Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1895-06-12
Woman's Foreign Missionary District
Meeting.

Meeting.
As the Winchester District Meeting OF the
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society OF the
NJ. E. Church, South, is now session in this
town. it is not inappropriate to reproduce
from the Baltimore sun the following trib-
ute to- a remarkable woman who died a few
days ago in Baltimore. In his sermon sun
day morning at Central Methodist Episeo-
pal Church, South, Baltimore, Rev. J. w.
Dulev spoke as follows Of the late Mrs. Ju-
Llama HAYES. mother of State Senator Thos.
G. Hayes:
The last and best years of the life of Mrs
Hayes were devoted to the Woman's For
eign Missionary Society of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South. That society was
organized seventeen years ago, and had Its
inception iu Trinity Church Of this city,
where there was a Woman's Bible Mission,
of which Mrs. Hayes was PRECEDENT.
'lIrs. Hayes was elected the first presi-
dent of the Woman's Foreign Missionary
Society at its organization in Atlanta, IN
1878. and was annually reelected until a
wear ago. when on account Of falling health
she resigned, and then she was elected hon
orary president for life. The work Of form
inc societies from Maryland to Texas and
awaking a missionary spirit among the WON
en- O. fthe Southern Methodist Church was
no ordinary task. The receipts Of the first
wear amounted to less than $500 aud there
was a small enrolment of members. But
with a faith that took no denial, a zeal that
knew mo- lauguor aud a love for perishing
souls such as the spirit of God only can en-
kindle i'm a womau's heart, she steadily
prosecuted her work year after year, giving
herselfa free-wil offering, and, more than
any other one woman, she made that work
what it Is. Now the society reports receipts
of about $4,000 per annum and has raised
under her management nearly one million
dollars and sent to foreign fields about sixty
missionaries. The work will be easier here
after because Of her labors, just as 1t Is cas-
Ter to cultivate the fertile fields because some
one first cleared away the forests.
"Her great life work was the output OF a
charming character. There were inherent
In her those rare qualities which can be
neither acquired nor coaferred-no amount
oftainiug can eugrait them and no royal
favor can confer them. Tn many respects
she was a typical Southern woman. She be
| lie-ed her mission TO be 20 women, and
/ while ready to address an assembly OF her
own EEK wherever they would hear her, every
/ fibre of her delicate aud refined nature pro-
tested if she had to appear before a mixed
audience. ,
$50 well adapted by nature and so fully
equipped by grace for her work, it must not
be imagined that here was an easy conquest
| Reared in a fashionable circle uufriendly to
spiritual truth, certainly as Methodists be-
lieyed and taught il, she found that on unit
ing with the Methodist Church there was
reserved for her the severe alternative Of re-
/ cantation or social ostracism. She chose the
/ Methodist classroom instead of the ballroom
and to-day a million and a half of Southern
| Methodists in their hearts applaud rchoice.
"That life, reaching through more than
eighty years, rich in faith and so fruitful in
good works, is a better answer to inidelity
than eau be found in books. johnson said
Goldsmith Left nothing that he did not touch
and touched nothing that be did not adorn.
Wherever this genial spirit touched human
ity there was betterment and that adorn-
meut which is in the sight of God Of great
price.
"lIrs Julilna Hayes was q worthy sue
ces,0r of those m who, -. Paul says,
gabored with me in the gospel and will
take her rightul place ia history among
thar splendid galaxy of Methodist women
whose service and sacrifice for God and hui
mainly shine as the stars in the ornament