True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-01-07
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ouHie Ol gn6 Olutr readers OF tne W atCil-
man and Reflector in this vicinity, may
remember the name Of Old Chloe,''
and some Of them may have been ac-
quainted with the excellent colored sister,
to whom il was lamiliarly applied. She
was member Of the Baldwin Place
Church. in the early part Of this century,
and highly esteemed in love, for her
works sake She had once been slave
I'm the Carolinas, and knew the bitterness
of bondage, and prized'a state OF freedom
as enlarging her opportunities Of useful
ness. Though earning alivelihood by
the tolls Of her own hands, she was a pat
ern OF liberalI,y and activity, attending
diligentlyall the meetings Of the church,
and contributing freely from her little
store for every claim Of Christian benev-
elence. AT her death she bequeathed,
we believe the house in which she lived,
purchased by her frugal earnings. TO the
Baldwin Place Church, for purposes Of
general character.
Ii We heard recently striking anecdote
Of her shrewdness and Christian fidelity,
whicl, will bear repetition, as applicable
TO Christians in the present season OF re-
ligious declenson. At the beginning Of
this century, the cause Of evangelical re-.
ligion in Boston and It's vicinity was pas
sing under thick cloud. Many of the
egational churches had openly aban-
doned the faith of their fathers, and
meetings for prayer were slenderly atten-
ded, and devoid Of all vital interest The
two Baptist churches had long sustained
a prayer meeting in concert, but as the
attendance dwindled to low point, it was
seriously proposed by many to abandon
it, as no longer profitable. A meeting
was held 10 consider The expediency ol
suspendingi it for a lime, when after
some remarks by DR.. Stilman, on The gen.
eral ebb of piely, and Observation-Disclosures
of maintaining a mere form Of godlinsss,
when the, reality was wanting, Old Chloe
rose aud looking at DR.. Slillman, as il de-
string an answer asked, Z" is God dead r.
The good doctor feared her mind was un-
settled, andreproved her with some sharp.
ness, asked whatshe meant by a question
SO impertinent. ' aa
Chloe meckly replied, II didn't know
but God might be de ad. for pears to me
| haven't heard any Of the brethern say
anything about Him for a long Tine"
The earnestness of her words, with
their unexpected application, vent like
an arrow to the hearts Of many breth.
ern, who rose one after another to confess
their backsliding with tears. and TO pledge
themselves to renewed activity in future.
It was season Of great power, and all
hearts were melted in contri,ion, while
the project Of suspending the meeting
was droppedb BY general consent. From
that time the interest and activity in spir.
iiual things began to deepen and extend
I'LL the glorious revival Of 1912 broke
out with power, and the desert was made
to blossom as the rose. DR.. Stillman, ia
speaking Of this revival, was always ac
customed TO refer to the abrupt remark ol
old Chloe. as the little seed from which
had, sprung the extensive harvest,
The question Of old Chloe might BE-
asked pertinently in many churches al
the present time, whose members havl
been heard to say little about their perso
nal knowledge Of God, and daily commu,
nion with him. = WatchmaR and Ryasc
tor.