MEMOIR OF
MRS. J. GREENLEAF.
MIS. SmE f^JBJGUOTIEAIFo
v: n. srH,Li-pi i.ia,. st>
MEMOIR
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF,
NEWBURYPORT, MASS.
" And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years,
vrhich departed not from tlie temple, but ferved God with fast-
ings and prayers night and day." Luke ii. 37.
NEWBURYPORT :
PUBLISHED BY MOSES H.' SARGENT.
1851.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851,
Br MOSES U. SARGENT,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of
Massachusetts.
Printed by Gkohge C. Rand,
3 Cornliill, Boston.
P Pi E F A C E .
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 arran2;ed them.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Object of Publishing. God's faithfulness to his
Covenant. Pious Ancestors, ----- 13
CHAPTEE IL
Birth. Eeligious Instruction. Early Impressions.
Worldliness. Deaths in the Family. Permanent Im-
pressions. Distressing Convictions. INIarriage. 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 lY.
Efforts for her Children and Household. Firm hold
of the Covenant. Effects of her Father's Death. In-
tercession. Activit}'. Religious Conversation. Be-
nevolent Spirit. Journal, ------ 38
9
10 CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.
Desire for the Extension of Christ's Kingdom. In-
terest in Tievivals. Eevival in 1800 and ISOl. Inci-
dent. Letter. Missionary Spirit. " Isles of Shoals."
Letter. AValk of Usefulness. Letters, - - - 47
CHAPTER VL
Letters, -----
CHAPTER Vn.
Answer to Prayei*. Succeeding Emotions. Manner
of expressing her Gratitude. Confidence in God.
Family Government. Strict Observance of the Sab-
bath. Journal. Letter, ------ 81
CHAPTER VIIL
Letter from E. 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
CONTEXTS. 11
CHAPTER XI.
Surnmarv of Doctrinal Belief, and Traits of Char-
137
CHAPTER XH.
Letters from Friends, ----__ 146
APPENDIX.
No. I. Notice of W. C. Greenleaf, - - - 153
No. II. Isles of Shoals, 170
MEMOIR
'^
MRS. JANE GEEENLEAF.
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 Greenleaf
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 God 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 OF
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 bis conversion he was remarkable for bis
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 Komish priests urged upon
him some of the ceremonies of then- church ; but,
firm in the faith, he resisted, with strong emotion,
16 MEMOIR OF
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, '* 0 ! 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 Eev. Dr. Dana.
2*
18 MEMOIR OF
"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. Daua's Sermon.
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 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.
20
MEMOIR OF
CHAPTER ir.
" 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 respectmg 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 ri«rhtful Sovereio;n.
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 aff3ctions 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 " 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 Plim. 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 with 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 llev. 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 righteous shall flourish 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 God, 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 sis 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 OF
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 Eev. 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 GKEENLEAF. 27
natural independence ; and so often was the hand
of God 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 cu'cumstances. " 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 youTS,
And 7ny 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, Glcd."
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
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 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 '12d, 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 Wi, Communion Sahhath. — 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. AVhy this insensibility, 0 ! 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,' 0 ! 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 16thi Sahhath 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. 0 ! Gra-
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 31
cious Parent, give me grace to live devoted to Thy
glory I 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, 0 ! lead me in the right way !
'' August 19tk. — 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. 0 ! that [I may be enabled to
give up myself and family, in faith, into Thy
hands, and trust Thy care ! 0 ! for true wisdom
to order my conversation aright !
"September Ibth, Sabbath Evening. — How
cold and dead have I been, to-day, to spiritual
things ! 0 ! 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 ! 0 ! that I may be
enabled to make some progress in the Divine life,
if I have set out therein ! If not, 0 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.' 0 ! 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. 0 ! that we may meet in safety,
with hearts glowing with gratitude !
'' Sohhath, 2(jtk. — 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 flice 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
f
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 God 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. 0 ! thou Holy Dove, descend,
and quicken many precious souls in this place.
I
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, Tlth. — Keturned 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. Tith, Sabhath. — 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 meetin<2;. Mr.
