Her Success in Looking Up Destitute Children

Her success in looking up destitute children — Nine schools established — Revilings of men — “No armor for the back” — Obliged to travel lor her health — Commences a school at Morristown — Severe illness — Remarkable restoration in answer to prayer — The drover — Wantage — Its educational wants.

Not long after this I was solicited by a sister in the Church to make efforts to gather destitute and other children into the Sunday school. She informed me that a society had just been organized for the purpose of clothingsuch as were in need, and requested me also to solicit funds for the society. At first I felt an incompetency to the undertaking, which caused me to shrink from it; but as I had been appointed by the society, I felt myself under some obligation to comply; and when I remembered my vow to God, I freely consented.

My interest in the work soon became intense. I found, among others, many children unable to attend the school already established, on account of the distance. To obviate this difficulty we opened nine other schools in different sections of the town, and I was appointed to visit them. In my researches I also found nearly twenty children, who were almost entirely destitute of decent apparel. These were soon supplied with suitable clothing, and numbered among our regular attendants upon Sunday school. Coextensive with our success in our labors, was the opposition manifested by the ungodly, irreligious men, who would assemble at the store and ridicule the members of the society. Respecting myself, they would say, “Poor thing! How she runs about on foot! Can’t we raise a horse and sulky for her? She will be worn out if she goes on in this way. I will be one to give a dollar.” When I heard of their deriding me in this way, I was greatly mortified. I had ever felt that ‘’a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.” I knew, if I lost my reputation, I should lose my all. Their revilings proved a snare for me, and I firmly resolved to resign my office. The next morning I called on the person who first sought my aid, and told her that I could not make any farther eflforts in this way. She endeavored to dissuade me from my purpose, assuring me that the society must inevitably suflfer, by the withdrawal of one of its members at this time. “Well,” I replied, ‘’then I will persevere, and arm myself for the fight.” As I was leaving her she said, “Remember, Mary, ‘there is no armor for the back.’” The remark had great weight with me, and I was fully convinced that I should suffer loss only by retreating.

I went home relieved in mind, and greatly encouraged to live for Christ, and steadfastly abound in his work, in “evil as well as in good report.” With my eye fixed on my adorable all, I found myself insensible to the applause or frowns of my fellow-worms. Shortly after this I had occasion to mention the trial I had experienced to my pastor. He smiled and said, “All public characters will be talked about.”

I now assiduously prosecuted the labors I had undertaken. But I soon found them too arduous for my weak body. For nearly a year previous I had been in constant attendance upon the sick and dying. In eleven months I had seen ten of my nearest relatives sicken and die. My own health had now become impaired, and my physician advised me to travel. My friends also urged it upon me.

I was enabled, in reference to the matter, to lie passive in the hands of God. To go or stay was the same to me, so long as I felt assured that the will of God was done. I now visited New York, Patterson, and various other places. These visits occupied one year and a half.

In the year 1827 I commenced a school at Morristown, and soon had a fine number of scholars. The people were anxious that I should engage for the year; but I was so sure that this was not the place designed for me by God, that I refused to ensaore but for a short time. One morning I took my Bible and opened to these words, “Arise and depart, for this is not your rest.” Three weeks elapsed, and a violent attack of dysentery compelled me to resign my duties as a teacher, and return to my own village. The weather was so unfavorable to my journey, that I took a violent cold, which settled in my eyes, and for six months I was confined to my room. One day, feeling that I could sit up for a little while, my cousin helped me into a chair; but the exertion was too much for me. My cousin remarked, ‘’Your hands are cold.” “Yes,” I repUed, ‘’I believe I am dying.” She hastily answered, “I believe you are; you look like death! shall I send for the doctor?” “No,” I replied, “I would rather see Mr. Thompson.” She assisted me to bed, as soon as possible. Here I lay for some time in the most excruciating pain, with scalding water running from my eyes. When Mr. T. came, he was greatly affected to see me in this condition. He kneeled by my bed, and fervently prayed that I might not be taken away till my work was done — pleading the promise, “the prayer of faith shall save the sick.” He rose with strong confidence that his prayer would be answered. From that moment all my pain left me, and in three days I was able to go out of my room.

I was, however, very feeble for a long time. Durifig the summer, I was again obliged to travel for my health. While in New York I heard that my cousin and other members of her family were very sick. I immediately returned to them, and endeavored, as much as in my power, to assist them in their affliction, till I was attacked with the same disease that had preyed upon them.

One day, after I was able to sit up, and the rest of the family were fast recovering, Mr.

W. stood at the window, when a drove of cattle passed by. He was at that time desirous of purchasing- a cow, and recalled the drover to see if he could get one of him. The drover informed him that he could, and that he wished to sell all his cattle in that place. He also wanted to find a lodging-place for himself that night, where his cattle could be accommodated. Mr. W. consented to keep him, and invited him in. During the evening the subject of education was introduced. He remarked that there was a great need of teachers at Wantage, his own town. He said that even the young men were deficient in the first rudiments of education. He also stated that he had taught himself all that he had ever learned of book knowledge, and that was barely suflacient to help him on in his business, and that he was esteemed as learned a man as there was in the place. He further remarked that he had in his own family a large number of apprentices, who were growing up in ignorance, and that he had no time to teach them, even if he knew how.