CHAPTER XXXVIII.
MRS. HARRIETTE ESTELLE HARRIS PRESLEY.
MRS. HARRIETTE ESTELLE HARRIS PRESLEY.
Although there have been some of His followers, in all ages of the world's history, who have laid their lives upon His altar as hearty sacrifices to the great cause of the propagation of His gospel, there have been many who coveted the "honors" but faltered under the "sacrifices."
But He has not been unmindful of the good deeds of His faithful servants, and has so ordained that their memory shall be perpetuated as living examples of faithfulness for the benefit of posterity.
So we well remember the deeds and are impressed with the character of this devoted young woman, Hattie E. Presley, who was born in Buckingham county, Va., in 1862, of humble parents.
When quite young she was taken by an aunt to Richmond, Va., and adopted. She was well cared for and reared with most beautiful manners and a lovable disposition—not only "pretty" in person, but in manners.
She was a pupil in the public schools of Richmond for many years, standing well in classes and in the favor of teachers and school-mates. When quite young she became a Christian and united by baptism with the First Baptist Church, of which Rev. J. H. Holmes, the model Christian, was pastor. Some time after becoming a Christian she entered the Richmond Institute (now Richmond Theological Seminary), and was for awhile in the classes taught by the writer, who was then a "student-teacher." She was a consistent Christian, and was always engaged in some good work, either among the poor and wretched, or in the Sabbath-school or in the church. She seemed to have an ever sympathetic heart, ready to bestow a blessing wherever it was possible for her to do so. In her classes she was always obedient, meek, kind and gentle. While thus a student in the Richmond Institute she and Rev. J. H. Presley, who was also a student, became fond friends, and this friendship grew into blooming love for each other. Rev. Presley was preparing to go to Africa as a missionary. Hattie began also to prepare to go with him, they having so agreed. In June, 1883, they were united in the bonds of matrimony, and sailed for Africa on December 1st of same year, accompanied by Rev. W. W. Colley and wife, Revs. McKinney and J. J. Cole. The gathering at the First Baptist Church on a Sunday evening in November, 1883, was a memorable occasion, for it was here that hundreds, if not thousands, of Christian people met to bid "farewell" to the missionaries; and, in the case of this dear woman, it was a "farewell" until these Christians shall meet her in heaven. When they had been in Africa only a short while Rev. Presley, her husband, was taken quite ill, and remained so for some considerable time.
She was ever faithful to him in this great trial, and even when all was as dark as night, when all hopes for his recovery were fast fleeing, she still was true, and when high temperature and the infected poison of fever deprived him of consciousness, and hopes yet fleeing, she was also true to him, and, like a clock, she was ever on the watch for a chance, an opportunity, to supply some necessity. During this severe trial of her faith and strength the little infant that had been born to them was laid in the cold grave, and yet she stood by an afflicted companion far in a heathen land. Finally, while he is still sick, her nerves take on a reaction from the great strain to which they had been subjected, and now her own strength fails, and she, in the midst of a terrible crisis, dies like a hero in the heat of battle.
Thus one of the fondest of our missionaries died at her post, giving up her life that she might be of service in leading some poor heathen to forsake his idol and turn unto the Lord and live. The writer delights to think of her as he knew her, a pure and faithful Christian woman. We cannot lay hands upon any creditable statements as to her real work as a missionary apart from that already referred to, but knowing her as we did, we are confident that it was all well done, kindly and freely done, with willing hands and heart.
In her death the mission has lost a vigorous and energetic worker. How her place will be filled we know not, nor by whom, but some good seeds have been sown that may yet make our hearts glad with the sight of a fruitful harvest. "My word shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please" (Isa. lv:ii), are very consoling words in this case as we think of our mission and its loss, but we may be sure that she is
"Gone to the rest of the ever blessed,
To the New Jerusalem;
Where the children of light do walk in white,
And the Saviour leadeth them."