THE' WRECK OF THE 'STELLA.'
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.'] SIR, I have been much interested in the correspondence under the heading, "The Wreck of the Stella' and the Lapidary Style," contributed to recent issues of your paper. I am, however, more concerned that the noble deed of Stewardess Rogers should find a fitting record than I am with regard to the " style " of the inscription. Thank God, Mrs. Rogers's deed of sacrifice does not stand alone. During the last quarter of a century hundreds of Britons have calmly and heroically died for others, — some, in- deed, from the mere sense of duty, rising in the hour of danger above the selfishness which was the law of their life — others because all their life long they had been the servants of Him who "pleased not Himself" but "gave Himself for us," and were possessed by His spirit. Mrs. Rogers was of the latter class, and no in- scription would be adequate that did not express that fact. She was a beloved member (of twenty-one years' standing) of the Northam Congregational Church, Southampton, of which church her aged father is still a member. We can hardly expect that her deed be recorded in St. Paul's Cathedral, if for no other reason than that hers is but one of many equally heroic deeds. Nor is it clear that such a place would be the best. Far better would it be, to my mind, to commemorate such deeds in the localities where the persons were well known and among the class from which they sprung. A fitting inscription in the church where Mrs. Rogers worshipped, or in some public place in the neighbourhood where she was held in high esteem, unveiled with appropriate ceremony, would deepen the impression of her Christlike deed among the youth from which we may hope to draw our future servants of the sea. I trust that those who have promised, in your columns, money towards a memorial, may be disposed to give it to those who are desiring to commemorate the deed locally. I believe that the Rev. James Thompson, 3 Britannia Road, Northam, Southampton, would be glad to receive subscrip- tions.—I am, Sir, Ike., [We hold that so noble a deed as that of Mrs. Rogers might very properly be commemorated both locally and in a national place of memorial such as St. Paul's. No local place of com- memoration could, however, be more appropriate than the church of which she was a member,—in this case the Northam Congregational Church.—ED. Spectator.]
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