The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-10-07
Obituary..

MARsH.-Mrs. Sophronia II. Marsh. who
has at last been granted release from long
protracted sutferings, was the daughter of
the late Charles Bliss of Calais, and her life
was spent mostly in that town, where she
was widely known and sincerely resnected
Her marriage to Charles ID. Marsh (who
dled about six years ag, }, brought upon her
the care of his seven children, and most
successfully did she perform the duties
arising IN this trying relation. Her love
and devotion were those of mother indeed /;
and won from them a responsive affection
often tenderly manifested to her in her de-
clinng years. She had an active mind. n
sunny disposition, and superior strength of
character Her daily life proclaimed the
holiness of helpfulness," and her strong
faith disarmed death of its terrors.
PRATT.-The entire community of North
Montpelier was startled by the news of the
death OF Mrs. s. G. Pratt on Friday after
noon of last week Leaving her boarding
place at about three o'clock, she went to
her favorite resort for reading and study-a
seat close by the edge of the pond A bout
hve O'Clock her body was found in the wa
Ter by Charles &. Ramsdell and joseph
Hatta of Montpelier, who were preparing
TO ilsh. III was about ten feet from the shore
and in very shallow water Close bv the
water was number of the Cosmopolitan
magazine, found open on the ground with
the pages down. This was but a few feet
"
The closest investigation of the attending
circumstances and the facts relating to her
former sickness, leave no room for doubt
that her death was caused by the return of
an old trouble, hysteria, which was brought
on by overwork and study. Mrs Pratt's
husband arrived at North Montpelier about
noon on Saturday, and late in the afternoon
the remains were taken to West Concord
for interment A memorial service is to be
held at North Montpelier as soon as arrange
AT West Concord, and had always lived
there until the last two years, with the ex-
ceptlon OF some years passed at school in
The west. In her native place she ALWAYS
took an active part in church and Sunday
school work, and the sympathy of the en-
ure community goes out to her afflicted
relatives, especially to her husband and to
her aged mother. For nearly year Mrs.
Pratt had served as the minister of the
Universalist societies in North and East
Montpelier, preaching in both places each
sunday and her amiability aud Christian
devotion, her earnest and impressive SER
mons, and her evidently sincere desire for
the welfare OF her flock, had resulted in a
quickened interest throughout the societies.
ana had justified the antcipations founded
upon her known success in her previous
fields of labor. Seldom are so firm bonds
of confidence and mutual interest and af-
lection 50 quickly formed between pastor
and people as they were between her and
the members of these societies She had not
been ordained, but it was expected that she
would ere long be formally inducted into
the office whose duties she had so abun-
iantly proved her ability to perform, and
that she would maintain creditable stand
ing in the ranks of the clergy. Her stand
ard, both for the ministry and the laity, was
A high one. She eXacted much of herself.
more, probably, than her strength war.
'anted, and was not content with half
leartedness anywhere; and at times no
ioubt she was too easily depressed, when,
n herself and others, the actual appeared
% fall far short of her ideal; but she en-
Dyed her werk heartily, and had great rea-
ION to thank God and take courage in view
u what she had been enabled to accom-
'lish. The funeral service at West Con-
ord took place on Sunday.