Sorrowing, get Rejoicing. CHAPTER I. "Jehovah hear thee in the day ABOUT a year ago, only, our family consisted of seven dear children- the oldest twelve, the youngest approaching two years of age-five being girls, and two boys. They were then in the enjoyment of perfect health. In the preceding winter they had had measles, but the complaint, on running its course, though preceded by influenza, seemed only to have strengthened their constitutions. No serious ailment had ever afflicted any of them, and no breach had ever been made in their number. Residing in a remote and secluded situation, at a distance from relations and friends, they knew no society but that of each other; and, happy in this, they had never de sired to know more. Like" olive plants," they grew up around our table, and the goodness of the Lord to us in them often filled our hearts. At the above-mentioned period, hooping-cough appeared in our parish. Of a mild type, though we avoided exposing the children to infection, when it seized them we felt no alarm, nor, such being its character, did we regret that it had taken them. A more favourable season could have been desired, but, strong in hope, we anticipated the result which had followed measles, and rejoiced in the prospect of our darlings surpassing both complaints, not in safety only, but with comparative ease. These shoals passedthe most dangerous to bodily health which beset the outset of life-we looked forward with confidence to the voyage which lay beyond. We had ever sought for them, from Him who had given them existence, "first the kingdom of God and his righteousness;" but, knowing the value of the promise, we had also often asked that their 66 days might be long upon the land "—and we expected the blessing for his own name's sake. But perhaps we too much forgot that "God's thoughts are not our thoughts," and that by terrible things in righteousness," he often, as "the God of salvation," answers prayer. |