Mary A. Metcalf 1863-1911

METCALF

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/21/2018 at 08:39:24

15 June 1911 - West Branch Times

Mary A. Metcalf, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Metcalf, was born in Johnson County, Iowa, August 23, 1863. The first fourteen years of her life were spent in Johnson and Cedar counties.

At the age of twelve years she gave her heart to God in the Methodist Episcopal church at Oasis. Since that time she lived a consistent Christian life.

In the communities where her father served as pastor, she was always one of the most faithful workers. In the Sunday School and Junior League she loved to work with and for the young people. Her special gifts in this line together with her zeal made her a most efficient helper.

During the first few months spent by the family as a period of rest in this town previous to last year, Mary continued to show her interest in the great work and often supplied in the Sunday School, was present at the Epworth League meetings and assisted very effectively. We counted her one of our number and her going to another field was a loss to us. We were sure however, that wherever she might be, there she was in the Lord's work to the full extent of her physical strength.

About a year ago she was thus actively engaged when she was compelled to see that the work of the church and the heat of the summer were too taxing and her strength failed although for the most part she seemed to recover. Last February she and her parents became aware that she was gradually failing and on May 3 she was taken to the Iowa Methodist Hospital. For a short time some hope was entertained for her recovery but improvement proved to be only temporary.

Wednesday morning, May 7th, at 9:15 death came. She was conscious to the last and nodded the concurrence of faith and hope as the twenty-third psalm was repeated to her.

In health and strength she was a blessing to others and in various places are young men and young women in the church today faithful to the Lord as a result of her interest in them in Sunday School or Junior League. Undoubtedly it will be seen some day that her days in the hospital were not in vain for one of the nurses said to her father, "She has been a help to me and I will be a better girl because of this."

She was a great comfort to her parents. She loved them and was loved by them. She has gone a little before to be with brothers and sisters of whom she often spoke as being now in heaven.

The funeral service was conducted by Rev. E. A. Lang in the Methodist Episcopal church at 1:30 p.m. June 9. The remains were interred in the Oasis cemetery. Dr. T. E. Fleming of Marshalltown preached the funeral sermon.

The family appreciates the kindness of their friends in this, their sad loss, and extends sincere thanks.