The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-09-07
Practical Christianity.


1T is wonderful how the Lord deos
take care of us-w0nderfuln' and
little Mrs. Fransell gave the dress
waist on which she was working an en-
phatic shake hy way of offirmation.
'.Why, l was left widow more than
eight years ago, and can see how He
has led me and taken care OF me every
year and day since"
81 suppose you have done something
toward the care-taking yourself?'
said Mrs. Lyte, who knew somewhat
of the energy pent up in the slight
figure Of her dreSSmaker.
"Certainly," said Mrs. Fransel! -!
didn't sit down with my hands folded
aud expect my bread and butter to
come to ME ; nor did | expect my
friends to give it to me. I've worked
hard, L tell you; not many idle hours
nor much vacation for me In these
eight years. But have lived comfort
ably, and have given my daughter
good education, and know | never
could have done it if the Lord had not
helped me in every way and at every
time"
II am sure YOU could not have
worked so hard and kept az fresh and
cheerful without His help" said Mrs.
Lyte., ~
her deft fingers arranging graceful
fall of lace as she talked; ''but do you
know there are good many people,
/ work for-Christian people, too who
laugh at me if say anything about it:
The Lord helping you to sew, Mrs.
Fransell; how perfectly ridiculous!
they say. But [ know He does.
When my husband died ] knew /
should have to take care of myself
and my little girl. There WASH t u
thing that | knew how to do that
would bring me in any money. l
hated to sew, and didn't do it very
well. of course. But I made up my
mind that that was the thing for me to
do, so | set myself to learn how. All
first | went out as a seamStress then
/ went for year to a dresSmaker just
to learn how to put things together,
and to do them the best way then L
learned to cut and fit.
Mrs. Lyte, there was many time
when l was dreadfully discouraged.
l have prayed to the Lord often to
help me cut q garment right, and
make dress fit well, and knew He
did help me. 1t is all owing to His
help that have got where am now,
as busy as l can be all the time, and
people seem pretty well satisfied with
nv work. o, Yes indeed she went
on, that is just my idea of Il heaven
ly Father. He knew l had TO work
for my living, and He knew / was
doing the very best l could, but l
couldn't do it all by myself, so accord
my TO His promise He supplied my
need. You know He says if We lack
wisdom we may ask Of God. l want
ed wisdom to learn the dressmaking
trade, and asked for it and got it."
"Yes," said Mrs. Lyte, 81 believe
that is all true !; it is Bible teaching and
it is Christian philosophy. If we
could all of us receive the things OF
God 'as little children we would be-
better and happier !
"'Takc it to the Lord in prayer,
that is my motto for everything" said
Mrs. Fralsell. "But l was working
for lady few weeks ago, she is a
member OF my church, too, and sup
posed she was a Christian. Her little
boy was naughty and she reproved
him very sharply, and they had quite
a tussle. Aflerward she said to me:
Il am at my wits end about that boy.
H won't mind, and lose my patience
and my temper with him. | ventur-
ed to say to her Don't you ever take
it TO the Lord in prayer? | should
never think of trying TO manage a.
child by my own wits, nor myself
either, for that matter
mo- she said, Il don't think l ever
did pray about it especially. ask
Gods guidance in general way, Of
course | asked her if she never
prayed with her little bpv, and she
said: Il hear him say his prayers
every night, of coul se.' That is as
much Us great many Christians
know about prayei, I'm afraid. And,
Mrs. Lyle, don't often tell my own
views or experience about it, for when
do people look at me as if there was
something wrong with my lead"
s'Nevertheless. Mrs. Fransell, you
do tell it in your cheerful face and in
the conscientious work you do" said
Mrs. Lyte, ''and / suppose that is
really the best way to Shine with q
pure clear light you in your little
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