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MEMOIR OF 
 
 MRS. J. GREENLEAF 
 
UNIVERSITY 
 
W.G. Sfatvpf tith. B 
 
MEMOIE 
 
 MRS. JANE GREENLEAF, 
 
 NEWBTJRYPORT, MASS. 
 
 "And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, 
 which departed not from the temple, but ?erved God with fast- 
 ings and prayers night and day." LUKE u. 37. 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 fPOKT : 
 
 PUBLISHED BY MOSES H. SARGENT. 
 1851. 
 
y 
 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1801, 
 
 BY MOSES II. SARGENT, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 Printed by GEORGE C. RAND, 
 3 Cornhill, Boston. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 THESE pages had an humble origin. A 
 daughter's hand has penned them amidst many 
 avocations ; yet not at her own suggestion. 
 Friends, who honored her mother, desired that 
 her religious history might be preserved ; and 
 there was no one else in circumstances to under- 
 take the work. In deciding to do it, she relied 
 upon important aid from her brother ; but he was 
 suddenly removed to the eternal world, leaving 
 only an unfinished fragment for her use. A few 
 friends have assisted her in revising it ; their 
 kindness she gratefully acknowledges. 
 
 She now casts " her bread upon the waters," 
 praying for the Divine blessing. To her it will 
 not, probably, return in temporal profit. To the 
 
8 PREFACE. 
 
 
 
 Christian public the work is respectfully inscribed, 
 with all its defects. They will, at least, see from 
 it that in the life of a retired Christian, there may 
 be materials for a memoir, though they may 
 regret that a skilful hand could not have collected 
 and arranged them. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Object of Publishing. God's faithfulness to his 
 Covenant. Pious Ancestors, ----- 13 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Birth. Religious Instruction. Early Impressions. 
 Worldliness. Deaths in the Family. Permanent Im- 
 pressions. Distressing Convictions. Marriage. Bap- 
 tism of her Son. Conversation of a Friend. Christ- 
 ian Hope. Public Profession, ----- 20 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Extract from Hamilton. Punctuality in Prayer. 
 Trials. Severe Illness. Recovery. Deafness. Inci- 
 dent in Boston's Life. Farther Trials. Incident. Ex- 
 tracts from a Sermon. Bereavements. Journal. - 24 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Efforts for her Children and Household. Firm hold 
 of the Covenant. Effects of her Father's Death. In- 
 tercession. Activity. Religious Conversation. Be- 
 nevolent Spirit. Journal, ------ 38 
 
 9 
 
10 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Desire for the Extension of Christ's Kingdom. In- 
 terest in Revivals. Revival in 1800 and 1801. Inci- 
 dent. Letter. Missionary Spirit. " Isles of Shoals." 
 Letter. Walk of Usefulness. Letters, ... 4V 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 Letters, ........ 63 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Answer to Prayer. Succeeding Emotions. Manner 
 of expressing her Gratitude. Confidence in God. 
 Family Government. Strict Observance of the Sab- 
 bath. Journal. Letter, ------ 81 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Letter from R. Ralston, Esq. Love for Christians. 
 Charity. Letter to Mrs. P. Other Letters, - - 90 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Consistency. Benefit of her Example. Faithful- 
 ness. Cheerfulness. Incident. Forgiveness of Inju- 
 ries. Change of Residence. Improved Health. Loss 
 of Sight. Love to God's House. Journal. Letters, - 110 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 
 
 Closing Years. Continued Industry. Sickness in 
 1845. Letters. Death of her Brother. Last Illness. 
 Death. Divine Faithfulness. Funeral, - 124 
 
CONTENTS. 11 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Summary of Doctrinal Belief, and Traits of Char- 
 acter, ----------137 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 Letters from Friends, -.--.. 146 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 No. I. Notice of W. C. Greenleaf, - - - 153 
 No. II. Isles of Shoal?, - - - - - - 170 
 
:$EUBS5x 
 
 OF THE 
 
 [UNIVERSITY 
 
 MEMOIR 
 
 MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 " The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon 
 them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's 
 children ; to such as keep his covenant, and to those that 
 remember his commandments to do them." Ps. ciii. 17, 18. 
 
 THE following Memoir of Mrs. Jane Grreenleaf 
 is not a tribute of affection merely ; nor was it 
 undertaken from any private motive. The object 
 in view has been solely to magnify the grace of 
 God, which made her "a burning and shining 
 light " in the world ; to exhibit, for the imitation 
 of others, her example of active and uniform piety ; 
 and to show the faithfulness of Grod to His cove- 
 nant with his people. It is now committed to the 
 public, in the hope that, in this way, however 
 humble and unpretending in itself, it may do 
 2 
 
14 MEMOIR OP 
 
 some good. To the memoirs of the pious dead, 
 whether in the public or private walks of life, has 
 the church been largely indebted for much of her 
 piety in subsequent times. Who has not been 
 improved by reading such memoirs as those of 
 Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Huntingdon, Mrs. Newell, 
 and many others ? To a level with these, how- 
 ever, the present volume does not aspire. 
 
 The promise, originally made to Abraham, " I 
 will be a God to thee, and thy seed after thee," 
 has been strikingly fulfilled to those of " like pre- 
 cious faith," in every succeeding age. Abun- 
 dantly was it verified in the family of Mrs. Green- 
 leaf many, among her immediate ancestors, 
 having been eminent Christians. 
 
 Her grandfather, Philip Coombs, a carpenter by 
 trade, came to this country from the island of 
 Guernsey, and settled in Newbury, now Newbury- 
 port, (Mass.) He was regular in his attendance 
 upon public worship, and was esteemed a good 
 man. Such, doubtless, he was also in his own 
 estimation ; for it was a day, when religion had 
 lost her vitality, and "good works" constituted 
 piety. To Mr. Whitefield was he indebted, like 
 so many others in this region, for his first correct 
 knowledge of himself. So powerfully was he con- 
 victed of sin under his preaching, that, for three 
 months, he was unfitted for work. 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 15 
 
 After his conversion he was remarkable for his 
 devout regard for the Sabbath. Of him it might 
 be truly said, he called the Sabbath " a delight, 
 the Holy of the Lord, Honorable." On that 
 sacred day he took no breakfast, saying to his wife, 
 when urged by her, " I have meat to eat that the 
 world knows not of." That he might prepare him- 
 self for the proper reception of the truth, he went 
 early to the house of Grod ; and that his meditations 
 might not be disturbed, and thus the benefit lost, 
 he remained until the congregation had left. 
 
 Ever mindful of the uncertainty of life, and 
 acknowledging an overruling Providence, he would 
 not leave home, even for an absence of a few days, 
 without first putting his hand on the head of his 
 eldest son, William, and remaining some minutes 
 in the attitude of prayer. 
 
 He was one of the founders and elders of the 
 First Presbyterian Church in Newburyport, and 
 died in France, having been taken prisoner during 
 the war with that country in 1759. There he was 
 held in such veneration by the keeper of the 
 prison, that they spoke of him as " that good Mr. 
 Coombs." 
 
 Before his death, the Romish priests urged upon 
 him some of the ceremonies of their church ; but, 
 firm in the faith, he resisted, with strong emotion, 
 
16 MEMOIR OP 
 
 even when unable to speak. His age was fifty- 
 two years. 
 
 His wife, also, was a woman of uncommon at- 
 tainments in piety ; and being spared to a good 
 old age, she had a decided influence upon the 
 religious character of her grandchildren, whom she 
 never ceased to instruct in the fear of the Lord. 
 The subject of this memoir has often remarked, 
 that " there was a peculiar majesty in her grand- 
 mother's piety." It was not of that dwarfish, 
 sickly character, so common in this day, when the 
 religion of many seems to consist more in bustling 
 activity than in the devotion of the closet. In the 
 duty of prayer she abounded, and, probably, to 
 this her posterity have since been indebted. For 
 them, even to the latest generation, she was accus- 
 tomed to make special supplication. She died in 
 1793, aged 78 years. 
 
 Mrs. Greenleaf 's father, William Coombs, was 
 one of " Nature's noblemen," and divine grace 
 wrought within him his parents' religious traits of 
 character. To a natural urbanity of manner 
 Christian principle imparted a charm, which com- 
 manded admiration and respect. Although he 
 became early interested in the great subject of per- 
 sonal piety, yet " he had passed beyond the mid- 
 dle of life, before he collected courage to join in 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 17 
 
 full communion with the church. But ever after, 
 "his path, like the morning light, shone brighter 
 and brighter, to the perfect day."* 
 
 His delight was prayer, in which exercise, 
 whether in the family or social circle, he was char- 
 acterized by deep humility, reverence, and fervor, 
 the tears generally falling down his aged cheeks, 
 while he lamented his sins. 
 
 Like his parents, also, he was a strict observer 
 of the Sabbath. " He literally devoted the whole 
 day to spiritual exercises, either public or private. 
 In the sanctuary he was a most punctual and de- 
 vout worshipper."* 
 
 How he loved the Sabbath is evident from the 
 following remark. Expressing to a daughter some 
 doubts respecting his state, she mentioned his love 
 for that day as an evidence of his sanctification. 
 He replied, at once, " ! the Sabbath! why, it 
 is no sooner come than it is gone ! " 
 
 A few Sabbaths before his decease, his pastor 
 being absent, the clergyman, who supplied the 
 pulpit, was invited to his house. In his conversa- 
 tion he found enjoyment ; but, on Monday, he 
 remarked to his wife, that he missed his usual 
 Sabbath reading, which had thus been interrupted, 
 and he should devote Tuesday to the enjoyment of 
 his Sabbath privileges, which accordingly he did. 
 * Funeral Sermon, by Rev. Dr. Dana. 
 
 2* 
 
18 MEMOIR OP 
 
 "He was distinguished for his benevolence and 
 liberality. He appeared to realize no value in 
 wealth, but as it furnished the means of alleviating 
 distress, and of doing good to the bodies and souls 
 of his fellow-creatures. 
 
 "While severe in scrutinizing and judging him- 
 self, he was, as it respected others, an example of 
 unaffected and enlarged candor, and an unusual 
 share of the uniting, healing spirit of Christianity. 
 
 "He was seized with palsy, May 23d, 1814, and 
 died the 28th of the same month, in the seventy- 
 eighth year of his age. After his seizure, he had 
 little power of speech, or thought. A few broken 
 expressions, such as " Blessed state ! Blessed 
 Lord ! Blessed Jesus ! were all he uttered ; but 
 these were, probably, indications of the tranquil 
 and happy state of his mind." * 
 
 Of her mother it is only necessary to add that 
 she also was a child of grace, amiable in disposi- 
 tion, and distinguished for benevolence to the 
 poor. Her life was not long, (as she died at the 
 age of forty-four,) and it was clouded, during three 
 years, by mental derangement. But reason re- 
 turned before death, and her last words were, 
 " Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! " 
 
 That the pious spirit, which animated those who 
 went before her, lost nothing of its fervency in her, 
 
 * Dr. Dana's Sermon. 
 
MRS. JANE GKEENLEAP. 
 
 19 
 
 who is the subject of this memoir, will be seen in 
 the following pages. She was well known, in a 
 wide sphere, as " a mother in Israel," and, in her, 
 the peculiar graces, manifested by her devout an- 
 cestors, were strongly marked. 
 
MEMOIR OF 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 " I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies/' 
 
 Ps. cxix. 59. 
 
 THE subject of this Memoir, Jane Coombs, was 
 born in Newburyport, January 22, 1764. She 
 was the second child of William and Jane Coombs. 
 In childhood, she was amiable, correct, and be- 
 loved. The influence and instructions of her 
 parents, daily intercourse with her excellent grand- 
 mother, and the faithful preaching of the gospel 
 by her pastor, Rev. Mr. Parsons, which were 
 often accompanied by the special influences of the 
 Holy Spirit, early produced, in her, much solici- 
 tude respecting her eternal welfare. Even in 
 youth she felt that she was " a child of wrath," 
 and needed " the washing of regeneration and the 
 renewing of the Holy Ghost," to fit her to glorify 
 God on earth, as well as to enjoy him in Heaven. 
 
 Still, for many years, she loved the world, and 
 withheld her affections from her rightful Sovereign. 
 But death entered the family, and two infant sis- 
 ters and a brother were taken away ; in a few 
 years her beloved mother died, and in three weeks 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 21 
 
 after, her eldest sister followed in a rapid decline ; 
 and in two years, a very promising brother, just 
 entering manhood, was laid in the silent tomb. 
 Not till 1788, however, was any permanent im- 
 pression made upon her mind, when the death of 
 a favorite sister, at the early age of nineteen, was 
 made the means of convincing her of sin, and 
 leading her to resolve that she would seek the 
 Lord with all her heart. Even yet, she did not, 
 at once, forsake all for Christ. Trembling, she 
 stood beneath Mount Sinai, whilst the trumpet 
 sounded long and loud. " The terrors of the Lord 
 set themselves in array against her," and his 
 arrows rankled within. Her convictions were dis- 
 tressing and of long continuance. So absorbed 
 was she in securing a refuge from the coming 
 wrath, that she could hardly persuade herself to 
 attend to the common duties of life. She em- 
 braced every opportunity of hearing the gospel 
 preached, both in her own and the neighboring 
 churches ; and persevered in secret prayer, and in 
 reading the Bible and religious books, especially 
 Doddridge's " Rise and Progress of Religion, " 
 from which she derived much benefit. After a 
 time, her distressing anxiety subsided, though 
 her interest in religion remained. She then feared 
 she had grieved away the Holy Spirit, and, while 
 Christian friends hoped that she was a child of 
 
22 MEMOIR OF 
 
 God, she considered herself still " an alien from 
 the commonwealth of Israel. " 
 
 In December, 1796, she was united in marriage 
 to Ebenezer Greenleaf, of Newburyport. For a 
 time, the duties and cares of domestic life absorbed 
 her attention, and her religious affections suffered 
 an abatement. In the following year, when pa- 
 rental responsibilities were added to previous 
 duties, she went, with increased earnestness, to 
 " the mercy seat," that Divine grace might be 
 bestowed on herself, and on her infant son, whom 
 she felt bound to train up t: in the nurture and 
 admonition of the Lord." 
 
 At that period it was the practice of the First 
 Presbyterian Church in Newburyport to allow 
 parents, of good moral character and serious de- 
 portment, to present their children for baptism, 
 by consenting to the " half-way covenant. " She 
 was admitted to this privilege, and thought it was 
 much blessed to her.* 
 
 In the Spring of 1799, after a careful and pray- 
 erful examination of the state of the heart before 
 God, she discovered evidences, hitherto unnoticed, 
 that she had been " born of the Spirit. " She no 
 longer approached God with slavish fear ; but re- 
 garding him as her reconciled Father and friend, 
 through Jesus Christ, she found much comfort in 
 
 * This practice was abandoned after 1820. 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 
 
 23 
 
 drawing nigh to Him. The conversation of a 
 very devoted Christian, of Portland, (Maine,) 
 was much blessed to her at this period. To him 
 she disclosed her religious experience, and he re- 
 joiced to find that " salvation had come to her 
 house." She corresponded witl^ him frequently 
 afterwards, and derived much quickening and 
 strength from his Christian counsel and prayers. 
 
 In August of the same year, she ventured, 
 though with many doubts and fears, to unite with 
 the First Presbyterian Church, of which her hon- 
 ored father was then an elder, and Rev. Dr. Dana 
 the pastor. From this period she made religion 
 the chief business of her life, and to its close, ex- 
 emplified its excellency in an uncommon degree. 
 
24 MEMOIR OP 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 " The righteoug shall ftmrish like the palm-tree ; he shall grow like 
 a cedar in Lebanon." Ps. xcii. 12. 
 
 " FROM a secret source," says an able writer, 
 " the believer in Jesus draws his life. The 
 morning portion of the Word, the morning 
 prayer, the morning meditation ; these are the 
 ' stolen waters,' which keep him green all day ; 
 and, even in the desert, there is a dew, which, 
 descending on his branches over night, brings him 
 forth fragrant and lively to the morrow." This 
 " secret source " and fountain of spiritual life the 
 subject of this memoir had now discovered. The 
 path to its healing waters was made familiar to 
 her ; and, during her whole subsequent life, she 
 was " obstinately punctual " to her stated seasons 
 of devotion. 
 
 But the children of God are reminded that it is 
 " through much tribulation they must enter the 
 kingdom of Heaven." Says the writer already 
 quoted, (Hamilton,) " It is by means of the 
 sifting and crushing processes, to which they are 
 subjected, by the Providence of Grod, that they 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 25 
 
 become ' the salt of the earth,' ' the lights of the 
 world ; ' " and many and severe were the trials 
 through which she passed. 
 
 In the summer of 1801, she was prostrated by 
 severe illness, which continued for six months, and 
 brought her, apparently, near to death. But God 
 had a work for her to do on earth, before her war- 
 fare was accomplished ; and she was, gradually, 
 restored. 
 
 After her recovery the nerve of the ear was dis- 
 covered to have sustained so much injury, that, 
 ever after, she was afflicted with deafness. At 
 first, it was only slight ; but it gradually increased, 
 so that, for the last twenty-five years of her life, 
 she never heard a sentence from the pulpit, al- 
 though she was able to hear the conversation of 
 friends, when they sat by her side, till within the 
 last ten years, when she was obliged to have the 
 aid of a trumpet for that purpose. 
 
 This deafness was a sore trial to her. She often 
 said, " It was a blow at the root of her pride ; " 
 but she blessed God for it, feeling that it was ab- 
 solutely necessary. As other trials followed, some 
 of which were wholly unexpected, and peculiarly 
 heart-rending, she bowed to the strokes of her 
 Heavenly Father's rod, being more solicitous to 
 have them sanctified than removed. Whatever 
 instrument was employed for her correction, she 
 3 
 
26 MEMOIR OP 
 
 looked above second causes, and received it as 
 from the hand of God. When any fresh trial was 
 sent, her first petition was, usually, that of Job, 
 " Show me wherefore thou contendest with me ; " 
 and she at once commenced the work of self- 
 examination, that she might discover, confess, and 
 forsake the sins, which had made the discipline 
 necessary. 
 
 In the life of the Rev. Thomas Boston, an em- 
 inent Scotch divine, it is stated, that when he was 
 in any perplexity, either temporal or spiritual, he 
 never obtained an " outlet," until he had made a 
 full confession of his sins to God. After reading 
 this, she adopted the same practice, and, often, 
 when her way was hedged up, she would say, " I 
 think I have not recollected all my sins ; I must 
 begin with the sins of my youth." In the opinion 
 of the world, her early life was free from blemish ; 
 but she looked at herself in the glass of God's law, 
 and realizing its strictness and spirituality, she saw 
 so much sin in her heart and life, as to require 
 deep self-abasement before God. 
 
 While in her father's house, she was accustomed 
 to affluence ; subsequently, she passed through 
 embarrassed and straitened circumstances. Here, 
 too, she acquiesced in the wise allotments of 
 Divine Providence, often remarking that these 
 outward trials were best adapted to subdue her 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 27 
 
 natural independence ; and so often was the hand 
 of Clod stretched out for her relief, and such proofs 
 of his love and care did she receive, that she was 
 enabled to trust in him more simply than she 
 would have done in other circumstances. She 
 always went to God with all her temporal wants, 
 as well as her spiritual necessities; and, some- 
 times, while she was yet speaking, an answer to 
 her requests was granted. 
 
 The following is one, among many, of the inter- 
 positions of Providence, which she experienced. 
 
 Being in want of a small sum of money, after 
 spreading her case before the Lord, she called on 
 a friend, who possessed ample means, and request- 
 ed, of him, the loan of the amount needed. He 
 declined coldly, but politely, which was so unex- 
 pected, that she left his door much depressed in 
 spirits. But, as she came down the steps, the 
 lines, 
 
 " Your heaps of glittering dust are yours, 
 And my Redeemer's mine,"' 
 
 were so powerfully suggested to her mind, as to 
 dispel her despondency, and she walked cheerfully 
 towards her home. On her way, she called at 
 another friend's, but not with any intention of 
 asking his aid. In conversation, she incidentally 
 mentioned her disappointment. The gentleman 
 
28 MEMOIR OF 
 
 immediately inquired what sum she wanted ? and, 
 on her naming it, said, " I will let you have it." 
 Going to his desk, he handed her the money, and 
 wrote a note for her signature, saying, "you can 
 take your own time to repay it." With a heart 
 of admiring gratitude she returned home, to raise 
 a fresh " Ebenezer " to her "Helper, God." 
 In a few months the kind friend was removed by 
 death, and before arrangements could be made to 
 cancel the note, his children sent it to her as a 
 gift. While life lasted she never forgot the 
 favor, or ceased to pray that this family might be 
 rewarded with spiritual blessings. 
 
 She often spoke of a sermon of one of her pas- 
 tors, Rev. Mr. Murray, from the text which stands 
 at the head of this chapter, and quoted one re- 
 mark in it, viz. : " Naturalists tell us that weights 
 are hung on the limbs of the palm-tree to make it 
 bear fruit ; so God hangs the weights of affliction 
 on believers that they may be fruitful ; " and, as 
 her trials increased, she would say, " These are 
 some of the weights/' 
 
 In addition to the bereavements, mentioned in 
 the preceding chapter, her venerated grandmother 
 was removed by death in 1793. In 1805 a sis- 
 ter, and in 1812 two sisters 'also died, and in 
 1814 her father was taken to " the rest that re- 
 maineth for the people of God." That she felt 
 
OF THE 
 
 EB 
 
 MRS. JANE GKEENBAP. 29 
 
 all these trials no one could doubt ; but she bore 
 them with resignation to the Divine will, being 
 anxious only to profit by them. 
 
 As exhibiting her feelings and habits at this 
 period of her life, the following extracts from a 
 journal, which she kept during more than fifty 
 years, and in which she recorded the events and 
 mercies of every day, may be given. 
 
 " January 22d, 1810. My birth day just 
 forty-six years old. How long have I been 
 spared, and to how little purpose have I lived ! 
 I am a wonder to myself, when I take a review of 
 my life, and think of the changes through which I 
 have passed. One mercy has followed another; 
 yet I have been unmindful of the hand which has 
 been showering them upon me. How many of 
 my dear friends are gone down to the house of 
 silence ! Alas ! my leanness ! my leanness ! 
 
 "February ISth, Sabbath Evening. Mr. 
 Gr. Spring preached in the morning. Text, * I 
 will be a Father unto you,' &c. Afternoon, Mr. 
 Dana. Ps. cxxvi. * When the Lord turned again 
 the captivity of Zion,' &c. In the evening, Mr. 
 Stuart of New Haven. I admired him. His 
 prayer was reverent ; sermon solemn ; manners 
 perfectly unaffected. Text, ' How shall we es- 
 cape, if we neglect so great salvation ! ' As nearly 
 as I could hear, he told us, that many, who kept 
 3* 
 
30 MEMOIR OF 
 
 up the form of godliness, were yet neglecters of 
 this salvation. I wish to push the inquiry 
 home to my own heart, Am I not one of these 
 neglecters? " 
 
 " June 8th, Communion Sabbath. Text, 
 * And you hath he quickened, who were dead in 
 trespasses and sins.' A solemn, clear discourse. 
 In the communion season, I felt more comfortable 
 than common. This day's solemn transaction is 
 recorded on high. Why this insensibility, ! my 
 soul ? If my heart has never been renewed, I 
 am in a most dreadful state. If it has, * why is 
 my love so faint, so cold to thee,' ! thou source 
 of all Divine joy ? I do hope, at times, that I am 
 regenerated ; but still I am cold and insensible 
 under Thy cultivation. Gracious God, Thou 
 knowest my inmost soul. Do thou enable me now 
 to live wholly to Thy glory. Let my all be conse- 
 crated to Thee. I am unworthy ; but Thou de- 
 lightest to show mercy, even to the vilest of the 
 vile. Be pleased to let me see my guilt and 
 ill-desert. 
 
