The Tried Word.—I went to see the little child the next morning, and then reported him to his uncle, whose first words were a question, rather anxiously put, concerning the little one. Wishing to set his mind at ease, I said:
"Oh, it is all well with him. I just met him coming down, stairs with a flock of children, and his hands full of bread and butter."
He gave a smile of quiet amusement, which showed the playfulness of other days might yet be touched. I then went on to tell him the case was not likely to prove as serious as we had feared, and suggested he should get the nurse, when convenient, to bring the child in her arms to his bedside. He was pleased with the idea; but presently the conversation fell off from the subject. William's eyes wandered to the texts of the "Silent Comforter" at the foot of his bed. With the air of one who caught the sight of unutterable things, and has not much more to do with the world:
"See," said he, "I have a good verse for this morning." He began to read: "Fear not, I am with thee."
Beginning to cough, I went on: "When thou walkest through the waters, they shall not overflow thee; and through the fire, thou shalt not be burned. That is just right for you, William."
"Yes," he replied, with his own peculiarly beautiful smile.
"I notice," said I, "that the very words of God are best for you. You love the hymns, but, after all, God's own words are the safest to rest upon."
"Yes," he replied, "I live upon those texts. When the nurse comes in, in the morning, to turn the leaf over, I am eager."
I did not speak, but watched him as he lay, his longing eyes fixed upon the words before him, with an absorbed and admiring gaze, as if all else were forgotten. His soul was hanging its eternal destiny on the words of God. A few days before this he had said to Mrs. Knowles:
"You remember when we first talked of the Shepherd's Psalm, I said I should be glad when I could say: 'When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil' Now," he added, emphatically, "I can say it. I fear no evil, for thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."