MANY of the passengers landed Plymouth, fearing to risk another hour more than could be helped on the ocean wave. The papers brought on deck from Plymouth to of terrific weather in the Channel during the previous few days. (To see the deck of the ship boarded by news-boys was a pleasant sight to all: for it told of land not being far off.) However, by the time the returned emigrants of our story arrived in the Channel, the storm was over, and, as usual, the vessel was steering her course over calm waters, with the new moon sending a lovely mellow light into the cabin where the widow and her child were resting.
As breakfast was being served, Gravesend was sighted. All rushed eagerly on deck, and were told that many hours would elapse ere the London Docks would be arrived at, as the tide would not serve. However, before the meal was over the vessel seemed to be on the move once more, and passengers were told that, with more steam power than usual, the captain thought he might proceed, and, to the joy of all, again she moved and at last steamed into the London Docks. Some of the friends of passengers looked as if they could jump to the vessel, ere she touched the quay, so eager were they to meet their loved ones.
Elizabeth had informed her relatives of her return, and had sent a telegram from Plymouth of her safe arrival. And as the vessel sped over the mighty deep, thoughts of her beloved mother would come to her mind, and wondering if she were still alive, and how the well-worn travelers would be received. She had committed all into the hands of her Guard and Guide, and she felt assured that, come what may, all would be well. And all was well, for a glad welcome awaited the widow and the fatherless.
Though she was penniless and helpless, she knew that all power was in the hands of the One who had promised to be a Husband to the widow and a Father to the fatherless. All hearts are in His hands, and still how afraid we are to trust that mighty Deliverer, who, in times past, so cared. How He bears with us, as He did with the Israel of old. So now He bears us, as it were, on eagle's wings, until He will land us safely, not in an earthly Jerusalem, but far up the heights of glory, "Above the strife of earthly din," safe within the courts of the heavenly Jerusalem, no more to go out.
“Jerusalem, my happy home,
Name ever dear to me,
When shall my labors have an end,
And I thy glories see?”
She knew whom she had trusted. She could say, He loved me and gave Himself for me. And she believed that He loved her still, and would do so till the end.
As the vessel steamed into the docks, where not long before she had set out for the Southern Seas with her beloved husband, the One who said, "As thy days, so shall thy strength be," supported her now; and she knew that each day was bringing her nearer another haven, another rest; and that Jesus, the Captain of her salvation, was steering her course towards that haven; and that not all the rocks, shoals, and storms of this poor world could alter His course. All would only be the means of making that rest more sweet at the close, Christ more dear, and heaven more near.
“Jesus, lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the billows near me roll,
While the tempest still is high.
Hide me, oh! my Savior hide
Till the storm of life is past.
Safe into the haven guide,
Oh! receive my soul at last.”
But blessed be His name, she had the assurance that He would shield, that He would guide till he had anchored her safely on the other shore, safe into that blissful haven.
It was with much emotion that Elizabeth gazed on the shores of her native land, wondering what changes might have taken place; but oh! the unspeakable comfort to know that she had with her that faithful, unchangeable Friend, and He was not going to leave her now.
Worn and weary, she dressed herself and her little one, and went on deck, to see the passengers go ashore, and with the hope that she might see some friendly face; but no, her faith was to be tested now. Could she trust still that mighty Deliverer who had brought her safely across those stormy waters. And there as she stood on the deck, penniless, that lonely one lifted her heart to her heavenly Protector. As she gazed on those countless myriads of houses, and watched the busy crowd, with no pitying eye for her, she felt what it was to be "alone in London." And after all the blessings that had been bestowed upon her, after two hours of weary waiting, descended below to weep there, and she had the knowledge that she and her child must shortly rest elsewhere.
The kind-hearted steward pressed her to eat, and as she was trying to take a morsel, a hand was laid on her shoulder, and on turning her head, she beheld the kind, cheerful face of Edward's mother, who had come many miles to meet the vessel, but not being accustomed to travel much in London had failed at first to find the vessel, and had sought some hours.
Elizabeth felt her faith had been tested, and that her Friend who faileth never had sent her now an earthly comforter, and after tears of joy and some refreshment, she recovered, and with a thankful heart was ready to go on her way. But on turning to leave the saloon another friend appeared, a cousin, who had that morning received a letter from Elizabeth's brother asking her to meet the vessel as business prevented him from doing so, and she also put a registered letter into Elizabeth's hands received from the same source, and she found in it some gold coins to enable her to proceed on her way, and a few kind words telling her that warm hearts and a warm welcome were awaiting her. But her heart had to be made more glad still, after she had learned the lesson, for a little further on the way she met this only brother. He received her with a glad welcome, thankful that his only sister was returned to comfort her widowed mother.
Elizabeth, her child, and brother sped on their way. Everything was wonderful to little Emmie's eyes. She could not remember the wonders of England. A colonial mountain home, then the time spent with Betsy, succeeded by a sea voyage, was all Emmie's world. After now seeing so much she was wondering where she was going to be taken. She did not, however, fear anything like Joe Cranstone's farm, and even so, her darling mother was with her now, and what wanted she more; and then, when she looked into her dear mother's face, she was looking so bright, and seemed so happy, talking to the kind face opposite to her, and that kind face often cast a sunny glance at little Emmie, and at last when the train stopped he got such nice things for her to eat.
Now that the train journey was over, and the travelers got into a cab, and were driven on and on, through crowds of people and houses, Emmie wondered where all the people could be going, till at last the cab went out from the crowded streets into the green lanes, and Emmie had never seen such beautiful houses. As she was thinking how she would like to live in one, the cab stopped, and she was led by her uncle up to the hall door of his house.