WEALTH WITHOUT WINGS. 173

all our past life, does not the retrospection lead to
this undoubting conclusion? 1 am sure, you will
say yes. Has he not, in every case, proved better
to us than all our fears ?—Why, then, should we
distrust him now? In the beautiful language of
Cowper, let us say in these dark seasons—

‘ Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust Him for His grace ;

Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour ;

The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.’

“ Shall we doubt the sun’s existence, because the
night has fallen? No, dear husband, no! ‘There
are bright stars smiling above us in token of his un-
erring return. We know that the morning cometh
after a season of darkness; and so, after our spirits
have lingered awhile in the realm of shadows, the
light will break in from above. Has it not always
been so, Edward ?”’

“He has led us by a way which we knew not.”

The sick man’s eyes were closed as he murmured
these words; and his voice was slightly tremulous,
yet expressive of a returning state of confidence.

“Yet, how safely,” replied Edith. “ When our
feet were in slippery places, and we leaned on Him,
did he not support us firmly ? and when the mire
and clay were deep in our path, did He not keep us
from sinking therein ?”’

“ He is goodness itself,” said Claire, a calmer ex-
pression coming into his face. “ It is wrong so to
let doubt, distrust, and fear creep in and get posses-

15*