The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-08-11
For the Central Presbyterian.
The Women, and Children.
BY MRS. LUCY RANDOLPH FLEMING.

Inc w omen ana Cn1ldren.
q BY MRS. LUCY RANDOLPH FLEMING.
Said Luther ''" When l preach,
think not so much Of the great ones,
but remember the women and children,
and maid-servants in my congregation. .
And of the greatest of all preachers
it is said 1.-THE common people heard
him gladly" While delivering the sub
FINEST of truths-the highest doctrines
the human mind and heart could take
in-the Lord Jesus so preached that the
simplest soul in His audience could I'M
derstand and be comforted See the
parables-all drawn from incidents of
everyday life. How quickly would
every toiling woman catch at the illus
tration the working of grace likened to
leaven hid in three measures of meal
how wildly the fishermen recalled their
task of separating the good from the
bad fish, and real and solemn appears
the fate of the sewers seeds to any who
have ever watched or engaged in agricul-
tural life; and the hidden talent laid
away so carefully as to be useless; who
can recall it without singing inquiry
of conscience?
A large part of our modern congrega-
tions-as were those of old time-are
made up of tired mothers perplexed
house-keepers, wearied maid-servants,
who go up to the courts of the Lord
caring little for the last scientific doubt
as to the creation of all things; nor are
many of them specially interested as to
the exact time Of the millennium, believ-
ing of that day and hour knoweth no
man. but earnestly desiring bread for
their souls; water from the living Rock
to refresh them after weeks cares and
trials-unseen by any save their God
mamma to sustain until another day of
gathering. And sometimes these have
gone away empty, or with the distressing
conviction that the waters e0eye troubled
the angel did descend, but they had
none to help them towards the heavenly
fountain
The sermon was good? Oh yes, all it
ought to be. 1t directed scoffers in the
right way it was scholarly; it was also
spiritual; but some way it was barren of
comfort for tired souls whose perplexities
are too small to talk about; who doubt
nothing of the Bibles truth; who long
for patience and charity in the daily
work. Work it may be of caring for
little children; preparing household s
recurring meals-taking many steps
about such small matters which show so
little, but tire so much.
All the women and children and the
maid-servants may not be lacking in in
telligence, or information of the day, but
they want to find something else at
church
They want word they can take home
with them, and treasure through toll
some, heart-wearing week.
They want some one to say that the
Lord Jesus is just as ready to walk with
them in their obscure everyday work as
He was with the disciples on the road to
Emmaus; just as ready noa0 to notice
the small acts of self-denial as he was
to commend Marys alabaster box of
perfume.
1t may not be often, I hope not, but
there are times when lonely followers of
Christ go to the temple of the Lord ask
ing for bread and receive stone be-
cause, the women and children and maid
servants were not remembered in the
sermon-in the prayers. Ministerial
brethren, when next you sit at your
study table, or standing in the pulpit,
forget not the mothers the keep
ers, the serving-maids, the inquiring
children.
They may be among the feeble folk, ="
but like the comics they build their
houses in the rock, and as they them
selves enter iuto the very foundation Of
home. Oh help to lead and stay their
faith upon the Rock higher than we,
where alone is found strength sufficient
for our day.
For the Central Presbyterian.