The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-01-17
Trial of Fred's Faith.
BY ESERNEE.


II m hungrier than ever tonight, Fred, >"
said Maggie Lee, as she sat on the door
step of a little brown house, YEARLY try
ing to patch large hole in her brothers
jacket. 1t was the only one he had, and
she wanted him to look as we'll as posi-
bic in Sunday School the next day, so that
the other boys should not laugh at him.
" almost wish, continued Maggie, "you
had not given up your place in Mr.
Finch's store, don't you? We used to
have plenty to eat when you worked
there. Are you not afraid we are going
to starve? There isn't but one slice of
bread in the house, and I don't know of
anything we can sell, except well-my
pink bingham, but then l couldn t 20 to
Sunday School. This long-sleeved apron
wouldn't do to wear, for it hardly comes
down to my knees"
Poor troubled Fred looking tenderly
down upon his little sister, said, O. 1t is
dreadful to be so poor, Maggie, but it is
worse to do wrong. You wouldn't want
me to work every Sunday and disobey
God. He will not let US starve Mother
said he always took care of children who
hadn't any father and mother, so He will
be sure to look after US.
suppose mother knew" said Mag
gle, but if God don t remember to help
us pretty soon, shall think she didn't
quite understand. Don't you believe
God sometimes forgets, Just as people do,
or perhaps He don't know the bread and
everything most, is all gone. We have
not told Him"
Why Maggie, you know God never
forgets, and He knows everything, but
he likes, to have us ask Him for what we
need, and he may be waiting for that, so
let s pray to Him right away"
Maggie dropped her work, and togeth-
er they went into the house, where, kneel-
ing beside low bench, they offered the
cbild-like prayer Of faith which God al
ways delights to hear and answer.
There is one thing which we can sell
perhaps that will help us for day or
two, till [ can find work." said Fred,
slowly, as, with brighter faces, they again
seated themselves on the doorstep. al
C IN take our little Mrs. Betty Brindle to
farmer Green, if you wouldn't mind
much, for, you know we haven't had any
eggs for several days, and we haven't
anything to give Der to eat, either"
" Oh Fred don't see how ! could
spare Mrs. Betty, l have such nice talks
with her when you are gone away but
them don't want her to starve, and if
you ever find a place, we can buy her
back"
: Don't say if, Maggie, I shall find a
place, for we have Just asked God for it.
" Well, said Maggie, drawing a deep
sigh, let's 30 and see what Mrs Betty
says about it."
So they went out into the coop, where
the little white hen had Just gone to
Toost, and after conversation with her,
which Maggie seemed to perfectly under
stand, they decided that Mrs Betty was
willing to 60, although Maggie insisted
upon it that Betty did not give one con-
senting nod until she had been assured
that they would bring her back some
day.
Hurra suddenly cried Fred, "what
did you lay your eggs in this chip basket
for, Mrs Betty2 Well for that, little
lady, you shall stay here till Monday,
anyway Look here, Maggie, four eggs
So we shant starve tomorrow.
Bright and early the next morning,
Fred and Maggie, dressed in the patched
Jacket and pink gingham, were seated in
their places in Sunday School. They
both had teachers who were much in
terested in their scholars. Freds teach
er was the daughter Of a wealthy mer.
chant, but none Of her numerous social en-
gagemeuts, ever prevented faithful pre-
paration for her class The subject oil
the lesson, for that day, was The Trial
Of Abraham's Faith, and as she earnest.
ly endeavored to bring the truth home
To tbeir ,roofio,I ,,eo IL .o4;a1 81