The man and the woman were enchanted with the scene and Jasper, full of
deep emotions, cried out: "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is
within me, bless his holy name. He watereth the hills from his
chambers; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. He
causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of
man."
Viola exclaimed: "My father's plantation is called 'Mount Pisgah,' and
this view reminds me of that other scene Moses saw on his 'Mount
Pisgah.'"
They sat under one of the great forest trees crowning the brow of the
knob and feasted their eyes on the near and the distant prospect. They
heard the birds singing in the trees, and saw the saucy squirrels
running up and down the hickory and other trees. Jasper spoke of his
present engagements, saying on that afternoon he must visit a family
down the river, and the next day he had an appointment to begin a two
days' meeting in a distant township of the county.
Viola told of her plans. She intended tomorrow morning to have Mose
drive her to a number of the families attending the mission school. She
wished to become better acquainted with them, to show a friendly
interest in their welfare, and to teach the boys and girls some further
rudiments of knowledge, and tell them a number of interesting Bible
stories.
This knowledge gave Jasper much concern, and he said: "My dear Viola, I
have now even more than a pastor's regard for your safety and welfare.
Are you not afraid to travel those lonely hills without any protector
save Mose? While the mission school gradually is improving the moral
tone of that region, you know there are some depraved and desperate
persons living about there who would not hesitate to steal your horses,
or your purse, or commit other crimes, if it were to their seeming
advantage to do so?"
"Yes, I know that, dear Jasper, but hitherto the Lord has protected me,
and I believe I can trust him to hold me safely in the hollow of his
almighty hand. If I am called to suffer in his cause, I am willing. I
have no fear of physical violence, and I am sure duty calls me to that
settlement tomorrow."
"Well, my beloved, may heaven still safeguard you, and may you continue
to be a blessing to that community which needs reformation, education
and the gospel so much."
Viola spoke: "It is getting near dinner time, and we must not be late
for that meal as we were for breakfast." With that they arose, and
proceeded down the knob and on to the mansion.
After dinner Jasper Very bade them all a cordial good-by, and proceeded
on his errand of mercy to a family who needed his ministrations.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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