She conceived the idea of the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church,[1] and as its corresponding secretary for nearly twenty years, she helped to shape its policies.

In Paris and Rome, she enjoyed special opportunities under the guidance of Madam Marjoli, the sculptor, and Jules Richomme, the painter.

In Paris, she had friendly relations with the families of Edmond de Pressensé and Nicholas Sylvester Bercier, the Protestant divines.

In 1877, she took an active part in the charitable work of the city, proposing plans to aid the poor and control vagrancy.

She became identified with many local philanthropies, securing the employment of matrons at police stations, and women to take charge of the female wards of prisons.

[12] It promoted the welfare of the Freedmen, through teaching, providing provisions, and imparting to them the knowledge of good housekeeping and self-care.

[14] The Lucy Webb Hayes National Training School for Missionaries and Deaconesses, located at Washington, D.C., was the most important enterprise of the society.

A veteran organizer, she held conferences with circles of ladies, and the board of officers was carefully chosen.

[17] Rust died of cancer in Cincinnati, October 3, 1899, after a long and painful illness,[4] and was buried at that city's Spring Grove Cemetery.