Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-10-16
A Quiet Lady's Blessed Work.

A Quiet Lady's Blessed Work.
We know one woman who seems 10 us 10
live true life. To some extent we admit
a public life; but She has never courtcd no.
ticc. nor sought for any rights except those
which belonged to the most lowly Of her sex,
the right 10 be modest, pure, and good. She
had great advantages in early life Born of
and religious parents dwelling 10
a sweet aud charming home, surrounded by
which were favorable to womanIy
prudence aud goodness, she arrived at fulness
of years with the splendid fortune OF a culti
waited mind. None Of the common lriyolities
Of life had any attractions for her. She had
"A mother Of great taste, culture, and piety
and under the influence Of her potent exam
pie She devoted herself to pursuits that never
defle or cloy Painting, music, reading,
gardening, philanthropy, aud prayer 6lled up
her days aud evenings with exalted delights
aud she did not wish to stray from the Aowery
paths and green pastures into which they
iod hor foot Wnat was a ballroom COM
pared with sweet air, and painting from nature
in the eye of lovely scenery What was q
theuter compared with music at home 2
What were parties for Gossip and flirting when
sick women were longing for sistcrly love aud
Christian compassion? Her choice was made.
She would be the bride Of the Bridegroom.
So she began her beautiful life, and so she
continues to serve unto this day.
Walking one evening from church She saw
lot Of young fellows scattering idly about
the fields. They were ignorant, rude, and
vicious, but she thought that possibly She
might do them good How? That was d
hard question, but she solved It, BY the
permission Of her mother she invited them to
come to the house on Sunday evening,
for Bible reading, and 10 the sons OF
Beliol came. The SOFT voice, graceful mien.
earnest picty aud womanly friendship Of the
Quiet Lady who sought their welfare, attrac-
ted them, and they not only came themselves
but they brought others in such numbers that
the room overlooked. Great results followed
Oaths, bad words, obscene jests, incipieni
drunkenness were iorsaken, aud simple, manly
Righteousness began 70 display its power over
them Life was revealed to them in new as
poets There was something better than to-
bacco and beer, slang and skittles. Then
class grew to such magnitude that new prem
ises were sought for, aud at length they as
sembled in hall Of considerable size. Di
vine favor attended these efforts, aud espec
ally so in later years. The waters Of tn,
river Of life flowed deeper and stronger
and hundreds Of working men hastened tC
drink of them Another element of useful
ness was added, namely, the temperance
pledge. The ancient cathedral city in which
our Quiet Lady does her noble work is, alas
very drunken place Small public houses
abound. 1t was found that strong drink
often deluded even the brightest members Of
| the Bible class, and therefore it was resolved
to institute temperance society. This was
done with immense success. 1t now numbers
eight hundred men and women, aud is proba-
bly, the best organized society Of the kind in
Englond Each man pays twopence, and
each woman a penny week towards tn,
funds. Members who keep the pledge for six
months receive medal for twelve months
an ornamental card and for two years val
liable aud instructive volume Whole iam
| lies sometimes Join this society There ar,
thirty families who have family cards anC
very ample pecuniary and moral benefits flow
1 from such an article Of domestic furniture
To assist in the regular visitation Of tn,
members a missionary aud Bible woman ar,
employed, aud they do much good by then
daily visits. We heard the missionary say
." We have scarcely any sick in our society
IA remark which we have thought very sug
, gestiye { the health aud happiness whicl
arises from total abstinence.
A Band Of Hope has also been established
and numbers quite 500 members The Bible
woman visits them all, and sees that the
keep their pledge and attend all the meetings
This womauly oversight is invaluable. Ou
Quiet Lady presldes at all the meetings
which, observe, are not public meetings in an
sense.
The cathedral city contains large numbe
of girls, employed in factories. Very fe'
care for their souls. Dress, dances, and drin
are their chief foes, aud, to preserve then
from ruin, our Quiet Lady began Youn
Womeus Society. In this there is an inn.
aud an outer circle. Any young woman ma
attend the Bible-casses; but there are othe
meetings for members only. Any made
wishing to become member must adhere t
= plain dress aud Christian conversation
Many do SO, aud become bright, happy, an
useful, and often become the wives Of choic
young fellows who know a good girl whe
they see one.
Finding that single workingmen were ia
from comfortable in their lodgings, and wer
thus made more likely to frequent the publ
house, our Quiet Lady considered the matter
aud established diniug.hall, lodging-hou st
and club.room in one building. She over
looks all the arrangements, and has the pleas
uro of seeing the precious fruits Of her wis
efforts to help those who were willing to he'll
themselves, Within the same building a maj
may have all his meals, read his newspaper
play at draughts, have hot bath, attend
temperance meeting, 60 to Bible-cass, AM
have little bedroom all to himself.
Aided by her sisters, our Quiet Lady find
clothing for eighty families in various parii
Of the county From her house, parcels 0
clothing go to all parts of England to enable
hard-working, badly.paid, pious men to cloth,
themselves aud families in comey raiment
and many a blessing is given her Tor this no
bic devotion to them.
Is not this wonderful life ? We thin
so, and yet the busy world knows it not |
is so humble, retiring, aud hidden that few
very few, have ever seen it except those 70
whom our Quiet Lady lives aud loyes.--Lo,i
don Christian World.
Mrs. Edwin A. Stevens, of Iloboken, n
j D., is to build there church worth Sl5O0Ot