Rivalry of England and France—Wars in America—The Struggle for the Valley of the Ohio—Braddock's Defeat—The Taking of Fort Duquesne—Battle of Lake George—The Fort William Henry Massacre—The Assault on Quebec—The Stratagem and Triumph of Wolfe—Canada Ceded to England.
THE middle of the eighteenth century found North America in the possession of three European nations,—Spain in the south, England in the center, and France in the north. Of these three claimants, two were inveterately hostile. There was little trouble between the Spaniards and their English neighbors, but for many years the English and French colonists were at war. Between the western frontier of the English colonies—one or two hundred miles back from the Atlantic coast—and the Mississippi River, held by the French, lay a vast domain, the valley of the Ohio, to which both parties laid claim, and for the possession of which war was inevitable.
Before the date mentioned, there had been three outbreaks of hostility between these rival powers. These were known in this country as King William's War (1689–1697), Queen Anne's War (1702–1713), and King George's War (1744–1748). But none of these, tho they gave rise to much loss and suffering in America, were of American origin. They were merely reflections on this side of the ocean of wars in Europe between England and France. Yet, tho the colonists had no concern with the questions at issue, they sprang like loosened dogs at each other's throats, and the savage allies of France were set loose, with knife and tomahawk, on the English settlements.
No result beyond the misery involved came to America from these wars. They were useless exhibitions of human ferocity. But the war that broke out in 1754, known in history as the French and Indian War, was widely different in its cause and its results. It had its origin in America, not in Europe. Instead of arising from a European war, it gave rise to one. And its results were vitally important to America, for it deprived France of all her possessions on this continent, and gave England undisputed sway from Florida to the Arctic seas, and from the Atlantic to the Mississippi. It can not be held as part of the history of the United States as an independent nation, yet it had an important mission in clearing the ground for the great struggle which gave birth to the United States. This being the case, a brief review of its general course will be here in place.8
About the middle of the century both claimants seemed to wake up to the great value of the Ohio country, and the desirability of taking possession of this rich domain. The French built forts, and launched a fleet of canoes on affluents of the Ohio, and the governor of Virginia sent Major George Washington as an envoy to warn them off the disputed lands.
The French refused to retire. The English maintained their claim. War was the quick result. A party was sent from Virginia to build a fort at the point which Washington had selected as an admirable spot for the purpose, where the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers unite to form the Ohio, and where the city of Pittsburg now stands. But they had only fairly begun when the French came in much greater force down the Alleghany, drove the builders away, and erected a fort at the same locality. This they named Fort Duquesne.
While this was taking place, a regiment of Virginia militia was marching towards that place. Its colonel died on the route, and Major Washington, the second in rank, took command. On his march he met with a party of French skulking in the vicinity of his camp, apparently with hostile intent, fired upon them, and killed their commander. This was the first shot in a long and hotly-contested war, resulting in Washington's defeat.
He was forced to capitulate, and marched his small force back to Virginia, where he gained great credit for his skill and able management.
The contest thus started, if left to the colonists alone, could hardly have failed to terminate soon in favor of the English, since they outnumbered their opponents fifteen to one. There were at that time more than a million people in the English colonies. There were much less than a hundred thousand in the French. But the flames of war quickly extended across the seas. In 1755 both sides sent armies over to take part in the war. In 1756 war between England and France was formally declared, and the contest started in America was continued on European soil.
General Braddock, an officer experienced in civilized warfare, but ignorant as a child of how to deal with the savages of the American forests, crossed to Virginia with a strong body of British regulars, and marched at the head of these and a force of Virginia militia against Fort Duquesne and its defenders. He was to discover by sad experience that he had new lessons to learn in the art of war. He had reached a point about eight miles distant from the fort when, while passing through a ravine, a hot fire was poured upon his troops from the forest on each side. He had disdainfully rejected Washington's advice to send a scouting party in advance, and in consequence had blindly fallen into an ambush of French and Indians.
