Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1879-12-20
rRUE STORY or ANSWERED.
PRAYER.

round the Drea kfslSt table. There
was a small piece of bread on the
hoard-the only food in the house.
snow was on the ground, and the
little girl had hard work to keep
tho tears from forcing their way
down her blue cheeks. There was
no fire In the CRATE, and 10 fuel TO
kindle one. For several wears this
poor widow had struggled hard
against poverty. Her Beloved hus-
band had been Very suddenly called
ZIP higher, leaving her with baby
girl Just two months old. At first
her grief was SO great that she was
unable to look after anything in the
house. Relatives and friends were
kind and did what they could, but
the spare money was spent, and
when she was able to see TO her
household she had only few
pounds in the bank.
What could she do? The house
was hers 50 long as she remained
unmarried, and there was a ssnall
sum she might expect yearly; for
the interest OF the children's money
was hers until the Youngest became
of are. But that would not go far
toward clothing, feeding and edu-
eating her little ones. The maid
servant was dismissed, and the
other expenses brought down as
low rs they could possibly be. She
tried needle-wOrk, but her health
failed. Then she invested her little
stock Of money in various small
articles and opened a shop. This
only lasted two years for customers
finding the meek widow not careful
about gathering in her debts, always
had ready excuse when she mildly
asked if il would not be convenient
for them to settle their account.
Things went on thus, until being
unable to repIenish her stock, the
ahoD had TO be closed, and again
the widow had To seek Il way by
which she could earn n livelihood
for her family.
She was a sincere Christian-One
Df those who could trust the Lord
when she could not see or under
stand his dealings. So, after laying
her plans before her Heavenly
Father, she spoke to her neighbors,
asking them for three-penee per
week, to allow her TO take care OF
and teach their very young chill
dren. This they were glad to do,
for many Of them had TO do their
own hOusework, and were only toe
thankful to have q nice place where
their little ones could be out of the
way and kindly cared for. The
plan prOspered for a time and the
widows heart was often cheered by
one and another OF the mothers
coming 10 thank her for the change
in their children, and telling her
how Of an evening, when father re-
turned from his daily toll, he for
rot his WEAKNESS and care in listen
ing TO the hymns which the little
ones had learned to sing so nicely
since they began to attend her
school.
But one day in the beginning OF
the summer, when the children
went as usual, they were told that
the teacher was in and could not
teach. The doctor said that it was
the teaching that had done it, and
for many weeks she lay apparently
unconscious. She recovered, to the
great delight of her three children,
who had prayed earnestly twice q
day that mother might be restored
to them again. Their prayer was
answered, but the widow was for
hidden to resume her teaching, anii
the little school was given up.
Friends helped, but this they could
not do much longer, and this poor
family found winter approaching,
with nothing in store and no
money. Thus we find them on this
particular New Years morning, as
we introduce them to the reader.
A blessing was asked, and the
crust divided between the children.
Neither of them murmured, only
begging their mother to eat some,
which she, poor creature, was una
bile to do. The meal over, the chill
dren gathered around for family
PRAYER. The eldest sat at his moth
er's left hand, the second son on hel
right, and the youngest on stool
at her feet.
my children" began the widow
''yOu know we have just finished
our last bit of bread, and l know
not where our next is to come from
our Savior SAYS that the sparrOws
are not forgotten before God. and
that we are of moro value than
many sparrows. luke xii: 6, a.
He also tells US to take no thought
for the morrow, what we shall eat
or drink. Matt. viz 25.) Knowing
this, let us believe that he will pro-
vide for us. Let US ask the Holy
Spirit to direct Us to portion OF
His word for encouragement and
strength" All heads were bent,
and the widow offered a short but
fervent prayer that they might
learn q lesson from this trial, and
be guided to a special promise for
comfort. Now, my son, speaking
To the eldest, Tread where you
open." And he began the 4lst
chapter of Isaiah, "Keep silence be-
fore me, d Israel" &c. Nothing
was said until he read the 10th
verse, when the widow clasped her
hands and exclaimed, There IL IL
There Is the answer! Read itagain,
and read il very slowly" And tha
lad read again: Fear thou not for
/ am with thee; be not dismayed ;
for am thy God; 1 will strengthen
thee; yea, will help thee; yea,
will uphold thee with the right
hand Of my Righteousness" A
third time the mother asked for it,
and again il was read, "Listen,
children; these are the words Of our
Heavenly Father, the Almighty
God, Jehovah, and he says, Fear
not; | ann with thee-that means
rs. 'Be not dismayed, for L am
thy God 10 he has al power to
rule our affairs, and do for US far
more abundantly than we can either
AK or think. Il will siren then
thee help thee, uphold thee with
the right hand Of my righteousness.
WHAT more can we possibly need
than he has promised Us here ?
Finish the chapter, and then let u
thank him for his special message"
The chapter ended, the widow
again drew the attention of her
little ones 10 the 18th verse, "FoT /
the Lord thy God will hold thy
right hand saying unto thee, fear not.
"iIere the Lord says he will hold our
handwith his right hand; he will lead
rs, guide us and protect US. Then
the 18th verse seems sosuited 10 our
ease, for we are indeed "pOor and
needy These promises are given
us; IL Just remains for us TO ask.
ASK and it shall be given you "
luke xvii: 81 The four knelt
down, and the widow opened her
heart and told il all to Jesus. she