MISS WILSON’S WORK AMONG THE REFUGEES IN KANSAS.
Miss Julia Wilson, sent out October last by the W.H.M.A., writes from Baxter Springs, Kansas: The blessing of God has seemed to rest upon our work from the beginning, in opening the way before us and in giving us favor with the people for whom we labor.
Kind friends have sent us generous aid, whereby we have been able to meet our charity work, which although only a small part of the great whole, is nevertheless a very important part, not only because we are thus enabled to relieve want and suffering, but because of the opportunity thereby given to gain a personal influence over individuals. We often have thirty visitors in a day. A few minutes are given to one; often hours of precious time must be given to others, for thus only are their hearts kept with ours. We encourage, aid, advise as circumstances demand. We are with our people in sickness, death and also at their funerals. We have a woman’s school four or five times a week; but our Bible school is our corner-stone. We have a large attendance in the adult’s room and also in the children’s department. They listen with earnestness, and I always feel at the close that the Lord has been with us. This people have been so accustomed to a mixture of error with the truth, that simple Bible truth is new to them. I will not speak of difficulties that must be met and overcome, only to say that if we did not know we are here in the strength of the Lord, we might as well go home, so strong a hold has sin in its worst and most debasing forms upon these people. “But the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,” and “they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shined.” What a privilege to be a light-bearer for the Lord—to hold the fort at any point against the might of Satan! For Jesus signals, “I am coming.” Yes, “We’ll wave the answer back to Heaven. By thy grace we will.”
We would like to give to the readers the diary of Miss. W. for one month, but have only space for the report of two or three days, to show how constantly her head, heart and hands are busy in her work:
1st. Sunday-school book, papers and slate pencil to Mr. B., who came twelve miles. To preacher D., bundle of clothing for himself and family. 2d, sent soap to H. family, who camped under a tree after traveling 200 miles; they were wet, weary and hungry. Again, sent rice to Mrs. G., thread and cloth for children’s clothes to Mrs. B., the same to Mrs. L., one of whom walked eight miles, the other twelve, to attend the woman’s school; lesson papers, Sunday-school papers and cards to three young people who walked eight miles to reach the mission. Lesson to Mrs. A. in button-hole making, thread for practice, cards to H. children, and lesson to Cora. Supper cooked and given to a family of six tired, hungry people, the most wretched I have seen, also a night’s lodging in our church. Coat, shirt and decent grave clothes to B. Land given to three women, two of whom walked eight and the other twelve miles.
The friends who have so generously responded to Miss Wilson’s needs will see by this report how she has by their gifts been able to meet the urgent necessities of these poor suffering people. Miss Wilson lives with her helper, who was a pupil at Hampton Institute for a time, in a small cottage “shaded from the intense heat by trees, and furnished with a good well of water, worth more than a gold mine,” surrounded by the cottages of her people, and so enabled to bring to bear upon them the influence of a Christian home.
Boxes and barrels sent during the month of July:
| From Auxiliary in Plainville, Conn., clothing valued | $25.70 |
| ” Highland, Ill., to Miss Wilson, Baxter Springs, Kansas, one box valued | 48.70 |
| ” Philips Church, South Boston, Ladies’ Benevolent Society to Miss Wilson, box valued | 55.31 |
| To Home Missionaries at the West, box valued | 132.19 |
Receipts of Woman’s Home Missionary Association from June 27 to July 25, 1881:
| From auxiliaries | $360.50 |
| ” life members | 80.00 |
| ” donations | 165.95 |
| ” annual members | 4.00 |
| —————— | |
| $610.45 |