"it was absurd to meet trouble half way,"-thus Miles dismissed the subject, and gratified himself and his friend. 66 Father," said young Woodford, as he folded the letters in his father's office behind a handsome shop in one of the best streets in the town, 66 are you going to do that kindness for Mr. S-? He is to call to-day for your answer before we go home." "I have considered it, my son, and my answer is ready. You want to know what it is;"-the young man was looking earnestly at his father;- you like Mr. S---, and wish me to oblige him?" 66 66 Yes, sir; he seems to want only just your name for the two or three years, and it is a pity he should lose such a capital opportunity for want of a friend." "So it is; but look here," and Mr. Woodford pointed in his little pocket Bible to the 22nd chapter of Proverbs, 26th and 27th verses. "This saved me from ruining myself to be a friend' many years ago." "Then I suppose you have not changed your opinion, sir, and don't think it right to lend your name to Mr. S—?” said young Woodford, evidently a little disappointed. "I have not changed my opinion; but because it has pleased God to change my circumstances, I think it right to change my practice on this occasion. Then, a failure on the part of the man who required my responsibility would have taken my bed from under me; now, I have wherewith 'to pay,' if it should be demanded of me; and therefore, in the hope of helping a deserving person to a position in which he may do well, I purpose signing Mr. S's bond." So between the wise king, and his own wise father, the young clerk learned a practical lesson in life that day. Mrs. Farren was the only person concerned who watched in silent apprehension the progress of the man for whose sake her husband stood involved. The world thought him good, and honest, and respectable, and the outside was very fair; but experience and revelation had taught her that trustworthy principle takes its rise at the foot of the cross, and that Divine grace alone can be depended on to make "the tree good," that." the fruit" may be “ good" also. Thorough Bible honesty would liquidate the debt that compromised others, before indulgences and appearances were thought of; but in his anxiety to "get on and make a show of his success, Mr. S― neglected this first duty. Depression in trade came, reverses came, but Mr. Sstruggled against them as over a volcano; and in time came the explosion too. Mr. Woodford looked sorry, and his son excited and grieved as he answered his bond with a cheque on his banker for his share of the required sum. It was a dead loss, but he had intended well; he could make it up again in time, and so the matter had better be forgiven and forgotten. But not so at the much smaller establishment of the other surety, where hitherto all had been but daily supplies for daily need. Miles had risked no honourable savings to serve another; he had risked and forfeited the only means he had of supplying the wants of the wife who loved him, and the children who depended on him. It was a crushing blow-shop and stores, house and home swept from his possession at once. Friends who had the will had not the means of hindering it, and temporary assistance in the hour of extremity was all they could render. Miles could not bear it; self-reproach and wounded pride wrought fearfully within him; but his brave wife bore nobly up, and set herself to try and battle with circumstances she had been unable to prevent. A little shop on a very humble scale was taken in a busy thoroughfare, where she toiled all day for food and shelter for the family; and many were the sorrows, pains, and humiliations she endured. Absorbed in his own reflections and deploring his own folly, Miles observed not further sorrow looming in the distance; and taking leave of his family, went abroad in the hope and resolution to retrieve his fallen fortunes in another country. Then the bodily strength of the enduring wife and mother gradually gave way. She waited in the little shop exposed to fatigue and cold, until the deep hollow cough drove her within, and soon she was unable to leave her room. J Sweetly now did the Saviour in whom she had long believed sustain her weary spirit, and comfort her drooping heart. Earthly friends were very kind, and she wanted for nothing that could be done to soothe the closing scene, except the husband's arm to support and his love to accompany to the last. But Jesus, "the same yesterday, to day, and for ever," was close at hand; and in peaceful sub 332 THE NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME." mission to her appointed time, confiding all she left behind, as well as all she hoped for the heavenly future, to his will and care, she passed gently away to her blessed rest. "THE NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME." But with holy exultation We may sing aloud to-day. Jesus is the name we treasure; 'Tis the name for adoration, "Tis the name that whoso preacheth 'Tis the name by right exalted That when we are sore assaulted, Strength to them who else had halted, Therefore we in love adoring This most blessed name revere; Holy Jesus, thee imploring So to write it in us here, That hereafter, heavenward soaring, LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET |
