Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1921-05-27

cized by friends sick in mind and
body. she could see only one way to rest-death
Suicide was the only thing she could do.
Then she looked at the sign: "Come in and
rest awhile"
The church would be a good place to think.
She would decide in there the exact route to take
on her last journey. It four o'clock and the
place would be empty at that hour
She went in and dropped upon seat, abso-
lutely spent with mental turmoil No one was
about. 1t was dim and quiet and very restful IN
side. Then the tears came and to hide them, even
in the empty church, she bent her head to the
back of the pew in front Of her.
To the left of the altar a door opened softly and
the rector of the church the forlorn figure.
Instinctively he sensed the suffering that droop-
ing figure was enduring. She was sobbing quiet
ly when he placed his hand on her shoulder
She looked up.
"come In and Rest Awhile"
"Eheres a fire in my study he said. 'And we
can have some tea. Come in and rest awhile
The words again
1t was just the place to rest. an easy chair by
the fire, book-lined walls and a vase of flowers
on the mante Soon the tea was brought in with
hot-buttered toast delicately sprinkled with Gin
namon. The whole place had honey cozness
about it, She didn't feel quite so lonely, though
Of course there still that heavy feeling in her
heart and that hard determination to end it all
before another angushed night.
And then all of a sudden the story came out.
After ALL it was her last confession and why not
tell this kindly man who didn't talk religion at alt?
He would understand.
And that great hearted man who always finds
a way for every needy one,s did understand He
told her about the Salvation Army Women's Home
and Hospital at SIG East Fifteenth street. He
assured her she would not be preached at; told
her she would have the kindest attention, and then
very gently he appealed to her latent wOmans
thp will IN ip was
will to live and shoulder the futures urgent re
sponsibilities. She readily promised to seek the
refuge to which the man of God pointed in her
time of need
Mercy is Two-Winged.
The rest of her story is that of 23l4 girls who
wore cared for in our rescue homes and hospitals
last year,
The mercy of these homes is two-winged. It
overshadows the helpless mother, and it protects
. the HELPLESS child. Every year more than l,OoO
wee lives start existence under the armys COM
passionate rooftree-hves that elsewhere might
start handicapped and made through long COM
ing years to bear the burden of wrongs not their
own But the Salvation Army refuses to look
upon these children as different" 1t insists up
on their rights opportunities and possibilities in
the fullest sense Our policy of keeping mother
and child together has held through many years
of rescue work and has proven its worth.
The regeneration of these girls-and about ~
per cent are regenerated-s largely due to the
awakening of mother love within them Our IN
sistence that they do not seek escape FROM but
rather hold to the helpless little life as to treas,
ure is one of the strongest factors in the success
of our work We have found that there is some
thing in the responsibility which weighs with
tremendous influence in the achievement OF last
ing restoration of character. No mother is ex-
empted from this duty who is mentally efficient
and in good health.
"obIigation of the Father"
Again the Salvation Army with it's network of
organization is a formidable and efficient detec-
tive force in itself and by aid of such, without
any publicity, we have been enabled in number
less instances, to discover and apprehend those
upon whom the responsibility for the provision
for these small lives should rightfully fall. The
obligation of the father is regarded of paramount
Importance and our widespread agencies the coun-
try over-aye the whole world over-leave no
stone unturned to bring that obligation home to
him.
At our maternity hospitals girl is not turned
out after stay of two or three weeks. We keep
her with us until she is strong enough physically
ard spiritually to start life anew. Sometimes