The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-02-14
IN MEMORTAM

MIS- ELLEN MARIA fRICE, who has lately
been called away from earth, lived life which
ought not to pass without special memorial.
She was born January I'd, 1911, at North
River, Hanover county Va. the residence of
her parents, Capt. Joseph F. and Mrs Eliza
Winston Price.
When she was in her childhood her parents
moved to Richmond city, and her early educa
ton was conducted by Miss Fanny Hughes and
Miss Woodward, both we'll known teachers She
afterwards cherished for them sincere friendship
and proved it by many kindly attentions.
In 1881 she was united in marriage to DR..
Luclen b Price, of Dundee" Hanover coun-
ty, and here, In country home remarkable for
its quiet beauty and picturesque surroundings
they passed the ffty-two years of their II arried
| lite In the exercise of mutual love and resnect
which knew no change
About two years after her marriage she be-
came deeply interested on the subject of her
personal Christianity and under the ministry
OF that eminent servant of Christ the late Rev
James b. Taylor, she was enabled to consecrate
herself nnreservedly to her Divine Redeemer
Her convictions as to her duty were strong and
! clear, and she became member of the Taylors-
vile Baptist church IN Hanover. Her course
on the subject was not without opposition from
some whom she loved and who were warmly at
tached to her. but she persevered with the calm
| spirit OF self-denial, which was one of her dis
| eAhitoi anu lnG T6SulJ was tlat In a
few years her lovely Christian character and
consistency subdued all opposition, and attached
even her worldly friends more strongly to her
Her health, from her seventeenth year to the
close of her life, was delicate. and was often q
subject of much anxiety to her family. But by
care and caution and the use of judicious means
her LIE was preserved even to the full term in
general allotted by the good providence of God
Previous to the late war, wealth was at her
disposal, and not only surrounded her with per-
sonal and family comforts, but gave the means
| OF doing much for Others and of cont1ibuting
literally to the cause of Christ. For nineteen
years successfully she accompanied her husband
and daughters to the Virginia Springs-either
the White Sulphur or the Rockbridge Alum,
both OF which were found beneficial to her
health. Thus she added to her relatives and
home friends large circle OF acquaintance and
few ever approached her without feeling seusi-
bly, the attraction of her Christian character her
winning INTEL ectual powers, and her uncommon
beauty and grace of form and countenance.
During the war, in the summer of 1854, by an
unforeseen series of events, her husband and
children were separated from her for more than
a week, and she left at Dundee with No
companionship except that of some faithful
family servants. Yet in this trying time al
though surrounded by the Federal soldiers. her
dignity, self-possession and sound Judgment came
to the aid of her Christian courtesy and gentle
demeanor, and SO impressed the United States
officers that they never permitted the sanctitv OF
her home to be violated or sereu-ly disturbed.
The financial troubles resulting from the war
and which brought heavy lessee and sorrow to
so many Southern families, did not spare the
once happy home at Dundee. Yet it was OBJ
served by all who knew her best that in no
part OF her life did Mrs Price appear in sweeter
and more attractive ways than when sorrow
visited her own household. Then, indeed, she
became minlstering angel ready to support
and to help all who needed her love and kind
ness. Sorrow seemed in her to work the effects
Tor which 1t is permitted to visit the people OF
God, and to prepare her for a far more exceed
ing and eternal weight of glory"
She had been the mother Of eight children.
but two daughters, only lived to maturity. Five
sons and daughter died in childhood. Yet
she received every stroke given by her heavenly
Fathers hand with submission and profound
humility, and rose from every sorrow with add.
ed strength for every duty.
Advancing years seemed but to add new grace
and beauty to countenance always remem ber-
ed for its serene lovelness. Even the hand of
Death itself did but glorify that grace Of feature
and Of lineament
short time before her last illness, one of her
daughters read to her, with tears, poem
entitled Growing Old" which was so expires
sive Of the deepest truth in reference to her
that two stanzas from it find an appropriate
place here
Softly, o softly, the years have swept by thee,
Touching thee lightly with tenderest care;
Sorrow and death they have often brought nigh
thee
Yet they have left thee but beauty to wear,
Growing old gracefully,
Gracefully fair.
Rich in experience that angels might covet,
| RIrh in a faft hoN hoe -