[Illustration: "The children saw their fate. They then knelt down and
commenced to pray."]
When the Lawrence Mills were on fire a number of years ago--I don't mean
on fire, but when the mill fell in--the great mill fell in, and after
it had fallen in, the ruins caught fire, there was only one room left
entire, and in it were three Mission Sunday School children imprisoned.
The neighbors and all hands got their shovels and picks and crowbars and
were working to set the children free. It came on night and they had not
yet reached the children. When they were near them, by some mischance
the lantern broke, and the ruins caught fire. They tried to put it out,
but could not succeed. They could talk with the children, and even pass
to them some refreshments, and encourage them to keep up. But, alas, the
flames drew nearer and nearer to the prison. Superhuman were the efforts
made to rescue the children; the men bravely fought back the flames; but
the fire gained fresh strength, and returned to claim its victims. Then
piercing shrieks arose when the spectators saw that the efforts of the
firemen were hopeless. The children saw their fate. They then knelt down
and commenced to sing the little hymn we have all been taught in our
Sunday School days. Oh! how sweet: "Let others seek a home below, which
flames devour and waves overflow." The flames had now reached them; the
stifling smoke began to pour into their little room, and they began to
sink, one by one, upon the floor. A few moments more and the fire circled
around them, and their souls were taken into the bosom of Christ. Yes,
let others seek a home below if they will, but seek ye the Kingdom of
God with all your hearts.
--Moody's Anecdotes