The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-23

Died, February 4th, in Danville, Va, Miss SARAH
E. DABSEY, in the list year of her age. She was
born in the city of Richmond, and there resided
until within the year of her death, when she removed
with her sister, Mrs. Lucy q. Wharton, to the town
of Danville.
In eudeayorng to bring out, in full expression,
the sweet comeliness of character which dwells in
the memory of Miss Sarah Dabneys friends, there
is at first something like feeling of self reprosch,
as if we might thus offend against that unobtrusive
modesty which allowed no form of self.assertion,
and sought not the praise of men, But it is in such
lives as hers that much OF the wealth of Christian
example is treasured, and it therefore becomes us
to recall AND record the memory of their virtues,
70 the praise of Gods grace and in the hope that
the influence of such examples may be extended to
some who did not know departed friends we
knew them.
At a period earlier than the writer's recollection,
Miss Dabuey was already member of the Presbyte-
rian church in this city, then under the pastoral
charge of the Rev. Stephen Taylor, and she re-
NAMED a member of the same church-now the
- Grace Street Presbyterian until recently dis
missed to join the Presbyterian church in Danville
10 all the duties belonging to that relation she was
ever faithful stedfast and consistent Christian,
having the confidence and esteem of her pastor and
of her fellow members aud the unchsnging love Of
all who came within the smaller circle of intimate
friendship; always ready and willing for every good
work, vet so unassuming, and so little DESTROYS Of
attracting attention in any way, that the fair proper
tons of her Christian character were probably i'm
perfectly seen by many of those among whom she
thus moved.
| The writer was privileged to know this dear lady
we'll from his earliest recollection until the time of
her dea and the distinctive characteristics of her
religious lite (for the whole Of her life religious
through that long tract of time, we're the same
Forgetulness of self aud thoughtfulness for Others
manifested by untirng sympathy and patient help
fitness in their sorrows and troubles, and by unsf
ected interest in whatever concerned their happi-
ness-these were always apparent and often signslly
illustrated in her consistent life of self denial and
/ devotedness OF her own inner life of religious
feeling its helps and It's hindrances its Civilizations
and depressions, she spoke but sparingly. But the
testimony of the outward lite to the power of that
vital force Within was both eloquent and effective.
The writer can remember that when he still but
boy, IN those times of doubt and distrust of all
| Christian professions which often overcoud the
mind of the child, this testimony of her hfe and of
the lives of few others of like spirit, would drive
away the doubt and dispense the gloom. When also
the aspiration after higher life would shape itself
Ia that child heart, it would sometimes take the
form of the wish-which was half prayer" Oh
that were such Christian as Miss Sarah Dabneyl''
This almost instructive faith Of the child in the sin
certy and consistency OF her Christian character,
was of course held in much ignorance OF the sources
from which that character drew its sedfsst strengths
but the better informed judgment of the man only
confirmed the confidence OF the child; and now, as
he looks over all her past life his memory bring:
it before him in beautiful conference, it is with the
fullest conviction that he writesTbiS ioGS Chris
tiQR; not IN name only, bat IN deed and iR truth
Il,