St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-11-02
Consecrated Diamonds.

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive
riches."
Among the stirring incidents brought
before us at our late meetings, in con-
nectiOn with Christian work in many
lands, one in its beautiful simplicity
and practical suggestiveness seemed Sc
to come to the front, that we desire to
enshrine it in Il separate place of mem
orial.
The Princess Eugene of Sweden, has
for many years devoted herself to eff
forts for the good of her people. Schools
and institutions have been of deep in
terest to her, and her purse as well as
heart has been open in supporting them
to the full extent of her means.
But when the sympathies of a loving
soul are allowed free play, the needs
supplied and the SORROWS relieved give
an intenser realization of those that
lberaity is bestowed by God, those
who possess it are ''beyond their power
willing of themselves to go forward in
the blessed work of suecor.
Visiting the cottages in the Island OF
Cortland, her summer residence, the
Princess was touched by finding many
cases of hopeless suffering amongst the
poor women. 1t has pleased the Lord
that she should herself be sufferer
from incurable illness, and sym ,athy
prompted her to do something for these
her poor sisters in sorrow. She thought
how good it would be to build for them
a hospital home. But even though a
royal Princess, there was a limit to hel
resources. and she might have put the
thought aside with the plea that she
had "given away in charity" as much
as she was justified in giving. But no
there was warmth Within her heart
that would not allow of such disap-
pointment. The love of Christ was
constituting her, and that love knows
how to overcome difficulties. The ques-
ton she at once asked was, How can
get the money to do it 7
She was not able to look for an add,
tiOnal supply from her stated income
but there were some bright things OF
great value sparkling in casket which
belonged to her, and of which she
thought and she said, first to herselt
and then to the King, her royal brother
'Mdy L not sell my diamonds 2" Con
sent was given they were sent t.
England to the care of the wife of the
Swedish Ambassador and the sun
these diamonds realized was more thar
sufficient to build Home for Incura
bles in the Island of Gotland.
Time passed on, and though the
jewel-bOx was empty, the little Asylum
was full. Two summers ago one of it,
poor inmates who seemed particularly
ignorant and inaccessible, was deeply
laid upon the heart of the Princess. 81
prayed much for that DOmdn," were hel
own words in narrating what followed
The month came when she usually
leaves her summer retreat for her win
ter home in the city, and she was pay
ing her farewell visit to the sufferers
when the matrOn said, pointing to the
very woman, II think you will find hel
changed"
The Princess approached her bed
and the words that greeted her from the
now almost dying one were ~ thanh
God that the blood of Jesus Christ hi'
Son cleanseth from all sin, and that III,
has cleaRsed mine,n-the tears running
fast down her cheeks. They were the
tears of a newborn soul, stirred to it'
depths by the first sight of Jesus, ant
as the light of Heaven glistened through
them, and made her own eyes weep fol
joy-"in those tears" said the Princess
''I saU my diamonds again"
Dye, who long to possess jewels OF
fairest lustre, what will you do "a
hundred-fold non in this time" so says
the Master, every one shall find who
has "forsaken" anything "for my names
sake."- Woman's Work in the Grea
Harvest Field.