The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1864-12-08
CHILDREN'S COLUMN.
What Shall we Do?"

A good many. years ago, q company of
little boys started out one pleasant summer
afternoon to 90 plum hunting. The plum
orchard was distant from Augusta some
three or four miles, and near what ~as
Yelled the Sand Bar Ferry. Part Of the
road lag through long LAM, shaded on
either side by large oaks, making delight
fol, pleasant walk and along this the little
boys trudged, some whiathng, others sing
ing, each carrying on bis arm basket,
and quite happy as be thought of he sweet,
ripe, luscious fruit he intended TO ill it with,
and take home to mothers and sisters
: When one little sooner wearied than the
rest fingered behind, the balance bad only
10 call cut, ''Plums ahead, walk up and
the very idea would quicken the laggGrd's
steps, sending him forward wish new
strength. Tie little party had gone about
half the defiance, when one of the larger
boys called their attention to the sound of
thunder in the distance, and then, for the
fcst time, they noticed dark cloud rising
in the West. A storm wss coming, and
each boy qqickened bis pace as if to get out
Of reach OF it, but ell to no purpose.
With fearful rapidly the fierce angry
looking cloud arose until Il spread the whole
length Of the horizon. Soon the bright sun
was oyershadowed, and now the forked
Lightning began to play no and down, while
peal after peal of tbuuder rolled and reger-
berated through the heavens, and the wilma,
which was but little while so still, began
to make wild havoc 1t blew the white
sand up in the clouds, bent the branches Of
the huge old oaks quite to the ground, ard
whirled up and down and round in such
manner IL seemed almost impossible for
some of the smaller boys to keep their foot
ing. II looked useless to proceed any fnr-
Their, and two of the little boys by name Zoe
and John, and brothers they we're, deter
mined to go back home, They turned round
and commenced retrscing their steps, keep
ing rs near az possible together. And now
the big drops of rain come falling thick and
fast on they 60, the lightning playing
across their pathway, the thunder rolling
overhead, until at last they are forced to
stop for shelter beneath a tree.
Joe" said John, the younger child, as
be raised his pale, tearfulface to his brother,
"W'hot shall ,gs do-2"
Il don't know, John; what can We do =
Lets pray, joe"
Aaa4H aOGn -TheY kuelu, those two little
boys, amidst the fierce warning elements,
and prayed their little voices rose far
above the noise and tumult Of the angry
tempest, and entered into the ear of Him
who hath all power in heaven and earth
These two little boys prayed, and then
slowly arose from their knees aud com.
menced their way homevard.. Gradually the
storm sbated. The rain ceased to fall so
fast, the wind hushed its roarings, and the
thunder died eff in the distance, the light
ming sank to reft, and by the time Joe and
John reached home. the sun was lst setting
behind the tree tops, flooding all nature
With a halo Of beautiful golden beams
They got no plums that day, but they went
to bed feeling that God had taken care OF
them, and brought them safely home.
This little incident plainly shows that
even little children know in the hour of dan
ger where to fee for assistance; they know
trho is able to help, and it beautifully il
Illustrates the power and simplicity of a
child's faith.
Both of those little boys are now men ;
one of them is minister of the gospel,
earnestly engaged 10 his Masters work ;
the other, we have strong faith to believe, will
one day be numbered among 1.-The saved"