The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1880-01-15
ANSWERED. PRAYER.
A True Story-Proving That His
Promises Are Sure and
Steadfast.


On New Years morning a widow
and three children-two boys anC
one girl-sat round the breakfas
table. There was a small piece O
bread on the board-the only fooC
in the house. Snow was on the
ground, and the little girl had hare
work to keep the tears from forcing
their way down her blue cheeks
There was no fire In the CRATE, an6
no fuei to kindle one. For severa
years this poor widow had strug
gled hard against poverty. Her be
loved husband had suddenly beer
called~up higher, leaving her with {
baby girl just two months old. A
first her grief was so great that she
was unable to look after anything
in the house. Relatives and friends
were kind anG did what they could
but the spare money was spent, and
when she was able to see to hel
household she had only a few
pounds in the bank.
What could she do2 The house
WAS hers SO long as she remained
unmarried, and there was a small
sum she might expect yearly; for
the interest of the children's money
was hers until the youngest became
of age, But that would not go fal
towards clothing, feeding and edu-
eating her little ones. The maid
servant was dismissed, and the 9th
er expenses brought down as low
as they could possibly be. She
tried needle work, but her health
failed. Then she invested her little
stock of money in various small ar
ticles and opened a shop. This
only lasted two years, for custom
ers finding the meek widow not
careful about gathering in her debts
always had a ready excuse when
she mildly asked if it would not be
conEenient for them to settle their
account. Things went on thus, un-
til being unable to replenlsh her
stock, the shop had to be closed,
and again the widow had to seek a
way by which she could earn a live
ihood for her family.
She was q sincere Christian-one
of those who could trust the Lord
when she could not see or under
stand His dealings. So, after lay
ing her plans before her Heavenly
Father, she spoke to her neighbors,
asking them for three pence 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 too
thankful to have a 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 OF ten cheered by
one and another of the mothers
coming to thank her for the change
in their children, and telling her
how of al evening, when father re
turned from his daily toll, he forgot
his WEAKNESS and care In listening
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
she summer, when the children went
ls usual, they were told that the
teacher was i'll and could not teach.
The doctor said it was the teaching
that had done it, and for many
weeks she lay apparently uncon
scious. She recovered, to the great
delight of her three children, who
had prayed earnestly twice a day
hat mother might be restored to
hem again. Their prayer was an
swered, but the widow was forbid
len to resume her teaching, and the
little school was given up. Friends
helped, but this they could not do
much longer, and this poor family
found winter approaching, with no.
hing In store and no money. Thus
We find them on this particular
New Years morning, as we intro
luce 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
Die to do. The meal over, the chill
lren gathered around for family
prayer. The eldest son sat at his
Mothers left hand, the second son
IN her 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
lot where our next is to come from.
Dur Savior says that the sparrows
ire not forgotten before God, and
hat we are of more value than
many sparrows. duke xii: 6, 7.
lie also tells us to take no thought
If the morrow, what we shall eat or
rink. Matt. vi: 25.) Knowing
his, let US believe that he will pro-
ride for US. Let us ask the Holy
Spirit to direct us to a portion of
His word for encouragement and
strength" All heads were bent,
md the widow offered a short but
ervent prayer that they might
earn a lesson from this trial, and
De guided to special promise for
comfort. "Now, my son." speak
ng to the eldest, "read where you
,pen." And he began the 41st
,hapter of Isaiah, keep silence be-
ore me, o Israel" DC. Nothing
vas said until he reached the 10th
,erse, when the widow clasped her
lands and exclaimed, ''There it is
There is the answerl Read it again,
md read it very slowly" And the
ad read again: Fear thou not; for
am with thee; be not dismayed;
or am thy God; l will strengthen
hee; yea, / will help thee; yea,
will uphold thee with the right hand
If nv righteousness" A third |
lime the mother asked for it, and |
gain it was read. Listen, children;
hese are the words of our Heavenly
Father, the Almighty Jehovah, and
lie says, '"Fear not; 1 am with |
hee'- that means US. BE not dis
for 1 am thy God So He
II Pei