The British regulars, while seeing no enemy, found themselves swept down by a galling fire from behind bushes and trees, into which they fired uselessly in reply. The blunder which Braddock had made was followed by a worse one. He resisted Washington's suggestion to let his men take to the woods and fight the enemy in their own way. There was but one way to conduct a battle, in his opinion, and he kept the poor fellows rigidly in their ranks, helpless targets to the fire of their foes. For some three hours they were thus held together, victims to discipline and obstinacy, falling in scores before the unseen enemy. Even the colonists, who took to the trees and fought the Indians in their own fashion, were sharply rebuked by Braddock, who called them cowards, and bade them to "come out into the open field like Englishmen."
There could be but one end to such madness. Braddock, after having four horses shot under him, fell mortally wounded, and his men broke and fled in panic flight. Of all his officers, Washington showed the most courage and judgment. He had two horses shot under him, and his clothes pierced by bullets, but escaped without a wound. Only his courage and coolness checked a murderous pursuit, and saved the army from destruction.
Years afterwards he was told by an old Indian chief that he had fired fifteen times at him during the fight without once hitting him. He desisted at last, thinking that the daring white man bore a charmed life.
The result of this defeat was disastrous to the frontier settlements. For three years they were exposed to the raids of the Indians, and Washington was kept busy fighting in their defense. At length, in 1758, a new army marched against Fort Duquesne. Its commander, General Forbes, spent so much time in cutting a road through the forest that winter was at hand when he was still fifty miles from the fort. He was about to give up the attempt, when Washington urged a rapid forward movement. Leading the advance guard, the young Virginian took care that there should be no more Indian surprises, and was quickly master of the fort, the French flying at his approach. George Washington was thus the one hero of the war in this region. He renamed the stronghold Fort Pitt, after the great English statesman. From this the city, which afterwards rose on its site, received the name of Pittsburg.
Aside from the capture of Fort Duquesne, the most important event of the war took place on the historic waterway of Lake Champlain and Lake George, and the waters of the St. Lawrence. The French had a stronghold at Crown Point, on the western side of Lake Champlain. The nearest English stronghold was Fort Edward, on the headwaters of the Hudson, the scene of many of Putnam's adventures, as given in our last chapter. In 1756 Sir William Johnson, a prominent landholder of the Mohawk region of New York, set out with a strong force of regulars and militia to attack Crown Point. The French, under Dieskau, met him near the head of Lake George. A fierce battle ensued, in which the English were at first driven back. But fortunately Johnson, who was no soldier, retired early to his tent with a slight wound. General Lyman, at the head of the colonial troops, now took command, and drove back the French in complete defeat. Dieskau was severely wounded, and in the pursuit was approached by a soldier, as he reclined against a stump. He felt in his pocket for his watch to give his enemy, when the soldier, thinking he was feeling for his pistol, shot him. In reward for this victory Johnson was made a baronet and given $25,000. Lyman, to whom the victory was really due, had only his own satisfaction for reward.
The victory was useless. Johnson failed to proceed against Crown Point. All he did was to build a fort at the head of the lake, which he named Fort William Henry. In return the French built Fort Ticonderoga on the neck of land between Lakes George and Champlain.
Two years afterward the English fort was the scene of a terrible event, the story of which Cooper has made familiar to most readers in his "Last of the Mohicans." The Marquis de Montcalm, at the head of a strong force of French and Indians, swept down the lakes and attacked Fort William Henry, whose commander was forced to capitulate. The English, who had been guaranteed a safe escort to Fort Edward, fourteen miles below, marched unarmed from the fort. But they had but fairly left the gates when the Indians fell upon them with knife and tomahawk, and a fearful massacre ensued, the French offering no protection, or failing to check their savage allies. In addition to the slain, many were carried off as prisoners, and only a miserable fraction of the force escaped.
