The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-11-20
MRS. GOVERNOR VANCE OF N0Rl 4
CAROLINA
An nEEoTLADY.

n lUHou COulVuPiouuBN SAoh cCSf> --'-,I
q than common s,rengtI xcees.ce, or sym
Q metry, men are fond oftr Aclng the ancestr.
y of such 5 one, and are pleased to note hoS
, valuable traits may be ransmitted from ont
q generation to another. resbyterians espe
cialy should delight irsuch inquiries, since
they give prominence ii leir teaching to the
, old Scriptural doctrine of God as "coye
, nsnt-keeper with Hisservants. and "theil
seed after them, and af showing mercy unto
thousands of the generations Of them that love
Him. And ! think itmsy be said that We
do love to mark His faihfulness to cbildren'f
children, and do belevI that His promises to
Abraham hold good INV to all who share
Abraham's faith. To lave come Of pray
ing stock, to be able TO boast oneself the
child of parents and gpad- parents "passed
into the skies is msys equal to pat
ent for nobility.
In Foote'S sketches of North Carolina we
read that in the year 1900, a boy was born
in Cumberland county, Pa, whose pious
mother had prayed for son, that she might
dedicate him to the ministry. Her prayer
was granted and the boy grew up character
lied by sprightiness and activity of mind
and body, and by an early seriousness and
steadiness of character that promised infu-
ence and usefulness. He graduated at
Washington College, and at Princeton The
illogical Seminary, and after some years
work in Virginia, was sent by the " Young
Mems Missionary Society,"" just fifty years
ago, to Burke county, N. G. There and in
ether of our western counties the young
stranger preached and labored with marked
success, winning as many souls out of the
pulpit as in, by his example of fervent un-
compromising piety and siugleness of heart
He finally settled in the pastorate of the
church in Salisbury, and married Miss s. L.
Tate, of Burke county, lady altogether
worthy of hin. 1t is the testimony of his
contemporaries that he excelled in the pas
toral Office. His preaching was characterized
by pointedness, and by prominent exhibition
of Christ, while he shrank from no duty and
never withheld the truth, or hesitated to fol-
low out his own convictions. One who knew
him we'll said of him: Inlmany respects |
never knew his equal. lie was an eminently
holy man who lived near Christ, not an en-
thusiast in his religion. APT marked in tender
unwaveriug confidence and simple-hearted
faith in. the Saviour"
1t was believed that Ills stesdfast example
did much to raise the tone Of ministerial
piety in his Presbytery
This clear and shirs light was but for q
I 65ae0n. Va e.S.t-ss Se ,-c-los-se pf-
stituton, bis ministerial work soon told upon
him, and after rapid decline be flushed his
course with Joy at the lplse Of R. b Bur-
ton, at Beatties' Ford April, 1888 leavs
ing bis young widoel q a baby daughter
not yet year old, to tsh care of corenant.
keeping God. He was buried at s, .sbury
near the eastern corner f the frame( Church
used by both Presbytey aud Lutherans,
and still (1846) their bur place..
This was the Rev. Tbom.s Epsy, aud the
little one soon bereft also of her mother, was
Harriet Newell Epsys Vanc', the beloved
wife of the Governor Of North Carolina, and
now but lately gone to God.
She was born in Salisbury, July II, 1882,
Joined the Presbyterian church by profession
in her eighteenth year, under pastorate of
Rev. John Wilson, Morganton, was married
August 8. 1858, in Morganton, and died in
Raleigh, November 9rd, 1878.
I feel sure that wherever Mrs. Vences
name is mentioned by those who knew any
thing of her, the first idea suggested is that
of her entire devotion to her noble husband,
and to his best and highest interests. She
shared all his fortunes with upsbaken fdel,
ity. In the camp and in the palace she was
ever at his side, and in all the dark days of
disaster as we'll as 10 the Frightening hours
of prosperity, she has proved bis best friend
AID truest counselor. Her price to him had
been above rubies.
Through all the life of this estimable lady
it was seen that she inherited blessing
Her fathers God was her God, and He never
left nor forsook her. He sustained her 10
time Of trial, guided her in prosperity, com,
forted her in the long slow anguish of body sp.
pointed % her, and was manifestly with her all
through the dark valley. She was indeed in
a special manner child of the covenant, and
stesdfas, Presbyterian as she was, recognized
DO prouder title.
Her character was marked by many Of the
traits conspicuous in her father. The same
simple unwavering faith, the same single
minded adherence to truth, the same uucom.
promising steadfastness of principle.
These are rare characteristics. They i'm
ply high spirit, strength and courage. Mrs
Vance had all these. Que who knew hel
we'll says she was never known to abandon 8
principle, or to desert friend. She was 6
whole souled woman, always true to her col
ors and afraid of doing wrong. In this SHE
was an example to US all, and an example
besides in the true femininity that guarded
these strong and steady traits. She moved
in our high places quietly as became South
ern lady, and with the humility and unworld
ly mind of true Christian. In her home
cha WAS duesn.-nost loYal wife and tender