Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-12
yJNrsTRY or FLOWERS.
woman. work in the Ps'ssn'-ce awe
Gratitude.

On the 9th Of June OF each year 'a'
ladies' of the Women's Christian lem
perance Union celebrate all over inc
country what they call "Flower-M'i-
sion prison-Day," when all the prisons'
iails, and almshouses, wherever there
Is an organization Of this order, are
visited, end small bouquets, with
verse OF text Of Scripture attached, are
given to each inmate.
This custom was inaugurateu oy
Miss Jennie Cassidy, Of LonIsyiiie'
Ry., who is superintendent OF that de-
partment in the national organization.
Bouquets we're delivered to over 'oO
of the prisoners in the penitentiary on
the flower-mission day last month";
amidst exercises appropriate to the DC,
casion. in which all took part, ana
MANY of those who were so kindly re-
membered seemed deeply touched, and
expressed their thanks through flowing
tears. Last year they showed their
appreciation Of the act by present.
ING a beautiful cross made OF
scraped horn to the local union. This
wear they have prepared one still more
beautiful, which. through the Union, IS
TO be sent to Miss Cassidsy. 1t IS OF
scraped horn and stands on a ground
work of the same material. Just where
the beams cross is lovely representa-
ton Of calla-lily, while lower down
are several rosebuds. At its foot are
the following lines on fringed card
RICHMOND, July 5, 1885.
To the E0per-MssiOn Association Of
Richmond:
Dear Ladies,-After seeing the in
.erest you have sn0wn IN ?qr spiritual
welfare we feel it to be our duty to Try
and show you that we appreciate It.
We have thought over several ways of
manifesting our gratitude to you, and
decided to make a cross, at the bottom
of which we have laid few Of
our last years bouquets, to be
presented to the founders Of your
Association by you. The object of the
cross is to show the lady in Kentucky
the interest you have taken and the re-
suits. Hoping you may have many
bright and happy Junes in your lives
and that your paths may be strewn with
flowers, we remain respectfully yours,
THE PRISONERS.
The whole is set in a recessed frame
of black walnut, with gilded border
around the glass.
In the frame arc several of the bou-
quets distributed last year, which were
preserved by pressing, and which still
have the texts Of Scripture attached, as
also the name of him who received it.
The picture was handed over to the
Union on last Sunday to be sent to Miss
Cassidy, who on learning the facts sent
the following letter to be read to the
prisoners
SICK BED, July LIST.
My. Dear Friends Mrs. CrenShaw
writes me to-day of your invitation to
the W. C. 4. U. 20 visit you next Sun
dav afternoon, aud believe have a
little right TO come. too. May not be
present with you-though " absent IN
body, prcsentin spirit -: And will you
not let me beg, beseech each one of
you. to put up this little prayer from
YOUR heart: Divine Father, send
Thy blessed spirit into my hear to-
dav. and now - clear away all clouds
of doubt. and seal me for Thine own
child. For Jesus | ask it. Amen.
low it did rejoice my heart to hear
shat our yours and our "FlOwer-NlS-
sion Priscn-Day " Of last year was fol-
lowed by an outpOuring of Gods spirit
with you. This is end and aim of all
our work and all our prayers for the
ministry of flowers" we hope to
bring you every June. 1t Is to teach
YOU. through the ministering love OF
! Christian women, Of that love which
yearns over you wherever you are, and
however far YOU 90 from Him, and which
one, torn and rent, hung bleeding
on the cross for you, that He might
suffer the punishment due for your sins,
and so secure for you eternal life
Not the righteous. not the righteous
sinners Jesus came to CALL" An I'M
happy skeptic said once to a happy
Christian, " Can you tell me just what
in the gospel you believe, aud how you
believe it?" She answered quietly
-. God is satisfied with the work of His
Son. This is the gospel, believe, ant
am satisfied with it. This is how
believe it," Listen, now, right closely
while ] read you what the Bible says
God is able to do "Able even to sub
due ali things unto Himself Phil
ill.,, 81. Able to make all grace
abound to you; that you, already hay
ing all sufliciency in all things, NAY
abound to every good work. - Cor
tx, s. Able to keep you from fall
ing, and to present you faultless befor
the presence Of His glory with exceed
ing Joy. Jude, oath verse. "Abl,
to succor them that are tempted"
Heb. H., Is. Able also to save then
to the uttermost that come unto Coz
by Him. Heb. viii, %. " Able t
keep that which ] have committee
unto Him. - Tim. l., l.. 4" Able t,
do exceeding above all that we ask o
think. Heb. ill.,, 90.
Belieyest thou that am able to d.
this?" is what your Saviour asks
Can you not answer, "Yea, Lord,
believe; help Thou mine unbelief."
"The Lord bless thee and keep thee
che Lord make His face shine upo
= thee, and be gracious unto thee ; tn
Lord lift up the light of His counte
nance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Your servant for Jesus sake,
Miss JENNIE CASSIDY,
Nath'l Supt. w. c. 7. T.,
Flower-MiSSion Department.
Justice Richa rdsOn.