Northwestern Bible School - Scroll Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

Page 24 text:

STATESMAN WILLIAM EWART GLADSTONE 18-09—1898 LOVINGLY called ' The Grand Old Man, William Ewart Gladstone is uni¬ versally acknowledged, not only as a great statesman, an accomplished writer, and an outstanding theologian, but also as one of the most conse- crated of Christian leaders. Born in Liverpool, England, he attended Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford, where his brilliance in politics and oratory was recognized, and from which he graduated with high honors. A leader of the liberal party, he sat in Parliament for many years, and held the office of Prime Minister three times. He defended the Irish Church and State and became the author of many bills in their behalf. One who knew him writes: Christian faith was the sublimest of the elements that entered into the man. In it is found the climax of his character, the secret of his conduct, the surety of his temporal and eternal success. When ques¬ tioned about the condition of the age, Gladstone said: Talk about questions of the day; there is but one question, and that is the Gospel. It can, and will correct anything that needs correction. The only hope for the world is in bringing the human mind into contact with divine revelation. In all of his associations and administrations, he was essentially Christian, and he was loved for his kindness to the common people. His housekeeper had a son who was a cause of heartbreak and worry to his mother because of his waywardness. She timidly asked Mr. Gladstone if he could do something, for she felt his advice would be heeded. In an¬ swer to her request, he admonished the young man, knelt and prayed with him, committing him to the Lord, who will save those who come unto Him ' As he grew older, he was asked if his faith ever wavered. He replied, The longer 1 live, the stronger grows my faith in God. Mr. Gladstone was dearly beloved of all the people who knew him. His spiritual life was known to every one, and his influence was felt throughout the country. The world lost not only a great statesman, but also a con¬ secrated Christian, when Mr. Gladstone passed into the presence of the Lord, whom he loved so dearly.

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FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE 1820-1910 FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE is a burning example of a Christian who knows what God wants her life to be, and, against all obstacles, reaches that posi¬ tion. From childhood Florence longed to be a nurse, and she spent much of her time aiding those who were Ill, and caring lor animals of all kinds. Visitors at her luxurious home in England commented that they had never seen a child who was so thoughtful of the comfort and pleasure of others. As she grew older, the easy, monotonous life which she led began to taunt her. She felt that God would have her to be of some benefit to the world, not to stay at home and crochet. However, when she broached her desire to study nursing, her parents were aghast and replied that she might as well scrub floors. Undaunted, Florence later left for a training school in Germany and endeavored to lift the pro¬ fession of nursing to an exalted position, from the degraded, unsanitary stale it then held. She became the superintendent of a London nursing home, and, in 1854, during the Crimean War, left for the Barrack Hospital at Scutari. This hos¬ pital was rotten with vermin and filth. The sanitation was deplorable and soldiers were dying from disease and wounds. It has been estimated that there were four miles of beds in the hospital She was not kindly received by olficials, but she began a reform that has benefited humanity every since. She became an invalid in later years because ol the superhuman work she forced herself to accomplish while at Scutari. The soldiers worshipped her. Every night Miss Nightingale would kneel at the bedside ol each soldier, pray and read the Bible to him. One ol the soldiers wrote; She would speak to one and another, and nod and smile to many more; but she could not do it to all, you know, for we lay there by hundreds; but we could kiss her shadow as it fell, and lay our heads on our pillows, again content. The world has been blessed by this consecrated life. Miss Nightingale has been honored by many dignitaries and was one of the founders of the Red Cross. However, she felt that it was only by the grace of God that she was able to accomplish anything for humanity. She once said: If I could give you information of my life, it would be to show how a woman of very ordinary ability has been l ed by God in strange and unaccustomed paths to do in His service what He has done in her. God has done all and I nothing. 1 have worked hard, very hard, that is all, and I have never refused God anything.