by the rose garden, but far above it rose the voice of a man in strong
urgent prayer. It came from the summer-house among the rose-trees, and
as I listened, I knew it was your father's voice. Then I was frightened.
Perhaps God would not like me to listen to what was only meant for His
ear. I came away from the open window and sat down and waited.

"In a short time your father came to me. I could see that he had been
praying. I could feel the spirit above the flesh. A great awe was over
him and he was strangely loving and gentle. 'Martha,' he said, 'I am
glad you are awake. I want to tell you something--something wonderful!'
And I sat down by him, and he clasped my hand and said,

"'I was tired out with figuring and counting, and near midnight I went
out to cool and soothe my brain with the night air. And I suddenly
thought of Jacob on his mysterious journey, meeting the angels of God as
he slept in the wilderness, and wrestling with one for a blessing. And
with the thought the spirit of prayer came to me, and I knelt down in
the summer-house and prayed as I never prayed before in my life.

"'I told God all my perplexities and anxieties. I asked Him to
straighten them out. I told God that I had bought Ezra's mill, and I
asked Him to be my counselor and helper. I told Him I knew nothing about
buying cotton or spinning cotton. I told Him it was the loss of
everything if I failed. I promised Him to do my best, and I asked Him to
help me to succeed; and, Martha, I solemnly vowed, if He would be with
me and do for me, that His poor and His sick and His little children
should have their share in every pound I made. And I swear to you,
Martha, that I will keep my word, and if I may speak for my sons and my
sons' sons, they also shall never fail in rendering unto God the thing I
have promised. Remind me of it. Say to me, "Stephen, the Lord God is thy