The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-14
A YOUNG woMAN's INFLUENCE.
Rev. A. j. Smiths Subject at First
Presbyterian Church.

Presbyterian Church.
At the First Presbyterian Church last
night. Rev. ArthurQ. Smith preached on
"a Young Woman's Influence"
His test II Kings, So: and the Sy-
rians brought away captive out of the
land of Israel, a little maid; and she wait
ed on Naaman's wife,
After speaking OF the beautiful situation
of Damascus on the river ALBANIA, Mr..
Smith referred to the home in the city
over which a great cloud was hanging.
1t was the palace of the commander-in-
chief of the Syrian army, where they were
hushed voices and nuff1ed steps. The
wife of the general Stunned him. He was
leper He was afflicted with the dis
ease, considered by his countrymen in
durable. Hourly his body rotted away,
and he discouraged and respondent, had
given himself up to his fate in dispair,
and was slowly awaiting the end.
Twas In the midst of all of this gloom
that the little Jewish maid boldly entered
the presence Of her mistress, and said,
Would God, my; lord, were with the
prophet that is In Samaria, for he would
recover him of his leprosy."
She convinced Naaman's wife, Naaman
himself. and also the King, who visit
Naaman to Israel, that he might try the
skin like that of child. Mr.. Smith
spoke of the joy of his homecoming and
the meeting between himself and wife.
He said he believed Naaman shouted out.
IT am cleansed," and his wife who had
Stunned him sprang again into his arms
The secret of the young woman's power
was found in the fact that she, even in
a taraway land, had not neglected her re-
ligious duties. She also loved and for
gave her captors One would naturally
suppose she would have feeling of hatred
and revenge. She sympathized with
Naaman and firmly believed he could be
healed If he would only go and see Elisha
She boldly confessed his faith in God, even
in the palace Of Naaman. 1t was a risk
for her to do this, but she was courageous
thinking only of the good 1t might ac-
complish.
Mr.. Smith then spoke of the influence
of woman in general. He referred to the
influence of the beautiful Queen Ester,
of Ruth, of Anna, Dordas and Lydia and
of some women of to-day. .
He said he believed a young woman
sometimes had more influence over us
than our own mothers had. He said when
young women entered the business world
its moral tone was Immediately raised.
He also spoke of her great influence in
educational circles. Most of the youths of
our land are under the influence of young
women in the grammar schools.
He spoke of her influence in society. He
said women were to blame for the two
standards of morality existing.
He said when young women
would ostracise young men who
drank, gambled or whose character was
not above reproach, then the young men
would come to a higher standard and so
ciety would be- regenerated.
Another sphere where a young woman
can exert a tremendous influence Is in
the church. So there are many ways in
which a young woman can use her in
huence. II she would have II tell for good
and not for evil she must be wholly given
up to God. She must have a loving heart
that will cause him to syr1pathize with
those in sorrow; she must have faith in
God, and then have courage to do her
duty.
Mr.. Smith told a story of a young wo-
man who had a beautiful voice, that she
had consecrated to God. who sang at her
own funeral. When in health she sang
into a photograph. II was introduced at
the service. She being dead. yet spoke.
We live on in other lives after we die.
Our influence never dies.
Mr.. Smith announces that next Sun
day night he will preach on "a Young
Woman and Her Recreations. This SER
mon will touch on the question of popu-
lar amusements.
The rendering of Mendelssohn's Lift
Up Thine Eyes" by a triol of women,
Mesdames Mize, Rowe and Bishop, was
greatly enjoyed, as was Shelley's Savior,
When Night Involves the Skies" Mr..
Byrns sang the solo very acceptably.