The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-07-11
Have You Been Upstairs? ?

Some few years ago, a poor man,
after heightened affliction, in which
nearly all his temporal means were eX.
hausted, died, leaving TO the care OF
God wife and several young chill
dren.
AT her husbands death, the support
of the family was to be obtained by
the widows toll :; and the means on
which she depended were very Preca-
riOus.
Trials came upon her apace, as she
trod 1.-The widows lonely way" and
sometimes so pressing were her dim
culties that she seemed to be on the
verge of destitution. Happily che had
chosen the Lord before these days OF
darkness and distress and now
found sweetness in claiming Him as
her husband.
She knew He had said {: "Let thy
widows trust in Me-" and, therefore,
rolled her burden of care on Him.
Never till now did she understand
the value of a throne of grace; for
often did new trouble drive her, as
plaintive suppliant, to pour her dis
tresses into the ear of mercy. She
had regular seasons for prayer; but
these were often supplemented for
when any fresh trial arose she retired
to spread it before the Lord. On these
special occasions she used to go into
her bedroom and so often did she go
thither, that her children both knew
why she went, and in every domestic
trouble expected her to 60. Her hab-
it was thus formed by circumstances,
and many delightful answers to pray
er proved it good one.
Her greatest trial, however, had not
vet come, and it remained to be seen
whether she would continue faithful.
All her wants had hitherto been sup
piled; but at length sore calamity
befell her, which threatened to plunge
her into ineXtricable distress. Employ
ment and money failed and as she
did not like to ask credit for necessa-
ries which she had not the probability
of paying for, she went to bed one
night without any food in the house
or the means of obtaining any.
The morning came, and when her
hungry children asked for their break
fast she had none to give them, and
what to do she could not tell. Grief
overcame her the thought that she
and her babes might starve fitted
across her mind, and she wept Bit
terly.
At that moment a sweet little boy
stole softly up to her, and taking her
hand in his said, "Mother, what is
the matter &? why do you cry 80 /? "Be-
cause my love-" che replied, have no
food for you, and cannot get any,"
Mother" he rejoined, "you have not
been upstairs this morning."
The good woman took the hint re-
tired as usual to spread this trial be-
fore the Lord, and asked the needed
supply and while she was praying
confidence sprang up in her soul, she
felt she could trust for that days
bread, and help was at hand. Scarce
ly had she left the room, when lady
called to ask if she wanted employ
ment who, on hearing of the condi-
ton of the family, Immediately fur
nished them with necessaries, and
placed the widow In situation of ease
and comfort.
How many trial would be eased,
how many temptation conquered,
how many deliverance gained, If we
would 90 "upstairs." or elsewhere, and
spread it ail before the Lord
Let US never forget the closet /; our
Father that seeth US in secret will
reward us openly with abundant
blessings.