During almost the whole of her married life, before this affair
between the squire and Clem, Mrs. Butts had had much trouble,
although her trouble was, perhaps, rather the absence of joy than the
presence of any poignant grief. She was much by herself. She had
never been a great reader, but in her frequent solitude she was
forced to do something in order to obtain relief, and she naturally
turned to the Bible. It would be foolish to say that the Bible alone
was to be credited with the support she received. It may only have
been the occasion for a revelation of the strength that was in her.
Reading, however, under such circumstances, is likely to be
peculiarly profitable. It is never so profitable as when it is
undertaken in order that a positive need may be satisfied or an
inquiry answered. She discovered in the Bible much that persons to
whom it is a mere literature would never find. The water of life was
not merely admirable to the eye; she drank it, and knew what a
property it possessed for quenching thirst. No doubt the thought of
a heaven hereafter was especially consolatory. She was able to
endure, and even to be happy because the vision of lengthening sorrow
was bounded by a better world beyond.
Pages:
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86