The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-02-14
COmELY MRS. VAN 60 rT.
A sraIk witl the Preaching widow-How
she Looks-What she Predicts.

N. X. Herald.
Mrs. Maggie Newton Van Colt, the
popular preacher, and the first lady IL
Is said who was licensed to preach in
the Methodist Church in America, is
finishing up" O series OF protracted
meetings In the Thirtieth Street Metho-
dist Church. In conversing with Her
nine years this February since / began
to preach, and two years previous 20
that was engaged in mission work; so
that I have had quite TN experience In
the ministry"
"You are well paid for your services, I
presume" limited the reporter.
We'll, it's just In this way" replied
the widow, laying one chubby little
hand on the reporters arm, by way OF
whatever church--Methodist you un-
derstand--that invites me, and then
they pay me just what they have O
mind to. Sometimes it's more and
sometimes it's less, but 1t Is never very
startling amount. | guess there's no
one in the city of New York but can
show larger figures than can. I tell
you those that think they're going to
get rich in the Methodist Church are
awfully mistaken
IT you are paid 50 poorly, why doyou
SOubluu6 ~
II continue it for the good OF souls.
Ny labor in the ministry is chiefly one
Of love. unadulterated by any worldly
mbition or gain" :,
"Thet Is certainly commendable,
replied the scribe patrouizingly. And
what Is the result Of your labors? Is
this branch Of Babylon going to sinkin
its wiokedness? Is it,
II predict" interrupted the stentor-
Al g,,.. G;vrr 1y,py
Colt, "a mighty shaking in this great
city. Before the putting forth Of the
leaves the people here shall know there
IL q God in Israel. Why, last November
I was preaching in Pittsburg, Pa, hold
ing sort OF temperance meetings there,
and the people who were opposed to it
scoffed and ridiculed our efforts. Do
you know what was the resultY
The reporter averred ignorance OF the
result,
"Well, / received a letter a while ago
saying that since the 1st or November
| 35 900 names have been enrolled on the
banner Of temperance and | feel that
greater revolution is going to be expe-
renced here" =,
"Are the brokers the ones appointed
to do it?' inquired the reporter, mean
ingly. ,,..,.
| for moment. Then her face cleared q
trifie, and she answered hesitatiugly:
"N-o-o-o, not exactly; but / think
the brokers' prayer meeting, as 1t is
called, Is one OF the agencies. Through
the influence OF the meetings q great
many Of the Christian brokers will,
think, be quickened, and many will be
converted. All it wants for its success
IL q fervent clinging to Christ, and
prayer and faith will accomplish the
work. It is one Of the grandest moves
that has been made in New York for
some time
HER FUTURE PLANS.
After leave this church am going
up to Sixty-first street to hold meetings
in the Methodist church there; from
there / am going to Newburg. New
York: from there to Pittsburg; thence
to st. Louis, and from 81. Louis to the
Pacific Coast. / shall be In San Fran.
cisco most Of the time. These are all
booked engagements" said Mrs. Van
Colt, with u little pardonable show OF
importance.
now SHE LOOKS.
Mrs. Van Cott is only fortyseven
years of age, and retains much OF the
vigor and enthusiasm that must have
characterized her youth. It is evident
from her personal appearance that she
is not a believer in fasting, or else thai
sort Of penalty is productive OF great
bulk, for the widows plumpness sug
gests q weight Of $50 pounds. 1t is never
, allowed, however, to seem Cumbrous
for no sylph could glide across tho plat
form with more ease and grace thar
, does this clerical giant in the ministra
tions Of her sanity calling. He1
face is large, full and rosy, Ii
up with large gray eyes. The fore
head is broad and high, sur
mounted by puffs OF chestnut hair
T which add immensely to the widows at
, fractions. Although black is the chosen
t color Of Mrs. Van Colts attire, he
dress Is Of the heaviest silk, made will
> a. court train aud devoid Of fiounces
/ but though fashionably cut there are NJ
, elaborate trimmings in the way OF plalt
or fringes. A neat boot PEEPS from be
meath the skirts as the lady moves t
3 and fro on the platform. Her hand
are white and plump, as becomes lad.
OF such enabonpoint In fact, Mrs. Val
> Colt is a woman OF taste and refine
, ment; for, discarding the conventions {.
/ cuff, her wrists are encircled with plat
r ings OF soft lace. She, however, re
: tains the linen collar for her neck
which Ia fastened with q jet brooch, Ii
8 harmony with the simplicity OF he
0 dress.
8 DOORS OF sANoT1TY.
s Being woman Of taste and sensibil1
Q ty she delights in sweet perfumes
r rightly thinking that true religion /
t OF found In asceticism. Therefore sh
: gratifies her senses with essence OF vic
d let, and so pie ntiful ia her supply tna
k while she exhorts sinners to repentanc
and tries to show them the narrow bu
shiny path to salvation, she shed
abroad the soft scent Of the modes
flower that loves to bloom In shadow
=, corners of the field. Though profess
I" ing Methodism, Mrs. Van Colt, in seei
ing to be preacher OF the Word, evlden
ly does not believe that her missio
n calls for self-denial in creature comfort