Memoir of Mrs. Catharine M. Dimmick

Front matter

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

MRS. CATHARINE M. DIMMICK.

BY L. F. DIMMICK,

Chapter I

Introductory Remarks — Her Birth and Parentage — Early Developements of Character — Death of her Father — Mother — The Breaking up of the Family, and her residence with her Uncle — Her School — Change of residence, 9

Chapter II

Her Baptism — Early Religious Impressions — Conversion — Public Profession of Religion — Private Covenant with God — Her Pastor's Death — The Active Character of her Religion — Spheres in which she particularly endeavored to be useful — Her School — The Family — The Sabbath School — Visits to the Aims-House, 16

Chapter I

Introductory Remarks — Her Birth and Parentage — Early Developements of Character — Death ofher Father — Mother — The Breaking up of the Family, and her Residence with her Uncle • — Her School — Change of Residence.

A human being is an existence of great value, " created in the image of God." It is appointed to act a great part ; to enter into the views and plans of God, and labor to promote them ; and when it shall have accomplished its work, and shall receive in the end, from the sovereign Judge, the plaudit, " Well done, good and faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things ; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord;" it will have attained to a great end. It is difficult to write of such an existence, and write worthily ; tracing from the beginning its developement ; the impediments it has encountered ; the temptations it has resisted ; the providences of God which have favored it ; the grace that has saved it ; the manner in which it has performed its duties, borne its burdens, met its last conflict, and passed away to immortality. Even the 2 first openings of such an existence, have interest. The bud contains in it a correspondence to the flower, the fruit ; the germ, to the tree. At the close, when the part appointed has been acted well, angels admire ; and fellow mortals may ponder with profit and with praise.

The subject of the following Memoir, Miss Catharine Mather Marvin, was born in the city of Norwich, Ct., January 27, 1793. Her parents were Elihu and Elizabeth Marvin.

Catharine was the youngest of five daughters. The children^ were six in number, and all daughters, except the last. In childhood, according to the accounts given by herself and her sisters, she had a slender constitution. Great care was requisite in protecting and nurturing so frail a plant, to rear it up to maturity. Still she was sprightly. The mental developement was much in advance of the physical. She was intellectual, fond of reading, loved poetry, and showed a lively imagination. With these traits of character, — though the delicacy of her health deprived her of some of the advantages of the schools during her early years, her nature needing sedatives rather than stimulants, — she made good proficiency in knowledge. Her education was extensively a home education, and, more than is usually the case, a selfeducation. A native thirst for knowledge quickened research, and rendered its acquisition easy. She was ardent in her attachments, and dutiful.

At the age of a little more than five years, she lost her father. His place was supplied to the family, in part, by Mrs. Marvin's father, Dr. Theophilus Rogers, for about three years, till his death. At the age of a little less than sixteen, she lost her mother, and was thus left entirely an orphan,

Her father had been connected with the patriotic army of the Revolution, in which he had held a commission. He was a physician by profession, and highly respected as a medical practitioner, and also for the general excellences of his character. The following tribute was paid to his worth by a cotemporary fellow-citizen at the time of his decease. " September 13, 1798. Departed this life, on Friday morning, in the forty-fifth year of his age, of the yellow fever, General Elihu Marvin, whose enlightened understanding, whose philanthropic heart, whose pure principles, whose regular deportment and domestic virtues, distinguished his character. While society regret his loss as a citizen, all his acquaintances lament a friend. Though misfortune had shaded his life, it had not stained his integrity. He had improved by its painful instruction, and fell at a moment when prosperity was dawning upon him."

Her grandfather was also a physician, residing in Norwich. The following notice of his decease, appeared in the papers of the day. " September 24, 1801. Departed this life on Thursday last, after a long and distressing sickness, Dr. Theophilus Rogers, aged 70. Through the course of a long life devoted to the good of mankind in the practice of physic, he uniformly merited the character of an honest man, a valuable citizen, an eminent physician ; his death is sensibly felt, and universally regretted by his friends and the public in general."

Her mother was originally Elizabeth Rogers, daughter of Dr. Theophilus Rogers, and a descendant, like others of that name in this country, from John Rogers the martyr. She was "a woman of a strong mind," " amiable and universally beloved by her acquaintances," during the latter part of her life a professed Christian, and " walked worthy of her vocation."

Miss Marvin was also, by her father's side, a descendant of the Mather family of Dorchester ; in recognition of which was her middle name, Mather.

