in the nursery, related to the matter of prayer. One night when a sister
a year and a half older than myself had, as usual, repeated all our
prayers suited to the evening, which had been taught to us, from a
sudden impulse I made up a prayer which I thought better expressed my
feelings and wants than any which I had repeated. My sister, who was
more timid, was quite excited on the occasion. She said that as I did
not know how to make up prayers, God would be very angry with me. We
agreed to refer the case in the morning to our mother. When we came to
repeat our morning prayers, the preceding transaction came to mind, and
we hurried as fast as possible to dress, each one eager first to obtain
the desired verdict.

Almost breathless with excitement, we stated the affair to mother. Her
quick reply was, "The Bible says that Hezekiah, king of Israel, had been
sick, and he went upon the house-top, and his noise was as the
chattering of a swallow, but the Lord heard him." Without asking any
further questions, ever after we both framed prayers for ourselves.

Soon after this occurrence a sudden death occurred in our neighborhood,
and my mind was deeply affected. I went stealthily into our spare
chamber to offer up prayer, feeling the need of pardon. Just as I knelt
by the bedside, my eldest sister opened the door. Seeing her surprise at
seeing me there and thus engaged, I was about to rise, when she came up
to me, put her arms about my neck, kissed me, and without saying
anything, left the room. This tacit approval of my conduct, so
delicately manifested, won for her my love and my confidence in her
superior wisdom; and though nearly sixty years with all their important
changes have intervened, yet that trifling act is still held in grateful
remembrance.