The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-11
LITTLE SISTERS OF soRRow.

| set In ample grounds and surrounded
| by vcncrablo wall III summer the
] old brick front Is covered with fra
grant vines and tho ample yard IS
shadowcd by rich foliage. But the
gate is closed in tho street: the shades
arc often drawn: no children play in
steps. You may pass the house u hum
drcd times and never think 1t other
than the homo OF some reclusc or else
of some ancient family as old as the
vines that Chamber up the walls.
But that old mansion. always silent,
always peaceful, throhs with Ito OF
emotion, Of despair and OF hope. With
In those plain walls women weep their
hearts away or else. in the sudden bliss
lof Heaven found. SEQ joys undreamed.
Women have died in the rooms behind
that old, old door; children havo been
born: marriages have been solemnized;
forgiveness has been granted. and par
entail love has overlooked ut the cvi-
dcncc of so great sorrow. For that
old mansion is the refuge OF. tho lit
tic sisters of sorrow And they call
~ 'hS 'SPiillS nlTsSt nome.
Once In our city thcro was no such
place. Tho Lovites passed by on the
ether side as they saw shame in the
strce;s; good women drew their gar
mon,a about them ana looked tho
other WAY. IL from the depths II i;irl
looked up. She saw only II Sky of cold
contempt If She sought honorable la
Dor, an accuscr went before. If misery
came. only tho hired physician or the
hospital ward were hers. No wonder
that suicide by poison or by means
moro horrible--dcath lit shame ana
burial in solitude.-cnded her career.
But there came a time when Rich
OF these luckless girls. Quietly and
without ostentation they raised funds
ana purchased tho old house on the
hill. Since that date--and It was long
agc-tho gate has never been closed
ON the girl who knocked for admit
lance. Night or day, summer or win
ter, It gentle faced mother in Israel has
opened the door with smile and has
welcomed IN forgiving love.
What tales of horror they have told
as they dragged their weary way to
the gate and held out their hands for
succor! Every tragedy that fate could
shape every grief that heart can know.
has been theirs--broken troth ana yto-
lated honor. love unthInking and abail-
donmcnt unmcrtcd, ansuishod dread
and hope abandoned Some have never
seen beyond the rim OF that base world
In which they have been reared; others
have come with memories OF country
homes and happy youth: some with
tales untold OF better days and golden
love
But whatever has been the story and
however deep the pit from which they
crawled. they have found "a place In
the House upon the Iill. There has
been shelter after tempest, peace after
pain. calm communion with God
after the voice Of the tempter has
been flushed Many Il girl has como
to the home rs TO her death--lookins
only for Il resting place before She
faced the end--to md her body healed.
her faith restored and her feeble life
renewed.
They can tell YOU some wonderful
stories If they will. can those good
women who have sacrificed their
comfort and their means for their
SHINING sisters. They have witnessed
miracles no less wonderful than those
wrought by Him who babe the woman
go and sin no more Some OF those
frail refugees have found the home .
Mount of TRANSPORTATION, where their
sciied garb has grown radiant with
faith. Even as He camo through the
storm, walking upon the water. ana
even IS He passed the closed door and
stood before the Wondering disciples,
so lie has come to the Spring street
Home. And At Ills coming, truth has
banshed sin; love has conquered shame.
over and over little sister or sor.
row has left the home d woman OF
faith and courage.
They havo Il rule at Tire home which
helps them work these wonders The
spirit Of tho Master is coEnplcmcnted by
the spirit Il tic wiscst modern phil
anthroay-indeed, the two arc one.
When To the care OF ole Of The girls
there comes that most sacred of sounds,
the voice Of her own Guild, the good
women Of the home do not add to the
sin OF tho mother rs snatching tho lit
tie one from her rhey know that iii
the heart Of tho mothcr--it matters
not how deep she sank--thcro turks
a lave that may mean her redemption.
and they do not take from her the only
thing that may arouse that love. They
keep the child with the mother ana
seek TO remakc tho life OF the ono in
devotion To- tho other Ali shat kind
ness cam 40 all that broad humanity
presoribcs, Ill that they would thai,
other women might do. ror their own.
/ The managers Of the home do Tor their
pitifui charges,
Surely. when this home has its do.
nation day on Wednesday. there Is not
ia citizen Of Richmond, not friend Of