 " June 15th, Sabbath Evening. What rea- 
 son have I to be glad, and rejoice in the goodness 
 of the Most High to me and mine ! We are 
 spared, monuments of mercy, while death has cut 
 down a promising child in this neighborhood. Let 
 it not be in vain that we are spared. ! Gra- 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 31 
 
 cious Parent, give me grace to live devoted to Thy 
 glory ! Let me not sink when chastened by Thy 
 rod ; but ' show me wherefore Thou contendest 
 with me ' and mine. Give me patience, and true 
 submission to Thy holy will. When I know not 
 what to do, ! lead me in the right way ! 
 
 " August 19th. Think of going to Chester 
 to-morrow, to visit Aunt Wilcomb. Gracious 
 Parent, let my eye be single to Thy glory in this, 
 and every undertaking. Without thy blessing 
 nothing prospers. ! that [I may be enabled to 
 give up myself and family, in faith, into Thy 
 hands, and trust Thy care ! ! for true wisdom 
 to order my conversation aright ! 
 
 "September 15^, Sabbath Evening. How 
 cold and dead have I been, to-day, to spiritual 
 things ! ! for the quickening and enlivening 
 influences of the Holy Spirit to descend on my 
 dead soul, and not on mine only, but on all this 
 family, and the whole world ! ! that I may be 
 enabled to make some progress in the Divine life, 
 if I have set out therein ! If not, that I may 
 begin to live a new life, by faith in Christ ! " 
 
 The following extracts were written during a 
 short visit in D. 
 
 " September 25th, Saturday Evening. Well 
 may I say, ' Surely goodness and mercy have fol- 
 lowed me all my days.' ! that a blessing may 
 
32 MEMOIR OF 
 
 come down on this family ! May they have 
 spiritual blessings for the temporal favors bestowed 
 on me ! Their kindness will leave a lasting im- 
 pression on my mind. 
 
 " I feel that the holy Sabbath is now begun. 
 I desire to lift my heart to God for a blessing on 
 myself and others, that it may be a day to be had 
 in everlasting remembrance. Lord, lift thou up 
 the light of thy countenance upon me ! Deliver 
 me from distracting cares and vain thoughts. Be 
 with my dear family. Preserve them from sin 
 and every evil. O ! that we may meet in safety, 
 with hearts glowing with gratitude ! 
 
 "Sabbath, 26th. I awoke early, and en- 
 deavored to realize that this was a day of holy 
 rest. After breakfast, read Romaine's ' Walk of 
 Faith ; ' an excellent book. May its truths sink 
 deep into my heart, and spring up and bear fruit, 
 spiritual and abiding ! Mr. Gile, of Milton, 
 preached. Text, * Of whom the whole family in 
 heaven and earth is named.' It was a very ex- 
 perimental discourse. He said, Christians should 
 be all one. Paul, when he was converted, began 
 to pray for that cause which he had before opposed. 
 The hidings of God's face are salutary to the 
 saints ; they are thus led to trust less to them- 
 selves, and to see their need of Divine teaching ; 
 they have no strength of their own; but they 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 33 
 
 have the word of God for it, that they shall perse- 
 vere. They are apt to be taken up with worldly 
 objects, which deaden the life of faith. It is a 
 great mercy that Grod visits them with afflictions, 
 which wean their hearts from the world, and lead 
 them to be more spiritually-minded. When 
 creature comforts fail them, they soar aloft for 
 true happiness, where alone it can be found. I 
 was much pleased with the subject ; wish I could 
 remember more. 
 
 "In the afternoon his subject was, the man 
 lying at the pool of Bethesda. An excellent ser- 
 mon, upon the sad state of all unconverted sin- 
 ners ; and their only hope of salvation is from the 
 blood of Christ being applied to their souls. An 
 invitation was given to all to spend the remainder 
 of this day in serious self-examination, to know if 
 they have been washed in this precious blood. I 
 enjoyed the whole services very much. The sing- 
 ing was delightful. Was pleased to see so 
 many serious looking men. Now I am retired to 
 my chamber to meditate on what I have heard. 
 How stands the case with my own soul ? Blessed 
 Jesus, if I have not been washed in this precious 
 pool, do thou now wash away my crimson sins. 
 ' None but a bath of blood Divine ' can cleanse 
 my guilty soul. ! thou Holy Dove, descend, 
 and quicken many precious souls in this place. 
 
34 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Let a copious shower fall on all around ! As 
 we come from these ordinances, may we be pre- 
 pared for every conflict that awaits us. If disap- 
 pointments and crosses are near, may I possess 
 my soul in patience." 
 
 The following extract, written the next day, will 
 show her diligence in improving opportunities to 
 do good : 
 
 " Monday r , 27 th. Returned home. Had 
 some interesting conversation with a gentleman in 
 the stage coach, who seemed to be an unbeliever. 
 A young gentleman joined me in endeavoring to 
 remove some of his objections ; and I thought, at 
 last, he felt somewhat humbled ; at least, he 
 acknowledged some things which he denied at 
 first. The moderation of the young gentleman 
 seemed to strike him agreeably. When we 
 stopped, he asked me if I knew him. I told him 
 I did not. He said he admired him. 
 
 " Oct. 27th, Sabbath. In the morning, as 
 soon as I awoke, endeavored to collect my scat- 
 tered thoughts, and send up my desires for a 
 blessing. Met with some trials. After breakfast, 
 collected the children, and read the conversion of 
 the Jailor, and attempted to look to God, in an 
 united manner, for a blessing, and had time to 
 read afterwards. We attended meeting. Mr. 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 35 
 
 Dana preached on a part of Rev. vii. : ' These 
 are they that have come out of great tribulation/ 
 &c. A solemn sermon. He observed that * the 
 righteous generally experience great trials ; not 
 that troubles prepare them for heaven ; but they 
 are sanctified to them to wean them from earth, 
 and purify their souls.' 
 
 " Afternoon. Text, ' The fear of the wicked 
 shall come upon him.' This he proved in various 
 ways. One fear is, that the Bible will prove 
 true. However they may try to banish the 
 thought by gay company and amusements, yet 
 they cannot get rid of it. The gay are the 
 wretched ; the serious only have cause for real 
 joy. How safe are those who are real Christians ; 
 seeking the glory of Grod ; longing to be made 
 holy ; thirsting for the waters of life ; mourning 
 for sin ! ! that I may be one of those ! 
 
 " 29^, Tuesday. How many favors we for- 
 get, and how little gratitude do we feel, when we 
 realize that we do receive great mercies ! I desire 
 to be deeply humbled under a sense of my insensi- 
 bility, when I am daily receiving numberless 
 favors. When I look back on my past life, what 
 do I discover but great provocations, and great 
 mercies ! ! thou gracious Parent, look down in 
 pity on me, thy guilty creature, and forgive my 
 sins of early childhood, and of riper years ! " 
 
Ob MEMOIR OP 
 
 The succeeding extracts are of various, but 
 uncertain dates : 
 
 "Sabbath. Mr. Abbott, of Beverly, preached. 
 Text, * If any man sin, we have an advocate with 
 the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.' He was 
 solemn and engaged, and, I thought, remarkably 
 clear. His prayer was uncommonly good. He 
 addressed convicted sinners. I hope and pray 
 that a blessing will follow his labors here. I 
 longed to have the house crowded, and all in 
 tears ; but the set time for a general revival of 
 religion among us, seems not to have come, as it 
 has in other places. ! for more engagedness 
 among Christians ! ! for a refreshing shower of 
 Divine influence on my own soul, that I may live 
 to more purpose ! " 
 
 " Heard that a little boy was drowned to-day. 
 Death meets us in every direction. 
 
 ' Our dying friends come o'er us like a cloud, 
 To damp our brainless ardors, and abate 
 The glare of life, which often blinds the wise. 
 For us they languish, and for us they die ; 
 And shall they languish, shall they die in vain ? ' 
 
 My mind has been solemn and serene to-day ; felt 
 desirous to live above the world." 
 
 " Mrs. H. died to-day, and Mrs. P.'s child is 
 very sick. We are spared to the close of another 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 37 
 
 week, while one of our kindred has passed the 
 gulf of death, and others appear to be hovering 
 over the brink of the grave. Pause, my soul, 
 and consider thy latter end. It may be near. 
 Time is but a moment compared to eternity ; and 
 yet, how we waste this inestimable jewel! I 
 desire to be up and doing, for there is no work, 
 nor knowledge, nor device in the grave, whither 
 we are hastening. " 
 
 These extracts, though written without the most 
 remote idea of publication, will show that she 
 scrutinized her own heart, and earnestly desired 
 to make a suitable improvement of the means of 
 grace and of all the providences of God. 
 
MEMOIR OP 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the 
 Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and 
 supplication for all saints." EPH. vi. 18. 
 
 THE earliest recollections of the children of this 
 honored mother, are those which relate to her 
 prayers and constant efforts for their salvation, 
 and that of her household, and, in fact, of all who 
 came within the sphere of her influence. Every 
 morning and evening it was her uniform practice 
 to retire with them for reading the Scriptures 
 and prayer ; nor can they ever forget the solemnity 
 and fervor with which she made known her re- 
 quests to God. 
 
 She laid hold of the covenant in their behalf, 
 believing that her prayers would be answered, and 
 they be made the subjects of renewing grace, 
 while with diligence she labored to persuade them 
 to choose that good part which could not be taken 
 away. 
 
 After the death of her father in 1814, she 
 seemed to catch his falling mantle, and to give 
 herself to prayer with increased earnestness. She 
 joined a female praying circle, and, in succeeding 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 39 
 
 years, aided in establishing and sustaining others, 
 from which she was never absent, unless provi- 
 dentially detained. 
 
 The benevolence of her heart prompted her to 
 be much in intercession for others. Nor did she 
 content herself with an occasional petition for 
 them ; she persevered in prayer in their behalf. 
 
 For more than twenty years before her decease, 
 she devoted a part of every Friday morning to special 
 prayer for Christian friends and their families, and 
 many other individuals, for whose salvation she had 
 strong desires. She has left a list of nearly one 
 hundred persons who were the subjects of these 
 prayers. This plan was first suggested by reading 
 in the life of a Methodist lady, (Mrs. Fletcher, I 
 believe,) that many persons of that denomination 
 kept every Friday as a season of fasting and prayer. 
 Ever after, she adopted a similar practice ; and 
 many were the instances of hopeful conversion 
 among those for whom she thus prayed. 
 
 Her prayerful life was also an active one. She 
 was always ready for every good word and work ; 
 never deferring to " a more convenient season" 
 any plan of usefulness which she had in contem- 
 plation. To labor for the benefit of souls was her 
 chief delight, and having a peculiar tact for 
 religious conversation, she seldom was in the com- 
 pany of any ersons, even for a short time, with- 
 
40 MEMOIH OF 
 
 out speaking to them, cither directly or indirectly, 
 concerning their spiritual interests, and the neces- 
 sity of securing a part in the blessings of the 
 gospel ; and as she always considered courtesy as 
 one of the Christian virtues, she seldom, or never, 
 gave offence. 
 
 Did a young friend overtake her on her way to 
 the house of Grod, the opportunity was improved 
 to urge her to choose the "good part." One 
 such instance is remembered, where the exhorta- 
 tion was fastened by the Holy Spirit in the mind, 
 and resulted in the hopeful conversion of her 
 friend. Did a friend or stranger call upon her, 
 she had a word or a tract to give, or a book to 
 lend. When visiting the poor or sick, she would 
 pray with them, and point them to the Saviour of 
 sinners. When she travelled in the stage coach, 
 she watched for an opportunity of doing good 
 there, and faithfully improved it ; and when she 
 stopped at an inn, the same object was kept in 
 view, and a few tracts were left with the hope of 
 usefulness. These were the every day results of 
 her piety. 
 
 " In the tender mercy of our God," says Ham- 
 ilton, " there are distributed through the church, 
 and consequently through the world, many who, 
 in beneficence, flourish like the palm. * To do 
 good and to communicate,' they never forget. 
 

 They cannot avoid it. It is now spontaneous with 
 them, for God gave them the disposition when he 
 gave them their new nature. Like a cool shadow 
 in a scorching day, their counsel revives the per- 
 plexed, and their sympathy soothes the sad." 
 The subject of this memoir was one of these. 
 She shared the joys and sorrows of others, so far 
 as she knew them, and always welcomed to her 
 house any who needed her counsel, without think- 
 ing of any inconvenience to herself. Anxious 
 inquirers resorted to her frequently, whom she 
 directed to the " Lamb of God," earnestly ex- 
 horting them to make sure work of conversion, 
 and build their hopes for eternity on the only safo 
 foundation. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM HER JOURNAL. 
 
 "Nov. 2d, 1819, Tuesday. I went with 
 Mrs. P. and Miss B. to visit the colored people. 
 They received us kindly. We gave them some 
 tracts, and spoke to them upon the importance of 
 their attending to religion. We found three who 
 hope they are Christians. 
 
 " 19^, Friday. No company except . 
 
 I found her, as I do often, cold as to spiritual 
 things, though she seems to have very clear ideas 
 
 of the truth, and likes good books ; but I wish 
 4* 
 
42 MEMOIR OF 
 
 she felt more for the salvation of souls. I desiro 
 to commend her to God. 
 
 "20th, Saturday. NTS. P. called. She 
 was distressed about her daughter, who was going 
 to a party in the evening. I wonder not at her 
 being in trouble. It is melancholy to have people 
 so wicked. We may expect the judgments of 
 heaven if we encroach on the Sabbath. Lord, be 
 pleased to open their eyes, and show them their 
 guilt and danger before it is too late. 
 
 " Dec. 2d, Thanksgiving Day. Text, ' In 
 everything give thanks.' How many mercies 
 have I to record during the past year ! My health 
 has been improved, after great weakness ; a great 
 burden removed, under which I was ready to 
 sink ; and I trust I have received an answer to 
 the requests I have been offering for twenty years. 
 But where shall I begin or end the record of all 
 the blessings bestowed ? 
 
 " 19*A, Sabbath. I awoke with no deep 
 sense of the importance of keeping this day holy ; 
 my thoughts were scattered ; but, after breakfast, 
 felt more life ; had some liberty in pleading for 
 the souls of sinners, and for a blessing on minis- 
 ters and people. Though not well enough to go 
 out, the morning went off rapidly. Mr. Dana 
 expounded upon the disciples showing Christ the 
 the temple. Afternoon text, ' I will not let thee 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 43 
 
 go, except thou bless me/ Subject the im- 
 portance of importunate, persevering prayer ; our 
 lifeless manner of asking is one reason why we do 
 not obtain more frequent answers to prayer. Read 
 Watson's Body of Divinity. 
 
 " 30^, Thursday. B. H. called. She was 
 much distressed, fearing she had committed the 
 unpardonable sin. I tried to comfort her. 
 
 11 Jan. 23d, 1820, Sabbath. Though I am 
 oppressed for breath, have had a better day than I 
 expected. Read the Bible, and ' Practical Piety/ 
 That part designed for a sick person, was quite 
 reviving to me. I want to feel more entirely 
 resigned under this rod, and every other, which is 
 laid upon me. The trial of having some good 
 people think hard of me for speaking too freely, 
 has caused me some uneasiness. Hope I shall be 
 suitably humbled under it. I desire to look above 
 second causes, and see how richly I deserve this 
 chastisement from God. I think I was to blame 
 for speaking so freely ; but I hope I intended no 
 harm, but rather benefit. I must watch and pray 
 more against this easily besetting sin of speaking 
 too much of others. The Lord can bring good 
 out of evil, and I hope he will overrule this event, 
 for his glory and my benefit. Lord, make me 
 willing to bear any cross thou shalt, in thy wis- 
 dom, see best to lay upon me ! 
 
44 MEMOIR OF 
 
 . I am greatly desirous of the salva- 
 tion of my dear son. I may say, he has been a 
 son of many prayers ; and I do trust he will be 
 renewed and sanctified in God's own time. 
 
 "Feb. 16^, Wednesday. A day of fasting 
 and prayer for the out-pouring of the Spirit. 
 Eight ministers and churches united in it. It was 
 a solemn and interesting season. In the morning, 
 Mr. Giles preached in his own church, where all 
 assembled. In the afternoon, Mr. Withington 
 preached in ours ; and, though the walking was 
 very wet, yet the houses were filled, and the exer- 
 cises very appropriate, as I am told. I was 
 unable to go out, but enjoyed the day at home. 
 
 11 March \th. Heard that the good work in 
 By field, which commenced some weeks since, 
 increases, and that there are favorable appear- 
 ances in the lower part of Newbury. ! if 
 these poor, hardened people should be visited with 
 salvation, what a great mercy it would be ! Some 
 efforts have often been made for them, without any 
 lasting benefit ; but now, when the breath from 
 the four winds has come, the stout-hearted begin 
 to tremble. 
 
 " April 8th, Communion Sabbath. Not well 
 enough to go out. Read Henry's Commentary, 
 and Watson's Divinity. I am not weary of Sab- 
 bath work ; but as I am weak, my frame grows 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 45 
 
 tired. There is a ' rest for the people of God,' 
 where we shall never faint, nor grow weary. May 
 I be daily preparing for it. 
 
 " May. Had a letter from an absent relative. 
 He hopes his heart is changed. What a mercy if 
 it is ! Lord, preserve him from every temptation ! 
 I have reason for gratitude that I am so well, 
 though I fear to go out yet. If the Lord continues 
 his blessing, I hope to get out soon ; but I am 
 willing to wait his time, knowing it is the best 
 time for all things. 
 
 11 May Uth, Sabbath. After having been 
 confined by sickness for some time, I was enabled 
 once more to present myself in the house of God. 
 It seemed almost as though I had come back from 
 the unseen world. I felt the solemnity of my 
 situation. Though weak, I heard more than I 
 have for months, if not a year, or more. Mr. 
 Dana preached upon prayer, and urged the duty 
 on Christians, and spoke to the young and to 
 mourners very solemnly. Evening, read * Zion's 
 Pilgrim.' 
 
 " 19*A, Saturday. Received a letter and a 
 present from a friend. How thankful I ought to 
 be to her, but, above all, to him who put it into 
 her heart to supply my outward wants. ! how 
 good and gracious art thou, my Heavenly Father ! 
 
46 MEMOIR OP 
 
 Draw outMny heart in love and gratitude to thee. 
 Let my future life be consecrated to thy service. 
 
 " June 3d, Saturday. Heard that I. C. was 
 dead. May this solemn event be sanctified to his 
 father, and friends, and all. I am now brought 
 to the close of another week, in better health 
 than I have had of late. My mind has been dis- 
 tressed respecting a new event in the family ; but 
 I desire to look to the Lord for help and direc- 
 tion. I have passed through many stormy scenes, 
 but the Lord has sustained me ; and though at 
 times things look dark to sense, yet faith looks 
 through the cloud. That God, who has been with 
 us in six troubles, will not, I believe, forsake us 
 in seven." 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 47 
 
 CHAPTER V; 
 
 "Pray for thejpeace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love 
 thee." PB. cxxii. 6. 
 
 THAT this lamented mother earnestly desired 
 the extension of the kingdom of Christ in the 
 world, the preceding pages prove. Hers was a 
 spirit of enlarged Christian philanthropy, and it 
 influenced her daily life. A friend, who saw her 
 frequently in the course of thirty years, "could 
 never recollect a single instance, in which the 
 cause of Christ did not seem paramount to every 
 other in her view, and was not, more or less, the 
 subject of conversation and deep interest." 
 
 For a revival of religion she uniformly prayed 
 and labored, and always found time for this pur- 
 pose, amidst her domestic duties. When the 
 blessing descended, she was filled with gratitude, 
 and faithfully improved the opportunity, which 
 general seriousness afforded, to press the claims of 
 religion upon her friends and others ; and as her 
 judgment and experience were great, she was 
 always a valuable assistant to the ministry in the 
 work of winning souls to Christ. Nor did her 
 
48 MEMOIR OP 
 
 zeal and activity decline, as is too often the case, 
 when the revival seemed to have ceased. There 
 was nothing spasmodic about her piety, or her 
 zeal ; but to labor for Christ was the great busi- 
 ness of her life. 
 
 In her conduct during the existence of apparent 
 revivals, and her feelings concerning the errors in 
 management, which have sometimes, perhaps too 
 often, marred their beauty and efficiency, she was 
 greatly influenced by the following circumstance. 
 
 During the years 1800 and 1801, there was a 
 very extensive work of grace in Newburyport. 
 The Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon the 
 churches; multitudes were awakened; and it 
 resulted in the " turning of many to the wisdom 
 of the just; " their subsequent lives proving them 
 to have been truly " born of the Spirit." In the 
 opinion of competent judges, it was the most ex- 
 tensive revival that has been enjoyed in Newbury- 
 port for the last half century. But, unquestion- 
 ably, there was much of mere animal excitement, 
 and something for Christians to regret in many of 
 the services. During the early part of this 
 revival, she was confined at home by slight indis- 
 position, but heard much, from opposers of the 
 work, of the confusion which prevailed in some of 
 the meetings. The first time she attended, after a 
 serious and excellent sermon, a young layman was 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 49 
 
 invited to lead in prayer. His apparent irreve- 
 rence disgusted her, and, mistaking the hour of 
 nine for ten, she left the house with her husband, 
 and expressed her disapprobation to him in strong 
 terms. The next day, however, she felt herself 
 rebuked in the following manner. Taking up the 
 life of Col. James Gardiner, she read, that 
 ' ' wherever he sa^w any hopeful appearances of a 
 revival of religion, he disregarded "the errors, and 
 did all in his power to promote the good work." 
 At once she resolved to imitate his example, and 
 ever after followed it ; not sanctioning what was 
 wrong, but not keeping herself aloof and remain- 
 ing inactive because of it. 
 
 The following;extract from her extensive corres- 
 pondence, was written during a period of unusual 
 seriousness in Newburyport. 
 
 To Mrs. M. C., of D. 
 
 " Kewburyport, July 30, 1822. 
 
 "MY DEAR MRS. 0., 
 
 " I will devote a few minutes this evening to 
 writing you ; and will state a few particulars re- 
 specting the good work which has been going on 
 among us of late. The operations of the Holy 
 Spirit are very silent, but discernible in their 
 effects. For many months a small cloud has been 
 rising, and distilling in precious mercy-drops. 
 5 
 
50 Mr \IOIR OF 
 
 Some Christians are awake, others still slumber. 
 Our meetings for prayer have been increased. 
 Some small circles of this kind have been much 
 blessed. For instance, a few females have met, one 
 evening in the week, to pray for five or six of their 
 unconverted friends. Two such circles have been 
 formed in our church, of the young members; 
 and there have been some answers to their prayers. 
 Every Sabbath evening there are prayer meetings 
 in Mr. Dimmick's church, and in our chapel. 
 The ministers attend, the brethren assisting in the 
 exercises. Mr. Williams has an inquiry meeting 
 every Tuesday evening. From twenty to thirty 
 attend it. From fifty to eighty have attended Mr. 
 Dimmick'-s. The work has been, principally, in 
 his society ; but now it has extended to the others. 
 The subjects of the work are, generally, the 
 young ; but there are several instances of middle 
 aged persons. There are three young ladies in 
 this neighborhood who eeem to be in a hopeful 
 
 state. is more thoughtful of late. I find 
 
 she reads the Bible with Henry's Commentary. 
 She has a hearing ear, and likes tho closest ser- 
 mons the best. 
 
 " Mr. Williams is much engaged, and feels en- 
 couraged at the present prospect. He is a bold 
 defender of the faith ; and, in this day of error, 
 we ought to love such men. 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 51 
 
 On the whole, respecting the good work here, I 
 speak with caution ; and yet I must say, that the 
 Spiritr of God is among us, awakening the atten- 
 tion of many, quickening Christians, and impel- 
 ling them to make great exertions for others ; and 
 yet, they are not half enough aroused. ! if 
 we all felt the worth of souls, how we should 
 exert every power and talent in the cause of 
 Christ ! 
 
