Part 18 (1/2)

”'Out to dinner with ----. Any objection?' I asked.

”'No, only be in in time for business.'

”Oh, thank G.o.d! I never laid my eyes on her again, nor she on me from that day to this. But I don't want you to get the idea that that escape from her ended my troubles. By no manner of means. Listen!” And then she told me of experiences too dreadful for publication--experiences in Ogden and Salt Lake, Utah; Reno, Nevada. Now she was in Los Angeles--farther away from mother and home than ever; as unhappy, as homesick, as miserable a girl as ever trod the earth. When she happened to be pa.s.sing the mission door, some one was singing, ”Just as I am without one plea.” After that door had closed for the night, she followed Sister Taylor and me, trying to summon up courage enough to approach me, fearing that if she did not I should soon get on a car and her opportunity of ever meeting me would be lost.

At the time of our meeting, Anna was well-nigh homeless, friendless, penniless, and, worst of all, Christless. In less than four hours, praise G.o.d! she had her greatest needs supplied, and, best of all, she had found her Savior.

In memory of this, one of the songs appearing in this book was written--”The Value of a Song.” It was a particular favorite with our family in the rescue home, some girl often remarking, ”Doesn't it just seem to fit my case, Mother Roberts?” Then she would get me to relate the story of Anna or of some other poor unfortunate. Alas! their name is ”Legion.”

THE VALUE OF A SONG.

Words and Music by Mrs. Florence Roberts

1. A poor girl was wand'ring alone on the street Of a great busy city, thro' dust and thro' heat, With despair in her heart as she walked to and fro, When she heard a sweet voice singing softly and low:

CHORUS

Just as I am, without one plea, But that they blood was shed for me, And that thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of G.o.d, I come, I come!

2. As she noted the words of this beautiful song, Her thoughts wandered back to the days that were gone; And in fancy she hears her dear mother once more Sweetly singing the song she now hears thro' that door.

CHORUS

3. ”O G.o.d, I have sinned, I will do so no more, If thou wilt forgive and a sinner restore; For the sake of my Savior, for mercy I pray: Lord, give me a home with some Christian to stay.”

CHORUS

4. ”Thou knowest my weakness, my sorrow, my sin, Now grant me, dear Lord, a new life to begin.” And soon came the answer to this earnest prayer,--A pardon, a home, and motherly care.

CHORUS.

CHAPTER XXIII.

NORTHWARD BOUND--THE OUTCOME.

More correspondence, also the return of Lucy, decided our length of sojourn at Los Angeles. After prayerful consideration, we, with Anna, soon took our departure for San Jose, where we were warmly welcomed by a now former matron (Callie's dear Sister Griffith). At this time the family consisted of fifteen girls and two workers. Imagine our crowded condition!

The following day the entire board of managers convened, specially to meet me. After prayer and the reading of Scripture, there was an earnest discussion regarding the need of an evangelistic and field worker. Because of my being constantly referred to as the person for such office, I requested permission to retire for brief prayer, also to give them more freedom.

Going to the matron's room, I bowed before the Lord, earnestly pet.i.tioned to know the mind of his Spirit, and sought a test. The test was this: If it was his will that I accept this office, the board should, on my return for further conference, give satisfactory answers to the following questions: ”Are you willing to incorporate?” ”Are you willing to change the name of the home?” and ”Are you willing to purchase desirable property?”

When I was once more in their midst, the president, in the name of the board, honored me with the above-mentioned call, stating in detail its necessities. Responding with words of appreciation, I propounded the three questions named.

Answer No. 1: ”Yes, quite willing, but unable to do so, for lack of funds. An empty treasury.”

Answer No. 2: ”Can you suggest a better name?”

”Yes, a G.o.d-given one,” I answered. Then I stated the objection of many who disliked being styled, ”One of the Rescue Home girls.” I suggested ”Beth-Adriel,” meaning ”House of the flock of G.o.d.” All being delighted with this name, it was adopted.