The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1885-03-11

Died, February goth, at Accomack G. H.,
Va, Mrs. MARY E. WILKINS, beloved wife of
William B. Wilkins, and eldest child of T. ].
Powell, in the 35th year of her age.
Mrs Wilkins was woman of untiring ener
gy genial spirit, bright and cheerful disposition.
She was frank, generous, and warm hearted.
1t was hard for the community to realize that
one SO full of life could really be dead She
was of quick temper, but ready to repair an in
Jury, and when convinced OF wrong ready to
abandon it. And withal she was most unsel6sf.
Her heart was full of sympathy for the young
but responded even more readily to appeals of
suffering and affection. 1t was her delight to
walk the Bethesda porches of the world, and
relieve suffering humanity She was fully iden-
tilted with every interest in the community for
dong good and in her death the community
has sustained heavy loss.
About ten years ago she united with the Ma
kemie church, of which she remained consis-
tent and most jealous member till her death
Here her loss is felt even more keenly than by
the community. She loved the church of her
choice with strong unwavering attachment
Nothing seemed too much for her to do for it.
The writer was her pastor for six years and
can testify that never did church or pastor, dur.
ing that time, suffer for anything that she could
do for them. And yet never was greater hu-
milty united to unfagging zeal. l recall now
a conversation on some Christian duty had
with her lust before the close of my pastorate
year ago. 1t was little while before she could
gain sufficient control of herself to express her
feelings. When she did, she expressed them in
terms of deepest humility. How can the
church do without herr" was the question upon
many lips.
Her loss to her family is irreparabe. She
leaves heartbroken husband, deeply afflicted
father, and FIVE little orphan children. May the
Lord in mercy comfort them
Her end was peace. To the last she was
thinking of what she might do for the church
and for others. Her hope of salvation rested,
she said upon her Saviour. She had always
trusted him.
The life of such woman is full of practical
instruction; but the most prominent lesson is
the good that may be done and the Importance
that NAV be attained to by an humble, self
DENYING, Jealous, Christian life. think Ispeak
but words of truth and soberness when say
that no other death in the community could
have created the void that hers has. The posi-
ton of Importance attained to by her was not
surpassed, if equalled, by any other person In
the community. And she gained 1T without
wealth, without great culture, without brilliant
talents and education. She was a simple, godly
woman A vast concourse OF pee pie followed
her sadly to her grave, and from young and
old, both white and black, came many an ac-
clamation-" have lost my best friend.
When l saw what place she had gained in
the community was struck with the confession
OF our natures that the virtue of the Scriptures
as exemphfed in a godly life is true greatness
prander than talents, wealth, or learning Will
not every one who reads this lift up his heart
to God in behalf of the Athlete d family, the or
phan children, the weeping church and COM
munity. May not her life's lesson be lost.
May double portion of her spirit fail upon the
members of Mackenzie church. Let those through
out our churches who are wishing that they had
been blessed with wealth or great talents with
which to do the Masters work remember Mamie
Wilkins J. G. ANDERSON.