 " Mr. Williams has proposed to the church, to 
 appoint a committee of the brethren to visit those 
 parents who have given up their children in bap- 
 tism, to converse with them and their children upon 
 the nature of their obligations, and to urge their 
 duty upon them. I feel glad that these means 
 have been resorted to ; but, after all, God must 
 bless these efforts, or they will be in vain. Duty 
 is ours ; events are God's. It is high time for us 
 all to awake out of sleep, as error is making such 
 inroads upon us. And yet, it becomes those who 
 trust they hold the truth, to be very humble and 
 circumspect, for we know not how far we are to 
 be tried. Your affectionate aunt, 
 
 J. G." 
 
 She possessed a zealous missionary spirit. Be- 
 fore the organization of the American Board of 
 Commissioners for Foreign Missions, she became 
 
52 MEMOIR OF 
 
 deeply interested in the spread of the gospel 
 among heathen nations, and that interest never 
 suffered the least abatement to the day of her 
 death. For all the other benevolent enterprises of 
 the day, also, she had a warm regard, and took an 
 active part in promoting them. Her means were 
 small, and often precarious ; but she never failed 
 to cast her mite into the treasury of the Lord at 
 the proper season. 
 
 There was one object in which she was specially 
 and deeply interested till her death. This was 
 the spiritual improvement of the people living on 
 the " Isles of Shoals/' a cluster of islands in the 
 ocean, lying within the bounds of New Hamp- 
 shire, about twenty miles from Newburyport. 
 For the last thirty years of her life, she cordially 
 co-operated with those who sustained a mission 
 there ; and after she had entered upon her seven- 
 tieth year, the principal care of providing minis- 
 ters and teachers, and of raising funds for their 
 support, was voluntarily assumed by herself,* until 
 her growing infirmities obliged her to reliquish it. 
 A few weeks before her decease, she proposed send- 
 ing them some papers and tracts. 
 
 In securing funds for this mission, she ventured 
 out in faith, without any certainty how or where 
 
 * See Appendix, No. 2. 
 
MRS. JANE GilEENLEAF. 53 
 
 the full amount would be obtained. In her 
 journal, she often mentions receiving a few dollars 
 for " the Shoals " as a providential favor. 
 
 At one time, she needed five dollars to make 
 up the sum due the teacher in a few days. While 
 conversing with a friend, Kev. Dr. Dimmiek 
 brought in that amount from an unknown donor. 
 As she received it, she turned to her friend, say- 
 ing, " I knew I should get it." 
 
 These people were constantly remembered in 
 her prayers, especially on Fridays ; and much did 
 she rejoice when any report of their improvement 
 reached her ears. 
 
 In a recent visit to these islands, the writer 
 found her mother's " labors of love " for them 
 gratefully remembered \ and evidence was ap- 
 parent that much good had resulted from the 
 establishment of this mission. The news of her 
 decease, she was told, had caused much mourning 
 among the inhabitants. She herself was kindly 
 received for her mother's sake, one of them sayw 
 ing, as he rowed her to Gosport, "I cannot do 
 too much for you." May they be led to love and 
 serve that Saviour who was " all in all " to their 
 benefactress ! 
 
 The following letter,- to a friend in affliction, 
 will show how active were the sympathies of her 
 heart, and how much engaged for others. 
 5* 
 
54 MEMOIR OP 
 
 " Newburyport, March 26, 1823. 
 "MY DEAR MRS. C., 
 
 " Ever since I heard of the mingled cup of mercy 
 and affliction, which you have been called to 
 drink, my thoughts have often been with you. I 
 hope the trial will draw you very near to your 
 heavenly Father. Those crosses which have this 
 effect, we must number among our richest blessings, 
 however sharp and distressing they may be while 
 we are enduring them. 
 
 " I have felt deeply interested in the state of the 
 dear little child. My first desire has been, that 
 his precious soul may be washed in the Redeemer's 
 blood, and that he may live and be a bright ex- 
 ample of real piety. We see, in the sufferings of 
 these little ones, the infinite evil of sin. 
 
 "We find, by daily experience, that this is only 
 a state of trial ; and yet, alas ! how slow of heart 
 are we in learning this lesson ! We are expect- 
 ing rest here, instead of pressing forward, and 
 endeavoring to live above the world. 
 
 " From what I hear, I think you have been en- 
 abled to exercise real submission under this sharp 
 rod. I hope you will come out of the furnace 
 purified as silver seven times refined. 
 
 "I have often felt that so much worldly pros- 
 perity as you have been indulged with for many 
 years, was dangerous, and I have trembled for 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 55 
 
 you, for the Christian needs affliction. As to my- 
 self, I find I need constant discipline to keep me 
 low, ' for pride is apt to rise and swell.' I sin- 
 cerely wish you Divine support under this recent 
 trial, and every other that Infinite Wisdom shall 
 allot you. I hope you will enjoy much of your 
 Saviour's presence, and press forward with new 
 zeal, and soon have the satisfaction of seeing the 
 work of the Lord prospering around you. I trust 
 the revival in Boston will reach your church. 
 
 " May you have the satisfaction of seeing your 
 dear children, as they rise up into life, becoming 
 truly pious ! May they be ornaments to the 
 church, and useful members of society ! 
 
 " The accounts of revivals of religion in different 
 parts of our land, are very cheering. I wish I 
 could tell you that a great revival of religion had 
 commenced here ; but I cannot. And yet there 
 is * a still small voice ? among us. In the North 
 Society many are asking the way to Zion, and 
 about twenty are rejoicing in hope, and several, in 
 our society and in different parts of the town, are 
 awakened. Many Christians are aroused to 
 greater faithfulness. Our meetings are crowded 
 and solemn. Mr. Williams is much engaged. 
 His sermons are very clear and solemn. I hope a 
 brighter day is dawning. Seven little boys are so 
 much impressed with serious things, as to meet by 
 
56 MEMOIK OF 
 
 themselves for prayer, one evening in the week. 
 Some aged people are alarmed. Do pray for us ; 
 we need prayer, for the multitude are going the 
 downward road. 
 
 " Your kind offer of sending some tracts from 
 your society, will be gratefully accepted. A 
 large field of usefulness for them opens, but I 
 wish not to intrude. 
 
 " Accept much love from 
 " Your affectionate aunt, 
 
 j. a. j> 
 
 The following is a record of " a walk of use- 
 fulness : " 
 
 11 October 9th, 1823. At 2 o'clock, in the 
 afternoon, set out with Mrs. M. T. to call at some 
 houses in the lower part of the town, to inquire 
 for any families who were destitute of Bibles, and 
 unable to purchase them. We made nine calls ; 
 saw some Christian friends, and had pleasant inter- 
 views with them. We were treated with kindness 
 by all we visited. . Conversed with two females, 
 who indulged in the habit of intemperance. We 
 said much to them upon the importance of their 
 immediate repentance and reformation. We en- 
 deavored to persuade them to forsake their sins, 
 and fly to the arms of mercy. One of them shed 
 many tears, and said it seemed to her, that the 
 
* 
 
 NIVERSIT 
 
 MRS. JANE GREEN^EAF. 57 
 
 more trouble she had, the more hafdened she 
 grew. We left a tract with her, and walked on 
 to see the other woman, who is far advanced in 
 years, and has almost lost her sight, and seemed 
 rather insensible ; but she shewed us her Bible 
 and hymn 'book, and said her husband read to 
 her. She seemed desirous to have some tracts ; 
 we left her a few. * The advantages of Drunken- 
 ness ' was one, hoping it may be blessed for her 
 everlasting benefit. 
 
 " One Christian friend, on whom we called, had 
 been in great outward trouble, and it seemed as 
 though she had derived much spiritual benefit 
 from her afflictions. She lamented the low state 
 of religion around her. She said she looked for- 
 ward to the Sabbath with increased satisfaction, as 
 she could not now enjoy the privilege of meetings 
 during the week, as they were given up in that 
 neighborhood. Our time failed us, or we should 
 have gone to many more places ; but hope to go 
 again before* winter." 
 
 To Miss M. H. A., of Andover. 
 
 " Newburyport, Jan. 6, 1824. 
 " MY DEAR MlSS A., 
 
 1 1 1 am much interested in the solemnity begun 
 in the South Parish in A. Hope it will result in a 
 powerful revival of religion, and extend to your 
 
58 .101K OF 
 
 parish, and to all the towns around. We have 
 been in a very cold state for a long time. I can- 
 not but hope some Christians feel more engaged- 
 ness in prayer, and are beginning to do something 
 for the salvation of perishing sinners around us ; 
 but alas ! alas ! we are all too cold, too indifferent 
 in a cause so glorious. 
 
 " I have been reading Henry Martyn's Life, 
 which has excited some new desires in my cold 
 heart, to try to be more faithful in warning sin- 
 ners of their danger, and endeavoring to let my 
 light shine more ; for, if I am what I profess to 
 be, I ought to feel that I am as * a city set on a 
 hill, which cannot be hid.' 
 
 " I have to mourn over my declension and 
 deadness ; but let us, my dear, arise, and plead 
 with God, that he will revive his work every- 
 where. 
 
 " I hope your night of darkness is passing away, 
 and that the Sun of righteousness will arise with 
 healing in his wings. 
 
 " Although all our churches are in a low state, 
 we have had one instance of hopeful conversion in 
 our society recently. The person referred to is 
 an aged man, who, I am told, appears well. We 
 must not be discouraged respecting any of our 
 aged friends, but pray for them more fervently. 
 I see before me an aged husband, * dead in tres_ 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 59 
 
 passes and sins,' and, at times, almost despair of 
 his salvation ; but anon, I begin to hope in the 
 mercy and grace of God for him. Will you pray 
 for him, and for my dear son, who is now with us ? 
 He is outwardly moral, and his principles very 
 sound ; but ! his heart remains shut against the 
 precious Saviour. 
 
 " Accept much love from your friend, 
 
 J. G." 
 
 To Mrs. M. C., of D., while on a visit to 
 England. 
 
 " Newburyport, Feb. 26, 1826. 
 
 44 MY DEAR MRS. C., 
 
 " I hope and trust that, before this time, you 
 are all safely landed in London, or near that city. 
 As Mr. C. has so long been planning and wishing 
 to visit his friends across the Atlantic, I have con- 
 sidered it a very favorable time for you to go, and 
 I trust you will be preserved, and prospered, and 
 returned in due season, and meet your dear chil- 
 dren and friends in peace. 
 
 " Perhaps we never realize our dependence so 
 much as when on a journey or voyage. We then 
 See whose hand guides our every movement. ! 
 what protecting power and mercy we experience 
 in every vicissitude ! And though our distrustful 
 hearts often anticipate much distress, which never 
 
60 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 overtakes us, yet, alas ! how prone are we to 
 ' borrow trouble ! ' Thus far, your dear chil- 
 dren have been wonderfully preserved, and 
 I hope you will have great cause for grati- 
 tude when you meet, and look over the way in 
 which the Lord has led you all during your sepa- 
 ration. 
 
 " Some of our dear friends have left us recently. 
 Aunt B. was called very suddenly, without pre- 
 vious illness, though I think she has been failing 
 for years. Uncle feels his loss, and says he shall 
 soon follow her. 
 
 "In about two weeks after, Aunt C. was taken 
 with a lung fever, and died in a few days. Her 
 loss is great to the cause of Zion, and indeed to 
 the world. At her decease, I had thirty dollars 
 of hers in my hands for the Domestic Missionary 
 Society. Let us hope and pray that her mantle 
 may rest on my dear uncle. He is much softened, 
 and feels this stroke sensibly. I hope you will 
 pray much for him. He seems to be pleased with 
 hearing of aunt's alms-deeds. The poor have 
 lost a friend indeed. Our hands are weakened as 
 a church. First, Lydia Titcomb was removed, 
 who had been, of late years, very much en- 
 gaged in religion. Now aunt C., who was always 
 ready to give for every good cause. But God 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 61 
 
 can raise up others to stand in the gap, and to 
 make up the hedge. 
 
 " Your people are sending up many prayers for 
 you. A few weeks since, the female members 
 of your church held a fast on your account, to 
 pray for a blessing to attend you. What greater 
 expression of their real friendship could you wish 
 or desire ? Mr. C. has the satisfaction of having 
 a most affectionate people, to feel for him and you, 
 under your burdens. ! I hope you will be per- 
 mitted to meet them again in peace and health, 
 and long enjoy their friendship. 
 
 " When we see such answers to fervent prayer, 
 how strange it is that we are so apt to grow 
 cold and formal in this duty ! ' Prayer ar- 
 dent opens Heaven.' Let us be more and more 
 excited to this pleasant duty. I am so often 
 prevented, by sickness, from meeting my Christian 
 friends, that the throne of grace is more endeared 
 to me of late years ; and yet I often feel mourn- 
 fully cold in this duty. 
 
 " We hear that Christians are more engaged 
 in Boston, and that some sinners have been 
 awakened. In Ipswich there is considerable at- 
 tention to religion. Also, in Mr. Parker's soci- 
 ety, in Deny, (N. H.) 
 
 11 As life is so short and uncertain, we may not 
 meet again here ; but I hope we shall, through 
 6 
 
62 MEMOIR OF f 
 
 boundless grace, meet in that world, where every 
 tear shall be wiped from our eyes. All I can 
 do for you and your dear children, is to pre- 
 sent you daily to the God of mercy and grace, 
 who can preserve and bless you. Do pray for us. 
 11 Your affectionate aunt, 
 
 J. G." 
 
MES. JANE GREBNLBAF. 63 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God, for Israel, 
 is, that they might he saved." KOM. x. 1. 
 
 IT has already been mentioned that the subject 
 of this memoir devoted Friday, of each week, to 
 special supplication for particular persons, of whom 
 she kept a list. Her interest, in their spiritual 
 welfare, led her, also, to address many individuals, 
 by letter, in order to press upon them the claims 
 of personal religion. Her correspondence, of this 
 kind, was constant and extensive. Frequently did 
 the midnight hour find her employed in this way. 
 That she was qualified for such a mode of useful- 
 ness, the following letters will show. That these 
 expressions of Christian love and solicitude were, 
 generally, acceptable and valued, is well attested. 
 
 Letter to T. (7., Esq., of Newluryport. 
 
 " Presuming on your goodness to forgive this 
 intrusion, I take my pen to address a few lines to 
 you, sir, upon the interesting subject of real re- 
 ligion. 
 
 " I venerated your father ; and I do not give up 
 
64 MEMOIR OF 
 
 the pleasing hope, which I have entertained for 
 many years, that you, his beloved son, may be- 
 come truly pious, and preach the everlasting gos- 
 pel to perishing sinners. 
 
 " Your father and mine, I doubt not, are now in 
 glory, among saints and angels, praising God and 
 the Lamb. They were made holy in time, and 
 prepared for that pure world, where no unholy 
 thing can enter. Let us be excited to follow their 
 steps, remembering that we must have a new prin- 
 ciple implanted in our souls here, or we should be 
 wretched in Heaven. 
 
 " What is this world, if we could possess the 
 whole of it, but * vanity and vexation of spirit ? ' 
 
 1 Our very wishes give us not our wish.' 
 
 Our souls were made to live for ever ; and, when 
 a few more days, or years, are gone, we must 
 enter on a vast Eternity. If we considered, daily, 
 that we act for Eternity, how would it influence 
 us to forsake every sin, and to * strive to enter 
 into the straight gate ! ' 
 
 "When I hear that Mr. C. attends this and that 
 lecture in the week, I begin to think that your 
 dear father's prayers will be answered, and that 
 you are to be called into the sheepfold of Christ. 
 What a shining Christian you may yet make ! 
 Let me entreat you to engage on the Lord's side 
 
MRS. JANE GllEENLEAF. 65 
 
 with all your heart ; read the Bible, and pray ; 
 attend the most lively means of grace ; ask for the 
 teachings of the Holy Spirit ; forsake every sin, 
 and soon you may find * the pearl of great price.' 
 How honorable will it be to tread in the steps of 
 your departed father, by devoting your talents to 
 the glory of Grod ! But we must forsake every 
 sin, and every idol, if we would obtain that rest, 
 which is prepared only for those who are * pure 
 in heart.' We must flee from every temptation, 
 and set out, as Bunyan's pilgrim did, from the 
 city of destruction, and resolve that we will not 
 turn back. If we are ever tempted to think 
 lightly of sin, let us look to the cross of Christ, 
 there we may learn its infinite evil. But, per- 
 haps, Mr. C. thinks that to pass through this 
 mighty change of heart, of which I have been 
 writing, is not essential to salvation. Let us, 
 however, look into the Word of truth, and see 
 how it is represented there. It is called ' being 
 born again/ 'made a new creature,' 'pass- 
 ing from death unto life,' 'being born of the 
 spirit.' If your father were now on earth, I be- 
 lieve he would explode this new divinity, which is 
 termed liberality of sentiment. I sat under his 
 ministry for several years, and expect to give an 
 account hereafter of the improvement I made of 
 his faithful preaching. He used often to close his 
 6* 
 
66 MEMOIR OF 
 
 sermons in this way : * I have set life and death 
 before you ; choose you this day whom you will 
 serve.' 
 
 " For many years I have had a great desire for 
 your real conversion, and I could not resist the 
 impulse I have felt to take this method of address- 
 ing you on this great subject. When I think of 
 the worth of one immortal soul, I am willing to 
 lay aside all ceremony, and to be called a fanatic, 
 if I may be the humble instrument of awakening 
 any to seek for ' the pearl of great price.' Sepa- 
 rate from our future happiness, c virtue carries its 
 own reward with it.' To * fear God and keep 
 his commandments is the whole duty of man.' 
 The true penitent is the only happy man. 
 
 " I know that the spirit of God only can convince 
 us of the importance of eternal realities ; but we 
 are free agents, and are commanded to seek for 
 wisdom * as for silver, and search for it as for hid 
 treasure.' Our Saviour says, ' Ask, and you 
 shall receive ; seek, and ye shall find ; ' but our 
 misery is that we will not leave this vain, dying 
 world, for joys that will last for ever. 
 " Your friend, 
 
 J. G." 
 
 The following letter was addressed to a young 
 man who had contracted intemperate habits : 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 67 
 
 " You will, I presume, excuse the liberty I arn 
 now taking of addressing you in this way, when I 
 tell you that the purest motives of friendship lead 
 nie to undertake a duty really self-denying. Your 
 best interest lies near my heart ; and it is with 
 reluctance that I am willing to give heed to the 
 
 report in circulation, that Mr. is giving in to 
 
 the fatal habit of intemperance. I hope you will, 
 immediately, see your danger, and take a firm 
 stand against this most pernicious vice. It is the 
 more destructive, as I believe those, who are 
 caught in the snare, are drawn on insensibly. 
 They little think how soon this habit may be fixed, 
 ere they are aware of their danger ; and, from my 
 observation, no vice has so direct a tendency to 
 deaden the conscience, and shut out the soul from 
 serious reflection. Indeed, when persons first be- 
 gin to go this downward road, they have, at times, 
 bitter remorse, and pungent distress ; and, to get 
 rid of their remorse, they often repair to the fatal 
 expedient of drowning their sorrows by another 
 glass. ! my friend ; if you have begun to take 
 one step in this downward road, let me urge you 
 to stop, and consider your ways, before you are 
 totally undone. The grand enemy of souls is, at 
 this day, I believe, trying to ruin many of our 
 promising youth in this way. The warnings to 
 those, who are beginning to walk this awful road, 
 
68 MEMOIR OF 
 
 have been repeated and most solemn, during the 
 past season ; and, if our hearts were not adamant, 
 we must feel them. God will come out in ven- 
 geance if we do not repent and forsake our sins. 
 I feel for you, and for every one who has got into 
 this fatal snare \ but as I trust you have just 
 begun, I do entreat you to stop before you are 
 lost for ever. Think of your reputation, your 
 property, but, above all, of your immortal soul, 
 which is of more value than a thousand worlds. 
 How dreadful the thought of meeting your Judge 
 unprepared ; and if this course is persisted in, it 
 will, most assuredly, land you in that world of 
 woe, where no ray of hope will ever dawn. But 
 I hope better things of you, though I thus speak. 
 
 I cannot bear the thought that any of Mrs. 's 
 
 children should be lost. How many prayers have 
 been offered up for you ! How would your dear 
 mother weep over you, could she return back to 
 this world of sin and sorrow ! If you perish, your 
 doom will be dreadful, after such instruction. The 
 blessed Redeemer stands ready to receive you, and 
 every returning, repenting sinner ; but the door of 
 mercy will soon be shut. God's patience will not 
 last always ; the day of grace will be quickly past, 
 and then, if you begin to seek for mercy, it will 
 be in vain. You have now a space given you for 
 repentance. Let me entreat you to turn from 
 
MBS. JANE GREENLEAF. 69 
 
 your sins, and live for ever. I do most seriously 
 advise you to leave all companions who are a 
 temptation to you ; dash the tempting glass from 
 you ; determine not to be enslaved by a vice so 
 pernicious, (may I not add ?) so disgraceful. 
 Little do sensible men realize how "they appear in 
 fits of intoxication. They often then seem like 
 the greatest fools. They are not only wretched 
 themselves, but they make their friends miserable 
 also. I heard a good woman say that, by taking 
 brandy for her health, she began to love it, and 
 she found that she and her family were in danger 
 of being ruined. She then banished all ardent 
 spirit from the house, took her Bible, read and 
 prayed, until she was enabled to overcome the 
 habit. 
 
 " A friend once sent for me, and told me she 
 felt as if she should die, unless she drank brandy 
 to excess, and she wanted my advice. I told her 
 it was a good cause to die in, and advised her to 
 die rather than taste of it. Now, my friend, I 
 wish you may be enabled to make the resolution, 
 and look to God for a blessing, and determine to 
 conquer, or die in the cause. I am serious. It 
 is a solemn matter. You will be ruined, if you 
 persist a little longer. You may be cut off sud- 
 denly, as your brother was. ! I do hope and 
 pray that you may be enabled to resist every temp- 
 
70 MEMOiH OF 
 
 tation, and become a new man. Take the Bible 
 for your guide ; forsake vain companions ; seet, 
 earnestly, that religion, which alone can make you 
 happy here and hereafter. 
 
 "I trust you will receive this advice as it is 
 intended, in love. If I know my own heart, I 
 desire your best interest. If I have said anything 
 to wound your feelings, I hope you will forgive 
 me. I meant not to hurt, but to try to save you. 
 I must now bid you, adieu. Perhaps we never 
 shall meet, till we appear before the bar of judg- 
 ment with the assembled universe. Then you 
 will not be able to say, I did not warn you of 
 your danger. But I hope we shall meet, and 
 spend an eternity together in celebrating redeem- 
 ing love. I think it not best to add my name, 
 but only 
 
 YOUK WELL-WISHER." 
 
 To Mr. J. C.j of Newluryport. 
 
 " , 1818. 
 
 " MY DEAR UNCLE, 
 
 "As I have long wanted to converse with 
 you alone upon the all-important subject of re- 
 ligion, and no opportunity has presented, I hope 
 you will excuse the liberty I am now taking of 
 communicating some of my thoughts in this way. 
 
 11 My dear father was greatly anxious respecting 
 

 you, during the last years of h&^lifS; ,and wished 
 to converse freely with you. Perhaps he did, after 
 he expressed his feelings to me. He once told 
 me he hoped you had experienced a real change of 
 heart. I believe he was much engaged in prayer 
 for you, and he seemed to give you up in faith, 
 trusting God would answer his petitions in his own 
 way and time. When I reflect upon the shortness 
 of time, and the worth of the soul, and the impor- 
 tance of improving the day of grace while it lasts, 
 for God says, * My spirit shall not always strive 
 with man/ I am astonished at my own stu- 
 pidity, and constrained to lay aside all ceremony, 
 and beg my friends to be up and doing, and not 
 rest easy while uncertain about their future state. 
 I know it is God only who can change our hearts ; 
 but he says, * For these things I will be inquired 
 of by the house of Israel to do it for them.' I 
 feel that It is a matter of great importance that 
 you and aunt K. should know to which class you 
 belong ; for Christ says, * He that gathereth not 
 with me scattereth abroad/ If you, my dear 
 uncle, are upon the Lord's side, I wish that your 
 evidences may be made clear, and that you may be 
 enabled to come to the Lord's table. I have felt 
 a great desire to have you attend the inquiry meet- 
 ing. I think, if you heard others converse upon 
 their experiences, your doubts might be cleared 
 
72 MEMOIR OF 
 
 up. As the weather is now growing warm, I 
 hope you will be v induced to go ; for God works 
 with means and by means, and this is a day when 
 the Spirit of God seems to be among us. My 
 father spent much time in retirement during the 
 last years of his life. I believe that secret prayer 
 has a direct tendency to draw us near to God. 
 My grandmother used to say that we must pray 
 for a heart to pray. 
 