Soon after the death of her mother — the first of February following — the family was broken up, and Catharine was received into the family of an uncle, Benjamin Snow, Esq., of Norwich, who discharged the office of guardian to her in a kind, honorable, and faithful manner. Inheriting but little patrimony, she was of necessity, even at this early age, thrown, in no inconsiderable degree, upon her own resources. This, however, instead of being an injury, was of use to her, teaching her, from the beginning of active life, to depend much on herself, and aiding, doubtless, to form the character which she afterwards exhibited. Some spirits are crushed by difficulties and responsibilities. Others make them a means of developement and maturity.

Of her residence in the family of her uncle and guardian, he himself gives the following testimony. " Catharine commenced her residence in my family at the age of sixteen years, and continued eight years with us, without a blemish in her deportment. She was truly amiable, always kind and affectionate to all the inmates of the family. She was remarkable for accomplishing much in a little time. She was never known to be idle. When reading, her hands would often be employed in some other avocation, such as could be pursued while mental improvement was the main object. In this way she early read Rollin's Ancient History, and many other works."

Miss Marvin ever retained a grateful recollection of the kindness received from the family of her uncle. Thirty years afterward, June 13, 1842, she says : " I have many tender feelings towards them. A very important part of my earthly pilgrimage was spent beneath their roof. I can never forget it. It lies, indeed, far back in the distance ; yet I often, through the vista of the years that have rolled away, catch many a scene most vividly."

The incipient endeavors of human beings to take care of themselves, however feeble, are fraught with interest, as indicative of character, and as the first in a train of results, by which the value of life itself is to be estimated. In this view, Miss Marvin's first essay is not unworthy to be noticed.

At the age of a little less than seventeen, in the autumn of 1809, she opened a select school for young misses. This she did, not simply for the pecuniary consideration, though there was occasion for it on that account. But it was congenial to her nature, and accorded with the general energy of her character, to be active in some employment. In this school, of her own gathering, she continued till the autumn of 1815, about six years. Not much has been learned in regard to her methods of instruction ; nor is it known that there was any thing very peculiar in her proceeding. She had the talent of awakening, eminently, in her scholars, interest in their pursuits. Numbers of them continued with her through several years. Mrs. S. L. Smith, who died in connection with the Palestine mission a few years since, was one of her pupils. " She was in the habit," says one who belonged to the number, " of giving an address to her scholars, every Saturday, in which the deportment of each during the week was noticed, in such a way as to correct their faults, and encourage every effort they had made for improvement." In general, she discharged the duties of a teacher, says one, " to the entire satisfaction of the parents and friends of the scholars," and in a mariner " highly approved by the public at large." A friend has 2* mentioned some of her habits at this time, particularly the habit of early rising. Even in the winter she rose often at four o'clock for reading and study. This she did, that she might more thoroughly prepare herself for teaching ; adding to her other efforts prayer for success, and for the moral qualifications which she felt to be needful.

She remembered her labors among her "little friends," as she sometimes called her pupils, with deep interest through her whole subsequent life. She loved to follow them in their various ways, and hear of their prosperity ; and especially did it give her joy to learn of any of them, that they had " chosen the good part," and were devoting their lives to Christ, and to usefulness in the world. She would think, in regard to such, that perhaps her own early endeavors had constituted at least a particle of the influence which had led to the joyful result ; and it was a high satisfaction. In a letter to a friend, Nov. 18, 1829, she says, "On looking back, I can see that many of the dear children who were once my pupils, have become, as is hoped, the children of God. I dare trace no connection between the two things ; but it is a sweet thought, that it is so — that they have become reconciled to God through the blood of his Son." Would that young ladies, more extensively, would see in the business of teaching, an employment of high honor and utility. Faithfully performed, it will yield pleasure through subsequent life, and eternal consequences of peace and joy. To benefit the minds which God has made, is to do a work for immortality.

In the spring of 1815, Miss Marvin became a resident in the family of Richard Adams, Esq., of Norwich, as a companion to Mrs. Adams, and an assistant to her, particularly in the care and education of her children, some of whom had been her pupils. In a short time she relinquished her school, that she might give her undivided attention to the new duties she had assumed. In this situation she continued till her marriage, in the spring of 1820. Of this period, a letter from a member of the family says, " To the children she was ever kind and attentive ; at the same time she was a beloved companion to all the older members of the household."

