Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-01-11
COMMUNICATED.
Christ Church Mothers Mission.

oAMUNICATED.
Christ Church Mothers Mission.
The writer was present on Tuesday after
noon last at the Goth anniversary of the
Mothers Mission of Christ Church One
side of the beautiful chapel was reserved for
visitors, the remaining space bsing filled
With the members After brief service by
the rector, Rev. Dr. Suter, the Rev. DR.. Nc
Kim, former rector, made touching and
stirring address with special allusion to those
who had SO faithfully abored to make it a
success, and were still 80 lovingly remem
bered, and gave his full testimony to the
power of the Gospel wherever taught, A
pleasant feature OF the occasion vas the gift
Of dainty cup and saucer to each member,
to which was attached a hand painted card
with the dates 1869 to 1889, The work Of a
few of the youDg girl friends of the mission.
We were so much graiiied by what we
learned CT the work that " have requested
the publication OF lis report: TIE Mothers
Mission WAS originated and organized by
Miss Julia Johns. with the hearty oo.ope.a-
ton OF the rector, Rev. Il. II McKim, jan
uary 18th 1869, With Mrs VIM c. Yeaton
and Mrs. NJ. M. Lewis, as her assistunts and
len Jackson were added 10 the officers as a
visiting committee, then Mrs. Lucy Lloyd;
and from year to year as their services were
needed, or death removed one Of the little
band. Miss johns. whose health was failing,
brought in other ladies, Miss Stuart, Miss
B. Smith, Mrs Leadbeater AID Miss Eliza
Miller, who still have charge of tho mission
holding il Ms eacred trust from those holy
saints who have finished the race and now
wear the crown, leaving us noble example
that we should follow their stepe. The OBJ
ject OF this mission was to help Garry out
the plan Of the great Teacher who revolution
lied the world when he aeid And TO the
poor, the Gospel ia preached" Miss Johns
who Was ever Jealous TO win souls
for Christ, gathered fourteen moth
ers for The first meeting, increasing
the number to forty the first year twelve
of this original lumber are with Us to-day,
and during these twenty years have been
faithful, earnest members, teaching their
children and grandchildren to attend and
love this mission. The chief effort was to
urge the mothers TO lead christian life.
Many, who bad no church connection,
united with Christ church, and the various
pastors in town have all borne testimony to
this work for Christ as they see it in their
people. In referring to the roll. l.books, we
End about 600 names, added year by year,
representing every quarter of the town.
; OF course we have lost many earnest mem.
bers by removal, many by death (40) and
some, of whom we hoped better things, are
no longer with U.S. The annual list Of mem
bers is from IS to 100, averaging o weekly
attendance of 55. The fret three yeare, be.
side the religious instruction, the ladies,
through donations OF money and material,
bought goods and sold to the members at
nominal prices, but it was found that this
was not needed branch of the work as in
larger cities, so the meetings we're made en-
tirey devotional, lasting one and one-half
hours, the first half hour devoted TO the lie
brary, then short service arranged from
the prayer. book, singing and portion OF
Holy Scripture read and explained and al
ways some interesting book read aloud, the
ladies never more happy than when they
could create merry laugh. Abundant has
been the proof tnat the work for souls was
not in vain by the altered lives and reformed
homes of many not only of those re-
naming with US, but those who have
gone out from US have carried the
knowledge of Saviour's forgiving love
and often we hear of them rejoicing, thank.
ing God and blessing others for the influence
of the mission. Said one. In dying, whose
new life for years proved her sincerity, "She
took my feet out of the mire and clay and
set them upon the rock" Another, "Im in
great misery, but just lie here thinking of
al the precious things told US at the mis-.
sion." And another said: You do not
know the hungry souls you are feeding
cannot express my feelings for what you
have done to bring US poor sinners to re.
pentauce." So, from the penitent, the suf-
fering, the dying, the testimony to the work
abound6.
The library was soon added, and now
numbers 250 volumes. Many have been the
friends of the mission both here and else
where, who by donations of money, books
and sympathy have helped on the work that
has been quietly and unostentatiously car
ried on for twenty years, bearing fruit to
the glory of God
To vary the character of the meetings
some little Christmas remembrance is al
ways presented by the ladies, and at Easter
the annual tee party is held, when all try to
be present. Three events have made "red
letter days" in the history of the mission
once trip to Malvern (the home of Bishop
Johps) in strawberry season, when the roses,
TOO, were in perfection, and who can forget
the 10Y of old and young as they wandered
over garden and fields in the sweet spring
air gathering flowers, or when they collect.
ed on the portico in view of the river and
listened 10 Rev. DR.. Suter as he told them Of
tbs green pastures snd still waters by
which God leads His owu," Of the ''uafad-
ing flowers in the better land" of"the water
of the river of life, that flows by the throne
Of God" Again, when Mrs. and Miss Coles,
of Philadelphia friends of Miss Johns took
US oil (S4) to Mount Vernon, where each
one was presented with flowers by the Sup.
erintendent. One OF our guests, the Rev. X.
R. Mason, spoke words of cheer and encour'