St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1882-04-14
Miss Sarah 4. Stevens.

MISS SAL a. SNtNtues
One by one the faithful workers in
the Masters vineyard drop ont of the
ranks and 90 home to their final rest
some falling in active service, with the
armor on, while to others is appointed
IL waiting time, before their summons
comes. Such an one has just been call
ed away. Another life of devoted
Christian usefulness is ended
Miss Sarah A. Stevens, who one
week ago entered upon her reward,
was, for fourteen years, missionary
teacher among the colorcd people at
the South. \ Young girl of eighteen.
just graduated, she spent two years
teaching i'll Minnesota, then leaving
the attractions of society and youthful
pleasures she accepted an appointment
under the American Missionary Asso-
citation, and entered the work among
the Freedmen. so early in its history
that she experienced many of the pri-
vatiOns, endured the scOrn and en-
countered some of the dangers atten-
dant upon the opening of that work
but the native self-reliance. the energy
and perseverance which had enabled
her to obtain her own education al
most unaided, was sufficient to sus-
tain her in the work she had chosen.
Notwithstanding its privations and diff
ficulties.
She was first sent to Louisville. Ky.
where mt that time ii military guard
was necessary to attend the teachers
to and from their school to protect
them from danger and insult She
next taught at Macon, Ga, where she
remained several years, working faith
fully and enthusiastically in both day
and night school, and where severe
illness of nervous prostration told the
story of overwork. During the fear
full scourge of yellow fever in 1873 she
was i'll Memphis, Tenn, and was the
only one of the faithful band of teach
ers there who was not Frustrated by
the fever. In that panic stricken city
where friends were flying in terror
from even their dearest ones, she stood
firm and unfaltering, directing and
overseeing the Howard nurses who
teachers: while to her own devoted
and untiring care. the only one of that
band of teachers who recovered feels
that, under God, she owes her life.
From the nervous strain endured dur
ing that terrible experience she never
fully recovered. Her last years of
teaching We're at Fisk University,
Nashville. Tenn. one of the best. and
the most widely known of any of the
colleges in the South. In the Normal
department of that institution she
tau-ht until her health. which had
been failing for years, was completely
broken down. Then came to her the
"waiting time"-the time that tries
most severely the faith of one whose
heart has been 50 devoted to the Mas
ter's service. When others work, it is
not easy to feel that "they also serve
who only stand and wait
Her experience as Il missionary
teacher was il varied one. She assist
ed in the pioneer work among a newly
emancipated race, race burdened
with all the evils of slavery, poverty,
ignorance and superstition. Children
a.. l..
ceitful, untruthful and vicious gave
the mind, the heart and the WW of the
teacher full employment. The moral,
intellectual, physical and spiritual
natures were to be developed and
trained ii blessed workout one that
undermined her constitution. She was
IL helper during all the transition peri
cd as through the mOlding influence of
education the people gradually came
up out of the shadows of ignorance in
to the dawning light of knowledge and
her last years were spent among stu
dents of culture and refnement-tru
opponents of the possibilities opening
to the race.
An earnest, enthusiastic Christian
teacher, she was ever much beloved by
her pupils over whom she exercised a
strong influence for good, feeling that
her work failed of its highest end if
they were not led to Jesus. She will
be remembered with sincere affection
by both students and fellow teachers.
During the past year, for some pur-
pose beyond our understanding, the
loving Father has assigned to her
months of illness, of WEAKNESS and
pain, but she was ever submit Ssive to
this appointment of sutfering-n muir
muir against his will was ever heard.
Underneath were the everlasting arms
and the presence and love of Jesus sus-
tanned her i'll hours of intensest agony.
She always spoke cheertully and trust
ingly of her future. She feared not to
enter the dark valley for it led to the
home of the redeemed where we trust
she now dwells with the Redeemer.
Surely, as her pastor remarked ut
her funeral, ''such ii life of selt-denial
and devotion to the Masters work
among the lOwly, is legacy to any
community" She rests now from her
labors and her works do follow her
h.