176 PROMOTION AND SURPRISES.

Let us cast a veil over the ingenuous confusion and
grateful surprise of Carl, upon receiving this shower of
news. He was so overwhelmed that he did not even
urge his inquiries about the beautiful building and the
friendly arrangements. He was even absent in mind
during a part of the evening, and often retired to the
large bow-window, as.if to conceal his emotions.
When, at length, his considerate host conducted him
to the retirement of his chamber, he closed the door,
and cast himself on his knees before God. Tears
streamed from his eyes, and more by groans and sobs
than articulate words, he poured out his thanksgivings
toward that heavenly Father, who had been his Helper
in a strange land, and had made his cup to overflow
with unexpected blessings. Blessed. religion of the
gospel! which cherishes even in the young those sacred
and generous emotions, such as were altogether wanting
in the greatest heroes of antiquity. This youthful
emigrant felt the enlargement of soul produced by the
belief that the God of his fathers was making him His
special care, and that He who had guided Jacob, and
delivered David, and glorified Josiah, would be his God
also, even unto death.

As Carl turned over the pages of his dear mother’s
Bible, it was long before he could tear himself away, to
throw himself on the bed for the night, The sacred
volume seemed as if it had been made for just such a
case as his. Among them were such as these :-—