,transcriber's note3 ,unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed4 ,illustration ,illustration ,twilight ,stories4 ,by ,,catharine ,,shaw ,author of ,sunday ,sunshine1 ,the ,strange ,house1 ,at ,last1 etc4 ,john ,f4 ,shaw ,co41 ,ltd41 #c1 ,pilgrim ,street1 ,london1 ,e4 ,c4 ,,contents4 ,,chap4 ,i4 ,a ,,ticket ,,for ,,each ,,ii4 ,,what ,,the ,,shepherd ,,knows ,,iii4 ,,following ,,iv4 ,,kept ,,at ,,home ,v4 ,,robbie',s ,,christmas ,,eve ,,vi4 ,,the ,,flower ,,of ,,hope ,,vii4 ,,milicent',s ,,music ,,viii4 ,,serves ,,him ,,right ,,ix4 ,,nellie',s ,,hindrance ,x4 ,,the ,,earwig ,,xi4 ,,lost ,,on ,,the ,,common ,,xii4 ,,blackberrying ,,xiii4 ,,the ,,stopped ,,watch ,,xiv4 ,,the ,,midnight ,a1 ,b1 ,c ,,xv4 ,,vera',s ,,content ,,xvi4 ,a ,,search ,,for ,,violets ,,xvii4 ,,summer ,,days ,,xviii4 ,,because ,,xix4 ,,the ,,haunted ,,room ,,xx4 ,,agatha',s ,,story ,,xxi4 ,,under ,,the ,,stars ,,xxii4 ,,kindled ,,xxiii4 ,,tom',s ,,persuasions ,,xxiv4 ,a ,,message ,,from ,,america ,,xxv4 ,,how ,,to ,,find ,,xxvi4 ,,worth ,,while ,,xxvii4 ,,mid-,,winter ,,twilight ,,stories4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,a ,,ticket ,,for ,,each4 ,,come along1 ,auntie6 ,the tea will not be in for a few minutes1 and the fire is bright and the curtains are drawn4 ,just sit down and give us a twilight talk4 ,it is ,new ,year's day1 and of course we want something to help us on our way4 ,their ,aunt smiled4 ,she had come to stay with them for a long visit4 ,the four gathered round her knew that she had passed through deep trials1 and they also knew that she had come out of them nearer to the ,celestial ,city1 like ,christian from ,the ,slough of ,despond4 ,they did not guess that their love and sympathy helped her very much too4 ,well6 she said1 brightly1 ,i was thinking this morning about ,god's promises1 and ,i made up my mind to take one each day this year to live upon6 ,how do you mean8 asked ,rose4 ,every morning to take some distinct promise1 or assurance1 out of the ,bible1 and think about it whenever ,i could1 and remind ,god of it whenever ,i was in any difficulty4 ,i'm going to call it my ticket6 ,your 'ticket1' ,auntie8 said ,oswald1 affectionately4 ,i do not believe you want a ticket to get into ,god's presence4 ,is that what you mean8 ,the others smiled1 and ,aunt ,ruth laughed a little4 ,well--it's just as well to have a ticket6 ,the other day1 do you remember8 ,i went to a large concert4 ,inside was light and music1 and friends2 outside was cold1 dull weather1 and policemen and hall-keepers jealously guarding the way4 ,i was glad to have a ticket then1 ,i can tell you2 and it struck me this morning that there is nothing ,satan likes better than to say1 as those hall-keepers did3 ',this is not the way6 ,where's your ticket8' ,and how is that like ,god's promises8 said ,tom1 bluntly4 ,like this4 ,in ,god's presence is light and warmth and music4 ,satan would keep us outside2 but when we can say to him ',god said so1' he has not a word to answer1 and is obliged to let us pass6 ,i see6 said ,tom4 ,let us all try this year to have a promise1 or an assurance1 every morning4 ,i am sure it will bring happiness4 ,have you got one for to-day8 asked ,jean1 shyly4 ,yes1 said ,aunt ,ruth1 looking up4 ,it is ',certainly ,i will be with thee4' ,that's a ticket to a very good seat6 said ,oswald1 with his eyes shining4 ,i think your 'tickets' are a good idea1 ,auntie4 ,we'll each see if we can't get some for ourselves4 ,but are the promises always applicable8 asked ,rose4 ,i think ,i may say ,i have always found them so1 said ,aunt ,ruth1 for when by a promise we get into ,god's presence1 it is wonderful what a feast ,he spreads for us1 'enough and to spare'2 worth all the trouble of getting in4 ,is it easy to find promises8 asked ,tom1 ,for ,i should never know where to look4 ,you would soon get used to it1 especially as there are quite #cj1jjj promises in the ,bible4 ,are there1 ,auntie8 ,yes4 ,did you never hear the story of