Melissa J. Smith (c.1839-1886) was born in Exeter, Maine, and died in Boston, Massachusetts. She was a student of Mary Baker Eddy's, taking Primary (1883) and Normal (1884) class instruction. She joined the Christian Scientist Association on September 14, 1883, and joined the Church of Christ (Scientist) shortly afterwards. Smith was an active member of the Association and Church. Upon her passing, remarks were made at a meeting of the National Christian Scientist Association that a "circle of pupils and patients mourn her departure, and that the interests of humanity loses a friend whose efforts were untiring and faithful in its behalf."

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