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 DEAN'S 
 
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 ONE STEP AT A TIME, 
 
 
 
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 LONDON: DEAN & SON, 
 11, Ludgate Hill. 
 
ONE STEP AT A TIME. 
 
 
 Who has not felt at times bowed down 
 under an oppressive weight on heart and 
 
ONE STEP AT A TIME. 3 
 
 spirit, which, when closely examined, is 
 found to consist not so much of the real 
 present burdens of to-day, as the antici- 
 pated ones of to-morrow? " If the cares 
 of to-day are so oppressive, where am I 
 to find strength for those of to-morrow ?" 
 
 It was under the influence of feelings 
 such as I have described, that I set out on 
 a country walk one summer morning. I 
 knew by experience the reviving effects of 
 fresh air and exercise, of the sweet sights 
 and sounds of nature ; but that day they 
 were all powerless to cheer, and I could 
 but adopt the poet's desponding language — 
 
 ** 1 may not hope from outward forms to win 
 
 The Spirit and the life, whose fountains are within." 
 
 I had as companion a gentle child, 
 whose lively prattle I was accustomed on 
 such occasions to encourage. This morn- 
 ing, the effort seemed impossible. I was 
 abstracted and silent; and my young 
 friend, after a few vain attempts at socia- 
 bility, amused herself by silently gathering 
 the flowers, and chasing the butterflies of 
 the wayside. In order to take a circuit 
 home, it was necessary to cross a stream, 
 
4 ONE STEP AT A TIME. 
 
 which, though shallow, was of considerable 
 breadth. There was no bridge, and the 
 water, deepened by late rains, now dashed 
 noisily against the stepping-stones, and, in 
 some cases, almost covered them. I began 
 abstractedly to cross over, till I perceived 
 
 
 
 
 that my young companion stood still o 
 the side I had left, evidently fearing t< 
 follow. I beckoned her, to follow ha 
 over the stream, pointing out how she 
 should proceed ; but I observed that she 
 still hesitated. 
 
 " What, Jane ! why are you not com- 
 ing ?" 
 
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 ONE STEP AT A TIME. 5 
 
 u Oh ! aunt, I dare not ; I am afraid," 
 she answered. 
 
 " Afraid ! do you not see how firm the 
 stones are ?" 
 
 " Oh ! there are so many ; and the 
 water is so deep ! I shall never get over. 
 I cannot, I dare not !" and the poor little 
 thing, naturally timid, now burst into 
 
 tears. 
 
 I passed rapidly to the other side, and 
 then returned to her. " Come, silly 
 child," I said, half-angry, half-amused, 
 " do not be so foolish ; you see how easily 
 I have done it I am not bidding you 
 leap over the whole at once." 
 
 " Oh ! aunt, who could do that? I am 
 sure I cannot !" 
 
 " Well, neither you nor I have to do 
 it. We have only to take one step at a 
 time; and you are not even alone; iv.r 
 would the water drown you if you were 
 to slip Come, here is my hand ; you 
 will find each stone in itself quite firm, as 
 you stand upon it." 
 
 Trembling and weeping, yet fearing to 
 disobey, she began the perilous passage. 
 
6 ONE STEP AT A TIME, 
 
 The first few steps were the worst. Her 
 courage rose when they were over ; and 
 at last we both stood safely on the oppo- 
 site bank. Little Jane sank down on the 
 grass, as if to recover from her agitation. 
 I seated myself beside her, and for some 
 minutes neither of us spoke. At last she 
 
 said — 
 
 " Aunt, you were quite right ; one 
 
 step at a time was not difficult." 
 
 " Yes, my dear," I replied ; " and re- 
 member that in your future life, when you 
 have more difficult undertakings to get 
 through than crossing the Avon." 
 
 The words of the child, and my almost 
 involuntary answer, went at once to my 
 own heart. "Oh!" I thought, "is not 
 this a lesson for myself? Have not I been 
 sinking under the anticipation of to- 
 morrow's burdens, instead of simply at- 
 tending to the duties of to-day? Have 
 not I been looking to the stormy waters, 
 rather than the Saviour who walks upon 
 their wave3 ? Where is my confidence in 
 
ONE STEP AT A TIME. 7 
 
 the wisdom that cannot err, the love that 
 cannot deal unkindly, the strength that is 
 made perfect in weakness ? Lord, pardon 
 thy sinful servant ; and, as regards things 
 to come, let this henceforth be my only 
 prayer—' Not my will, but Thine, be done. 
 Hold up my gtmgs in Thy paths, that my 
 footsteps slip not.' " 
 
 The spell of despondency was broken, 
 the clouds dispelled. Little Jane and I 
 both talked cheerfully, as we walked home 
 together ; and often since that day has 
 the remembrance of the ford on the 
 Avon acted as a reproof and a charm, 
 when fears and forebodings have again 
 assailed my faithless heart. " One step 
 at a time," I have repeated to myself, as 
 I lay down at night ; " one step at a 
 time/ as I commenced the first duties of 
 a new day. And faith and hope, though 
 too feebly in exercise, have never been 
 disappointed. " The thing that I greatly 
 reared " has often not "come upon me," 
 or, if it has, there have been with it 
 alleviations and comfort such as I could 
 

 8 ONE STEP AT A TIME. 
 
 not have foreseen or imagined. The tasks 
 which at a distance seemed overwhelming, 
 patient and prayerful effort has been 
 enabled steadily to fulfil. Never has the 
 promise failed, " As thy day, so shall thy 
 strength be." 
 
 
 
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