the old woman who put ,t4,p4 on pretty nearly every page of her ,bible8 ,some one asked her what ,t4 ,p4 meant1 and she said1 with great satisfaction--',t4 ,p41 ,tried and ,proved4 ,i've tried and proved every one of those promises1 and found ,god faithful6' ,i like that6 said ,oswald4 ,now let's get a promise each for to-day6 ,how would you like to have the same as mine8 said ,aunt ,ruth1 ,and to-morrow you can each get a fresh one for yourselves8 ,this met with great approval1 and ,jean wrote on a strip of paper and slipped it into her ,bible-- ,certainly ,i will be with thee6 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,what ,,the ,,shepherd ,,knows4 ,,aunt ,,ruth sat in the chimney corner4 ,it was a cold1 snowy day1 and the children had come in from a walk1 and said it was bitter4 ,they gathered close to the fire1 and all seemed inclined to stop there1 rather than seek for employment or amusement4 ,the fields looked so bleak1 said ,rose1 warming her hands for the twentieth time4 ,we saw a shepherd leading home his sheep1 ,auntie6 said ,jean4 ,did you8 ,how interesting6 ,not driving them1 then8 ,no1 that was what ,i noticed and ,i thought you'd perhaps have a twilight talk over that8 ,jean smiled as she said it1 and ,aunt ,ruth smiled too4 ,so you are beginning to look-out for spiritual lessons from everyday things8 ,i like that sort of lesson1 said ,jean1 so much better than geography and history6 ,ah6 ,but we cannot properly learn the spiritual1 unless we are in touch with ,christ in the everyday things6 ,can't we1 ,auntie8 asked ,tom1 soberly4 ,she shook her head4 ,well1 she said1 directly ,jean told me she had seen a shepherd leading his sheep1 ,i thought of one of my favourite texts4 ,and that was8 asked ,oswald4 ',my sheep hear my voice1 and ,i know them1 and they follow ,me2 and ,i give unto them eternal life1 and they shall never perish1 neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand4' ,children6 ,the sheep hear2 and ,he knows them1 each one2 and they follow2 and ,he gives4 ,there is a world of meaning in every one of those short sentences4 ,many children and grown-up people1 too1 hear1 and follow1 and forget the clause that comes between4 ,do you remember what that is8 ',i know them1' said ,rose1 gently4 ,she had been learning the whole verse1 and could repeat it perfectly4 ,yes--and what do you think they miss by forgetting that clause8 ,the children did not know1 so they looked up earnestly4 ,they miss assurance4 ,the first clause and the third belong to themselves1 'they hear1 they follow'2 but the second clause is all ,christ's1 ',i know them4' ,here is safety and peace4 ,once there was a revival in a large school that ,i knew of1 and one of the naughtiest girls was brought to ,christ4 ,most of the mistresses thought it impossible that ,lizzie could be really converted1 and laughed much at a younger teacher1 who believed that there really was a change in the girl4 ,this young teacher at last was driven into a corner in defending ,lizzie's conversion1 and said1 in desperation1 ',well--,christ knows4' ,very soon after the holidays came1 and the young mistress left the school4 ,but at the end of a year1 she paid her friends there a visit2 and when she was hearing all the news1 one of them said1 ',you remember ,lizzie1 who was such a naughty girl8 ,well1 she is totally changed4 ,instead of being the most tiresome1 she is the brightest of all the little ,christians6 ,then the mistress took heart1 and remembered how she had said1 ',christ knows'8 ,yes1 dears1 ,he knows ,his sheep1 and they follow ,him4 ,and in proportion to our realising that ,he knows1 so shall we be strong to follow ,him closely6 ,that's very nice1 said ,tom4 ,thank you1 ,auntie4 ,another day we will have 'following1' for ,i think it will help us4 ,they looked up gratefully4 ,they did want to learn more of ,christ1 and this dear ,aunt ,ruth had learned in ,his ,school1 and could help them because she had been close to ,him