MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS FROM HER DIARY.
Have you heard of that wonderful city,
Whose walls are of jasper and gold?
Whose inhabitants ever are happy,
And never grow weary or old?
Have you heard of those emblems of vict'ry,
That all of the glorified bear?
Of the star-bedecked crowns of rejoicing
Which all of the ransomed shall wear?
HER GRATITUDE TO THE NEW YORK FLOWER MISSION.--In the middle of a busy
summer she writes: "The Flower Mission has enabled me to bring some
brightness and pleasure to the sufferers on sick beds, for which I am
very grateful."
Her ardent love of "sweet, sweet nature" is fully exemplified by
frequent visits to the New York Flower Mission Society's Rooms.
How refreshing to the sight of the sufferer are those gifts of earth's
adornment. And how pleasing are the words of the poet Burns:
"The snowdrop and primrose the woodlands adorn
And the violets they bathe in the weet of the morn."
THE YOUNG JEWESS.--Writing under this head, she says: "Some time since I
became acquainted with a young Jewess, who was very sick. I visited her
from time to time, carrying her some little comforts and a bouquet of
flowers. I also read and prayed with her, which displeased her mother.
But ere long her daughter became a Christian, and when I asked her one
day if she fully believed in Jesus as her Messiah, she replied, 'Oh,
yes.' She always came to church, but being an invalid and dependent on
her mother, she could not come out boldly and confess Christ. I have
learned since that she has married a Christian man, is a member of the
Presbyterian Church, and is a happy woman."
It is quite possible for this young Jewess in her sickness to have been
led to the holy cross of Jesus through the missionary's thoughtfulness
in bringing sunshine into this sick room by those beautiful and
fragrant flowers.
THE FORSAKEN GERMAN WOMAN.--Of this case she states: "A poor woman who
had come from Germany not long ago, felt herself forsaken by all, and
longed for her old home. Telling her of the love of Christ, she seemed
to receive God's word with gratitude, and was very thankful for the
little temporal aid I could give her."
The great charm in her life was her almost universal benevolence to all
in deep distress. Consider this German woman forsaken and far from her
native home. She sighed for
Her dear sweet fatherland, and gazed across the sea,
But could not get a blink o' her ain countrie.
Oh! how blessed! truly blessed are those who are thus like minded. Oh!
the rich and inestimable value of such a life. Who can really estimate
the power of such human affection? It is emphatically real, true,
solid, and substantial. How influential! How full of Christ-like
generosity! Where can we find one so full of the spirit of her dear
master? Her life was spent for the temporal as well as the spiritual
welfare of those with whom she was providentially brought in contact.
See how tenderly she _noticed_ the change wrought among her
parishioners, after her return from a short respite from her incessant
labors. Some were dead, others were sick. To minister to these was her
continuous occupation. She felt her days were short, and as she remarked
on her own death-bed, "I must finish my work." Hence, short were her
intervals of repose. She says:
"The prospects of the poor are beginning to brighten. Some, who have
been out of work for some time, have now found employment. In the month
of February, of the two hundred families I visited, forty on whom their
families were depending for support were without any employment. I have
gathered several into the church and the Sabbath-school, as well as the
prayer-meeting, which is well attended. God help the poor!"
And again, after a somewhat short respite from her labors, she writes:
"On my return from my vacation, I found many sick, and some had been
called away from this life. Mrs. L., whom I had long visited, had
fallen asleep in Jesus. Another poor woman who had lost her husband and
a darling child was greatly afflicted. She was willing and glad to hear
of the Saviour who knows all our sorrows, and has promised to comfort
the afflicted with His own presence."
Yes, this is emphatically true. For what sayeth God through the Prophet
Isaiah:
"Oh! Israel, fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by
thy name; thou art mine. When thou passeth through the waters, I will
be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:
when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither
shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy
One of Israel, thy Saviour. I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and
Sebia for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been
honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee,
and people for thy life."
A Storm of Starvation, Sickness, and Death.--The Widow's Lament.--A
Father and Three Children Rescued.--The Stranger in the
City.--"During the last month I have met with a great deal of
destitution, many persons out of employment, several families without
fire or food, and the most of them had never known want before, but
knew not where to apply for aid.
"One poor woman, whose husband was in the Island Hospital, I called to
see on the Wednesday before the last great storm. She had just sent her
little boy to see his father, and was, with her five children, without
fire or food. The day before she had divided her last five cent loaf
among them. I immediately went to the Visitor of the district, who gave
her groceries and coal, but before she received the aid word came that
her husband was dead. She is a Protestant, but has been living in
careless neglect of her duty to God. She now became very penitent, and
lamented her past life, believing, as she herself affirmed, that God
had been afflicting her for her sins. I think I shall be able to get
her aid from the Widows' Society.
