The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-20
For TIE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Mrs. Mary ]. Leps.

The Central Of May 9th contained short notice
of the death of this lady, taken from the letter Of
correspondent. 1t is proper that special tribute
should be rendered TO her eminent worth
| She vas born 10 Marion county, West Virginia,
February 25th, 1881. Her early life was spent in
Morgantown Ito which place her mother, Mrs.
Van Gelder, moved after the death Of her husband)
She graduated at the school of Mrs. s. r. Hanna,
Washington, Pa. in 1854, taking the first honor in
her class, after holding the first position during
both the Junior and Senior years, the only two
she spent there. She taught in Kanawha county,
West Virginia two years after leaving the Semi
nary, first OF Cedar Grove, in the family of William
Tompkins and then OF Kanawha Salines, where
she was married at the close of the second session
of the school, to Rev. j. IL. Lsps, then pastor of
the Presbyterian church in that place. She died
at the Elizabeth Manse," frankfort, West Viz
GINA, April l2tb 1871 in the 47th year of her age.
She had lived at frankfort since the fall of 1865,
and leaves behind as o sorrowing household, hus.
band and seven children, the youngest daughter
born but twelve days before her death.
Mrs Leps' death was unexpected to her family,
and for several days preceding it, attended with
great pain of body. The last words and dying tes-
timony usually so eagerly sought, and so dearly
priced we're not given in some cases, and as might
have been in this-but the living testimony of
twenty five years, known, and in great part wit
messed by those who render this tribute had been
given, and by it she being dead yet speaketh."
| Her mind, naturally vigorous and active, had by
careful and continued discipline developed into one
of unusual power. Her essays. when at school,
were marked by vigor and maturity of thought far
above the ordinary school girl productions, and
some of them in poetry and others in prose, now
in possession Of the writer's might well be preserved
! Ia a more enduring form than Che manuscript.-
Familiar with ell the science aud literature taught
| in female schools: accomplished in music both
vocal and instrumental; proficient in drawing and
painting, as many of her works show her to have
been an excellent instructor and disciplinarian,
she was well fitted to take the active part she did
in education and the results that have been accom-
plished at Frankford, in the Male and Female
Academy there, are as much due to her agency as
| to any other cause.
| But as teacher in the Sabbath School and Bible
class, she impressed her strong mental and Chris.
tan character upon her pupils, and one after an
other they confessed the Saviour to whom she
pointed them as she led the way, and to whom she
ever prayed for their salvation.
| In the home, she had her life and character so
nodded after the scriptural pattern, reverencing
her husband and rendering due submission, that
"the heart of her husband did safely trust in her,
her children arise up and call her blessed her hus
band also he prsiseth her" And while in no
sense unmindfu of the comfort and enjoyment of
her family, boarders and guests, yet like Mary she
chose for herself and them better part. The soul
culture she bestowed upon her household, now
bears, and will yet bear in years to come, in her
children and those living in her family as boarders
the fruits that shall never be taken away from them
| To her neighbours and especially to the families
of her husbands pastoral charge she was kind
friend and constant adviser, and in trouble and sor-
row messenger of comfort and hope. How one
burdened with so many cares at home, which she
never neglected, should yet have the heart to bear
load of cares for others, and hands to minister to
their wants. seems almost impossible and yet it
was the daily course of her life for many years.
La this work and labor of love she was helpmeet
for her husband. The building up of the church
at Frankfort in all its interests is perhaps as much
the result of her Christian activity in her sphere,
as OF her husband in the arduous and constant la
bors of his pulpit and pastoral work. Her death
was loss not only to her own family, but to the
church also, and to the community in which she
lived loss that is felt and sincerely mourned over
by all that know her.
Her Christian lie was vigorous one from its
very start. In the Seminary she was leader in the
exercises Of the prayer meeting. When she was en-.
gagged in teaching-then as the pastors wife-6rst
at Kanswha Sslines, then for four years at Park.
ersburg and last at Frankfort and Spring Creek,
she was always the earnest, active, spiritually mind
ed worker in the vineyard Of the Lord. Her life
since we have known her has been one devoted to
God her family, and her fellow creatures The
trnts of her life hid with Christ 10 God, have been
many already, but only the judgment day and eter-
nitv shall reveal the tull measure of them. She
"rests from her labors, but her works do follow
her. j. y. b.