To Mrs. Adams she afterwards wrote, Aug. 27, 1820, " I shall never cease to feel an interest in you and your family, as I must ever with gratitude recollect numerous favors and kindnesses received from you." And again, Sept. 4, 1821 : "My obligation to you for many kindnesses does not diminish at all in my esteem since I have been favored by a good Providence with a home of my own."

Chapter II

Her Baptism — Early Religious Impressions — Conversion — Public Profession of Religion — Private Covenant with God — Her Pastor's Death — The Active Character of her Religion — Spheres in which she particularly endeavored to be useful — Her School — The Family — The Sabbath School — Visits to the Aims-House.

The various discipline with which Miss Marvin had been exercised, had not been in vain in regard to her spiritual interests. Devoted to God in baptism a little after her father's death, her mother then first becoming a communicant in the church,* she was carefully instructed in the principles and duties of Christianity. She remembered her baptism with interest, and looked, ever after, upon the sanctuary where it was performed, and the pastor who performed it, as sustaining a relation to her of additional sacredness on this account. Twelve or fourteen years afterwards, in describing a landscape spread out before her, she says, " More remotely is a pleasant part of the town, which, among other objects of interest, presents the spire of the church, where, I well remember, I was dedicated to God in baptism." The whole scene was frequently present with her, and was a token to her of what she ought to be. It had left

* The First church in Norwich, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Joseph Strong, D. D.

an impression upon her mind, which was never effaced. " From early childhood she was the subject of frequent religious impressions." Her religious susceptibilities seem to have been, from the beginning, greater than most possess. Conscience, in her bosom, was peculiarly alive, and faithful to discharge its office.

Still she does not appear to have become truly a disciple of Christ, and to have commenced, in reality, living on the principles of the gospel, till about the age of nineteen. Some account of the change which then took place in her views and feelings, may best be given in her own language, as recorded at the time.

It may here be premised, that her observing turn of mind, and the more serious views she had begun to entertain, led her, about this time, to commence a brief journal, in which she noticed, not always from day to day, but for the most part only occasionally, events that interested her, and sometimes recorded her own religious feelings in connection with them. Prefixed to this journal is an extract from Foster, the sentiment of which, leading the mind to view life in connection with the life to come, she appears to have adopted as her own, and, judging it the foundation of all right living, to have resolved to make it the basis of her own practice. " While I anticipate the endless progress of life," the extract is, " and wonder through what unknown scenes it is to take its course, its past years lose that character of vanity which would seem to belong to a train of fleeting, perishing moments, and I see them assuming the dignity of a commencing eternity. In them I have begun to be that conscious existence which I am to be through infinite duration ; and I feel a strange emotion of curiosity about this little life in which I am setting out on such a progress ; I cannot be content without an accurate sketch of the windings thus far of a stream, which is to bear me on for ever. I try to imagine how it will be to recollect, at a far distant point of my era, what I was when here ; and I wish, if it were possible, to retain, as I advance, the whole course of my existence within the scope of clear reflection ; to fix in my mind so very strong an idea of what I have been in this original period of my time, that I shall most completely possess this idea in ages too remote for calculation." This, all will perceive, is a comprehensive view of human life. We admire the mind that conceived it. Nor is the intelligent and sincere adoption of it by another, wholly unworthy of commendation.

The record of the change in Miss Marvin's religious views and feelings, above alluded to, is as follows :

"Aug. 20, 1812. I hope that within a few weeks my heart has been in some measure rightly affected with spiritual and divine things. I hope I have seen the true excellency of the gospel, and embraced it as a system of salvation for the perishing, and as what I approve and love. Forever blessed be that Saviour who has called me to love and serve him ! Forever blessed be that Spirit who hath quickened me to obey the call !

" I cannot but mourn at the retrospect of my past life. I have always felt religion to be the only safety, and the only solid happiness of human beings. I have always felt the commands of God to be reasonable, and obedience to them proper. Yet after all, the love of sin, and the love of the world, have borne the sway alike over the convictions of the understanding and the conscience, and completely controlled my heart. For several months past, however, I have felt a peculiar dissatisfaction at remaining in such a state. As I now look back upon these months, I seem to have been calmly surveying my want of wisdom, my exceeding folly. There has been in my mind a kind of restlessness, which forbade the low sort of happiness I had hitherto found in the things of the world. I was not conscious at the time of the operations of an unseen and divine Agent on my heart, persuading me *■ to forsake the foolish and live.' At this time I had not the deep conviction which I have since felt. But my feelings of unhappiness increased from time to time, until I was compelled to ask with anxiety, ' What shall I do to be saved ? ' The result is, God, I trust, has graciously brought me to himself. The praise is forever His. May it be forever rendered, from a grateful and adoring heart. And may every successive period of life witness that it is his work, and show him glorified thereby.