What followed may be briefly told. In 1758 a strong British army attacked Fort Ticonderoga, but suffered a crushing defeat. In 1759 the tide turned in favor of the English. Fort Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and Niagara were taken, and the French finally driven from English soil. Then the war was carried into French territory, and a vigorous assault made on Quebec. This duty was entrusted to General Wolfe, a young soldier who had shown such energy and daring in the siege of Louisbourg (a French stronghold on Cape Breton Island, which the English had taken), that he was selected for this difficult task.9
With a large fleet of 8,000 soldiers, Wolfe sailed up the St. Lawrence and anchored in front of Quebec. Within that stronghold lay Montcalm with 7,000 men. The fortress, seated on a high cliff, and well supplied with cannon, long defied the efforts of its foes. All summer Wolfe bombarded it in vain, and at length began to despair. Montcalm was incessantly vigilant. He kept horses ready, that he might hasten at any moment to any point assailed, and it is said that during the siege he did not once take off his clothes.
At only one point was Quebec open to a land assault. This was upon the northwest side, and there the precipice was so steep as to be deemed inaccessible. But a close observation of this cliff revealed to Wolfe a narrow path winding up among the rocks to the top, and he determined to make a desperate effort to lead his army up this slender track. It was the last resort, and upon it depended the question of victory or defeat.
On the 12th of September, to deceive the enemy, he took his men several miles up the river. Then at nightfall he dropped down silently with the ebb-tide, until opposite the selected place. Wolfe was the first to land. The shore was lined with French sentinels. One near the selected point challenged on hearing the sound. He was answered by a captain who spoke French, and secured before he could give an alarm. The landing was made in a little bay, now known as Wolfe's Cove. Deep silence was preserved. Twenty-four volunteers climbed the steep path, and surprised and dispersed the guard at the summit. The others followed rapidly, aiding their steps by grasping the bushes along the path. On the morning of the 13th, a British force of 5,000 men stood on the Plains of Abraham, the platform upon which the upper city was built. Montcalm could scarcely believe the tale that was brought to his ears. When convinced of its truth, he led his army in haste from the city against the foe. A desperate battle ensued. With the English there was no retreat. They must win or all was lost. They reserved their fire until the French were near, and then poured in rapid volleys. The French wavered. Wolfe now ordered a bayonet charge, and placed himself at its head. He was twice struck by balls. A third shot gave him a mortal wound. As he was borne to the rear, he heard the cry: "The men—they run!" "Who run?" he asked. "The French." "Now God be praised, I die in peace!" he exclaimed.
Montcalm, too, was mortally wounded. On being told that he might die, he answered, "Thank God, I shall not live to see the surrender of Quebec." Five days afterwards the city fell into English hands.
The fall of Quebec was the fall of Canada. The next year the French tried to recapture it, but in vain. Montreal was soon after taken, and the war in America was at an end. Peace was made in Europe in 1763. With it ceased the French dominion in America. France gave up to England all of her territory east of the Mississippi. Spain ceded Florida to England.
Right Is Might
"THE motto of the child of God is, 'Right is might;' the motto of the world is, 'Might is right.' The latter is but temporal; the former is eternal."
WITH SIGNS AND LYING WONDERS.
THUS it is predicted that Satan will work in the last days. See 2 Thess. 2:9-11. These wonders are wrought to deceive. They are not wrought by true wisdom or knowledge, but by Satanic craft, which exceeds the wisdom of earth's wisest men apart from God. Falsehood in the earth began with Satan. When God declared that disobedience would bring death (Gen. 2:17), Satan declared to our first parents, "Ye shall not surely die; . . . ye shall be as God;" and to perpetuate that falsehood, in order that man may not look to God for salvation, but trust in himself, Satan has, by craft, deceit, lying wonders, and falsehoods, deceived man ever since. He sends his angels in the guise of what are supposed to be the spirits or souls of the dead and deceives and continues in deception those who believe his first lie, who think that man has a conscious intelligent entity that survives the death of the body. From this doctrine we get the hero worship of old, the invocation of martyrs and saints, and finally Modern Spiritualism, whose wonders are claimed to be wrought by "the spirits of the dead." Often these wonders and marvelous tricks are wrought by sleight of hand and exposed. But there are some things which go beyond the mind of grave scientists. The last monthly World has an article on the remarkable Eusapia Paladina, the girl medium of Naples, Italy. The World article says of her:—
"Subjected to the cold, keen, wholly unsympathetic scrutiny of no less distinguished scientists than Prof. Lombroso, the Turin specialist in mental diseases; Sig. Schiaparelli, the great Italian astronomer; Baron Carl Freiherr du Prel, of Munich; Prof. Charles Richet, of Paris; Dr. Ermacora, of Padua; Prof. Gerosa, of Naples; and Prof. Broffetio, of Milan,—with all this battery of scientific scepticism trained point blank on her and alert to strike at the first move on her part that hinted of charlatanry, this remarkable young woman was able to perform feats which apparently set all known laws of nature at defiance. Not only this, but they set at defiance all efforts of the learned doctors of science to penetrate, to detect any jugglery in their execution, or even any unaccounted for movements on the part of the medium which might cover mere legerdemain."
