what a devoted and tender mother she was; but the strain of those four
long years no one will ever know. I want you to see the dark as well as
the bright side of her wonderful life; and here is part of a letter to
her mother, written at that time:--

'I feel dreadfully unsettled at present. I don't like this mode of living
at all. William has now been away from home, except on Friday and
Saturday, for twelve weeks. I long to get fixed together again once more.
The going backwards and forwards and being in other people's houses does
not suit William. Nor do I like leaving home for the Sabbaths. I am much
tempted to look gloomily towards the future. But "my heart is fixed." "I
will trust, and not be afraid."'

Then again, a little later on:--

'Pray for me. I sometimes feel as though I had taken a path which is too
hard for me, and duties too heavy for me to perform; but it is my
privilege to say, and to feel, "I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me."'

Once again she says:--

'Well, the Lord help us to be faithful to our convictions, even in the
dark and cloudy day! I have felt it hard work to do so lately. Many a
time have I longed to be where the weary are at rest.

'Well, we must labour and wait a little longer; it may be that the clouds
will break, and surround us with sunshine. Anyway, God lives above the
clouds, and He will direct our path.'