Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-04-28
MISCELL A N Y.
THE SILVER DOLLAR.

1t was season of great scarcity on the
hill regions of New Hampshire, when a
poor woman, who lived in hut by the
woods, had no bread for her family. She
was sick. and without either friends or mon
ey. There was no helper but God, and she
betook herself to prayer. She prayed long
and she prayed in earnest; for she De-
lieved that He who fed the young ravens
would feed her.
On rising from her knees one morning,
her little barefooted girl opened the door to
90 out something shining on the sill stop
ped her. The child stopped down. and be-
hold, silver dollar! She ran and took it
to her mother. 1t really was new, round,
bright silver dollar. They looked up and
down the road not living person was in
sight, ,aud neither footsteps or wagon wheels
were any where to be heard.
Where did the dollar come from' Did
God send it: Doubtless it was from his
hand but how did 1t get there? Did an
angel fetch it? No. God has always the
means for answering prayer without special
messengers. He touches some little spring
in the great machinery of providence, with
out in the least disturbing its regularity and
help comes. Sometimes we do not see eX-
actly how, as this poor woman did not ;
then it seems to come more directly from
him; while in fact our all being taken care
of ever since we were born, comes just as
direct from him, only he employs so many
people to do it, fathers, mothers, servants,
shopkeepers, that we are apt to Loose sight
of him. and fix our eyes only on them.
But how did the silver dollar get on the
doorstep, some one may ask. 1t happened
that plous young blacksmith was going
down the seaboard in quest Of business. 1t
was several miles before he could take the
stage coach, and instead of going in the
wagon which carried his chest he said he
could walk. Come ride they said, it will
be hot and dusty He kept answering,
NO to all his friends urged. I'll walk, ,and
take short cut through the pines, and off
he started with stout walking stick. As
he was jogging along through piece Of
woods, he heard voice from little lonely
hut by the roadside. 1t drew his notice,
and he stepped towards ii on tip-toe then
he stood and listened, and found it was the
voice of prayer and he gathered from the
prayer that she who offered it was, poor,
sick, and friendless.
What can | do to help this poor woman"
thought the young man. He did not like
to go into the hut. He clapped his hand
into his pocket and drew out dollar, the
first silver dollar he ever had-and dollar
was big sum for him to give, for he was
not as rich then as he is now But no mat
ter, he felt that the poor woman must have
it. The dollar being silver, and likely to
attract notice as soon as the door was open
ed, he concluded to lay it on the sill and
90 away, but not far, for he hid behind a
large rock near the house, to watch what be-
came of it. Soon he had the satisfaction
of seeing the little girl come out and seize
the prize, when he went on his way rejoic-
ing.
The silver dollar came into the young
mans hand for this very purpose, for you
see paper dollar might have blown away;
and he was led 70 walk instead of ride
why.he did net exactly know, but God. who
directs his steps, did know. So God plans;
and we are his instruments to carry on his
plans. Oftentimes we seem to be about our
own business, when we are about his, an
swering. it may be, the prayers OF his peo-
pie.
The young blacksmith is now in the mid
die of hfe; he has greatly prospered, and
given away his hundreds since then, but,
perhaps, he never enjoyed giving more,
than when he gave his first silver dollar.