IT was a terribly wet night; the rain was pouring, down in torrents, and the wind was howling all around the little cottage, where a family was gathered together for prayer and praise, before retiring to rest.
If it had been daylight, you could not have helped noticing how prettily this dwelling was situated, surrounded with hills and woods of fine old trees, rich with varied tints of autumn foliage. The garden in which the cottage stood, was as neat and pretty as skill and care could make it; for John―, who occupied it, was always noted for thoroughness in everything he undertook, and, beside this, he had an especial taste for gardening.
Now, we often find that when the parents are thorough in everything, showing that they bring Christ into their everyday life, doing all things as unto, the Lord, the children are almost sure to be found following in then parents’ footsteps. When a child sees that the mother considers it wrong in the sight of God to be untidy, slovenly or careless, either in her person or in her house, and that she believes that “all things” are to “be done decently and in order,” even in a small rural cottage, the children cannot help getting into her ways. They soon find out that there is a place for, everything, and everything ought by a tidy person, to be kept in its place. And so it was, in this house. The parents were loving to their children, but strict in teaching them that everything that is worth doing at all is worth doing, well.
This principle was ever was applied to family, worship. It was delightful at any time to hear this godly family; singing praises, for their rich voices, sustained by grateful hearts, enthusiastically poured forth sweet melodies of thankfulness, and trustfulness to the good Lord above, for all His mercies. And yet, or this particular evening, it did not require very close observation to notice that there was a plaintive note in, the singing, and that the whole family seemed to have a sorrowful expression their faces. What was it? What could make this godly, bright, and loving family so downcast? It was very evident that it was no uncommon sort of trial to affect them all so keenly. But they have by this time finished their hymn, and are kneeling in prayer. Listen to the father, as he pours forth his heart to his Heavenly Father above.
“Our Father in heaven, we kneel before Thee in humility and prayer. We thank Thee for the great privilege of being able to pour out our hearts before Thee. We thank Thee for sending Thy dear Son Jesus to die for us, to wash away our sins. And we thank Thee for Thy gracious promise: ‘Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.’ And now, Lord, we bring our case before Thee. Thou knowest our sorrow―Thou knowest, Lord, that Thy servant has not had any work for weeks past, and that we know not how to get bread. O Lord, Thou knowest also that we have had nothing to eat since mid-day, and we have nothing for the morning. Lord, Thou hast been very gracious and merciful to us in the past, and hast blessed us far more than we deserved, for we are poor sinful creatures; but, Lord, do look upon us in mercy now, and send food for the dear children and for us. Lord, we know Thou canst do it. Give us now grace to trust Thee to help us, and give us grace to serve and love Thee more, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.”
As the father rose from prayer, one could observe the tears flowing down that manly face. Kissing his children, be bade them go straight off to sleep, for the good Lord would be sure to answer his prayer in one way or another, because he had proved’ again and again that He was a prayer-hearing and a prayer-answering God. Presently the parents retired to rest, and, although hungry, soon fell into a sound slumber, “for so He giveth His beloved sleep.”
Now, dear reader, you may wonder what occupation John usually followed, and how it was that he had fallen into such straitened circumstances. Some years ago, before machinery had been brought to such a state of perfection as we see it now, hand-loom weaving was very common. In some districts especially, you might walk along the streets of towns, and hear from morning to night, the click, click, of the weaver’s shuttle, as it shot from one side of the frame to another.
Silks, worsteds, and other fabrics, were woven in these frames, or looms, into shawls and the like, and the work was certainly very durable, and often very beautiful indeed. But since the introduction of machinery, worked by steam power, the hand-loom weaving has been almost entirely superseded, because the steam-looms can do the work so much quicker and cheaper. Well, to make the story short, John was living just at the time when the steam looms were being introduced, and, when the keen competition of the factory was beginning to make hand work scarce. He had his loom upstairs, and right diligently and skillfully he worked when he could get anything to do, but, try as he would, he found it a great difficulty. Still he had never been reduced to such an extent as now, and it was a great trial to him to see his beloved wife and family wanting the common necessaries of life.
Rising next morning, John and his wife poured forth their praise to God, for giving them such refreshing sleep in the midst of adversity. Presently the children came downstairs, but not with gloomy faces, for they said to one another, “Didn’t father pray for food last night, and didn’t he tell Jesus that we were hungry, and didn’t he say he was sure God would answer his prayer, and send us something?”
When they arrived in the kitchen, the father said, “Let us have our family worship as usual,” and in a few moments the sweet voices blended in singing:
“God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
“Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
With blessings on your head.”
This hymn seemed to cheer and encourage them all wonderfully, and John said to his wife, “Now, Mary, let’s have breakfast set on the table.”
She said sorrowfully, “But we haven’t any.” “Never mind,” he said; “put all the things on the table, and let us be ready. Let us look as if we expected the Lord to send us something.”
So the breakfast things were set, and the children were brought to the table to breakfast, and grace was said, but still there was nothing to eat! And John said, as they sat round the table, “The Lord cannot fail of His promise, so we will just sit at the table and wait.”
How wonderful the Lord is in His ways; and how infinite are the means at His command! They had not sat long before they heard the sound of wheels, and then a vehicle stopped at their door. Who could it be at that early time of day? And such a loud knock, too, as if someone was in a hurry.
When the door was opened, the gentleman who was there said, “I’ve brought you a sack of flour, and a side of bacon, and some sugar and tea, and a lot of things, and I hope you will make good use of them.”
“But, sir,” said John; “how did you know we were badly off, and in need of help. I thought no one knew, for I am sure I have never told anyone!”
“Know? how did I know? Why, I knew you had not had much work lately, but that was not the sole reason that led me to bring you the things; the fact is, when I was going to bed last night I began thinking about you and your family, and I said to myself, ‘I am sure they must be badly off, for I know he has not had much coming in lately.’ Well, I went to bed, and all night I was so restless I didn’t know what to do with myself, something kept saying, ‘Take something to poor John, he’s starving.’ I tried to get the thought out of my mind, and go to sleep, but I couldn’t; so I got up quite early, and went to the store, and brought these things for you. And now tell me, are you not badly off?”
“Well,” said John; “it is wonderful,” and he related to his kind friend all about their being short the day before, about their prayer, their refreshing sleep, their sitting at the breakfast table, waiting, and then he burst out, saying, with tears of joy: “Thank the Lord, and you sir; it’s wonderful!” And all through his, breakfast, which was soon prepared, he had to keep stopping, to say, “Thank God; it’s wonderful.”
And so God blessed the faith of His humble servant, and provided for him, and answered his prayer, in a way in which he never expected.
Now, dear friend, do you know the God who says, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain thee”? Do you trust and rest in the Lord, who can take the burden of sin from your heart, and give you peace, joy, and rest? In your difficulties, have you the true Friend, who sticketh closer than a brother, the One to whom you may always go with confidence, feeling sure of receiving comfort, consolation and help? Or are you still living as a stranger to God and unreconciled to Him, without hope, and without the true rest which Jesus alone can give to the soul, through His death on behalf of poor sinners? If you are not God’s child, kneel before Him, and tell Him all about your sins, your fears, and your doubts, and tell Him you want His salvation. Then you will be led by Him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved. But if you are God’s child, pray for grace to understand more of His will, and for simple, childlike trust, so that you may love Him more, and serve Him better. R.M.