The Value of a Praying Mother | Page 7

best to examine the child's throat; but when the
mother asked the little girl to open her mouth, she said, "Mama, I
can't."
"What!" exclaimed the mother, "you can not open your mouth! Why,
child, what is the matter with you?" Although Louise tried repeatedly to
open her mouth, she could force her teeth apart only about an eighth of
an inch, and only with great difficulty could she speak.
By this time Mr. Worthington had fully awakened to the fact that
something serious was troubling his child, and he sprang to her side. As
soon as possible they summoned a doctor. He found that the cut on her
hand had caused lockjaw, but said that there was no cause for alarm.
The parents, however, felt very anxious and called in several doctors
for consultation. They found that it was too late to do anything for the
child. "The course of this disease," said the doctors, "is usually very
rapid; and we are sorry that we can offer no hope."
When Mrs. Worthington heard the doctors' verdict, anguish such as she
had never experienced before filled her soul. Her thoughts went back to
the previous night. Oh! why had she not examined the child closely
then? In her distress she cried to the Lord, saying, "Dear Lord, what can
this mean? Must I go through another test with one of my children? If
so, help me to say amen to thy will!"
Everything possible was done for the comfort of the little sufferer. The
little life was swiftly nearing its close. Even when the doctors injected

medicine into her arm to relieve her pain, she did not murmur.
Forgetful for a moment of her suffering, she looked into her mother's
eyes and said, "Mama, I love you"; then turning to her father, "Papa, I
love you"; and then to the doctors and friends, "I like all these folks."
What a beautiful testimony? She had only kindly feelings in her heart
for all, even for the doctors, who seemed to be her enemies. Her words
were as a message sent from God as they fell into that mother's heart.
They seemed as sweet incense and a soothing balm to her troubled
spirit. Gazing into the child's face, the mother read of the tender,
compassionate love of God for suffering humanity; she read of the
depth of Christ's love for the innocent and pure; and, by the heavenly
smile that lighted the little face as her darling sank into
unconsciousness, she saw that the child realized her Savior's presence.
Slowly the tide is going out; the soul of the child is passing from the
mother's presence into life immortal. "O my darling, speak to me once
more!" The large blue eyes slowly unclose; a look of disappointment
comes into them as she says, "Where has Jesus gone?" The dear eyes
softly close; she sinks again into unconsciousness; the beautiful
expression of happiness returns; the mother knows that her darling is in
the arms of Jesus and is content.
Mrs. Worthington did not sorrow as those who have no hope; for she
knew that her heavenly Father knew best, and she could look up with
confidence and say, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away:
blessed be the name of the Lord." With the father it was different. Up to
this time he had never had any serious thoughts of a future life. He
knew that his wife was a good woman, but he considered her religious
views rather strange. She had seen so much error among the popular
religious denominations and had felt such bondage when meeting with
them, that she worshiped with a few spiritual people in a little
prayer-meeting. Because of this peculiarity, he had even feared that her
mind was affected; but now, when he saw her fortitude under deep trial,
he felt that surely there was an unseen power supporting her--a power
that he secretly longed to possess, although the time for attaining it he
set indefinitely in the future.

As Louise had been his idol, his grief was deep. It stirred his whole
being. Her last testimony had convinced him that there is a Savior, that
he is interested in mankind, and that he is able to keep in every
affliction. Standing by the cold, lifeless form of his little daughter, he
promised God that he would meet her in heaven.
After these things Mrs. Worthington realized more keenly than ever the
value of confidence between children and parents. With renewed
energy she sought daily to strengthen that cord which now seemed to
her almost divine. Her daily talks now contained a richer and deeper
meaning to Bessie, whose understanding of heavenly things was
growing clearer since her sister's death. Through her mother's teaching
she gained a