The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-11-18
Quietness.

Itwas autumn time. An educated
Christian lady, warned by the rapid
progress Of disease, resigned her place
as Instructor in a ladies' seminary,
and returned home to die. No medi-
cal skill c)uld avail. The unwasting
love of O mother might soothe the suf-
ferer, but could not arrest that fever
which was daily consuming vital
force. Each symptom was tenderly
watched with alterations of hope and
fear; at one time the varying changes
giving encouragement, at another
causing painful apprehensions of a
speedy departure.
One Sabbath day, as the mellow
light Gf autumn crept softly into the
sick chamber, the patient sufferer call
ed her sister to her bedside. She said !:
II do not know how soon the end will
come but there isoue thing that has
given me trouble. 1t is the quietness
almost unconcern-wlth which l
view the future. | cannot understand
it. Surely, my heart ought to be al
ways engaged in prayer but it is not
so. I seem to be resting, with only an
occasional thought of death. This
freedom from solicitude about myself
and spiritual things gives me concern.
Why should 1t be so? Even as | recall
the mercies OF God, I seem not to be
moved in an unusual way the love of
Jesus is no more than enjoyed in
health the Bible is The same as before.
1 seem to he quietly resting-that is
all. Is this right, or am l mistaken
Us to my religion, after all these years
of profession The Bible was forth
with opened; and scuh passages as
these were read: Take My yoke upon
you, and learn of Me, and We shall find
rest unto your souls;;" "In quietness
and confidence is your strength )"
"The work Of righteousness shall be
peace, and the effect of righteousness,
ouietness and assurance forever )"
1.-THE ornament of a meek and quiet
spirit, which is in the sight of God of
great price," etc. 1t was given her
while listening to such Scriptures to
see a new meaning in spiritual quiet {;
all that the heart was expected to do
was to "be still" before the Lord
How the light broke upon her soul,
producing an increased peace. 1t was
| llO lOllScI q lCllpVoIioii w iISt Vtie&t ShS
could not always enter with intense
earnestness into the prayers offered in
her sick-room. She now began to
realize the blessed privilege Of quietness
in sicnness. Why should she grow
faint? The Lord was her keeper He
was at her right hand the floods
could not overWhelm her; she knew
whom she had believed, and that He
was able 10 keep that which she had
coz mitted unto Him. The hour OF
departure came, finding her still rest
|ing-an hour so welcome TO the wait
ling child Of God, 1t came, as does
the close of beautiful autumn day,
crowned with golden fruit-age, calm
in loveliness, as the autumnal sun gen.
tly sinks away behind the hills-so she
died in quiet peace. Heaven burst
upon her view. "Thine eyes shall see
Jerusalem, quiet habitation, a taber.
nacle that shall not be taken down."
Here is a lesson for us all. If in life
we are wholly devoted to God, the end
Is always the same. "Mark the per-
feet man, and behold the upright fol
the end Of that man is peace" Oul
Saviour will say to us in our failing
strength, my peace l give untoyou. :"