Morning Star

SABBATH SCHOOLS.

AN AFFECTING INCIDENT,

Showing the great utility of Sabbath Schools, and the transcendent value of the word of God in 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 a friend of mine 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 it incurable. She was led back to the house of 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 I 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, 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 and 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, "Is this the Bible?" She was answered that it was. She held it to her bosom and said, "This is the only comfort I have left—though I cannot read it any more!" She began to repeat some of its promises, such as 'Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain thee:' 'As thy day is, so shall thy strength be;' 'Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee;' 'My grace is sufficient for thee.' &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 her Father in Heaven.

Happily for this young woman, she had been taken, when a very little girl, to a 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.