The Forrest City times., 1892-05-06
that holy and trust the result to Him who controls the weather

heard the deacon's voice. and follow ing the sound found the old man in the ruined field singing among the stub ble. Not break in the grand old hymn to tell of doubt or discourage ment or distrust. In the midst of wreck and rum the altar had been erected and reconsecrated to Him who sends both sun to soften and rain to destroy.
 Its bad mighty bad. a-comin' on me just now; there ain't no denyin' O that" he told neighbor Foster But the cornhelds left mn that's a good deal to be thankful for"
 50 tis. so 'tis " replied the farmer, and he went home feeling that some- how Deacon Ellis affairs were as bad as they could be. but might be worse if the deacon had mind to look on the dark side.
 Well" said Mrs. Foster when her good man rode into the back yard. 'is Deacon Ellis a-thinking of the Lord because the wheat's all spilled. 'Zekiel?"
 ..No. Nancy, replied Farmer Eos ter the deacon ain't such fool as :o do that. He's some cut up about the wheat. but he's Jubileein' pow'ful over ihe corn"
 Well when the corn's gone he'll nitrate over the ground being left An when that's tux therell sloly be nothin' left for Deacon Ellis to be gloryfyin' over An it'll be tuk, mark what 1 tell you. Tekiel."
 It was not long after this that the deacon's little girl died. This was the heaviest blow that had fallen upon him. but so deeply engrossed was he in the effort to comfort his stricken wife that he forgot his own sorrow, and failed also to notice that the drouth had ripened the corn before its time so that where he had hoped to find the full. ripe ear only premature nubb ms were hidden away under the crisp vel ow sbucks.
 'Well" !" the deacon drew his wife's head to his bosom we have got each other Mary. an that's heap to thank the Lord for.
 But even that solace was denied him very long. Always. as the dea- con said, .one of the ailin' ones the strain upon mind ana heart was too great for the frail body and Mrs Ellis was laid to rest by the side of her little girl under the cedars be- yond the wheatfield.
 The deacon's cross was growing heavy indeed The neighbors began to call him Job and. although his voice still led the old hymn on Sab bath mornings .n the village church. there was n quiver in it that told how heavily the tired heart was leaning upon the Goodness and Mercy" which he declared had followed him all the days of his life.
 Yet he still sang Tn the corntield when the skimpy nubbins had been stored. and there was nothing to do put to gather the fodder:
 .Oh, to Grace how great a debtor
 Daily I'm constrained to be.
 The poor heart felt revival of the long tried trust as the crisp golden blade rustled to his touch. its something to be thankful for" he said to his hired boy. David. pulling the last armful from the stunted stalks.
 Then the harvesting was finished {; except the gathering of the pippins and the wines saps, and as the crop had been d short one. the gathering of it in was a small matter
 We've got enough to eat any how" he told the neighbors 'an' that's something to be thankful forp.
 Finally the fruit was stored and Deacon Ellis entered into hIs we'll earned winter rest.
 The Lord will let Job alone now, !" Farmer Fosters wife now said. 'an' sholy if is time"
 But the deacon's troubles were not yet ended there was still one more calamity in store for him-the fire that burned his barns and destroyed his last faint hope of paying of the mortgage upon his land. It was nearly the final stroke. The old man had buried his wife and child, for whom he worked and saved now the means of his own livelihood were vanishing.
 His neighbors were appalled,. The good old deacon had no enemies; and now even those who had found some thing to laugh at in his great faith in the face of calamity were shocked.
 The Sunday following the burning of the barns the neighbors met early at the church and discussed the matter among themselves. It was finally de- cided that among themselves they would raise enough money to pay of the mortgage on the farm. and from their own full granaries furnish seed for the next year crop.
 Il want to hear him bless the Lord once more, " said Farmer Foster. with a big tear ln either eye.
 And have somethin' to bless Him for, added his wife. as she brushed of crystal drop that had trickled to the tip of her nose.
 Then some one whispered that the deacon was at the door and the con. gregation settled down to its accus- toned quiet and decorum as the old man entered. He was aging Deacon Ellis was, he leaned heavily upon his staff. and the neighbors noticed. for ! the first time how the silver in his | hair had given place to snow. Farmer Fosters tears no longer stood in his eyes but followed each other in quick succession down his sun Drowned checks He felt as did many others of the congregation. that 1 at last Deacon Ellis stood face to face