The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-03-09
SUNDAY READING. f.
WHAT GOD DOES IS FOR THE BEST.

years ago in Petersburg, Virginia. She
was married woman, and the mother
of four children at the time of the oc-
currence of the incident which i now
relate. The writer received the story
from her own lips before she was called
away from earth. She died at an adj
vanced age, having adorned her Chris
tian profession by life of exemplary
plety.
Martha, her eldest child, was beauti-
ful girl, at the time referred to being
about fourteen years Of age. She was
her mothers idol, though her mother
was unconscious of the fact Handsome
in person, sweet in disposition, gentle
In her manners, and withal devotedly
attached to her mother, she occupied
supreme place In her affections. Just
as she was verging on womanhood she
was taken Ill, and gradually from bad to
worse. The most assiduous care In the
way of nursing and the constant atten-
tion of the skillful physician failed to
arrest the disease. The mother was
frantic In her grief as 1t became ap-
parent that Martha must die. Amidall,
the sweet girl was calm, patient, and
resigned. AT last the death angel came
and released the wan and wasted suffer
er from the grasp of the disease.
The mother was positively inconsola-
ble. Nothing could allay the bitter an
guish of her heart. She lost her appe-
tite, refused to take her food, sleep de-
serted her pillow, and gradually she
wasted away almost to skeleton. She
wept until she had no more tears to
weep. Her friends exhausted every de-
vice to divert her mind from the painful
subject. Her pastor prayed, counselled,
and admonished in vain. 1t seemed she
must waste away and die.
In this state of mind, late one night,
she fell asleep, with few stray tear
drops on her shrivelled cheek. Her
sleep was fitful for awhile, and then she
fell into profound slumber, and sleep
ing she dreamed. Suddenly, as she re-
lated the vison to me, a bright and
beautiful angel, clothed in the habili-
ments of light, appeared to her, and, in
sweet and winning voice, tenderly
asked.
Would you see Martha Z"
Instantly she responded.
Yes; above all things in the universe
/ would see her.o
"Then follow me-" said the heavenly
visitant.
She arose and followed her guide with
out word of further inquiry. Present
ly stately and magnificent edifice
greeted her wondering and halfbewil-
dering gaze. The door of entrance was
open. She assembled the steps and en-
tered the resounding hall, following
close behind the angel, not knowing
whittier he would lead her. Without
even casting glance behind or saying
a word, suddenly the angel paused and
with his ethereal finger touched a
spring. Noiselessly door swung wide
open and revealed the inmates to her as
tonished gaze. There was throng of
excited jewellers, in the midst of bac-
chanalian excesses, flushed with wine,
and presenting revolving scene of de-
bauchery and worldly dissipation. The
angel pointed his white index finger at
the most conspicuous figure in the
group, the one who led the dance
and was most boisterous in the mirth
and festive glee, and the turning his eye
on the mother, said,
"There is Martha, behold her."
The mother passionatelv exclaimed,
"No, mol that is not Martha 1 was
raising her for God, and for his church,
and for Heaven. That is not Martha"
$50 you thought" responded the an
gel in tenderest accents " but she was
your idol. You could deny her moth
ing. That is what she would have
been."
The door closed.
Follow me-" said the angel.
She followed with palpitatiDg heart.
Her mind was filled with anxious and
painful thought. The angel paused and
again touched secret spring, and the
door flew open as if on golden hinges.
Before her enraptured eyes there was
displayed vast multitude OF the most
resplendid forms she had ever conceived
of in human mould. Brows of lustrous
beauty, faces radiant with supernal
light, voices sweetly modulated, and all
enrobed in spotless white. Not a trace
of sorrow was on any face. 1t was
Heaven, and the angel, pointed to the
brightest of the joyous and happy
throng, said, turning his glad eye on the