Sarepta Myrenda Irish Henry (November 4, 1839 – January 16, 1900) was an American evangelist, temperance reformer, poet and author. She also wrote under the
pen name
A pen name, also called a ''nom de plume'' or a literary double, is a pseudonym (or, in some cases, a variant form of a real name) adopted by an author and printed on the title page or by-line of their works in place of their real name.
A pen na ...
Dina Linwood.
Henry was among the first to join the
Women's Crusade
The Woman's Crusade was a temperance campaign in the United States in 1873-1874. It was a series of non-violent protests fighting against the dangers of alcoholism.
Background
Many women in Cleveland, Ohio were inspired by a speech given by Dio ...
. From the beginning of the organization of the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) is an international temperance organization, originating among women in the United States Prohibition movement. It was among the first organizations of women devoted to social reform with a program th ...
(WCTU), she was associated with the national body as superintendent of evangelical work and as evangelist. For seven years, she was associated with gospel temperance in
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a city in Winnebago County, Illinois, located in the far northern part of the state. Situated on the banks of the Rock River, Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County (a small portion of the city is located in Ogle County). ...
. In 1888, she served as the chairperson of the National WCTU's Evangelistic Bureau. A partial record of this work is found in her book ''Pledge and Cross''. Henry occupied pulpits among all denominations throughout the United States. Through her evangelistic work, saloons were closed, churches built and hundreds converted. Her published fourteen books of which two, ''Victoria'' and ''Marble Cross'', were poetry collections. The prose works were ''After the Truth'', in four volumes, ''Pledge and Cross'', ''Voice of the Home and its Legend'', ''Mabel's Work'', ''One More Chance'', ''Beforehand'', ''Afterward'', ''Unanswered Prayer'', and ''Frances Raymond's Investment''.
Early life and education
Sarepta Myrenda Irish was born in
Albion, Pennsylvania
Albion is a borough in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,516 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Erie Metropolitan Statistical Area. One of their main industries is the Albion State Correctional Institute (SCI Albio ...
, November 4, 1839. She was of
New England
New England is a region comprising six states in the Northeastern United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It is bordered by the state of New York to the west and by the Canadian provinces ...
ancestry.
Her father, Rev. Horatio Nelson Irish, was an architect before he became a Methodist clergyman. He was preaching in Albion at the time of the daughter's birth. In 1841, he was sent to
Illinois
Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...
as a
missionary
A missionary is a member of a Religious denomination, religious group which is sent into an area in order to promote its faith or provide services to people, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care, and economic development.Tho ...
, where he did pioneer work. Her mother was Mary Allis Clark Irish. Her great grandfather, on the mother's side, was a surgeon in the
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was a major war of the American Revolution. Widely considered as the war that secured the independence of t ...
; her grandfather, a captain of militia in the
war of 1812
The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States of America and its indigenous allies against the United Kingdom and its allies in British North America, with limited participation by Spain in Florida. It bega ...
. Her father's family were
Quakers
Quakers are people who belong to a historically Protestant Christian set of denominations known formally as the Religious Society of Friends. Members of these movements ("theFriends") are generally united by a belief in each human's abil ...
.
She learned to read from her Bible that her grandmother gave her when a very little child. Her father taught her himself until she was nineteen. She had hardly ever attended school until, in 1859, Henry entered the
Rock River Seminary
Rock most often refers to:
* Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids
* Rock music, a genre of popular music
Rock or Rocks may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...
, in
Mount Morris, Illinois
Mount Morris is a village in Mt. Morris Township, Ogle County, Illinois, Mount Morris Township, Ogle County, Illinois, Ogle County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,998 at the 2010 census, down from 3,013 in 2000.
Geography
Mount Mor ...
, under the reign of President Harlow, when she had for her pastor Rev.
John H. Vincent, then just coming into his life work. Recognition had been given to her literary ability, and during her school days, she won many honors in composition. Very early in life, she showed considerable power in composing; in fact, her mind was expressing her thoughts in verse before she had a knowledge of meter and rhyme. The first production of her pen to appear in print was a poem published during the year 1855, in the ''Northwestern Christian Advocate''. From that time on, she became a steady contributor to various religious magazines, writing more often, however, for ''
The Ladies' Repository
''The Ladies' Repository'' was a monthly periodical based in Cincinnati and produced by members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. From 1841 to 1876, the magazine devoted itself to literature, arts and doctrines of Methodism, containing articles, ...
