Death of Mrs. Sherman 4

BRIEF SKETCH OF THE CHARACTER AND LABORS OF MRS. SHERMAN.

The dear departed one was "a saint indeed." Few people were better fitted to shine in the world than herself. Her beautiful form and lovely countenance, her engaging manners, her facility of expression, her ready wit, her amiable disposition, her musical talent, her buoyant spirits, her deep humility, and her readiness to serve and oblige all—rendered her a most joyous companion, and the favorite of all who had the happiness of her acquaintance. But when all these ornaments of mind and person became sanctified and directed to the highest end for which they can be enjoyed—the service of God and the salvation of souls—she shone with a splendor among the sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty which few attain.

Blessed with the pious example and instructions of a devoted mother, she very early imbibed a regard for religion and for pious people, and maintained with great punctuality her set times for reading the Scriptures and prayer. But her devotion wanted that living power which faith in Christ alone imparts. Of this she was sensible, and for this she prayed. God graciously answered her prayer, in a manner she little anticipated.

When about twenty-two years of age, a District Visiting Society was formed at Enfield, for affording temporal relief to the poor. She took a district, in which she found an old woman, ninety years of age, exceedingly ignorant—but very anxious to be taught the way of salvation. Her interesting inquiries drew forth the sympathies of Martha's loving heart to teach her the way of Christ; but now she found her lack of the very essentials of a spiritual teacher, she needed to be taught herself the merit and preciousness of the atonement, before she could explain it to another. Sad and prayerful, she oft returned home, determining that she would search the Scriptures, and gain information to convey the truth to her veteran pupil. She did so—but obtained little increase of knowledge, until, after prayer one morning for direction, previous to her visit, she remembered having heard Dr. Burder, with great interest, deliver a course of lectures on the Essentials of Religion; and thought she might find something in them that would aid her to impart light to her anxious inquirer. She began reading the chapter on the Atonement. Before she finished it a Divine light was shed upon her soul, she saw, as in a sunbeam, the substitution of Christ, and his perfect atonement for sin, laying a safe foundation for her hope. By faith she embraced this gospel remedy, and fell down at the footstool of mercy, to bedew with tears of joy the spot at which she had sought for illumination, with a broken heart.

Now she went to her aged inquirer with new zeal, love, and knowledge. Twice a week, for four years, she continued her visits, pouring the light of Christ's gospel into a mind which had been closed against it by prejudice and ignorance during a long life. Never had she entered a place of worship but to be baptized, married, and churched; yet the gospel from the loving Martha's lips penetrated, enlightened, and saved that soul; and she died at ninety-three, in the full prospect of eternal life, exclaiming to her devoted teacher, "Then there is hope for me, Miss!"

Even before her conversion, she was undesignedly useful to convert a soul. A young friend, who became strongly attached to her, observed, while staying at her house, Martha's punctual retirement for prayer and reading; but thought it unnecessary for herself. Martha immediately persuaded her to adopt the practice, and very soon her young friend began to pray in earnest for salvation and found it, while Martha was a stranger to its enjoyment. In return, she became an exhorter to Martha, not to be satisfied with mere formal devotion. This young friend died soon after, in the assured possession of a justified state.

Thus two souls, one before, and another immediately after, her conversion to God, were given her as the reward of efforts to do good and serve God. At the time they were great encouragements; and she often referred to them in after life as a stimulus to exertion for so good a Master.

After a year and a half's residence at Reading, which God graciously gave her as a preparation for a larger sphere, she came with her husband to this church and congregation, with a deep sense of her responsibility and the importance of using her talents for Christ, her gracious Lord. How effectively she employed them, this assembly can bear cheerful witness. Soon after she arrived, she formed, one after the other, four classes, which she superintended with great affection and zeal. One for poor mothers, which met once every two weeks; and the other for mothers occupying superior stations in life, which assembled at her house once a month. It is better felt than described, how kind and loving she was to both poor and rich; how willing to take the lowest place, so that everyone might be benefitted; how she labored and studied to find suitable reading for the classes, and how earnestly she sought the salvation of all the children of the mothers. Oh, how pleasantly has her face shone with delight as she greeted her husband, on her return from those meetings, while she told the tales of improvement in domestic life, and the hopes of mothers in the conversion of their children! Ah! none will feel her loss more severely than her maternal societies.

Two other classes she formed for the young; one for the young ladies of the congregation, which she met once a month, and the other for young people who had left the Sunday school, which she taught every sabbath afternoon. The young people who had the privilege of her instructions, will not, cannot, forget her prayers, her lovely demeanor, her useful advice, her ardent endeavors after their conversion. But they do not know the labor it cost her to prepare to meet them. All her notes are preserved; every one she wrote twice over; first in rough, and then more maturely. Yet they are but notes, allowing herself the utterance of a full heart, which her felicity of expression enabled her to pour forth in melting tones of tenderness and love. Her correspondence with her classes was continued amidst the demands of correspondence with a large circle of friends. Most of the members have some written memorial of her fidelity and affection.

