right here in our yard. Then there are large rocks, some of them the size
of this house, and springs of water where many animals and birds may drink.
And in some places there are large flower-gardens, where the flowers grow
without the use of the spade or the hoe. I would certainly like to take you
to see the mountain, Edwin, if it were not so far away, but it would take
us too long to go and come, for it is very much farther away than it
seems."

Reasons were given also for the strange noises that Edwin had attributed to
the rolling of heavy articles of furniture, and the names sky, thunder, and
lightning were rightly applied. But with all their information, Mr. and
Mrs. Hahn gave no hint that there was a great and supreme Being over all,
one who had created all the wonders that they had been describing, for they
were not Christian people and were not acquainted with the love of God.
They were greatly interested in the things that pertain to this life, but
seemed unconcerned about heaven, eternity, and the Bible. So Edwin
continued to believe that some great man who had died and left the earth
was living above the blue arch and that the electrical storms were in some
way the result of fireside quarrels and confusion.

To Edwin it seemed that every moment that he from time to time spent with
these kind friends was precious indeed, but the effect upon the mother was
not what Mrs. Hahn had desired. Finding that her son could understand more
about the work, she became more particular and increased his tasks
accordingly until it seemed that he could do nothing to suit her. Poor
nervous child! if only he could have known the words of the Psalmist, what
a comfort they would have been--"He shall deliver the needy ... and
precious shall their blood be in his sight." (Psa. 72:12, 14).