What might be expected of such a one as parishioner? Just what her pastor at Jamaica Plain,[Footnote: Rev A. H. Quint, D.D.] and other friends
there testify. The church in that place, then struggling into existence, was not a little indebted to her. It was her constant endeavor to promote sociability in the congregation; she made it an invariable practice to call on all new-comers, and to request others to do the same. Never did she, except under necessity, absent herself from church meetings, nor omit to speak a kind word and also a faithful word to those whom she met, when suitable occasions presented. Her spirit and ways were peculiarly motherly. During her residence here, I have never looked upon her as a parishioner so much as a colleague, my senior, and one that may well be accounted a model.
What might be expected of such a one as pastor's wife? I indulge in no vague and conjectural portrait-painting, nor yield to any professional bias, but give the deliberate judgment of those acquainted, and qualified to speak. In the delicate relation now referred to, she was greatly beloved at West Roxbury;[Footnote: 1831-1850.] her life there was that of a missionary laboring in the by-ways for miles around. It was very much owing to her truly self-denying and most energetic efforts, that a place of worship was built, for which, as for the communion service, she solicited funds. She collected the Sabbath school, and for a time superintended it herself. She gathered a female prayer-meeting, and a meeting of mothers, both of which she sustained almost unaided. Her kind attentions to the sick and afflicted, to the aged and the young, were unwearied.
In 1838, the Rev. Mr. Marsh, finding his health improved,
was invited to settle again over the church in Sanford, Me., where he had first been a pastor. Soon after, there began a remarkable work of grace in that town, and during the short ministry there, till death closed her husband's labors, Mrs. Marsh toiled and prayed, and rejoiced over a spiritual harvest. It is not too much to say there will be weeping throughout the town of Sanford, where these remains are to be taken, when the news of her decease shall reach the place. What she was as a mother, faithful and tender, there are those present who can testify.
What now might be expected of one, with such a character and such antecedents, on becoming our city missionary? Precisely what we delight to record of her. In September, 1861, she began that labor amongst us. Singular devotedness, fidelity, and good judgment have marked her whole ministry here. Not long since she mentioned to a friend that she had taken this passage for her daily resting-place,—"Be careful for nothing." Of nothing that pertained to herself—ease, strength, or health—was she careful. The cause of the poor, and those spiritually perishing, she made her own. She gathered, and chiefly maintained, two or more series of weekly prayer-meetings, and a mother's meeting; she taught a Bible-class in the mission Sabbath school; and that school, by their tearful presence, now attest the deep regard which they entertain for her.
A sewing school, during the colder season, was one favorite method of usefulness. The first intimation of her coming in was the signal of a general brightening of faces, and her smiles, bestowed upon all, gave fullest satisfaction. While