The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-08-15
AN ORDINARY SAINT.

AN ORDINARY SAINT.
one was little woman-not much four feet
tall Nobody dreamed when she a girl that
she ever would be called saint much less that she
would actually be She had red hair and q
somewhat fiery spirit which broke out in temper and
IN not words whenever there provocation She
loved excitement and lived for pleasure with little
concern about other aims. She had no real educa.
o' ior she was doing something else at the period
Oh lie when 1T is easiest to train the mind
But twenty years ago this saint who lies white
and still to-day because death has touched her was
powerfully affected by the grace God and the very
highest kind OF culture began to show itself in her
life. Everybody knew that something had hammered
New traits OF character bloomed out like fresh spring
flowers, and kind of life commenced She had
always lived for herself and never thought of doing
anything ess now she went to living for God and
Tor everybody who needed her.
She did not become missionary nor did she 90
to preachlng-she had gifts for such ministry Sh.
bought little store, and went to selling light gro
cerles and such simple she could handle
This store soon became of the principal centers
OF light in the community little temple from which
spiritual forces radiaed The little woman lived in
her store and could always be found night and dav.
Persons who had any troubles soon discovered that
the little woman in the store knew how to comfort
them and so they dropped in to tell their tale Of
woe, and to find sympathy and announcement Slow
~ her own little body racked and twisted bv
rheumatism until almost every joint was stiff and
sore, but she did not talk about her own +roub,o,
with pains twingng her hands and knees she would
SIT and listen quietly to the petty ills of a neiobbor
ana her interest and sympathy would 90 ont and
her lace would light up she talked so that mo ono
guessed that she herself suffering
Those who had money to spare and who wished r.
distribute to the needy, gladly made the tiny rheu
mate woman the dispenser of their CHARITY and she
dehghted to hobble about, carrying sunshine and
something more solid into homes where trial and now
erty made the struggle of life hard
Inc little store of the most iovous nI.oos
In the whole town. She could LAUGH "a vol a.
mourn, and she could rejoice with those who reioic,
co. as well as weep with those who went Har bu
NOR was genuine, and her love of mirtb and ;
were known everywhere. She enjoyed life as the
happy birds do and the best cure she know for noi
ana hardship was Thanksgiving and a GLOWING faoo
Everybody, hardened sinners and innocent ,itno
cmidren, knew that she was one of Christie aI
one was IKE him. She gave cups of cold wafer.
sue 'oVeu those who suffered; she strengthened tho
tempted, and had faith even in those who had 1itt
iaith In themselves. She wanted evervbodv 20 ,i,.o
in love ond JOY. 'O' ~ i've
Inc little worn and twisted body now lies white
anu cold' The spirit has gone away. Tho so,,1
'"' suIered much is happy with a new and deonor
1O'' ihere VIII be few of her own kitb and bin -
weep by her grave, but an entire VILLAGE will roo,r
anu ny every freside there will be solemn bush f
'"e little woman who was evervbodv,s fr;onJ ~
gone home, and many will realize that sbe ,vbo -
n,st ane ordinary woman really one of Gods
white saints.-American WcekLu wv