind that in your efforts to elevate the degraded, 
 instruct the ignorant, and guide souls to the Saviour, you are imitat- 
 ing the still higher example of Christ, who left the glories of heaven 
 for the humiliations of earth, that He might seek and save them that 
 were lost. Labour, then, prayerfully, lovingly, hopefully, constantly, 
 that you may be instrumental in saving lost souls. 
 
 The souls of your pupils, saved by God's blessing bestowed upon 
 your faithful labours, will be your "crown of rejoicing in the pres- 
 ence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coining." 
 
 M R. GRANT S ADDRESS. 
 
 "O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they 
 would consider their latter end ! " (Deut. xxxii. 29.) 
 
 There is not a boy or girl here this afternoon, I am sure, who does 
 not remember how that kind, loving Hebrew mother, took her little 
 child, and with tender hands laid him in the ark of bulrushes. 
 You remember how his little sister watched the basket as it floated 
 among the flags by the river's brink; how afterwards it was dis- 
 covered by Pharaoh's daughter ; and how, when it was opened, the 
 child wept and touched her royal heart with sympathy. You remem- 
 ber also how Miriam, at the bidding of the princess, called her mother, 
 and how it was given back to her fond embrace, that she might 
 nurse it without constant dread for the safety of its life. 
 
 You all know that this little child, when he became a man, was 
 chosen by God to be the leader of the children of Israel from the 
 land of Egypt. 
 
 It was he who stretched forth the rod when the Red Sea divided, 
 allowing the people to pass through between its walls of water safe 
 to the other side. It was by his hand the rock was smitten which 
 sent forth water from its flinty sides. For forty years he was their 
 faithful leader; but because of his rebellion at the waters of Meribah,
 
 372 APPENDIX. 
 
 he was not permitted to enter the promised land. He was to 
 behold it from the top of Mount Nebo, but his feet were not to tread 
 upon its sacred soil. 
 
 Before this solemn event, however, ere the old man was gathered 
 to his unknown grave, he was commanded to teach the children of 
 Israel a song, that after he was gone it might be a witness for the 
 Lord whom they had forsaken ; and as he looked upon the multitude 
 igathered before him, and remembered God's countless mercies, their 
 ingratitude, and the striking circumstances connected with his ap- 
 proaching death, he uttered the language which I have used, and 
 said, "O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they 
 would consider their latter end ! " 
 
 That, dear children, is my most earnest desire at this time for each 
 one of you ; $nd I know well that could we bring back the beloved 
 one who to-day is in the silent grave, he would express the same 
 idea, and earnestly long that every child beneath this roof might be 
 a possessor in early youth of that true wisdom which alone can com- 
 fort and sustain during life, and in the dying hour. Nothing can 
 effectually do this but a firm resting upon the blood and righteous- 
 ness of Jesus, that precious Redeemer on whom our dear friend trusted 
 while he lived, and as he was passing across the dark river of death. 
 
 What a foolish thing it is to put off the salvation of the soul till 
 you grow up ! You may never be men or women. I suppose you 
 have all sometimes looked with reverence upon an old man. You 
 have seen his white hair, and furrowed cheeks, and trembling hands, 
 and perhaps have said to yourselves he must be 60, or 70, or 80 
 years old, while I am but 6, or 7, or 14 ; and as you think of the 
 long ygars between him and you, you resolve that you will wait till 
 you are as old as he is before you prepare for death and eternity. 
 Oh, dear children, this is not wise. It is wise to seek Christ early, 
 and having found him, be prepared to die. You have all watched 
 on a summer's day the beautiful butterfly winging its way in the 
 sunshine ; some of you may have cruelly chased it as it fluttered 
 from place to place. You have also seen the busy humming-bee 
 plying its weary task, "gathering honey all the day from every 
 opening flower." Both seem alike to be enjoying themselves, but 
 how differently are they occupied ! the one lives for the present, the 
 other for the future; and when the storms of winter are sweeping
 
 APPENDIX. 373 
 
 over the earth, the butterfly's beauty and its life are gone, while the 
 careful bee is safely sheltered and provided for within its honied 
 cells. The butterfly is a striking emblem of those who bestow all 
 their thoughts and care upon the perishing body and the fleeting 
 things of this world, while the bee illustrates well those who are 
 anxious about the immortal soul and its eternal happiness. 
 
 Oh, dear children, hear the voice of God in this mysterious pro- 
 vidence. It is very hard, indeed, to understand why he, so manly, 
 so noble, so vigorous, so full of Christian earnestness and zeal, 
 should thus be stricken down in early manhood ; but, to use his own 
 words, "It is all right." So far as he was concerned, he felt per- 
 fectly satisfied that all was well. The flower dies ere the fruit 
 appears; the seed rots in the ground ere the root, the stem, the 
 branches, the fruit is seen : even so may it be that in the death of him 
 whose loss we mourn to-day the life of many may be traced. 
 