 "When persons have been trained from their 
 youth in a religious manner, as you have been, 
 grace is oftentimes implanted in a silent manner, 
 and we perceive the change only by its effects. 
 Will you permit me to ask you a few questions by 
 way of trial? Have you been brought to see 
 yourself lost and undone, and that it would be 
 just in God to cast you off for ever ? Does sin 
 appear exceeding sinful as committed against a 
 holy God ? Have you been enabled to cast your 
 perishing soul at the feet of Jesus, resolving that 
 if you perish you will perish there ? Is it your 
 greatest desire to live to the glory of God ? Do 
 you love the house of God, and the people of 
 God ? Are not some passages of Scripture some- 
 times opened up to you in a clear manner ? I 
 hope you can appeal to the Searcher of hearts and 
 say, if your heart does not deceive you, you can 
 answer these questions in the affirmative. If you 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 73 
 
 cannot, my dear uncle, I sincerely hope you will 
 never rest easy till you do find that your peace is 
 made with Grod by faith in Jesus Christ. We all 
 have our various cares and trials ; but ' one thing 
 is needful.' It is our duty to take a prudent care 
 of the things of this world ; but our supreme con- 
 cern ought to be to live to the glory of Grod. 
 
 " When your beloved son and daughter were 
 taken away, you manifested such quietness that I 
 hoped it was real submission to God's will. I am 
 not willing you should go without assurance in 
 your declining years. I feel unworthy to speak 
 to you upon these great and important matters ; 
 but my desires are very earnest that you may 
 enjoy the real comforts of religion. As you see 
 my motive, I hope you will excuse the freedom I 
 have taken. 
 
 "I wish you would be willing to write me a few 
 lines, and let me know the state of your mind. 
 It would be a great relief to me to know that you 
 entertain a well grounded Rope that you have 
 passed from death unto life. It seems to me that 
 you and others are losing much comfort by keep- 
 ing your thoughts to yourselves. That is one 
 reason that I want you to attend the inquiry meet- 
 ing. It has been blessed to others ; it may be 
 blessed to you. These precious opportunities will 
 7 
 
74 
 
 OF 
 
 soon be over with us all. ! how important is it 
 that we should improve every means of grace, as 
 death may be near. 
 
 " Will you accept my best wishes for your 
 everlasting welfare ? 
 
 " Your friend and niece, 
 
 JANE GREENLEAF." 
 
 To Mrs. B. y of Newburyport. 
 
 "July 12, 1839. 
 
 " MY DEAR FRIEND, 
 
 4 ' I have intended for a long time to call and 
 see you; but want of health and a variety of 
 other things, have prevented me. Now, lest I 
 should not be able to call, I take the liberty to 
 send you a little tract, which, if you do not 
 already own it, you will accept and read often. I 
 consider young mothers as having a very weighty 
 charge to bring up their dear little children in the 
 right way ; for it is a true saying, ' Just as the 
 twig is bent, the tree's inclined.' 
 
 " I never thought I had any skill in training 
 my children ; but what was wanting in skill I de- 
 termined to make up, as far as possible, in strict- 
 ness. I used to be very strict with them on the 
 Sabbath. I knew if I neglected to instruct them 
 respecting keeping holy this sacred day, that as 
 
MKS. JA^E 6REENLEAF. 
 
 75 
 
 they grew up they would be likely to plunge into 
 every sin. I hope you and Mr. B. will be en- 
 abled to train up your dear children in the fear of 
 the Lord. Children need ' line upon line, and 
 precept upon precept,' for we are all inclined to 
 backslide from God. I hope you will be enabled 
 to pray with and for them. Dr. Buckminster 
 used fro remark that ' a family could not be gov- 
 erned without family prayer.' The souls of chil- 
 dren seem to be committed to the care of mothers. 
 
 " I have dwelt, my dear Mrs. B., upon your 
 responsibility as a parent, but my ardent desire is 
 to urge you and Mr. B. to give up yourselves 
 unreservedly to the service of God. Let me per- 
 suade you without any delay to resolve that, ' as 
 for you and your house, you will serve the Lord.' 
 * Here,' as Dr. Young says, * is solid rock ; all is 
 sea beside.' Everything is ready on God's part; 
 but we must come as beggars, and be in earnest. 
 ' Ask, and ye shall receive ; seek, and ye shall 
 find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.' 
 ' The kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence ; and 
 the violent take it by force.' 
 
 u I have always greatly desired the salvation of 
 all your family. I hope the time draws nigh when 
 you will all become the disciples of the meek and 
 lowly Saviour. 
 
76 MEMOIR OF 
 
 " When you can get a little leisure, do come 
 up and see us. I Lope you will receive this im- 
 perfect letter as a token of sincere regard from 
 " Your real friend, 
 
 JANE GREENLEAF." 
 
 Note to a Sick Neighbor. 
 
 "DEAR SlR, 
 
 " I sympathize with you in all your afflictions ; 
 and as I cannot see and converse with you, I take 
 the liberty to write a few lines, which I hope will 
 be kindly received. 
 
 " We are all sinners, and can have no hope of 
 being saved, except through Christ. I hope you 
 will be enabled to apply to him, and exercise true 
 repentance for all your sins. Let me urge you to 
 offer the prayer of the publican, ' God, be merci- 
 ful to me, a sinner ; ' and, without delay, seek 
 with all your heart an interest in the Saviour's 
 love. He waits to be gracious to the returning, 
 repenting sinner. Life is very uncertain with all 
 of us ; but in this life only can we prepare for 
 that eternity, to which we are all rapidly hasten- 
 ing. 
 
 " All I can do is to commend you to God, be- 
 seeching him to have mercy on you. I have a 
 sincere regard for you and your family, and hope 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. t I 
 
 you will all be prepared for that blessed world, 
 where sin can never enter, and where, of course, 
 there will be no sickness or sorrow. 
 '* Your friend, 
 
 J. G." 
 
 To Mrs. G. y of Cambridgeport. 
 
 " Newburyport, June 23, 1835. 
 " DEAR FRIEND, 
 
 " I have long intended writing a few lines to 
 you, and now I will delay no longer. I do not 
 forget my old acquaintance, if they forget me. 
 
 " Your cares must be many, and very pressing ; 
 but I most earnestly desire to hear that you have 
 become a real friend and follower of the meek and 
 lowly Saviour. I used to consider you as almost 
 a Christian, many years ago. You need help 
 from above to guide you in training up your dear 
 children in the nurture and admonition of the 
 Lord. I rejoice to find that you have a pious 
 companion to help you along under your burdens. 
 
 " If you have not good evidence that your heart 
 has been renewed and sanctified, let me entreat 
 you to begin in earnest to seek the salvation of 
 your soul. Everything is ready on God's part ; 
 but we must come as beggars, and take the offered 
 mercy. Christ says, 'Ask, and ye shall re- 
 ceive,' &c. And again, ' The kingdom of 
 7* 
 
78 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Heaveii suffereth violence, and the violent take it 
 by force.' This world is only a state of trial, 
 not of rest. Christians have peculiar trials ; but 
 they have at times a peace that the world cannot 
 give or take away. 
 
 " I want you, dear friend, to become decided. 
 It is a matter of the greatest importance. The 
 most of your family are now, we believe, real 
 Christians ; and why are you willing to stay be- 
 hind? Come, cast in your lot with them, and 
 devote your all to the glory of God. Pious 
 mothers can do great things for their dear chil- 
 dren. I think you would be a shining Christian, 
 if you had a good hope, through grace, that your 
 peace was made with God. 
 
 " You must excuse my freedom in writing to 
 you so freely. In years past, I used to talk with 
 you, and you always seemed to be willing to hear 
 what I had to say. You have passed through 
 many different scenes since, and so have I ; but 
 as we may never meet in this world, I feel con- 
 strained to address you in this way, as I consider 
 myself far on my journey to the world of spirits. 
 " Accept the best wishes of 
 " Your sincere friend, 
 
 JANE GREENLEAF." 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 79 
 
 In about four years after this letter was writ- 
 ten, the friend to whom it was addressed was 
 made a hopeful subject of renewing grace. 
 
 The letter which follows was written in answer 
 to one from the lady's sister, communicating the 
 pleasing intelligence. 
 
 " Newburyport, June 5, 1839. 
 " MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND, 
 
 " Your welcome and interesting letter reached 
 me safely last week; I thank you for it. It 
 rejoiced my heart to hear that your dear sister, 
 Mrs. Gr., had been enabled to accept of offered 
 mercy, after refusing the blessings of the gospel 
 so long. We see in her case the faithfulness of 
 God to his promise, " I will be a Grod to thee, 
 and thy seed after thee." Your dear departed 
 mother, no doubt, prayed in faith for the salvation 
 of her children, and her husband, and many 
 others. Her prayers have been answered in the 
 conversion of most of her family ; and I do hope 
 that her remaining children and grandchildren will 
 soon be numbered among the ransomed flock of 
 Jesus. I want you to give my love to your sister, 
 and tell her I hope she will be an active Christian, 
 and * let her light shine before others, that they, 
 seeing her good works, may glorify her Father 
 who is in Heaven.' We have no strength of our 
 
80 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 own ; Lut wo must loolc to Christ continually for 
 new strength to perform new duties. 
 
 "While she enjoys the comforts of religion, I 
 hope she will write to her brothers upon this im- 
 portant subject; she may be the instrument of 
 enlightening their minds. We must try to do our 
 duty, and then leave all events with God. Wo 
 all find that the Christian life is a warfare, but 
 there is a glorious prize in view. 
 
 " I hope the revival will continue to progress in 
 Brewer. I believe if Christians were more faith- 
 ful in urging sinners to repentance, we should 
 see greater things around us. A work of grace 
 has been going on here for many months. Many 
 have been wonderfully changed. Aged, hardened 
 sinners have been called out of darkness into 
 marvellous light. Of late, we find that only now 
 and then one is awakened and hopefully converted. 
 We ought to be very thankful for these displays 
 of God's grace, and that there seems to be a still 
 small voice amongst us. 
 
 " Accept the well wishes of 
 " Your friend, 
 
 JANE GREENLEAF." 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 81 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 "I lore the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my 
 supplication. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, 
 therefore will I call upon him as long as I live." 
 
 Ps. cxvi. 1, 2. 
 
 IN the spring of 1826, this prayerful mother 
 had the unspeakable joy of receiving an answer to 
 the petitions which, for more than twenty-eight 
 years, she had presented to the " hearer of 
 prayer " in behalf of her only son. Her faith 
 had been tried, but it had mot failed. Though 
 the blessing had tarried, she waited for it, not 
 slothfully, but with patience and perseverance. 
 
 He had been from home most of the time for 
 eight years previous to this event. During his 
 absence, his mother wrote to him frequently, and 
 in all her letters she urged him to attend to the 
 concerns of his soul. Late in the winter of 1826, 
 in writing to him, she quoted Prov. xxix. 1 ; "He 
 that being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, 
 shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without 
 remedy." The Holy Spirit accompanied the 
 Word ; and he immediatly began to seek the 
 Lord earnestly, attending the meetings for re- 
 
OZ MEMOIR OF 
 
 ligious inquiry, and all the other means of grace 
 within his reach. He did not, however, commu- 
 nicate his state of mind to his mother, until 
 several weeks after, when he hoped he had been 
 brought out of darkness into God's marvellous 
 light. 
 
 Never can the writer forget the evening when 
 his letter, announcing his hope that he had been 
 " born again," was received, with one from his 
 uncle expressing the same opinion. His mother 
 had been suffering through the day from severe 
 symptoms of fever, and hoped for an undisturbed 
 evening. But the joyful intelligence was soon 
 communicated to her, though preceded by art inti- 
 mation of the tenor of it, lest a sudden announce- 
 ment might be too much for her weak state. As 
 she listened to all that God in his mercy had done 
 for her son, her emotions of gratitude exceeded 
 her powers of utterance, and as she afterwards 
 said, " she felt as if she should die of joy " It 
 was the joy of a Christian parent, who realized 
 our lost condition by nature, and was thoroughly 
 persuaded of the great truth, that " Except a man 
 be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of 
 God; " and who could now say, " This, my son, 
 was dead, and is alive again ; and was lost, and is 
 found." 
 
 The next day was the Sabbath. Being some- 
 
MBS. JANE GREENLEAF. 83 
 
 what better, though still unable to sit up, she 
 spent it in pleading for the salvation of others ; 
 and in the evening mentioned so many for whom 
 she had offered supplication, that even to have 
 remembered their names might have been difficult, 
 had she not been so solicitous for their spiritual 
 welfare. This was her way of acknowledging 
 Jehovah's faithfulness and love ty testing it anew ; 
 like an old divine who said, " If the Lord will 
 grant me this favor I will not say, as beggars do, 
 I will never come again, but I will come the 
 more." 
 
 In the next letter from her son, he stated that 
 he had given up his hope, thinking he had been 
 deceived. This only renewed the earnestness of 
 her prayers, and led her to inquire if there had 
 not been something wrong in herself, in the man- 
 ner of her receiving the first intelligence. After 
 a few weeks of most distressing anxiety, the clouds 
 dispersed, and he rejoiced in God " with exceed- 
 ing joy-" 
 
 In a few months, after much consideration and 
 prayer, he gave up business, and commenced 
 studying for the ministry. His advanced age 
 rendered a collegiate course inexpedient ; but 
 after spending two years in the classical school, 
 and three in the Theological Seminary in Bangor, 
 
04 MEMOIR OP 
 
 (Me.,) he entered upon the duties of the gospel 
 ministry. 
 
 In reviewing the dealings of God with regard 
 to her son, she often spoke of his faithfulness, and 
 encouraged other parents to continue " instant in 
 prayer " for their children, reminding them that 
 " delays were not denials" It is worthy of 
 notice that the day on which he hoped he was 
 " born of the Spirit " was that which, in union 
 with another, she had devoted to special prayer 
 for him and another near relative, in which she 
 felt encouraged by the promise, "If two of you 
 shall agree on earth as touching any thing that 
 they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my 
 Father which is in heaven." " While they are 
 yet speaking I will hear." 
 
 Her maternal solicitude has been referred to 
 before. She taught her children obedience before 
 their recollection ; and while she was always mild 
 and affectionate in her government, she was at the 
 same time perfectly inflexible where duty to God 
 and fidelity to the souls of her children were con- 
 cerned. 
 
 On the Sabbath besides requiring them to 
 attend public worship constantly, she spent the 
 greater part of the day in reading to them from 
 the sacred Scriptures and decidedly evangelical 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 85 
 
 works, always closing with their repeating the 
 Assembly's Catechism. 
 
 Regarding the law of the Sabbath to be as 
 binding as any other precept of the Decalogue, 
 she required of all under her control a strict out- 
 ward observance of it. It was in vain to entreat 
 for greater liberty, and to plead the example of 
 those professed Christians, who allowed their 
 children to walk the streets on the Lord's day, 
 or to attend at places of worship where dangerous 
 error was taught ; or to frequent, at other times, 
 places of fashionable amusement. In no instance 
 would she yield, because she viewed the word of 
 God as furnishing her with an invariable rule in 
 these cases, and, therefore, as leaving her no dis- 
 cretionary power in relation to them. 
 
 Believing that the Sabbath commenced at sun- 
 set, and continued till sunset, she required it to 
 be thus observed. But she deemed it improper 
 to rush into worldly business and pleasure as soon 
 as the sun of the Sabbath had gone down ; and 
 consequently she did not allow of visiting or 
 labor on the succeeding evening. She often 
 quoted the remark of her grandmother, that 
 " Saturday evening was necessary for preparation, 
 and Sabbath evening for meditation." 
 
 The nature of those meditations in her case will 
 be seen from the following : 
 8 
 
86 MEMOIR OP 
 
 FROM HER JOURNAL. 
 
 " Sabbath Evening, Dec. 13th, 1829. Com- 
 munion. Though I have not wholly recovered 
 from a sprained limb, I went out. Mr. Proudfit 
 seemed to be much enlarged in the communion 
 service. I was delivered from anxious cares 
 which I feared would distress me. ! for 
 stronger faith that I may surmount every obstacle, 
 which hinders my advancement in the divine 
 life ! " 
 
 At another time, after some temporal deliver- 
 ance, she writes : 
 
 11 If I did not see remarkable mercy in these 
 things, I should be blind indeed. I hope I feel 
 some gratitude. How good is God to unworthy 
 me ! I lament my poor returns for such unde- 
 served favors. Lord, enable me to press forward 
 with new zeal this week. ! for grace to bear 
 up under trials so as to honor God! " 
 
 " Sabbath Evening. I hope I shall not be 
 left to live upon frames ; but of late I think I 
 have felt a little more quickening ; yet my bodily 
 complaints keep me low in spirits. I do hope I 
 desire that the rod may be sanctified rather than 
 removed. Lord, if thou hast any more work for 
 me to do, thou canst raise me up, and give me 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 87 
 
 strength to perform every duty cheerfully ; but I 
 ask for entire submission to thy blessed will in 
 all things." 
 
 Letter to Mrs. M. C., of D. 
 
 " Newbuiyport, March 24, 1829. 
 
 '* MY DEAR MRS. C., 
 
 " I bear you and your dear family much on my 
 mind every clay. I have learned by experience 
 to feel for those who are laboring under bodily 
 weakness and distresses. I believe you will regain 
 your health when the warm weather approaches. 
 
 ' ' I hope and trust this season of confinement 
 will be sanctified for your best good. This 
 precious promise is often a source of comfort to 
 me, l All things work together for good to them 
 that love God.' It is said, ' Affliction is the good 
 man's shining scene.' 
 
 11 1 don't know how it is with you ; but T see 
 so much sin and vanity mixed with everything I 
 do, that I have reason to expect many trials to 
 purify me and prepare me for that pure state 
 where nothing unholy can ever enter. I am often 
 sick of myself, and want to fly away from sin. 
 
 "I have heard of the great affliction Mr. and 
 
 Mrs. have sustained in the death of their 
 
 beloved children. If you recollect, a year or two 
 
00 MEMOIR OP 
 
 since, you asked me to remember them, and from 
 that time to this, I have often endeavored to inter- 
 cede for them and their children. When I heard 
 of their sorrows, I began to think that 4he cross 
 came first, and that the blessing would follow in 
 their salvation. Certainly, they have been called 
 to drink a bitter cup, and it does seem to me that 
 Heaven has some wise designs in withering those 
 fair flowers. May wo not hope that they are 
 transplanted to a fairer soil ? Surely the parents 
 have a new motive to seek preparation for Heaven. 
 The little tract in poetry, called * The Hermit,' 
 might afford them consolation if put into their 
 hands. Do get it for them. I hope you and Mr. 
 C. will be made instruments of their salvation. 
 No doubt they look up to you for counsel in this 
 time of trial. If you see any thing favorable do 
 let me know, for I shall, as the Lord enables me, 
 commend them to the mercy of God. 
 
 " I have been greatly interested respecting the 
 new church in D. ever since I heard of it. I 
 hope a great blessing will follow. I believe Mr. 
 C. is raised up to do much for the up-building of 
 Christ's kingdom. ' He who sows bountifully, 
 shall reap also bountifully.' I hope many will 
 be added to both churches who will finally be 
 saved, 
 
 6 * The most I can do is to pray for the pros- 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 89 
 
 perity of Zion, and for those who are active in the 
 Lord's cause. We all have a work assigned us ; 
 let us not be slothful, but * fervent in spirit, serv- 
 ing the Lord.' 
 
 " I trust, my dear niece, you will soon be 
 raised up with new zeal for God. Your dear 
 children will, I hope, all be gathered early into 
 the fold of Christ. 
 
 " We have had a few instances of conviction 
 and conversion here of late. Mr. Proudfit's 
 preaching has been blessed for the hopeful conver- 
 sion of several. The Bible class is large and 
 interesting. We hope our old church will soon 
 be repaired. Pray for us, that it may be filled 
 with spiritual worshippers. 
 
 " Your affectionate aunt, 
 
 J. G." 
 
 8* 
 
90 MEMOIR OF 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in 
 sincerity." EPH. vi. 24. 
 
 IN the summer of 1830, Mrs. G. had a short 
 interview in Newburyport with the late Robert 
 Ralston, Esq., of Philadelphia, that distinguished 
 Christian philanthropist ; and soon after his return 
 home she addressed a letter to him. The follow- 
 ing is his reply : 
 
 " Philadelphia, Oct. 5, 1330. 
 
 "MY DEAR MADAM, 
 
 " The precious spirit manifested in the grateful 
 emotions of your heart, to the God of all our 
 mercies, as contained in yours of the 29th ult., 
 was refreshing, I trust, to our spirits. ' As iron 
 sharpeneth iron, so doth the countenance of one 
 friend another.' A precious spirit it may well be 
 called, and I would indulge the hope, partakes of 
 that love, which caused the disciples' hearts to 
 bum within them, on their way to Emmaus. To 
 see the out-stretched hand of your Heavenly 
 Father, interposing in the time of the creature's 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 91 
 
 extremity, will enable you, in unison with the poet, 
 to say, 
 
 { In each event of life, how clear 
 
 Thy ruling hand I see ; 
 Each blessing to my soul most dear, 
 
 Because conferred by Thee.' 
 
 What nearness to the Lord does it discover! 
 What condescension in the Great Supreme, to 
 give the impression, on that very morning, ' that 
 some relief was at hand ! ' How can there be a 
 want of trusting in the Lord ? 
 
 " To have praying breath for me and mine, I 
 hope I do not esteem a small favor of the Lord ; 
 and, therefore, to have the assurance that this has 
 been your exercise of soul, and, as God shall 
 enable you, will be in time to come, is very grate- 
 ful to me. I desire to give him the praise. It is 
 all of Him, and all through Him, to whom be 
 glory for ever and ever. 
 
 " ! my friend, how can we love Him and 
 serve Him as we ought, whilst we are on the 
 earth ? Let us take the cup of salvation, and call 
 upon His holy name. This is all He requires of 
 us to receive still greater benefits. 
 
 " To observe the Friday morning exercise shall 
 be my endeavor ; but permit me to solicit your 
 prayers for me, that the Lord will afford me the 
 spirit of prayer. ! my friend, you know 
 
92 MEMOIR OF 
 
 something of the weakness of the creature, and, 
 therefore, you will not be surprised that I need 
 more grace, more strength, more faith, that I may 
 pray the in-wrought prayer of the heart. 
 
 " That your son may be kept humble, as you 
 are so anxious he should be ; that he may be emi- 
 nently useful in the gospel ministry, and a burn- 
 ing and shining light in the church of Christ, will 
 be my earnest desire for him. And that the 
 Lord will bless you, my dear friend, and all who 
 are dear to you, will be the earnest and affection- 
 ate desire of 
 
 " Your very sincere friend, 
 
 ROBERT RALSTON." 
 
 She loved Christians of all denominations. 
 While she firmly believed the doctrines, and had 
 a decided preference for the form of government 
 of the Presbyterian Church, she did not exclude 
 from her charity those who, while they seemed to 
 love the Lord Jesus in sincerity, did not coincide 
 with her in every particular. By some her 
 charity was thought to be excessive ; but if at 
 times she judged too favorably of the undeserving, 
 there was ample compensation for all such mis- 
 takes in that increased readiness thus produced to 
 believe and honor God, who is ever better than 
 our thoughts. 
 
MRS. JANE GREEfrLEAE: T tT T? tW* T T* 
 T WAN I V & J *J J. i 
 
 "To decide infallibly upon . character," says 
 Rev. J. A. James, " is not only the prerogative 
 of the Deity, but requires his attributes. There 
 may be some grains of wheat hid among the chaff 
 which we may be at a loss to discover. We must 
 be careful how we set up our views, or our experi- 
 ence, as the test of character, so as to condemn 
 all who do not come up to our standard." 
 
