Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-10-25
A Useful Woman.

A touching incident has been relat-
ed to us which we are sure will be
the prompter of serious. thoughts in
the minds of all who shall hear of it.
In a distant city there dwells a
lady of refinement and culture, who
is celebrated for her musical accom-
plishments. She is owned to be peer
less in musical circles, and the first
performer in private or public. But
her talents are consecrated to Christ,
and she is a devoted laborer in the
saving of souls. By the providence
of God she was led to connect her.
self with mission enterprise in the
city, and when she went to offer her
service, she asked for the care Of the
worst class in the school. The Su-
perintendent was struck by the novel
ty Of the request, and knew not
whether to attribute it to pride and
Self-confidence, or to a gracious and
praiseworthy courage. He pointed
her to a class Of fourteen boys, who
were standing, lounging, talking, and
laughing in a corner of the room, and
told her there was material for the
fire and hammer of Gods word
Nothing daunted, she accepted the
charge, and went over to see what
could be done. The superintendent
introduced her, and left her at once
for other duties.
Lads" she said, "do you think
that am lady ?" A glance assured
them Of that, and assent was given
"Then | should like to see you take
off your hats Hats were removed.
Then boys, if | am a lady, would
prefer not to have tobacco used where
| am" Instantly every quid was re-
moved, and either pocketed, thrown
away, OF hurled into the face Uf some
distant mate.
1t was well known that all of them
were profane, and she spent the rest
of the morning in diSsuading them
from that odious vice. One lad said
to her, IF you lived where we do, you
would swear too; we hear swearing
all the time, and are used to it" At
the end of the session she promised
them a book if they would abstain
from swearing all the week, and tell
her so next Sunday. Next Lord S
day they We're all in their places, and
every one acknowledged that he had
been guilty of swearing, though all
had tried to give it up or avoid it
One said he had let an oath slip out
twice. All along instructions had
been given, and this gifted woman had
visited the poor lads at their homes.
She had gained influence over them
and her class was orderly. Upon
one Sunday morning, as she was 90.
ing to her seat at the organ, to lead
the worship of God, one OF the class
accosted her, and said, "he had MOI
sworn during the whole week, anC
had said his prayers every day.
There was a fulIness and richness il
the voice that day, when she began
1--WE praise thee, God;" there was a
mellowness and softnesS in the note;
of the instrument, and the ''Stop tina
prays" was touched. She longed fol
the return of the next Sunday, tina
the progress Of the good work nigh
be witnessed. But on opening tht
paper one morning of that week, sh,
saw the sad tale, that the poor laC
had been caught in the machinery Of ;
; mill where he was at work, and kill
, ed!
What was done in that poor soul
Who shall tell or conjecture ? Wa
it the breathing of the wind whicI
: bloweth where it listeth, and whicI
, waited the perfume from flower OF
the Lords planting? Was that sou
imbued with the new principle OF
; grace? Why not believe and hop
such was the case? Such things ar
! ! enough to encourage effort, and t
cause thankfulness for the efficacy c
; almighty grace. But the great da
alone can clearly declare the resul
: in such cases. 1t may be that tn
black and heavy fy-wheel was tn
, passing chariot of Emmanuel, which i
an instant broke off the hard she'll o
> carnal nature, broke open the priso
of corruption, and let the new maj
) created by the Holy Spirit, free.
> These things are enough to max
J the laborer OF Christ serious and ea
!, nest! for day by day the last oppol
tunity may be afforded US to say, "B,
I hold the Lamb of GodW