The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-05-14

Died, in Winchester, Va, on the morning of the
9th of April 1878, in the SD year of her age Mrs.
HARRIET ELIZABETH, daughter of Jacob Baker, Esq.,
and wife of Henry NJ. Brent, Cashier of the Shenan
doah Valley National Bank.
The death of this most estimable Christian lady
has cast a gloom over many households, and carried
sorrow to many hearts. Her amiable disposition
and great loneliness of character, refined and
tilted by Divine grace, have deepened and intens
fed the sympathy which this event has awakened
throughout large circle of fondly attached relatives
and friends 1t has been the privilege of very few
to attract to themselves such sincere and universal
love as she inspired. In her quiet dignity of man
ner, in her unwonted gentleness of spirit, in her
spotless purity of life, in her loving sympathy I'M
DESTINATIONS charity, and self.forgetulness, there
was charm, OF which she was herself unconscious
but which rresistiby drew all hearts to her.
1t was however in her piety, which of the
most humble, modest and devoted type, that her
chief attraction consisted. This gave an elevation
and beauty to all that was excellent in the endow
ments of nature, and sweetly influenced and mould
ed her character and life. At all early age she con-
secraed herself to the service of her Saviour, and
her whole subsequent life testified - the sincerity
with which that conservation was made. With
characteristic modesty, she did talk of her spir
itua attainments, or say much OF Rer religious ex
peuence; yet no one could fail TO ste that she was
child of God. Like the violet whose fragrance be-
trays it. even in its concealed retreat; her deeds of
faith and love discovered better than words co aid
tell that her ''ite was hid with Christ in Coll
From the fountain OF her warm heart, kindI ess
flowed in a perpetual stream and by the 20 ma
ment of meek and quiet spirit" she adorned in
all things, the doctrine of God her Saviour. Her
most devout aspiration for complete conformity
to Him: and though that aspiration was no, fully
realized here,-though perfect holiness was not
reached and could not be on earth yet itV evil
dent to all how powerfully 1t at work in It's prn
cples and how rich the earnests and oretastes
of it already enjoyed.
The charms of genuine piety have rarely ever re-
ceived more beautiful illustration thal was given
in her daily life, in every relation sne sustained
Cultivated and cheerful in social intercourse,
hearted and sympathetic in priv1te friendship; it
was vet in the domestic circle II. her unreserved in
timacy with those who loved her best, that her
Christian character shone the brightest. Her place
as daughter, sister, wife and mother, filled with
devotion, tenderness proprlety and grace, that
have never been surpassed. Those associated with
her in these endearing relations saw, better than
Others how pure, and gentle, and Christ-like she
was in spirit, word and action. And their united
and loving testimony is, that her consistent and ex
emplary life never failed at once to illustrate and
commend the gospel of her Redeemer.
What if the end of such of life did come sud-
denly and unexpectedly? The messenger, through
whom she received the summons of her translation,
may have surprised her, but could not find her un
prepared. ''She walked with God, and God took
her"
She died as sets the morning star, which goes
Not down behind the darkened west, nor hides
Obscured amid the tempests o. the sky;
But melts away into the light OF heaven