 " Charity hopeth all things. Charity vaunteth 
 not itself; is not puffed up." "This divine 
 virtue delights to speak well, and think well of 
 others ; she talks of their good actions, and says 
 little or nothing, except when necessity compels 
 her, of their bad ones. She holds her judgment 
 in abeyance as to motives, till they are perfectly 
 apparent. She does not look round for evidence 
 to prove an evil design, but hopes that what is 
 doubtful will by farther light appear to be correct; 
 she imputes not evil so long as good is probable ; 
 she leans to the side of candor, rather than to that 
 of severity ; she makes every allowance that truth 
 will permit ; looks at all the circumstances which 
 can be pleaded in mitigation; suffers not her 
 opinions to be formed, till she has had opportunity 
 to escape from the mists of passion, and to cool 
 from the wrath of contention. Love desires the 
 happiness of others ; and how can she be in haste 
 to think evil of them?" 
 
94 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Under the influence of this charity, the subject 
 of this memoir seemed always to act. While she 
 thought humbly of herself, she always hoped the 
 best of others ; and earnestly endeavored not to 
 indulge in prejudice against any. She was much 
 pleased with the direction of Cecil, "If there is 
 any person you dislike, that is the one of whom 
 you should never speak. " 
 
 She had many dear friends who had embraced 
 Unitarian sentiments. In conversing with them, 
 she never countenanced their errors, nor yielded 
 her own opinions. Such a course would have 
 been weakness ; not charity, but a perversion of 
 it. In the history of Christ and his apostles we 
 find nothing to sanction such liberality, on points 
 vital to the soul, and fundamental to the gospel. 
 She would tell these friends that "she believed in 
 a religion which extended to every act of life ; but 
 she came so infinitely short in all things, that, if 
 it were not for the atoning blood of Christ, and 
 her belief in Him as * the Mighty God,' her 
 hopes of salvation would be at an end ; " and as 
 expressive of her trust, she would quote those 
 lines of Dr. Watts, 
 
 " But when I stand before thy bar, 
 The blood of Cfirist is my defence." 
 
 When any objected to the doctrine of the 
 
MRS. JANE GREEN LEAF. 
 
 95 
 
 Trinity on account of its mystery, she would 
 reply, " Yes, it is a glorious mystery; and it 
 becomes us to wonder and adore where we cannot 
 comprehend." 
 
 As descriptive of the kind manner in which 
 she addressed those who were Unitarians, the fol- 
 lowing letter to Mrs. P., of Portland, (Maine,) 
 will be introduced ; although it was one of the 
 last which she ever dictated, and after the failure 
 of her sight, prevented her writing with her own 
 hand. She had not seen this friend for forty 
 years, but hearing that she had become blind, 
 her sympathies were strongly enlisted in her 
 behalf. 
 
 " Newbmyport, Jan. 18, 1850. 
 "DEAR MRS. P., 
 
 " I trust you will excuse the liberty I now take 
 in addressing you in this way. Since I heard 
 particularly from you last summer, by Mrs. M., I 
 have sympathized with you under your afflictions ; 
 and I know, by sad experience, how to feel for 
 you under loss of sight, as my own is very much 
 impaired. 
 
 " In our younger years, we have met in this 
 very house where T now reside. You, as well as 
 myself, have been called to suffer many bereave- 
 ments, having lost your husband and an only son ; 
 
96 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 but now we are both far on our journey to the 
 eternal world. And ! I hope we have both 
 fled for refuge to the only hope set before us in 
 the gospel, and have tasted the blessedness of 
 those whose sins are covered by the atoning llood 
 of Christ, and have found him exceedingly 
 precious. Our lot in life has been very different. 
 You have lived in affluence ; and I have passed 
 through many outward straits and embarrass- 
 ments ; but I have always been provided for by 
 Him who has promised his people, * I will never 
 leave nor forsake thee.' 
 
 " I trust you have kind children and grand- 
 children with you, whose pleasure it is to mitigate 
 your afflictions, as far as it is in their power. 
 These are mercies that ought to call forth our 
 warmest gratitude to the Giver of every good and 
 perfect gift. 
 
 " I have been in Portland twice during the 
 last fifteen years, and now deeply regret that I 
 did not call upon you. My object was to visit my 
 son, who then resided in Andover, seventy-five 
 miles north of Portland. I admired your city, 
 and the friends I met. 
 
 11 My particular design in writing is to tell you 
 that I often remember you and your family in my 
 prayers, beseeching God to grant you all a well- 
 grounded hope of pardon and eternal life, through 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 97 
 
 the merit and mediation of our Almighty Re- 
 deemer. 
 
 " If we are ever permitted to meet in a better 
 world, it must be, not for any righteousness of our 
 own, but only on account of the righteousness 
 and atonement of Him who died that we might 
 live. 
 
 " I ask an interest in your prayers, that I may 
 be entirely resigned under my afflictions. 
 
 " I expect no reply to this imperfect letter. 
 Accept it only as a proof of kind remembrance ; 
 and rest assured I shall contine to pray that God 
 will grant you those divine consolations, which 
 the world can neither give nor take away. It is a 
 great mercy that your hearing is continued, so 
 that you can listen to the reading of the Word of 
 God and good books. 
 
 11 That the best of Heaven's blessings may rest 
 on you and yours, is the ardent desire and 
 prayer of 
 
 " Your friend, 
 
 JANE GREENLEAF." 
 
 This letter was most kindly received, and at the 
 
 request of Mrs. P. often read to her. In about 
 
 two weeks after the death of Mrs. G., she followed 
 
 her to the world of spirits. During her illness, the 
 
 9 
 
98 MOIR OF 
 
 prayer of the publican was often offered by her, to 
 the prayer-hearing God. 
 
 Some letters of a miscellaneous character will 
 now be inserted. 
 
 To Mrs. M. C., of D. 
 
 " Xewburvport, Feb. 19, 1831. 
 
 " MY DEAR NIECE, 
 
 " I wish to express my gratitude for the noble 
 present I have received from you and Dr. C. I 
 am, sometimes, unwilling to be so burdensome to 
 my friends. At others I am sweetly submissive, 
 so that I prefer my situation to a prosperous one. 
 I need humbling, and Infinite Wisdom sees it 
 needful to keep me low, as to temporal things, in 
 order, I trust, to purify me, and prepare me for a 
 better world. 
 
 " I cannot tell you my feelings, when I received 
 your letter. This favor, and others from you and 
 other kind benefactors, often excite lively grati- 
 tude to the great Giver of every good and perfect 
 gift ; and then, I am drawn out in love to those, 
 who are made such instruments of good to me. I 
 ought to love to be in straits, that I may see, more 
 fully, the goodness of God. Help me, my dear 
 niece, to bless and adore the hand, which is con- 
 tinually stretched out, in a marvellous manner, for 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 99 
 
 my relief. I keep a little record of mercies, and 
 I should like to read a part of it to you, when we 
 meet, for you would be struck with the faithful- 
 ness of my covenant God and Father to me. I 
 feel entirely unworthy of the least mercy ; and yet 
 how full of blessings is my cup ! But I forbear, 
 after desiring my best love to Dr. C. God will 
 reward you both, if I cannot. 
 
 ' ' I wish to express my approbation of Dr. C . 's 
 speech with respect to Harvard University. I 
 have recently heard that the matter is decided in 
 behalf of the liberal party. Well, in due time, 
 there will be a change there. We must not be 
 discouraged ; for, if we cannot overrule these 
 things, God can and will do it in his own time. 
 Those, who have stood forth on the side of truth, 
 will have a rich reward ; but we are all called now 
 to ' watch unto prayer.' 
 
 " I have had a very interesting letter from Mr. 
 Woodbridge. He now resides in Utica, N. Y., 
 where there is great revival of religion. He says, 
 hundreds are converted there, and that prayer 
 meetings are attended almost every hour in the 
 day and evening. Pie thinks there is a great con- 
 flict before Christians, and that it becomes them to 
 be more decided. 
 
 " I hope we shall be more stirred up here, and 
 that the friends of Christ, in your region, will take 
 
100 MEMOIR OP 
 
 courage, and pray more fervently for the dews of 
 Divine grace to descend among you. 
 
 " We have commenced the monthly distribution 
 of tracts to every family in town. Most received 
 them the first time the second month more were 
 refused, but I hope good will be done by them. 
 ! that we might have a spring time as to re- 
 ligion ! 
 
 " Mrs. P. has died lately, after a long sickness. 
 I shall miss her, but I cannot be so selfish as to 
 wish any of my pious friends back to this state of 
 sin and sorrow. 
 
 " Your affectionate aunt, 
 
 J. G." 
 
 The following letter was addressed to a friend 
 in Newburyport, whose daughter was sinking in 
 consumption : 
 
 " August, 1831. 
 " MY DEAR FRIEND, 
 
 " I have wanted to call in since your return 
 from Andover, but thought it would be greater 
 kindness to stay away. I hope your beloved 
 daughter will be spared, and made a great blessing 
 to her parents and friends, if consistent with the 
 Divine will ; but my earnest prayer is that she 
 and all her friends may be prepared for any event. 
 She has always been a very pleasant child ; and, 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 101 
 
 sometimes, such fair plants are removed early to a 
 better world. Infinite Wisdom cannot err. Our 
 duty is to aim at entire submission under every 
 allotment of Divine Providence, however adverse 
 it may seem to us. I often think of these lines, 
 
 1 Behind a frowning Providence, 
 He hides a smiling face.' 
 
 " I hope M. A. will open her mind to some 
 pious female friend upon religious subjects, and 
 obtain great comfort, for if she lives many years, 
 she will need the consolations of religion. We all 
 need these consolations, and we ought to be much 
 'engaged in prayer for them. As she cannot read 
 now, or hear reading, she is deprived of some privi- 
 leges which she used to enjoy. But what a mercy 
 it is that we can send up our desires to God, when 
 we are laid aside by sickness ! He can hear and 
 answer the softest call. 
 
 ' ' However amiable and lovely your dear daugh- 
 ter is, she needs, as we all do, a better righteous- 
 ness than her own, to prepare her for that blessed 
 world, where no sin or sorrow can ever enter. I 
 hope she will be enabled to look, by faith, to that 
 Almighty Saviour, who is able and willing to save 
 all, who apply to Him, for the remission of their 
 sins. How precious, and how free are his invita- 
 9* 
 
102 MEMOIR OP 
 
 tions, ' Come unto me, all ye who labor and are 
 heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' 
 
 " I have written a few lines to M. A. for you 
 to look over, and give to her, if you think best. 
 Sometimes, a few lines written are more blessed 
 than conversation. I trust you will be sustained 
 under every trial. 
 
 " Yours, in haste, 
 
 J. G." 
 
 The two following letters were addressed to a 
 kind friend and neighbor, for whose spiritual in- 
 terests she felt much solicitude, and over whom she 
 soon rejoiced, as a member of Christ's "little 
 flock." 
 
 " September 6, 1831. 
 
 " DEAR SIR, 
 
 " As I do not see you, when I call at your 
 house, I take the liberty of expressing a few 
 thoughts in writing, presuming on your candor to 
 excuse my freedom. I do sincerely sympathize 
 with you and Mrs. C. under the recent affliction, 
 in the death of your beloved daughter. She has 
 been a most desirable child from her earliest years. 
 No wonder your hearts are depressed under such 
 a loss ; but I hope you will be enabled to say, 
 ' Father, not my will, but thine be done.' Think 
 of the great mercies mixed with this bitter cup. 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 103 
 
 Your beloved M. A. was, I believe, well prepared 
 for a state of complete rest in Heaven. She has, 
 I trust, through boundless grace, been admitted 
 into that pure region, ' where all the air is love.' 
 She was a lovely flower, early cut down, and trans- 
 planted into a region of perfect peace and joy. 
 However dark and mysterious this dispensation of 
 Providence may appear to us imperfect creatures, 
 yet, hereafter, I hope and believe, you will see 
 that it was designed for your best good. God is 
 too wise to err ; too good to lay any unnecessary 
 affliction on any of his creatures. This heavy be- 
 reavement may be the means of drawing your 
 heart to Christ, and thus preparing you to meet 
 your beloved daughter in the realms of glory. Let 
 us all consider that we are but a few steps behind 
 our departed friends. Preparation for death is 
 the ' one thing needful.' 
 
 " I have long wanted to express my gratitude 
 to you, sir, for your repeated acts of kindness to- 
 wards me. If I cannot make any return to you, 
 God can, and will reward all my kind benefactors. 
 
 " That the best of Heaven's blessings may rest 
 on you and your family is the desire and prayer of 
 " Your sympathizing friend, 
 
 J GREENLEAF." 
 
104 MEMOIR OF 
 
 To the same. 
 
 " August 10, 1832. 
 
 " DEAR SIR, 
 
 11 You must allow me the privilege of thanking 
 you for your repeated acts of benevolence towards 
 us. I cannot well express my feelings, when your 
 last valuable present was received. I was alone 
 in the house, and was so affected with a sense of 
 my ingratitude to the God of all mercy, that, for 
 a time, I sat in silent astonishment. This new 
 token of kindness has called forth earnest desires 
 for your best welfare. I cherish the pleasing hope, 
 that you and your beloved family will all soon be- 
 come decidedly pious. I have felt the fullest con- 
 fidence that the early removal of your beloved 
 M. A. was to be the means of the salvation of your 
 whole family. We cannot mourn for her ; let us, 
 rather, rejoice that she left such bright evidence 
 that she was prepared for a state of complete 
 felicity. May we seek, diligently, that vital union 
 to Christ, by a true and living faith, which will 
 entitle us to that ' rest, which remaineth for the 
 people of God,' beyond the grave ! 
 
 " I have long considered you as * almost per- 
 suaded ' to come out boldly on the Lord's side. 
 Your acts of benevolence to the poor and afflicted, 
 ought to humble many professed Christians, who 
 1 withhold more than is meet, and it tends to pov- 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 105 
 
 erty.' I wish you could attend the meeting on 
 Thursday evenings ; you might get your good re- 
 solutions very much strengthened by so doing. 
 My idea is, that the diligent seeker will find. If 
 we ask, perseveringly ', we shall receive ; but we 
 must be in earnest, if we want spiritual blessings, 
 as time, with us, may be very short. 
 
 " I often think of my father, when I see you so 
 active about worldly things. He did much good, 
 by employing many, and so do you ; but he spent 
 much time alone, every day, in prayer and read- 
 ing the Bible, especially during the last years of 
 his life, when he had more leisure. 
 
 " We are all forming characters for a vast Eter- 
 nity, and we cannot be too much engaged in secur- 
 ing an interest in the Saviour's love. With your 
 active disposition, how much may you do in the 
 cause of Christ, if you should now be decided in 
 religion ! Excuse the freedom I have taken in 
 expressing my feelings in this way. Accept the 
 best wishes of 
 
 Your friend, 
 
 JANE GREENLEAF." 
 
 In the revival of religion in Newburyport in 
 1831, she was much interested, as well as that in 
 the winter of 1833 and 1834. Her house was the 
 resort of numerous inquirers and young converts, 
 
10(5 MEMOIR OF 
 
 whom sho instructed in the way of salvation. And 
 , cry day, tidings of new subjects of the work 
 reached her ears, her heart was filled with grati- 
 tude, and she earnestly desired that large acces- 
 sions might be made to the churches, " of such as 
 should be saved." 
 
 In June, 1834, her husband died, at the age of 
 seventy years. Being herself in feeble health, she 
 was much affected by this bereavement. But that 
 Almighty arm, on which she had long leaned, 
 sustained her, and she came forth from the trial, 
 to be "a widow indeed, trusting in God, and con- 
 tinuing in supplications and prayers night and 
 day." 
 
 After this time, she would often repeat, in an 
 under tone, apparently unconscious that she was 
 overheard, the following lines, which she had, 
 probably, learned in childhood from the New En- 
 gland Primer : 
 
 " Lord, if Thou lengthen out my days, 
 
 Then let my heart so fixed be, 
 That I may lengthen out Thy praise, 
 
 And never turn aside from Thee." 
 
 The following letter, to a friend in D., will 
 show her feelings at the time of her husband's 
 decease : 
 
SIRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 107 
 
 " Newburyport, July 28, 1834. 
 
 " Your very kind letter, my dear niece, written 
 soon after your uncle's death, was read with much 
 pleasure. I now thank you for it, and for your 
 kind sympathy for us under our affliction. 
 
 " I had such a shock in your uncle's sudden 
 removal, that, for a week, I felt as though I should 
 soon be numbered with the silent dead. My nerves 
 were greatly affected. But God, who is rich in 
 mercy, has appeared for me, and now I am com- 
 fortable, though weak, and liable to ill turns. 
 
 " Mr. Gr. was so softened for the last nine 
 months that we cannot but hope he obtained mercy 
 at the eleventh hour. He was brought to beg for 
 mercy, and had been studying the Bible for sev- 
 eral years. There was strong faith respecting him 
 among my Christian friends. He has gone to a 
 righteous Jud<re, and there I leave him. Con- 
 
 O o 7 
 
 tinue to pray for us, that this solemn call may be 
 sanctified for our best good. 
 
 "The shower of Divine influence, which we 
 have enjoyed here, has passed by ; but the effects 
 are abiding. We hope for another shower. There 
 seems to be a spirit of prayer in our praying 
 circles. 
 
 " We hope the Lord will appear for us, as a 
 church and society, and, in due time, send us a 
 pastor, after his own heart. ' The darkest hour is 
 
108 MKMOIR OF 
 
 just before day.' We must try to commit all our 
 cares to the Lord, respecting temporal as well as 
 spiritual blessings. 
 
 " I hope the Lord will revive his work with 
 you. Don't you begin to hope a revolution is to 
 take place in Harvard University ? I trust the 
 funds will yet be brought back to the original de- 
 signs of the founder. 
 
 " Your affectionate aunt, 
 
 J. G." 
 
 The following extracts are from letters written 
 the next year : 
 
 To Miss M. H. A. of A., while visiting in N. Y. 
 
 i: Xewburyport, March 9, 1835. 
 " MY DEAR FRIEND, 
 
 " I hope and trust you are made very useful 
 in N. Y. No Friday passes without my thinking 
 of you and yours. I often desire that the church in 
 North Andover may be built up, and spread, far 
 and wide, and that a gospel minister may soon 
 take charge of the flock. When I have read, re- 
 cently, the accounts of the free churches in N. Y., 
 I have felt that we all ought to be more active 
 and engaged, and more encouraged. 
 
 " We have no minister as yet ; but when we 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 109 
 
 are suitably humbled and prepared, I trust a faith- 
 ful one will be placed over us. 
 
 " My health has been quite feeble all winter. 
 I take cold easily, and then have distressing at- 
 tacks of asthma, so that I have been out but very 
 little, and often feel that I am very useless. Dr. 
 Scott's remarks comfort me, sometimes. He says, 
 ' the prayers of one solitary Christian may be felt 
 all over the world.' When pressed down by 
 bodily infirmities and worldly cares, I often de- 
 rive rich consolation from the Bible and the 
 throne of grace." 
 
 " Sept 25, 1835. 
 
 " Religion is low with us, though we hope some 
 Christians are more aroused, and a few have been 
 hopefully converted. A revival of religion gen- 
 erally begins at the house of Glod. We hear of 
 many revivals in other places, and ought to re- 
 joice and take courage. The day calls for fervent 
 prayer, for it is a time of open rebuke. We hope 
 the Lord will appear for us. I think Christians 
 ought to be wide awake, and use their influence 
 that God's holy day should be more hallowed, and 
 try to stop the progress of vice." 
 10 
 
110 MEMOIR OP 
 
 ^^BP* 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 " Whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good 
 report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, 
 think on these things." PHIL. iv. 8. 
 
 " THE best form of Christianity is that, which 
 presents the loveliest combination of its graces. 
 Few possess a completeness of Christian character." 
 Few, indeed, are the instances we find of Chris- 
 tian perfectness ; that perfectness which consists in 
 having all the attributes of the child of God in 
 visible and lively exercise. By many this seems 
 to be considered as an attainment quite beyond 
 their reach. Hence, they are content to be en- 
 tirely wanting in some Christian graces, as if it 
 were not necessary to cultivate all of them. But 
 to regard the supposed possession of one or two 
 of the Christian characteristics, as a safe criterion 
 of character, is, certainly, a mistake. " If any 
 man be in Christ, he is a new creature ; old things 
 are passed away ; behold all things are become 
 new." He will not lack wholly any one of the 
 Christian graces, though one grace may outgrow 
 another. " Charity is the bond of perfectness." 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. Ill 
 
 " Like the band round the sheaf, it holds all the 
 separate ears together." 
 
 In the religious character of the "Mother in 
 Israel," whose history is sketched in this volume, 
 there was this combination of graces. There was 
 a marked consistency. A gentleman, who had 
 known her for more than fifty years, has said, that 
 her consistent exemplification of the Christian 
 character, under a great variety of circumstances, 
 was the most convincing proof of the reality of 
 religion, with which he had ever met. 
 
 After her decease, another friend thus wrote : 
 " Her example has done more, than all the books 
 I ever read, to dispel sceptical doubts on religious 
 subjects, to which I have always been exposed." 
 
 The most prominent feature in her piety was 
 undoubtedly faith ; a faith, working by love, puri- 
 fying the heart, and, to a remarkable degree, over- 
 coming the world. In the truth and promises of 
 God, and in the atoning merits of Christ, she 
 had unwavering confidence ; whilst invisible things 
 seemed to have a vividness, to her mind, which 
 made them almost like present realities. Faith 
 was, to her, the very " substance of things hoped 
 for, the evidence of things not seen." The future, 
 with its awful sanctions and glorious hopes, influ- 
 enced her thoughts and actions, at all times, and 
 under all circumstances. And this animated faith 
 
112 MEMOIR OP 
 
 was the parent, the handmaid, and the strength of 
 other graces. 
 
 The cheerfulness of her piety is worthy of no- 
 tice. She maintained the happy medium between 
 gloom and austerity on the one hand, and levity 
 on the other. "The peace of God" reigned in 
 her heart, and diffused its influence through her 
 life. Her temper was unruffled, even under great 
 provocations. A benevolent smile enlivened her 
 countenance ; and instead of repelling the young 
 from her society, they were attracted and awed by 
 the loveliness and gentleness, which, even to ex- 
 treme age, characterized her, and which increased 
 as she approached the termination of her earthly 
 pilgrimage. Possessing good sense and a dis- 
 criminating judgment, she could engage the atten- 
 tion of children by an anecdote, while she also 
 combined with it some profitable counsel. 
 
 Since her decease, a Christian friend has re- 
 ferred to a little incident, which occurred in her 
 youth, and made an indelible impression on her 
 memory. She and another young lady were in- 
 dulging in much frivolity in Mrs. G-.'s presence, 
 when, placing her hand affectionately on them, she 
 said, " ! girls, remember what Dr. Young says, 
 
 u Ketire, and read thy Bible to be gay." 
 
 " A word, fitly spoken, is like apples of gold in 
 pictures of silver." 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 113 
 
 She noticed the hand of God in all his works, 
 and traced all the comforts of this life to their 
 true source, the mediation of Christ. Often when 
 riding in the country and admiring its diversified 
 scenery, would she exclaim with great emphasis, 
 
 " The skies he formed, and yet he bled for me." 
 
 She had learned of her Divine Master to for- 
 give injuries. She often said she was naturally 
 unforgiving ; but so completely had grace triumphed 
 over this natural propensity, that to " love her 
 enemies " was habitual with her. She always 
 treated them kindly, gladly relieved their temporal 
 wants, and prayed for them daily. Whenever an 
 occasion offered, she pressed the duty of forgive- 
 ness on others, as an indispensable evidence of 
 Christian character. She indeed possessed that 
 charity which " suffers long, and is kind;" which 
 " thinketh no evil ; " which " beareth, belie veth, 
 hopeth, and endureth all things." 
 
 In the summer of 1839 she was obliged to dis- 
 pose of her house on High street, where she had 
 lived for forty years, and occupy a part of the man- 
 sion house of her deceased father on Water street. 
 Though somewhat reluctant to meet so great a 
 change at the age of seventy-five, yet, when she 
 was convinced that in no other way could she obey 
 the precept, " Provide things honest in the sight 
 10* 
 
114 MEMOIR OF 
 
 of all men,'* she consented to it, and for nearly 
 twelve years she found that house a pleasant and 
 comfortable place of abode. 
 