'', assuming the name of "Dina Linwood", until sometime in the year 1859, when she yielded to her father's suggestion to drop the
pen name
A pen name, also called a ''nom de plume'' or a literary double, is a pseudonym (or, in some cases, a variant form of a real name) adopted by an author and printed on the title page or by-line of their works in place of their real name.
A pen na ...
. During the first term at school, she was called home to see her father die. He had been an invalid for eight years, and she was his constant companion, reading and writing for him. She even used to do her thinking aloud to him.
Henry was fond of literary pursuits from childhood, and her mother humored all her poetic fancies with no responsibility. Her school life was spent at Mount Morris, Illinois, where began an acquaintance with many choice men and women who helped her future. Rev. Dr. John H. Vincent was her pastor and friend, and with his wife took her under their care, and made it possible for her to rally and go on after her bereavement. Her boarding-place was in the home of Rev. B. H. Cartwright. A portion of every day was spent with him and his wife in their study, and a tie was formed then that has but strengthened in future years.
Career
Civil War years
Henry had many convictions that she ought to enter the foreign missionary field.
She married James W. Henry of
East Homer, New York, March 1, 1861. Her husband was a scholar and poet, as well as a teacher by profession. They lived briefly in northwestern
Iowa
Iowa () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is bordered by six states: Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to the ...
. Both James and S.M.I. Henry had
abolitionist
Abolitionism, or the abolitionist movement, is the movement to end slavery. In Western Europe and the Americas, abolitionism was a historic movement that sought to end the Atlantic slave trade and liberate the enslaved people.
The British ...
sympathies. James enlisted to the
Union Army
During the American Civil War, the Union Army, also known as the Federal Army and the Northern Army, referring to the United States Army, was the land force that fought to preserve the Union (American Civil War), Union of the collective U.S. st ...
at the start of the
American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...
, in 1864.
He was not, however, mustered in at first, because he was a bit under regulation height, so husband and wife went East, to his home, and settled down on a farm. Here was born, in June, their daughter Mary. It was during the first year of Mary's life, that Henry's first book, ''Victoria'', was written. That poem was not published until Mr. Henry was a soldier. He enlisted again in October, 1864, in the
185th New York Volunteer Infantry, Company E. Her oldest son, Alfred, was born April 4, 1865. The husband came home an invalid in July, 1865, having been in every battle and on every long march of the closing campaign conducted by the 5th Corps. He lived over four years, bravely battling disease, but died in 1871, and was laid to rest in the cemetery of his native valley. Arthur, the youngest son, was nearly three years old when his father died.
Henry taught for the next three years; for the first two and a half in the village where she had lived, but later on returned to her
Illinois
Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...
home. She began teaching in
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a city in Winnebago County, Illinois, located in the far northern part of the state. Situated on the banks of the Rock River, Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County (a small portion of the city is located in Ogle County). ...
, under Professor Barbour, in the public school, and was trying to get her children settled in a home where she could have them with her, when good fortune came her way. As a result, she moved into the home she sought where she began writing the "After Truth" series, for which she was paid a fair price.
Temperance
She became involved with the Women's Crusade in 1873–74. Being a timid woman, no one expected her to do anything in public, but under the pressure of her convictions, she made the call for Christian women to come together, and became the mouthpiece of the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) is an international temperance organization, originating among women in the United States Prohibition movement. It was among the first organizations of women devoted to social reform with a program th ...
(WCTU) on March 27, 1873. She made her first public address in the State Street Baptist Church, Rockford, during the Crusade, to an audience that overflowed into the street. She was very conservative and always looked to the time when she would return to literary work; but as the years passed, it becomes more and more evident that it was a lifework to which she was then called.
A Reform Club was organized the year after she began her work. ''Pledge and Cross'' told the story of its redemption. She gave five full years to active
temperance work in Rockford, one year of Gospel work in
Michigan
Michigan () is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the 10th-largest state by population, the 11th-largest by area, and the ...
, and three years in the field in
Illinois
Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...
. In July 1879, Henry removed to
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston ( ) is a city, suburb of Chicago. Located in Cook County, Illinois, United States, it is situated on the North Shore along Lake Michigan. Evanston is north of Downtown Chicago, bordered by Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, Wil ...
, to educate her children at
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1851, Northwestern is the oldest chartered university in Illinois and is ranked among the most prestigious academic institutions in the world.
