rtal. "O my darling, speak to me once
more!" The large blue eyes slowly unclose; a look of disappointment
comes into them as she says, "Where has Jesus gone?" The dear eyes
softly close; she sinks again into unconsciousness; the beautiful
expression of happiness returns; the mother knows that her darling is in
the arms of Jesus and is content.
Mrs. Worthington did not sorrow as those who have no hope; for she knew
that her heavenly Father knew best, and she could look up with
confidence and say, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away:
blessed be the name of the Lord." With the father it was different. Up
to this time he had never had any serious thoughts of a future life. He
knew that his wife was a good woman, but he considered her religious
views rather strange. She had seen so much error among the popular
religious denominations and had felt such bondage when meeting with
them, that she worshiped with a few spiritual people in a little
prayer-meeting. Because of this peculiarity, he had even feared that her
mind was affected; but now, when he saw her fortitude under deep trial,
he felt that surely there was an unseen power supporting her--a power
that he secretly longed to possess, although the time for attaining it
he set indefinitely in the future.
As Louise had been his idol, his grief was deep. It stirred his whole
being. Her last testimony had convinced him that there is a Savior, that
he is interested in mankind, and that he is able to keep in every
affliction. Standing by the cold, lifeless form of his little daughter,
he promised God that he would meet her in heaven.
After these things Mrs. Worthington realized more keenly than ever the
value of confidence between children and parents. With renewed energy
she sought daily to strengthen that cord which now seemed to her almost
divine. Her daily talks now contained a richer and deeper meaning to
Bessie, whose understanding of heavenly things was growing clearer since
her sister's death. Through her mother's teaching she gained a knowledge
of God and spiritual life that would have taken her many, many years to
comprehend had she been left to herself.
Mrs. Worthington was surprised and pleased to note Bessie's confidence
in her mother's teaching. One day, in answer to the assertion of a
little neighbor girl that Louise was not alive, but dead and buried,
Bessie said, "I know Sister's body is dead and buried, but her soul is
living with Jesus. He was
|