“One result of this teaching is found in the fact that several of the inmates, not in the first pleasant excitement of their rescue from the immediate horrors of their condition, but after long and faithful observance of their pledge and constant attendance upon the religious instruction of the Home, have voluntarily and with solemn resolve united themselves to some Christian church, and are devoting a large share of their time and means to the work of bringing in their old companions to share this great salvation. When, in our visits among their families, we hear of those who formerly spent all their earnings at the saloon, bringing nothing but distress and terror into their homes, now walking the streets all day in search of work, without dinner themselves, because the ‘wife and children need what little there is in the house;’ and another, not only denying himself a reasonable share of the scanty food, but nursing a sick wife and taking entire care of the children and house, hastening out, when relieved awhile by a kindly neighbor, to do ’anything to bring in a little money’—when we see changes like these, accompanied by patience and cheerfulness, and a growing sense of personal responsibility, we thankfully accept them as proofs of the genuineness of the work and hopefully look for its continuance.”
TOUCHING INCIDENTS.
In a previous report, speaking of the visits made to the families of inmates, she says: “In no case has a visit ever been received without expression of absolute pleasure, and especially gratitude, for ’what the Home has done for me and mine.’
“Although, unhappily, there are instances of men having, through stress of temptation, violated their pledges, it is believed that not one case has occurred of a family, once brought together through the influence of the Home, again being separated by the return to intemperance of the husband and father, and the results of their faithfulness are to be seen in the growing comfort and happiness of those dependent on them.
“An aged mother, not only bowed down with the weight of seventy years, but heart-sick with the ‘hope deferred’ of ever finding her intemperate son, heard of him at last, as rescued by the Home; and, being brought to the Sunday and evening services, met him there, ’clothed and in his right mind.’ The tears streamed down her face, as she said: ’That man is forty years old, and I’ve been a widow ever since he was a baby, and I’ve wept over him often and often, and to-day I’ve shed tears enough to bathe him from head to foot, but, oh! thank the Lord! these are such happy tears!’
“Said one wife: ’Some days, these hard times, we have enough to eat, and some days we don’t; but all the time I’m just as happy as I can be!
“’I wish you could see my children run, laughing, to the door when their father comes home. Oh! he is another man from what he was a year ago; he is so happy at home with us now, and always so patient and kind!