"It was at Milan in the house of Dr. Giorgio Finzi, in the Via Monte di Pieta, that Miss Paladina performed this extraordinary feat. The experiments were directly due to the czar of Russia, who had seen the young Italian medium, was much interested in what he considered her marvelous powers, and requested her to go to Milan and show the czar's envoy and Counsellor of State, M. Aksakoff, who is a believer in Spiritualism, manifestations similar to those which had mystified the czar himself."
The account continues thus:—
"The only condition Miss Paladina required was that the room should be darkened. The medium was then seated in a chair with no less persons than Prof. Lombroso and Dr. Richet each holding one of her hands."
"After a few moments of silence sparks similar to the light of fireflies began to flicker above Eusapia's head, and at the same moment the chair, with the medium seated in it, lifted itself from the floor to a table near by. Then followed a wonderful exhibition of mysterious forces. The medium, with her eyes flashing like diamonds, made the table ascend to the ceiling and flutter about as if it were a scrap of paper, she at the same time groaning and crying, 'Dio mio! Dio mio!' When the scene was over she suffered intensely with pains in the head, back and shoulders, and was so exhausted from the effects that she was unable to appear another time during the week."
At another seance in a darkened room, where one young lady did not believe that the raps came from invisible forms, the medium "jumped up and threw open the windows and blinds, and then, with a wild, excited look, rushed towards the table, her eyes flashing like fire—the most wonderful eyes I have ever seen—spread out her hands with great force over the table, at the same time making three fierce gestures. At this the table went flying all over the room. She kept it suspended near the ceiling for fully three seconds, and when it descended it struck the floor with a bang."
The girl is ignorant, and can neither read or write, but her remarkable powers are admitted by such men as Lombroso and Schiaparelli.
The same writer tells us that Paris has "gone daft" over "palmistry, fortune-telling, and the like." In London is a fortune-teller—Mme. Foweth—"who has been employed by the entire royal household."
These are indications of the working of that power and those evil spirits which go forth to the world to turn men from God, and lead them to destruction. Of it all God has warned the people of earth in his word. Happy is he who finds there his wisdom. He will know that "the dead know not anything," and he will not be deceived.
TURKEY.
By H. P. H.
[From our own correspondent.]
In the year 1848, the spirit of revolution breaking out in Paris, spread in a few months all over Europe. But as quietly and unaccountably as it broke out and spread, so suddenly and mysteriously was it quelled. To the Bible student it was not unexplainable; for the work of God not being finished, the winds of strife were held. Rev. 7: 1-3. The present year has manifested considerable of the spirit of 1848; the winds of strife so suddenly checked at that time seem to be breaking out again, for in many quarters of the earth the spirit of revolution is rife; and of all countries, Turkey and Spain are just now most involved.
During the past year, the Armenian question gave Turkey plenty to do; but scarce had this question reached a temporary lull when the revolution on the island of Crete broke out; then followed the Macedonian trouble, and close on its heels an Armenian massacre in Constantinople, of unprecedented proportions.
