Was it true? Had the unclean spirit obeyed the voice of Jesus then, and was that voice less powerful now? Surely not. To her He seemed far away, and yet He was near. It came upon her, as it had never come before, how if ever her husband was saved it must be through God’s power and grace. If ever her husband was to be saved from the love of strong drink, it must be through a Divine power that should cleanse him and keep him and dwell in him for ever. Even the power of the Holy Ghost, which could convert his heart, and make him “a new creature in Christ Jesus.”
“Sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind,” spelt out little Will, slowly; and Sophy repeated, “clothed, and in his right mind.”
The mother’s soul went up in an agony of prayer for her husband, that he might be saved from suffering and shame, and be found “in his right mind,” “sitting at the feet of Jesus.”
“Surely He can do it! Surely He will do it! Oh, if I were not so faithless—so unworthy!”
Still the reading went on, and she listened to the twenty-eighth verse: “For she said, If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole.”
“Lord, give me that poor woman’s faith, that I may trust and be blessed as she was,” she entreated, covering her face, that her children might not wonder at seeing her so moved. She seemed to see the Saviour now. She cast herself at His feet, “fearing and trembling.” Surely He would say to her, as to that other, “Go in peace!”
And still they read on, how Jesus went to the ruler’s house, and how, having put the unbelieving people out, He took the maiden’s hand, and cried, “I say unto thee, Arise. And straightway the damsel arose.”
“Of course she arose,” said Sophy. “It made no matter that she was dead; because, you know, it was Jesus who said it. Think of all these wonderful things!”
“Wonderful indeed! Oh, for faith! Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief!” prayed the poor mother—her face still covered. Sophy thought she slept, and sent her little brothers out for a while, cold as it was, that she might be quiet; and then she went about the house, softly doing what was to be done. In a little while she brought in her mother’s cup of tea; and, as the light fell on her face, she said, cheerfully, “Your sleep must have done you good, mother. You look better.”
“Something has done me good, I think, love,” said her mother, kissing the little girl’s upturned face. “You are looking pale and weary. I hope I shall soon be well now.”