Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-07-16

you. So | followed my little friend
across the street to an old dilapidated
building that was tucked away
almost out of sight. | hesitated
about going in, then thought how
Jesus would visit such places as this
if called upon, so hesitated no longer.
Through narrow dark passage we
entered the room. The floor was
covered with filth, the chairs were
old and worn, there was little old
broken stove used for cooking, and
near it one bed with the head turned
toward the door. | walked around
the bed and looked down upon a
pale sad-looking face. Good morn
ing, sister, | said: but no response
came from her lips. Lifting a long
bony hand she drew it slowly across
her face, began to weep, and after
long silence, said: :" heard you
singing across the street and so sent
for you to talk to me. 2" Then she
told me how her husband had taken
to drink was out of work-used
up all the money on hand-lost love
for family and home, and finally had
run away with another woman. Had
not heard from him for over a year.
listened to her story, then said
would have to go, but would sing
and read chapter of Scripture
first. So sang the song Some
mothers child, Out in the Wild" at
the end of which both of us wept.
Then | read from the Bible, Let
not your heart be troubled:ye believe
in God, believe also in me. " After
the reading | knelt on the dirty
floor and prayed. Then we both
praised God. and clapped our hands,
after which, she sat up in bed with
her face all aglow with the love of
God. 1t seemed as if the glory of
God had filled the room until it
looked like a heavenly place. The
little children stood beside the bed
as if wondering what had happened.
Finally said, | must go. Good
by, sister, | am sorry for you; "
and turned to walk out. | reached
the door. On the threshold some
strange voice said to me, Buckalew,
how much are you sorry for this
poor, unfortunate, helpless woman? "
stopped, spellbound, tried to reason
it out, and make excuses for myself.
| said to the Voice, Il have but $3.50
and my poor little wife gave it to
me to buy shoes; but | am sure sorry
for this poor sick woman. " Then
the voice said a second time, How
much are you sorry?" Then the
Lord seemed to speak; and He
: said, What doth it profit my
brethren though man say he hath
faith, and hath not works: can faith
save him? If brother or sister
be naked and destitute of daily food
and one of you say unto them. depart
in peace, be We warmed and filled
notwithstanding We give them moi
those things which are needful fol
the body, what doth it profit?" 81
| turned back into the room anr
gave that poor woman the $3.50
that was to have bought my shoes
| then asked her if she slept warn
, at night; and she said, No; | hat
: to pawn my quilts for money to blu.
. food for my children. She tolC
me where she had pawned them
Said |, " | will get them. " So
went back to Broad street. Thel
the Voice said to me, Sing, ant
take up an offering for the poo
woman. So | took out my song
book and sang two songs. Then
took off my hat, prayed few word
! for the sick sister, placed the hat o
:, the edge of the sidewalk, explaine
what the offering was for, and aske,
!. them to give literally, as | needle
:, five dollars. They kept THROWN
:, money into the hat, and when
=, counted it up, there was 1925 cent;
g With this | hurried to the pawnsho
i. and presented the tickets for tn
quilts. But the broker examine
them, and said These tickets ar
= past due. | cannot give up tn
. quilts. " | looked him straight i
= the eye, and said, Sir! you kne
the circumstances you would civ
! the quilts up. " Then | told hi
the sad story. So he took tt