YEARS ago, a cyclone passed through a corner of the State of Nebraska, carrying destruction in its path; great trees were rooted up, houses were blown to pieces, and nothing was able to resist the violence and fury of the whirling wind.
Mrs. T. looked out with an anxious heart as she saw the storm approaching in the distance; the dark, funnel-shaped cloud was not to be mistaken—a cyclone was about to burst upon them. She called to her husband to know if they should not take shelter in the cave; but it was too late; already the wind was blowing with such violence that Mr. T. could scarcely force the open door shut. Another moment and the roof of the house was taken off. and Mr. and Mrs. T., their five children, and the servant girl, were, all caught up by the whirlwind and carried away—some to one place, some to another.
When the poor mother, who was in delicate health, recovered herself enough to get up, she found she was unhurt, although she had been carried many rods away. But now her thoughts turn to her husband and children. Where are they? Hark! there’s a cry; it is the baby’s voice. She hastens to the spot from whence the sound comes and finds her little one lying unhurt behind a stack of straw—its shelter, the roof of the house!
What, a striking proof that God has His way in the whirlwind! The little babe had been caught up and laid as tenderly down behind the stack, as if a mother’s hand had placed it there; and the great roof had been whirled about and found its resting place against the stack in such a way as to protect the child from injury instead of falling on it and crushing it to death. How marvelous is God’s protecting care!
The violence of the storm was soon past, and the missing ones were sought after and found. Not one was killed, but several of the children were somewhat bruised. The house was blown down, and the furniture was scattered. When some of the pieces were found, they were twisted and warped as if some immense power had been applied; and such, indeed, there had been, for the force of the whirlwind cannot be estimated.
The father and mother were Christians, and they owned that this sad calamity was the Lord’s hand upon them. The father said the Lord had a controversy with them. But they owned His goodness in sparing their lives and thus shewing mercy to them.
And now, what shall we learn from this wonderful incident! Let us not forget that God flies upon the wings of the wind, and that He has His way in the storm.
We do not need to fear the whirlwind nor the storm, for they cannot touch us unless God permit; we need have no fear to let God have His way. But there is something, we do need to fear, that is, going our own way, for this it is that will bring God’s displeasure upon us. R.
ML 07/08/1900