THE DOOR OF HOPE MISSION.
By Editor
WE do not wish our family of readers to forget that THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES is interested in a mission for poor girls and women who have been betrayed, have fallen, and have been turned adrift upon a cruel world to barter all that is dear to woman or die of starvation. The object of the mission is to open before every such soul who desires to reform “a door of hope” in their valley of trouble. See Hosea 2:14, 15. It is its purpose by God’s grace and earnest human effort to reform and restore those who are bruised and broken. And, O, the number of them and their needs! For the response which our readers have made to our calls we render hearty thanks in the name of our Master. But we need more; and for some time we have received nothing. Would you like to know what has been done? The Door of Hope was opened in a suburb of Oakland, April 15, 1898. The first inmate was received April 23. Since that time twenty have come to the home. Some of these, we are sorry to say (for we use no compulsion), have gone back to their old life. But others remain, and are giving evidence of earnest desires to lead a better life and serve the Lord. Two have been placed in good homes under Christian influences, and are doing well. The past lives of these poor souls who enter the Door of Hope have been sad, dark, and sorrowful; but those who care for them are laboring earnestly to lead them to Him who has borne all their sins and sorrows, and by whose stripes they are healed. He alone can change the bitter water to sweet, and make the Valley of Achor (trouble) a door of hope. The things greatly needed are as follows: In the way of clothing, wrappers, dresses, dark waists, and all kinds of under-garments; and for the house, curtains, rugs, chairs, wash-stands, etc. Are there not those who wish to lead to the Lord by helping those who are in such pitiful need? We are sure there are, and that this will meet a hearty response. In conclusion let us ask in behalf of those in charge of the home, and who come into immediate contact with the powers of darkness and the souls who need help, the earnest prayers of all the praying ones of the SIGNS family.