Charte ...
.
![S](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/S._M._I._Henry.png)
Henry was one of the WCTU's most effective speakers at the
Illinois State Capitol
The Illinois State Capitol, located in Springfield, Illinois, houses the legislative and executive branches of the government of the U.S. state of Illinois. The current building is the sixth to serve as the capitol building since Illinois was admi ...
when they presented the great "Home Protection Petition." She made the memorable plea from the point of view of a widow with fatherless children, and asked the same power to protect them from the
dram shop A dram shop (or dramshop) is a bar, tavern or similar commercial establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold. Traditionally, it is a shop where spirits were sold by the dram, a small unit of liquid.
Dram shop liability refers to the body of l ...
s which their father would have possessed had he not died. Her lecture on "What is the Boy Worth?" was a masterly presentation of the most vital question of the hour, and was given with telling effect in scores of towns and cities.
The book, ''Roy, or The Voice of his Home'', was one of Henry's best. Its sequel was, ''Mabel's Work''. ''Pledge and Cross'' had the largest sale of any book of its kind, and conveyed the essence of the Gospel Temperance Crusade. All were published by John Newton Stearns, New York.
The Temperance Training Institute was founded by Henry, by which normal
Sunday School
A Sunday school is an educational institution, usually (but not always) Christian in character. Other religions including Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism have also organised Sunday schools in their temples and mosques, particularly in the West.
Su ...
methods were applied to the understanding of
temperance work, the spiritual side being strongly emphasized. Dr. Vincent invited Henry to prepare a series of Biblical Temperance Lessons for the ''Sunday-School Teacher''. Henry was also superintendent of the WCTU's National Training School for Temperance Workers.
Later life and death
In later life, while staying at
Battle Creek Sanitarium
The Battle Creek Sanitarium was a world-renowned health resort in Battle Creek, Michigan, United States. It started in 1866 on health principles advocated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and from 1876 to 1943 was managed by Dr. John ...
, she became a
Seventh-day Adventist
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is an Adventism, Adventist Protestantism, Protestant Christian denomination which is distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the Names of the days of the week#Numbered days of the week, seventh day of the ...
.
She spent part of her time in mission work in the slums of Chicago, in connection with the old Bethsaida Mission. Henry succumbed to
pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. The severity ...
on January 16, 1900, in
Graysville, Tennessee
Graysville is a town in Rhea County, Tennessee, Rhea County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 1,471 at the 2020 census and 1,502 at the 2010 census.
History
Graysville is named for William Gray, an early settler who was appointed post ...
.
Selected works
Books
* ''Victoria: With Other Poems '' Poe & Hitchcock: Cincinnati, 1865.
* ''The Abiding Spirit'' (1899)
* ''Studies in Home and Child Life'' (1898)
* ''Good Form and Christian Etiquette'' (1900)
* ''The Marble Cross and Other Poems''
* ''The Unanswered Prayer''
Articles
*
Saved by Families by Henry. ''The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald'' 77:5 (30 January 1900)".
Saved by Families by Henry, reprint. ''The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald'' 95:2 (10 January 1918), p15
*
My Telescope by Henry. ''Ministry'' v54 (June 1981), p12–14
"Woman's Work" by Henry.
Adventists Affirm' 21 (Spring 2007), p34–43
Songs
* ''I Know My Heavenly Father Knows''
References
Attribution
*
*
*
Bibliography
* ''
Adventist Review
The General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists is the governing organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Its headquarters is located in Silver Spring, Maryland and oversees the church in directing its various divisions and ...
'', March 16, 1989
*
* ''Whirlwind of the Lord: Story of Mrs S M I Henry'' by Margaret Rossiter White
External links
*
*
My Mother’s Life: (A Memoir of S. M. I. Henry)' by her daughter Mary Henry Rossiter
*
, chapter 8 of
' by Josephine Benton
Articles by Henryan
about Henryas cataloged in the Seventh-day Adventist Periodical Index (SDAPI)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Henry, Sarepta Myrenda Irish
1839 births
1900 deaths
American temperance activists
American Seventh-day Adventists
Charismatic Adventism
19th-century American writers
19th-century American women writers
Woman's Christian Temperance Union people
Mount Morris College alumni
Pseudonymous women writers
Converts to Adventism
19th-century pseudonymous writers