THE DEMONSTRATION WORK 



and the constant problem with which we struggle is to discriminate 

 between these worthy calls, and place the public money where it will 

 bring the largest returns. When the proposition of sharing a part 

 of the expense of providing a Home Demonstration Agent for Har- 

 nett County was first presented to the county two years ago, we were 

 naturally in doubt as to its wisdom. The work was new and un- 

 proven in our midst. Miss Martin was a stranger, and her work as 

 a public servant was unknown. But we took a chance, and this 

 heroic soul began the task of carrying her message of service into 

 the five thousand homes of the county. 



It was a great task, undertaken amidst great difficulties. The 

 public mind was torn and distracted between the ambitions of war 

 and the tragic sorrows thereof. She was misunderstood and criti- 

 cised, but it deterred her not. Suspicion, the poisoned dart of 

 ignorance, glanced from the shining shield of her own clean con- 

 science, and fell harmless at her feet. The indifference of those whom 

 she would serve alone disturbed her. 



But she did her work, and won her way, not only into the homes 

 of the people of the county, but into the hearts of all who came to 

 know her. Even as the Master chose the common things of life to 

 teach his profound lessons, so she took the ordinary cares and 

 problems of the home — aye, even with pots and kettles she taught 

 the lessons of the nobility of service ! 



When the Great Court beyond convenes and the name of Rachel 

 Martin is called, there will come a host of witnesses from all over 

 the county, volunteers who will wait for no subpoena. There will 

 be humble mothers anxious to testify that 'This is the one who came 

 into my house and showed me how to lighten the burdens that 

 oppressed my life.' Little children will come exclaiming, This is the 

 one who pressed to my lips the cup of cold water in Thy name!' 

 And we will all join in declaring that she was the one who sought 

 and found the footsteps of Him of whom it was said, 'He went about 

 doing good.' " 



And so, my friends, she came among us a stranger, surrounded 

 by difficulties; and she leaves us a friend, universally loved, having 

 justified her calling. She fell a victim to her work, but not an 

 unwilling victim." 



H9W Dr. Knapp would have enjoyed a present-day meet- 



[100] 



