Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1871-07-15
From The Ne,O York Methodist
a Pastors Wife.
BY THE REV. WILLIAM F. WARD.

On May 3Oth, 1871, Ellen Lee, the
beloved wife of Rev. 5. Y. Leech,sWeet-
" fell asleep in Jesus, aged thirty-tour
wears. Born in Virginia, reared in at
iiuence, and in girlhood consistent
Christian, she graduated with honor at
Archer's Institute at Baltimore, in 1854.
Married in 1859, the picture OF physical
health, she was 6r twelve years the idol
of nv friends home. Six years after
her marriage, a malarious disease began
to undermine her health. Year after
year, every available advantage was LAID
under contribution for her restoration.
Medical skill, summer travel, devoted
nursing, brilliant social surroundings,
congregational kindness, earnest prayer
all were extensively but unsuccess-
fully employed,
Consumption held her physical ma
ture long in its grasp, toying with her
young life Every new breach in the
Notifications ofhealth she quickly detec-
ted. Speaking always modestly OF her
beautiful Christian career, she murmur-
ed never against Gods providence.
Gentle, cultivated, heroic, she was uni
versally beloved. The numerous elo-
quent utterances Of her triumphant faith
during the last several months Of her
history of suffering, would furnish ma
terial for a volume Of spiritual gems,
To Rev. Messrs. w. II. Holiday, 1.
b. Sargent, ID. d., and other visiting
ministers, she would frequently speak
thus
Trusting trusting, How grand a
thing to trust the Saviour fully | trust
him fully, fully"
"Wrat pain l suffer but it is right,
all right Who knows but that these
years of pain were necessary to save
from devotion to the world :"
Il am. trying to do my best. | honor
every promise by my faith, and lie will
not deceive nor torSake me.
Il am not alarmed. | am only get
ting home before my dear husband and
little children
To few friends gathered around her
she gave expression to this gem Of illus
tration of Gods special revelation Of
himself to his dying children
81 have just had a glorious vision. l
said, Jesus, show me thyself; and my
prayer has been granted. Three cross
es were planted before me. Over my
Redcemcr's cross saw written his
promise: Come unto me, all We that
are weary and heavy laden, and | will
give You rest. Over the cross Of the
penitent was written The blood othis
Son Jesus Christ clcanscth us from all
sin" Over the other one | saw Him
that comcth unto me | will in no wise
cast out. Before the central cross n
frail female knelt, holding in her hands
paper on which was written ; even
ME.
On the afternoon Of June 1st, a large
concourse of friends assembled in the
spacious church Of which her bcreaved
husband is pastor, at Martinsburg, W.
Va. Over her burial-casket-and with
q number of beloved pastors around me
i fulfilled promise had made her
years ago wien she said to me $50
with my remains to old Virginia, and
tell my childhood friends that | died a
sinner purified by the blood Of the Lord
Jesus Christ" Then at sunset, in the
family lot Of the cemetery at Shepherds
town, we laid in the grave the mortal
remains Of this lovely Christian lady.
We ioin with the editor Of the Ship
hsrdsiomn Register and say MAY the
clods rest gently upon her !"