Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-09-13
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Gospel in a Kiss.

Mrs W. had long been known to the po-
lice on the East side of New York city. A
woman once of great beauty, she had become
an nutcast and common street drunkard.-
When on a spree she was very disorderly and
violent; and as she possessed Unusual physi>
cal strength, and it would hardly do to use
their clubs upon a woman. few policemen
liked to arrest her alone. Her husband, who
had been very kind and had cung to her,
had now given her up; and her children had
been taken from her. She had f'rsotten how
many times she had been sent up to the Island /;
and from month to six months In the peni-
teutiary and fortnight home. was the usual
course of her life Tor years. At the time of
our story, she had been few days at liberty.
and was staying in the garrct of miserable
house in the worst part of the ward.
Her forIorn condition touched the heart of
one of the female missionaries connected with
the district in which she lived and she re-
solved to see what she could do for her As
she went she called upon friend to consult
as to the best way of approaching the woman.
"I'm going to see Mrs. W . this morning"
said the missionary to her friend.
"You'd better not She'll toss You down
stairs
visit her and do her good if IL were here ?'
Very likely. but yom're not the Lord. and
have no right to expect anv different treat
mcnt from what every one else has had"
Pm goin" any how" replied the good
woman I'm not going alone but Jesus
with me ! believe he will fulfill even to me
the promise to be with us to the end of the
world"
So the li'tle woman went and picking her
way to the top of the crazy stairs found n
dark room under the caves. unfurniShed save
with single broken chair and an old rusty
stove. After her ewes were accustomed to
the darkness, she saw on 4 heap of straw in
the corner. what seemed at first a bundle of
rags. 1t was the woman she sought. Just re.
covering from the effects of dehauch. and
but little removed from an attack of delirum
tremens. She sat on the floor moaning as in
pain. with her hands clasped about her knees,
and her head lowered down upon them
With prayer for aid. the missionary
stepped lightly across the floor. and laid her
hand gently upOn the wOmans shoulder
Surprised and startled. she looked up. 1t
was a sad face that missionary looked down
upon Sin had trndden out every line of its
former beauty Her eyes were heavy and
bloodShOt. bruised and blaGkened with blows,
and her lips We're thick and puffy and her
hair tangled and matted with dirt Without
word the missionary stopped down and gent
ly kissed the upturncd forehead.
"What did you do that for p the woman
fcrceIy demanded.
''Becausc | love you"
''Love me? me- Then you don't know
who I am"
'Yes, do. Mrs W. know who you are
and I've come to see if | can do you good
Jesus loves you, and love You, too" And
again she stopped down, and a. she kissed the
bIoared. di>fgured face. a tear fell upon it.
"Oh. my God. my God. what did you do
that for ?" the poor woman mnaned out
That minds me Of my mothers kiss. I've
had blowe enough. and kicks and curses
enough, but no kiss since my little children
were taken from me. 0 my God what do
you kiss me for? Woman, woman, you'll
kill me" and the poor creatures frame shook
with sobs and uncomfortable emotion.
The missionary then sat down at her side
and told her Of the love Of Him who came ia
seek and to save the lost She led her down
from the garret. and took her TO her own
/ home. She washed and dressed her; watched
over and helped her and when it seemed the
mad thirst for drink would not be denied,
| she brought other friends and sympathy
/ around her, and saved her.
[ Some two or three weeks after. in n mission
| Chapel near where she lived. Mrs. W. tim
idly rose, asking if there was mercy for such
a sinner. As she stood there, her friend
came. and kneeling at her side. poured forth
prayer for her, which by It's patbos anc
I pleading. and wrestling love, melted every
heart God heard it. In a few days the out
cast found peace. and was restored to her hus
band and children.
But few months later. a new mission
chapel was dedicated In the procession
marched more than two hundred women, mem
bOrS of WOmans Temperance Society many
of whom ike Mrs w. had been picked on
of the street. At their head was woman
refined and lady like in her bearing. and con
spicuous for her personal appearance and de
meanor. bearing in her hand a banner in
scribed. ..WoIuan's work for woman's veal >
Who is that fne-Iooking woman :" askct
a gentleman present
That is Mrs. W. whose history You vii
recoIlect you heard some little while ago
In the course Of the evening. when h.
asked Mrs W, in what way did the Gospe
find you p she replied. with trembling lips
and eyes bright with tears, The Gospe
found me. sir. with a kiss
ReU i. C.. Roe, IN tie Interior
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