"Then poor old Deborah, to whom I gave so much trouble, I am so impatient, so irritable with her! Her infirmities, instead of exciting my pity, only stir up my temper. When I want for something, and can by no means procure it, when I am feverish and thirsty, and ring and ring in vain, I quite lose the patience and gentleness that I should show, and perhaps say words which I so regret afterwards! The very sound of her slow heavy step above my head seems sometimes to put me into a fever!"
"That is your illness, dear Percy."
"Perhaps that may be some excuse," sighed the invalid. "But, Willy, I could tell you worse things than these."
"No, no," said his companion. "You must not excite yourself."
"But it eases me to speak out what weighs on my mind. Such wicked thoughts sometimes come into my heart, I feel impatient under the trial which the Almighty sends me. I rebel against suffering; I think it hard to lie tortured here while other boys are bounding over the meadows—the very sunshine streaming into my room raises repining feelings in my breast! Willy, is not this very sinful?"
"It may not be—it is not right," replied the boy, after a little hesitation.
"But what can I do?" cried Percy bitterly.
"Confess all your sins to the merciful Lord, ask Him to forgive you and to help your weakness. Do you not remember how the poor leper came to our Saviour and knelt down and prayed, 'Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean!' The Holy One is as truly now before you as He was before that poor man. He hears your prayer just as He heard that of the leper; and I am sure that He is as ready to grant it. The Lord Jesus will send no poor humble sinner disappointed away!"
"I cannot come to have my foot healed as the lame did then," said Percy sadly.
"No, but you can come to have your heart comforted and refreshed. You can be taught to think differently even of your pain. As I once heard Uncle Presgrave say, we should remember what is told us of the multitudes in white robes singing before God's glorious throne. They are those who came out of great tribulation; but their tribulation had ended in joy! David will not be sorry now that he was hunted and pursued, nor Job that he suffered so much sorrow and pain. Only try to think now as you will think in heaven, and you may thank the Lord even for the trials that He sends you! Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth. Oh! Think what it is to be loved by the Lord!"