Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1892-06-30
Our White Ribbon Saint.


given in late Union Signal under the |
"Our White Ribbon Saint"
We were in the beautiful city of
Ky, Anna Gordon and |,
i'm the autumn of 1881. Riding along
Chestnut, one of its shady residence
streets, with that chief among temper
ance orators, Col. George w. Balm, lie
said to us, AS we pass yOnder pleas
ant homestead, look to the wide front
on the first floor and you will
see white figure reclining on q bed
that is Miss Jennie Casseday-the best
loved woman in our State"
As we slowly passed her home; we
saw for the first time the most ethere-
al human form that ever served as
vase of rarcst porcelain, through
which should shine the spirit lamp ct
Il great soul. Always alert to learn
about women gifted and good, we piled
our white ribbon brother with the in
terrogations aud found out that the
Cassedays were a family of talents
altogether uncommon. Ben Casseday,
brother of Jennie, was the associate of
George ID. Prentice, editor of the
famous Louisville Courier Journal.
They were of sturdy Presby
stock, and in their home the best fruits
of that time were garnered.
Miss Casscday's tame is the most
remarkable recorded instaIce of the
triumph of mind over matter; of
spirit over clay. In more than thirty
years she has not walked step nor
sat erect. Her bed has been her
world and to its side, in reverent ten
derness, much that is best in the world
has gladly come. Here the most ia
nous singers and musicians have ex-
ercised their beautiful gifts for the
pleasure of this woman, who seeks to
add to everybody's happiness. The
telephone that hangs just within reach
of that arm no larger than child's,
was placed at her disposal by the city
the phOnograph repeats for her every
thing she cares to hear from concert
to praycrmeeting, temperance speech
to opera, sermon t. cow Ona
recent birthday her white ribbon COM
radcs from I'LL parts of the nation sent
her the most complete and satisfying
music box that money would procure.
Ingenious cOntrivanceS enable this
interchangeable worker to find the i'm
plements of her heavenly craft always
within reach and it is IL most interest
ing story to see into how small IL com
pass can be brought. through the
inventions of our time, the outfit of IL
bcdfast philanthropist. The tele-
graph is, through the telephone, at her
command ; the photographic pen, the
manifoldmg pad, the postal card, the
newspaper. the photographs of fellow
workers and pictures of the various
institutions with which she is connect
ed, are all within arms reach. Hap
! PLY, at the Crest Cottage home for
working girls founded through her
efforts and influence, this outfit for
work is not permitted, hence we hope,
but do not altogether believe, that
our friend takes il wee bit of vacation
nowadays.
Before this, it has been made APP
parent that the white ribboners could
by no means fail to seek the help and
comradship of this elect soul, who had
so long ''borne and laborcd aud had
patience" With an earnest prayer
for guidance sought her sacred pres
ence. Never shall forget the kind
| ling smile, the soft and tender hand
clasp, the Bible on the snowy coun-
terpane, the fresh flowers on the pretty
shelf between the bed and window.
We talked of the ministry of these
winsome heralds of good will, with
the beautiful OMISSION of which Miss
| Casseday was already connected, land |
asked if she would accept the super
intcndcncy of such a department,
should it be established by the con-
vention. TO this she consented, not
without reluctance, having already
much Christian work on hand, but
from that day to this-well- ten
years-she has been our faithful and
beloved leader in the most lovely line
of Christian endeavor among all our
torty-six different "branchings out"
The lesson of this blithe yet chast-
ened spirit, this hampered yet buoy
ant life, comes to MS all like a breath
from Paradise. Where God is there
is peace and power.
When but n little over twenty years
of age our white ribbon saint became
aware that her couch of constant pain
would be her only world, she lifted up
her heart to God for His indwelling,
and love for Christ and for humanity
took possession Of her whole being and
brought to her present heaven which
has radiated out over the world, since
then each day more widely.
What she did every one of us do.
From the most difficult conditions we
can wiring out the most celestial sue
cesses from the alembic of pain dis
til the choicest character from lone
illness and contradiction be lifted to
high cOmpanionship and sweet seren-
ity.
Miss Casseday is no recluse her ma
ture is not in the least ascetic. Every
body feels at home with her, no mat
ter how bad he may be. A hemely,
humanlike philosophy keeps our
friend company and seasons her con-
versatiOn with many pungent phrase.
Her face is smiling always; her wit
and brightness never fail. She"makes
the best of now and here )" she turns
to utmost use each small ray of happi-
ness. The investment she has made
of lite and opportunity are princely.
Her patience puts us all to shame
her perseverance excels that of any
one whom we have known, and her
greatest popularity is that she has
"A heart at leisure from itself,
TO soothe and sylnpathize