Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-08-04
STRENGTHENED BY FAITH.

LILO OeuCi uoJ % pun iiesio ooi Va
a boy, ten o: eleven years of age,
greatly emaciated and exhausted by
longstanding disease, was brought
up in the elevator to the operating
theater of the Royal Infirmary, in
Glasgow, to undergo an operation
which it was thought might possibly
have the effect of prolonging the
boys life. His condition, however,
was so low and unsatisfactory that
there was some fear not only that
the operation might not be success
full in its results, but that during or
Immediately following the operation
the boys strength might give in and
his spirit pass away. After reach
ing the theater, which is seated like
the gallery of a church, aud while
the operating table was being got
ready, the little fellow was seated
on a cushioned seat, and looking up
toward some students who we're
there to witness the operation, with
a pitiful, tremulous voice he said:
F" Will one of you gentlemen put up
just a wee prayer for a wee boy-I am
in great trouble and distress-.just a
wee prayer to Jesus for me in my
sore trouble" The surgeon, pattlng
him on the shoulder, spoke kindly
to him, but as he heard no prayer
and saw probably only a plying
smile on the faces of some Of the
students, he turned his head away
and in childish tones and words,
which were sufficiently audible to
those around him, he asked Jesus,
his friend, "the friend of the wee
boy who loved Him." to be with him
to have mercy on him in his dis
tress. And, while the young doctor
was putting the boy under chloro-
form so that he might feel no pain
during the operation, SO long as he
was conscious the voice of the boy
was still heard in words of prayer.
The surgeon, as he stood by the ia
BILE on which the boy lay, knowing
that he had to perform an operation
some GOODNESS and calm.
ness and delicacy Of touch, felt just
a little overcome. Ba
There was a lump in his throat
which rather disturbed him. Soon
however, he heard the words from
his assistant who was administering
the chloroform, Doctor, the boy is
ready )" and taking the knife in his
hand, lump or no lump, had to begin
the operation. Soon the surgeon
was conscious that the prayer which
the little boy had offered up Tor him.
self had included in it's answer some
one else, for the GOODNESS of head,
of hand and delicacy of
touch all came as they were needed
and the operation was completed
with more than ordinary ease. dex-
terity and success.
On the following morning, the
surgeon going round his ward from
bed to bed, and coming to that on
which the little boy lay, saw from
the placid, comfortable look on his
face that his sufferings had been re-
lieved, and that all was well with
him. Going up to the bed and TAX
ing the little wasted hand, which
seemed no larger than that of a ba-
Ear doll, the surgeon whispered into
his ear: 1.-THE good Jesus heard
your prayer yesterday" A bright,
happy, contented look lit up the
boys face, and with feeble, yet dis
tinct pressure of the little hand, he
looked up in the DOCTORS face and
said: ~ kent He would" And
then he added: "You, doctor were
guide to me, too." But apparently
thinking that the doctor was on a
different platform and required
tangible for his care and
trouble, in plaintive voice he said,
g But / hae nothing to gle you," and
then a bright thought came into his
mind, and with a little cheer in his
tone, he added, 81 will just pray to
Jesus for you, DOCTOR" The surgeon
before leaving the ward, in bidding
the boy good bye for the day, ask
ed where he came from and learned
SO much about Jesus and to love him
so dearly. He answered: Il come
frae Barrbeid." "And you were in
Sabbath school there 7" go, yes,
in the Bourock School," Our readers
will be pleased to learn that the boy
made successful recovery and is
now at characterization Leader.
Helping the Right Side.