The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-03-19
Berea Grindstones, at
feb u '79-1m G. D. SIDWAY'S.
THE STORY OF A MANsE.

WHAT "wILLING HANDS" AND - EARNEST
WORKERS" CAN DO.
From the Christian ObserverJ
MEssRs EDIToRR: Inspired by statement
in the Observer of what some children have
accomplished by organization and perseverance,
little class in the Presbyterian Sabbath school
in Jackson, Miss, organized itself into
cietv which they called /" The Willing Hands"
Their first meeting was held the first of
March 1876, and the first intimation that the
Superintendent OF the school had of the ex-
istence of such society was in finding on his
desk one Sabbath morning neatly EN- broldered
cover for the organ with the card, " \ present
from Willing Hands. " As great results have
come from this little beginning, | know you
will not refuse space for the names of those
who composed the society. They fol-
lows:
Miss Amanda Lemly, President; Minnie
Collier, Secretary Katy Power, Treasurer;
Fannie Lyon Idalett Hunter, Mamie Kerr,
Fannie Ewing, Dora Asher, Susie Richardson,
Myra Bailey, Bessie Lemly.
OF course the Superintendent returned
thanks for this thoughtful act of the willing
Hands, and encouraged them to continue
their labors and select some other good object
upon which to expend their collections. They
held weekly meetings. A few weeks had pass
ed and many dimes were added to the treasu-
~, but the special manner In which they were
to appropriate the money a society secret.
On inquiry one Sabbath morning, As to the
state OF the finances, | was informed that there
were five dollars in the treasury We'll, chill
dren, what do you propose TO do with 1t %
To which the secretary, forgetting the obllga-
ton of secrecy, at once responded, "We're
going to build a parsonage !" noble re-
solve, which God has blessed. | told the
school what the children were at, and there
was general laugh at the idea but for the
encouragement OF Willing Hands," | pre-
dicted that the parsonage thus commenced
would be built within ten years.
Very soon after, another class took up the
work in earnest They styled themselves
" The Earnest Workers" Mrs Iva Talbot,
their teacher, Anna Bailey, Mary Garter, Cola
Barr, Lulu and Sallie Wharton, composed this
organization, and to the perseverance, and L
may say the faith, of the first named especi-
ally, very large share of what has been ac-
complished is due The manse now became
the project of the entire school, and finally
the Ladies Aid Society gave it their fostering
care and patronage Pound parties grab-bags,
fish, ponds, art receptions, ice-cream festivals,
suppers and personal subscri ptions were all
brought into requisition-an inspiring motive
for haste and zeal in the matter being the
offer of member of the church to duplicate
whatever amount the congregation might raise
for the object.
By request of the ladies, our pastor DIR.
Hunter, announced from the pulpit the 9th
of February that the "Eearnest Workers"
would hold a meeting on Tuesday night, after
PRAYER meeting, to consider the manse ques-
ton, and in order to encourage a general at
tendance he stated that he would not allow any
subscriptions or collections at that time.
The Superintendent gave brief history OF the
enterprise, as above, and reading from the
bank-book stated that there was 81 52l in
Capital State Bank to the credit of the Ear
nest Workers." The Superintendent remarked
that the brother was present who, three years
ago offered to duplicate whatever amount
might be raised for the object Thereupon
Thos. E. Helm Esq, President of the bank
named, arose and stated that he would give
his cheek for 81 ,52l next day, which he did.
Added to the fund thus doubled, another sub
scription OF $3.50 by Mrs. f. Richardson, and
we have a building fund of s. 293. A build
ing committee has been appointed, and plans
are now being considered, and in a short time
the manse viii be an accomplished fact.
Willing Hands and Earnest Workers
may not always be so well rewarded in their
undertakings but our Heavenly Father will
not fail TO bless, in some measure, every effort
made to promote even the material interests of
His kingdom on earth. This statement of
facts is not given for the laudation of any who
conceived or contributed to a result in which
all now rejoice, but for the encouragement of
other children, and the example of other
generous Christian men, to do good the
Lord hath prospered them.
When the manse is built and furnished, and
the children assemble to receive" their pas
tor and his family therein, they would also be
glad to welcome the editor OF the Christian
Observer on the happy occasion.
SUPERINTENDENT.