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as they built their nests; the merry children rejoiced
as they played on the green, and exulted in the liberty the vernal season
bestowed. But to the widow spring brought no renewal of health; and
now, finding herself unable to wash, she consulted a physician, who
told her it was too late; the disease had made large progress, and she
could not live through the year!
Such an announcement would startle most persons. Death is so
repugnant to man's nature, that there are but few who do not shrink
from the dread encounter. Poor Margaret had more to fear than this.
She dreaded not only the misery and poverty her tedious illness would
entail upon them, but she wept the bitterest tears when she thought of
her orphan child, poor, alone, and uncared for, when she should be
taken away. She was, however, too sincere a believer to remain long
within the shadow of the cloud. The God in whom she had ever trusted
was ever faithful to his own word. Had he not promised, "Leave thy
fatherless children to me, I will preserve them alive?" and is not his
favour better than life! And when she prayed, "Father, if it be possible,
let this cup pass from me," like Him whose true servant she was, she
also added, "nevertheless, not my will be done, but thine." When does
the Christian fail to receive comfort, when the child-like submission
inculcated in the gospel is exercised? Is not the chastening rod in the
hand of a Father who wounds but to heal? and he, who sees the end
from the beginning, nevertheless afflicts his children. Margaret
Raymond was therefore able to give up all into the unerring hand,
knowing that He who feeds the raven and clothes the lily would not
forsake her orphan child, but lead him, it might be by a narrow and
rugged path--but such is the way that leads to the strait gate, and all
who find eternal life must tread it.

CHAPTER III.
AN ORPHAN INDEED.
The spring advanced into summer, and on one of its calm and bright
evenings, Margaret, exerting her little strength, took William to the
grave-yard, and both seated themselves on the little green hillock
beneath which George Raymond awaited in peace the resurrection from
the dust. No costly monuments nor storied urns were in that simple
grave-yard. Some plain marble tablets marked the resting-places of the
dead; but there were memorials of deeper meaning and more lovely.
Trees waved their branches protectingly over the little mounds; kind
hands had planted them with flowers and kept them sacred. Thus it was
a pleasant spot, and full of hallowed remembrances. Margaret had
never spoken of her coming death to her son; but now, seated on the
spot of earth which must ere long be opened to afford a resting-place
for herself, she told him that soon, in a few weeks most likely, he
would be an orphan indeed, alone in the world, and with no friend but
God.
How can the sorrow and astonishment of the poor boy be described?
Motherless and fatherless! what a deep and painful impression did the
words of that truly pious mother make upon him! He had dearly loved
his father, but the exertion he had at once made to help to support his
mother had prevented his viewing that great loss in all its magnitude;
but now, to lose her on whom, since his father's death, he had hung his
whole heart, was an idea so terrible that he could scarcely comprehend
it.
"Mother," he exclaimed, as he threw his arms around her and sobbed
wildly, "you will not die! surely you will not! I cannot live without you;
I shall have no home,--nobody to love when you are gone."
Poor Margaret, controlling her own emotion, tried to comfort her
weeping child, and at last succeeded; for strength from above was
given to her heart, and words to her tongue. She spoke so convincingly
of God's wisdom, and goodness, and righteous dealing in all things, that

the boy's grief abated, his eye once more lighted up, and peace returned
to his heart. The assurance that God, the Father of all, who never
forsakes the creature he has made, would be to him more than parents
could, came plainly upon his soul, and filled it with trust.
"You will not be alone, my poor child," said Margaret; "God will be
with you. He has work yet for you to perform. See that you do all _that
he has commanded, and_ in a proper spirit, and you cannot fail to be
blessed--not, perhaps, with earthly prosperity, but with that better
portion, peace of mind, a good conscience, and the hope which maketh
not ashamed, whose end is eternal life. Never neglect