Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/699

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Part Taken by Women in American History


of the compassionate Saviour and with her old eloquence, in the stillness, she said:

"I am Merlin, and I am dying,
But I'll follow the gleam."

And a little later she said to the friends who gathered about her, "Oh, let me go away, let me be in peace; I am so safe with Him. He has other worlds, and I want to go." And so still following the Christ gleam with a brave heart and a courageous step, the dauntless soul went on to follow her Lord to all worlds, whithersoever He may lead her.

ANNIE ADAMS GORDON.

Miss Annie Adams Gordon, vice-president of the National Women's Christian Temperance Union and honorary secretary of the World's Women's Christian Temperance Union, is one of the most unique figures in the temperance reform of to-day. Miss Gordon came into the work with Miss Willard. In 1877 when Miss Willard was conducting a women's meeting for Mr. Moody, there was no one to play the organ. An earnest appeal was made and after waiting some moments, a young girl stepped forward and offered, saying. "As no one volunteers, I will do the best I can." This was Annie Gordon. Miss Willard was so attracted by her modesty and sweet nature that she persuaded her to come to her as private secretary, and thus began her work in the Women's Christian Temperance Union of this country.

Miss Gordon was born in Boston but early in her childhood her family removed to Auburndale, one of the suburbs of the former city. She was educated by a course in the Newton High School, Mount Holyoke College and Lasell Seminary. The many and varied offices held by Miss Gordon indicate