The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-05-23
Tha FloHar Mission.


tendent of Flower Mission, at the re-
quest of the postmistress, to Harper's
Young People. Miss Casseday has
been an invalid for twenty-five years.
Many years have past since she has
been able to even stand upon her feet.
And yet, a volume could be written
of her wonderful ministration. From
her sick bed of pain and WEAKNESS, al
most unto death, she plans, and sends
her messages of love to the ''shut ms"
all over the land. Through her, Gods
messengers, the flowers, find their
truest meanings and cheer and brighten
many tired ones,
who cannot wander at will
Where the works of the Lord are revealed"
In addition to the large work of super
intending the Flower Mission, she also
has charge of the Louisville training
school for nurses. She says in her let
ter:
How did this ministry of flowers
come to me? In 1877 l read in the
New York Observer of a Flower Mis-
sion in that city who went about
! amongst the destitute and the sick
carrying flowers and texts of Scripture.
The idea seemed to take quick and
| deep possession of my very heart, and
the longing grew more and more in
tense to see such mission established
/ in my own city. / saw with my sin
side eyes, its blessed opportunities,
for knew by experience the comfort
| joy, the all-Out-doorness, to be
| found in these silent messengers of
Gods love. l had been an invalid then
l for ten years, and it never occurred to
me that l could do more than to tell
it to others. But my Heavenly Father
had His plans all laid in his own
blessed way, and was preparing me,
unconsciously to myself to carry them
on as He willed. The following winter l
had a serious illness, from which it
was thought l could not recover. 1
was led to see that it was to be given to
me to organize this work here. have
long since been taught of God TO know
that the very weakness which be-
lieved would prevent is my greatest
strength. And he said unto, me, My
grace is sufficient for thee, for my
strength is made perfect in Weakness,
most gladly, therefore, will rather
glory in my affirmities, that the power
of Christ may rest upon me- 1t was
four years after the Louisville Flower
mission was organized that Miss Fran
ceS E. Willard was in Louisville at
tending national convention of the
w. G. Z. II. She was my sisters guest
and during the latter part of her ssvisit
the very last morning-she asked me
to tell her of my work. With that
quick perception and ready insight for
which she is so remarkable
temperance work and bring forth rich
harvest of good. She rose to her feet,
exclaiming, 81 have an inspiration-it
is to establish Flower Mission de-
partment of the w. G. T. u, and put
you at its head as national superin-
. tendent. The very idea appalled, me
and felt that it was impossible fol-
4 q &nI-
work OF to think of under.
taking from my little corner a Ma.
} tional Flower Mission. But it was an.
other unfolding of Goods thoughts, ,
and in a few months He opened my
eyes to see his will for me. 1t has
grown to large proportions, as does al
work that has Gods call behind it; and
this week my secretary writes that we
have sent abroad through the lane
eighty-four thousand eight hundred
and seventy-tive text cards from Janu
airy, 1888. to January. 1889. L trust
my dears, that / have not made my
talk so long as to weary you of thoSI
lovely missions, for that would defea
my desire that you will join hands witt
me for its growth. l had intended t
: give you some suggestions as to how
I my letter too long, and l will nos tres
pass further on your hospitality.
''There are lonely hearts to cherish,
While the days are going by:
There are weary ones who perish,
Q While the days are going by.
= If a smile we can renew,
q | AS our journey we pursue:
On, the good we all may do
AS the days are going by.
''Oh, the world is all of sigh,
Full of sad and weeping eyes;
Help your fallen brother rise,
: While the days are going by.
''An the living links that bind US,
While the days are going by,
| One by one we leave behind us,
: While the days are going by.
But the seeds of good we sow,
Both in shade and shine will grow,
And will keep our hearts aglow,
While the days are going by"
, Most tenderly ''in His name,' you
o invalid friend, JENNIE CASSEDAY.
J.. 216 E. Chestnut st. Louisville, KY.