The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1872-06-15
IN THE DARK.

n
There come seasons of darkness TO all
our lives Who has not known them?-
Times when there are neither sun, nor
moon, nor stars IN the sky; and We stand
still H. fear, or grope onward IN trem bling
uncertainty.
\ few years ago there fell upon my life
one of these seasons. in which could see
neither to the right hand nor to the len.
a terror Of darkness WAS upon me.
One night lay awake. thinking, think
ing until my brain grew wild with uncer-
tainty. I could no; see even a step in ad-
vance, and feared to move onward. lest
with the next footlaB / should plunge in
to hopeless ruin. Very strongly was |
tempted TO turn aside from the way il
which was going-a way reason and
conscience approved as right; but some.
thing held me back Again and again |
took up aud considered the difficulties OF
my situation, looking to the right and the
lett for ways OF extri cation, now resolving
to 90 in this direction. and now in that.
yetalways held away from resolve by inner
convictions Of right and duty, that grew
clear at the moment when | was ready to
give up my hold on integrity
so the honrs went heavy-footed until
past midnight NV little daughter WINS
sleeping in the crib beside my bed. But
now she began To move uneasly. and pres
emily her timid voice broke l,iutly on the
still air
Papa papa she cried.
What il it, darling? | asked
"Oh, papa 1t is dark Take Nellies
hand
i reached out my hand and took her
tiny one IN my own, clasping it firmly
ala n raIF. Il
All her loneliness and lear we're gone. and
in few moments che was sound aslesp
again.
"Oh my Father in heavenl / cried, in a
sudden, almost wild outhur-t OF feeling
sit lis dark, very dark Take my hand
\ great peace fell upon me. The ter
ror of darkness was gone. Keep hold Of
my hand O my Father prayed fervent-
ly and though ] should be called to walk
through the valley and shadow of death.
| will tear no evil. Let not my feet wan
der 10 the right or to the lett"
sleep that kuits up the rayeled sleeve
Of care tell softly on my eyelids, and
morning broke with scarce a seeming in
teryal of time
felt calm and strong. The day was to
be one Of severe trial a dark cloud Of
uncertainty rested over IT, But | was re-
solved to walk steadily through its trials
and ITS pains, holding tightly The hand of
my Father
Oh, is not the Lord better to US, if we
VIII trust Him, than all our fears? There
came fierce assaults upon my integrity.
wa- lured by golden promises. was
threatened with disease and disgrace. Inn
my hand lay in the firm clasp of one who
'ticketh closer than brother and who i,
strong 10 save
In my rectituie | found safety. Had
s"erved, | would have gone down to hone
less ruin. Even my tempters, who had
hoped to gain through my detection from
honor, bore witness To- my integrity. And
now, having escaped the perils Of this dif-
hcuIt ana dangerous pass, "a poodly land
opened TO view, and I found possessions
therein which are held in peace and hon
or unto this day. But the highest aud
near ~ OF all my possessions is my integri-
w. which, but Tor the hand Of my Father.
srasped IN darkness, I should have lost
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