herself4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,following4 ,,what are you looking at1 ,auntie8 ,the children crowded out of the ,french window1 and stood on the verandah by her side1 the stars and the deep twilight sky sending a sort of thrill to their hearts4 ,i was watching that old woman and her grandson on their way home4 ,what do you think ,i heard the boy say as he passed the hedge8 ,what8 asked ,rose1 curiously4 ,auntie always had something pleasant to say4 ',i can't see the way1 grannie1 it's so dark6' he complained2 and then a gentle voice came out of the gloom1 and ,i heard these words3 ',if you keep close behind1 and follow me1 we shall soon get into the light6' ,and ,i thought1 children1 that here was our promised twilight talk about 'following' all ready to our hand6 ,now it seems to me that little ,ted ,jones is a picture of us4 ,there are often places in our everyday lives which are dark and mysterious to us ignorant ones2 sorrows1 or trials1 misunderstandings1 difficulties1 sins1 temptations--you can all put your own special difficulty into the story1 and call it 'darkness4' ,the question often comes to each of us1 how are we to get out of this dilemma1 or this difficulty1 or this bad temper1 or temptation8 ,i know well that it seems very real and large and overwhelming to us4 ,but the ,lord ,jesus bids us follow ,him closely1 assuring us with tenderness that is wonderful1 ',he that followeth ,me shall not walk in darkness1 but shall have the light of life6' ,but1 said ,oswald1 pressing closer to her side1 there are so many things that are so small1 ,auntie1 and yet they worry you no end6 ,perhaps you've had a lesson to learn1 and you've had a headache1 or somebody has thrown you over1 and made it ache1 and so your lesson isn't half prepared1 and you get up in the morning feeling that the world is dark and you cannot see any way out of the bother4 ,oh1 there are heaps of things6 ,that's only one6 ,what can we do in such a case8 ,there was a pause for an instant4 ,aunt ,ruth was trying to put herself into ,oswald's circumstances1 and thinking how to bring her great ,remedy down to his need4 ,to make him understand that ,jesus ,christ is a remedy for all ills4 ,i think1 she said1 slowly1 the best plan would be to go to ,god1 our ,father1 and tell ,him just how the difficulty came1 and then ask ,him definitely 'in the name of ,jesus1' to make some way out of it-- ,and then8 asked ,oswald1 eagerly4 ,then ,i should do the next most obvious thing4 ,either look over the unfinished lesson if there is time1 or go quietly into class if there isn't1 and wait to see how ,god will help you4 ,the answer may come in some very simple way1 but if you look for it1 it will surely come1 and you must thank ,him4 ,oswald pressed her arm4 ,aunt ,ruth was so comforting4 ,every one of us has our own special difficulty1 and what is 'darkness' to ,oswald may not appear at all bad to ,tom6 ,tom could hear a smile in his ,aunt's voice as she turned towards him4 ,the timid child who hates to go upstairs after dusk1 feels itself quite safe if father is in front6 ,so little ,ted ,jones could not see the way to go1 and he felt afraid in the dark lanes lest he was not going right4 ,but grannie knew6 ,she had been that way before too many times to mistake1 and if little ,ted would only keep close to her1 and trust her1 she would lead him safely home4 ,presently the cottage door would open1 there would be a flood of light1 and little ,ted would be at home6 ,how nice6 said ,jean1 with her eyes shining in the darkness4 ,but ,aunt ,ruth was speaking again4 ,jesus says ',he that followeth ,me shall not walk in darkness1 but shall have the light of life4 ,if any man serve ,me1 let him follow ,me1 and whither ,i am1 there shall ,my servant be6 ,there was a moment's pause1 and the children were looking up to the starlit sky4 ,but1 sometimes1 said ,tom1 in a low voice1 the path seems difficult1 and we lose sight of the ,guide1 perhaps1 and