head, and saw that she was lying in the churchyard, on the grave of her
child. The Lord, in a dream, had been a guide to her feet and a light to her
spirit. She bowed her knees, and prayed for forgiveness. She had wished to
keep back a soul from its immortal flight; she had forgotten her duties
towards the living who were left her. And when she had offered this prayer,
her heart felt lighter. The sun burst forth, over her head a little bird carolled
his song, and the church-bells sounded for the early service. Everything
around her seemed holy, and her heart was chastened. She acknowledged
the goodness of God, she acknowledged the duties she had to perform, and
eagerly she returned home. She bent over her husband, who still slept; her
warm, devoted kiss awakened him, and words of heartfelt love fell from the
lips of both. Now she was gentle and strong as a wife can be; and from her
lips came the words of faith: “Whatever He doeth is right and best.”
Then her husband asked, “From whence hast thou all at once derived
such strength and comforting faith?”
And as she kissed him and her children, she said, “It came from God,
through my child in the grave.”