"1 was aided in my inquiries by a similar state of mind in my beloved friend and cousin C. [a young lady just about her age, and in the same family with herself] ; by the care of our faithful minister over our souls ; and by the awaking of Christian friends to efforts for our salvation."

There was no general seriousness in the place. These two, at such a time, " inquiring the way to Zion, with their faces thitherward," attracted attention, and exerted a quickening influence on beholders, showing the presence of the Spirit of grace.

Such was the beginning of Miss Marvin's religious life. And was it not a beginning consonant alike to reason and to Scripture 1 Here is no mere working of the passions ; no sudden impulse ; nothing visionary. All is indicative of a heathful mind, deliberate, and disclosing much reflection. There was a turning of her eye inward upon herself, and a comparing herself with the grand system of truth contained in God's word ; a discovery that she was not what that word requires ; that judged by it she was " found wanting," and could not stand ; that she had not within herself the dispositions requisite to true happiness — the fountain was not there ; in a word, that in herself she was sinful and lost ; and that hope could come to her only through the interposition of unmerited grace — a Saviour; a Saviour, to pardon the guilty, to cleanse and deliver from sin, to open to the needy and perishing sources of peace and life. This Saviour she found in Jesus, as millions of others have done, and in Him " rejoiced with exceeding great joy."

The silent manner in which Miss Marvin was brought to reflection, and led along in the path of inquiry, unconscious and unapprehensive of any divine agency or influence, till the result was realized, is a striking illustration of the teachings of the Scriptures on this subject. " The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth : so is every one that is born of the Spirit." The gentle breathings of the Spirit are often not recognized — though new thoughts are awakened, and new apprehensions are felt, yet whence they come is not considered — till the new life is actually commenced in the soul. Then the Author of the work is known. "It is the Spirit that quickeneth," and to Him is rendered the praise.

A short passage in a letter to her from an elder sister, about this time, July 20, 1812. is not without interest in this connection. " The observations made last evening by my tenderly beloved Catharine, excited my attention and desire to know if she is seeking the truth. O my sister, if this be the case, why hesitate to converse freely with those whose hearts throb in unison with every feeling of your own ? — I mean your sisters. I have thought more of you this summer than usual. I have at times reflected on you with pleasure, and with pain : with pleasure, on your natural endowments, on your manners as calculated to conciliate the love of your friends, and that constant flow of affection ever manifested for me ; with pain, on the possibility of your being too much attached ' to trifles light as air,' and being dazzled with surrounding earthly pleasure." While such was the outward aspect of things, the Spirit was silently performing his gracious, and, it is believed, his saving work. And doubtless the process is always going on in various minds, unobserved entirely by a surrounding world.

Although, in the case of Miss Marvin, the process seems to have been gradual by which she was brought to a full acquiescence in the gospel, and to the enjoyment of its hopes, no particular time being specified as characterized with any peculiar interest ; yet from remarks elsewhere made it is evident that, in the progress of this great work, there ivas a particular time marked with brighter divine manifestations than any other ; a time which was as the rising of the sun upon a previous night — which was the rising of the Sun of Righteousness upon her inner being, with healing in his beams; a particular time, which gave her inward peace, for her previous perturbation ; which turned the current of her affections into a new channel, and laid the foundations for a new life; and to which she ever after looked back as an era in her existence. The manner in which she subsequently remembered this era, will receive a moment's notice in another place.

Miss Marvin was not one to stop half way in her duty. Having, as she hoped, embraced the gospel from her heart, and been brought to an interest in its saving and infinite blessings, she felt it incumbent on her to observe all its ordinances, and be openly, as well as really, a friend of God. The doctrine, that " a candle is not lighted to 3 be put under a bushel, or under a bed, but to be set on a candlestick, that it may give light to all that are in the house," met a full response from her heart. The duty of making a public profession of religion, therefore, ere long engaged her attention. She looked at this duty, however, with great seriousness, and not a little trembling. A brief representation from herself will show this more fully.

" December 20. It is now more than four months since I have hoped that the temper of my heart has been brought in some degree into conformity to the gospel. I have made my way through doubts and fears, hopes and joys, mixed, and succeeding each other by turns, to this time. A very solemn question has been before me for several weeks. It is that of making a public profession of my faith, and entering the visible communion of the church. I have viewed it as such a weighty act ; as so connected with the final judgment and my future existence, after all the scenes of probation are closed, and eternity is present with its enduring and boundless realities, that I have been ready to shrink from the performance of it. I have listened to the denunciations of the Scriptures against those who c eat and drink unworthily ; ' I have reflected on the increased obligation which a profession of religion involves, and the correspondent injury the cause of religion sustains by any deviation from the heavenly course prescribed to the covenant people of God. I have weighed my own weakness ; the degree of sanctification possessed, which is but a work just begun (if begun) ; my exposure to temptation, and my continual liability to fall ; my very limited acquaintance with the doctrines and duties of religion ; and above all, my danger of being deceived in regard to my character, and the ground of my hope.

These things at first appalled me. I trembled and shrunk back."

She received a visit from her pastor. She had hoped, like many young, and inexperienced, and trembling converts, that he would advise her what to do. He simply stated to her the views with which one contemplating the duty before her should proceed, and left it wholly for her to determine whether she possessed those views or not. It seemed to her, at the time, almost wanting in kindness in him, not to endeavor further to help her out of her difficulties. She afterwards said, however, " I have since seen the wisdom of his proceeding. It awakened me to a new class of considerations, which before had been shut out from my view." Thrown upon herself, her own mind worked out the problem. " In c communing with my own spirit and making diligent search,' I have asked, Am I not willing to live for my Saviour? Am I not willing to cast myself on his mighty arm, his all-powerful grace, to carry me through the perils of my earthly pilgrimage, to help me to resist temptation, and to perform duty ? Will a neglect of the dying command of my Saviour release me from obligation, and absolve me from guilt? Shall I be more likely to grow in grace, out of the pale of the visible church, or amidst its ordinances, and with covenant-claims on its sympathies, its counsels, and its prayers ? Shall I disappoint the friends of Christ, who are my friends, and gratify the unbelieving around me, who watch for my halting, and who dread the reproof administered to them when any forsake their ranks, and attach themselves to the interests of Christ's kingdom ? The result is, That it is my duty publicly to profess my faith in Christ, and love to his cause, depending on his almighty grace for aid so to live as shall bring honor to his name — as shall enable me to escape the pollutions of the world, and finally to triumph in heaven. I feel deeply solemn in making this conclusion, and submitting my name as one who requests to be joined to the Lord's people. But, all things considered, I dare not do otherwise : and I leave myself to the mercy of God in Christ, and to the judgment of the church, in whom I repose much confidence."

Shortly after this — on the first Sabbath in January, 1813 — she was received as a member of the Congregational church then under the pastoral care of Rev. Asahel Hooker. She speaks of having made this public consecration of herself to God, " most tremblingly," and only with " an occasional glimpse of God's mercy in Christ to the most unworthy." She " did it in the midst of much darkness and fearfulness, as duty, irrespective of consequences to herself." The duty performed, there was a satisfaction in having done it. " All is peaceful, and even more — joyful." She was at this time a little less than twenty years of age.

Some things, undoubtedly, in this case, and in others of the kind, are to be set to the account of temperament. A stronger nerve would prevent a measure of the agitation. Still the solicitudes here expressed show a quick perception, and sincerity of purpose. They are indubitable evidence, that the individual concerned is acting no dishonest part — is engaged in no vain formality. Deep seriousness and holy fear are becoming in those who transact concerns with an infinite, and infinitely perfect God.

In regard to the aid which should be rendered by a pastor in cases like this, much wisdom is often needful to direct. Severity will sometimes break down an already broken spirit, and do it lasting injury. " We were gentle among you," says the apostle, " even as a nurse cherisheth her children." The true course unquestionably is, that which seems to have been pursued by the excellent pastor mentioned. Give the individual instruction. Furnish him with the rule by which his judgment is to be formed. Aid him also in analyzing his own feelings. Go down with him into the depths of his own heart, and assist him in bringing to light what is there. Yet, after all, the responsibility must be left with him. Take him by the hand and show him the way, and the encouragements to walk in it, but do not carry him. Whether he, indeed, possesses the qualifications which the rule requires, he must himself determine.