Who can speak a mother's anguish,
Painted in that tearless eye,
Which beholds her darling languish,
Languish, unrelieved, to die!
It was not very long after the destruction of Sodom that there was born
into the home of Abraham and Sarah a beautiful little baby boy--even as
God had promised.
There was great rejoicing among the people of Abraham's household.
Feasts were held, sacrifices were offered up, and Abraham gave the child
the name of Isaac.
One of Sarah's maids, whose name was Hagar, had a son, too, called
Ishmael. One day this boy mocked at Isaac, and Sarah said he and his
mother must be sent away.
So Abraham called Hagar and told her she must go, and he gave her some
bread and a bottle of water, and sent her forth into the wilderness.
[Illustration: HAGAR AND ISHMAEL IN THE DESERT.]
Poor Hagar and her child sorrowfully set forth in the burning heat; but
when all their water was gone, her little one began to droop; he grew
weaker and weaker, and she thought he would die. She laid him in the
shade and went away to weep. The mother could not bear to see her poor
boy die.
She looked above--the heavens shone still
Unclouded, bright and clear;
She listened but not fount nor rill
Poured music on her ear.
Thence once again her child she eyed--
His cheek wore death's pale hue;
"Alas! and is it thus," she cried;
"Doth God forsake me too,
And with my earthly foes combine
To work such ill for me and mine?"
The Angel of God heard her and told her not to fear, but to take up
Ishmael and hold him in her arms. Then she saw, all at once, a well near
her; she gave the child a drink, and soon he grew strong and well.
[Illustration: THE TRIAL OF ABRAHAM'S FAITH.]
[Illustration]