Sickness, bereavement, and far sharper poverty had visited the home of Viner; but to him every evil had brought forth good, every evil was certain to end in joy. In the words of the suffering apostle, he could say, "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!" But oh! The bitterness of spirit of him who has lived for the world, and sought nothing beyond, when he finds at last that his idol is but dust and ashes? With regret for the past, disappointment in the present, and no hope to brighten the future—only age, and the grave, and the judgment before him—he, indeed, is tasting of the dregs of life—is reaping a harvest of woe! Poverty may rouse industry, sickness show forth patience, sorrow increase submission—death lead to glory—Sin is the one great evil to be feared. O Lord!—
"DELIVER US FROM EVIL."
[CHAPTER IX.]
"For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory."
THE hail was falling fast, drifted by the piercing wind which howled in the chimneys, and seemed to shake the dwelling.
"I wish that my father had come back," said Nelly, as she returned again from the little gate whence she had been anxiously watching for her parent.
"Our good clergyman will keep him under shelter," said Walter, "he will not be back till this hailstorm is over!"
"I almost dread his return," sighed Nelly. "I know that I ought to wish him success in his endeavours to procure that situation for you in London—and yet—"
"You feel, surely, that it is right that I should go?"