The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-06-15

NV ~ eAae was sure 10 carry tnlngS t(
the successful conclusion which her san.
gulne temperament always led her te
expect. Her soul was fervid with beauti
ful enthusiasts : her powers were tense
with contagious, even restless eagerness
OF help and hope that swept aside obsta.
cles; pausing at no self-abnegation, o,
toll, or WEAKNESS, if only good works
were forwarded, suffering relieved, and
the Divine Master glorifed. She had a
nature broad and generous enough in its
far-reaching benevolence to want to "bet-
ter the whole world"
Although much of an invalid during
the greater part of her life, the active
spirit completely dominated the flesh.
She forgot her sufferings whenever there
was an appeal to her sympathies, and
obllvlous OF self, she would rise from her
sofa, where she was obliged so often to
recllne, and speed away with quick step
to provide the needed aid. She had a
passionate craving for seeing everybody
around her happy. We have known her
many time, when under the sharp grasp
of pain to collect a party of young people
in her parlor-especially students, with
whose aspirations and pursuits she had
an intense sympathy, and whom she
sought by every means in her power to
surround with wholesome influence that
would guard and restrain.and after
seeing that all provision was made for
their entertainment and their creature
comfort, she would leave them to their
enjoyment, and retreat to her chamber.
physically unable to bear the stress of
their society for the evening. We have
known her to take hazardous Journey in
mid winter, to relieve a poor creature
who had no claim upon her, save that
she had once been the recipient of family
favors. We have known her to part with
of luxury, that she mi ht have
more to bestow upon those who needed
help.
1t is rare thing to see one so fertile
In expedients for utilizing everything
within her reach, for the good of others,
as Mrs. Dabney was. She did not ap-
prove of unused capital She bought
books that she might have them to lend
to those who would not otherwise see
them. She always made it point to
renal all papers and magazines -espe-
,lally religious ones-to those who could
not afford to take any; and how never
falling were her contrivances to "help
the world, only those could know, who
saw her daily efforts to distribute, if it
we're only the cup of cold water, to as
many as her hand could touch.
Though woman of rarely devoted
Christian character, she was, with it all,
one of the most charming and genial of
companions. There was great originality
about her, marked picturesqueness of
character, most trenchant wit, sparkling
lumor, and a power of dramatic MARIA
i've that made her the most stimulating
IF takers. In this direction her capao
city was brilliant; for conversation was
20 her the very wine of life. Prof. Dab
ley was man of rich and varied accom-
and as they had no children
IT their own, Though always bestowing
heir care on some young relatives who
we're inmates of. their home) Mrs. Dabney
vas able to give herself, in an unusual
iegree, up to the literary culture in which
Ter husband delighted. While he lived,
he pursued, almost as systematically as
he did, courses of French reading and
historic studies, and kept abreast of the
literature of the day Her wonderful
enabled her to make her own
those of her friends, as in her
oiquant way she used them for the de-
light of the domestic circle.
Her Christianity was of the noblest
ype. While ardently attached to the
church of her choice, she had no narrow
'ectarian prejudice and if she found the
owe of Christ filling any heart it was
matter of small moment by what denom-
national name the person was called.
Conventionalties whether in society,
or in religious matters, were never suffer-
ed to trammel our friend she would
lightly walk over them all, and do the
act In hand, while others might be dis
'ussing the proprieties. Her charity and
self sacrifice were all-emhracing. She
md her husband adopted virtually the
OF their deceased brother-in-law
Prof. Lucien Minor, fulfilling to them all
the duties Of parents. 1t was at the
house of Prof. Minors eldest son that
Mrs: Dabney received her quiet dismis-
sal from life.
The Joy Of her existence was ouenched
when, some ten or twelve years ago, her
husband was taken from her: but she
lived on in patient resignation, finding
her solace in laboring for all within her
reach, and in pouring out the affection o.
her afilueDt heart on her nearest and
dearest ones. She never linked the word