The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-30
TRAGIC DEATH
FOR CAUSE OF
FALLEN WOMEN

Birmingham citizens who have been In.
terested in the vice crusade in this city
have been much impressed by the story OF
the death of Miss Edith Pell Appleyard
the Atlanta social settlement worker,
which occurred last week. They request
the publication of the following bulletin
No. 50, of the Men and Religion Forward
Movement, which appeared In the Atlanta
papers Thanksgiving, day:
II am the Good Shepherd; the Good
Shepherd layeth down his life for the
sheep. He that is hirling fleeth. John
10-11:12.
Mis- Edith Appleyard died Monday.
She was once matron at Agnes Scott
college.
Christ touched her heart.
She wished to serve.
She said
Send me to any place-only put me
where l can reach and help the neither
most"
Chief Beavers closed Atlanta's houses
of shame.
Help was offered the fallen; Belle Som
mers was saved she gave money to found
a home for them.
Miss Appleyard came to give her life.
She left Agnes Scott college.
She became matron of Matthias Home
She went into the hells of earth to save
her sisters
She lived with them.
God alone knew the strain.
For few helped. Many hindered.
Christian people, not understanding,
tried to close this refuge for the hopeless
The police board classified 1t as a nui-
sance. A great paper termed 1t "a disor-
derly house,.
Miss Appleyard never complained.
Without rest. without ceasing, day In,
day out, she served.
She found only happiness in the work.
She was saving the lost.
She was bringing order out of chaos.
The way was becoming clear.
But self had been forgotten: sickness
came.
Years ago a man had slnned.
A woman was infected.
No one knows how many lives have suf-
fered for their shame--innocent lives
have been sacrificed for their sin.
A girl came to Martha's Home.
She brought their curse.
A man had put it upon her.
1t found the lips of Miss Appleyard,
who by love was trying to bring the girl
back to life.
Miss Appleyard Is dead
Science fought for her life.
Men and women prayed that she might
stay.
But God called. He had work elsewhere
for her.
With Paul she realized that 1t is bet
ter far to be away and with Jesus
For weeks-months, unable to use her
tongue. she has written her thoughts.
Each note has radiated joy and hope, al
though she knew that death was daily
drawing nearer.
Asked If she had a message to send the
students of Agnes Scott, she wrote:
II do thank my Savior that He has per-
mitted me just a glimpse of this His great
work and 1 hope that 1t may be their
work, too"
To the girls Of the Martha Berry school,
she sent this word.
81 have no message but this, that they
may realize their wonderful opportunity
before you are gone.
Their work-their wonderful opportun-
ity.
Your work--your wonderful opportunity
before you ar egone.
Her last conscience expression was a
note to this committee She said:
'All the executive committee-My love
Tell them how grateful am to have been
counted worthy to share in the great
work. May God overrule all mistakes"
His great work.
Jesus said:
Feed my lambs-tend my sheep-Fol-
low Me-
Il am the Good Shepherd the Good
Shepherd layeth down his life for the
sheep. He that is hirellng feeth.'
IF any man will come after Me- let him