The Black Forge Mills : $b or, Up the King's highway
John Stuart Mill · en
"I have seen God face to face," he said, with tones of awe, "and yet I
have lived. Praise his holy name."
"If she lives," responded Dr. Gasque, reverently, "I shall have no
hesitancy in declaring that 'the prayer of faith shall save the sick.'"
All night those three watched by the fair sufferer's side. At dawn she
awoke.
"Dr. Gasque, Edward, and Ray--all here by me," she said, feebly. Then
to Ray: "Darling, I have had such a sweet dream; Jesus came himself
to me, and said: 'It is enough; thou shalt live'; and really I feel
stronger and better. I know you have prayed for me, and God has heard
your prayer."
Dr. Gasque had been feeling her pulse, and now passed his hand over her
brow. "Be perfectly quiet, Miss Daisy," he said; "you are better." To
Edward and Ray he added, as they followed him into the hall way, "She
will live."
Edward with a light heart returned to the sick chamber, but Ray
crossed the hall and entered his room. Throwing himself on his bed for
a much-needed rest, he repeated over and over, in tones of deepest
gratitude and love, "O God, thy will shall be done. Thy will shall be
done."
CHAPTER XXVI.
HOPE'S FULL FRUITION AT LAST.
Daisy's convalescence was slow but sure. In a week she was regarded
as out of danger, and Ray returned to his work at Easton. He at once
wrote the mission board, informing them of his readiness to go at brief
notice to any field the mission might suggest, though he should have
to go alone. They immediately responded that no one had as yet been
assigned to the vacancy he had expected to fill the October before, and
in their judgment he was peculiarly qualified for that field; therefore
they would suggest that he make every preparation to go out to that
people the coming October, and possibly circumstances would be such
at that time he could take a wife with him. No time need actually be
wasted during the few months of waiting, as in a town not over twenty
miles from him was a returned missionary familiar with the language
and customs of the people among whom he would work. By visiting him,
Ray could obtain such information and help as would enable him to
make a most profitable use of the intervening months. Acting upon
this suggestion, Ray, at as early a date as possible, called on the
missionary, and under his instruction began the study of the language.
A week or two later he went down to Afton to spend a day with Daisy.
She was able to occupy an invalid's chair, and had regained much of her
old cheerfulness and vivacity. As he sat by her, he told her of the
struggle through which he had passed when her condition had been most
critical, and of the pledge he had then made to God.