The state herald., 1892-05-06

700 great Tor tho Trail body and Mrs.
Ellis wasl laid to rest by tho side
OF her little girl under the cedars bo-
yond the whcatfield.
Tho deacon's cross was growing
heavy indeed. Tho neighbors began
to call him Job. and. although his
voice still led the old hymn on Sab.
bath mornings in tho village church.
there was CULVER In II 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 IN the cornileld
when the skinny nubbins had been
stored and there was nothing 10 do
but to gather the fodder:
"oh, TO Grace how great debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be-
Tho poor heart felt revival OF the
Iong-tried trust rs tho crisp golden
blades rustled to his touch. '.lts
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 pipplns
and the winc.saps and as tho crop
had been short one, the gathering
OF II in was n small matter.
We've got enough to cat any
how" he told tho noighbors. AN
that's something TO be thankful
for.
Finally tho fruit was stored and
Deacon Ellis entered into his we'll
earned winter rest.
The Lord will let Job alone now. T"
Farmer Fosters wisc now eaid. an
sholy IL Is time"
But tho deacons troubles were mo-,
yet ended; there was still ono moro
calamity in store for him-the fire
that burned his barns and destroyed
his last faint hope OF paying OIL the
mortgage upon his land. II was
nearly tho final stpoke Tho old man
had buried his vito and child. for
whom hc worked md saved now tho
means Of his owr livelihood were
vanishing.
His ncighbors were appalled,. Tho
good old deacon had no enemies; and
now even those who Ind found somo-
thing TO laugh mt In his great faith
In tho face OF calamity wero shocked.
The Sunday following the burning
OF the barns the ncighbors met early
Mt the church and discussed tho matter
among themselves. II was finally do.
cidcd that among themselves they
would raise enough money to pay OIL
the mortgage on the farm. and from
their own full grnnaries furnish seed
for the next years crop.
Il want to hear him bless tho Lord
onco more" said Farmer Foster. with
big tear In eithor eye.
And have somethin' to bless Him
for. ~ added his wife as she brushed
oil n crystal drop that Ind tricklcd to
the tip Of her nose.
Then some one whispered that the
deacon was Mt the door and tho con.
grcgation settled down TO Its accus.
toned quiet and decorum us the old
man entered. lle was aging Deacon
Ellis was, he leaned heavily upon his
stat. and tho noighbors noticed. for
tho first time how tho 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
Drowned checks He felt. us did
many others OF the congregation that
at last Deacon Ellis stood # co TO iaco
with that moment IN his life when
there was nothing loft for gratitude.
For the first Sunday since the little
church had heard his prayers there
would bc no thanksgiving. Then tho
sympathetic farmer thought OF tho
mortgage already ms good us lifted.
and ho fclt strong impulse To rise up
In his place and toll him; TO cry out
Thank tho Lord II you wish; go on
thanking Him"
So excited did ho become that Mrs.
Foster touched him on the arm and
said. in II Whisper Ezekiel, knocl
down"
The deacon had begun his prayer;
broken and quivcring the nccenis soft
and slow tho petition. Tho rod had
fallen so heavily! There was piend-
Ing cry for strength, n grasp at faith.
full surrender TO tho will Of Him
who docth Nil things we'll; md then
M tho voice gathered strength and the
heart returned 10 Its old.,imo trust.
tho chief characteristic Of his religion
cxcricd itself und Deacon Ellis
thanked the Lord that she whom lie
had given 10 be TO him n holpmaio and
solncc Ind boon gathered Into res,
before his calumltios had oycr,akcn
him.
Then. ns the grand old voice roso
again In tho sweet familiar hymni
Here I'll raise minr Ebnnckcr,"
tho people listening fclt indeed tho
subllmlty OF faith erecting It's altar
upon tho ashes OF despair Youths
Companion.