ELIZABETH and her mother attended a meeting of Christians, where the latter, when she was bereaved, was led. On first entering this unpretentious building she heard that hymn:
“From every stormy wind that blows,
From every swelling tide of woes,
There is a calm, a sweet retreat,
'Tis found before the mercy-seat.”
A Christian man spoke on the text, "He is not here but risen." She had been looking at the grave of her dear departed one; but now these comforting words sent peace into her soul.
One Sunday, a tall, fair stranger, with his Bible under his arm, entered. He wore a heaven-born expression, so calm and peaceful. After the meeting was over, his eye fell upon Elizabeth. He made inquiries about her, as her appearance interested him, more especially her sad expression. It was so different from his own restful face. He early learned to trust a Father's care; but Elizabeth had to wade through deep waters ere she could so trust. Edward N., the stranger in question, was a tutor in a gentleman's school. He was the son of Christian parents, who were Baptists. He himself was a Christian, but a worldly one.
On first leaving home, he went as a master in a school, where the principal, a dissenting minister, so stumbled Edward by his life during the week, being so different from that he preached in the pulpit on Sundays, that he gave notice to leave, and sought an appointment elsewhere. He was successful in obtaining a situation where the principal was not only a Christian in name, but in life also. He met with others on the Lord's Day to break bread as the apostles did of old.
Edward was expected to attend with the boys. He in wonder looked on, and wrote that same day to his father, telling him that he did not know with what sort of people he was living now. He thought they must be Quakers. However, he soon afterward was led to see that they were doing the right thing in meeting thus, and he cast in his lot with them.
When the summer vacation arrived he went to his boyhood's home, and as there were none in the village who met as he had been accustomed, he walked four miles to a neighboring town, the place where Elizabeth resided, and thus they met. He was invited to dine at the house of a friend of Elizabeth, and there, in the afternoon, she and her mother saw him. The following week he called on them, and that first evening she joined him at the piano in singing:—
“How good is the God we adore,
Our faithful, unchangeable Friend,
Whose love is as great as His power,
And knows neither measure nor end.
“'Tis Jesus, the First and the Last,
Whose Spirit shall guide me safe home,
We'll praise Him for all that is past,
And trust Him for all that's to come.”
In after years these two called this hymn "Our hymn," but little did they then know what they would be called to pass through to prove His love and power.
This friendship ripened into love. "No wealth or power had he," but he had a willing mind to work. He trusted his heavenly Friend. One day Elizabeth received a letter from Edward asking her to be his companion along the pilgrim way. She accepted, and married him, but against the wish of her mother, as Edward was poor. The mother liked him much; but she dreaded hardships for her daughter. She has since learned, however, that trusting Jehovah instead of riches may bring trials of faith; but a rich harvest is reaped thereby in having opportunities of seeing Jehovah's hand extended for his people's good.
Edward furnished a small but pretty cottage, and although these two had little of this world's goods, they had the upholder of the universe as theirs, and they knew that when this passing world was done, there was an inheritance that was undefiled reserved in heaven for them. What a halo of grandeur around that word, inheritance! In having Christ we inherit all things.
Edward was thankful on leaving the train, to see his loved home from the bridge beyond. And in the month of May it looked especially pretty, with its overhanging bushes of pink and white hawthorn. No need for hand to be lifted to the knocker, for eager eyes were watching for that well-known form.
On the evening of the arrival of these two in their new home, they sang together: —
“Jerusalem, my happy home,
Name ever dear to me,
When shall my labors have an end,
And I, thy glories see.”
Neither thought how soon one of them might be called to roam those courts; but we are anticipating. Three years passed away in happiness; but at last Edward began to wear a look of pallor; a slight cough, too, made his wife very anxious. The thought was very distressing, but she, willing that he should try anything for his benefit, persuaded him to take a doctor's advice and go abroad. So they contemplated going to an island in the southern seas. They had a little girl, a sweet child of two summers, and the father was often heard to say, "To depart and to be with the Lord would be far better; but for the sake of my wife and child, I feel I ought to take my doctor's advice." So in a short time parents and child sailed for the southern seas.