The voyage proved most perilous and
stormy. On arrival in New York, Mr. Merry's health entirely broke
down, and the medical opinion given was that nothing would restore
him but return to his native land. In March 1867 they were welcomed
back with exceeding joy. How mysterious did this trial appear! Why
were those who had sought the Lord's counsel so earnestly, permitted
to undertake a voyage apparently so useless, and accompanied by so
much anxiety and suffering? How little could any one then conjecture
that the Lord was thus training His children for the great life-work
before them! Not for the welfare of their own family were Mr. and
Mrs. Merry to be permitted to settle in those broad western lands;
but many voyages were to follow, and they, and subsequently their
children also, were to be fellow-helpers in the glorious work of
finding homes on earth, and training for a heavenly Home, thousands
of children who would have been otherwise homeless and uncared for.
"What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter."
Blessed hereafter! when we shall see _all_ the way the Lord our
God has led us; not a smooth way, not an easy way. "The soul of the
people was much discouraged because of the way;" "but the Lord led
them by _the right way_.
Pages:
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36