But the elements of evil burst upon her loved and cherished work.

One night the heavens were lighted with lurid flames, and Iola beheld the school, the pride and joy of her pupils and their parents, a smouldering ruin.

Iola gazed with sorrowful dismay on what seemed the cruel work of an incendiary's torch.

While she sat, mournfully contemplating the work of destruction, her children formed a procession, and, passing by the wreck of their school, sang:-- "Oh, do not be discouraged, For Jesus is your friend." As they sang, the tears sprang to Iola's eyes, and she said to herself, "I am not despondent of the future of my people; there is too much elasticity in their spirits, too much hope in their hearts, to be crushed out by unreasoning malice.".