came for Robert to go down to the meeting, she blessed
him and prayed heaven to make his words to the people like the words of
God.

"Father, what do you want me to do? Shall I stay here?" asked George,
who had not stirred out of the house all day. He had watched by Clara
faithfully. She was still in that mysterious condition of
unconsciousness which made her case so puzzling to the doctor.

Mr. Hardy hesitated a moment, then said: "No, George; I would like to
have you go with me. Alice can do all that is necessary. But let us
all pray together now before we go out. The Lord is leading us
mysteriously, but we shall some time know the reason why."

So in the room where Clara lay they all kneeled down, except Will, who
lay upon a lounge near his unconscious sister. Mr. Hardy, as he
clasped his wife's hand in his own, poured out his soul in this
petition:

"Dear Lord, we know Thou dost love us, even though we cannot always
know why Thou dost allow suffering and trouble; and we would thank Thee
for the things that cannot be destroyed, for the loves that cannot
suffer death, for the wonderful promises of the life to come. Only we
have been so careless of the things that belong to Thy kingdom! We
have been so selfish and forgetful of the great needs and sufferings
and sins of earth. Pardon us, gracious Redeemer! Pardon me, for I am
the chief offender! Yea, Lord, even as the robber on the cross was
welcomed into Paradise, welcome Thou me. But we pray for our dear
ones. May they recover! Make this beloved one who now lies unknowing
among us to come back into the universe of sense and sound, to know us
and smile upon us again. We say, 'Thy will be done.' Grant wisdom,
for Thou knowest best; only our hearts will cry out for help, and Thou
knowest our hearts better than anyone else. Bless me this night as I
stand before the people. This is no selfish prayer, dear Lord. I
desire only Thy glory; I pray only for Thy kingdom. But Thou hast
appointed my days to live. Thou hast sent me the message, and I cannot
help feeling the solemn burden and joy of it. I will say to the people
that Thou art most important of all in this habitation of the flesh.
And now bless us all. Give us new hearts. Make us to feel the true
meaning of existence here. Reveal to us Thy splendour. Forgive all
the past, and make impossible in the children the mistakes of the
parent. Deliver us from evil, and Thine shall be the glory fo