A Night In A Log-House.

 

MANY years ago, Mr. and Mrs. J

went to live out West somewhere in Ohio.

The place was very different then from what

it is now. It was thinly settled, and the nearest

house to their own was six miles away.

One morning Mr. J left home on business,

intending to return by nightfall. But

he was detained, and as the night closed in,

his wife gave the children their supper and

put them to bed. Evening wore on, and still

he did not come. A slight noise at the little

window made her turn her head; and there, in

the darkness, were two great eyes staring into

the room. Terrified as she was, she kept still,

and soon discerned that the eyes belonged to

huge bear. Now it is very seldom that wild

beasts approach a house. They never do it

except when driven by extreme hunger. But

this was in winter time, and the bear, no

doubt, found it hard to get a living.

What could the poor woman do? The

strong, hungry animal could easily break the

window; but there was one thing that made

her hesitate. It was the glowing fire. Wild

beasts are much afraid of fire; and it is a custom

with hunters, when encamping in a forest,

to kindle one, for the purpose of keeping

them off. This she knew. Her husband had

provided her with abundance of wood, close

beside the fire-place; and her resolution was

quickly made. She piled on the wood, and

kept up a large fire. There she sat alone

throughout the long, anxious night, while her

children slept; for she did not disturb them.

The bear would grow tired of standing on two

feet and get down for a few moments; then

he would rise up again and put his fore-paws

in the window.

What a night it was! Mrs. J 's greatest

anxiety was for her husband. She and

her children, in the house, were comparatively

safe, while she kept the fire blazing; but she

as every moment expecting her husband,

and for him to meet the hungry bear was certain

destruction.

Who could help her in this hour of bitter

need?

But One. That One did help. Her husband’s

 business kept him late, and contrary to his first

intention, he yielded to the urging of his

friends to remain over night; little dreaming

of the providence which was moving, through

these circumstances, the hearts of his neighbors

and his own thoughts little dreaming

of the fierce danger that waited beside his

dwelling. All night the mother's vigil lasted;

and when day-dawn was near, the bear turned

away disappointed, and went back to the

woods. Her husband returned soon after,

safe and well.

"Deliver us from evil!" Little had the

children thought, that night, how much that

prayer was needed!

The mother, watching through those hours

of peril, illustrates, as in a picture, the One

that watches over us all. And remember,

dear little ones, the love of Christ is a fire that

evil spirits dare not approach; and as long as

you keep his love in your hearts, you are safe.



Children’s Hour.