We have no missionary horse and buggy, and it was not an elegant equipage standing before our door. Our steed was a very lank, bony, long-eared mule, and the vehicle a rather disreputable looking old delivery wagon, kindly loaned to us by our grocer; but we were thankful for anything that would take us safely. We soon came to a deep, ugly-looking ravine, that must be crossed. I walked over the log that spanned it, while Dominie "rattled his bones over the stones," down the steep descent, and up the farther side in safety, thanks to the sure-footed mule. Just beyond was a small rude cabin. The old chimney had tumbled down, leaving nearly the whole of one side entirely open to the weather. Inside, upon a bed that nearly filled the small room, lay a woman who was paralyzed. A little child was her only attendant. Some kind neighbor, however, had made her clean and comfortable for the day. The poor woman could not move, but her dark eyes beamed with delight at the sight of us, and the poor drawn face expressed the joy she could not speak. We talked of the dear friend Jesus, whom she loved and trusted, sang together a song of faith, and commended her to heaven's mercy and kindness, in prayer.
On we went again, over the hills, the sun climbing higher and growing hotter every moment. Then we turned off into some dim cool woods, picking our way through rough ravines and blind tracks until we reached another little cabin home. We had to bend low to enter the door of the rough, rude house, yet the one low room, with loft above, sheltered a family of nine persons.
Upon a bed, the dear old grandmother was dying, but the dark cabin seemed illuminated by the shining face of the happy saint.
"You are almost home, Auntie?"
"Yes chile, almost home!"
"And you find Jesus dear and precious, now?"
"Yes! yes! dear and precious."
I held her cold, almost pulseless hands in mine, while her minister read comforting words of hope from the blessed Word. Then we sang for her, closing with—
"Oh come, angel bands, come and around me stand,
Oh bear me away on your snowy wings
To my eternal home."
Her dark face was fairly radiant. She lifted her hands toward heaven, and though our eyes were holden that we could not see, we felt that the Lord and his angels were glorifying that humble abode, making it the gateway of heaven. Holding fast to our hands as we knelt beside her bed, she murmured responses to our prayers.