often urged to devote herself to this career. Eminent critics who had heard her were unanimously of the opinion that she would adorn the lyric profession. Anton Seidl declaied she had "a voice of velvet," while Jean de Reszke pronounced it the best amateur voice he had ever heard. But her own tastes did not lie in that way, and she voluntarily gave up an opportunity that many might covet.
The gift, however, was not hidden; and Miss Hyde was ranked among the highest of amateur singers. Not only in her own home, but in social circles of New York, Boston, Newport, and Lenox, as well as in Paris, Venice, and other places abroad, she delighted all who heard her. In Washington she was a guest of the British and German Ambassadors, and on more than one occasion was specially invited to sing at the White House. In accordance with her habitual desire of making good use of her accomplishments and acting up to the beneficent instincts of her nature, she devoted her talents largely to the cause of benevolence and charity. To this end she frequently organized concerts or gave recitals, in order to be able to minister to the wants of needy and deserving people, and there are many to-day who owe education and all that they are to her thoughtful consitleration.
Confirmed in Grace Church, Bath, Miss Hyde was sincere and unostentatious in her religious life. The Christian virtues and graces beautified her character. She took an active part in church work, and her own parish gratefully recalls the practical and financial assistance she rendered. Thus, adorning her station in society, pursuing a life of unselfish goodness, she was respected and loved by all.
It was in the midst of such a life, so bright and useful, that Miss Hyde was suddenly stricken down with incurable disease. Tenderly ministered to with all that loving hearts could supply, for three months she bore her sufferings with beautiful patience and Christian fortitude. Then God called her to higher service on Sunday, August 27, 1899. On the twenty-eighth anniversary of her birth all that was mortal of Ethel Hyde was laid to rest amidst a sorrow that was universal. Many glowing tributes have been paid to her memory. The regard in which she was held by those among whom she lived may be gathered from the words of her rector at the funeral service, when, speaking of the wonderful voice, he said, "It seemed as if it were the very expression of her life, tuned to a higher key—as all her life was—sweet, true, pure, inspiring," and from the opening and closing sentences of an editorial in the local paper: "The entire city mourns to-day for the sad death of Miss Ethel Hyde. . . . She will be held in long and grateful remembrance for her many deeds of charity and loving kindness."
PAULINE J. WALDEN, LUCY JAMESON SCOTT, AND LOUISE MANNING HODGKINS are officially connected with the monthly publications of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Miss Walden may be considered the dean of the journalistic corps, she having occupied the responsible position of publisher for more than twenty years. Mrs. Scott accepted the editorship of the Children's Friend in 1890; and Miss Hodgkins, on the occasion of the annual executive meeting of the society at St. Paul, Minn., in 1893, was elected editor of its official organ, now known as the Woman's Missionary Friend, originally the Heathen Woman's Friend. These publications and two others, Frauen Missions Freund and The Study, are issued monthly at 36 Bromfield Street, the Boston office of the above named society.
The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America was organized in the Treniont Street Methotlist Episcopal Church, Boston, on a stormy March day in 1869 by eight women who responded to a call sent to thirty churches. A window in the Tremont Street Church commemorates the event and preserves their names. The first public meeting of the society was held in the Bromfield Street Methodist Episcopal Church, May 26, 1869. The speaking was quickly followed by decisive action. At a business meeting held by the women at the close of the public occasion it was voted to raise money to send as a missionary to India