I
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 35
Dana preached on a part of Rev. vii. : * These
are they that have come out of great tribulation,'
(fcc. 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 God ; longing to be made
holy ; thirsting for the waters of life ; mourning
for sin ! 0 ! that I may be one of those !
" 2dth, 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 ! 0 ! thou gracious Parent, look down in
pity on me, thy guilty creature, and forgive my
sins of early childhood, and of riper years ! "
86 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
fears ; but the set time for a general revival of
religion among us, seems not to have come, as it
has in other places. 0 ! for more engagedness
among Christians ! 0 ! 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 braiuless ardors, aud 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 doath, 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.
38 MEMOIR OP
CHAPTER TV.
"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 l)ehalf,
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. 6\J
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 then* 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 MEMOIR OF
out speaking to them, either 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.
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 41
They cannot avoid it. It is now spontaneous with
them, for Grod 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 safe
foundation.
EXTRACTS FROM HER JOURNAL.
''Nov. 2d, 1819, Tuesday.— 1 went with
IMrs. 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^/i, 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 desire
to commend her to God.
"20th, Saturday. — Mrs. 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. 2c?, 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 ?
"l^th, 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
MllS. 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.
" SOth, Thursday. — B. H. called. She was
much distressed, fearing she had committed the
unpardonable sin, I tried to comfort her.
''Jan. 2M, 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
** 3l5^. — I am greatly desirous of the salva-
tion of my dear son. I may say, lie 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.
" March \Wi. — Heard that the good work in
Byfield, which commenced some weeks since,
increases, and that there are favorable appear-
ances in the lower part of Newbury. 0 ! 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 Sth, 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.
'' ]\Iay \Uh, 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.'
" Idth, 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. 0 ! how
good and gracious art thou, my Heavenly Father !
46 MEMOIR OF
Draw out my heart in love and gratitude to thee.
Let my future life be consecrated to thy service.
** June 3c?, 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
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 47
CHAPTER Y
'Tray for tliejpeace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love
thee." — Ps. 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 OF
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
Qiine 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 np the
life of Col. James Gardiner, she read, that
"wherever he saw 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
zvrong, 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. a, of D.
" Newburyport, July 30, 1822.
''My dear Mrs. C,
" 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 MEMOIR 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 oilr church, of the young members ;
and there have been some answers to their prayers.
Every Sabbath evening there are prayer yieetings
in Mr. Dimmick's church, and in our ehapel.
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 aj-e 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 the 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.
jMlJS. JANE G]IEENLEAF. 51
On the whole, respecting the good work Iiere, 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. O ! if
we all felt the worth of souls, how wo sliould
exert every power and talent in the cause of
Christ !
" Mr. Williams Las proposed to the church, to
appoint a conmiittee 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
* Sec Appendix, No. 2.
MKS. JANE GIIEENLEAF. 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, Rev. Dr. Dimmick
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 say^
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*
64 MEMOIR OF
" 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 amonu; our richest blessina'S,
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
MES. JANE GREEN LEAF. 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 ME3I0IK, OF
themselves for prayer, one evening in the week.
Some aged people are alarmed. Do pray for us ;
we need prayer, for the multitude arc 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. G."
The following is a record of " a walk of use-
fulness : "
" October Ml, 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
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF.
57
more trouble she had, the more hardened she
grew. TVe 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 couldr 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 Miss A.,
"I 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 ME3I0IK OF
parish, and to all tlie 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
healino; in his wino;s.
" 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 aired husband, ' dead in tres.
MRS. JANE GREEN LEAF.
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
ft)r him, and for my dear son, who is now with us ?
He is outwardly moral, and his principles very
sound ; but 0 ! his heart remains shut against the
precious Saviour.
" Accept much love from your friend,
J. a."
To Mrs. M. C, of D., wJdle on a visit to
England.
" Newburyport, Feb. 26, 1826.
" 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. 0 !
what protecting power and mercy we experience
in every vicissitude ! And though our distrustful
hearts often anticipate much distress, which never
60
MEMOIR OF
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, thoup;h I think she has been failino;
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 lean, 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. 0 ! 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 Derry, (N. H.)
