“But they had heard that story the day before, and they, knew not the strong foundation upon which that mother’s trust was builded, and could not share the confidence she felt.

“’If we get anything to-day the Lord will have to bring it himself, for nobody else can get here if they try,’ said one of the daughters, impatiently, but the mother said, ‘Don’t worry.’  And so they sat down again to their sewing, the daughters to muse upon their necessitous condition, and the mother to roll her burden on the Everlasting Arms.”

Now mark the way in which the Lord came to their rescue, and just at this moment of extremity, put it into the heart of one of his children to go and carry relief. Human Nature at such a time would never have ventured out in such a storm, but waited for a pleasant day.  But Divine Wisdom and power made him carry just what was needed, in the face of adverse circumstances, and just at the time it was needed.

“Mr. M. sat at his fireside, about a mile away, surrounded by every bounty and comfort needed to cheer his heart, with his only daughter sitting by his side.

“For a long time not a word had been spoken, and he had seemed lost in silent meditation, till at length he said, ’Mary, I want you to go and order the cattle yoked, and then get me a bag.  I must go and carry some wood and flour to sister C.’

“’Why, Father, it is impossible for you to go.  There is no track, and it is all of a mile up there.  You would almost perish.’

“The old man sat in silence a few moments and said, ‘Mary, I must go.’  She knew her father too well to suppose that words would detain him, and so complied with his wishes.  While she held the bag for him, she felt perhaps a little uneasiness to see the flour so liberally disposed of, and said, ’I wish you would remember that I want to give a poor woman some flour, if it ever clears off.’  The old man understood the intimation and said, ’Mary, give all you feel it duty to, and when the Lord says stop, I will do so.’

“Soon all things were ready, and the patient oxen took their way to the widow’s home, wallowing through the drifted snow, and dragging the sled with its load of wood and flour.  About four o’clock in the afternoon, the mother had arisen from her work to fix the fire, and, looking out of the window, she saw the oxen at the door, and she knew that the Lord had heard her cry.

“She said not a word—­why should she?  She was not surprised!—­but, presently, a heavy step at the threshold caused the daughters to look up with astonishment, as Mr. M. strode unceremoniously into the room, saying, ’The Lord told me, Sister C, that you wanted some wood and flour.’

“‘He told you the truth,’ said the widow, ’and I will praise Him forever.’

“‘What think you now girls?’ she continued, as she turned in solemn joy to her unbelieving daughters.

“They were speechless; not a word escaped their lips; but they pondered that new revelation of the providential mercy of the Lord, until it made upon their minds an impression never to be effaced.