Page:Widow's son raised from death (1).pdf/8

 for this reason frequently mentioned in Scripture as that which receives into his more peculiar protection. This woman had previously, it seems, lost her husband, and in his loss her cares were doubled. Bereaved of him, she is deprived of her stay and support, her shield and protector. And if any comfort belongs to this forlorn state, it most commonly arises from the children, who are left behind. They remain so many living images of a deceased husband: They succeed to his cares, and in some degree fill up his room, by comforting and assisting a solitary mother. They are the arrows in the hand of a mighty man, to defend aged parents from violence and oppression; they enlarge the interests of a family, and enable it to bear up against any adversaries that may contend with it. Deprived of the companion of her youth, how anxiously would she no doubt view her son, her only son, and look forward to that period, now that his father was gone, when he would be able to shield and protect her, and amply requite all the pains she had been at on his account. We may suppose her often