It was thought that the horrors of the past year would lead all parties to be quiet for some time; but the Armenians seem desperate. Their leaders have formed what is known as the Armenian Committee. This committee is composed of revolutionists, Anarchists; their only use for religion is to make it serve the state, or political ends. To them, religion and patriotism are synonymous. Of late, they have been advocating the return to the paganism of the nation before it adopted Christianity; this is on the ground that Christianity does not make good warriors, but rather dampens the fighting spirit. They claim that, when they worshiped the sword, they were better warriors, and succeeded better in throwing off the yoke of their oppressors, and in maintaining national liberty. These statements do not apply to the masses of the Armenians, but to revolutionary leaders.
This committee is violent in its measures. It makes demands of wealthy Armenians for large sums of money to be paid by a certain time, threatening death in case of refusal. The money is used for revolutionary purposes. Individuals that have refused the demands for money have been killed. Some such cases are known to our church in Constantinople. Armenians that are friendly to the Turkish Government are considered traitors by the Armenian Committee, and are in danger of their lives. Yesterday, we passed an Armenian house guarded by five soldiers, as the Armenian owner, being friendly to the Turkish Government, has been doomed to death by the Armenian Committee. The committee also addresses frequent notes to the powers, threatening to cause another riot if they do not act in their behalf. The powers have paid little attention to these threats, thinking that they were idle, until the last terrible massacre, which took place the close of August.
Before coming to the city, we could not tell by the reports whether the massacre was caused by Turks or Armenians; but now it seems quite evident that it was by the latter. It broke out simultaneously in two quarters of the city about three miles apart; first in Galata, just north of the Golden Horn, and second in Samatia, a quarter of the old city, occupied chiefly by Armenians. Several of our members living in the latter quarter had a good opportunity to observe the whole affair. The attack began in the afternoon; in the morning many of the Armenians left their homes for safety, knowing that something would take place. Considerable dynamite was found in this quarter.
The boldest part of the whole was the seizure of the Ottoman Bank by some seventeen well-armed men, who held it as a fortress till the next day. Many shots were fired and some dynamite used. The bank and surrounding buildings are well marked with bullets. As soon as the bank was seized, the affair spread all over the city like wildfire, and Turks began to slaughter Armenians and pillage their houses. Men only were killed. Greeks and their houses were untouched. The Turks took pains to make sure that a house was Armenian before attacking it. The Jews aided considerable in pointing out Armenian houses.
Much of this work of destruction was done by the Kurds. They are the ancient Medes, and have ever been the mortal enemies of the Armenians. This was the case before the latter embraced Christianity.
The city is now strongly garrisoned; and considerable is being done to restore goods stolen from Armenians. The committee claim that the object of the attack on the bank was to stir up the powers to do something; and they have circulated warnings that the same or worse will be repeated if nothing is done for them. This has terrorized the people; large numbers have left the city for safety. Business is dead. The Armenian cause is in bad order; but this may lead them to greater desperation. The government fears much for the future, and employs vigorous measures to prevent another outbreak. The people generally are in a feverish condition, not knowing from day to day what may happen. What turn the course of affairs here may take it is impossible to tell; the indications are that something decisive will soon occur.
Constantinople, Sept. 21.
Abdul Hamid II.—"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown," one of Shakespeare's characters is represented as saying. This is just now preëminently true of the Sultan Abdul Hamid II., of Turkey; and in fact it must have been true of his predecessors. It is said that of the thirty-eight sultans who have ruled over the Ottoman Empire since Constantinople was taken by them, thirty-four have died by violence. In six centuries only four sultans have died natural deaths, tho it may be that they count the violent deaths those which are indigenous to the soil. It is asserted that Abdul's mother was an Armenian girl, and it is for this reason that he hates the Armenians. A prominent Russian paper, very near official circles, thus warns the sultan: "The Porte must exhibit a tractable and yielding disposition, and prove by its reasonableness that it can postpone for a considerable time that crisis, when the further existence of Turkish rule in Christian Europe as an independent power shall be recognized as impossible and inconsonant with orderly progress and peace."
THE CHANGE IN THE COTTAGE.
By Parrie L. H. Roberson
HEAVY crape hung on the door of the cottage of the weeping Soul. Hope, that patient, trusting maiden, lay dead within.
