The first hard spell of sickness on this farm was the fever that I was
sick of at the time that she took sick of the yellow jaundice, and she
turned as yellow as anything could be. She went home with that awful
malady, thinking of me and of what my future should be in God's hands,
to love and bless the world in which I should live if it should be the
will of Him who knows the future of all the people that live on this
earth.

So God has been a father and a loving mother and all else to me, and
sometimes there has been enough of trials in this life to make me almost
forget that I had this strong arm to save me from these trials and
temptations; but when I fly to Him I find all and in all in Him.

He is my rock and my hiding place in the time of trials, for a child
that had all of the love and comfort of a queen was now left to her own
dear mother, who had so many more and had to work so hard to take care
of us all that I have seen sit up all night long working for her little
ones. I used to feel sorry to see her sitting up alone at her work. I
would get up out of the bed and sit with her till daylight; for I was
always near mother after the dear one had been plucked from this earth
to await my arrival.

I have found that learning is to refine and elevate the mind, so we
should cultivate our hearts and minds and live to bless those we meet.
We should neither flatter nor despise those that are rich or great.

It was not long after this dear one had been called away before we were
all in different places, and to share the fate that comes to those that
are left behind those that have been good and kind. Then the time is