Stephen's heavenly Father knew exactly how much
understanding and strength he possessed, for He Himself had given those
good gifts to the boy, and He knew in what measure He had bestowed them.
When the right time was come, 'He sent from above, He took him, He
brought him out of many waters. He brought him forth also into a large
place; He delivered him, because He delighted in him.'
After the great tribulation of those days Stephen fell into a long and
severe illness. For many weeks he was delirious and unconscious, neither
knowing what he said nor who was taking care of him. When Miss Anne sat
beside him, soothing him, as she sometimes could do, with singing, he
would talk of being in heaven, and listening to little Nan among the
angels. Bess shared many of Martha's weary hours of watching: and so
deeply had the child's death affected them, that now all their thoughts
and talk were about the things that Miss Anne diligently taught them
concerning Jesus and His salvation. It was not much they knew; but as in
former times a very small subject was sufficient for a long gossip, so
now the little knowledge of the Scriptures that was lodged in either of
their minds became the theme of fluent, if not very learned conversation.
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