As may be expected, many were converted. Some of the most unlikely among the poor mothers became members of the church, and blessed the day they ever heard her voice, for the domestic comfort it had brought to their humble dwellings. And several among the young attested that her instructions became the means of leading them to Christ and to join his people.

In all the societies connected with this church, specially those conducted by ladies—the Clothed Female school, the Missionary, the Dorcas and the Clothing societies—her regularity, punctuality, and efforts to gain subscribers made her influence very precious, while every society or individual that sought her aid generally found a laborious helper.

To her husband she was a help-meet, indeed! What can he say about his loss? "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in your sight." Her patience, forbearance, affection, labor, devoted zeal for Christ, attention to the interests of children and servants, and too ardent love for him—placed her as near perfection as he can well conceive a saint to be. Oh, how swiftly have the thirteen years of blissful union passed away! But her works follow her.

Two years and a half ago, disease took fast hold on her frame. It was thought that change of air and scene, and the use of medicine, might remove its incipient threatenings. They were all tried—but in vain. The physicians who were consulted stated, that by care, her life might be prolonged; but unless something extraordinary and unexpected occurred she could not long survive. Yet during that affliction grace ripened, her love to Christ and souls increased; and her labors were not lessened, only exchanged. She thought she could do good by her pen, and corresponded more freely with her friends and her classes—when her strength failed, she tried other means to exalt Christ. At Ventnor, she liquidated, by application to friends, a small debt on the chapel; and by her patient, persevering instructions, a young widow, who had recently lost her husband, was led to see that her Maker was her husband, and has recently joined the Independent church in that place, praising God for the sickness that brought her unknown friend to Ventnor. She formed a Maternal Society there, which is still flourishing, and the cause of spiritual comfort to many. At Hastings, she induced the excellent clergyman to form a Bible class for young men, which is still in existence, and gives joy to his heart. When on the Continent, whether visiting among nobility or the poor, a word for Christ was sure to be introduced; and her character and conduct have left a sweet savor, which distance and time have not diminished.

After an interview with Dr. Moore, at Hastings, on the 10th of February, her husband had the affecting duty to announce to her that the sickness was unto death, and that the physician thought the sooner she was at home the better. With many struggles between affection and fidelity, he accomplished his painful task. But to his astonishment, she received the news as a relief to her spirit; and, after a few yearnings over her husband and children, wept tears of joy that her pilgrimage was about to close. "How soon does he expect me to leave you?" was her calm inquiry. "It is quite uncertain; but you may linger until April or May," was the reply. "I thank God!" she exclaimed; "heaven is nearer than I expected."

On February 12th, she returned hone, and, amid many alternations, continued to cheer all around her by her piety, patience, and cheerfulness. At her request, her friends and classes came to see her in groups; all who were present on those occasions, will remember her smile and her few words of love to each, as she shook them by the hand. Oh, it was a delightful sight, while all around were deeply affected at their anticipated loss, to behold her calm spirit bidding them farewell, as if she were about to start for a short journey and soon to return!

She was favored with many visits from the elders and from ministers, and especially from her kind friend, the Rev. George Clayton, who, at her request, continued them until she needed them no more.

On the 17th of May, it was evident that death was approaching; but, to the surprise of all, she rallied again, and slept tolerably well during the night. About twelve o'clock on the 18th, no doubt could remain what the result must soon be. The struggle for breath, the excessive pain in the side, and the convulsive agony of the whole frame, were fearful; but the celestial joy within surpassed the expectations of all. To the last, her intellect was unimpaired, and her speech sufficiently loud to be heard. "The long looked-for hour is come, my dear," said her husband. "It is," she replied, "blessed be my Savior!" "You have long professed that Christ was precious, is he precious to you now?" Lifting up her almost fleshless arms and hands, like the wings of a bird ready to fly, she let them fall on the bed, and exclaimed, "Infinitely! infinitely!" "Have you, my precious one, any consciousness of the immediate presence of Jesus Christ?" Pausing a moment, she replied, "No; I do not know what that is, my consciousness is the consciousness of faith. I know that he is with me by the support and ineffable consolations he pours into my soul; but I shall soon know what it is, for I shall be with him, and be like him." "Then, like David, you can say, you fear no evil in the dark valley?" She replied, "The valley is very long—but not dark, for he is with me in it, his rod and staff comfort me." "Then you can bear testimony to your children, that a life spent in the service of God is a most pleasant and profitable life?" As if making an effort beyond her strength, to say something which her heart dictated—but finding it impossible, she replied with all energy, "I can! I can!" "What now, when earth is vanishing, is your sole dependence for acceptance with God at the great day?" "Only the perfect and finished righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Nothing in my hand I bring;
Simply to the cross I cling."

Many other precious sentences and words fell from her lips; but these will suffice to show the fullness of her joy, and what an abundant entrance was given her into the kingdom of her God and Savior. At twenty minutes to four o'clock on Thursday afternoon, May 18th, she fell asleep in Jesus.

One day her husband asked her what message he should carry from her to the people when she was taken from them; her brief answer was, "Tell them to love Christ and one another, to labor for souls, and exhibit holiness—then they must be happy."

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