DlED, on the 30th of April, 1864, at Grass Dale, his residence in Albemarle, Col. ROBERT N. TRICE,
in the 48th
year of his age. The chamber where a good man meets his fate has been well said to "be privileged beyond the
common walks of life," and all who witnessed the calm and peaceful departure of the subject of this notice felt
the justice of this sentiment. The deceased was a native of the county of Middlesex, and for some years was
clerk of the county and circuit courts of that county; whence he removed to Albemarle in the year 1850. Wherever
he lived he had this testimony, that he lived in fear of God, unostentatiously discharging the various duties of
life, not as a man-pleaser, but as unto the Lord. As a citizen, he was ever prompt to meet his civil
obligations; as a neighbor, always kind and considerate, especially to the poor, who, in these times of
general suffering, will mourn the absence of his warm and sympathizing heart and open hand; as a friend, he
was true and trustworthy, not thinking of himself more highly than he ought to think. But it was in the inner
circle of his home where the love borne him approached idolatry that he shone most brightly; so loving,
tender and thoughtful was he. His wife, children, relations and servants shared his love and care in
proportions so just and yet so liberal, that each felt the loss of him was the loss of their best earthly
friend. But we should be doing injustice to the cause which was so dear to his heart, did we not speak of him
more particularly as a Christian. In the words of a sympathizing friend, "In thinking of him those words of
Scripture appear to apply so forcibly: 'Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
given to hospitality, patient towards all men,' with many more expressions descriptive of the Christian
character, and which were beautifully illustrated in him. Truly did his daily walk and conversation adorn
his Christian profession." He was baptized into the fellowship of Hermitage church, Middlesex county, at
an early age, and for many years exercised the office of deacon therein. For four years he held the same
office in Charlottesville, and the large and mourning congregation assembled there to pay the last tribute
of respect to his remains, proved how much he was valued. At the time of his death he was a member of the
Beaverdam church, Fluvanna. The resolutions appended to this paper prove the estimation in which he was
held there. He was emphatically a man of prayer; many will remember his enjoyment of the Union Prayer
Meeting, and cordial cooperation in every good word and work. He fell a victim to his rigid sense of duty,
having gone to report to the regimental board on an extremely inclement day. Thus lived and thus died this
admirable man. He acted his part so as to win the cordial esteem and love of a large circle of attached
friends, and after a lingering illness fell asleep in Jesus in perfect peace. "Blessed are the dead who
die in the Lord."
Exactly two months after her father (June 30th) another member of that bereaved and heart-broken family was
called home. MARY JANE TRICE, though not quite 14 years old, was a child of remarkable precocity and elevation
of character. As one who knew her justly observed, "She possessed the attributes of mature womanhood, combined
with the loving sweetness of childhood." She was her widowed mother's staff and stay, the guide and friend
of her little sisters and brother, and the darling of a large circle of relations and friends.
Although a piously inclined child, and showing great conscientiousness in the discharge of her religious
duties, it was not until 24 hours before her death that we knew how far the work of God had progressed in her
heart, and she professed saving faith in Christ. On that morning her mother said to her, "Darling, have you
made your peace with God? The doctor does not think you can get well." She was immediately awakened with her
wonted decision of character, addressed herself to the work set before her, determining in her own words
"never to get up from the foot of the cross until she found Christ," and, as none ever sought Him in vain,
the Comforter soon came, healed her sin-sick soul, and made her not only willing but anxious to depart and be
with Christ; and from that moment until she breathed her last did she consume her wasting breath in praising
God for His great goodness to her, and in warnings and admonitions to those around her.
Her best loved friends were first called to her bedside, each of whom she thanked in the most grateful manner,
enjoining on each the necessity of preparation, and begging them by name to prepare to meet her in heaven.
To one she said: "Remember, a promise to a dying person is a sacred thing." To another she said: "I hope you
have begun to love Christ - persevere." She then sent for the servants. She had long been engaged in teaching
a colored Sunday school, and explaining and reading the Bible to the elder ones. As she extended her white
emaciated hand to each one, begging them to come to Christ without delay, and pleaded with them, there was not
a dry eye in the room. She now said, "I must see my darling little sisters." Surely none who witnessed that
scene will ever forget it - the dying child entreating them by every consideration never to forget what she
said to them. She said: "I am going home very soon, but you must remember you promised sister to read your
Bibles and pray for God's grace to make you Christians; and oh, be obedient and attentive to Mother." She left
her Sunday school to her next oldest sister, requesting it might never be discontinued, saying it had been a
great blessing to her. "Those who water shall be watered." She now distributed little tokens of love, and then
added: "Mother, I give you my Bible, and now I have done with the earth." She expatiated on the goodness of
God in keeping her mind clear and giving her time for repentance. Her manifestations of a Saviour's love
were dazzlingly bright, no clouds obscured her view - all was light. Putting her hand on her breast she said:
"Mother, there is light in here; I never felt like this before. How good God is thus to reveal Himself to me."