"Some time ago, visiting in a tenement house, I inquired at one of the
doors if there were any children there who did not go to
Sabbath-school, and was answered by a boy that he did not go. I then
asked him to go to our school. He consented, and on the following
Sabbath three of the children came, and since then have induced their
father to attend church, and he appears to be one of the most attentive
hearers there.
"A few days since I visited the family, and found his wife to be a very
interesting woman. As I entered the room, the children told their
mother I was from the church. She seemed glad to see me, and told me of
the many trials she had met with. She was a stranger in the city,
having recently come in from the country, where they had lived in
comfort, but since then have been greatly reduced. She wept sore, as
she told me that her husband had no employment at present. He looks
over the papers every day, but as yet can find no situation. I begged
her not to be discouraged, but put her trust in the Lord, and He would
not forsake her. She said she felt much encouraged from the interest
her husband had taken in matters of religion, and regretted she had
never made a profession herself. Before I left I prayed with her, and
when I bade her good-by, she put her arms around my neck and wept,
saying it was the Lord who sent me to her, and asked me to come soon
and often.
"That same evening her husband attended our prayer-meeting, and it was
remarked by several present how very attentive and interested he
appeared."
Fidelity in the performance of duty is always rewarded by getting
assistance from kind Christian friends. The last five cent loaf is
divided among the children. It is a terrible picture to study. A storm
without, starvation within, and a father sick in the hospital. Can you
imagine a more heartrending scene than the one so graphically portrayed
by this missionary woman? Picture the moral heroism displayed in her
tender appeals for help to this death-stricken household.
Bible illustrations are always the best:
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou
anointest my head with oil: my cup runneth over."--Ps. xxiii. 5.
"There is no want to them that fear Him. They that seek the Lord shall
not want any good thing."--Ps. xxxiv. 9-10.
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these
things shall be added unto you."--Matt. vi. 33.
"My God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory by
Christ Jesus."--Phil. iv. 19.
"Godliness with contentment is great gain. Who giveth us richly all
things to enjoy."--1 Tim. vi. 6, 17.
"I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or
what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on: is
not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Wherefore, if
God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is
cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little
faith? Therefore, take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What
shall we drink? or, wherewithal shall we be clothed? For your heavenly
Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things."--Matt. vi. 25,
30-32.
* * * * * *
DISCOURAGEMENT AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
She begged this woman not to be discouraged, but to put her trust in
the Lord. How comforting is the word in this connection, "He that
dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the
shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my fortress; my
God, in Him will I trust."
1. Consider the happiness of those who put their trust in the Lord.
Everyone who neglects to do this may reasonably expect that God will
hide his face from them.
2. See the benefits that flow from the reciprocal influence of
religion. She felt encouraged because her husband was interested in
religion.
3. Trials ought to be spiritually discerned. We form a very wrong
estimate of religion if we think that God's gifts of grace are
invariably conferred upon the prosperous. Many have the smiles of His
providence who are not basking in the sunshine of His reconciling
countenance.
* * * * * *
IF WE FORSAKE GOD, HE WILL ALSO FORSAKE US.
_She had not discharged her duty to God, etc._--How quickly she
recognized the vital importance of discharging duty to God as infinitely
superior to all others. Penitence for sin omitted and committed against
a holy Being who has purer eyes than to behold iniquity. This thought is
put in the foreground; sin brings affliction. Repentance was the first
subject selected by John, and Christ himself, to proclaim to the people
of Palestine, "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." Why does
it imply simply a change of mind?
_Laments her past life._--Living in the careless neglect of her duty to
God, she censures herself, evidently experiencing that Godly sorrow for
sin which needeth not to be repented of. How many, alas! sadly neglect
to confess and forsake their sin until the setting of life's sun.
_He consented, etc._--The old story-telling with gentle, winning words,
at the door of the tenement-house, accompanied with the loving
invitation to come to Jesus, are deeply impregnated with never-ceasing
influence. Three children and a father persuaded to attend the means of
grace on the Sabbath, in God's sanctuary. What a striking reflection of
the character of Him who sat weary and way-worn on Jacob's well. Surely
a truly devoted missionary of the holy cross of Jesus is an angel on
this sin-blighted earth, where, through penury and sorrow, hearts are
almost crushed with despair. She is Christ's ambassador.
