The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-04-18

have known her as the writer of many
of the choicest contributions that have
appeared in this paper, for, with nat
ural modesty, she almost invariably
wrote under nom de plume. Not
only have these pages been enriched by
her pen, but by her wise selections
of other copy as we'll. Nor did this
latter line of assistance suffer inter
ruption until very a few days be-
fore her death. Indeed, this issue of
THE NEIGHBoR contains some of the
last clippings made by her precious
hands. In the clerical work she was
as efficiently helpful as in the
editorial. So persistently anxious
was she TO assist in mailing each
issue that many times her help was
eagerly given and with reluctance &C
cepted, when her frail body was full of
pain. Forevermore will everyone
miss the familiar handwriting in the
address upon the papers. To the
diminished and bereaved force that is
left to carry on the work, each succeed
ing "mailing day" can but be sad re-
minder of the cheerful, skilful, willing
worker now at rest.
In the common acceptation of the
term "a consistent church member" is
equivalent to a Christian, but such,
unhappily, is not always true. That
ANNA. BROWNE was a child Of God, a
disciple of Jesus, in the fullest sense,
no one who knew her doubts: her
words, her deeds, her consecrated
lovely life attested the sincerity and
courageous steadfastness of her profess
sion.
Much more than this entire paper
might bs edifyingly filled with de-
lineations of her exalted character,
for her life was replete with those
things that afford the world the richest
studies in the intermingling Of the
human and the divine natures. Abso-
lutte, incorporating truth, sincerity,
uprightness, faithfulcess to vows; love
for all her fellow creatures; self-sacri-
ficing patience charity in judy
ment seeking to help others for
giveness of injuries g; purity of heart ;
thinking no evil: such the salient
features of her character. She created
and lived in an atmosphere of gentle
ness and love.
For about eight years prior to her
death ANNA's health had been i'm
paired by an organic heart trouble; at
many times was her condition serious
and critical nearly all the while was
she great sufferer. But through it all
she was cheerful and hopeful. Shede-
sired to live-she pra yed earnestly to
live-that. her life might be spared,
her health restored, if thereby she
could be helpful to others. Many were
the plans she hopefully conceived
amidst her affections, all of them for
the welfare of those who need help.
During the years of her sickness she
became a greater student of Gods word
than ever before, and her Bible, her
chart of life, was in ready reach at all
times. Its many marked passages
with accompanying marginal notes
[made sometimes in seasons of ex.
treme sufferingl afford a clear in
sight of her belief. Hers was the
Christianity that rises gloriously above
church creeds. Eschewing ntualism
she worshiped God, she communed
with God, she lived with God in and
about her day after day.
She cared not to be numbered with
membership in many societies, but be-
ing a firm believer in "On earth peace,
good will toward men," she was. for
twenty years, an acceptable member of
the South Carolina Peace Society.
Aside from this and the "Home
makers Society,"" of this city, the only
organization, other than the Metho-
dist Church, with which she was con
nected, was the lay division of the
"South Carolina Conference Brother
hood"
The opening of this year found her
more feeble than she had been fors
time. Physicians at home and abroad
were powerless to heal, yet she kept
stout heart, hopeful, happy spirit.
Almost entirely helpless, suffering ex-
cruoiating pain nearly every moment,
it seemed 10 those who ministered to
her needs that some cry of complaint
or anguish must escape her lips, but it
came not. As the end drew near a
tempest of intensest agony overwhelm-
ed her and continued until a few
minutes before she died, but all was en-
dured without a murmur. Relief
came, a peaceful calm followed the