 In the early removal of one of our Sabbath school superintendents 
 the Lord is teaching us the solemn lesson, that the day of labour and 
 of grace is passing away. He would have the teachers to under- 
 stand more fully the necessity of working while it lasts ; and the 
 children, that the tongue which tells them of a Saviour's love may 
 soon be silent in death. 
 
 How often, dear children and Christian friends, do we forget our 
 latter end ! Whether we forget it or not, how swiftly is it approach- 
 ing ! In a very little we like him shall die. Oh, that when the hour 
 of death comes, when the shadows of this life are departing and 
 eternity stands before the mind as a great reality, when we feel that 
 the cords which bind us to earth are being severed, we may, as he 
 did, be able to say, " I know that my Redeemer liveth!" 
 
 What are earth's pleasures at this solemn hour ? 
 
 ' Oh, pleasures past ! what are ye now, 
 But thorns about ray bleeding brow : 
 Spectres that hover round my brain, 
 And aggravate and mock my pain ? " 
 
 It is not so with the pleasure afforded by a life of labour in the 
 Lord's vineyard. Oh, no ! it plants no piercing thorn in the pillow 
 of death. 
 
 But on Monday last, a few hours before his death, I said to him,
 
 374 APPENDIX. 
 
 " Willie, I am sure you do not regret now that you have laboured 
 for Christ. " Gathering his remaining strength he exclaimed with 
 remarkable emphasis, " Oh, no ! never ! never ! " 
 
 A favourite illustration of his was this : In a certain European 
 town there once lived a painter, who was observed by those who 
 passed his little studio almost constantly seated at the canvas. 
 Being asked why he laboured so earnestly and continually, he 
 answered, " I am painting for eternity ! " Mr. Stuart was the only 
 one I ever heard relate this, and looking back from this point upon 
 his short and useful life, one cannot but conclude he lived under the 
 same impulse. I speak not this to pronounce an eulogy upon -the 
 dead ; he needs no eulogy from my stammering tongue his works 
 praise him. Why is it that his memory is so precious ? Why 
 is it graven upon my heart as with "an iron pen, and lead in the 
 rock for ever ? " It is not because his prospects and position in 
 society were bright and exalted, but because he was an active, 
 earnest, vigorous, talented fellow -labourer in the cause of God. 
 
 Brethren! young men of this church ! let me most earnestly call 
 upon you, now that one of our number has fallen, now that that 
 standard-bearer lies voiceless in the dust, to buckle on anew the 
 Christian armour, and work for Jesus with energy while the day of 
 labour lasts. Let us support our Sabbath schools, not with a feeble 
 life, but vigorously ; let us labour as those who are placed in this 
 world not to live for ourselves, but for our race, and for God, and 
 for eternity. 
 
 Not long since I met with a very beautiful incident conveyed in 
 exquisitely poetical language. The writer of the lines represented 
 himself as lingering near a wayside path, on a quiet summer's eve. 
 The sun had just gone down, and all nature seemed retiring to rest. 
 His attention was arrested by a little girl returning from a spring of 
 water close by, with a well-filled pitcher upon her head. She was 
 a lovely child: her hair hung in graceful ringlets around her neck; 
 the pitcher was supported by her tiny hand ; and as she lightly 
 tripped along, her sweet voice filled the evening air with a joyous 
 song. A little plant was blooming by the road-side the hot sun had 
 caused its tender flowers to droop ; the dear child noticed it, and 
 stepping aside, she lowered the pitcher from her head, poured a few 
 refreshing drops upon the flower, and passed on to her cottage home.
 
 APPENDIX. 375 
 
 It was a simple act, but it affords an admirable illustration. 
 
 We are travellers passing along life's highway. If we are God's 
 children, we are filling our pitchers day by day with blessings at the 
 never-failing spring of His boundless mercy and love : let us not pass 
 on to our Father's house above bearing that pitcher erect upon our 
 heads, never seeking to drop its refreshing waters upon our suffering 
 and sin-stricken fellow-men ; but let us lift the pitcher of salvation 
 down and press it to the lips of the perishing, yea, even to the lips 
 of the youngest, humblest, poorest child, and tell them of Jesus. As 
 that little flower revived when the water fell upon it, so shall they 
 revive. They will lift up their eyes towards you and bless you; and 
 far more than even the blessing of them that are ready to perish 
 shall be a glorious entrance into that peaceful, happy home, 
 
 '' Where the labourers rest for ever 
 "Mid the white-robed angel band." 
 
 May it be ours, dear friends, to imitate the example of dear 
 William Stuart. May God's grace fill our hearts as it filled his. 
 May we be inspired with like earnest desires for the glory of God, 
 and whether the sun of our life goes' down while it is yet day, or 
 after we have travelled along the dusty highway of time for a long 
 course of years, it matters not ; we will then gather our feet upon our 
 bed and die, and enter upon the joys of eternity and the fellowship 
 of beloved friends who are now parted from us by the hand of death. 
 
 May God's richest blessings rest upon our Sabbath schools, 
 especially upon that one which Mr. Stuart loved so much. Oh 
 that the children may be early sheltered beneath His wings who said 
 of Jerusalem, "How often would I have gathered thy children 
 together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings!"
 
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