Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-06-26
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] MALCOLM KIRK. :
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(Continueds from page 81

StSWuIO. suOliCeu lne woman come
on with her baby. She looked as
bright and pretty as any one. Seemed
strong and sat out on deck until we
left the dock. Ther she came down
here and went to pieces. I'VE known
one or two such cases before"
THAT'S true" said the surgeon
gravely. ''I'll be back before mid
night. 1t will do no harm for you to
see her." He spoke to Kirk and went
away, leaving him standing somewhat
awkwardly by the half open door.
The woman called in faint voice,
and Kirk went in.
III "Are you the clergyman" she asked.
"Yes," replied Kirk simply. Can l
be Of service to you? Do you want
me to pray with you?"
The woman nodded. Kirk kneeled,
and the other woman who had been
acting as nurse bowed her head.
1t was the first time Malcolm Kirk
had been called on to pray by the side
OF a dying person, the first service he
had ever paid to suffering and sorrow
Ing humanity when he was asked to
take upon himself the burden and the
Joy of comfort. His own life had been
free from physical weakness. Ills own
family had moved away and scattered
when he was lad, and the death of
both his father and mother when, he
was a child had left no impression on
his early memory.
The situation, therefore, now impress
ed him strongly. But the impression
was redeemed from painful egotism by
his intense longing to be of help to
this stranger. When he had told his
seminary classmate that he loved peo-
Z pie, he had spoken one of the largest
truths Of his great hearted character.
So his prayer went out to the God Of
NIL comfort, and it is very certain that
he touched the heart of that human
hunger for divine compassion. for
when he finished she thanked him,
with a sob. while the other woman
made no attempt to conceal the tears
that ran over her face. She looked at
Kirk as he rose with increased re-
spect. lie said a few words simply,
but eheerfully. and then went out. The
woman who had been nursing followed
him and closed the door moment.
Thank you for coming in. 1t did
her good. It's sad case"
Yes. Has she any relatives or
friends on board?'
No. AS near as have learned she
has "a sister in London. This sister
has been writing her for some time to
come here. This woman's husband
4 died few weeks ago. Since then she
has been supporting herself in Boston
\ AOy sewing Her baby lis months old
She sold q few things, and, with the
help Of her sister, who sent her a little
money, she bought ticket and with a
great effort reached the dock this aft
ernoon. The ships company did not
know of her condition or they CERTAINLY
would never have let her come on
board. That is all 1 know of the case.
OF course we will do all we can for her
and the baby now. The sea air may be
d help to her after all"
The woman who spoke was only
what some people call common
person. Kirk could see that. Yet she
was one Of the great army of quiet, un-
selfish women who give the world true.
definitions Of the term motherhood"
She stepped to the door of her own
room. which was close by, and beckon-
I ed kirk to look nand see the baby.
He was sleeping in the upper berth,
and Kirk looked at him grayely, won.
dering what sort Of future awaited
that bit Of humanity. The woman
shut the door gently and went back to
the mother, while Kirk retired to his
own narrow quarters, and in spite Of
the strange noises and the sights of
the ocean through the little round port
he was Soon fast asleep after prayer
Tor blessing on all who suffer and all
who are in trouble.
The next day the woman sank rap
Idly. Every one in the intermediate
cabin wanted to do something. There
was no lack Of care for the baby. Ev-
cry woman wanted to help. Saturday
the mother sank yet more rapidly, but
rallied. as is often the case, and when
Z the passengers gathered for a little
service which Kirk was asked to lead
she wanted her door left open SO that
she could see and hear the singing!
better.
That was novel experience for
Kirk. The intermediate cabin was not
crowded as it would be on the return
voyage. The passengers were mostly
from what the English people call the
middle classes" We in America say
the common people," This means the
people out of the plain ranks Of labor,
not necessarily very poor, often well
yead. with love of home and in most
cases with religious life that flows
deep through narrow channels, but is
always true in it's application to duty.
Kirk preached simple sermon about
4 Christ in his relation to the sea and
those who live upon it. He touched on
Christ's love Of humankind and his
compassion for all sorts Of trouble.
The sermon was easily understood. 1t
helped. Kirk saw tears in many eyes.
Many Of the passengers thanked him
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