A Short Sketch of the Life of Mrs. Ellen Brain-Jewell by W. W. Miller

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 19, 1907

A Short Sketch of the Life of Mrs. Ellen Brain-Jewell

By W. W. Miller

THE hearts of our workers in India were made very sad by the sudden death of Sister Jewell, which occurred on the evening of July 19, 1907. Her picture with that of her husband appears below. She had been suffering more or less for some time with a disease of the bowels, and this, together with complications, was the cause of her untimely death.

Earnest prayer was offered in her behalf, and the Lord came very near. Dr. Menkel and the sanitarium nurses worked over her faithfully, and other physicians were called in for counsel, but all their efforts proved of no avail.

When told that we were praying for her, she seemed to realize her critical condition, and offered a most earnest prayer, full of faith and trust in God. She then sang two stanzas of the hymn “Revive Us Again.”

Ellen Brain was born in Bristol, England, Dec. 25, 1882. About twelve years ago she, with her family, accepted the truth which she loved until the last.

She made her way through the London Bible School by canvassing for our literature, and manifested a willingness to make any sacrifice that would enable her to obtain an education and fit herself to engage in the Lord’s work.

After completing the Bible school, she entered Caterham Sanitarium, where she remained three years. She was thus well prepared to minister to both the soul and the body. Faithfulness characterized her work wherever she labored, and it was with reluctance that she was relieved from her duties at Caterham when she decided to come to India.

Only last November she left her family, consisting of father, mother, two sisters, and six brothers, and came to this field. Soon after her arrival she was married to H. J. Jewell, one of the nurses in the Calcutta Sanitarium. Here, as elsewhere, she rendered most faithful service, and endeared herself to both patients and workers. She always manifested a great interest in the natives, and did what she could for them.

Though at times she suffered intensely, she never complained, but went about her work cheerfully, always more thoughtful for others than for herself. She remained at her post until within four days of her death. To have her taken from us so unexpectedly was a great shock to us all.

While we deeply mourn our loss, we still cherish the memory of her faithfulness, and her example is an incentive to us to work with greater earnestness than ever before.

We laid her to rest, after speaking words of comfort to her husband and friends from Rev. 14:13 and Isa. 37:1. Brother Jewell feels very keenly the loss of the one he loved, but even in this foreign land he has many friends who sympathize with him and are doing all they can to cheer and encourage him.

We sorrow not as do those who have no hope, but we look forward to the glorious appearing of the One who will give a crown of life to all who are faithful unto death.

W. W. MILLER.