The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1884-03-05
obituary-Mrs. s. B. Merrill.

On the night of the 18th of last month,
after very brief illness, Mrs. s. b. Mer-
rill, so well and honorably known to many
of our citizens. departed this life i'll Col
umbus, Ga. She had spent her life in the
noble work of education. She ever stood
among the first in intelligence, piety and
every enterprise for the Advancement of
religion and learning. During the last
seven years of her residence in this city
she was the competent and efficient princi-
pal of our Mississippi Institute for the
Blind. After her retirement from this re-
sponsible position she went north and
studied for the kindergarten system,
which, after her return, she taught for
some years with success. She was full
of untiring energy and enthusiasm in
every enterprise she undertook She was
lady of decided character, earnest
piety and great persistency in every effo t
to do good. Even when enfeebled
by old age she could not rest satisfied with
out being employed in some useful work.
The remaining months of her life were
spent among mill operatives and poor of
Columbus, Ga, whose every interest she
was seeking to promote, and among whom
she labored without earthly fee or reward.
She organized sewing societies, Martha's
meetings, prayer meetings, while she went
from house to house distributing religious
literature, SO far rs she found restitution.
In such work she ended her days, and has
gone to her reward.
The following just and beautiful tribute
to her memory from the Presbyterian Sab
bath School in Columbus, Ga, shows how
this noble and useful woman ended her
days:
MEMORIAL TO MRS. MERRILL.
Columbus (Ga.) Enquirer-Sun, Feb. 20.
Sunday, February 18th, notice having
been given the Presbyterian Sabbath
school, of this city, that Mrs. S. B. Merrill
s'had crossed over the river" committee
was appointed to prepare resolutions ex-
pfessive Of their grief and loss by her sud-
den taking of.
Mrs. Merrill, We think, had the correct
idea of life. She felt that God had par
pose in making her, and she could find,
nowhere, so well what that purpose was, as
from God himself Hence. she took sweet
counsel with God.
General Lee exclaimed: DUTY! duty!
next grandest word to God" She sought
her duty, and did it unhinchingly. Though
Presbyterian, she took class at Broad
Street Methodist Church, and labored there,
because the field of labor was broader and
therefore more inviting to her Christian
heart. Extremely feeble, often compelled
to rest between the church and her board
ing-house, she faltered not, but was faith
full to the last. We believe that, at the
grand sssize of Heaven and earth, she will
hear the welcome plaudit: "Well done,
good and faithful servant"
''Christ was her life; the ocean to the
river of her thoughts" Therefore,
Resolved first, That Mrs. Merrill was one
of the ''lower lights" in our Sabbath school,
and when her life went out one of the pur.
est and sweetest silver haired mothers OF
Israel passed from earth.
Resolved second, That we will cherish
her deeds, emulate her virtues, that we. like
herself, when death demands us,
May be up the ladder of dutyso high
That we can step from the top round
into the sky