The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-16
passioned way, the simple story of the
Gross! FL.
For the Central Presbyterian.
Mrs. Elizabeth H. Brown.


Mrs. Elizabeth HI. Brown.
"This woman was full of good works
and alms-dee1s which she did" Dr.
Hoge's article, in the Central of the 9th
inst, shows this we'll. 1t was tribute
fully deserved-so fully, that too little,
rather than too much was said As she
so necessarily went about doing good, it
was needless that any should speak. We
had only to keep silence, and '"let her
own works praise her in the gates" And
now that she is not, because the Lord
took her, there is much cause to fear, we
shall not look upon her like again. But
is it not very sad to think so? Is there
no one who, seeking that same grace of
God which made the sainted one "as a
wonder unto many" will step forward
for the sake of God and man to take up
the work? Conscious inability and un-
fitness may seem good plea with one
and another, for hesitating. But what
does God ask? Only this: Let each act
so that Jesus, looking down upon her
work, may be able to say, she hath done
aohat she could" In heaven, throughout
eternity there can be no higher testimony
to a life well spent. Imagine if you can,
what church we should have, if every
member were to do according to this law
of life as Mrs. Brown did Do you think
she was an extraordinary person? and do
you attribute her success to this? Be it
SO. Perhaps you may not be able to bear
all of the burden which she carried by
the Lords grace. But are you, as she
did, doing a0hot you can /? Does your
community; your church; your Lord
think so?
DIR. Hoge says of Mrs. Brown: cat
the early age of nineteen those traits of
character, which, subsequently, won for
her so much respect and honor began at
once to make their impression" in the
church and community where the Lord
c,.st her lot. at the early age of nine
teen" Where and what are our young
women now in the church? 1 need not
attempt an answer to that question, /
only ask each one to think and answer
for herself? Each one has some ability
and opportunity for doing the Lords
work. Are you doing what you can?
Each one has some influence which she
can exert for the church, for Christ, for
heaven-for all good. against all evil.
Are you doing what you can? Hark
DO you not hear some one saying, MANY
walk, of whom have told you often, and
now tell you, even weeping that they are
the enemies of the cross of Christ, y
whose glory is their shame, who mind
earthly things?" cat the early age of
nineteen" Mrs. Brown was distinguished
for devoted piety and its fruits. But how
many now, even at an earlier age are
distinguished for worldliness, as Society
women" as utterly useless and constantly
injurious to the service of the cross!
" Demands of society Demands of f; sh-
ion-'our set Here is the potent in
huence which makes "glorying in earthly
things" the chief end of life Had Mrs.
Brown lived according to this rule, what
thoughts would you have had of her
How would you thinlsof her now? But
" she hath done what she could" there
fore all rise up to call her blessed"
Why did she choose this way, rather than
another? Hear the conclusion of the
whole matter There are two things
for live men and women to do: to re-
ceive from God, and to give out to their
fellows" You will not so live, without
the world being better Tor 1T, without
somebody being helped and comforted."
Longfellow says: The talent of success
IS nothing more than doing what you can
do, WELL and doing well whatever you do
without thought of fame" Gail Ham
ilton says: Life is a burden imposed
upon you by God. What you make of
it, that it will be to you; either mill
stone around your neck, or a diadem on
your brow. Take it up bravely, bear it
on joyfully, lay it down triumphantly."
Horace Mann says: BE ashamed to die
until you have won some victory for
humanity" And heard voice from
heaven saying: He that taketh not his
cross and followeth after me, is not wor-
thy of me. For whosoever will save his
life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose
his life for my sake shall find it.
Fl.