Some years ago, a dear Christian mother lived near the bank of the Missouri river, with her two little girls, aged four and ten.
One day she was called away to a neighboring town, so she left the two little girls at home, placing the younger one under the charge of the older sister.
After the mother left, a heavy storm began, frightening the children with thunder and lightning and rain. Some time after night-fall, the younger one fell asleep, while the older one sat up to watch. During the night, she was startled by a dull heavy sound at the door. Springing up to open it, she was met by the waters of the river, which had overflowed their banks and were beating against the house. With a hard push, she closed the door again, and, going to the window, saw that the rain had stopped and the moon was shining, but as far as she could see, it was only water, muddy water everywhere and rising rapidly.
She almost screamed with fear, but she knew Jesus, she knew that He is a very present help in time of trouble, and her fears were hushed. Gathering her little sister in her arms, she went softly up the stairs. She laid her on the bed, and then she knelt and cried to the Lord in her trouble, and she knew that He was near.
So the long night wore away. The candle flickered and burned out. Suddenly a sound broke the silence, which she knew too well was the breaking up of the furniture below. This awakened Dot, the little sister, who said, “Will mamma never come for us, Nellie?”
“If Mamma doesn’t, darling, Jesus will,” answered Nellie confidently.
“Then,” said the little one, “I wish He would come quick.” She fell asleep again, but soon wakened with another cry, “Mamma, I want Mamma,”
“Don’t cry, Dot. Sister will sing to you,” said Nellie. Tremblingly the young voice began:—
“Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o’ershaded,
Sweetly my soul shall rest.”
The words comforted her, and her voice found strength as she sang on to the end of the verse.
With the first gleam of the morning, two oarsmen rowed down the river searching for those in need of help.
“That’s a deserted house,” said one. “No use going there. In five minutes it will be down.”
“Hush,” said the other, resting on his oars, as a sweet childish voice rang out across the waters: “Sweetly my soul shall rest”
“Father in heaven,” said the man reverently as he thought of his little ones in safety at home, “there’s a child over there.”
A few strong strokes brought the the boat to the window sill, “Who’s there?” he called.
Nellie rushed to the window. “Come, my little maid,” he said, holding out his arms to her.
“No, Dot first,” she said, and, catching up the child, wrapped her in a blanket and passed her to the strong arms outside. Then she climbed into the boat.
They had hardly moved away before the old house tottered and fell into the water. But the two children, saved through the mercy of God, in answer to Nellie’s prayers, were soon placed in their mother’s arms.
ML 05/13/1951