Year: 1861

When my Willie was sixteen he accidentally
dropped valuable watch into the we'll. His
father was absent from home; and without
consulting me, he resolved to recover the trea-
sure. Providing himself with long hand led
rake, be gave it in charge of his sister Jennie,
two years younger, and bidding her to lower
1T TO him when he called, he stepped into the
bucket, and holding fast by the rope he COM
menced his descent. The bucket descended
more rapidly than Willie expected, and struck
heavily against the side of the well; the rope
broke, and he was thrown into the water.


s'Mother, shall be drowned,'' was his de-
spairing cry; which Jennie reechoed with
wall of anguish. But knew the depth of the
water; and shouted to him as calmly as
could. ssStand upon your feet, Willie the
water isn't over four feet deep.'' sBut shall
sink in the mud,'' said the hoy, still striving
to keep himself afoat by clinging desperately
10 the slippery stones.


s'No, Willie, there's rock at the bottom. Let
go the stones and stand up.''


The assurance of hard foundation. and the
impossbility of holding much longer TO the
shiny surface of the stone wall, gave him con-
fidence. He felt for the rocky bottom, placed
his feet firmly upon it, and to his great Joy
found that the water scarcely reached his
shoulders. l sent Jennie to the house for a
new strong rope, and fastening one end secure
ly, lowered the other to him to be tied to the
bucket, and l drew him safely up. "Oh,
mother" said the dear boy when he was res
cued, .sthose were precious words to me,
There's rock ut The bottom l shall never forget
them.''


Two years after. in a commercial panic, my
husbands property was swept away and we
were reduced to poverty. at first | bore
bravely up. L did not prize wealth and luxury
for my own sake, neither did covet for my
children. l chiefly mourned for my husbands
disappointment and crushed hopes, and strove
by unfaggiHg cheerfulness to chase away the
gloom which settled so heavily upon HIM.
endeavored to assist him, not only by the ut
most economy in household expenses, but by
deyisng plans for the future. Willie and Jen-
ME were old enough to earn their own sup
port, ,and even TO assist in the education of the
younger children. | succeeded in putting them
in way to do this. / felt strong and brave
and almost wondered at my husbands despon-
denceS.


But new reverses came. The bank in which
Jennie had deposited her quarters salary,
which might possibly meet our necessities,
suddenly failed, and her money was lost.
cou Id bear this too she would soon be able
to replace it. Next, the school in which she
taught was dfsbanded, and Jennie had to take
much lower wages but she still earned little.
and L said cheerfully, esWe will not murmur;
half loaf is better than no bread.'' Next,
Willie's hand was disabled by an accident, land
he lost his situation. My courage began to
give way but rallying' myself for one more
effort, resolved to brave the reproaches Of
friends and the worlds dread laugh, and seek
renumerative employment for myself. 1t
sorely tried my womanly delicacy yet if brought
the needful aid, and battled with my woman
y sensitiveness, and again screwed up my
failing courage. But the last blow came
sickness suddenly laid me PROSTATE. 81 shall
give up now F.; we must all sink together,'' was
the language Of my despairing soul.


7
my lamantation, edo you remember what you
said to me when l was at the bottom of the
well! | have thought often of that of late.
L know we are in deep waters, but God has
promised that they shall not overflow us. And
is his word without foundation Let us plant
our feet upon his promises, and stand firmly.
We cannot sink for sthere's rock at the bottom.'


heard, and took the lesson to my heart. |
saw that had been clinging to the slippery
stones of human strength and self-dependence
and so, when the providence of God bade me
let go my hold, was in despair. But the
bank OF heaven bad not failed God was able
to redeem his promises, and though stood in
deep water, it should not overwhelm me,
neither should | sink for s.there's rock at the
bottom"


So from the chamber where pain and illness
still holds me prisoner,I send to each burdened
and weary child of God, who is tempted to
feel that all is lost, the keynote of my new
and greatful psalm; whatever your sorrow or
strait may be, plant your feet on the Rock Of
Ages,and with me, ssthank q cd and take cour-
age"