152 LIFE OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. VII. 



during the operation and composure after it ; such a com- 

 fortable wearing off of the first rude shock produced in the 

 family, without detriment to the health and spirits of any ; 

 and so favourable a progress hitherto of the wounded limb, 

 all certainly are most striking and consolatory ; and whether 

 we suppose any supernatural l grace or not, call equally for 

 gratitude to Him whose benignant providence is the only 

 present help in trouble. After an absence of three days, I 

 had the happiness of seeing them all to-day in circum- 

 stances of peace and hope. I was also admitted for a few 

 minutes to the room of the doctor, and exchanged a few 

 words, and engaged for a very short time in prayer. He is, 

 of course, weakened ; but the expression of countenance, 

 and look of self-oblivion, which I never saw him lose in the 

 worst days, are the same. . . . All danger is now, humanly 

 speaking, over, and I trust our prayers and anxieties, 

 which are already passing into thanksgiving, may soon be 

 for nothing but grace to improve past affliction and 

 deliverance." 



It was on this visit that John Cairns was able to come 

 forth with an announcement that in the mind of the sufferer 

 all was peace and joy. To the sorrow-stricken mother this 

 was an unspeakable comfort. " If that be the result," she 

 said, " then all is well." An expression of sympathy with 

 his sufferings made by her, called forth the remark, " Don't 

 regret them ; think how much better off I am than so many 

 in the Infirmary. Besides, I have learned from them to 

 look at things in a new light, which is worth them all." 



From letters of later years we gain further insight into the 

 mental struggles of this season, the more precious, that, 

 being averse from speaking much of his inner life, a few 



i Supernatural seems here used by the writer in a sense akin to prc~ 

 ternatural or miraculous. 



