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One
November day, in England,
a clergyman was telling his two boys, one five and the other eight years of age,
about a lady, formerly their governess, who had gone as a missionary from
their home to far-off Ceylon.
He told of some of the hardships which she had to undergo; of the roof which
let the rain through during the long wet season, of the spiders and creeping
insects which infested the house, and of the poisonous snakes and reptiles
which made it unsafe even to venture out of doors. To the older boy the
adventurous nature of the calling appealed most, but to little Fred the
thought of poisonous snakes brought fear and sadness, and that night as he
knelt before his bed for his evening prayers, the father heard him say,
"God bless my dear father and mother, and make me good, for Jesus'
sake." Then in a voice which quivered with earnestness, he added,
"And, oh, dear God, take care of my Miss Price, and please do keep her
safe from the snakes."
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Far away
in Ceylon,
the missionary was wending her way to a house that she called home. Near her house,
she saw one of the small but very venomous snakes of that district -- its
neck and head raised and arched, its eyes gleaming with a malignant fire,
ready with lightning stroke to spring upon her with its awful fangs. To
escape seemed impossible, and for one terrible moment she was riveted to the
spot in mortal dread. Then, to her inexpressible relief and utter
astonishment, the snake seemed suddenly to change its mind, and turning
around in the opposite direction, it deliberately resumed its way among the
long, thick grass.
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With a cry
of thankfulness, the tired worker reached her home as fast as her trembling
limbs would carry her, and going on her knees, she poured out her heart to
God who had saved her from such a terrible death. Mail day came, and among
her little pile of letters was one from her English pastor. As she read it,
she felt cheered to know that she had become their missionary, greater
interest had been stirred up in the parish, and more zeal manifested in the
work which was so dear to her heart. But the postscript at the end of the
letter thrilled her as she read it: "Little Fred never forgets to pray
for you. Two Sundays ago I was telling the children of your life of danger
and hardships, and the dear little fellow was so upset to think that his dear
Miss Price was in danger of anything, that he prayed so earnestly, of his own
accord, that 'God would take care of you, and keep you from the snakes!
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The
missionary read this over and over again, and her eyes were dim as she laid
the letter down. Yes, it was that Sunday! Now she understood; and with new
meaning she read the text hanging over her couch, "Before they call, I
will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isa. 65:24
-- Prairie Pastor
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