CURED OF THE SMALL-POX.

“Even when I had the small-pox, and became blind, no doctor was sent for, and no one was told of it.  Our father was not at home (he, father, most unfortunately, was not a religious person); and when our mother asked him to come, telling him how ill I was, he would not believe it, and preferred to remain with his friends.  Our mother, however, was not in the least vexed or excited; she prayed for him, for all of us, especially for her sick child, and before my father came home, my eyes were re-opened.”

CURED OF SEVERE FITS.

“Once again, one of my brothers had a fit brought on through fright.  It was a most violent and painful attack, and we were greatly alarmed.  This time, also, our father was out; and our mother said to us, I know this fearful illness, my children; it is one of the heaviest trials which could have, occurred, but Jesus, who cured that lunatic boy, can heal our child.  Do not speak of the attack to any one; we will go only to Jesus about it; and then she prayed with us.

“Not long after, a second fit came on, and again our father was taking his pleasure at the public house.  This time mother told him what had happened in his absence; but he laughed at it, and said, ’I don’t believe it; you were frightened at the child having bad dreams.’

“His wife replied, ’For the sake of your unbelief, I hope that the child will have another attack whilst you are at home, so that you may witness it yourself, then you will believe; I pray God, however, that this may be the last time.’

“It came to pass about a week after, that another most dreadful fit came on; the boy foamed violently, and threw himself about in fearful convulsions; on this occasion the father was present, and he was convinced of the nature of the attack, and alarmed at what he saw. But the mother’s prayer was heard, for the disease never showed itself again for thirty-four years, while both parents lived.”

BUYING A COW.

“Our father going away abroad, he sold one of our two cows, and took the proceeds with him. (He, the father, was a reckless spendthrift, idle, and fond of the public inn.) A rich neighbor directly offered to loan us money enough to buy another; this kind proposal we gratefully accepted.  Although we did not understand much about bargains of this kind, yet the cow we purchased served us so remarkably, that we were obliged to acknowledge whence the blessing came.  In Summer we could sell fourteen measures of milk; in Winter, twelve to the dairyman, so that the borrowed money was speedily paid.

“At the same time the cow performed the farm work required of it, with such strength and quickness, we were astonished.  When our father, on his return, heard us speaking with pleasure of this animal, he became so enraged with the poor thing, that he was determined to sell it, and actually offered it at half its value.