" As life is so short and uncertain, we may not
meet again here ; but I hope we shall, through
6
62
MEMOIR OF
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.
*' Your affectionate aunt,
J. O."
MKS. JANE GREBNLEAF.
63
CHAPTEK VI.
"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God, for Israel,
is, that they might be 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 then- 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. C, Esq., of Newbury port.
" 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 ? '
' Our very wislies 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 straiojht o-ate ! '
"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 GEEENLEAF. 65
witli 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 God ! 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,' — *mad6 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 OP
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, ' 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 Grod 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. a."
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 am
now taking of addressing you in this way, when I
tell you that the purest motives of friendship lead
me 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. 0 ! 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
hegun, 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 meetiug 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
MRS. 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 ; dasli 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 Grod 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. 0 ! I do hope and
pray that you may be enabled to resist every temp-
0
MEMOIK OF
tation, and become a new man. Take the Bible
for your guide ; forsake vain companions ; seelj,
earnestly, that religion, which alone can make you
happy here and hereafter.
" I trust you wiU receive this advico 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
Your Well-wisher."
To Mr. J. C, of Newhuryport,
" , 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.
" My dear father was greatly anxious respecting
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF.
1
you, during the last years of his life, 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 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.
V/ill 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 oft 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 God.
" 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 hope 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
74 MEMOIR OF
soon be over with us all. 0 ! how important is it
that we should improve every means of grace, as
death may be near.
" Will you accept ray best wishes for your
everlasting welfare ?
** Your friend and niece,
Jane Greenleaf."
To Mrs. B., of Newhuryport.
"July 12, 1838.
** My dear Friend,
"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
twio; is bent, the tree's inclined.'
*' I never thought I had any skill in training
my children ; but what was wanting in shill 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. JAIJE SREENLEAF. iO
they grew up they would be likely to plunge into
every sin. I hope you aiid Mr. B. will be eii-
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 #0 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 ]\lr. 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.'
'' 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 hope you will receive this im-
perfect letter as a token of sincere regard from
" Your real friend,
Jane G-reenleaf."
Note to a Sich Neighbor.
" Dear Sir,
" 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, ivithout 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. 77
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.
" Newburj'port, 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, iand take the oflfered
mercy. Christ says, * Ask, and ye shall re-
ceive,' &c. And again, * The kingdom of
7*
78 MEMOIR OF
Heaven sufferetli violence, and tlie 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 tbem, 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.
" Newburj-port, 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. G., 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 God 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 ; but we must look to Christ continually for
new strength to perform new duties.
"While sl^e enjoys the comforts of religion, I
hope she will wiite 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. We
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 love 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 not failed. Though
the blessing had tarried, she waited for it, not
slothfidly, 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
Tiord earnestly, attending the meetings for re-
82
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 an 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-
MES. 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 vrhom
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 hj 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, thuiking 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,
84 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. 0&
works, always closing with tlieir repeating the
Assembly's Catechism.
Reo-ardino: 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 mvariahle 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
ob MEMOIR Oli'
FROM HER JOURNAL.
*' Sahhath Evening, Dec. IS^/i, 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. 0 ! 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 : —
" 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. 0 ! for grace to bear
up under trials so as to honor God I "
" Sahhath 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 perforin every duty clieerfuUy ; but I
ask for entire submission to thy blessed will in
all things."
Letter to Mrs. Id. C, of D.
*' Newbuiyport, March 24, 1829.
" My dear Mrs. C,
" I bear you and your dear family much on my
mind every day. 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, ' All things work together for good to them
that love God.' It is said, ' Affliction is the good
man's shining scene.'
" I 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
88
MEMOIR OF
since, you asked me to remember tbem, 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 the 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 desisfns in witherino; those
fair flowers. May we 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 bountifullj^
shall reap also bountifully.' I hope many will
be added to both churches who will finally be
saved.
' ' 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. q:'
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, 1S30.
" 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
burn 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 tlie poet,
to say,
' In each event of life, how clear
Thy ruling hand I see ;
Each blessing to my soixl 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.
