The Young Lady's Counsellor by Daniel Wise

THE yOUNS LADY FROM HOME. 229
king, an injured and abused father, a strongly-tried
sufferer. But, in the midst of this fierce storm of
woes, behold him, at eventide, quietly reposing on
his couch, and sleeping as calmly and sweetly as a
babe slumbers on its mother's breast. With amiable
simplicity he sung, " / laid me d.own and slept " !
Yes, he slept with the voices of unnatural war
ringing in his ears!
But how could he sleep amidst
such sounds ? Was he insensitive and stupidly resigned
to his fate ?
Nay, he was keenly alive to his
condition ; but let him reveal the hidden philosophy
of his slumbers, in his mournfully pleasant psalm.
Hear him singing, " / cried unto the Lord with my
voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill " !
Faith in God, you see, supported him. But for
ihat, his strong soul would have sunk in
deep waves
of despairing sorrow. And what but such a trust
in God, my dear young friend, can sustam you,
when, leaving the home-world of your youth, you go
out into society, to meet troops of dangers, and to
combat with powerful enemies to your peace and
safety ?
Poor, friendless, and desolate of heart, you