Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-25
THE LESSON OF LENT.
The Importance Of Helping Each Other
and Of Human Charity.
WHAT SOCIETY IS DOING.
R.treaf- for thc-Sick Dinner-Thcatre Box
Parties-Personal Notes and Gossip
About Fashionable Richmond.

Retreat for thc-Sick Dfnner-Ihentro box
Parties-Personai Notes and Gossip
About Fashionable Richmond.
II was a pretty thought-that OF the gay
maiden dancing with a sort OK ecstasy
among the rich. autumnal. falling leaves
whose brillIancy she had never seen In ner
sea-coast home. To one near her. who was
saddening over their fall. she said: Just
think, though, how much more room II
gives to see the beautiful sky beyond!
Is 1t not true that, az our iieetins Joys
and all the allurements of social amuse-
ments wane, they open spaces for thoughts
and occupations more elevating and earn
est. more efiicacious for the development
OF our powers for usefulness?
The Lenten season Is inestimable In It's
value to us In many ways. The resosu-
tions formed at the beginning of this time
for reflection are positive and negative.
They classify themselves into things TO DO
and things not to do. The question. How
shall we do good to ourselves ana 10
others?' Is the result of the first. and
what evils shall We avoid and what
faults overcomeT' OF the second.
There are myraids of ways to do good.
We go through the world but once, and
every hour contains opportunities mat
pass never to return again. Happy are
we IL we can learn the plain duty OF the
moment quickly and cheerfuliy. where
ever and whatever IL may be.
For woman the true field of labor lies
all around her-frst in her nome ana IN
that sphere just where she finds her work
is to be done. II she is faithful in this
her life work Will broaden before her.
growing richer and fuller as the years
speed on. First, to be content with that
sphere; next, to help others to be con-
tented In theirs is her mission
Pope said that he never laid his mead
upon his pillow without rejecting that
the most important lesson OF life was TO
learn the art of being happy within HIM
self. All those who are capable OF living
contentedly in that station OF life INTO
which it has pleased God TO call them"
who enjoy the objects that surround them
and the occupations which are theirs. have
learned to bear most misfortunes.
They are mistaken who think that the
highest happiness lies In wishes accom-
plished, In prosperity wealth, favor, and
success.
Much Of our own discomfort disappears
the moment we bestir curse yes 10 help
others to bear a heavier burden. Even
IL our hearts are bowed with sorrow.
the bitterness of disappointment, or the
anguish Of humllati IN, the surest relief
is in going to others who are afflicted.
forgetting for the time our own and sOoth-
ings their sufferings. The effort Is not
wasted IL by assisting them our woes are
laid aside and theirs are assuaged.
"'Tis always morning somewhere in the
world" written on an ancient sundial.
teaches us to look for the bright side of
everything and point 1t to others.
Sympathy is the most delicate tendril OF
the mind. and the most powerful g.ft for
good that nature can bestow. The most
precious associations Of the human heart
cluster round the word, and we love to
remember those who have sorrowed with
us in sorrow, and rejoiced with us when
we were glad.
IL, therefore, we learn 10 apply one sim
pie scriptural injunction. Rejoice with
them that do rejoice. and weep with
them that weep" a lesson OF unselfish-
ness thus acquired viii have made this
Lenten season of lasting benefit to US.
All misery IS not to be found in novels
nor even in prison walls. and all need and
privation is not endured by paupers and
beggars. Many a proud soul suffers, dies.
and is buried, starved for bread and for
sympathy. whose wants are known only
o.
hungry illustrates the spirit in which we
may bind up the brokeE-hearted by such
as 1 have give 1 unto thee"
We need not look in vain around
for objects OF sympathy and care. The
many organized charities OF our city
afford opportunities beside those which
come to us in a more personal way. The
Floral Mission, one OF the useful societies.
under the auspices of the Retreat for the
Sick, Is now planning to give a dinner
on Thursday from / TO o'clock, on
Main street. to raise fund 10 benefit
a cot for incurables in that institution.
The cause is worthy OF assistance, and
II Is hoped the entertainment VIII be
great success. The ladies having the DIN
ner in charge are Mrs. Judge Lamb, Mrs.
John Lightfoot, Mrs. +. l.. Conquest, and
a number Of assistants.
ST. Paups Church Home for Aged and
Infirm Women had it's twenty-first ami
versary-attained its majority, so to
speak-on Thursday. and mad also
its annual donation-day, with very graft
flying success. Quite a number of callers
went over the house, and were entertain
ed at n very simple but dainty iuncheon
prepared by the matron.
This institution provides for the main
tenance of twelve inmates, and has at
present ten. 1t has been sorely tried by
the hard times, but its friends and pa
irons have recently showed renewed In
terest.
Recently a small but kindly bequest
was made to the home by Mr.. Newman,
an old gentleman who lived near and
had become interested in the old ladies'
as they passed in and out The poor
We have always with YOU" and they
are the words OF all mon whom the
blessing OF prosperity falls.
The early morning lectures at st.
Paups and All Saints churches are very
fully attended. Mr.. Carmichael Is giving
q series Of brief lectures on the book
OF Common Prayer" which are very inter-
esting and instructive. He marks the DIFF
ferences between the American and Eng
lish prayer-books and tells why and
when they were made. His talks are lucid
and show perfect acquaintance with the
subject, and all who hear him are pleased
and interested. Many young people at
tend In spite OF the early hour.
'The Fortnightly'' was entertained at
the home OF Mr.. Isaac Davenport by Mr..
and Mrs. yirginius Newton on Friday eve
ming. Mrs. Hartley Carmichael and Miss
Ryland read charming papers upon the
life, character, and writings of Jane
Welsh Carlyle and entertaining discus
sion followed by different members OF the
club.
The house and table decorations were
green, and, being ferns, candles. green
shades, and silver candelabra, were ef-
fective and pretty. The guests OF the
occasion were Mrs. Fitzhugh Lee, Miss
Ellen Lee, Mrs. Anne Rutherford. and
Miss Bay, OF Arkansas.