Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-06-15
G. II A I

Returning home yesterday Afternoon l
was overtaken by a woman who Is not a
Christian; one OF the sort who tries 10
live right and bother nobody" Such
people have a hard time when trouble
comes upon them OF their friends / saw
that she was bothered about something
and slackened my brisk walk
7 have Just been talking to Julia Yer
ner. I declare don't see a thing ahead
OF her III were in her FIX I'd quietly
get a bottle Of laudanum and 60 10
sleep
yes" I said. and wake up in hotter
torment than this one. besides being
where she couldn't talk over her troubles
with YOU. believe that the people IN
he'll are so fun OF their woes they can't
listen 20 other people. But what Is the
matter with your friend?
Don't think that I encourage her 10
XII herself that's my private opinion
always tell her that things VIII come out
right. But l declare TO you l can see
raw Of light. She is such a wreck thas
- can't support herself Her husoano
RS left her. Her father tells her that ne
hex warned the people that he pays no
r-ora bIlls. not even board. Now. what Is
before herr
u don't know her. therefore I can't
s.-sda such a case. but IL seems 10 me
that some avenue Is open TO her. 1 Know
that she needs Christ. and so does her
father. and husband. for Christians 90 not
act that way. Look over the WoIIo. an
vou won't find one parent or nusoanu
vrith the golden rule for a guide acting IN
-, such way. know that many CHRIS
60. Sc perxecuted but they never per
..~,,te And they bear with patience what
svs- comes upon them. IL your friend is
ratient and does the best she can lot
herself. she will not starve- Perhaps tnls
Is the crucial test She may see Nhae q
v,,sserless boat she Is in II Christ IS not
well the world is so full Of trouble
.h.s there's not much encouragement 70
stay here" =,
.sS,, ;, I replied. but stay here we must.
ara I heard a dear little woman say TO-
dav that she did not know how many
coed people were IN the worlo un nS 80
had 4 deep sorrow. That she thousus
there was nothing but starvation aheao
81 her and her children. but they had nov
,.t--ad a meal. Try 20 turn your frieno
r.srd 10 God: let her realize that He Is ner
loving Father. and that she has the pF0Ih
lee that He viii take care OF her Nnen
-.-.hiv narents forsake her: let her count
- -..1v,rcss and see what she can do:
-. 1. Mt IN he'd. and she surely can sew
- .r@ep house or take care Of children
we can't let pride stand in our way
~rhen it's a question OF making an
houest living.
Tnut there our ways separated, ana
hor.t know what she decided was best
for her friend. Suicide is awful. It's
cowardly. When see OF hear OF men
Who have met losses or even disnonor
ana have been false enough 10 XIII
themselves and leave their families 10
face the disgrace OF their suicide added
20 what the men were too cowaroiy 10
meet I am inclined TO agree with the
Catholics. Trey won't bury such
man or woman with the church service.
let the matter be what II may. no
man or woman has any right TO take
life. Some times II almost makes me
sick TO hear people talking about God
bringing trouble on people He doesn't
dot. We. or our ancestors. bring IL
on US God gives us the strength TO
bear or overcome il. just as a little
child who burns or injuries itself. even
through iisobedience. is helped by its
parents. so God helps us.
that poor woman's husband and faith
er are bad men. I know Of them, and
know that she said she had no idea that
ne would be good to her. Yet she mar
rfed him. and God had nothing to do
with It. He gave US His blessed Word
70 light our path and guide US, and
when we fail TO seek His light and
counsel we must suffer. AS a father
pitieth his children so does God pity
rs. and SEINE times chastises us. but
never unless there is a cause.
Henry Ward Beecher said: There
are two ways Of escaping from suffer
ing; the one by rising above the causes
Of conflict. the other by sinking below
them There is quiet I'm the soul when
ever all its faculties are harmonized
about any center. The one is the re-
1fefrrfr ~ nfh L. -,
method"
Now. I leave the question with you.
Which method are you taking7 Keep a
prayer in your heart and IL will be a
balm for many a bruise, as well as a
light unto the paths OF others
Faithfully yours,
LIZZIE o. THOMAS.