The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-06-16
w. C. t. U.
Conducted by Members Of the Portland Union.


OUR FLOWER MISSION.
at was only little blossom,
just the merest bit of bloom;
But it brought glimpse Of summer
To the little darkened room.
1t was only glad good morning.
AS she passed along the way;
But IL spread the mornings glory
over the liyelong day.
Few, If any OF us, have arrived at mature
age without knowing from experience some
thing OF the weariness, monotony and suffer
ing endarcd in the sick room, and when to
these poverty and want are added, the. burden
is indeed hard to bear, as those in some homes
Of our own goodly city can testify, where all
are combined.
Several years ago, the thought cana to mem.
bers Of cur organization, that something might
be done toward Frightening these sick rooms,to
which allusion has been made, toward robbing
weary hours Of much Of their WEAKNESS, and
tightening pain Of hall It's weight Our beau
tiful charity the Flower Mission, was the ou.-
growth Of this thought, which, every summer
since, has done the work, not only OF bright
ening and making more cheerful sick rooms,
hut often the higher work of refining, ennob-
biug ana reclaiIaiDg those found therein.
Should we question the success OF this nig-
sion, let such an ore accompany the young
friends Who go out on thecs eTrandg of mercy.
In one home may be found the weary s1ffeI-
er who has tossed sieeplessly upon her couch
the long night through; she is lonely; this
may be the first visit she has received for days;
she thought the outside world had forgotten
her, aud was almost tempted TO wish her day
of life over; but mark the change as the beau
tiful flowers, something white something
bright and something sweet" are presented,
accompanied with the CHEEKY, sympathetic
word. She feels she is not overlooked; kind
friends are still mindful of her; she takes
heart again, and the mornings glory is
| spread, not only over that day, but over subsc-
| quent ones.
In another sick room 10 found one who, in
years gone by, was strong and vigorous man,
| but indulgence in appetite has weakened bis
| constitution and made him an easy prey TO dis
ease. You can scarcely tell, as the flowers are
given, whether he cares for them or not; bat
as he looks them over his attention is arrested;
here are pinks, just such as grew IN his moth
er's little garden at home; how the flowers
bring to mind the old farm house, where the
days of his boyhood were passed; be remem-
| bers, as though it were but yesterday, his
| mothers words OF counsel and advice, as he
| exchanged his country home for one in the
| city. But, alasi the temptations of city life
were too strong for him; he forgot his mothers
warning and fell; while that mother lived he
| felt that he still had one friend; after her
| death it seemed as If no one cared what be-
| came OF him; but here are proofs to the con-
| trary; he yet has friends desirons of helping
him back to better life; he makes new re-
| solves and comes forth from that sick room
| changed mao. All this is effected through the
| ministry Of little, simple flower, given at the
time most favorable for thought
To still other homes the flowers come as
comforters and reminders Of the Father above,
| for, as another has said, "wo1ld the wise
/ teacher so often have chosen the lilies and the
grass for his text. would we 50 frequently meet
| Ia His words the rose and the myrtle if there
| was no power running through and binding all
beauty and fragrance TO the band that made
| them?'
But the mornings work will not be COM
/ pleted until the hospitals ara visited, when
many far away from home and friends give
| glad welcome 10 the messengers of love.
We cannot carry on this mission without
Materials and for these We are dependent upon
| generous public viii not those who have
| abundance give OF the wealth OF their gardens
and greenhouses to this charity? You who
can exchange the city's dust and heat for the
noun tain S breceiDg air or the Islands cooling
| breezes, will you not help to carry glimpses OF
| Summer into the darkened rooms of those who
cannot do this, by making the w. Q. I. o. the
almoners OF your bounty?
A testimony TO the blessings of this work
comes TO US from the sunny South. Added in
tereSt is given 20 tniS testimony from tne lact
that ths writer, who is national superintendent
| of the Flower Mission branch, is herself con-
| frmed invalid. She has therefore greater love
| for, and sympathy with, the work because of
personal expt rience of its value. She shows
that even the 'ishut in band" as she terms the
sick ones, may do something for this great
cause OF temperance. Tue communication is
dated sick-bed at home, Louisville, May 2:
"Three years ago this month your co-respon-
dent was privileged to organize a flower mis-
siOu here In Iouisvine and every week reDOrts
are brought TO her bedside of its far out reaching
benefits, of comfort given, of souls helped up
from liv es of sin to purity and helpfulness; of
weary eyes frightened and cheered; of wasted
hands held out with trembling eagerness, for
those pretty, precious comforters,' and of re-
fning and cleansing in homes OF filth and
squalor."
Contributions OF flowers may be sent to the
Fraternity rooms, Free street. every Satur-
day between and 10 q. IN.