To the physician she said: "Doctor, you have been very kind to me, and now I want you to promise to meet me
in heaven; you know it is so important that you should be a Christian, because then you can warm others."
Throughout the day she would join in singing the songs of Zion, frequently pausing to comment on the
delightful attributes of Christ, and her voice was so loud and clear that it seemed hard to realize that
she was passing away. When the physician, finding some amendment in her pulse, wished to resume the
remedies, she sent for him and told him she did not wish to recover, that she was almost over Jordan, and
did not wish to be recalled; but on his saying he thought it only right to use the means, with her usual
gentleness she replied, "Then I will do whatever is right," and, without a murmur, submitted to everything
prescribed. Among her distressing symptoms was nausea, and after trying three times to retain the
medicines, she looked up at her mother with the sweetest smile, saying: "Mother, you see I did try." In the
afternoon she became somewhat impatient, saying she thought she would have been at rest by this time,
but on being reminded that she ought to wait God's time, she acquiesced, saying, "I am so anxious to go;"
she said she had no fear of the last struggle, that her Saviour was with her and she feared no evil.
Whenever her mother came near, she would say with the marked tenderness which always characterized her
intercourse with that bereaved parent, "Mother, are you glad, are you happy?" And that mother, we trust,
divinely supported, was always able to assure her, that it was the happiest day of her life.
She frequently spoke of her sainted father, saying she would soon be with him, that he would meet her as
she came up out of the river: referring to Bunyan's delightful description of Christian passing the
river and the two shining ones who met him. This was a favorite book with her, but her mind was richly
stored with the best authors; her fondness for books being rather a passion than a taste.
Not long before the closing scene she asked her mother what message she should carry her father, adding,
"shall I say you will try to train the children so as to join him in heaven?" Oh! What a joyful reunion
that was! She was the child of that Christian father's fondest earthly affection; she had been the
pride of his heart and the delight of his eyes, and often had he wrestled in prayer for her conversion,
and now to meet her wearing the crown of immortal glory!
Just before she expired, and while her mother was kneeling, praying for an easy departure, the cousin
who anticipated her every wish, requested another hymn might be sung, when another observed:
"Her pulse is gone, she cannot hear it." A seraphic smile beamed and a bright look of intelligence
once more lighted up her eyes, and as the sound of the hymn floated on the air, she closed her eyes
on earthly scenes to open them on the glories of heaven, and placidly as an infant sinking to
sleep, "breathed her soul out sweetly there."
Further comment on such a death is unnecessary. To the unconverted we would say, in her words,
"Prepare to die;" to the Christian parent, be faithful in praying for and instructing your children,
and your prayers will be answered; and above all, never be restrained from speaking to the dying on
the subject of their soul's welfare. No sooner had that parent "rolled her burden on the Lord,"
and though with fear, trembling and bitter anguish told her child she must die, than God took the
work out of her hands, answered her every prayer, and gave her such comfort in her child, that what to
the eye of sense seemed the bitterest stroke was divested of its sting, and she could from her
heart say, "What shall I render unto the Lord for His benefits to me;" and exclaim with old Ossbry(?),
I would not give my dead child for any living child in Christendom.
"At a meeting of Beaverdam church, on Saturday before the 2nd Lord's day in May, 1864.
WHEREAS, our esteemed and excellent friend and brother R. N. TRICE, has been removed from our midst
by the hand of death, therefore,
1st Resolved, That while we deeply deplore the sad and inscrutable providence that has deprived this church
of an honored and valuable member, and the community of a useful citizen, we would at the same time meekly
bow to the will of our Father in heaven, who does all things wisely and well.
2nd Resolved, That we believe that our loss, as a church and people, is his eternal gain.
3rd Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the afflicted family of our dead brother, and offer them our
heart-felt condolence.
4th Resolved, That we hope that this sad dispensation will deeply impress us all with the uncertainty of life
and the importance of constant preparation for death." Obituary by Lucy Jane Trice, The Religious Herald, December 1, 1864
