The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1902-04-26

y wondering upon the problem which
my own state in the past night had
presented. Beyond Il doubt my faith
III heaven had failed me in crisis 1t
was useless TO say that l had dreaded
parting with her. had shrunk in ter
ror from the thought of loss, absolute,
irrcparable loss.
III striving to explain this cowardly
weakness my mind reverted to DR..
Brett. 1t had happened that in the
early days of Amy's illness / had spo-
ken of the strength of her spirit as be-
iE% able to sustain her body in the
coming emergency. This had resulted
| in Il somewhat aimless discussion dur
ing which the physician had presented
the stock arguments of materialism.
II was incuncrivablc to me that
| So nd have been Influenced by reason
inl not only basclcss, but dismaly IA
mii:r | could have said every word
tbs; h" uttered and could have given
Inn volume and page for his authority.
New views might have affected me
surely no; the old and the outwOrn.
W" h"d REQUIRED to the subject many
tl..rs. having been much together in
these days. and as | thought upon it
il III" library that morning the convic-
ttnn WAS forced upon me that in some
mysterious way the man had under
mined my faith. The thought excited
II sentiment in me. and, though he was
net present. | sat there Il long while
arguing with him. for could state his
View ut least as well as he could.
think. indeed. that my triumph was not
quite 80 complete as it would have been
If hr personally had supported his side
| OF the question. 1t was a proftcss
exercise. and | was none the better for
il;
Amy continued to improve. We were
allie TO converse together. to renew our
plans. to speak cautiously of the peril
thAt had passed. In those days | had
"!"" more the view of her own sweet,
staple and perfect faith. Though she
had felt herself going down into the
valley Of the shadow, she had seen no
final parting. She could have said
go;tl night TO me before the long dark
I.V.s> with as complete Il confidence as
ever Oh an evening with the next sun
SiX hours distant.
Til" relapse occurred upon the 29th
We felt no great alarm at first
counted upon the strength which she
i."d shown upon the former occasion
and WIS far more hopeful, being able
to devote myself to the duties of my
calling with some approach to the at
icntion which they deserved. | spent
less time than formerly at her house,
knowing that she regretted my aban.
dOninG of my work, and it was because
of Il word from her that | gave the
afternoon of Tuesday following the
date mentioned above to the prcpara-
ton of my Easter sermon.
| was aware of my uniitnCss for this
task. No man less than myself was
qualified TO show the light to others
for it had gone out in my hands so re-
Gently, leaving me in darkness | hoped,
however, TO derive some persona! ben
eft from the work. 1t was my intrn-
ton TO meet more boldly in this sermon
the arguments which | had learned to
regard with Il new adherence. That
they are REPUTABLE is beyond Il doubt.
| spent an hour fruitlesSly in my
study, and then upon Il sudden inspira-
ton went UP to the room which was my
mothers and which. since her death.
bod not been in use. | kindlcd Il cheer
rul open fire and drew Il table near to
1t.
| had not told any one where ! was
going, but the omission did not impress
me. | did not dream that they could
fail to know that | was in the house or
couid call my name without my hear
Ing
In the cheerful warmth of the liz"
began my work. | set up first Il logical
scheme upon which the discourse
Should be based. but it was na sooner
done than my mind wandered away
from ii. found myself considering Il
question thHt had greatly distressed
me: If Amy continued TO grow worse.
should we be married i'll that room
where she lay? Would all the long
happiness That | had planned Shrivcl
into il few days of despair? To take
one hand while death held the other,
to promise her ut the moment when
must know that | could do nothing for