The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-09

both without furry or incompleteness.
In the midst of her most exacting work
she did not appear to mind Interruptions,
but would lay down her pen to welcome
a cali of civility, or to give her sympa-
thetic attention to a tale of distress Be-
fore the call was over she would make
some useful suggestion to the visitor, and
before the tale of sorrow was ended she
would devise some plan of relief. The
poor, the neglected, and the lonely seem
ed instinctively to make her the deposit
tory of their troubles, assured of her in
terest and cheerful help. So large por-
ton of every day was spent in self-im-
posed work in the Office of her husband
that people wondered how she found
time to make so many visits, not only
among friends, but to all strangers in the
city who had any claims on her atten-
ton.
As member of the Second Prssbyte-
rian church she took leading part in all
the societies organized by the ladies for
benevolent purposes. Suffering all the
while from physical weakness, and pro-
baby not passing an entire day without
pain for twenty years, she was always in
her place twice on the Sabbath and al
ways at the service during the week.
While the young and the strong might
plead fatigue as an excuse for absence,
she found her rest, her refreshment and
inauguration in waiting upon God in the
ordinances of His house.
During the late civil war rarely did
train, an ambulance or post leave Rich
mond for the lines which did not convey
some parcel of clothing, or of books, or
of something prepared by her own hands
that might minister to the comfort of her
soldier friends in camp, and when these
could not be sent, then remembering how
many young man in his hours OF lone
illness, privation and inconsistencies would
be cheered by letters filled with SYM
pathy and encouragement from a Chris
tian lady, perhaps the friend of his moth
er or sister-these she sent in numbers
never to be known-messenger of COM
fort never to be estimated.
She was the inspiration and the guild
ing spirit of the Ladies Hollywood Me-
mortal Association None can ever for
get her unfagging zeal in aiding to bring
back the disinterred remains of our sons
and brothers who had fallen on distant
battlefelds during our great Confederate
struggle, that they might sleep in the
bosom of their Virginia mother earth,
among their former companions in arms,
where love might come to drop tear on
their graves and plant the flowers which
speak of the resurrection of the Just and
of the land where eternal summer reigns.
AS Mrs. Brown probably laid as many
people under obligation by her kindness
without seeking or desiring any re-
turn-as any woman who has lived in
our generation, the tidings Of her death
will diffuse sorrow all over our Southern
country and none that ever experienced
her kindness or understood the place she
occupied in her home, or who knew how
efficient were her services in every de-
partment of labor, in which she engaged
and in every society organized for benev-
olence with which she was connected, can
now fail to appreciate the sad propriety
with which the words spoken of one of
old may be applied to her: "THou
SHALT BE MISSED, BECAUSE THY SEAT
WILL BE EMPTY"
Upon her removal to Fredericksburg
in the fall of 1879 the same work of faith
and labor of love" that had so long been
" full of mercy and good fruits" began at
once quietly to diffuse its fragrance and
was recognised in the reverence and
tender affection of all.
But so identified was she with Rich
mond, and 50 frequent were her visits
here after her removal, that our people
never ceased to regard her as one of our
own citizens. 1t seemed quite natural
therefore and appropriate that the
funeral services should take place from
the church where she has so long wor-
shipped, and that she should be followed
to her last resting place on earth in
II Ill 1 Al