The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-04-23
FOR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
IN MEMORIAM.
MRS FRANCIS E. WHITE, OF LExINaT

MRS FRANCIS E. WHITE, OF LEXINGTON, VA.
1t is only through the idea of what death will be
to US that it can influence US in the present life
II our view of the great event be pleasant and
hopeful then We may spend our days free from fear
of death. aud look upon the grave as the anti
chamber where our body is to be prepared for the
presence of our heavenly Father. But il our ap-
prehension of the hour of dissolution be gloomy
and forbdding, it will overhang our sky with how
ering clouds and preclude the sunshine from our
path of life. We should, however, be very careful
not to cherish any false idea of death. This if
cheerful would no doubt, could it be maintained
during the present life contribute to our happiness
on this side of the grave. But it would have to be
held against the truth of God speaking in US, and
revealed to US; and 30 long as it should last, 1t
would keep us from Jesus Christ who alone can
give an idea of death which is at once true and joy
full, and it must certainly soon end in fearful disap.
poutment and let the soul sink from the height ct
false hope into the deep abyss of utter despair 1t
is of the highest importance therefore that We have,
and predomiDauty feel, an idea of death that is
both true and pleasant But there are only two
notions of death that are true, and only one OF
these is hopeful Seen in the light Of divine jus.
tice death is furnished with sting and triumphs
in victory over man crouchlng IN terror, or mould
ering in the grave and tormented In hell and this
sting which is nothing less than the infinite evil,
sin, and this victory which cousigus its victim to
utter misery derive, the one its strength, and the
other its completeness and security from Gods per.
feet holiness expressed in his unohanging law. As
seen in the light of gospel grace death has sting,
aud is not victor at all, but means of clarifying
God, discipline in the exercise OF dependence on
God, which in the creature is the very essence OF
holiness that which 10 q moment achieves for the
soul absence from the body aud presence with the
Lord, and which as relates to the body achieves the
condition necessarily precedent to the glory OF the
great resurrection. In this idea instead OF sting
there is the prompting OF holy praise, and instead
of victory there is subsection and service aud ben
eft. The struggle for mastery OF these two ideas
10 the renewed soul is large part of the Christian
conflict through life and nearly the whole of it on
the bed of Sickness As the one or the other gaios
ground the Christian will be hopeful or detected
Probably this combat was never more interesting.
Iy fought than n the soul of the beloved one whose
name is written above this Communication. No
one could. we believe, more clearly perceive what
death is in the case of those who are under the law
than did Mrs. White. Yet we see not how any
could more fully realize what death is in Christ to
those who ARE not under the law but under grace
The manifestation of her faith through the vast
ing days of long Sickness on the one hand &C
knowledgng the truth of the law idea Of death, and
on the other the opposing doctrine equally true
that Christ is the end of the law for righteous
ness to every one that believeth" and so hath
abolished DEATH" and thus securing peace and
hope and victory in her soul, was beautiful, nay
sublime The many friends of Mrs. White tell Of
the cheerful usefulness, the constant fidelity, aud
the gentle piety Of her active life 1t was the priv
ilege of the writer to know her as an example Of
patience under long continued sickness, and Of
calm courage and strong faith in the near approach
of death. Aud be delights to testify to the praise
of Gods grace that His strength was made mani
fest 10 her weakness, and that it was granted to
her to realz, the triumph through Christ, and the
gratitude tor victory over death which Paul ex-
pressed in the glowing words, 20 death, where is
thy sting? O grave, where is thy viotory2 The
sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the
law But thanks be to God, who giveth US the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" The
dear ones who watched with her through her last
days can never forget the testimony of Mrs. Whites
death-be to the power of Christianity, and they
can hardly desire more in reference to their own last
hour than that it may be like hers.