Elder Frank J. Edgel's Street Meeting and Minister's Respect

“While holding a street meeting in one of the large towns of England, I, with three companions, was surrounded by a large crowd of people. A middle-aged woman, who seemed to be the leader of the opposition, kept pushing her way through the crowd, and, with a string of beads in her hand, would repeatedly try to throw them around my neck, shouting at the top of her voice about 'indulgences' and other things. The crowd, seeing her actions, began to jeer and laugh, and for a time it seemed as though we would have a very unpleasant time. I remained calm, however, and when I had an opportunity to speak, I looked at the woman and said, 'My good woman, you are somebody's mother.' The effect was instantaneous. The crowd became quiet, and the woman's son, who was standing near, stepped forward, took her by the arm, and led her away. A minister of one of the local churches, who had been standing on the outskirts of the crowd, watching the proceedings with a look of disdain, had been an interested observer of the scene. Whether the sympathetic remark had any weight with my hearers, or whether it was the redeeming bead on the rosary, I do not know. But suffice to say, as I was passing through the dispersing crowd, I met a friendly glance coming from what I had supposed was a hostile countenance. With extended hand and a friendly smile, the reverend gentleman kindly said: 'May I have one of your pamphlets, please?'”

— Frank J. Edgel, Millennial Star 69:46