OLD FRIENDS.
MRS. MORGAN shut the bureau as she spoke, saying with a smile: "Emily
will know in a minute, that somebody has been to her drawers."
"I had better confess beforehand then. Are you going to sew now?"
"Yes, I'll be ready presently."
Ina few moments, Mrs. Morgan joined her cousin in the pleasant
sitting-room. But before I tell you what they talked about, I wish to
explain who these two ladies were.
Mrs. Morgan was the wife of a gentleman of good fortune connected with
the great Express lines from north to south. They were both members of
the Episcopal Church; and it was their earnest prayer that they might
be not professors only, but possessors of vital godliness. During
the first years of their married life, they went much into company,
attended balls and concerts night after night. By this means, they lost
much of the fervor of their religion.
Indeed, so conformed were they to the world and its pleasures, that
they could scarcely be distinguished from the world's people. But their
Father in heaven was watching over them. He saw into their hearts, and
he knew that even while involved in this round of gayety, they were
not satisfied. He knew there were times when they turned with loathing
from all this hollow friendship, and longed for the quiet happiness
they once enjoyed. God in his abounding kindness had a purpose of mercy
toward these his wandering children; and he took means to bring them
back to himself.
He removed first a beautiful babe who had scarcely opened its eyes in
this world, to his paradise above. Then, when this did not wean the
mother from circles of fashion, from the theatre and opera, he took
another child, a darling boy, the pride of both parents, to swell the
song of infant worshippers before his throne. A few months later,
and while their hearts were still bleeding with sorrow, Emily their
first-born and best-beloved was seized with scarlet-fever, and lay for
days hovering between life and death.
Now, when the waves and the billows of trouble were rolling over them,
they began to call upon God for help. But to their aching hearts, he
did not seem a refuge near at hand. He appeared to be afar off, so
far that their cry could not reach him. But if not to their heavenly
Father, to whom could they go in their deep distress? Then they began
to feel that they had sinned.
In their days of prosperity, they had forgotten to give thanks. They
mourned together over the sinfulness which had led them far away from
real happiness; and then in infinite compassion, their elder brother,
their Saviour appeared to comfort them. The gracious spirit suggested
words of cheer: "Return unto me, and I will return unto you."
By the bedside of their sick and apparently dying child, they renewedly
consecrated themselves and all that they had, to the service of their
Saviour. They bowed in sweet submission to the will of God. They cried
indeed "Spare her, Lord," but from the heart they added, "if such be
thy holy will."
And a merciful God did spare the child. She was gradually restored to
perfect health. From this time her parents commenced a new life. They
were constant at church. They took classes in the Sunday school. They
visited the poor and afflicted. They did all in their power to stay up
the hands of their faithful pastor.
All the energy and activity they had before displayed in the invention
of new pleasures were now employed for the good of those about them.
They were indeed a blessing in society; and in blessing others, they
received a rich reward in their own hearts. One glance into the serene
countenance of Mrs. Morgan showed that her soul was at peace.
Sickness and sorrow might come as it comes to every one; but she felt
that all events for her were ordered by a Father's hand. Emily was
their one treasure, spared to them from the grave. Is it strange that
she was taught from her earliest recollection that her chief aim in
life should be to love and serve her Maker and Preserver?
Mrs. Roby, own cousin to Mrs. Morgan, had married young, and gone with
her husband to the West. He had been successful in business, and had
now come East for a few months, his wife improving the occasion long
desired, to revive her acquaintance with those so dear to her. She
had only arrived the day before; and every moment that her cousin was
at liberty was improved in asking questions about herself and other
friends.
Aunt Lydia was Mrs. Morgan's mother who usually passed a part of every
year with her, greatly to the delight of Emily.