Page:Heroines of freethought (IA cu31924031228699).pdf/246

238 armor of defense in every supreme hour of life. Desirous of life for the sake of her children as much as for her own pleasure, she yet acknowledged and yielded to the power of the inevitable with the submissive grace of a philosopher.

The funeral services were conducted on strictly rationalistic principles, in accordance with her own express desire, her personal friend and admirer, George Jacob Holyoake, making the address, and speaking to the friends present in behalf of the deceased. During that address he paid the following tribute to her character:

"As a worker for human improvement, Mrs. Martin was as indefatigable as efficient. From the time when she published 'The Exiles of Piedmont,' to the issue of her essay on 'God's Gifts, and Men's Duties,' and later still, she wrote with ardor, always manifesting force of personal thought, and, what is more unusual in the writings of women, strength and brevity of expression. Her lectures were always distinguished by