As we talked earnestly and lovingly to them, through our interpreter, the one who had made the solemn vow came forward and knelt beside Mrs. Andrew, who was standing, and timidly took her hand. Mrs. Andrew laid it on the poor girl’s shoulder as on the day before, but the interpreter said, “Put your hand on her head; she is asking you to bless her.” Tears streamed from the eyes of the penitent, and she shook with sobs as Mrs. Andrew fervently blessed her in the name of our God, and pleaded with Him for the way to open for her escape from bondage. Then in like manner the other daughter came and was blessed. Then the poor old mother threw herself with her forehead on the ground, laying her hands on Mrs. Andrew’s feet, and while Mrs. Andrew prayed over her, groaned and cried bitterly, saying, “I am a sinner, I am a sinner. For twenty-five years I led a life of shame, and brought up my daughters to it.”
We then wrote down their names, promising to pray for them, a pledge which we have faithfully kept ever since.
[IV.]
The Contagious Diseases Acts.
The advocates of State-regulated fornication contend that diseases due to vice will be best checked by licensed prostitution, combined with medical care. The Abolitionists hold that morality alone is sufficient, and that vice is not necessary. It is a square issue; shall it be immorality and medicine, or shall it be morality?
The Regulationists believe that vice is necessary; the Abolitionists believe that vice is not necessary, and that virtue must be demanded. A memorial signed by one hundred and twenty-three British women, of whom over half belong to the titled aristocracy, presented to the British Government April 24, 1897, declares:—
“We feel it is the duty of the State, which of necessity, collects together large numbers of unmarried men in military service, to protect them from the consequences of evils which are, in fact, unavoidable.”