Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-04-03
Martinsburg "Reminiscences.
NO. III.

NJ. Ill.
Whilst young boy, ranging from five to
ten years, having in my own dear mother
one whose life was devoted to Goodness
and one who cultivated the association of
those who were endeayoring to do accepta-
BILE service for the advancement of Christi
anity, and trying to benefit their children
and families, there was organized moth
er'S prayer meeting, which was held week
ly at various private residences in the
town. l can recall the appearances, and,
to some extent, the deyout manners, of
those mothers, as they offered up prayers
for grace to enable them to perform their
duties, and for blessings to fall upon and
follow their children, husbands, families
and associates. The prayers offered there
and then have been answered in the re-
turn of many wanderer to the paths of
prosperity and right. How pleasant it is
for me to recall the hours of my childhood
spent with my mother and the Others as
sembled for such purpose. Each Protes-
tant denomination was represented by one
or more of its female members Among
the number to be found at almost every
meeting, were: Presbyterian Church
Mrs. NJ. Cooper, Mrs. John STROLLER, Mrs.
Samuel Baker, Mrs. Jas. Brown and Mrs,
Pendleton. German Reformed Church
Mrs. Chris. Wolf, Mrs. ID. III. Doll. Luth-
eran Church-Mrs. Jacob Hamme, Mrs.
Jacob Swartz, Mrs. John Painter, Mrs. c.,
Curtis, Mrs. Sallie Stewart, Mrs. George
Shaffer. Methodist Church Mrs. Snyder,
Mrs. Mathews and Mrs. j. w. Wolff.
Episcopal Church-Mrs. Holland Harri-
son, Mrs. ID. Ii. Conrad, Mrs. Dennis Nc
Sherry. Baptist Church-Mrs. John Lit
tie, Mrs. Herndon and many others whose
lives were devoted to Christian purposes,
and whose prayers have gone up in unison
with Gods people. They are gone to their
reward and we can eXclaim in the words
of the Holy Bible: ''Blessed are the dead
who die in the Lord. Yea, henceforth,
saith the Spirit, they rest from their labor
and their works do follow them" The
Goodness of many of your parents, men,
women and children descendants of the
good mothers of 80 years ago, is the result
Of answered prayer, and the very fact that
to-day my mind recalls acts and facts of
transactions more than half century
past, fulfills to some extent the words
quoted, i. e. "their works do follow them"
A faithful christian life and ardent pray
ers for Gods blessing, never fail. The an
swer will come ever if years intervene,
and the life is not spent in vain which in
its devotion, offers faithful prayer in con-
nection with moral training and Christian
example. Mothers of the present, be en-
couraged in the training of your little
ones. Gods blessing will follow, even If
you are gathered home to the bliss and joy
of Heaven before you witness the fulfill
ment of your prayers.
lnmemory of our departed mothers, let
mequote the following lines:
''Who shall say how close the mortal
Borders on the vast unseen?
Who shall say lis but seeming,
But vain and idle dreaming
That we catch sometimes a cleaning
From beyond the mystic portal,
From behind Deaths shadowy screen.
Unseen ones in whispers cheering,
Bid us struggle ON and wait.
Still to them our spirits turning
With deep, unuttered yearning,
Press we on with firm endeavor,
Hoping always, doubling never.
Nought from us that vision sever
Till we joyfully journey yonder-
Through the portals Of the tomb" b. n.