Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-10-22
HTsTERs or CHARITY. ]


Five Sisters of Charity have died in Mem
pkis of yellow fever contracted while wait
ing on those sick of that disease. A good
oct done without o;tentation must be
beautiful Ia the eyes of Heaven. How
many such unheralded deeds of love and
mercy, dictsted by the most disinterested
benevolence, are now being performed in
our city, may never be known. We Rave
found out enough, however, to learn how
much Of the pure gold of true manhood,
and of noble womsn's gentle devotion and
long suffering, there ere in mankind. What
a glorious halo surrounds the head Of the
devoted Sister Of Charity! Not hers the
lot of ordinary womaDkind-hard enough
at best, for woman in every station has her
trials trials that the gay world may never
know, for her well-disciplined heart bids
her smile when SIZE might better weep. Not
hers the sweet Establishments of home,
"The primrose path of dalliance."
the gay allurements of society, the fascina-
ton and iutoxicalion of the fashionable
beau monde. Nor hers TO drink Of tie cup
trimming with the nectar of maternal love;
to kiss the living, smiling miniature Of her
liege lord, TO whom her heart goes out with
unspeakable Affection, to walt the coming
Of him who Is TO her a world within him
self; to guide and govern happy house.
bold, and walk down into the reverend vale
of age, leaning upon the trained affections
that sprang up and fiourished at her bidding,
In tie sunshine Of home, sweet home.
These, and more than these, has she resigned
for His sake, who, upon the Cross Of Calva-
~ gave up His precious life to save mankind.
Silently and unknown to the world, she
goes forth on her mission of love and mercy.
Not into the houses Of the wealthy and
the great-they have not need OF her minis
trstions. They have all the attention that
money can command. Not to these does
the meek and lowlJ Sister of Charity bring
the tender care of her loving snd skillful
hands, the imparting cour sc OF her abid-
ing fsith, the nOiseless attentions and care
ful nursing which induce the stricken one
to believe her a ministering angel; but to
the poor and the outcsst who have no
friends and are without means to buy
friendship; for in our day, slasl friendship
Is an article TO be purchased with current
money Of the merchant! Without ostenta-
ton, without display, anxious lest the
world should know it, eager to avoid an
occasion of its being known, she walks 10
tie thorny path over which the Savior trod,
with eyes of faith on Him, and love for
the poor-HiS poor--in her heart
Where suffering is, there will she be
found; where sorrow, the blessing of her
smile will be there to soften and make toll
cradle the pangs of the wretched. The
poorest cottage, the l5wliest hovel, the pris-
on dens, where the unhappy outcast mem
bers of our race writhe in fatal, lingering
torture, the bed of pestilenu death itsef-
things from which the strong man shrinks
AWAY in terro--are the scenes of this brave
and noble woman's unpaid, and, too often,
unapnreciated sacrifices. She is the friend
Of those who may once have had friends,
but now are deserted by the world. With
unfinching courage she braves The pesti-
lence, her Woman's useful presence Of mind
never deserving her, for to the last she Is
physician, nurse end friend to the sick and
and diving. She is missed from the bedside
of affection only when she herself needs a
pbvsic,an ami nurse; and she returns no
more 10 her post, because her spirit has
flown away to the better land to hear the
heavenly salutation, swell done, good and
faithful servant, enter thou into the joy Of
thv Lordr' Daes there yet linger within
the narrow peDt up and unhealthy bounds
of sect arianism, spirit 50 mean as to sneer
ut or ridicule he splendid heroism OF this
woman? If such there be, let them not
dare assai! the glorious record OF christian
ssint. lest in doing so they mock the Christ
Ii.,t Inade charity for mankind, sealed with
o. s's life-blooi, the highest testimony and
type Of christian perfection.