The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-10-27
Ghilarem's Column.
For the Central Presbyterian.
A Badge for the Earnest Work
ers, Cleaners, and Busy Bees.

ers, Cleaners, and Busy Bees.
l believe it is the fashion-isnt it
girls FOR all societies to wear badges.
| recollect that when l was member of
a girls missionary society, we had a
great talking among ourselves about get
ting up badge; whether it should be
pink, or blue or red, what it should be
made of, and so on. But, if l remem-
Der rightly, we were kept so busy max
ing certain hundred dollars promised
Tor China, that we never got the badges
made at all.
Now still belong to several missionary
societies of girls, in different parts of our
Southern Church. and I've been thinking
lately that I've found badge for them
all, one that may be worn every day Of
the longest life, and never look shabby
-one that will be becoming to all COM
plexions, and one that, though costly
all may get There is one thing strange
about it, however, and maybe you girls
wont like this so well-no matter how
brightly it shines to everybody S eyes, the
wearer never sees her own badge at all
But come, you are tired of my keeping
it behind my hand all this time let me
show it to you, holding it up high that
even the dear girls in Missouri may see
it is Observation-Disclosures. All,
l see some little Busy Bees that are dis
appointed it doesn't look so pretty in
my hand as they had expected but 1
promise them that if they try it on,
everybody will be thinking how sweet it
makes them look Let's make resolve,
all of us that belong to this little ProteS-
ta1at SiSterhood, that we wont let day
pass without doing something for some
body. don't mean big thing; we are
not very big people, but some little
thing every day. We'll help somebody
with hard lesson-give somebody share
Of our lunch-go to see somebody that is
sick or lonely-write kind letter to
somebody away from home-put some
stitches in piece of knitting or crochet
work that is to make pennies for the
missionary box, or that is meant as a
present for somebody that don't have
much pleasure But how can I state
the countless little ways in which we
could be setting pearls in our badges,
three hundred and sixty-fve every year
Some days-ah 1 know that, we will
miss; we will put our sleepy heads on
our pillows, and suddenly remember
dear me, haven't worn my badge to-
day" Well, it isn't too late; who is in
trouble, that we know? who is sad? who
is very poor? Who is wandering from
God into sinful ways? We can kneel
down and send prayer for help to that
Father in whose sight the weakest of us
is precious.
1t has been said that have very sharp
ears, and I believe I have, for I hear
somebody away of-(may.be one Of the
Cleaners down in Waco, Texas saying
that this badge hasn't anything to do
with missionary work, and that it don t
fit, somehow But dear lassies, the work
is one, at home or abroad the Master s
work is one, and as said to you once
before, in this little corner where The
Central lets us talk to one another, if we
don't help to make the kingdom come at
home, we cant hope to bring the blessing
to China and Mexico.
And so, while we are making dimes,
and sending up prayers, for Miss Kirk
lands school, and Miss Saford's, and
helping "Virginia" in Matamoras let S
wear our society badges of " Day-by- Day
Helpfulness," until every congregation
of our dear Church shall shine with a
starry little band Of workers, whose mot
to shall be
God make my life little song
That comforteth the sad,
That hepeth others to be strong,
And makes the singer glad.
God make my life little staff,
Wherein the weak may rest,
That so what health and strength have