 She loved to think of the friends who once had 
 occupied it with her, who now had joined "the 
 general assembly and church of the first-born in 
 heaven ; " and instead of any gloomy associations, 
 all were pleasant. 
 
 Here she found a field of usefulness, which she 
 faithfully improved by dispersing books and tracts, 
 and as far as she was able, by visiting and religious 
 conversation, always remembering the neighbor- 
 hood in her prayers. 
 
 For sometime her health was improved by her 
 change of residence. She suffered less from 
 asthma, to which she had been subject for many 
 years; and although her deafness was extreme, 
 she enjoyed much in social intercourse with her 
 numerous friends. 
 
 Her sight, however, was much impaired by 
 cataracts on both eyes, which, while they never 
 entirely covered them, deprived her in great 
 measure of the privilege of reading, from which 
 she had always derived mucjj pleasure and profit. 
 The Commentaries of Henry and Scott, and the 
 the works of Flavel, Newton, Hervey, Edwards, 
 Davies, and many others, had been repeatedly 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 115 
 
 perused by her; and with thoughts and select 
 passages from these her favorite authors, her mind 
 and memory were well stored. 
 
 The house of Grod was dear to her heart, and 
 she was a constant attendant on its ordinances 
 when her health allowed, although she heard not a 
 word of the services. 
 
 When friends inquired " why she attended so 
 constantly when her health was feeble, and the 
 weather unpleasant?" she would reply, "It is 
 the place where God has appointed to meet and 
 bless his people, and I enjoy being there on this 
 account. Besides, I go for the sake of example, 
 as too many absent themselves from public wor- 
 ship. When my sight allows, I can read the text 
 and hymns, which are often very precious to me." 
 On one Communion Sabbath the hymn beginning, 
 " Dearest of all the names above," was sung ; 
 she frequently after spoke of the rich enjoyment it 
 had afforded her. She would also remark, " If I 
 can only get into a praying frame, I enjoy much 
 in asking for a blessing on the Word." It was 
 her uniform habit to select individuals in the 
 assembly, and pray for a blessing on them, besides 
 her general supplication. 
 
 The succeeding extracts from her journal will 
 farther illustrate her love for Grod's house : 
 
116 MEMOIR OF 
 
 "August llth, 1839, Sabbath Evening. I 
 have been out all day. It was our communion. 
 I felt very calm. Read some truths in the morn- 
 ing that were very comforting. Text, ' Unto 
 you that believe, he is precious.' Afternoon, 
 * Choose you this day whom ye will serve.' It 
 is just forty years since I joined the church. 
 Solemn thought! I have reason to be deeply 
 humbled for my short comings in all things. 
 
 "April 16th, 1842, Saturday Evening. I 
 have been very sick for three weeks. Yesterday 
 I came below, though very feeble. The Lord has 
 appeared for me in this time of trouble. ! that 
 the affliction and the mercy may be sanctified 
 for my best good ! I could record many mercies 
 since I last wrote ; but I sum them all up by say- 
 ing, they have been very great in this season of 
 distress. ' Bless the Lord, my soul, and forget 
 not all his benefits ! ' 
 
 "June ISth, 1843. I went out all day. Mr. 
 C., of Portland, preached. Morning text, 'Being 
 justified by faith/ &c. Afternoon, ' If I be a 
 Father, where is mine honor ? ' &c. Attended 
 Mrs. Huse's funeral. The address and prayer of 
 her pastor were very appropriate, as I was told. 
 I hope this death will be sanctified to her family 
 and friends. A pillar has fallen ! 
 
 " April 6th, 1844, Fast Day. The weather 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 117 
 
 confines me at home ; but I am contented. May 
 the Lord assist all his servants who speak in his 
 name this day ! May it be kept aright, and be a 
 day of power ! 
 
 " May Wth, Sabbath Evening. I awoke 
 with scattered thoughts, but afterwards enjoyed 
 meditation and prayer. A recent trial seemed less 
 oppressive. Have been out all day. Mr. Stearns' 
 morning text, ' For I was alive without the law,' 
 &c. It seemed well adapted to inquirers. After- 
 noon, Mr. Woodman preached. Text, * In all 
 things he had the pre-eminence.' Was grieved to 
 hear that a church member was charged with 
 breaking his word. Evening, E. came in and read 
 to me. I felt better for going out. May a blessing 
 follow the truths spoken ! " 
 
 For the ministers of the gospel throughout the 
 world, she had a strong regard. The seven 
 pastors of the First Presbyterian Church, who 
 successively held that office, she " esteemed very 
 highly in love for their work's sake," as well as 
 for every resemblance to their Divine Master, 
 which she discovered in them. With most of 
 them she was on terms of intimacy. They could 
 always be sure of her sympathy and prayers, and 
 hearty co-operation in every effort for the benefit 
 of the people of their charge. 
 
118 MEMOIR OF 
 
 The following letters were addressed to Rev. 
 Dr. Proudfit, Professor in Rutgers' College, New 
 Brunswick, (N. J.,) formerly pastor of the First 
 Presbyterian Church in Newburyport. 
 
 To Dr. and Mrs. Proudft. 
 
 " Newburyport, Nov. 7, 1840. 
 
 " MY DEAR FRIENDS, 
 
 " I wish to inform you that the valuable box 
 sent by you to my son and his wife has arrived 
 safely. I hope and believe that you both, and 
 others who filled up this box, will be rewarded for 
 your great kindness to them. My constant prayer 
 is, that they who water us may have their own 
 souls watered. 
 
 " For my son and his wife I most desire that 
 they may be made useful to souls around them. 
 I hope you will pray for them and us sometimes. 
 I never forget you, as a family, in this way. In 
 my old age, I feel it to be a rich privilege to be 
 allowed to draw nigh to God, and intercede for 
 others, especially absent friends. I should be an 
 ungrateful being to forget you or yours. 
 
 " I hope your dear children are well, and will 
 early be brought into the fold of Christ. 
 
 " I trust, my dear sir, you find a large field of 
 usefulness in the Lord's vineyard. Though we 
 were not long indulged with the privilege of 
 
MRS. JANE GEEENLEAF. 119 
 
 having you for our pastor, may you be made a 
 rich blessing to others. The aged poor among us 
 often speak of your kindness to them. Many of 
 these aged women have died the last year. Our 
 churches are diminishing in numbers, and we need 
 a revival of religion, that others may be raised up 
 to 'stand in the gap.' It is a low time with us 
 with regard to vital religion. 
 
 " I have wanted to tell you about that young 
 Mr. S., who was injured by a gun, whom you 
 visited often when you resided here. He was 
 restored, and became an engaged Christian. Last 
 autumn he was instantly killed while blowing a 
 rock. He was industrious, and had laid up a few 
 hundred dollars, but he gave largely to the mis- 
 sionary cause. He had his desire granted, as he 
 wished to die suddenly. I mention these particu- 
 lars for your comfort, as you did much for him in 
 his affliction by visits and tracts. 
 
 I hope you will be able to read a part of this 
 imperfect letter. I do not expect a reply. 
 " Accept the best wishes of 
 
 " Your obliged and sincere friend, 
 
 JANE G-REENLEAF." 
 
120 MEMOIR OP 
 
 To the same, after the death of his father. 
 " Newburyport, April 25, 1843. 
 
 " MY DEAR FRIENDS, 
 
 " Surely God has smitten you all with a heavy 
 rod of affliction in the sudden removal of your 
 dearly beloved father. But I trust you will be en- 
 abled to say, * It is the Lord ; let him do as secmeth 
 him good/ The breach is wide as the sea. But 
 his work was all done, and he is transplanted to a 
 brighter region, where all the air is love. We all 
 sympathize with you as a family. I believe your 
 dear mother will be sustained under this affecting 
 dispensation of Providence, and you all. One 
 thought has struck me powerfully, that now, per- 
 haps, your two brothers, for whom so many 
 prayers have been offered, may become decided 
 Christians. 
 
 ' God moves in a mysterious way, 
 His wonders to perform.' 
 
 " I hope your dear little sons are well, and will 
 soon be enclosed in the * ark of safety.' They 
 must miss their beloved grandfather very much. 
 We had a letter from my son and his wife recently, 
 announcing that a revival of religion had com- 
 menced in Auburn. They have received your 
 last box of valuable clothing, and will write you 
 soon. You will accept our thanks for this and 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 121 
 
 every favor shown them and us. We cannot re- 
 ward you, but the Lord can, and will. It is best 
 for some of us to be kept low as to external things, 
 so that we may live more by faith. 
 
 "Religion is low here; but there are some 
 ' tokens for good.' Here and there a soul is 
 converted. Our ministers have much to try their 
 faith, but they hold on their way. Pray for us. 
 " Your obliged friend, 
 
 J. G-." 
 
 " April 26, 1844. 
 
 " ESTEEMED FRIENDS, 
 
 " I have intended for some time to write to 
 you, but still delayed. I hope your health, and 
 that of your family, has been preserved through 
 the last cold winter. I have been confined by 
 sickness for several months ; but now I am as well 
 as usual. I feel the infirmities of old age, but am 
 able to enjoy going to the house of Grod when it is 
 pleasant, and to visit some of my friends. I am 
 spared, while the most of my co-evals are gone. 
 Pray for me, that I may not be wholly useless. 
 
 " I continue to pray for your brothers. I hope 
 they will become decided Christians, and do much 
 good. 
 
 " In Andover a revival of religion has com- 
 menced. One hundred persons are said to be 
 11 
 
122 MKMOIR OF 
 
 much impressed. A very careless boy *was 
 wonderfully converted, and his exertions for others 
 were much blessed. 
 
 11 We have many sects and parties here, and 
 our ministers have great trials. The Scriptures 
 are fulfilling. Let us rejoice that the Lord reigns, 
 and will accomplish all his holy purposes. But 
 Christians ought to gird on the whole armor of 
 God, and watch unto prayer." 
 
 " Newburyport, Sept. 21, 1844. 
 11 ESTEEMED FRIENDS, 
 
 " Although we do not meet, I am often with 
 you in spirit. I hope you and your family are 
 well, and that your dear children are growing up 
 in the fear of the Lord. 
 
 " One object I have in writing now is to give 
 you, dear sir, a short account of the hopeful con- 
 version of a young man, in whom you felt inter- 
 ested when you boarded with him at my sister's. 
 I refer to Gr. W. L. B. He went to Oregon 
 Territory, where he came under the influence of 
 the Methodist missionaries, and attended their 
 'prayer meetings. He was awakened to a sense of 
 his sins, and, after a season of pungent conviction, 
 obtained a hope in Christ, and joined the Meth- 
 odist Church. One of the missionaries, Rev. Mr. 
 Lee, was here a few weeks since, and gave a very 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 123 
 
 satisfactory account of his conversion, and of his 
 consistent life for months afterwards, which was a 
 very great comfort to his mother. But a short 
 time, however, elapsed before the news of his 
 death followed. He was shot by one of the 
 natives at Fort Vancouver, thirty miles from the 
 place of his residence. The surgeon who attended 
 him, wrote the account of his death, and said he 
 was calm in view of it, and was able to dictate a 
 few lines to his mother. She is greatly afflicted, 
 but feels that much mercy is mingled with this 
 bitter cup. I trust you will pray for her and her 
 family, that this affliction may be sanctified to 
 them. 
 
 " Many changes take place here. I have been 
 feeble the past summer, but keep about house, 
 and often go up to the sanctuary of the Lord. 
 
 " I do not expect a reply to this letter. Please 
 accept it as a token of sincere affection from 
 " Your friend, 
 
 JANE G-REENLEAF." 
 
124 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age ; they shall be fat 
 and flourishing ; to show that the Lord is upright ; and there 
 is no unrighteousness in him." Ps. xcii. 14, 15. 
 
 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." 
 
 Ps. cxvi. 15. 
 
 WE have now reached the closing years of the 
 life of this useful Christian. As to the main fea- 
 tures of her piety, there was no change to the very 
 last. The same strength of faith characterized her, 
 the same spirit of prayer, the same ardent desire 
 to do good. Old age had crept gradually upon 
 her, impairing her activity, and producing some 
 infirmities; yet it was that "good old age/' of 
 which Abraham had the promise, in this, at least, 
 that it was long in coming, that it molested not 
 the mental faculties, and brought with it none of 
 the peevishness and gloom, which so often marks 
 this period of life. She has no knowledge of those 
 " evil days " of decrepitude and misery, which 
 cause the weary pilgrim to exclaim, " I have no 
 pleasure in them," for they came not to her. 
 
 Throughout life, she has been a pattern of in- 
 dustry, and she always now was usefully employed. 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAE. 125 
 
 Nor was tins so much from habit, or a desire to 
 pass away the time, as from principle. Her en- 
 deavor was to walk, like Zacharias and Elizabeth, 
 ' ' in all the commandments and ordinances of the 
 Lord blameless ; " and to be " not slothful in busi- 
 ness," she considered a precept no less binding 
 than its correlative, " fervent in spirit." As her 
 sight was failing her chief employment, in later 
 years, was knitting children's mittens, of which, 
 after she was eighty years, she knit, every year, 
 nearly two hundred pair. Her deafness was a 
 great trial to her, as it very much abridged the 
 pleasure of social intercourse, rendering it painful 
 to many friends, as well as to herself, to prolong 
 conversation with her. Sometimes, when left 
 alone for a short time, it caused her some mortifi- 
 cation ; for, if persons called with whom she was 
 not well acquainted, she could neither distinguish 
 their features, nor hear their names. But she did 
 not complain, or repine. Generally, she would sifc 
 and pray or meditate upon Divine things, thus 
 replenishing constantly the oil which kept her 
 lamp burning; or else she would think upon 
 plans of usefulness ; her hands, meanwhile, busily 
 plying the knitting needle. Occasionally, too, as 
 the thought of some friend, in whose family, or 
 spiritual welfare, she took a deep interest, came 
 11* 
 
126 MEMOIR OP 
 
 into her mind, she would take her pen and write, 
 or else dictate a letter. 
 
 The letter upon page 95, dated Jan. 18, 1850, 
 was one of the last she dictated, although she wrote 
 with her own hand notes to her sister till within a 
 few weeks of her decease, notwithstanding her par- 
 tial loss of sight. 
 
 In December, 1845, she had a severe attack of 
 rheumatism, from the effects of which she never 
 wholly recovered. In warm weather she was able 
 to walk abroad ; but the approach of winter con- 
 fined her to the house, and often to her room. 
 
 The two following letters, to Rev. Dr. Proudfit, 
 were written by her after this period : 
 
 " Newburyport, Aug. 22, 1846. 
 " REV. AND DEAR SlR, 
 
 " I drop you a few lines by Mr. J. E. Emerson, 
 who expects to leave for Princeton in a few days, 
 and may see you in New Brunswick. He is the 
 son of Mr. C. L. E. of this town, and, having be- 
 come hopefully pious some years since, has been 
 through Amherst College, and is now about com- 
 mencing the study of Theology at Princeton. His 
 mother wished me to request for him an interest in 
 your prayers, and such counsel as you may have 
 opportunity to give him. 
 
 " Since I wrote you last, I have been called to 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 127 
 
 suffer much bodily affliction. I had a violent at- 
 tack of rheumatic fever last December, but by a 
 blessing on the means used, I was so far restored 
 as to leave my room in about two months ; but 
 have not recovered my previous health, the rheu- 
 matism having settled in my neck, and subjecting 
 me to violent spasms of pain. But I am not 
 wholly confined to the house. Do pray for me, 
 that I may be entirely resigned under this cross. 
 
 " I hope you are all well. The memoir of your 
 father has been read here with much pleasure and 
 profit. My father derived much benefit from the 
 perusal of the lives of good people, and so have I, 
 in former years. But my sight fails, so that now 
 I can read but very little. 
 
 " We had hoped to see you here this summer. 
 Great sins abound with us ; yet some few young 
 persons have been hopefully converted recently. 
 
 " I continue to pray for your brothers, and be- 
 lieve that the prayers of their parents and other 
 friends will be answered. 
 
 " With affectionate remembrance to Mrs. P., 
 your mother and sister, and your little sons, whom 
 I remember every day, I remain 
 
 " Your obliged friend, 
 
 JANE GREENLEAF." 
 
128 MEMOIR OP 
 
 " Newbuiyport, Nov. 1, 1848. 
 " MY VERY DEAR FRIENDS, 
 
 " If you were to hear from me as often as I 
 think of you, it would be every day. 
 
 " After an absence of nearly ten years, my son 
 has recently made us a short visit. Business 
 called him to take this journey so late in the sea- 
 son. The Lord prospered him on the way,, and 
 last Monday week he left us to return to his dis- 
 tant home in Illinois. He looks old and weather- 
 beaten, showing that he has endured great hard- 
 ships ; but he is satisfied that he is far more useful 
 at the West than he could be here, and has had 
 much encouragement in his ministerial labors, fre- 
 quent conversions occurring under them. He has 
 seven Sabbath schools under his supervision, one 
 of which, numbering sixty pupils, is held in a 
 grove, there being no suitable building in the 
 neighborhood. I looked at his nice coat, vest, 
 &c., and found they were furnished him by your 
 bounty, a year since. May the Lord reward you 
 both for your unwearied kindness to him. He 
 spoke of it with much gratitude, and said your 
 boxes had been of very great service to him ; he 
 hardly knew how he could have done without 
 them. He wished much to see you before he left 
 New York, but his time would not allow him to 
 go to New Brunswick. 
 
MRS. JANE GR: 
 
 " I hope your health has been res 
 journey. Your dear children are often on my 
 mind, with desires for their best welfare. May 
 they be ' plants of renown.' 
 
 " We have had some recent trials in our 
 church, but hope they will be overruled for good. 
 I never expect any reply to my letters. Such as 
 they are, accept them as a proof of the sincere 
 regard of 
 
 " Your much obliged friend, 
 
 JANE GREENLEAF." 
 
 Soon after this letter was written, she was again 
 called to suffer affliction. Her brother, Mr. Philip 
 Coombs, of Bangor, (Maine,) was suddenly re- 
 moved by death, at the advanced age of seventy- 
 eight years, leaving her and a sister the only sur- 
 vivors of twelve children. She felt deeply the 
 sundering of the tie which had so long bound her 
 to this beloved brother ; but she endeavored to 
 make the separation the means of quickening her 
 diligence in preparing for her own departure, 
 which she did not expect would be long delayed. 
 To human eyes there was, indeed, little remaining 
 for her to do on earth. She had then nearly com- 
 pleted her eighty-fifth year. Amidst the varied 
 scenes of a long life, her faith had proved itself to 
 be genuine, by the fruits of righteousness. She 
 
130 MEMOIR OP 
 
 had suffered grievous afflictions, and had been 
 enabled to " glorify God in the fires." Her 
 heart had gone before her into Heaven, and bur 
 treasure was there ; why should she be longer 
 tried ? Had the summons then corne, perhaps her 
 repute as a Christian, " a mother in Israel," 
 might have been no less ; and she would have es- 
 caped much suffering. But her Heavenly Father 
 had other purposes for her benefit, and. his own 
 glory. It is not every one who is saved " so as 
 by fire." Some are destined to an " abundant 
 entrance" into the Heavenly kingdom, and must 
 " endure hardness," till God's wisdom has decided 
 that it is enough. Nor may we suppose that God 
 ever suffers a Christian to linger on earth longer, 
 or to be afflicted more, than necessity requires. 
 He sits " as a refiner and purifier of silver," who 
 watches till the highest degree of purity is attained, 
 and when his own image is fully reflected, that 
 moment he removes it from the fire, lest the pre- 
 cious metal be injured. It was painful to see 
 this beloved mother, apparently already ripe for 
 Heaven, surfer, as she afterwards did ; but He, 
 who never afflicts willingly, nor needlessly, had a 
 wise and holy design in all. He desires to receive 
 from his vineyard, the church, in return for all his 
 care, not only ripe fruit, but mellow. And, in 
 her case, his purpose of love was accomplished by 
 
MHS. JANE GREENLEAF. 131 
 
 prolonging her life into its extreme autumn, when 
 the " frosts of age." and the keen air of suffering, 
 rapidly mellowed the graces, which the summer of 
 life had been so long maturing. 
 
 The spring of 1850 was " the beginning of the 
 end ; " and her children might then have adopted, 
 for their own, the language of the prophet, " Woe 
 is unto us ! for the day goeth away, for the shad- 
 ows of the evening are stretched out." An ex- 
 treme soreness of the mouth and throat com- 
 menced, which, in its progress, baffled medical 
 skill, and finally proved to be of a cancerous 
 nature. 
 
 In the following December, she was confined to 
 her room, which she never left afterwards, except 
 in a few instances. She now endured severe pa- 
 roxysms of pain, and it became increasingly diffi- 
 cult and distressing to take even her necessary 
 food. But she was a meek and patient sufferer, 
 never, either by word or look, manifesting any 
 want of entire acquiescence in the Divine will. 
 Her hand would sometimes be raised to her face, 
 as if to support it, but that was all that indicated 
 suffering. It was too painful for her to speak, 
 and she said but little. And thus would she sit 
 in her arm chair for hours, in converse with her 
 God and Saviour, the dearest to her, ever, of all 
 her friends. She looked continually to Him who 
 
132 MEMOIR OF 
 
 had been with her through life, and from whose 
 hands she had received so much good ; and His 
 grace enabled her, with meek and subdued resig- 
 nation, to kiss the rod, knowing who had appointed 
 it, and not doubting that the trial would "work 
 the peaceable fruits of righteousness. " She was 
 sensible that she was gradually failing, and occa- 
 sionally would say, " Sometimes I long to begone ; 
 but I check the desire lest the reason of it should 
 be because I want to get rid of pain, and I ought 
 to be willing to live and suffer just as long as my 
 Heavenly Father sees best." 
 
 During all this time, whilst others were admir- 
 ing her fortitude, gentleness and faith, she, on the 
 contrary, was humbling herself ' ' under the mighty 
 hand of God," and writing " bitter things" against 
 herself. She felt her unworthiness, and was con- 
 vinced that her sharpest trials were absolutely 
 necessary. 
 
 On the afternoon of May 10th, 1851, a slight 
 hoarseness became apparent, and continued to 
 increase till, on the 12th, it assumed the appear- 
 ance of influenza. On that day, Monday, though 
 she could scarcely stand alone, she sat up six 
 hours, and knit, till three o'clock, P. M., when, 
 for the last time, she rolled up her work as neatly 
 as ever, and repaired to her bed, which she never 
 was able to leave afterwards, although she sub- 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 133 
 
 mitted rather reluctantly, thinking it might be 
 " too great seM- indulgence." But her laborious 
 breathing and increasing weakness gave indication, 
 to her friends, that the conflict was soon to ter- 
 minate. 
 
 On the morning of the 14th, 
 
 " In age and feebleness extreme," 
 
 she made a last attempt at family prayer, and re- 
 peated audibly, but in broken accents, the Lord's 
 prayer. A few hours after, when asked by her 
 brother-in-law, Rev. Dr. Dana, " Have you 
 peace?" she said, " My bodily sufferings are 
 very great ; but I don't doubt the Lord will take 
 care of me." Still later in the day, with closed 
 eyes and clasped hands, she evidently joined in 
 prayer with her pastor, Rev. Mr. Yermilye, al- 
 though unable to speak ; and, from that time, she 
 spoke little, although her mental faculties were 
 clear to the last. But, in her case, the testimony 
 of " last words " was not needed to prove that her 
 hope was built upon the " Rock, Christ." Like 
 Whitefield, she might well be permitted to " die 
 silent ; " for a long life of piety has indisputably 
 proved her faith sincere. 
 
 During the succeeding night, she slept at inter- 
 vals, and seemed to suffer little. Just as the 
 12 
 
134 MEMOIR OP 
 
 morning of the 15th dawned, in the most gentle 
 manner, she " fell asleep in Jesus," 
 
 41 All her sorrows left below, 
 And earth exchanged for Heaven." 
 
 There were three instances of the Divine faith- 
 fulness and love in her death. It had long been 
 her prayer that she might be enabled to cancel a 
 small debt, and a few days before her decease, she 
 was enabled to do this, by one of those Providen- 
 tial interpositions which she had long been in the 
 habit of noticing. " Commit* thy way unto the 
 Lord ; trust also in Him ; and He shall bring it 
 to pass." 
 