"0! 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. 0! my friend, you know
92 MEMOIR OF
sometMng 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 bo the earnest and affection-
ate desire of
" Your very smcere friend,
Egbert 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 GREENLEAF. 93
** 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 MEMOIll OF
Under the influence of this cliaiity, 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 w^e
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 hlood of Christ, and
her belief in Hira 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 Christ is my defence."
When any objected to the doctrine of tho
MRS. JANE GEEENLEAF.
95
Trinity on account of its mystery, she -would
reply, "Yes, it is a glorious mystery; and it
becomes us to tvonder 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 ; althoudi 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.
" Newburyport, Jan. 18, 1S50.
"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 J^Irs. 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 OF
but now we are both far on our journey to the
eternal world. And 0 ! 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 blood
of Christ, and have found him exceedingly
precious. Our lot in life has been very different.
You have lived in afSuence ; 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.
" 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 Almiglity 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.
" That the best of Heaven's blessings may rest
on you and yours, is the ardent desire and
prayer of
*' Your friend,
Jane Greenleap."
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
MEMOIR OP
prayer of tbe 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 I).
" NeAvburyport, 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. He 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 OF
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.
0 ! that we might have a spring time as to re-
liofion !
o
" 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. a.''
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,
* 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 I 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 OF
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,
" 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
* 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
reliorion ! Excuse the freedom I have taken in
o
expressing my feelings in this way. Accept the
best wishes of
Your friend,
Jane Greenleaf."
In the revival of religion in Newburyport in
I80I, she was much interested, as well as that in
the winter of 1833 and 183-1. Her house was the
resort of numerous inquirers and young converts,
1015 MEMOIR OF
whom she instructed in the way of salvation. And
as, every 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 clays,
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 : —
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 107
" Newburyport, July 28, 1834.
" Your very kind letter, my clear 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 Grod, 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 Judge, and there I leave him. Con-
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
MEMOIR 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. T.
'• Xewbur3-port, 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 God. "VVe 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
no
MEMOIR OF
CHAPTER IX.
" Whatsoever things are lovelj^, -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 S07ne 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 ichoIJy any one of the
Christian graces, though one grace may outgrow
another. " Charity is the bond of perfectness."
MRS. JANE GKEENLEAF. Ill
" Like the band round the slieaf, 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, Vv'hich
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 Grod " 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. Gr.'s presence,
when, placing her hand affectionately on them, she
said, " 0 ! girls, remember what Dr. Young says,
" Retire, 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 lie formed, and yet he bled for 7?2e."
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, believeth,
hopeth, and endure th 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-bom 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 witlj 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 much 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 GREENLEAP. 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 God 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 1
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 ia the
assembly, and pray for a blessing on thom, besides
her general supplication.
The succeeding extracts from her journal will
farther illustrate her love for God's house : —
116 MEMOIR OF
'^August llth, 1839, Sahhath 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 IQth, 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. 0 ! 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, 0 my soul, and forget
not all his benefits ! '
''June IMi, 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 m, 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 10th, 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 eJBfort for the benefit
of the people of their charge.
1.18 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 Mr&. Proudjlt.
" 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 bos, 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 GREENLEAF. 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 reo-ard to vital relisfion.
'* 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 Greenleaf."
120 MEMOIR OP
To the same, after the death of his father.
*' Newburyport, April 25, 1843.
'*My dear Friends,
*' Surely Grod 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 seemeth
him good.' The breach is wide as the sea. But
his work was all done, and he is transplanted to a
brio;hter 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 sliown. 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 God 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 MEMOIR OF
much impressed. A very careless boy "was
wonderfully converted, and his exertions for others
were much blessed.
" 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."
" Ncwbmypovt, Sept. 21, 1S44.
*' 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. AV. L. B. He went to Oreo-on
o
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
MKS. 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, ehipsed 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 beea
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 Greenleaf."
12^
MEMOIR OF
A^
CHAPTER X.
