The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-07-28
60, but just as we were leaving cur pro.
tscting cliff, Ellen commenced

While the blows near me roll,
Willie the tempest still is nigh"
William and / joined. / never expect
to hear again such song till get home
to glory.
The same evening at twilight, | was
sitting alone on the verandah, when l
heard William enter the parlor, where he
was soon followed by Ellen.
Come, BIRDIE he said, as he playfully
swung her by the tips of her fingers to the
top of a low ottamon, standing upon which
brought her pretty head to the height of
his shoulder, come, birdie and what was
that promise you made me in the rock
to-day p
From my retreat, saw her as she
stood in her sweet simplicity before him.
You promised me guide, Ellie, better
and safer than yourself.
And | shall keep my promise, cousin
Willie, here it is-my dear, precious BIZ
ble.--When l was very little girl, your
mother gave it to me and taught me to
love it. You will love it the more because
it was hers and mine
L shall love it only because it was hers
and yours he said. / wish | had your
simple faith he added, slowly, taking her
little hand ia both of his, Ellie. dear
why do you love the bible SO p
The child looked up surprised, but see.
ing he waited for a reply, she said, Be-
cause it tells me of the love Of my blessed
Savior, who was delivered for our offences,
and raised again for our Justification
But you have never committed any sin,
my little cousin ; why do you need Sa-
visr p
'Oh, Willie, my heart wanders from
him every day. said the child in tone of
the deepest sincerity. Even my own
dear father could not bear with and for
give me, as Jesus does. 1t is very sweet
when my own selfishness Expresses and
weighs me down, to open here, and read
-" /, even | am he that blotteth out all
thy transgressions." "The blood of Christ
clenseth from all SIM" And, oh, Willie,
that dreadful night, when papa seemed
dying, and they sent me out Of the room,
1 stole into the library. and stood by his
chair, and thought he would never be
there again, and | threw myself on the
rug where | used to sit, and thought /
should never feel his hand again upon my
head, it seemed as if | should die. But
there came into my heart, and l said it.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than
l." My God shall supply all your needs
out of his richest of glory in Christ Jesus"
and L was comforted. Jesus was with me
all that dark night, and when, the next
morning, they told me that my dear father
would live, | found in my dear Bible just
the Psalm wanted to sing. Willie won't
you try my Bible Please to read it
through
Yes, Ellie, dear he said, stopping to
kiss her forehead, for your sake, 1 will
read ii through
No, Willie, replied the little earnest
voice, not formy sake. If you read
Gods Holy Word, it must be because you
need it, and God commands you to do it.
sat thore amazed at the frmness and
simple directions of the little creature
whom had so pharisaically set down as
frivolous. There was she speaking to the
strong man as none but his mother had
ventured to speak, and l felt that the
word was with power. l was humb!sd.
Bitter tears of modification and of repen-
tencs flowed down my cheeks. L ac-
knowledged my transgressions, and then
my voiceless cry went upward to Him who
uodlStu prayer lnut eFeu tllo mlBut pe
the hour Of his conversion | saw why l
had not been honored to lead my brother
to Jesus, l, who had never received the
kingdom of God as little child How
did that not for my sake of little Ellen,
rsbuke my self-seeking.
But to return. A few moments pause
ensusd. The stiffness was awfully solemn
could hear both breathe. Then Will
liam knelt on the little ottoman, by which
he had been standing. and still holding
her hands, in which was clasped the little
Bible, he said slowly and reverently-
Ellie, you have something, Of which l
know nothing. May God grant me the
like precious faith. You have not been
disappointed in the world, have not been
overwhelmed by afflictisns and sorrows,
you love the Bible and find your chief
happiness in Gods service. l will read
this Bible. as you say, for my own sake,
.o1 booau.. Gol L.. Al