The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-02-26
For THE CENTRAL PREsBYTERIAS.
A CoKQUERER CROWNED.
BY REV. W. s pLUMER, D. D.

going home. "All the good people are
moving to heaven"
On the 25th of January, 1879, from the
mause in Newbern, N. c., the residence oi
her son, Rev. L. G. Vass, MRS. ELIzABETH
BRA1NE VAss, having fought good fight
finished her course and kept the faith, went
up to receive from her Lord, the righteous
Judge, crown which He had prepared tor
her. To the glory of her Redeemer is this
little "Memorial" penned, that others-whO
are still struggling in the conhict-msy
thank God and take courage.
"What man is he that feareth the Lord
His seed shall inherit the earth" In the
CAGE of Mrs. Vass, the truth of this promise
is seen. She was descended from Hugue
not family de La Fontaine), of well'knOwn
piety and long line of preachers, who at
the Revocation of the Bdics of Nantes es-
capped from France, and found refuge in Ire
land. They intermsrried with the Msurys,
and emigrated to Virginia before the Rsvo-
lutonary War. She was the daughter of
Col. Abram Maury, of Revolutionary fame,
who joined the Continental army when only
eighteen years of age, wSs one of the forlorO
hope at West Point, aud was promoted for
deeds of vslor.
Elizabeth B. Maury was born in Freder-
icksburg, Va, March 25.h, 1885 Under
the ministry of that holy man of God, Rev.
S. B. Wilson, D. D., after long season of
anxiety about her soul, she profesSed conVer-
sion, and came out publicly on the Lords
side, in the Fredericksburg church, August
18th, 1915. At that time this was very
unusual step for young or unmarried per
son to take. Gsiety was the fashion of the
day, and Christians had not then learned, as
in our time, to reconcile n Church'member-
ship with balls, theatres, horseraceings, SO
She was ridiculed, told she ought to have a
blister plaster on her head, and tina: no one
would ever marry her, sober Christian
Sc. She stood firmly; and although the
most of her family we're EpiscOpalian, follow
ing her Huguenot ancestry, she joined the
Presbyterian Church.
On the 3Oth of August, 1916, che was
married to James Vass, Esq, q prominent
merchant Of Falmouth, Va, and afterwards
of Fredericksburg. In her husband she had
an able, generous co adiutor; for ne too was
q Presbyterian by birth, education, and pro-
fession, and one Of Dr.. Wilson's flock. He
was Scotchman of the clan Of Cummings
From the first, Mrs. VasS was decided
Christian. She had taken her stand for
Christ against the world, and she held it.
Of her abundant means, as we'll as by her
good counsels, she did much for the cause of
Him, who had done 80 much for her. The
Female Orphan Asylum at Fredericksburg,
for which 30 many have cause to bless God,
was special protege of hers, and she was
it's Treasurer until her removal from that
place.
In 1887 her Heavenly Father wrote her
widow. Left with four boys, she under
took vigorously and cheerfully the work of
training them for the Lord. They were jew
els lent her from above, aud for their care
and polishing she held herself responsible.
Nor did she neglect the qualifications of
the virtuous woman, but worked willingly
with her hands. The proceeds of her indus
try were given to the Lord. Especially no.
table was this feature, when--by pecunisry
changes before and by reason of the late war
her large property was completely swept
away. She must work for the Church Of
Christ. Her work was beautifully done, and
therefore sold readily. At the advanced age
of 81, she executed piece of work, which
was exhibited at the North Carolina Agri-
cultural Fair 10 Raleigh, N g., where it
took the premium.
She was always "on the alert for souls.
Her religion was such q comfort to herself
that she loved to tell others of it. She be-
lieved and therefore she spoke. The doc
trines of the Church were clearly understood
and dearly loved by her. She was Pres
byterian from principle Her faith was aim-
pie, childlike and implicit.
She was without guile. She was true to
all her friends. She loved sll Gods people.
She hated every false way. II was not easy
to determine which was stronger, her un-
bending principle or her loving tenderness.
She was o great reader in various depart
ments of literature, and as she advanced in
wears, she became devoted to practical reli-
gious books.
OF course such character could only
have matured on solid food The Bible was
her delight. With the Psalmist she could
say 60 how love thy law" She was
wonderfully familiar with it, and could quote
large portions of it. 1t was the man of her
counsel, and by its precepts she grew into
the perfect stature Of saint in Christ Jesus.
Her gratitude to God overaowed in ex-
pressions of love and thanksgiving for 30
many mercies, and in an especial degree for
the preservation Of her faculties to so ad.
vsnced an age.
She was sick from severe cold for about