 She had always an instinctive dread of dy- 
 ing ; "the pains, the groans, the dying strife" 
 she feared to encounter. But so gently did " the 
 king of terrors " approach, that she had, probably, 
 passed " the swellings of Jordan " before she was 
 aware that she had entered its waters. Her ran- 
 somed spirit, it can scarcely be doubted, was 
 released, and had become enrolled among "the just 
 made perfect," before she recognized the fatal 
 verge. The King long seen "through the lat- 
 tice," she had beheld "in his beauty," and had 
 received the welcome, " Come, thou. blessed of my 
 Father," before she knew that she had seen " the 
 last of earth." " Like as a father pitieth his chil- 
 
MHS. JANE GREENLEAF. 135 
 
 dren, so the Lord piticth them that fear him. For 
 he knoweth our frame ; he remembereth that we 
 are dust." 
 
 It was a Father's love, also, which released her 
 from the " body of death, " just when her evi- 
 dences and graces had become " perfect through 
 suffering." A longer stay would have been unut- 
 terably agonizing, since, from the nature of her 
 disease, nothing less than a painful death, by star- 
 vation, could have been expected. 
 
 " The Lord is good ; the Lord is kind ; 
 Great is his grace, his mercy sure ; 
 And the whole race ot man shall find 
 His truth, from age to age, endure." 
 
 * Her age was eighty-seven years and three months. 
 The words, which God himself spake, and which 
 his own finger graved upon enduring stone, at 
 Sinai, for a memorial unto all generations, were 
 fulfilled in her. She honored her father and 
 mother with a reverence and submission, not 
 common at the present time, and her " days were 
 long." 
 
 There was deep sorrow at her decease, and a 
 large concourse attended her funeral the next clay ; 
 but any expressions of mourning were tempered, 
 both in her own family and abroad, by the feeling, 
 which all the circumstances combined to produce, 
 
136 MEMOIR OF 
 
 that it was well. The words of the apocalyptic 
 penman, from which her pastor delivered a funeral 
 discourse, the succeeding Sabbath, find an echo in 
 many a heart beside the Christian's, as Balaam's 
 burst of desire may show ; " Blessed are the dead, 
 which die in the Lord, from henceforth ; yea, saith 
 the spirit, for they rest from their labors, and their 
 works do follow them." 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 137 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 "For by grace are ye saved, through faith ; and that not of 
 yourselves, it is the gift of God ; not of works, lest any man 
 should boast." EPH. ii. 8, 9. 
 
 IN the preceding pages the writer has endeav- 
 ored to avoid anything, which might appear like 
 eulogium upon her mother. She has sought to 
 embody in the narrative, as far as her ability ex- 
 tended, such material only as might give a view 
 of her religious character, with a desire to mag- 
 nify the goodness and grace of God, as they were 
 manifested through her, if haply some other soul 
 might be encouraged to trust and serve him as 
 did the subject of this Memoir. No attempt has 
 been made, for the purpose of elevating her virtues, 
 "to compare her with others known to the churches. 
 Why should such attempts ever be made ? God 
 has given to the church but one Pay son, one 
 McCheyne, one Isabella Graham, one Harriet 
 Newell ; and none in the wide world are exactly 
 fitted to wear their crowns. But each Christian 
 receives a crown, according to the " diversity of 
 gifts" and the measure of faithfulness. "Who 
 12* 
 
138 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 shall be greatest in the kingdom of heaven, " or 
 is most entitled to the praise of men, is a question 
 which may best be left to him who knows all 
 hearts. The memoirs of the saints are not eulo- 
 gies, but reservoirs, out of which believers may 
 draw the honey of grace, and be edified and im- 
 proved. 
 
 In this chapter the object is simply to bring 
 into one view the different parts of Mrs. Green- 
 leaf's Christian character, that it may stand be- 
 fore the reader as a whole. In so doing we must 
 glance at her principles, her graces, and the 
 exercises, or means, by which they were sustained. 
 If, then, any thing has appeared to the reader 
 admirable in her, (and even the irreligious cer- 
 tainly respected her in life,) let not the truth be 
 wronged in the first place, nor our fallen nature 
 too highly complimented by the thought, that this 
 eminent goodness flowed from a mere earthly 
 source. Had the whispered unction reached her- 
 self, however pleasing it might have been to the 
 ear of some religious Pharisee, she would at once 
 have exclaimed with Paul, " Less than the least 
 of all saints; " " I am the chief of sinners." But 
 had she been made to see that in many things she 
 excelled others, she would have exclaimed with 
 fervent sincerity, " By the grace of God I am 
 what I am." What is known of her youth shows 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 139 
 
 that her natural qualities were indeed such as 
 usually conciliate esteem. Still to give such tone, 
 and refinement and direction to natural excellen- 
 cies to make them what they became, it was neces- 
 sary that the enkindled flame of holy love, the 
 purifying power of gospel faith, the touch of true 
 religion should be produced. 
 
 The qualities which most distinguished her were 
 implanted by grace. Humbly sitting at the feet 
 of Jesus, she had learned lessons which the world 
 can never teach, and had imbibed a spirit which 
 unregenerate man can never know. But her life 
 of faith and active benevolence was not only the 
 result of grace, but an exemplification of the 
 doctrines of grace. These were her principles. 
 She believed them, felt them, and was formed by 
 them. The views of truth she adopted were 
 those usually denominated Calvinistic. A mem- 
 ber for nearly fifty-two years of the First Presby- 
 terian Church, she gave cordial assent to its con- 
 fession of faith, and took for her standards the 
 works which the denomination most value-; first, 
 the Bible, as "the only rule of faith and prac- 
 tice ; " then the Catechism, Willison, Edwards, 
 Davies, and others, as correct expositors of its 
 truth and spirit. She drank at the fountain-head 
 of truth and righteousness, and loved the vital 
 flow of every gospel stream. 
 
140 MEMOIR OP 
 
 In tbc maintenance of her opinions there was 
 nothing disputatious. Indeed, her mind revolted 
 from every thing of this kind ; and she regarded 
 the confusions and conflicts, which such a temper 
 has engendered, with pain, as prejudicial to the 
 interests of religion. Bigoted adherence to a 
 mere " form of sound words " was no character- 
 istic of her religion. Yet those sentiments 
 which experience, reflection, and a constant inti- 
 macy with the Bible, had impressed upon her con- 
 victions as parts of the " faith once delivered to 
 the saints," she adhered to firmly. Of the entire 
 depravity of her nature, her utter unworthiness, 
 she was fully persuaded. With her habits of close 
 and conscientious self-scrutiny, and her elevated 
 views of the spirituality and exceeding breadth of 
 the divine law, that marvellous " discerner of the 
 thoughts and intents of the heart,' ' no argument 
 was needed to convince her that "the carnal mind 
 is enmity against God, and is not subject to his 
 law." She felt it. . 
 
 She cordially believed in the necessity of re- 
 generation by the special influence of the Spirit, 
 and her sole reliance for pardon and eternal life 
 was the atonement of Christ. " Confidence in 
 the flesh," or in good works, she utterly re~ 
 nounced. That great " article of a standing or 
 falling church," as Luther pronounced it to be of 
 
MRS. JANE GBEENLEAF. 141 
 
 a standing or falling soul, it might be added 
 " the just shall live by faith" she responded to, 
 and adopted from the heart. To the sacrifice on 
 Calvary she turned, as the only source of peace ; 
 on this tried foundation, the cross, did she build 
 for eternity. 
 
 The " election of grace " was to her a precious 
 and most encouraging truth ; since it gave her 
 assurance that if, as^ she believed, she had been 
 " renewed in the spirit and temper of her mind/' 
 howeverj humble, however weak, and inefficient 
 in herself, she would not be suffered to "fall 
 away unto perdition." " Who shall separate us 
 fronvthe' love of Grod, which is in Christ Jesus, 
 our Lord|? " In this, and this alone, she saw 
 security. Does this doctrine tend to presumption 
 and evil ? Let her life of laborious diligence in 
 " every good word and work " answer. This was 
 the'system of principles she embraced ; and to the 
 power of such truths is to be attributed, next to 
 the Spirit, her eminence in piety. For whence 
 sprang that great faith, which was one of her 
 characteristic graces? It was no blind, delusive 
 persuasion, but rested upon reasonable evidence, 
 even the revelation that " Grod was in Christ, 
 reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing 
 their trespasses unto them." Whence were her 
 humility, her meek submissiveness, her confidence 
 
142 MEMOIR OF 
 
 in God, derived, but from the persuasion of entire 
 unworthiness, of God's absolute sovereignty, 
 power and grace ? It was the intensity with 
 which she was enabled to realize the conviction, 
 that "all the promises of God in Christ, are yea, 
 and in him amen," that rendered her so cheerful 
 and " patient in tribulation." 
 
 But it was not only the passive graces, so to 
 speak, or the experimental, for which she was dis- 
 tinguished ; but she abounded in works. Always 
 full of love and charity, maintaining a conversa- 
 tion at once serious, devout, humble and benefi- 
 cent ; she made the service of God and our Lord 
 Jesus Christ, and the good of others, the great 
 business of life, pursuing it with earnestness and 
 diligence to the end of her days, through all trial. 
 
 Her views of gospel religion were too clear to 
 allow her to rest satisfied with the evidence of 
 frames and feelings. A piety whose only out- 
 ward evidence was profession, which was merely 
 speculative and dogmatic, which looked no farther 
 than self, was to her mind but doubtful, at the 
 best. She compared Scripture with Scripture, 
 and found it written indeed, that " by grace are 
 we saved through faith ;" but also that "faith 
 without works is dead ; " " we are his workman- 
 ship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, 
 which God hath before ordained that we should 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 143 
 
 walk in them." She knew that " man's chief 
 end is to glorify God," as well as to " enjoy him 
 forever." And wherever she was known, it was 
 ''told for a memorial of her," that she "went 
 about doing good; "'"the love of Christ also 
 constraining her, because she thus judged that if 
 one died for all, then were all dead : and that he 
 died for all, that they which live should not hence- 
 forth live unto themselves, but unto him which 
 died for them, and rose again." 
 
 Were Christians of a kindred spirit more 
 numerous, what results would follow the remark of 
 one, that " her life was the most convincing proof 
 of the reality of religion, with which he had ever 
 met," will show. The evidence of such charac- 
 ters would be worth a host of arguments, 
 
 " To prove the doctrine all divine." 
 
 But graces like hers are not self-sustaining ; 
 they derive their strength from the use of means. 
 For all Christians in all ages these means are the 
 same; and wherever they have been faithfully 
 employed, the like results have followed. It is 
 " the tree, planted by the rivers of water, that 
 bringeth forth his fruit in his season ; his leaf also 
 shall not wither." 
 
 Is a Christian eminent in pigty? Assuredly 
 
144 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 " his delight is in the law of the Lord ; and in his 
 law doth he meditate day and night. " Mrs. 
 Greenleaf was an attentive and diligent reader of 
 the Bible. That blessed volume was often in her 
 hand, as well as regularly perused, and thus be- 
 came deeply graven on her heart. The services 
 of the sanctuary she never omitted when able to 
 attend. She also observed and improved the 
 providences of God, and found of a truth, that 
 " whoever will watch Providence, shall never 
 want a Providence to watch." 
 
 But it was especially by prayer that she kept 
 her heart in tune. In the secret place of devo- 
 tion she trimmed her lamp, and by the living 
 coal, "from God's own altar brought," she kept 
 it burning. 
 
 She loved also the female prayer meeting, and 
 was accustomed to join with the Christian friends 
 who visited her, in prayer for themselves and 
 families. This was always a delightful and profit- 
 able exercise to her. There was one family where 
 for years she never made a social visit, without 
 retiring with the mother for prayer ; and in that 
 family, a numerous circle of children have been 
 hopefully converted. When we learn such facts, 
 we cease to wonder that her character was so sub- 
 dued, her conduct so unblameable, her example 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 145 
 
 so impressive in the world. Graining warmth and 
 vigor in the closet, and from the Word of God, 
 her religion extended its benign and transforming 
 influence to every duty, and over every relation. 
 Reader, if you would reach a like holy pre-emi- 
 nence, "go thou, and do likewise." 
 
 13 
 
146 MEMOIR OP 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 "The memory of the just is blessed." PROV. x. 7. 
 
 LEST any should suppose that the preceding 
 delineation of character has been in any respects 
 dictated solely by the partiality of affection, the 
 following letters will show how she was estimated 
 by others, not connected with her by any natural 
 ties. 
 
 The following was written to her about ten days 
 before her decease, by Mr. G. W., of Washing- 
 ton, (D. C.) 
 
 " Washington, May 4, 1851. 
 " To MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 
 
 "MY VENERABLE AND DEAR FRIEND, 
 
 "I was this day told by Col. C., of Maine, of 
 your severe trial, and the hopelessness of relief 
 this side the grave. I heard this with deep sym- 
 pathy. God is making you * perfect through suf- 
 fering,' by all these great afflictions, and prepar- 
 ing you for the glory that is to follow. As in his 
 earthly temple, those stones fitted for the highest 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 147 
 
 eminence, were cut the deepest, so in the prepara- 
 ation of the living stone destined for the temple 
 above. 
 
 " After so many years' service in doing and 
 suffering the will of God, this crowning trial of 
 your faith and patience is laid upon you, for the 
 manifestation of his grace in sustaining you, and 
 making you a pattern of all long-suffering ' to the 
 praise of the glory of his grace.' 
 
 " This cannot seem to you, as it is not intended * 
 by me, the language of compliment. You are 
 too near the realities of heaven, not to feel that 
 these are, and must be, * the words of truth and 
 soberness.' For them not to be so would be to 
 doubt the goodness, the grace, and the Word of 
 God. 
 
 * ' I beg to thank you for every remembrance of 
 me in your prayers. I once was among those set 
 down on your list for Friday's recollection. I 
 hope I have not been forgotten even to the pres- 
 ent time. It has been my happiness to inherit 
 the prayers of a holy grandmother, and of a 
 precious mother, who have long since entered into 
 the rest which. remains for the people of God. Into 
 that assembly of the just made perfect you are 
 soon to enter, to go no more out ; to take your 
 seat at your Father's table in mansions prepared 
 for you, and to be welcomed home by hundreds 
 
148 MEMOIR OF 
 
 who have shared your sympathy and been saved 
 by your prayers. 
 
 " May God our Saviour illustrate his grace by 
 your abounding consolations ! 
 
 " This will be the last opportunity I expect to 
 have of expressing to you my most true and 
 affectionate respect and love. Let me hope, when 
 this is read to you, I may share once more in your 
 
 C-ayers for my daily perseverance in the faith and 
 ve of Christ. 
 
 G. W." 
 
 The succeeding letters from which extracts are 
 made, were addressed to the compiler after her 
 decease. 
 
 From Rev. JR. W. F. 
 
 " Wobura, June 11, 1851. 
 
 "I had not noticed the record of your dear 
 sainted mother's death in the papers, and was 
 ignorant of the fact until I learned it from you. 
 From your description it appears that her suffer- 
 ings during the last months of her life were very 
 great. This is one of the mysteries of Provi- 
 dence which remains to be solved to our minds 
 hereafter. No one who knew your departed 
 mother could doubt that she was one of the most 
 beloved of God's children, and most ripe for 
 heaven. She was such an one as we should have 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 149 
 
 selected to follow Enoch and Elijah, by a gentle 
 and easy translation from earth to heaven. But 
 Infinite Wisdom saw sufficient and benevolent 
 reasons for leading her by a rugged path down 
 the descent to the dark valley. Yet it seems that 
 he scattered light in her pathway, and verified in 
 her experience the promise first made to Asher, 
 but doubtless designed to be of universal applica- 
 tion to his people, ' As thy days, so shall thy 
 strength be.' So is it always in the experience 
 of God's true children. 
 
 "I never knew a woman whom I so deeply 
 revered as a saint of the old Puritan, or rather 
 Apostolic, stamp, as I did your honored mother. 
 I always felt when in her presence as though I 
 was treading on ' holy ground,' ' just on the verge 
 of heaven.' 
 
 " Although my interviews with her have been 
 ' few and far between,' and I have been prevented 
 from corresponding with her as frequently as I 
 should have been glad to do, yet I have rejoiced 
 to number her among my most valued friends, and 
 have at times derived great comfort and encourage- 
 ment from the assurance she repeatedly gave me, 
 that I was weekly remembered in her intercessions 
 at the throne of grace." 
 
 13* 
 
150 MEMOIR OF 
 
 From Rev. Dr. P., of New Brunswick , (N. J.) 
 
 " New Brunswick, June 12. 
 
 " We feel that wo can say with unfaltering as- 
 surance, with regard to your excellent and 
 honored mother, ' she is at home with the Lord.' 
 
 " So long, so bright, so consistent a manifesta- 
 tion of the power of true and living faith in the 
 Lord Jesus ; so various a trial of grace, and every 
 change bringing out some new and beautiful trait 
 of the Christian character, inspires, indeed, a con- 
 fidence which renders death an occasion of thank- 
 ful joy, rather than of sorrow and condolence. 
 The Lord grant us all (after we have suffered 
 awhile) a like * abundant entrance J into the king- 
 dom of heaven ! There we shall recover all that 
 we have had, or known, or loved in this life, that 
 is worth recovering, besides unutterable accessions 
 of new holiness, power, and happiness. What a 
 hope ! What a Redeemer and Father, whose 
 * abundant mercy hath begotten us to it ! ' ' 
 
 From Deacon S. T., of Boston. 
 
 " Much have I valued the prayers, which I 
 have been assured by your mother, were going up 
 from her hallowed retirement, for myself and my 
 family ; and it remains yet to be seen how large a 
 share of the spiritual blessings that have descended 
 on us and our children, have come to us as the 
 
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 151 
 
 result of her repeated and constant supplications. 
 We know that * the effectual, fervent prayer of 
 the righteous availeth much,' and such, I trust 
 and believe, were hers. But now her prayers are 
 turned into praise ; and our loss is her unspeak- 
 able gain. 
 
 " And ! how much cause have we all to bless 
 God for her easy and sweet release from her frail 
 and shattered tenement of clay. This is what 
 she prayed for ; but in this, perhaps more than in 
 any thing else, her faith was weak. But God was 
 better to her than her fears. He withheld dying 
 grace until it was needed, and then manifested 
 himself as he always does, a covenant-keeping 
 God. When his people are called to pass through 
 the waters, he is with them, and the floods shall 
 not overflow them. 
 
 " I have pictured out in my own mind her de- 
 lightful feelings when, having passed so easily and 
 unexpectedly through ' the swellings of Jordan,' 
 she found herself standing on the opposite shore, 
 and in full view of the celestial city. I seem to 
 see her looking back with surprise, and exclaim- 
 ing, * ! death, where is thy sting ? ! grave, 
 where is thy victory ? ' and then, turning to her 
 present Saviour, adding, ' Thanks be unto God, 
 who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus 
 Christ ! ' " 
 
APPENDIX. NO. I. 
 
 " The seasons as they fly 
 Snatch from us in their course, year after year, 
 
 Some sweet connection, some endearing tie. 
 The parent, ever honored, ever dear, 
 
 Claims from the filial heart the pious sigh ; 
 A brother's urn demands a sister's tear, 
 
 And gentle sorrows gush from friendship's eye. 
 To-day we frolic in the rosy bloom 
 Of jocund youth ; to-morrow knells us to the tomb." 
 
 AT the time of the decease of the subject of 
 the preceding Memoir, her two children were 
 living, although several hundred miles separated 
 them. The son, Rev. William Coombs Green- 
 leaf, was then a resident of Springfield, (Illinois.) 
 On receiving the intelligence of his mother's death, 
 he wrote thus, under date of May 26, 1851 : 
 
 " It is natural that we should mourn the loss of 
 a mother, so affectionate and faithful as she was ; 
 but when we consider that she had arrived at a 
 very great age, and that her various diseases and 
 
 153 
 
154 APPENDIX. 
 
 infirmities had for sometime closed up most of the 
 sources and means of enjoyment, and that she was 
 as ready for her departure as she ever could be, 
 we have more reason for joy than for sorrow. 
 
 "I hope we shall all feel devoutly thankful 
 that her dissolution was attended with so much 
 less suffering than we had been led to fear. 
 
 " Since you informed me of the nature of the 
 disease on her tongue, I have been oppessed with 
 a heavy burden of anxiety on her behalf ; but a 
 few nights ago, I was enabled to submit her case 
 to him who does all things well, in the confidence 
 that he would not inflict on her any pain, which 
 would not be necessary for his glory and her 
 good. I join with you in the prayer that we may 
 be enabled to follow her even as she followed 
 Christ." 
 
 Under date of June 1, he writes : 
 
 "We were anxious to hear the particulars of 
 the burial of our beloved mother ; and now enjoy 
 the satisfaction of knowing that her mortal re- 
 mains were committed to the dust in the presence 
 and with the sympathy of those who had witnessed 
 the purity and active benevolence of her life. 
 That the immortal part has made its final escape 
 from suffering and sin, can admit of no shadow of 
 doubt. 
 
APPENDIX. 155 
 
 " The more I reflect on the subject, the more 
 fully am I convinced that her final exit was at- 
 tended with far less acute suffering than could 
 have been expected. 
 
 " We have lost one of the best of mothers. 
 Indeed, I think it very uncommon for one so 
 kind and indulgent, to be at the same time so 
 faithful to the spiritual interests of her children. 
 Much as she ^oved us, you know she never would 
 allow us to do any thing which would expose our 
 spiritual interests to danger." 
 
 Another letter, dated June 29, followed, in 
 which he spoke of himself as being remarkably 
 well, though very fully occupied. The next let- 
 ter received from Springfield, was from the pen of 
 a friend, stating that he had been suddenly re- 
 moved from time to eternity. 
 
 On the morning of July 21st, he and his fam- 
 ily arose in their usual health. About nine 
 o'clock he was seized with slight indisposition, 
 which in a few hours proved to be cholera, that 
 disease having appeared in the immediate vicinity 
 three days previous. When the symptoms were 
 decisive, he was calm, and told his wife " he 
 doubtless had the cholera, and might die ; but he 
 should not suffer long, and had no wish to have it 
 
156 APPENDIX. 
 
 otherwise ; all was well ; he had no anxiety for 
 the future. " After this he sank rapidly ; his 
 speech failing faster than his strength. About 
 sunset the symptoms of cholera seemed to be sub- 
 dued. Very soon, however, a violent attack of 
 asthma (to which he was subject) came on, with 
 which he struggled until a quarter past eleven 
 o'clock, P. M., when he was released from his 
 sufferings; and, we trust, was received into " the 
 everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour 
 Jesus Christ." He survived his mother less than 
 ten weeks. " They were lovely and pleasant in 
 their lives ; and in their death were not long 
 divided." 
 
 " In the important article of death, the privi- 
 leges of believers appear distinguishing .indeed. 
 To human nature, unassisted by grace, death, the 
 awful punishment of sin, is the f king of terrors.' 
 Bitter indeed, and insupportably painful, are the 
 thoughts of death to men who have ' their portion 
 in this life/ and ' are at ease in their possessions.' 
 How enviable, even to such, is the calm and 
 serene frame of a dying saint. Here the monster 
 seems to have lost its sting, having left it in the 
 bleeding body of Jesus. Death has changed its 
 nature and its name. Call it no more death ; it 
 is the sweet sleep of the body, deposited in its 
 
APPENDIX. 157 
 
 earthly bed, under the eye of the Kedeemer, till 
 the morning of the resurrection. " * 
 
 The funeral was attended the next morning at 
 nine o'clock. A general sensation of grief was 
 awakened throughout the city of Springfield at 
 his sudden removal ; and his bereaved family, 
 consisting of his widow and two children, to whom 
 he supplied the place of a parent, received many 
 expressions of sympathy and kindness. He was 
 nearly fifty-four years of age. 
 
 A brief notice of his history, for the last 
 'twenty years, may be interesting to the friends of 
 his youth. 
 