For a long time she had lingered waiting and watching to see the fulfilment of promises fair. But disappointment succeeded disappointment, and after a time she grew tired and faint, and soon the dark curtains of despair fell before her weary eyes, shutting out the last glimmering ray of light. And then Soul found time to leave her amusements and watch by her dying daughter. With a heavy heart she set about trying various remedies for the restoration of her expiring child; but at last, when she saw that all her efforts were fruitless, she wrung her hands in despair, and cried out: "O, what shall I do to save my precious Hope?"
When Charity heard these words, she in tender sympathy replied: "Mother, send Sister Faith for the Great Physician, while I remain to comfort and assist you."
"Yes," plead little Faith, "I will go and call him, and he will come and heal our Hope."
Soul looked sadly down upon the frail form of her daughter Faith, and when Doubt saw it, he called out: "Faith is a foolish child. She is unable for such a far journey. And should she succeed in reaching the house of the Physician, he would not answer her feeble call."
When Soul heard Doubt's stout words against this proposal, she hid her eyes in deepest sorrow, blind to the fact that this delicate child, Faith, was perishing for the want of exercise, and that should she hasten to the Great Healer, both she and her sister Hope would be saved from fast approaching death.
But while Soul groaned and caressed Doubt, who followed her about professing much sympathy for her in her affliction, Hope yielded up the ghost, and then the bereaved mother paced back and forth through the chamber of death like one mad, crying out in her anguish: "O, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"
And Life, the strong man of the house, grew weary of the bitter sound of mourning, and threatened to abandon Soul, leaving her to perish in the little cottage of clay. This brought additional distress to the grief-stricken Soul, and turning to him with eyes aflame with madness, she wildly exclaimed: "Thou art panting for thy freedom. When I am in trouble, thou dost only give me pain. I care no longer for thee, and I will even assist thee in thy departure."
And she began to instruct her servants accordingly. But sweet Charity, who was weeping near, lifted up her gentle voice and said: "Mother be not rash. Life has given thee much pleasure also. Remember that he is a gift from our Creator, and let us use him well while he tarries with us."
These timely words from Charity caused Soul to relent, and she began to plead with Life to remain a little longer. "For," said she, "I know not what shall become of me after thou hast gone. I have made no arrangements for the future. I know not mine end." And reaching out her trembling hands, she cried: "Stay, Life, stay, for I love thee well."
In the midst of this distressing confusion a gentle tap was heard at the door of the troubled chamber. And when Charity had opened the door, she beheld the Great Physician standing before her, and in a still small voice he asked admittance. She invited him in, but before he had time to enter, Doubt saw him, and flying forward, tried to shut the door in his face, at the same time exclaiming: "It is of no use, Hope is dead. He is too late."
This struggle at the door aroused the bereaved Soul from her overwhelming sorrow, and in trembling tones she inquired: "What means this strange commotion, my children?"
To which Faith replied: "The Great Physician has come, and tho he is late, please let him in, for it may be that he is able to heal our sorrow."
At this Doubt pushed rudely at the door, saying: "He can do nothing, send him away."
But Charity and reviving Faith cried out: "O mother, this Physician is our Saviour. Let us open wide unto him, giving him an abundant entrance, and ask him to cast out this cruel Doubt; for he has for a long time deprived us of many precious blessings."
And at their request the Great Physician was bidden to enter, and the villainous Doubt was locked outside.
And when Soul saw what had been done, she fell upon her face, and said: "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof. For when all beneath were strong and living in health, I refused to allow thee to come in and take up thine abode with me. For I was afraid that thou wouldst restrict the liberty of my household. And tho thou didst warn me that in thee was my only safety, I gave thee no heed; for I believed myself capable of properly caring for my house and family. But I foolishly turned the minds of my daughters to worldly pleasures, and in these we sought happiness. And while I let treacherous Pride entertain me, my house was almost wrecked and my children were but illy cared for, until I found my Hope had fallen sick; and alas! her sickness was unto death. And in my great affliction, Life threatened to desert me, and I became desperately wicked because of my lost Hope, and called to my servants to cast out Life, even before his time. But Charity graciously interposed in his behalf. O, that forgiveness was mine, before I perish in my sins!"
