an.
Rev. Dr. Spear, her pastor, in a touching and eloquent memorial of her,
uses the following language in regard to the success of her
administration as President of the Women's Relief Association; "It is
due to truth to say that this success depended very largely upon her
wisdom and her efforts. She was the right woman in the right place. She
gave her time to the work with a zeal and perseverance that never
faltered, and with a hopefulness for her country that yielded to no
discouragement or despondency. As a presiding officer she discharged her
duties with a self-possession, courtesy, skill, and method, that
commanded universal admiration. She had a quick and judicious insight
into the various ways and means by which the meetings of the
Association would be rendered interesting and attractive. The business
part of the work was constantly under her eye. No woman ever labored in
a sphere more honorable; and but few women could have filled her place.
Her general temper of mind, her large and catholic views as a Christian,
and then her excellent discretion, eminently fitted her to combine all
the churches in one harmonious and patriotic effort. This was her
constant study; and well did she succeed. As an evidence of the
sentiments with which she had inspired her associates, the following
resolution offered at the last meeting of the Association, and
unanimously adopted, will speak for itself:--
"'_Resolved_, That the thanks of the Women's Relief Association are
pre-eminently due to our President, Mrs. J. S. T. Stranahan, for
the singular ability, wisdom, and patience with which she has
discharged the duties of her office, at all times arduous, and not
unfrequently requiring sacrifices to which nothing short of the
deepest love of country could have been equal. It is due to
justice, and to the feelings of our hearts, to say that the
usefulness, the harmony, and the continued existence of the Women's
Relief Association, through the long and painful struggle, now
happily ended, have been in a large measure owing to the
combination of rare gifts, which have been so conspicuous to us all
in the guidance of our public meetings, and which have marked not
less the more unnoticed, but equally essential, superintendence of
the work in private.'"
The Rev. Dr. Bellows, President of the United States Sanitary
Commission, thus speaks of Mrs. Stranahan and of t
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