The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-12-31

A SAD VISITATION OF PRoyIDEHcE-A
YOU'VE LADY FALLS DEAD ~ CHURCH A Few
MINUTES AFTER BEING CoEFiRdED.-[ from
the Savannah NcieS, December 2El-On
Christmas morning one of the saddles. and
most appalling incidents occurred at Christ
church that has brcn known in this city. Tie
morning services had been concluded, and
the candidates for confirmation, ten in nnn'-
Der, were Invited 70 the altar. OF these was
Miss Lizzie Spencer, u most GSt!unb!e young
lady, about sixteen years Of age, daughter OF
Captain w. II. Spencer, who was occupying
seat in the middle Of the gallery TO the
right on entering the church. She came down
stairs and moved up the aisles with the
Others, Der Young faee revealing the deep
seriousness which her heart felt. She ap-
preached the altar with the others, and
was confirmed according to the rites
of the Church by Right Rev. Bishop
Beckwith. After the confirmation cere-
monies Miss Spencer returned TO her
seat in the galley, ana had scarcely taken il
when her head sank forward on The railing.
Those in the vicinity attached no significance
to this, imagining that it was merely mi act
of devotion, when suddenly the young lady
sank from her scat ind would have fallen
upon the iloer but TOR the promrtAess of
DR.. W. H. Elliott neSt whose pew she was
was sittiug), who caught her IN his arms.
Three or four gentlemen Immediately ap-
preached and assisted in carrying her from
the church. Considerable interest was oc-
casjoncd in the congregation, whose atten-
ton was attracted to the comnlotion i'll the
gallery, but the general inference was that
the Young lady, overcome by her feelings,
had tainted. Alas such was not the c.TSr,,
the gentlemen Wha were tenderly carrying
the almost lfelfss form NOTICED OH going
down the stairs that the gasps Whigh now
and then shook the frame grew fainter and
fainter: on reaching the yestibulo
"There life gave way, and the last rosy breath
Went IN thut deep drawn sigh"
A conveyance was at once procured, and
the liteess form OF the young lady was taken
to her fathers residence, on Liberty street.
The announcement of this sad and melan-
choIy ending q j !;le Just dedicated to the
service OF the Lord sent thrill Of solemn
grief through the congregation.
Bishop Beckwith alluded to this visitation
of Providence in q most feeling manner, and
expressed the hope thar all present might be
as fil.ly prepared to appear before their
Maker when summoned rs he beieFed the
young RtuS "hs "Ho oiI ie" 'utuusSH w.
fore had stood before the altar in the fresh.
ness and glory of youth. His remarks
touching the uncertainty of life, as illus
trated by this sad incident. were very Inn
pressi;d, end were deeply felt by the con-
giegation.
Buta few months since It was eHr painffq.
duty to record the death Of Mrs. Spencer,
motber of this young lady, who died sud.
denly, ST her residence, of heart disease, whilst
playing with her little child. The death Of
her daughter was produced by the same ter
rible disease. She has had the care of the
little sister since the decease Of her mother,
aud vas the mainstay and comfort of her
father. He va: absent from the city on
Wednesday attending 70 his dGlieS rs pilot
when the summons of this terrible aiilictiop
reached him.