"
"Thou hast tried us as silver is tried. We went through fire and
through water, but Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place." This
was the experience of the beginning of the year 1872. Miss
Bilbrough's letter brings to mind Deut. xxxiii. 12.
"BELLEVILLE, _January 29_, 1872.
"DEAREST ANNIE,--It is indeed difficult to begin a letter to you,
when I know you always open our letters feeling sure of good news.
And yet this one brings you the best you ever had. Lives spared, I
trust, to work more than ever for Him who hath done such great things
for us. Our song is one of continual thankfulness and praise, and I
know you will join us in giving thanks. Our beautiful Home lies in
ruins, only the walls standing, and there is one little grave dug by
Benjamin Stanley's, containing the ashes of little Robbie Gray.
"I hardly know how to begin, it still seems so terrible and real.
"We had had a happy Sabbath. We were to have an early breakfast next
morning, and I awoke in the night thinking it was daylight. Miss
Baylis came to my door, which was shut, saying, 'Miss Bilbrough,
there's smoke!'
"I jumped up, and oh, the feeling, when I saw the house full of
dense white smoke! I knew well what it must be.
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