A wealthy aunt, having lost all her children and being very lonely, thought to fill the vacancy in her heart and home by adopting a little child.  After several vain attempts to find a suitable child, she sought the home of her niece, Mrs. Worthington.  She came with many misgivings.  When she made her errand known, her niece said:  “Auntie, my children are no longer mine; I have given them to the Lord, and whatever is his will concerning them shall be mine.  You will have to obtain my husband’s consent.”  Thus far Aunt A. was delighted with her success, and she eagerly sought the father.  She tried to point out to Mrs. Worthington, who was heartbroken at the prospect of losing her child, how abundantly able she (the aunt) was to provide for the child and spoke of the extreme poverty of the Worthington home.  The mother knew all this, but she knew too that God’s Spirit does not always rule in wealthy homes.  Would she do right to let her child slip from under her parental care?  Many thoughts of this nature surged through her brain, and many temptations to say no came to her; but instead of giving a decisive answer she sought counsel from the all-wise Counselor.  While in prayer she thought of faithful Abraham’s trial regarding Isaac, and she felt that God was just as able to carry her through temptation or test, if she submitted all to his will.

Mr. Worthington gave his consent for one of the children to go for a visit.  The aunt having chosen Bessie, hasty preparations were made for their departure.  As the mother kissed her curly-haired little girl good-by, her heart seemed bursting with sorrow.  She tried to control her feelings, but only God knew the wound that her aunt’s parting words made.  “Use your influence in my behalf, Niece, with your husband, in case we want to keep Bessie,” she had said, and then the great train moved slowly from the station.  Abraham was all the mother could think of on her return home.  Oh! would God give her back her child?

Letter after letter came, each telling how fond the aunt and her husband were of Bessie and how happy she was in her new home, but not a word about her return.  Four, five, six weeks passed.  Then one day a letter came stating that they had decided not to adopt a child now and that, as Bessie was getting homesick, the parents might expect her home the next day.  Then, it had been only a test!  Oh, how glad Mrs. Worthington was that she had been faithful.  Yes, her God was the very same God that Abraham had served centuries before.  It was hard to wait until train-time the next day.  When once more the loving mother held her darling child in her arms, the tears that could not flow for weeks streamed freely.

Bessie was glad to be at home again.  After the cold, formal, loveless life at her aunt’s, she appreciated her own humble home more than ever before.

But a far greater test was waiting the dear mother—­one that would call for more than human strength to bear.