_Seemed glad to see me, etc._--Why, dear Christian reader? Because she
brought rays of heavenly sunshine of God's peace and gratitude and
gladness into many a benighted heart; thus inspiring, encouraging, and
arousing within the soul blessed remembrances of a covenant-keeping God,
even toward His poor, wayward, backsliding children.
What an unspeakable privilege to unbosom one's trials and difficulties
into the ear of a faithful servant of God. But ought we not to thank
the Father of Light that the throne of grace has been erected, and we
are kindly invited to come boldly into His immediate presence, through
the rent veil of our Redeemer's flesh, that we may obtain mercy and
find grace to help us in every time of need?
Consider the change from comfort in the country to circumstances of
cheerlessness in the city. Many make a sad mistake in leaving their
country home to come to the city to be crowded in a tenement-house.
Drawn thither, perhaps, by the glare and din and bustle, to mingle in
the sin and sorrow. She described the woman as weeping sorely. "Weeping
may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." What an
inexpressible comfort to those who feel their loneliness in the city,
then Jesus wept and said that he was friendless and homeless. "He hath
trodden the wine-press alone, of the people there was none with him."
Poverty and hunger is a great temptation to a woman in the city. How
comforting to know that Christ was tempted in this respect. For we read
in God's divinely inspired word:
"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted
of the devil. And when he Had fasted forty days and forty nights, he
afterward hungered. And the tempter came and said unto him: If thou art
the son of God, command that these stones become bread. But he answered
and said: It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by
every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil
taketh him into the holy city; and he set him on the pinnacle of the
temple, and saith unto him, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself
down: for it is written,
"He shall give his angels charge concerning thee:
And on their hands they shall bear thee up,
Lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.
"Jesus said unto him, Again it is written, Thou shalt not tempt the
Lord thy God."--Matt. iv. 68.
To such weary ones we would say, remember the words of the blessed
Jesus: "Let not your hearts be troubled," etc., for
I have read of a land whose inhabitants say
"I am sick, I am weary," no more,
And I pine, 'mid the burdens and heat of the day,
For a glimpse of that life-giving shore.
Eye hath not seen it, and ear hath not heard,
Yet all my spirit with longing is stirred;
Oh, glory exceeding my heart's utmost pleading!
Eternal, eternal the weight of thy bliss!
_On Resisting Temptation._--Thomas A. Kempis says: So long as we live in
this world we cannot be without tribulation and temptation.
Hence it is written in Job, "The life of man upon earth is a life of
temptation."
Every one therefore ought to be careful about his temptations, and to
watch in prayer, lest the devil find an advantage to deceive him; for
he never sleepeth, but goeth about, seeking whom he may devour.
No man is so perfect and holy, but he hath sometimes temptations, and
we cannot be altogether without them.
Nevertheless temptations are often very profitable to us, though they
be troublesome and grievous; for in them a man is humbled, purified,
and instructed.
All the Saints passed through man's tribulations and temptations, and
profited thereby.
And they that could not bear temptations, became reprobate, and fell
away.
There is no order so holy, nor place so secret, as that there be not
temptations, or adversities in it.
There is no man that is altogether free from temptations whilst he
liveth on earth: for the root thereof is in ourselves, who are born
with inclination to evil.
When one temptation or tribulation goeth away, another cometh; and we
shall ever have something to suffer, because we are fallen from the
state of our felicity.
Many seek to fly temptations, and fall more grievously into them.
By flight alone we cannot overcome, but by patience and true humility
we become stronger than all our enemies.
He that only avoideth them outwardly, and doth not pluck them up by the
roots, shall profit little; yea, temptations will the sooner return
unto him, and will be more violent than before.
By little and little, and by the very beginning, unlearn evil habits,
lest perhaps by little and little they draw thee to greater difficulty.
Oh! if thou didst but consider how much inward peace unto thyself, and
joy unto others, thou wouldst procure by demeaning thyself well, I
think that thou wouldst be more careful of thy spiritual progress.
_Of the Profit of Adversity._--It is good that we have sometimes some
troubles and crosses; for they often make a man enter into himself, and
consider that he is here in banishment, and ought not to place his trust
in any worldly thing.
It is good that we be sometimes contradicted, and that men think ill or
inadequately; and this, although we do and intend well.
These things help often to the attaining of humility, and defend us
from vain glory: for then we are more inclined to seek God for our
inward witness, when outwardly we be contemned by men, and when there
is no credit given unto us.