At Soul's lament Faith grew pale and faint; but continued to look upward with earnest pleading eyes to the face of him, their Lord and Saviour, who had come to their dwelling. And he, looking down with pity upon the prostrate, weeping form before him, said: "Poor Soul, thou hast bitterly repented of all thy folly, and humbly confessed all thy sins, and why shouldst thou die? I have tasted death for thee. Forgiveness is thine. Come unto me, and I will give you rest."
And she said unto him: "Lord, I can not even so much as raise mine eyes to thee, for my Hope is dead, and without her I can see nothing good."
But he said unto her: "Peace be unto this house. I will give thee back thy Hope. Take hold of the hand of thy daughter Faith, and she shall cling to my arm, and in this way thou shalt rise to thy feet."
And when Faith felt Soul feebly holding to her hand, she waxed stronger, and said: "Courage, mother, all things are possible through him, even to the raising up of those who are dead."
And Soul, when she had heard these words, exclaimed: "Lord, I believe!" And he, taking the icy hand of the dead Hope in his, said unto her: "Hope, awake, and in thy beauty and strength arise!"
And straightway she opened her eyes, and when she saw the strong, lovely face of her Redeemer, she arose with a heavenly smile, and ministered unto all that were in the house. And when her mother and sisters beheld this marvelous scene, they with one accord embraced her and worshiped the Mighty Healer, weeping aloud for joy and shouting praises, saying: "This day have our eyes seen thy salvation in our own house. Now know we that thou art the great Giver of every good and perfect gift; and to thee belongs all thanksgiving and praise forevermore." And Life himself leaped for very joy, and caused the house to shake because of his dancing.
When Doubt, who was standing outside, heard the rejoicing, he turned away, saying: "It is of no use to try to get in now; but after a while, when the noise ceases, I will come back and try the door again."
And Soul, kneeling at her Saviour's feet, spake thus unto him: "I perceive that thou art from a brighter world than this, for the light of thy presence has caused my humble dwelling to become as polished silver within, even as the house of a king's daughter. And now tarry with me I pray, and tell me of that wonderful land and its inhabitants, for I am weary of this dark world and its uncertainties."
And he answered her: "The dwellers of that glorious country are pure and immortal, keepers of my Father's law, even as I am. I and my Father are one, and whosoever shall learn to keep this law, shall be made like unto us, and shall be able to enter in through the gates into the city beyond the clouds."
And Soul made this request: "Engrave this law upon my walls in letters of burnished gold, that I may never forget thy requirements, for I would be like thee."
And when he had granted her request, she looked, and said: "Behold, thy law giveth light and liberty, and that others may see thy mercy and goodness, I will stand aside and let Charity remove the window-blinds, that thy light may shine abroad and save other poor souls from ruin."
And when Charity had done this, she appeared exceedingly lovely, and the Prince of Peace looked upon the three daughters, and turning to Soul, he said: "And now abideth Faith, Hope and Charity, but the greatest of these is Charity. For she suffereth long and is kind; is not puffed up, and never faileth. Therefore follow after her and desire spiritual things."
And Soul continued to study the law of him who had become her Lord and Master, and obedience to this law became her delight. And accordingly she brought all her servants11into subjection to its requirements. Life was contented to remain, and gladly gave his support. Doubt sometimes returned, but his pressing at the door for admittance was in vain, for the same power that cast him out, was there to resist all his efforts to enter again.
Many years have passed into the cold unrelenting arms of Time since the resurrection of Hope; but the old house stands yet; and tho its walls are shriveled and the roof storm-beaten and gray, there still comes forth from it the sound of Soul's voice singing in soft, quavering tones sweet melodies of hope and faithful love. And while wintry blasts are blowing hard and dark clouds shut out the moon, bright steady streams of light issue forth from the windows of the dear old cottage, guiding benighted travelers in the way that leads to the realms of the immortal.
