Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-11-02

OF THE TEMPERANCE CRUsADE-WHY
SHOULD NOT WOMEN SPEAK FOR GOD?
THE VALUE OF SABBATH STUDY OF THE
BIBLE,
&C., &C., sc.
Reported for the StauntOn VINDICATOR.l
The chapel at Dry Ridge in this county
was literally packed last Sabbath evening,
because of the announcement. having been
made that a lady from the North would
preach there. Our reporter reached the
place in time to secure pretty comfort
able seat, and was RECALLED for some mo-
ments before the speakers arrival by the
sparkling wit and splendid repartee in
dulged in by a number of tolerably good
looking fellows, crowded just inside the
door. The ladies, especially, were in
state of intense delectation when, on en-
tering the building, they were saluted
with, ''Tickets, ladies'! Hand over your
tickets! Pass right in and avoid the rush
at the door!'' One young gentleman, in
voice audible throughout the auditorium,
requested another to shut his mouth, as
he wanted to see his face. We pluck these
gems from the rest to show that all the
Sheridans are not dead.
The speaker was Mrs. Wilder, lady
formerly Of Brooklyn, N. Y, but for several
years resident in this county, and who
lives upon the estate which belonged to
Gen. Kenton Harper. Mrs. W. has
pleasant, intellectual face; speaks rapidly
right to the point, andAkeeps her bonnet
on. Walking down the aisle in a manner
hat meant business, she faced the au-
dience and said, "My friends, we are sorry
we are late getting in; and now please sing
some familiar hymn, and keep the win
dows open, something just to quiet US
down." NEARER, my God, to thee" was
sung, the major part of thescongregation
uniting in the rendition, especially the
young man who had his mouth open. Mrs.
W. then made prayer, peculiarly appro
pirate. referring in tender terms to the
precious sentiments in that hymn. After
the Introductory services the speaker said:
1t was two years ago that the women of
Brooklyn started to go to the saloons of
that city, and we had three thousand of
them. Seeing the great evils of intern
perance our hearts were sOrely burdened.
We had inaugurated great move. In
three months we had visited every saloon,
and every day we worked in that direction.
The first and almost every day we visited
these places we were accompanied by
lady, who was, oh! so sweet singer She
gave her voice to God. She Used to sing,
Jesus, precious Jesus I never heard
sWeeter strains. While the dear sister
sang, OF others of us prayed, none of the
men with Nhom we met ever spoke or act
ed in any other than the most respectful
manner. About three months since the
lady about whom I've been talking, found
herself sinking under the ravages of some
disease, and, acting upon the advice of her
physician to seek a warm climate, she
came to Virginia. She sent for me. L
visited her. There, upon bed of sickness.
lay Sister Chase, a woman with as noble
instincts and as pure heart as ever lived.
| had on then shawl hao worn FREQUENT.
| ly on our visits to the saloons. She said, 81
can never forget that shawl" respond
ed, II can never forget that singiag!" She
rejoced that her work was done, and
| spoke, as only a Christian eau speak, of
the preciousness of Jesus.
Mrs Wilder then read 9th chap st. Mat
thew, and gave d lengthy criticism touching
the character of Judas. We, she said, too
often sell our souls for silver and gold
working is right, earning money is right,
but oh, don't let US sell our souls for it.
CPL build me a fine house," says the rum
seller. ''I'll sell that man out and have
my carriage" My friends, he is selling
souls for money. 1t is notorious chat the
men who sell rum don't drink it-theg
know too much for that. In visiting the.
saloons we were never able to find 'Ishe,
man'--the proprietor-the clerks sho'
were always willing for us to sing and
pray. People say, talk to us about heaven
oh, that's beautiful, but don't talk about
hell but my friends this is our duty and
one from which we can not wash our
hands. The speaker then recited in an af-
fecting manner the narrative of the cruel
txion OF Christ, and in this connection of
the curse which to this day rests upon the
Jew. People say you know that women
cry very easily, well may be we do, but
then we were with Him first at the cross,
and herein is where we get our authority
for proclaining the great truths. The
Presbyterian church of Brooklyn is Che
only one that did not invite US to take part,
in their meetings. | see no reason why
women may not speak for her LORD I'm
glad to know that some at least do. We.
are all weary and heavy laden. He did not
say come unto me ye men, or women or
children, but Come unto me all We that
labor and are heavy laden and [ will give
you rest" And will you not come unto
him to-day? If could only get you to
study the bible once a week only two
hours every Sunday morning. My Sunday
studies of the bible ale worth too weeks of
study ordinarily. Study jeremiah the
prophet, as nearly typical Of Christ as man
can be-only study it.
After ane laborate and lucid disquisi-
ton on the beauty and power of faith, the
speaker asked mothers what do YOU do
when your husbands come home drunk?
Are you out of humor? Do you fret and
scold Oh don'tl do not cry, only pray.
Have you wandering son ? only pyay.
God is going out after him. Jesus came
for that very purpose. Don't speak of a.
man as miserable drunkaNl"-that
drunkard is somebody's boy. sod tells
you mothers to pray for your sons. And it,
makes no difference what may be the sur.
roundlngs when you offer your petitions
whether you be washing dishes OF engaged
Ill any other OF your household duties, it
will go just as straight TO Christ as when
yon are on your knees. Oh, work, pray!
AT the saloons they used to ask in view of
our labors, are you not tired? Oh, no; 1
never get tired. do not know either what
sickness is. The speaker closed her ad-
dress by making an earnest appeal to the
people to embrace the offers of Christ.
AT the instance of some one in the au-
dlence Mrs. W. consented to address the
people at the same point next Sunday
evening. WILLIAM.
Rusv Seven Years nm the Eemob