Experiences in Canvassing and Visiting Families
By Elsie A. Brown
IN giving a canvass for “Christ’s Object Lessons” the other day, while dwelling upon the parable of The Lost Sheep, and holding to view the beautiful engraving by which the artist has illustrated the subject, the little ones of the family, though naturally diffident, drew so closely about me, and their upturned faces bespoke so much of earnest interest, that I could not forbear to direct my conversation for the time being to them. When I explained to them the shepherd’s manner of dealing with the little lambs that stray, neither driving nor expecting them to follow when found, but carrying them tenderly in his arms to the fold, and told them that Christ called the little children his lambs, and gave this lesson as illustrative of his manner of dealing with them when they go astray, or do wrong, their countenances expressed such sweet satisfaction as to inspire me with the hope that seed had been sown which would one day bear fruit. The next day in a quiet little home in the outskirts of the town, I met a German mother who, by her tenderness of soul and strong faith in God, so met my ideal of motherhood as to draw me to her with cords both strong and tender. She certainly evinced a character strangely wanting in these days, but not the less sweet and potent because of its rarity. When I spoke to her of our work, particularly of our medical missionary work as carried on in Chicago, she manifested much interest, and her tears flowed freely, as well as when telling21me of how earnestly she had sought to train her children to God’s glory. Some of these, since going out into the world, have in a measure lost their hold on God. Through her tears she gave expression to words of strong faith that Prov. 22:6 would yet be verified to her. And I can but believe that it will; for what is a factor so strong in the soul-saving service as the prayers and intercessions of a mother? Before I had spoken of the matter to this mother, she told me, with strong assurance, that she believes that the coming of Christ is near, as everything seems to indicate it. I gave her some tracts relative to this subject, took her subscription for The Life Boat, and left her presence with renewed courage, and the prayer that God would lead her fully into the light of present truth. My heart was filled with gratitude to God for once more permitting me to meet such a mother. ELSIE A. BROWN.