Library Collections: Document: Full Text

Annie drew her toward her, and put her arm kindly round her. "Yes, Patience," she said, in her softest tones, "it does seem hard to you, I know; and it is, indeed, a great trial for one so young as you are. But God sends you just the troubles and just the pleasures which he sees will be altogether the best for you to have. And you must not forget that there is another world besides this, Patience; and our afflictions are meant to prepare us for that by turning our thoughts to it, and by making us holier and better, and more like Jesus. But I was going to say that since God loves us so very much as to give his own dear Son to die for us, we may be quite sure that he will not send us any troubles that are not necessary, that we could do as well without."

Patience looked thoughtful, but not satisfied. "You can not exactly see, Patience, what use there can be in your lameness and weakness; but God promises in his Word that at another time he will make it quite plain to you; and he asks you till then to wait, and trust him. You can do that, dear child."

"I will try," said Patience. It would, no doubt, be a great effort to her; but it is often that to those who know much more of the ways of their heavenly Father than she could know.

"But, Patience, God does not expect us to bear the troubles which he appoints us, by ourselves, or in our own strength. We are to carry them all to Jesus, and he will help us with them, and comfort us under them. He will strengthen us to bear them, so that they will not seem half so heavy as they did at first. And when they make us sad, he feels for us. Do you know that one reason why he took upon him our nature, -- that is, why he became a child, and a man, -- was, that he might be able to feel just as we feel, and thus feel for and with us? Is it not sweet to know that? Shall I show you a verse in the New Testament which says so?" Annie opened the large printed picture-Bible, which was on the round table beside her, and turned to the seventh chapter of Hebrews, and she talked so nicely and simply about the closing verses, that Patience brightened up, and almost forgot that she was lame and crooked.

The Bible reminded Patience of some parts in it which had puzzled her, and she pointed them out to Annie, and Annie tried to show her their meaning. She had scarcely finished doing so, when a thought seemed suddenly to strike her, and she said quickly to Patience, "But if you would like to learn more about such things as these, why do you not go to the Sunday school? you would learn so much about them there."

"I don't want to go to the Sunday school," replied Patience; "my bonnet is so old and shabby; besides, the girls would stare at me."

"Oh, you must not mind that," said Annie; "it would be over in a minute if they did; and there are some of them that would, I know, be very kind to you, and be glad to see you amongst them."

Patience looked in doubt, but Annie tried to induce her to agree to her plan. Still Patience held back, till Annie happened to say that she might be in her class if she liked, and sit close beside her and then Patience at once agreed to come.

"Oh, I will come if you are sure that I may be in your class, for I did not know where I might be put, and I was afraid lest I should have to go into the little girls' class; and I don't like the teacher, -- she is so very cross."

"Stay," said Annie, with a half smiling, half reproving look; "I can not bear any thing said against another teacher, because she is my sister!"

Patience was so astonished by what she now heard, that she did not feel so much fear as she would otherwise have done. She fixed her eyes upon Annie as if she almost doubted what she said. Was it possible that she could be the sister of that tall young lady who was such a terror to her when she went to the day school, because she found such fault with her, and always seemed to be on the look-out for her wrong doings? Patience had intended, if she could summon up courage enough, to ask Annie, before she went away, that afternoon, what her name was, for she had not the least idea that she belonged to the family of Mrs. Leslie; and now she felt quite at a loss what to say.

Annie soon put an end to her confusion. "I hope you will know my sister better some day," she said; "because you and I are such good friends that I shall want you to like everybody who belongs to me. But you will have nothing to do with any one in the Sunday school but me, Patience; and I am sure we shall get on very well together."

Yes, Patience was equally sure of that; and then it was settled between them that Annie should call for her new scholar on Sunday morning; because it was not pleasant for one so shy as Patience to go in the first time by herself; and her grandmother would certainly not be dressed so early as nine o'clock. How kind it was of Annie to offer to do this! It is by such little kind ways, which do not cost any money, that we are often able to do good to others. If you wish to be useful, will you bear that in mind?