« They shall still bring forth fruit in old age ; tliey shall be fat
and flourishing ; to show that the Lord is upright ; and there
is no unrighteousness in him." — Ts. 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 '' (jood 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 brouglit with it none of
the peevishness and gloom, which so often marks
this period of life. She ^as 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 GllEENLEAF. 125
Nor was this 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 failings 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 sit
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 -vYrite,
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 Eev. Dr. Proudfit,
were written by her after this period : —
*' Newburyport, Aug. 22, 1846.
*' Eev. and dear Sir,
'' 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
MKS. JANE GIIEENLEAF. 127
suflfer 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 MEMO IE OF
" Newburyport, Nov. 1, 1848.
" My YEllY DEAR FrIENDS,
'' If you were to hear from me as often as I
tliiiik 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 GREENLEAF.
129
" I liope your health has been restored by your
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 OF
had suffered grievous afflictions, and had been
enabled to *' glorify God in the fires." Her
heart had gone before her into Heaven, and her
treasure was there ; why should she be longer
tried ? Had the summons then come, 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, tliat
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, sufifer, 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 churcli, in return for all his
care, not only ripe fruit, but mellow. And, in
her case, his purpose of love was accomplished by
MRS. 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 hj 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 OP
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-
ino; 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
mittecl rather reluctantly, thinking it might be
"too great self-indulgence." But her laborioua
breathing and increasing weakness gave indication,
to her friends, that the conflict was soon to tep-
minate.
On the morning of the 14tb,
*' 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. Vermilye, 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_indisputablv /<»*■/
proved her faith sincere.
During the succeeding night, she slept at inter-
vals, and seemed to Buffer little. Just as th©
12
134 MEMOIR OP
morning of the 15tli dawned, in the most gentle
manner, she ** fell asleep in Jesus,"
" All her sorrows left below,
And earth exchanged for Heaven."
There were three instances of the Divine fiiith-
fulness and love in her death. It had lono; 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 belield " 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-
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF.
135
clren, so the Lord pitietli them that fear him. For
he kiiovreth our frame ; he rememhereth 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 siare ;
And the whole race of 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 day ;
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.''
MKS. JANE GREENLEAF. 13*i
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 tliG preceding pages the writer has endeav-
ored to avoid anj^thing, 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 Payson, 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 OF
Bhall 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
soui'ce. 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 exempUJication 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 the maintenance of ber 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 GREENLEAF. 141
a standing or falling soul, it might bo added —
" the just shall live hy 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 gi-ace " was to her a precious
and most encouraging truth; since it gave her
assurance that if, asl she believed, she had been
** renewed in the spirit and temper of her mind,"
however^ humble, however weak, and inefficient
in herself, she would not be suffered to "fall
away unto perdition." " Who shall separate us
from^thejlove of God, which is in Christ Jesus,
oui' 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 *' God 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 OP
in Grod, derived, but from tlie 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
brin2;eth forth his fruit in his season : his leaf also
shall not wither."
Is a Christian eminent in piety? Assuredly
144
MEMOIR OF
** his delight is in the law of the Lord ; and in his
law doth he meditate day and night." Mrs.
(xreenleaf 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 Grod, and found of a truth, that
" whoever vjUI 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
ME3. JANE GREENLEAP. 145
SO impressive in the world. Gaining 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.
Header, 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 sliould 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. Gr. W., of Washing-
ton, (D. C.)
" Washington, Ma J- 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. Grod 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 GREEXLEAF. 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 OE
who have shared your sympathy and been saved
by your prayers.
" May Grod 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
prayers for my daily perseverance in the faith and
love of Christ.
a. w."
The succeeding letters from which extracts are
made, were addressed to the compiler after her
decease.
From Eev. R. W. F. .
" Woburn, 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 Neiv Brunswick,, (^N. J.)
"New Brunswick, June 12.
" We feel that we can say with unfaltering as-
. Burance, 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 ' 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 7iew holiness, power, and happiness. What a
hope ! What a Kedeemer 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 como to us as the
MRS. JANE GREENLEAF. 151
result of her repeated and constant supplications.
