The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-03-13

prolonged to this advanced age, and without or
ganc disease, OF much suffering, he died from
physical exhaustion He was one of our best clti-
zens and one of the best farmers in the county.
The vicissitudes of time and seasons never seemed
to affect him, and he had always grain enough and
to spare, and the poor we're never turned away
from his door empty. He prospered wonderfully,
and added largely to his paternal estate; and, by
the aid OF three sons and his good wife, he abound
ed in all the comforts of this life, and dispensed
liberal hospitality to all who called upon him.
He was deacon in the frankfort Presbyterian
church, and his pastor remarked to the writer, Oh
the day of his death. that he was faithful In the
discharge of every Christian duty, and that he
was liberal contributor to all the benevolent OBJ
ects of the church.
With mind calm and clear, he met death as
none but a Christian can meet it. La answer to a
question from his pastor, just before his death, he
fed for refuge to the sinners only hope-the
atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. May the
dear ones who are left to mourn his departure, fee
for refuge to the same hope.
Died, February 28th, in Hardy county, W. Va +,
Miss MARY VIRGINIA VANMETER in the 22l year
OF her age.
If ever death cond be untimely to the Christian
it would surely be so in this instance Endowed
with so much to make life bright to others as well
as to herself, we might have expected that Jen-
MES mission on earth was destined to be long
Gifted with personal attractions that won admira
ton, with brightness of spirit which ever shed
its radiance around her, and above all with heart
rarely srtless, trustful and loving as to forbid
envy and win the love of her associates, we might
we'll have wished that, at least for others sake,
length of days" might have been granted her:
But her death was as beautiful as her life, and
teaches, as no life however long could teach. the
power and preciousness of the Gospel.
In the summer of lS75she made profession of
faith in Christ and joined the Presbyterian church
of Moorefeld. Her first step in the Christian life
was marked by that trustful, loving confidence in
the Saviour which signslly marked its whole course
and its peaceful end. And it was strangely ordered
that the whole of that Christian life should be
following of Christ in suffering and trial. A few
weeks after joining the ohurch-in the most bril-
liant bloom of heath-she was attacked by disease
from which she was never to recover. 1t was soon
evident that her days on earth could not be many
Ut this she was as fully aware as Others and yet
1t seemed not to cast one shadow upon her heart
With everything that can endear life at stake she
contemplated its surrender with unvaryinR cheer
funess. Those who ministered in her chamber OF
sickness testify that never did one murmurirg
word fall from her lips The nearest approach to
IL was OuO StOIuly NAulGT GN6HiuS. AS Sic lOOhcu
out upon the driving snow, she said. "0h it is
hard to die in the bleakness of winter" But this
seemed only the expression of natural sensibility
almost in the very language Of venerable minister
and eminent saint recently gone to heaven from
Virginia. God had regard to her feelings even in
this small matter, and made that winter day of
her departure balmy and bright with a sunlight as
soft and beautiful as May. Her communings we're
continually with death. One autumn day, as she
looked upon the falling leaves, she sweetly said,
Everything seems to be saying to me Fare
well, y Aud yet there was scarcely tipge of sad
ness with it. Her habitual spirit was that Of
more than resiGnation-even q cheerful acques-
cenoe in the will of her heavenly Father. Her
countenance was generally the brightest in the
room. AID so she went down to death-like
little child that goes to sleep at evening on
mothers arms smiling in its dreams Of the bright
to morrow. Thus He gveth his beloved sleep"
Let those who loved her" give that testimony
which she would prize the highest by trusting the
Saviour she trusted that they may meet her in the
land of rest.
A brightness hath passed from the earth,
Yet a star is newborn in the sky;
And soul hath gone home to the land of its birth,
Where there are pleasures and fullness of JOY
Where its thirst shall be saked with the waters that
spring
Like river of light from the throne of the King
And a new harp is strung and new song is given
Tothe breezes that float over the gardens of heaven