The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-03-03
Personal influence.

Smi!es may De thine, while all around thee
weep"
Personal influence.
In certain city in New York. not many
years ago, there was a poor widow, who
had several children dependent entirely
upon her exertions for support. When she
was unable by her own labor comfortably
to provide for them as was frequently the
case, she asked aims OF her friends that she
might be able TO keep her little ones toge-
Their, and train them up, as she desired to
do, sin the nurture and admonition Of the
Lord" This poor woman, in he's occasional
walks through the city, had observed q
number of vagrant children, apparently
without friends or home, and she resolved
in her own mind that they should be provi-
ded for. She called on several distinguish
cd persons 10 assist her in procuring a
house for these children, where they might
be properly cared for, believing, as she
said, that they might be restored to virtue,
aud become worthy members Of society.
But, as you may suppose, she was consider
ed either mad or foolish, and sent away
empty. She called upon her clergyman,
and pleaded earnestly with him 10 aid her
in obtaining means, for the protection and
reformation Of these destitute children. He
also thought she must be crazy, ard remon-
strated with her on the improperly of her
conduct in endeavoring TO found All institu-
ton for the benefit Of others, while her own
children were partly dependent upon the
charity of her friends for support.
! Sill she was not discouraged. Her faith
and hope did not desert her, and she perse-
vered in her design. She called again up
on her pastor, and told him she had visited
the jail, and seen Hhere a very young boy,
who was consigned npon the charge Of burr
ming house. She said he was the fines,
looking boy she had ever seeIk ard that she
must have him under her care. Size re.
qlested her parson to go TO the fsison with
her, and see if she could not gain possession
ofthe child. The clergyman at first refused
to 60, supposing that the erran1wouM4 be
frltless; but the woman pleaded so earnest.
ly, that they went together TO the jail. He
saw and conversea with tho boy, ri he toe
became exceedingly interested Psthe ju-
venile delinquent. He went with che i'm.
fortunate woman to the maaistrat, who
in consideration the tender age Of me boy
gave his consent that the boy ~ be re.
leased and given up 10 the c. he.
nevolent, though poor widow lssel
free, and upon entering the carriage will
his benefactors, he fell upon his knees al
the feet of the woman, and covering hi.
face with his hands, he sobbed aloud. The
clergyman enquired Of him why he wept.
81 can't help it, sir" said he, ''this is the
first person that ever smoke kindly TO me
since my father and mother died; and the,
Twas very little bcy can't help it, sir
| The clergyman was now satisfied thai
something mus. he done to assist the widow
! and having involved himself somewhat il
the affair, he resolved at once to do wha
he could, to aid her in raising funds, and il
procuring suitable house for her accom-
mediation. Her family soon increased b,
the addition Of several Of the destitute chill
dren from the strects-thc rich and the no
bic became interested in the enterprise;
splendid building was erected for the &C
commodation Of the children-hundreds o
poor orphans have been redeemed through
the instrumentalty of the ''mad or foolish
woman; and now, wherever her history i
known. she is universally honored as tn,
founder of that Orphan Asylum!
And the little boy that was found in TIT
prison? He fully justified the hopes tina
were conferred in him. He grew up to b.
an industrious, virtuous, Intelligent, ant
highly respectable man. He became stew
art of the Asylum-thousands of dollar
have passed through his hands-and in ev
cry thing he has been found faithful. III
has held several important Offices under tn
city government of that place. and is uni
vsrsally esteemed as an upright and trust
worthy citizen.