"god's Raven."


"A lady who lived on the north side of London, set out one day to see a

poor sick friend, living in Drury Lane, and took with her a basket

provided with tea, butter, and food. The day was fine and clear when she

started; but as she drew near Islington a thick fog came on, and

somewhat frightened her, as she was deaf, and feared it might be

dangerous in the streets if she could not see. Thicker and darker the

fog became
they lighted the lamps, and the omnibus went at a walking

pace. She might have got into another omnibus and returned; but a strong

feeling which she could not explain made her go on. When they reached

the Strand they could see nothing. At last the omnibus stopped, and the

conductor guided her to the foot-path. As she was groping her way along,

the fog cleared up, just at the entrance to Drury Lane, and even the

blue sky was seen. She now easily found the narrow court, rang the

number 5 bell, and climbed to the fifth story. She knocked at the door,

and a little girl opened it.



"'How is grandmother?'



"'Come in, Mrs. A----,' answered the grandmother. 'How did you get here?

We have been in thick darkness all day.'



"The room was exceedingly neat, and the kettle stood boiling on a small

clear fire. Everything was in perfect order; on the table stood a little

tea-tray ready for use. The sick woman was in bed, and her daughter sat

working in a corner of the room.



"'I see you are ready for tea,' said the lady; 'I have brought something

more to place upon the table.'



"With clasped hands the woman breathed a few words of thanksgiving

first, and then said, 'O, Mrs. A----, you are indeed God's raven, sent

by him to bring us food to-day, for we have not tasted any yet. I felt

sure he would care for us.'



"'But you have the kettle ready for tea?'



"'Yes, ma'am,' said the daughter; 'mother would have me set it on the

fire; and when I said, 'What is the use of doing so? you know we have

nothing in the house,' she still would have it, and said, 'My child, God

will provide. Thirty years he has already provided for me, through all

my pain and helplessness, and he will not leave me to starve at last: he

will send us help, though we do not yet see how.' In this expectation

mother has been waiting all day, quite sure that some one would come and

supply our need. But we did not think of the possibility of your coming

from such a distance on such a day. Indeed, it must be God who sent you

to us.'



"'The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of

all their troubles.'"



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