cannot be sure ,he is there-- ,yes1 said ,aunt ,ruth1 ,i know that2 but ,i think then the best way is to speak to our ,guide4 ,tell ,him we find the way rough and lonely1 and ask ,him by his ,spirit to reveal ,his presence to us4 ,as surely as we do1 we shall get a comforting assurance that ,he is there2 that ,he knows the way1 that ,he has been through all our temptations1 and that ,he is safely leading us ,home6 ,oh1 the rest of being sure that ,jesus knows the way1 children6 ,i suppose1 said ,rose1 that if we were more sure about ,jesus we should not be half so afraid6 ',sure1' echoed ,tom2 how do you mean8 ,i mean1 hesitated ,rose1 that if we had more confidence in the way ,he was leading us we should be more satisfied with our circumstances-- ,rose had touched upon one of the great problems of life4 ,the others did not know it1 but ,aunt ,ruth did4 ,have ,i ever told you about the ,alpine guide8 she asked suddenly4 ,no1 ,i think not1 said ,rose1 wonderingly4 ,when people want to make an ascent of a difficult mountain1 the first thing they do is to secure the services of a guide4 ,this guide must be thoroughly qualified1 strong and reliable1 have climbed that particular mountain many times before1 and must be ready to undertake the charge of the traveller-- ,oh1 ,i see6 exclaimed ,jean4 ,and then1 when the traveller and the guide have made the compact1 the traveller gives himself over to do exactly as the guide says1 doesn't he8 ,of course he does1 said ,tom4 ,and they start together1 and the guide goes before in all the difficult places4 ,he cares for the traveller2 he holds him up2 he assures him that he knows the way4 ,as they mount higher1 the guide cuts each step in the ice1 and the traveller must put his foot where his guide's have been1 with unquestioning faith3 herein is his only safety4 ,will he grudge his confidence when the summit is reached1 and they stand beneath the vault of heaven with nothing between8 ,so we1 children1 shall thank and praise our great ,guide for ,his faithfulness1 and shall know those words true by and bye--',he that followeth ,me shall not walk in darkness1 but shall have the light of life'6 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,kept ,,at ,,home4 ,,two girls sat at a window in a cosy bedroom overlooking the snowy prospect2 a bright fire burned in the grate1 and a little table was spread with afternoon tea4 ,i wish you could go out and skate1 ,mary6 said the elder of the two1 laying a gentle hand on the other's white one1 and looking in her face4 ,mary shook her head with a little half-smile4 ,i suppose ,i ought not to have said so1 ,dorothy went on1 for ,i expect it only makes you long the more-- ,no1 it doesn't1 said ,mary4 ,you see1 ,dorothy1 ,i'm willing1 and that makes it so much easier4 ,easier to sit up there and mope1 instead of going to parties1 or skating1 or even church8 ,and then in front of you1 perhaps1 an operation in which you may lose your foot-- ,and as she said the words1 ,dorothy buried her face on ,mary's lap and gave a sob4 ,mary's little hand stroked her hair tenderly4 ,yes--all that1 she said1 and yet ,i love ,god's will better than my own1 and am sure ,he will allow nothing that ,he will not give me strength to bear4 ,still ,dorothy sobbed1 and ,mary went on in the same tender1 even tone1 which had come to her because her heart was at rest in the heart and will of ,god4 ,i'll tell you what comforts me1 ,dorothy1 most of all4 ,i've two texts that ,i live on just now2 would you care to hear them8 ,dorothy nodded1 and sat up1 drying her eyes4 ,i've no business to depress you6 she exclaimed4 ,only ,i am so sorry6 ,i know1 answered ,mary1 but now listen to my texts and get comforted4 ,one is the down-hearted text1 and the other is the triumphant one4 ,listen6 ,this is the down-hearted text--,i mean when ,satan tries to make me down-hearted3--',what time ,i am afraid1 ,i will trust in ,thee6' ,and the triumphant one is this1--',i will trust1 and not be