Southern Christian Advocate

Showing the great utility of Sunday Schools and the transcendent value of the word of God

Time of affliction.

Some time ago while attending an eminent surgeon, for the purpose of having an operation performed on one of my eyes, I met with the following case: One morning my friend led into the same room a fine looking young woman who was completely blind and completely deaf. This sad condition had been brought on suddenly by a violent pain in the head, Her case was examined by a number of surgeons then present, all of whom pronounced her incurable. She was led back 'to the house by my friend, when she eagerly inquired what the doctor said about her case, and whether he could afford her any relief. The only method by which her inquiries could be answered was, by tapping her hand, which signified No: and by squeezing it, which signified, Yes: for she could not hear the loudest noise, nor distinguish day from night. She had to receive for her answer on this occasion, the unwelcome tap, No. She burst into tears, and wept aloud in all the bitterness of despair. " What," said she, "shall I never again see the light of day, nor hear a human voice? Must remain incapable of all social intercourse —shut up in silence and darkness while I live?" Again she wept. The scene was truly affecting. Had she been able to see, she might have been pointed to the bible as a source of comfort. Had she been able to hear, words of consolation might have been spoken; but, alas! these avenues to the mind were closed, never to be opened no more in this world. Her friends could pity, but they could not relieve: and what made her case still more deplorable, she was an orphan; had no father or mother, or brother or sister to pity or care for her. She was entirely dependent upon a few pious friends for her support. This she felt,-and continued to weep, till my friend,with great presence of mind, took up the Bible and placed it to her breast. She felt it and said, " It this the Bible?" She was answered it was. She held it to her bosom, and said, " This is the only comfort I have left--though I shall never be able to read in it any more;" and began to repeat some of its promises, such as, "Cast thy burden on the Lord and he will sustain thee." " As thy day, so shall thy strength be." " Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee," &c., &c, In a moment she dried her tears, and became one of the happiest persons I ever saw. She never seemed to deplore her condition afterward. I have many times heard her tell of the strong consolations she felt. She appeared to enjoy uninterrupted communion with the Father of Spirits.

Happily for this young woman, she had been taken, when a very little girl, to the Methodist Sunday School, where she enjoyed the only opportunity she ever had of learning to read the Bible, and where she had-committed to memory those passages of Scripture which now became her solace and the food of her spirit.With what gratitude she used to speak of her teachers, who, she said, not only taught her to read, but took pains to instruct her in the things that belonged to her eternal peace! "What would have become of me had I not then been taught the way of salvation? for now I am deprived of all outward means;" was her constant language.

I never look into a Sabbath School, and notice the children repeating portions of God's holy word, but I think of the above case. How precious was that handful of seed, cast in by some pious teacher, who little thought, perhaps, at the time, that she was furnishing the only means of salvation, to an immortal spirit! What multitudes will have to bless God in eternity for like instruction! Let not, then, our Sabbath School teachers ever grow weary in well doing, for in due season, they shall reap their reward.

T. B. of Winstead.