The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-05-18

Died. in Farmville. Va, March 9th, Mrs. ANN
f. READ, wife of G. G. Read, Esq, in the Esd year
of her age
Mrs Read was the daughter of Capt. Henry A.
and Mrs. Ann E. Watkins, of Charlotte county, Va
The child of pious parents, and reared IN the know
edge of the truth she united with the Village church
early in life. At this time she enjoyed the aGvan.
tage of highly edfying pulpit instruction. A pupil
of the Rev. Matthew Lyle, with whose ministrations
she was blessed she also sat stately under the
preaching of such men as the Rev. Clement Read
and Rev. j. W. Alexander, in Charlotte, and after.
wards under that of Messrs Stanton, Scott, and Os-
borne, in Farmvie. From the time that she be-
came Christian her religion was of that practical
kind which by its fruits gives evidence that it is
power. The study of the Scriptures was her daily
habit and her intercourse with living ministers and
with the works of the pious dead tended greatly to
strengthen the foundations of her knowledge. She
began at once to live for Christ Withholding herself
from injurious contact with the world and doing the
works of the Christian life. This type OF piety she
steadily maintained to the end. An intelligent
Chrlstian-she drank deeply from the fountain of
divine truth. An active Christian-she exhibited
the evangelical virtues in her domestic circle, and
was foremost in those womanly offices which only
they who are guided by Gods Spirit know how to
perform. Always in her place in the sanctuary ex-
cept detained by unavoidable cause devout atten'
dant the weekly prayer meeting during the years
of health she was, when able to perform the duty,
an interested Sabbath School teacher and forward
in maintaining good works. A sympathising Chris
tian she knew how to rejoice with them that do
ioice and to weep with them that Weep Many are
the households, stricken with sickness and death,
which have been comforted and sustained by her
delicate minstratons, and many families in destitu-
ton have had reason to bless her generous libera-
ty. One amable quality she possessed in a pre-
eminent degree, even for Virginia, where it is per-
haps more conspicuous than elsewhere and that was
profound and abiding interest In the colored people
and the most tender and generous consideration for
their welfare. This class of our population enlisted
large share of her sympathy and none of them
ever appealed to her for assistance who did not OBJ
tain it in full measure. Indeed the poor and help
less ever had in her a friend
As wife and mother, none could be more anx-
ious and devoted. The stay of her husband he
found in her cheerful temper and wise counsels and
unrepining disposition tower OF strength amid the
trials of life Her children leaned upon her as if
still in infancy, and were only delivered from this
feeling of dependence by the sharp ministry of DEATH
No sacrifice was too great for her to make for the
members of her family, whom she loved better than
life.
For years she had been in failing health. She
saw the hand writing of God when others would not
perceive it. During her last illness she said, that
she had for a long time held daily converse with
death and that it was now no stranger to her. She
was thankful that through the hope of the gospel,
/ she ready to meet it. Jesus Christ-a covenant
and all sufficient Savour--was all her confidence.
She felt no fear, not a doubt afflicted her mind.
/ Death was pleasing contemplation. She longed
for the rest and JOY and salvation to which she be-
leved it would introduce her. In faith she com