I would fain have lingered there; for it brought to my mind the many years of happy toil spent among my pupils in the school-room. Yet I am content—yea, happy, in doing the work that comes to my hand in visiting from house to house.
My first call this morning was upon the Deacon’s wife, who greeted me in her usual lady-like manner. Although often bending over wash-tub or ironing-board, she leaves all to be taught her reading and Bible lesson. She is not a Christian, but the truth brought before her in repeated Scripture readings is evidently making deep impressions.
My next call was at the house of a church member, but a wanderer—bitterness in her heart, “cares of this life and the lust of other things entering in have choked the word and made her life unfruitful.” She cannot read; but I have resolved to carry the word to her. May God lead her back to her Father’s house!
Mrs. K—— is a cripple. For her diseased feet I carried a pair of soft shoes, sent by some good friend in the North.
I found her with a company of children gathered about her whom she was teaching to read, thereby earning five or six dollars a month. She is an intelligent Christian woman, and has lately been reading “Prince of the House of David,” for which she expresses great admiration.
Hastening home, I met a class of young men—hotel-waiters—who are off duty in the middle of the day, and desire to improve their leisure time in studying the three R.’s and the Bible.
At two o’clock, I went into the school building to attend a prayer meeting held daily among the pupils since the opening of the Week of Prayer. There are indications of the Spirit’s presence among us, and we are anxiously hoping that some of these dear young people may be turned to the service of Christ.
After dinner I went to a distant part of the city to meet a regular appointment for a ladies’ prayer meeting. This week the meeting was held at the house of a good sister, who kindly opened her well-furnished parlor. A good number gathered to hear the word and to mingle their petitions at the throne of grace. Among those present was Mrs. S——, who, so lately, came into the kingdom. Her great desire is to work for the Master. Thus passed an hour, helpful, I trust, to us all. Returning home, I felt called upon, ere night should close in, to visit a family much afflicted by sickness. Both father and mother weak and feeble, no ready cash in hand, and seven small children to care for. No wonder the days look dark to them. We are glad to give them a helping hand. A few articles of clothing, a little money, and words of cheer are the things they most need just now. In the evening a Sunday school scholar came for instruction, giving me another opportunity to sow seeds of truth in a darkened mind. How precious are the opportunities that come to us day by day!