Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-07-21
An Affecting Scene,

At a well known house of ill>fame, on Cary
street, Saturday afternoon, was witnessed a
scene that will Lot soon be forgotten by those
who were present On table in the middle
OF one of the parlors lay the cofined remains
OF Mary -, some time an inmate of the
house. surrounded by large number of fe>
male friends aud acquaintances from various
parts of the city, and some four or five gen.
tlemen who had been induced to attend from
motives of humanity. Gazing on the marble,
like features of the dead. they seemed 20 wear
a strange smile of peace and serenity. ike the
dying light of clear evening after stormy
day.
Among those present was Rev. DIR. -.
of the Methodist Church, who, standing up
i'll that unusual congregation, opened the SER
vice by reading the solemn and sublime funer-
al lessons of his Church ritual Every ear
seemed bent in deep attention, and when he
said Let us pray" every knee in that strange
throDg bowed in meek suppIication before the
merciful All Father. And oh such PRAYER
how tender, how appropriate, how Christ
like Tears fell hike rain lrom eyes unused
to weepin prayer, and half, stifled sobs might
be heard again aud again while the good man
invoked the pity of heaven for the unfortu>
nate living by the cold remains of the dead
fesseth and forsaketh his sins shall fnd
mercy" the minister then spoke TOR about
fifteen minutes with thrilling pathos. He
spoke first OF the departed one who, during
her fatal sickness, had bethought her of a
misspent life and forgotten heaven; how
some good people, not too proud to initiate
Him who came to seek and to save the lost
had come and prayed with her. and how at last
came peace and sweet hope of better and an
immortal life. Then turning to the wayward
and weak children of sin there gathered he
told them there was hope even for them ::
there was limitless compassion in the bosom
of God. The fresh scenes of innocent GIRL
hood common to each. the tender memories of
mothers love known to all might be dimmed
by successive years of sin and folly, but still
there was hOpe-thcre was salvation for the
weakest and most sin laden who would turn
to Christ. No words of chidng escaped the
minister's lips, and one could almost imagine
how lie spoke who forgave ''the woman that
was sinner" And never did preacher speak
to ears that seemed more willing to hear or
hearts more ready to melt into reuitence.-
May it not be hoped that his words Of prayer
and persuasion will be the water OF life to
mnuy weary one, bringing with It renewed
hope to desOIatc hearts?
II was to he regretted that Dr.
could not attend the corpse to its last resting-
place, he having another funeral to preach
that evening. The body of Mary - was
lowered into grave in the general buryng.
ground at Oskwood, and stranger hands threw
the clods upon her coffin, while not word
was spoken to indicate that it was human
body thus forever consigned to mother earth.
The sun was far down the west when the grave
received its last touch from the rude shovel
"That's where We'll all be soon." said one of
the girls, looking at the grave. "And forgot
ten, added another. Kind hands now placed
upon the humble mound some wreaths, and
the strange and thrilling burial was over.
Richmond Enouircr.