 Soon after completing his theological studies in 
 Bangor, in September, 1831, he was ordained as 
 pastor of the Congregational Church in Andover, 
 Oxford County, (Maine ;) where, amidst many 
 discouragements and hardships, he remained till 
 the spring of 1837, when, for several reasons, at 
 his own request he was honorably dismissed by an 
 ecclesiastical council. The severity and length of 
 the winter in that cold region had much increased 
 the asthma, to which he was constitutionally pre- 
 disposed. This led him to turn his attention to 
 the West, as opening a wide field of usefulness, 
 and possessing a climate more favorable to pul- 
 
 * Burder. 
 14 
 
158 APPENDIX. 
 
 monary complaints. Accordingly, after supplying 
 the church in Hooksett (N. H.) for a few weeks, 
 he commenced his journey to the West in October. 
 He went to Auburn, a settlement on Sugar Creek, 
 Sangamon County, (Illinois,) not intending to 
 tarry even for a night ; but at the solicitation of 
 the elders of the church, he remained for a year 
 and then was induced to take up his abode with 
 the people, and assume the oversight of the Pres- 
 byterian Church. 
 
 In the second year, he suffered much from fever 
 and ague, and was unable to preach regularly ;' 
 and as the inhabitants of that part of the country 
 have, as yet, not learned the important duty of 
 sustaining their ministers, he endured many trials. 
 But he had counted the cost before he went ; and 
 being satisfied that his health would have failed 
 wholly had Ke remained at the East another 
 winter, he was " ready to live there, or to die 
 there, just as his Heavenly Father might order ; " 
 and even in the darkest hour, he had no wish to 
 return, finding an ample field of usefulness, and 
 willingly cultivating the soil, to supply his people's 
 " lack of service." 
 
 After being there about two years, during 
 which he suffered much from sickness, disappoint- 
 ment and perplexity, a brighter day rose upon 
 him. Health returned, and with it came a de- 
 
APPENDIX. 159 
 
 gree of vigor and energy which he had not known 
 before. He acquired a strength of voice, and 
 soundness of lungs, which enabled him to preach 
 with ease to large congregations in the open air. 
 Every alternate Sabbath he preached in a village 
 six miles distant, usually going and returning on 
 foot. 
 
 Nor did the Master whom he served permit him 
 to labor in vain. In a moral and religious point 
 of view, the people to whom he ministered under- 
 went a great change. Though, at first, he was 
 almost the only advocate of temperance in that 
 region, in a few years there was comparatively 
 very little intemperance in the settlement. The 
 influences of the Spirit attended the preached 
 word, and considerable accessions were made to 
 the church. 
 
 In 1843, he received a commission from the 
 Assembly's Board of Missions, and one hundred 
 dollars per annum for a few years after. 
 
 He found the standard of piety at the West 
 much lower than at the East. The Sabbath was 
 not properly regarded, even by professed Christ- 
 ians. He labored to produce correct opinions and 
 practice in those respects. 
 
 The great doctrines of the gospel were very 
 imperfectly understood, there being more reliance 
 on mere excitement, than on soundness in the 
 
160 .UTEXDIX. 
 
 faith, and a corresponding practice. A "big 
 meeting" once or twice a year, was thought by 
 many to answer every purpose; and the remainder 
 of the time they would hear Campbollites, .Mor- 
 mons, Universalists, or whom they pleased. 
 Against these things he set his face, and preached 
 the great doctrines of the gospel, which he de- 
 fended and illustrated. Gradually the people 
 became more regular in their lives, and more dis- 
 criminating in their doctrinal views; and many of 
 the most influential citizens labored to build up 
 the good cause which once they opposed. 
 
 From the first he endeavored to cultivate 
 friendly relations with other evangelical denomina- 
 tions ; and as the result he had their cordial 
 friendship. 
 
 There was a great scarcity of books in that 
 region. He could not find a single copy of Bun- 
 yan's "Pilgrim's Progress" when he first went 
 there. This defect was supplied by friends at the 
 East, who sent books and tracts for general distri- 
 bution, which were anxiously sought, attentively 
 read, and carefully preserved. A library was 
 sent from the Sabbath School connected with the 
 First Presbyterian Church in Newburyport, which 
 was distributed among three Sabbath Schools in 
 that vicinity. 
 
 In the autumn of 1845 he removed to Chat- 
 
APPENDIX. 161 
 
 ham, five miles north of Auburn, on the same 
 road, and in the same county. He did not, how- 
 ever, at first supply the pulpit there, although a 
 majority of the church wished it. A division in 
 it, on the subject of abolition, he thought would 
 effectually destroy his peace, and hinder his use- 
 fulness. But he continued to labor in destitute 
 churches and settlements, where he was always 
 well received. 
 
 After a time, the church in Chatham becoming 
 more united, he ministered to them regularly. In 
 the autumn of 1846 there was a revival of re- 
 ligion ; but not so extensive, nor so long con- 
 tinued, as he hoped it would be. The enemy 
 came in disguise, " and sowed tares." The peo- 
 ple, however, continued very attentive to the word 
 preached. Their ability to sustain the institutions 
 of religion increased from year to year ; but their 
 liberality did not keep pace with it. 
 
 Most of them were frontier men, who had never 
 lived long in a place, and, therefore, had never 
 been very strongly impressed with the importance 
 of sustaining either religious or educational insti- 
 tutions. 
 
 In the summer of 1848, the time for which he 
 had engaged to supply the pulpit of Chatham 
 expired ; and although both the church and con- 
 gregation expressed a desire that he should con- 
 14* 
 
162 APPENDIX. 
 
 tinue to minister to them, ho declined, the asthma 
 having gained so fast upon him that he could only 
 preach with utmost difficulty. A visit to New 
 England in the autumn accelerated the progress of 
 the disease, so that he was obliged on his return 
 to relinquish preaching altogether, and devote 
 himself to agriculture for a subsistence. For this 
 
 o 
 
 purpose he removed to the suburbs of Springfield, 
 and superintended a large nursery and garden 
 which belonged to a capitalist in the city. He 
 attended church in Springfield regularly, with his 
 family, worshipping in the Third Presbyterian 
 Church, under the care of Rev. Mr. Dodge ; and 
 endeavored to show to whose kingdom he belonged 
 by conducting his extensive secular business on 
 Christian principles, and by a strict observance of 
 the Sabbath. 
 
 To surviving friends it is comforting to learn 
 that he was enabled by Divine grace to maintain 
 an exemplary Christian deportment, and to leave 
 behind him an evidence that he was truly "a 
 good man." 
 
 In many natural traits he resembled his 
 mother ; and in some of the Christian character- 
 istics, there was a close affinity. He possessed 
 untiring industry, indomitable perseverance, great 
 enterprize and energy. He endured trials cheer- 
 fully ; his trust in God in seasons of discourage- 
 
APPENDIX. 163 
 
 ment, was unwavering. He seemed to live in 
 death, and in constant preparation for sudden 
 death, which he considered desirable. 
 
 The doctrines of the Presbyterian Church 
 (0. S.) he firmly believed and preached. On 
 the atonement of Christ, he placed all his hopes 
 of salvation. It was on this " rock of ages " 
 that he was enabled quietly to rest, when, sud- 
 denly, he found himself breasting the billows of 
 death. The believer's "life begins with the 
 knowledge of Christ, and ends by dying in him, 
 and eternally enjoying him. And all through 
 life he looks to and lives upon Christ. Blessed 
 beginning ! comfortable living! joyful dying ! " 
 
 The two following letters, from which extracts 
 are made, were written after Mr. Gr.'s death : 
 
 From Deacon W. D., of Lowell. 
 
 " Lowell, Aug. 26, 1851. 
 
 "It is with mingled emotions of pain and 
 pleasure, that I read yours of the 8th inst., which 
 announced to me the death of your beloved 
 brother, and my friend, Rev. W. C. Grcenleaf. 
 I thank you for particulars of his death, and for 
 giving information respecting your mother's, 
 which we had noticed in the papers. It gives us 
 
164 APPENDIX. 
 
 pnin to learn this, because the cause of Christ 
 has lost the labors of two of his faithful servants ; 
 and many friends have lost the affectionate and 
 sympathizing instruction and fervent prayers of 
 ' a mother in Israel,' and of ' a watchman on the 
 of Zion.' It gives us pleasure, because 
 there remains such pleasing evidence that both 
 have gone in such quick succession, to unite in 
 praising redeeming love for ever and ever; to 
 that 'rest that remaincth for the people of God.' 
 " You were right in saying, I always took a 
 deep interest in your brother. Falling in with 
 him, as I did in 1823, as we boarded together, 
 before Mrs. D. came to Lowell, I used to spend 
 my leisure moments with him, in religious conver- 
 sation ; and we often walked out together, that we 
 might more fully express our views on religion. 
 But he soon left this place, and I heard no more 
 of him until August, 1826, when I very unex- 
 pectedly received a letter from him, stating his 
 then present views on that point. He said, 
 (though I had forgotten it,) that when we parted 
 in Lowell in 1823, I expressed confidence that he 
 would become a Christian, and made him promise 
 that if he should, he would write me ; and he 
 then wrote that he * verily believed. God had 
 brought him out of nature's darkness into his 
 marvellous light,' and gave some particulars of 
 
APPENDIX. 165 
 
 his conversion. This was a great encouragement 
 to me, and did much to strengthen me to pray 
 and labor for other's salvation, in that great re- 
 vival, which had already then commenced in this 
 place, which continued for more than six years, 
 when such multitudes were hopefully born into the 
 kingdom. 
 
 " I regret very much not being at home when 
 your brother took pains to call on me, when he 
 was going to the West ; but he is gone, and I am 
 spared. 
 
 "And your mother's prayers we have done 
 with. She told me once, she had a list of names 
 she always prayed for on certain days, weekly ; 
 each individual separately. Have you that list ? 
 Do preserve it. It must be a sacred piece of 
 paper. And then I shall have no more of her 
 good letters. The last one she wrote was in such 
 a hand that I could scarcely read it ; but I know 
 it was good, every word of it." 
 
 From Rev. Dr. Proud fit. 
 
 " New Brunswick, Sept. 10, 1851. 
 " You cannot doubt that both the dear friends 
 for whom you mourn, are with their Redeemer, 
 and with one another. They have entered into 
 rest. Both of them have so lived as not only to 
 leave with their friends the precious and consoling 
 
166 APPENDIX. 
 
 assurance that they * sleep in Jesus/ but they 
 have left behind them, scattered far and wide, the 
 seed which they have ' sown unto the Spirit,' 
 and which will yield a glorious harvest at ' the 
 end of the world.' The departure of a Christ- 
 ian to glory cannot, I think, at any moment, be 
 called mysterious, when we look at it in connect- 
 ion with our Redeemer's words, John xvii. 24. 
 Christ desires to have his own ' with him where 
 he is,' and will not endure a longer separation 
 from them than is necessary to accomplish the 
 ends of their own sanctification and the extension 
 of his kingdom on earth. For these ends alono 
 he permits them to remain here, where they are 
 separated, in one sense, at least, from himself, 
 and have so much to struggle with, both of sin 
 and suffering. Blessed bo his name for that word, 
 addressed to his whole church, * Behold, I come 
 quickly / ' ! that every heart that loves him 
 may be so weary of this world, and so impatient 
 for heaven, as to respond, ' Even so, come, Lord 
 Jesus/ 7 ' 
 
APPENDIX. 1G7 
 
 THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS. 
 
 BY MONTGOMERY. 
 
 " This place is holy ground ; 
 
 World, with thy cares, away ; 
 Silence and darkness reign around, 
 
 But lo ! the break of day : 
 What bright and sudden dawn appears, 
 To shine upon this scene of tears ? 
 
 " 'Tis not the morning light, 
 
 That wakes the lark to sing; 
 'Tis not the meteor of the night, 
 
 Nor track of angel's wing : 
 It is an uncreated beam, 
 Like that which shone on Jacob's dream. 
 
 " Eternity and time 
 
 Met, for a moment, here ; 
 From earth to heaven, a scale sublime 
 
 Rested on either sphere, 
 Whose steps a saintly figure trod, 
 By death's cold hand led home to God. 
 
 " He landed in our view, 
 
 'Midst flaming hosts above ; 
 Whose ranks stood silent, while he drew 
 
 Night to the throne of love, 
 And meekly took the lowest seat, 
 Yet nearest his Redeemer's feet. 
 
 " Thrilled with ecstatic awe, 
 Entranced our spirits fell, 
 And saw yet wist not what they saw ; 
 
 And heard no tongue can tell 
 What sounds the ear of rapture caught, 
 What glory filled the eye of thought. 
 
168 APPENDIX. 
 
 " Thus far above the pole, 
 
 On wings of mountain fire, 
 Faitli may pursue the enfranchised soul; 
 
 But soon her pinions tire ; 
 It is not given to mortal man 
 Eternal mysteries to scan. 
 
 " Behold the bed of death, 
 
 Tliis pale and lovely clay; 
 Heard ye the sob of parting breath V 
 
 Marked ye the eyes* last ray ? 
 No : life so sweetly ceased to &e, 
 It lapsed in immortality. 
 
 " Bury the dead ; weep 
 In stillness o'er the loss ; 
 Bury the dead ; in Christ they sleep, 
 
 Who bore on earth his cross ; 
 And from the grave their dust shall rise, 
 In his own image to the skies." 
 
 HEAVEN BRIGHTER THAN EARTH. 
 
 * O, make Heaven seem brighter than this earth." 
 
 Dying words of Riv, J\I. Buren. 
 
 " Those skies no night that wear, 
 
 Nor cloud, nor tempest know, 
 Those skies no blight that bear, 
 
 Those streams that stainless flow, 
 Are they not brighter far 
 
 Than all that lure us here ? 
 Where storms may fright each lingering star, 
 
 From midnight's lonely sphere ? 
 
APPENDIX. 169 
 
 " Here hope of sorrow drinks, 
 
 Here beauty yields to care, 
 And virtue from temptation shrinks, 
 
 And folly finds despair; 
 But 'mid that world above 
 
 No baleful step may stray, 
 The white-winged seraph's glance of love 
 
 Would drive each ill away. 
 
 " Friendship is there the guest 
 
 Of chilling doubt no more, 
 And love with thornless breast, 
 
 Whose pains and fears are o'er ; 
 There is no farewell sigh 
 
 Throughout that heavenly clime, 
 No moaning voice, no severed tie, 
 
 Or change of hoary time. 
 
 " Why plant the cypress near 
 
 The pillow of the just? 
 Why dew with murmuring tear 
 
 Their calm and sacred dust ? 
 Rear there the rose's pride, 
 
 Bid the young myrtle bloom, 
 Fit emblems of their joys, who bide 
 
 Beyond the insatiate tomb. 
 
 " 'Mid that celestial place, 
 
 Our thoughts would soaring glow, 
 E'en while we run the pilgrim race 
 
 Of weariness and woe, 
 For who would shrink from death, 
 
 With brief and icy hand, 
 Or heed the pang of shortening breath, 
 
 To win that glorious land ? n 
 
 15 
 
APPENDIX. NO. II. 
 
 THE "Isles of Shoals, " seven in number, are 
 situated partly in New Hampshire and partly in 
 Maine. They were discovered in 1614, by the 
 celebrated Capt. John Smith, so well known in 
 connection with the history of Virginia. He gave 
 to them his own name. Why and when they re- 
 ceived their present appellation is not known. 
 
 They are a mass of rocks, covered with a thin 
 soil, capable of supporting, in summer, a few 
 cows and sheep. Tradition tells us that a woman, 
 who died there in 1795, at the age of ninety 
 years, kept two cows, and cut the grass for their 
 support, from between the rocks, with a knife. 
 On two of the Islands are found whortleberries, 
 choke plums, and cranberries. Sometime about 
 1800 nearly half the sward on Star Island was 
 cut, dried, and burnt for fuel. 
 
 Soon after their discovery they became the per- 
 manent abode of quite a large population, their 
 170 
 
APPENDIX. 171 
 
 sole business being fishing. For more than a cen- 
 tury previous to the Kevolutionary War there were 
 from 300 to GOO inhabitants on all the Islands. 
 
 Star Island, which is the largest of the group, 
 was an incorporated town, first named Appledore, 
 and afterwards Gosport. The usual municipal 
 officers were chosen, and the town records regu- 
 larly kept. 
 
 At one period they were so prosperous that 
 gentlemen sent their sons there from the sea-coast 
 to receive literary instruction. 
 
 Before the War, Mr. Haley, the proprietor 
 of one of the Islands, had erected a sea-wall to 
 protect the only harbor. He also built and used 
 a wind-mill, a rope-walk, 270 feet long, and a 
 range of salt works. 
 
 In former years they caught and cured from 
 three to four thousand quintals of -fish. 
 
 The first settlers felt the importance of estab- 
 lishing the worship of God among them. Pre- 
 vious to 1641 a meeting-house was erected on 
 Hog Island. Kev. Mr. Hull was the first minis- 
 ter. Rev. John Brock the second. He was 
 ordained in 1650, removed in 1662, died in 
 Reading, Mass., 1688. After his removal Rev. 
 Mr. Belcher, a worthy and excellent man, preached 
 there some time. About this time, probably 
 through fear of the Indians who frequented Hog 
 
172 APPENDIX. 
 
 Island, most of the inhabitants removed to Star 
 Island. Here, a new meeting-house, 28 by 48 
 feet, was built; and in 1706, Mr. Moody, of 
 Salisbury, (Mass.) was invited to take charge -of 
 the parish. He left in 1730. After his removal, 
 the Rev. John Tucke was ordained there, July 
 26, 1732. He died August 12th, 1773. The 
 following is the inscription on the monument 
 erected to his memory : 
 
 " Underneath 
 
 are 
 
 tho remains of tho 
 
 Rev. JOHN TUCKE, A. M. i 
 
 He graduated at Harvard College, 
 
 A. D. 1723 ; 
 
 was ordained here July 26th, 1732, 
 
 and died Aug. 12th, 1773. 
 
 Aged 72. 
 
 He was affable and polite in manners ; 
 
 amiable in his disposition ; 
 of great piety and integrity ; 
 
 given to hospitality ; 
 
 diligent and faithful in his pastoral office; 
 well learned in History and 
 
 Geography, 
 as well as general science ; and a 
 
 useful physician, 
 both to the bodies and souls of his people." 
 
 The salary given to him was 110 per annum, 
 from 1754 to 1771. It was paid in merchantable 
 winter fish, a quintal to a man. As there were 
 
APPENDIX. 173 
 
 from eighty to one hundred men on the Island, and 
 each quintal was worth a guinea, the salary was as 
 liberal as usual, at that time, on the main land. 
 Besides his salary, Mr. Tucke received 50 towards 
 a house. 
 
 Shortly after his death, Rev. Jeremiah Shaw 
 preached at the Shoals, and remained there till the 
 dispersion of the inhabitants in 1775. Soon after 
 the commencement of the war, ifc was found that 
 they were at the mercy of the enemy, and furnished 
 them with recruits and supplies. They were, 
 therefore, ordered by Government to leave, and 
 most of them obeyed. Four or five families re- 
 mained, who were among the most degraded of the 
 people, ignorant and wretched. Vice now took 
 possession of the Islands. 
 
 In 1800, there were one hundred and twelve 
 inhabitants on all the Islands. On Star Island 
 there were fifteen families, occupying eleven houses, 
 most of which are described as being, of all abodes 
 of human beings, the most loathsome. The people 
 lost the ability, and by degrees the disposition, to 
 support schools and public worship ; the laws were 
 disregarded ; the duties of officers neglected ; the 
 vices of drunkenness and quarrelling prevailed. 
 
 About this time, Hori. Dudley A. Tyng, of 
 Newburyport, addressed a letter to Kev. Dr. Morss, 
 of Charlestown, then Secretary of the " Society for 
 15* 
 
174 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 propagating the Gospel among the Indians and 
 others in North America," asking aid for this peo- 
 ple. The society voted 8100. Mr* Joseph Em- 
 erson was first sent there as a minister. Before 
 funds could be raised, Mr. Tyng caused a meeting- 
 house of stone to bo erected, 36 by 24 feet. He 
 employed fourteen men and four boys to erect it, 
 and they completed it in nine days, besides repair- 
 ing two or three houses. The meeting-house was 
 finished Oct. 29th, 1800, and dedicated Nov. 14th. 
 Rev. Josiah Stephens soon took charge of the peo- 
 ple. He died there July 2d, 1804. The follow- 
 ing is the inscription on his tombstone : 
 
 " In memory of 
 
 Rev. JOSIAII STEPHENS, 
 
 a faithful instructor of youth, 
 
 and pious minister of Jesus Christ, 
 
 (supported on this Island 
 
 by the society for 
 
 propagating the gospel,) 
 
 who died July 2nd, 1804. 
 
 Aged 64 years. 
 
 Likewise of 
 Mrs. SUSANNA STEPHENS, 
 
 his beloved wife, 
 
 who died December 10th, 1810. 
 
 Aged 54 years." 
 
 After the death of Mr. Stephens, there is no 
 record of any teacher or minister, till 1819, when 
 
APPENDIX. 175 
 
 Mr. Caleb Chase was employed to teach school for 
 twelve weeks. In 1820, Mr. Brigham (now 
 Rev. Dr. Brigham, of N. Y.,) spent a few weeks 
 there in giving instruction to the people, and seve- 
 ral others succeeded him.* In 1822, a society of 
 gentlemen was formed in Newburyport for the 
 religious instruction of the people at " the Shoals," 
 to which a society of ladies was auxiliary. This 
 society supplied a teacher there for about nine 
 years, when, having incurred a debt for the repair- 
 ing of the meeting-house, (the interior of which 
 was accidentally burned in 1826,) they suspended 
 their operations in 1831, and for twenty months 
 this people were without any teacher or minister. 
 It was at this period, 1833, that Mrs. Greenleaf 
 assumed the responsibility of supplying them with 
 instruction. She first sent them a female teacher 
 for the summer and autumn, and then a male 
 teacher for the other seasons. In a few years, Rev. 
 Origen Smith was stationed there, with his family, 
 at a salary of three hundred dollars, on which he 
 lived comfortably for several years, in the parson- 
 age house, which was erected during Mr. Stephens' 
 ministry. But his health failed, and he was 
 obliged to leave. Others have since taken his 
 
 *Most of this information, respecting the Shoals, has been 
 obtained from several articles which appeared in the New- 
 buryport Herald, in 1841. 
 
176 APPENDIX. 
 
 place. " The Society for propagating tbe gospel " 
 have again aided this people, and for several years 
 past, have allowed from 8150 to S200 per annum 
 for the support of the minister there, Rev. Mr. 
 Peabody, of Portsmouth, and a society of ladies 
 there, have also been active and persevering in 
 their efforts for this people. Mrs. G. always felt 
 that she was much indebted to them for the effi- 
 cient aid they rendered her when she undertook to 
 sustain a school and the ministry there. 
 
 Rev. 0. D. Eastman is now stationed at Gosport. 
 A small bell has been given by Mr. Ebcnezer 
 S ted man, of Newburyport, for the belfry of the 
 meeting-house. Their surplus revenue they em- 
 ployed in painting the inside of the house, and it 
 is now neat and comfortable. A school-house has 
 been erected within a few years ; and as a manifest 
 improvement has been made within thirty years, 
 the hope is indulged that far greater progress may 
 yet be seen.* 
 
 The following is an extract from a letter, from a 
 young man in Gosport, which was received after 
 the preceding Memoir was in press : 
 
 11 Mr. Eastman will commence the winter school 
 the first Monday in November. He is a very good 
 man ; spends all his time in endeavoring to do good. 
 The morals of the people have greatly improved 
 
 * The present number of inhabitants is about 120. 
 
177 
 
 these last few years. But it should be with grate- 
 ful hearts that we look upon benevolence abroad, 
 for the privilege of obtaining mental and moral im- 
 provement. To your dear departed mother, I feel 
 myself to be much indebted. I fear, had it not 
 been for her kind zeal, ever manifested for this peo- 
 ple, I should, to-day, be ignorant of what little I 
 do know. The Lord reward her. 
 
 " Yours, very respectfully, 
 
 W. C. N." 
 
 THE END. 
 
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