PART 2.
WE left little Ellen sitting in the lonely wood, in fear and dread of things seen and unseen. I wish I could tell you that in her trouble she prayed to God for help. Perhaps she did, for it is when we get into sore trouble that we are often brought to God; as we read, “They wandered in the wilderness. Hungry and thirsty their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses.” Ps. 107:4, 5, 6.
I do not know whether Ellen thought of the Lord in her trouble, but I do know that the Lord thought of Ellen, for the gracious Lord who hears the young lions when they cry, has His ear always open to the cry of a little child. He knows each one’s name, and where they live, and all about them and many a time the little darlings who read this are preserved by His care from harm and danger they do not know of.
As Ellen sat still, she left off crying, and began to wonder what she had better do to defend herself from the hungry wolves or fierce Indians. She had heard of people lighting a big fire, but she had no means of doing this; could she climb a tree, there did not appear to be one near her that she could get into. Not a great way off stood a huge butternut tree. She went nearer to it, and there, in it, she found a large hole. Cautiously she peeped in—a bear might have his home in it, or bees might have found it a good place for a hive. It appeared however to be free from all occupants, and after feeling to the bottom of it with a long stick, Ellen climbed into it. It was a snug, warm nest for the poor desolate child, and truly thankful she felt for its shelter.
But you are wondering what her father and mother and brothers are doing all this time. I daresay you can imagine something of their fear, and consternation when they were forced to conclude that the little girl was lost. No time was wasted. Father, brothers, and neighbors set out to hunt the forest for the lost child. Darkness came on, and still she was not to be found, but the search was not given up; torches and guns were taken, and all through the night the loving father and brothers scoured the woods. Ellen had dropped asleep in the hole of the butternut tree, when she was awakened by loud cries and shouts. Of course you say she jumped quickly out, and shouted back, “Here I am;” but do you know she did nothing of the kind. She crouched down in her hiding place, trembling all over with fright. Ah, she did not recognize her father’s voice, and she thought it was Indians.
Little lost child, you who are lost in the darkness of this world, do you ever think of that Good Shepherd, who is seeking for you with such love and longing in His heart? And do you not know His voice when He calls you to Him? Do you long to know Him, to feel yourself safely folded in His arms? Well here is a little prayer for you, “Lord, shew me Thyself.”
Ellen was too tired to lie awake long. When the cries were no longer heard, she soon fell asleep again, and when she awoke the sun was shining brightly into her retreat in the big tree.
She was hungry and thirsty, and after taking a careful look around her, she crept out, and was able to find some berries to satisfy her hunger and was just quenching her thirst at a little stream nearby, when once more she heard the voices calling. She fled in trembling haste to her hole, and it was long before she ventured out again. Foolish child, that voice is your father’s, calling to his darling child to come back to him! Do you laugh at her foolishness? But how about yourself? Is not the Lord Jesus saying to YOU in His own word, “Come unto Me”? And have you come? Or are you too well satisfied with the retreat you have found for yourself—the pleasures and duties, which take up your time and thoughts?
ML 10/28/1906