Your ShelfYour Projects

Obituary

6%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 23, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 25.

Read the full edition

Obituary

By A. G. DANIELLS

The Death of Sister S. F. Prescott

The many friends and acquaintances of Brother and Sister W. W. Prescott will be deeply pained by the sad news of her death, which occurred on the tenth of June. Sister Prescott was born in Penacook, N. H., a suburb of Concord, on Feb. 28, 1856. Her maiden name was Sarah F. Sanders, and she was the daughter of Jacob P. and Frances M. Sanders. The early part of her life was spent in her home town, where she obtained the most of her education. After finishing her work in the local academy, she entered Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., as a non-resident student, taking a part of the woman's course.
When Sister Prescott was only two years old, her mother accepted the Sabbath and the third angel's message, and brought up her daughter in the faith. At the age of seventeen she herself was converted to the truth, and thus, her whole life was identified with the cause of the third angel's message.
On July 8, 1880, she was married to Prof. W. W. Prescott at the home of her parents in Penacook, N. H. Their first home was at Biddeford, Me., where Professor Prescott was beginning business life as an editor and publisher. In 1882 they removed to Montpelier, Vt., where Brother Prescott continued his work on a larger scale.
In 1885 they responded to a pressing call from the General Conference Committee to take the management of Battle Creek College, and removed to Battle Creek, Mich. During the nine years that Professor Prescott had charge of the college, Sister Prescott was closely associated with him in the educational work, sometimes as teacher, and always active in sharing the heavy burdens of the school.
In 1895, when Professor Prescott made his first journey around the world in the interests of the educational and evangelistic work in foreign lands, Sister Prescott accompanied him. In all the countries visited she had the privilege of meeting many former students of the college, who had gone to those lands to help proclaim the message of truth. Many new and lasting friendships were formed among our people in the countries she visited.
Soon after completing this important journey, they were called to take charge of our work in Great Britain. They located in London, where they remained until 1901, when they were called to Battle Creek, Mich., to take an active part in the administrative work of the General Conference. When the headquarters of our cause was transferred to Washington, in 1903, Sister Prescott came with her husband, and resided here the remainder of her life.
It was in the winter of 1908 that the disease which caused Sister Prescott's death first made its appearance. Fearing its dangerous, malignant character, the best counsel and aid were secured that could be found. An operation was performed by Dr. Howard A. Kelly, of Baltimore, in March, 1908. This brought great relief, and it was hoped that her health would be fully restored; but in the fall of 1909, the disease returned, and a second operation was performed in March, 1910. She never fully rallied from this operation, and in May there was a third operation. This gave only temporary relief, and early Friday morning, June 10, she passed away, at the age of 54 years, 3 months, and 13 days.
To Brother and Sister Prescott was born only one child, a son, Lewis William, Oct. 12, 1891. Father and son both survive to carry life's responsibilities together.
The funeral services were held at the home in Takoma Park, D. C. The casket was placed on the veranda, where Sister Prescott had spent many pleasant days while in health, and many peaceful, cheerful hours while life was slowly ebbing away. A large number of relatives and sympathizing neighbors and friends attended the service. The Review and Herald and General Conference offices were closed, so that all the workers connected with them might be present. It was a very sad occasion to all, and yet we were all comforted by that "blessed hope" which sustained her to the last.
From the time she was taken ill, everything that could promise help was done for Sister Prescott's comfort and recovery. Her surgeon, Dr. Kelly, who performed each of the operations, made a heroic effort to save her. And besides the efficient work of physicians and nurses, many earnest prayers were offered in her behalf. So general and importunate was the spirit of supplication for her recovery, that we feel sure she would have been restored had our wise and kind Father seen that it would have been best.
Sister Prescott greatly appreciated the kind, sympathetic ministry of the physicians and nurses, and also the deep solicitude of those who prayed so fervently for her recovery. At the time of my last visit and prayer at her bedside, she expressed complete resignation to the wisdom and will of God. While she expressed a desire to live and work for the Master, yet she said with a smile, "I can trust him."
Those who knew Sister Prescott will always remember her as a bright, cheerful, courageous Christian. Her confidence in God's wisdom and love and guidance was unwavering. Appearances did not frighten her. In the darkest hours of perplexity she constantly affirmed that "God lives and rules." This attitude she maintained until her triumphant death.
The writer, assisted by Elders W. T. Knox and F. M. Wilcox, conducted the funeral service.
A. G. DANIELLS.