And therefore a man should settle himself so fully in God, that he
needs not to seek many comforts of men.
When a good man is afflicted, tempted, or troubled with evil thoughts,
then he understandeth better the great need he hath of God, without
whom he perceiveth he can do nothing that is good.
Then also he sorroweth, lamenteth, and prayeth, by reason of the
miseries he suffereth.
Then he is weary of living longer, and wisheth that death would come,
that he might depart and be with Christ.
Then also he well perceiveth, that perfect security and full peace
cannot be had in this world.
_Before I left, I prayed with her._--This brings before us another very
touching scene in the life of St. Paul. His final farewell to the elders
of Ephesus. When he had spoken unto them he kneeled down and prayed with
them all. And they all wept sore and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him.
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they should see
his face no more, and they accompanied him unto the ship. If this course
was persistently pursued by all Christian workers how manifold would be
the blessings conferred on our labors. It would be found that many a
poor sin-burdened heart would be instantly relieved of its load of care.
For "if we ask, we shall receive."
We are called upon, not to go forth in our own name, or in our own
strength, but in the name of Him who said, "Lo! I am with you alway,
even to the end of the world;" and when one reflects on the many sad
scenes and circumstances with which she was constantly surrounded, we
ought to thank God that in every age of the Christian Church, he has
raised up men and women who were willing to go with the name of Jesus
to the distressed and dying, and to speak that name in all its living
power.
* * * * * *
A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER GIVEN A BIBLE AND ITS RESULT.
Of this incident she writes: "A woman and her daughter, whom I have
been visiting for some time, and to whom I have given a Bible, have
become greatly changed, and attended our place of worship last Sabbath.
They gave evidence of having been very deeply impressed. The mother
said, with the Lord helping her, she will live no longer as she has
done. This woman has been greatly tried. On the day of the great storm,
her husband left Washington, where he had been employed some time, and
has never since been heard of. He was her only means of support, as the
rest of the family were out of employment. Her daughter is a very
interesting young woman, and would like a situation as seamstress and
nurse. I would have no fear in recommending her to any one who might
need her services."
Notice, 1. That love and reverence for God's Word inspires one with a
desire to distribute the Sacred Scriptures. There are various reasons
for this. In the first place, because of the moral influence the
revealed will of God has had on the world. When we think of the benign
and salutary influence of the Bible by its circulation throughout the
length and breadth of the land, nay, all lands, by the British and
Foreign Bible Society, and the American Bible Society, we have great
reason to rejoice at the marvellous success that has attended their
labors. Surely it is indited by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It
has been transmitted to us, from generation to generation, unaltered
and uninjured; the simple yet sublime boon--God's loving letters to
mankind.
"What glory gilds the sacred page!
Majestic like the sun!
It gives a light to every age;
It gives but borrows none."
"The power that gave it still supplies
The gracious light and heat;
Its truth upon the nations rise;
They rise but never set!"
In the beginning was the Word. _Christ is the Word._ It giveth light.
Read His power in the Gospel. Notice the connection between natural
light and spiritual faith in Christ.
"And as they went out from Jericho, a great multitude followed Christ.
And behold two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that
Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou
son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, that they should hold
their peace; but they cried out the more, saying, Lord, have mercy on
us thou son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said,
What will ye that I should do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that
our eyes may be opened. And Jesus being moved with compassion touched
their eyes, and straightway they received their sight and followed
him."
2. The infinite superiority of the Divine Word to that of all earthly
traditions, and the best literary productions is best judged by
results. The works of Plato, Lycurgus, Demosthenes, Homer, Virgil,
Dante, Milton, Scott, Burns, Bryant, and Longfellow are not for one
moment to be compared to the Bible. When Scott, the great writer, was
departing life, he turned to his son-in-law, Lockhart, and said:
"Bring me the Book."
"What book?" asked Lockhart.
"There is but one Book--the Bible!" was the reply. What spiritual and
spontaneous enthusiasm in Divine things are stirred within us when we
read the sacred pages.
Now turn to the picture painted by her who is now with the redeemed on
high; she says:
"_After receiving the Bible they were greatly changed, and attended our
place of worship on the Sabbath._ They gave evidence of being now deeply
impressed." What impressed them? Two things worthy of notice: 1. The
Word. 2. The Worship. Now, there are some people who imagine that they
can go to heaven if they stay at home and read the Bible. This is all
very well in its place, but we must not forget the assembling of
ourselves together as the manner of some is. Some try to live a
Christian life outside of the Church. This is a sad mistake.