We know that ' the ejBfectual, fervent prayer of
the ri"-hteous 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 0 ! how much cause have we all to bless
Grod 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 Grod 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, * 0 ! death, where is thy sting ? 0 ! 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 I ' ''
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, Kev. 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 2G, 1851 : —
" It is natural that we should mourn the loss of
a mother, so affectionate and faithful as she was ;
but wlien 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.
ArPENDIX.
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
spm
tual interests to dano;er
Another letter, dated June 29, followed, in
which he spoke of himself as being remarkably
well, though very fully occupied. The nex; 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
166
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 *^ 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 Ptedecmer, till
the morning of the resurrection." *
The faneral 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.
moTiary 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 he 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 wliicli lie Lad not known
before. He acquired a strength of Yoice, and
soundness of lungs, which ena])led 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 end 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 APPENDIX.
faith, and a corresponding practice. A "bio-
meeting" once or twice a year, was thought by
many to answer every purpose ; and the remainder
of the time they would hear Campbellites, Mor-
mons, Univdrsalists, 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 be 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" v/hen 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 Ncwburyport, which
was distributed among three Sabbath Schools in
that vicinity.
In the autumn of 1845 he removed to Chat-
APPENDIX. IGl
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, ahhough a
majority of the church wished it. A division in
it, on the subject of abohtion, 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
jjreached. 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 tbeni, be 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 bis return
to relinquish preaching altogether, and devote
himself to agriculture for a subsistence. For this
purpose he removed to the suburbs of Springfield,
a!lid 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 E-ev. 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 ia i/-vc^^
'^h 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 1 comfortable living! joyful dying ! "
The two following letters, from which extracts
are made, were written after Mr. Gi-.'s death : —
From Deacon W. D., of Loioell.
'• 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. Greenleaf.
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.
pain 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
walls 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 remaineth 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
ray 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
APrENDIX. 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 jit.
" New Brunswick, Sept. 10, 1851.
" You cannot doubt that both the dear friends
for whom you mouin, 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 tliey ' sleep in Jesus/ but tliey
have left beliind 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, he
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 alone
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 be his nam.e for that word,
addressed to his whole church, ' Behold, I come
quicldy ! ^ 0 ! 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.' "
APPENDIX. 1G7
THE DEATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS.
BY MONTGOMERY.
" This place is holy ground ;
World, Avith tliy 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 tiie 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 whicli 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,
Faith 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,
This pale and lovely clay ;
Heard ye the sob of par.ing breath ?
Marked ye the eyes' last ray ?
No : — life so sweet!]) ceased to be,
It lapsed ill 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.
" 0, make Heaven seem brighter than this earth."
Dying toords of Rev, 31. 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 lovo
"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 Avould 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 ? "
15
APPENDIX. NO. 11.
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 Revolutionary War there were
from 300 to 600 inhabitants on all the Islands.
Star Island, which is the largest of the group,
was an incorporated town, first named xlppledore,
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 YV^ar, 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. Rev. Mr. Hull was the first minis-
ter. Rev. John Brock the second. He was
ordained in 1650, removed in 1GG2, 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
the remains of the
Eev. John Tucke, A. M.
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 ofQce;
■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 175-i 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, it 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, Hon. Dudley A. Tyng, of
Newbury port, addressed a letter to Rev. 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 SI 00. Mr. Joseph Em-
erson was first sent there as a minister. Before
fands could be raised, Mr. Tyng caused a meeting-
house of stone to be 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. Josiah Stephens,
a faithful instructor of youth,
and pious minister of Jesus Christ,
(supported on this Island
hj the society for
propagating the gospel,)
%Yho 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
oblio;ed to leave. Others have since taken his
*Most of this information, respectinj^ the Shoals, has been
obtained from several articles which appeared in the ^ew-
buryport Herald, in 1841.
176 APPENDIX.
place. " The Society for propagating toe gospel"
have again aided this people, and for several years
past, have allowed from SI 50 to S200 per annum
fur 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. Ebenezer
Stedman, 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 Grosport, which was received after
the preceding Memoir was in press :
" 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.
APPENDIX. 177
these last few years. But it sliould 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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