heard them tell of days passing without their having a crumb of bread
to satisfy the cravings of hunger, or seen them in that last stage of
destitution, when hunger brings on despair, until the mind wanders
from its seat, and madness takes its place; heard the raving of the
maniac, his frenzied call for bread, and his abject desolation, until
death came kindly to relieve his sufferings, and felt not that the
hand of God had never worked so much ill for his people? Is it
profanity to say that the eye of God had wandered from them? We
believe it; for the Book that teaches us of the Almighty, depicts him
as a God of mercy and compassion. The eye of the Omnipotent is not
upon the wretched. "He seeth all things," but there are times when His
eyes are turned from those who endure the storm of a cold and
heartless world, and He knows not of their suffering, until the Angel
of Death brings their spirit before the Judgment seat.

God had not deserted the soldier's wife, but His eyes were turned
away, and He saw not her condition. Thus was she left unaided by the
hand of Providence. She felt her desolation, for as each day passed
by, and her condition became worse, she knew that her prayers were
unanswered. They reached not the ear of the Almighty, and the innocent
children were allowed to participate of that bitter cup, which the
chances of worldly fortune had placed before the unhappy family.

Three days sped away quickly, and the fatal morning arrived. She had
no money to pay the rent, and the day passed away without Mr. Elder
receiving a visit from her. She dared not to tell him of her position,
but awaited patiently his arrival on the following day, for she well
knew he would be sure to come.

The next morning saw him at her door, much annoyed at the trouble she