The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-08-24
MISSION TO THE STREETS.

Did you ever consider that each one of
seems a queer idea, but 1t is really true,
that whenever we appear upon the streets
we each have a mission. 1t Is to carry Il
cheerful face and bright smile for ev-
eryone. We scarcely realize the influence
we exert upon those meet. even per-
feet strangers, by the faces we greet
them with The Youths Companion gives
incident to illustrate this thought and it
IS quite good enough to pass on that
others NAV profit by the idea:
when Margaret Andrews was % she
received what she thought was a call to
the foreign mission field. Her parents.
although they at first tried TO dissuade
her put no obstacle in the way of her
hopes and, full of eagerness. she began
her training at a school in another city.
"One day she received a telegram. Her
mother had met with an accident, just
how serious could not at once be known.
Margaret packed her books and took the
first train home. expecting to return III
few weeks. Long before the weeks
had passed she knew that her dream must
be given up. Her mother would never be
able to do anything again, and Marga
ret. instead OF making her journey to
strange lands. saw herself shut in 10 the
duties of housekeeper and nurse.
For q year or two she bore her dis
appointment in silence. then she went
TO her pastor with it. The pastor was an
old man who had known Margaret all her
life. He looked at her steadily for mo-
ment. Then he said slowly: You are liv-
ing i'll a city of two hundred thousand
Tcv-f
you to fill your life?'
Oh, yes the girl answered quickly,
and I could give up the foreign field 1t
isn't that B,a 1 haven't time to da any
thing, not even 70 take a mission class:
and TO see so much work waiting, and
be able to do nothing
. Margaret . = oa. ministsr said,
'Wonderingly the girl followed him to
the aext room. where a mirror hung be-
tween the windows. Her reflection, pale
and unhappy. faced her YEARLY
An up and down the streets the old
minister said. fn the cars the markets.
the stores. there are people starving for
the bread of life. The church cannot
M them-they will not enter church.
ks cannot reach them-they will not
open n book. There IS but one way that.
they can ever read the gospel of hope.
of joy. of courage. and that is in the
faces of men and women. TWO years ago
4 woman who has known deep trouble
came TO me one dag and asked your
name II wanted to tell her" she said.
"how much good her happy face did me.
bat / was afraid that she would think it
presuming on the part OF an utter strang-
er- Some day perhaps. you will tell her
for me. Margaret. my child, look in the
glass and tell me if the face Won see
there has anything to give to the souls
that are hungry for joy-and they are
more than any of us realze-who. 1n-
known TO themselves. are hungering for
Righteousness? Do you think that woman.
IF she We're TO meet YOU now. would say
what she said TWO years ago2
The girl gave one glance and then
turned away. her cheeks crimson with
Shame. 1t was hard to answer. but she
was no coward. She looked up into her
Old friends grave eyes. Thank YOU she
said. L shall try to learn nay lesson and
accept my misson-to the Streets"