Chapter 32

THANKFULNESS TO GOD.

He is a whole Christ--He is a full Saviour! He saves to the uttermost all who believe; His arms of compassion are ever extended, The contrite and penitent souls to receive.

St. Augustine says: "The Kingdom of Light was from its very commencement assailed by the Kingdom of Darkness." But, notwithstanding the opposition of Satan, and the strong prejudices of his ancient people, how encouraging to read the following narrative from her pen:

"I have been able to supply the immediate necessities of some poor families, and it encourages my heart to see their gratitude for what is done for them, but, above all, for their joy at receiving the 'Word of God,' and knowing that it was their own. From four persons I have received payment for the Bibles, who were anxious to receive them, and who read them daily. I have met with some success among the Jews. A Jewish girl who has been in my Sewing-school is very happy to be there, and says that now her father does not forbid her to read the Bible or attend Sunday-school. A young girl who attends the meeting which I hold in my house has joined the church in Allen Street, and is so much in earnest that she is trying to induce others to follow her example. I am thankful that my efforts for the young have not been without results."

Why? we ask; because He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not with Him also _freely give us_ all things.

"I have had much encouragement," she continues, "in my labors during the summer. Visiting at the Hahnemann Hospital, I have become much interested in some of the patients. They ask me to sit down and talk to them, and I then point them to Jesus as the best Physician for soul as well as body. I have been kindly received by Roman Catholics, and have loaned Bibles to some of them, and some have kept them and paid for them.

"During the months of July and August, I have found many sick, in assisting whom I have been aided by the Flower Mission.

"I see a great change in families where the Bible is being read. One little girl says, 'I read the Bible every day, and so do my father and mother. Now they do not work on Sunday, as they used to do, but go to church, and read God's Word.'

"My own church has been closed a part of the summer, but the prayer-meeting has been well attended, and there has been much interest evinced. A man who was a drunkard for many years, has given up his bad habits and is now the support and comfort of his family. I gave him a Bible, which he reads, and he seems to be a truly converted man. I have sold several Bibles, as well as given several away."

At one time coming in contact with a very serious case of hardship, she wrote concerning it, "Formerly the mother depended upon the daughter for support, but she has lately been obliged to stay at home, and take care of her mother; and in consequence of this, they have both suffered, as they belong to that class who are unwilling to make their wants known.

"I asked if they had attended any place of worship. The mother said she had been a member of a Protestant church in Troy, but since she came to New York, and her circumstances had changed, not having clothing to make a decent appearance, she had not been to church. She added: 'I must say, it was pride, but I could not overcome it. Now I know and feel that I did wrong.'

"She is now more comfortable; for I have been able to get her some little delicacies, which she suffered greatly from the need of.

"It is a great satisfaction to us, when we meet with so many cases of want and suffering, to give some relief, however small, but the anxiety and labor that have often to be borne to succeed in the work is great. I often think that if those who employ us to go forth with the Word of Life in our hands could see us engaged in our work, giving consolation and encouragement to the poor and destitute, the sick and dying, and as far as in our power relieving their wants, they would feel abundantly rewarded for the good and honorable work in which they are engaged.

"Every month I feel more and more the greatness of the work, and the necessity of laboring with earnestness, in order to compel them to come in, that the Lord's house may be filled, and that jewels may be gathered for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I have brought a number of children into Sabbath-schools, and have induced several to attend church, and feel that my labors have been abundantly blessed, and that during the last month I have been much encouraged.

"I have succeeded in getting five tons of coal for my poor, besides groceries, etc. Have sold three Bibles, and given one away."