trials. She soothed and kissed the weeping children
by turns, but their grief was so violent, they refused to be
comforted.

The night her mother was consigned to the grave, was indeed a trying
one to Helen. The good clergyman, who had gone back to the house after
the funeral, now knelt in prayer with the bereaved ones, and
commending them to the care of their Heavenly Father, took leave,
promising to be with them early next day.

"Farewell, my child," said he, to Helen, "fear not for the future, for
it is a merciful and loving God who lays his rod upon you; and though
the clouds of darkness loom heavily around you, with Him nothing is
impossible; and He could, in one moment, disperse them, if it were
better for you. May you be purified by the affliction He sends. Good
night, once more, and remember that not a sparrow falls to the ground
unheeded by Him who made it."

How was it that this feeble child of affliction, went to bed that
night in some degree composed? For every earthly hope seemed blighted.
Her parents, one by one were re-called; her little patrimony taken
away; and she and the little ones left almost friendless. Was it to
make her the better feel where she could and must place her sole
dependance? Doubtless it was. Oh! ye happy sons and daughters of
prosperity, do you read this description, which many an afflicted one
is now realizing, with apathy? Do ye regard it as an over-wrought
scene of trial? Believe me it is no such thing. While you are
surrounded by every earthly comfort, I will say by every earthly
luxury; lolling, perhaps, on your sofas, or in your easy chairs, your
cup filled to overflowing with every blessing, hundreds of your fellow
creatures, young as you, are suffering privations, you hardly like to
_think_ of, but which they, alas! have _to bear_.

Helen rose early, refreshed by a long sleep, brought on by many nights
of broken rest. She kissed the tears off her sleeping brother and
sister's cheeks, and having recommended herself and them to God,
proceeded to commence the arduous duties that now devolved on her.
When Mr. Montgomery came, he found her doing that which he was about
to suggest, viz., preparing for an immediate sale of the furniture, by
taking an inventory, while the faithful servant was busily employed
cleaning the house, for which a tenant was luckily found. The two
young ones were doing their best to aid their sister. Mr. Montgomery
wished them sent to the vicarage, but