CHAPTER LXIV.
MRS. CARRIE E. SAWYER CARTWRIGHT.
The life we are now to review is indeed a conspicuous one. "Some are born great; some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. But to be truly great is to be truly good." This is a characteristic of Mrs. Cartwright, who was born in Pasquotank county, North Carolina. Her mother's name was Emeline Sawyer, her father's name Henry Fesson, each taking name after their former owners respectively. She was among the first young women attending Estey Seminary at Shaw University. Shortly after her school life began here she had the misfortune of losing her faithful, devoted mother, leaving a large family of undergrowm children. This sainted mother requested Carrie to remain at home and become mother for her brothers and sisters. To most young women, thirsting for an education and seeing before them the opened way, having already begun to walk therein, this would have been a great trial. To Carrie it was a delight. No sacrifice seemed too dear for her to make for those little hearts hanging on hers. Plans for their best good engaged her mind the last thing at night and the first thing in the morning. The father was often conferred with and urged into vigilance respecting the welfare of those dear ones. When sick they claimed even her time for sleep, so close was her vigilance and untiring her efforts to render them comfortable. In 1882, after almost ten years of the above service, this faithful woman entered once more Estey Seminary. Like all sensible girls she had been wooed and loved, but when she found out that the suitor objected to her spending three years more at school to complete her course she unselfishly freed him from his obligation, at the same time inviting him to seek in some one else a helpmeet. It was the good fortune of the writer to enter school in the class of '85 alongside her. The three years we spent together in the Seminary afforded ample opportunity for the writer to see into the life of this unselfish soul-winner. Her efforts among the unsaved in school were uhtiring. During: revival efforts no soul among the saved was more burdened with the salvation of the unsaved than was this earnest one. Not only were these needy ones in school the objects of the most prayerful attention, but twice a week, in connection with the city mission work of the Young Women's Christian Association in Estey, this devoted woman took her Bible and sought the habitations of the poor, the sick and the souls in sin and darkness. The city Sunday-school knew the power of her influence for Christ. When her last examination had been successfully passed and she was to be no more among the earnest workers of the University she was still remembered in the city and school. She, in 1883, decided, with the writer, upon Africa as the field of her life's work. To this choice she remained faithful, and in 1886, when Rev. Cartwright, of Liberia, came to this country seeking volunteers, this waiting daughter of Zion said to the Z. A. M. K. Church, "Here am I; send me." As she only answered thus the venerated missionary deemed it best to woo her and take her back to share his work. Accordingly they were married and sailed for Africa a few hours after the ceremony—July 10, 1887. After a voyage of thirty days' duration she set foot on the field beside her devoted husband and began on that day the work of saving souls in Africa. As in this country the church, the day-school, the Sunday-school and individual souls alike claim her efforts and prayers. Last year her husband returned to this country, but the faithful wife stood alone at their post and cried "Behold the Lamb!"
Often when he spent the night with his gun in hand as a protection to life and property, she felt undisturbed, for her heart was bold and brave, never faltering, never fearing never failing.