The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-06-11
YORK KEPT FAITH
AND IS CHRISTIAN,
MOTHER ASSERTS
Not That He Might Be Great
Hero, But That He Might
Be Saved TO Come Home to
Me Was My Prayer.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, June II. (Spl)
Seated in the private library OF the
governors mansion, Mrs. Mary York,
mother Of the hero who was the re-
cipient Of every possible honor the
state can bestow Tuesday. at first was
r~eticent in reply TO direct questions re-
garding the private life Of herself and
son. They have told so many
things that were not So" she said,
that ] hate to tell anything But
when asked what was the one great
thing of which she was proud, instantly
her eyes lighted n she answered:
THAT he is a Christian and has kept
the faith through 1t an
1t may not be the thing to publish,
but the artist was not there to paint, |
and the world should not lose sight
Of the smiles rising through the cloud
of tears as the mother Of II children,
nearing the threescore years and ten,
VIGOROUSLY exclaimed: Il knew that
my daily prayer that God would bring
him back would be answered. | did
not pray that he might be a hero;
did not pray for all this parade and
show; | prayed that God would bring
my boy back to me, and He did"
It was not-a prayer at night, when
the days tolls were over; 1t was not
the part Of a ritual on the Sabbath
day AS she expressed it, with every
breath l begged my maker to spare
my boy, and He did It," There could
not be less Of the formal, nor much
more Of the simple Pauline faith,
Mother York admitted that she had
few opportunities to attend church, Her
II children took up a great deal of her
time, and Brother Frogge. the pastor
Of the Southern Methodist church, OF
which she is a member, preached but
once a month at the little church miles
away, and there was no conveyance.
Simple Faith.
She loves to attend meeting" espe-
Cially the autumnal REVEALS, but such
luXuries are often foregone through
necessity, though the simple piety and
prayer Of the home comes above every
thing. Mrs. York Is by no means sat
isfied with the religious status of her
family, II have confidence that the
Lord will help me to raise those that
are left, but five have homes OF their
own and have moved away" she said,
and then wistfuIly letting her mind and
heart drift back to her Pail Mall home
she said! II AM still praying for them
that have left me and believe that when
the time comes we viii all meet up
yonder."
Strangely as It may appear to some,
Mrs. York IN far more concerned about
the spiritual condition Of her children
than In all the glory and honor that
VAL Nv " III war anu IthCt, anu
when the subject Is allowed to drift
into her favorite theme she talks with
out reserve or questioning. Her heart
Is wrapped up In the betterment Of her
children. and her chief desire liz to see
them Christian men and women. She
+ prouder Of the life that Alvin lives
thar the honors he has won. One has
to converse with her but a few minutes
to be convinced Of this fact.
Prayers of Gratitude.
Asked II she believed that the great
millennium was so rshered In Nv the
world war, she replied that she did not
know, but was glad that either way the
conflict was over and that she could
have her children with her again. She
sun prayed, but her prayers were of
gratitude for answered petitions rather
than greater requests.
Only once did she smile. When asked
u she would share the big farm to be
donated by the state, she replied mo,
VIII be happier with the children In
their cabin MY baby says she is going
to live with Alvin and Grace, and AZ
she has always been his pet, ! guess i
viii let her, but the rest Of us win live
as we nave always lived, and ! hope
God VIII help me raise them as He has
helped ME raise Alvin"
Mrs. YORK Is a jealous member of
the NJ. T.. church, South, being a mem
Der in good standing of the church at
Pail Mall. Of which the Rev. C. c.
Frogge is supply pastor. Preachers have
been few in the Tennessee conference
since the war drew heavily upon It's
ranks. Many have volunteered for Y.
NJ. G, A, service and the smaller
churches and charges have been sup
piled by ministers known AS local
preachers who earn their living at the
pillow and serve congregations on sun
| hnN Snrh 10 tho nnutnr ~ tha ltttI.
church at Pail Mall. Two of Mrs. York's
children belong to her church. Alvin
as is well known. is an elder in the
Church of Christ in Christian Union
The others have not, as yet, united with
any church,
York's Church.
About three years ago, according t.
a story furnished by Pastor Pyle, VIII
is in the city, a small congregation o