afraid6' ,which will you have1 ,dorothy8 ,dorothy smiled at her tone1 and ,mary said1 ,will you take the comfort that ,jesus wants to give you about me1 and be sure ,he is doing ,his best for me8 ,i'm at the triumphant text to-night1 you see6 ,there were bright tears glittering in her soft eyes for all that1 and ,dorothy kissed her almost reverently4 ,well--,i'll take one of your texts1 if ,i can't take the other6 she said1 ,at present6 ,god must teach you ,himself1 said ,mary1 and then you will be able6 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,robbie',s ,,christmas ,,eve4 ,,why1 ,mother1 it is almost as light as day6 said ,robin1 as the two came out from the shade of the trees close to the village church4 ,i was never out so late before4 ,look at the church clock1 it's just upon a quarter past eleven4 ,yes1 said his mother1 trying to quicken her tired footsteps2 and we'll soon be home now1 ,robbie4 ,i don't care1 said ,robin1 a little sadly4 ,i was never so old as this before1 and ,i thought ,christmas was always a happy day to everybody1 and ,i'm sure it won't be to us to-morrow1 ,mammie6 ,we've got nothing to keep it with1 and then there's father so ill1 too4 ,yes1 ,robbie1 ,i know that-- she assented1 settling her great bundle of sticks more firmly in her arms1 but the ,lord has been speaking to me while ,i've been picking up the sticks in the moonlight1 and ,i feel less tired4 ,has ,he8 asked ,robin in a voice of awe4 ,he had been a very wretched little boy all that bright1 crisp1 ,christmas ,eve2 like ,christian and ,hopeful1 he had got into ,doubting ,castle1 and ,giant ,despair had been beating him about cruelly6 ,he had looked round on his circumstances1 and had decided they were too hard to bear4 ,there was mother with that tired face working for them all1 and tidying up for ,christmas1 as she said1 waiting on their sick father1 and washing and mending their threadbare clothes once again4 ,he had looked in the cupboard and not a bit of fresh food for ,christmas fare appeared to be there4 ,he had peeped in the corners of the kitchen and shed1 but no surprises lay anywhere that he could see4 ,i did try to be a little ,christian1 he had murmured1 but what's the good8 ,other people have a good ,christmas1 but we haven't4 ,god has forgotten all about father being ill1 and mother and us not having enough to eat6 ,so when his mother had called him softly to come out with her and gather sticks for a ,christmas fire1 he had come with sorrowful steps1 being still fast held in ,doubting ,castle4 ,and now his mother was telling him that the ,lord had been talking to her6 and ,robin felt almost afraid1 for he had been turning his back on the ,lord in his heart all that long ,christmas ,eve6 ,yes1 his mother went on1 squeezing his hand1 and what do you guess ,he said to me1 ,robbie8 ,he said1 ',don't you think1 little mother1 that ,i love you1 and know how tired you are8 ,don't you think that ,i know how father's groaning goes to your heart8 ,don't you think that ,i have looked into the cupboard in the kitchen and know there is only one loaf there to go round for all the children8 ,don't you think ,i see that there's but a bit of tea and a mite of sugar1 and no meat nor pudding nor anything8' ,and ,i said1 ',yes1 dear ,jesus1 ,i know you have seen it all4' ,and ,he said1 ',haven't ,i told you that ,i will make a way of escape that you shall be able to bear it8' ,and ,i said1 ',yes1 dear ,jesus1 you have4' ,then1 ,robbie1 ,i began to think about the shepherds watching their flocks and the heavenly ,host singing so long ago because ,christ the ,lord was born1 and ,i raised my head and wiped away my tears1 and ,i said to myself1 ',i've got my ,saviour still1' and ,he has said to you and to me1 ',i will never leave thee1 nor forsake thee4' ,robbie's little heart gave a thrill of happiness1 and straight away1 he got out of ,doubting ,castle4 ,the key of ,god's promise had opened the gate6 ,when they got to the cottage door1 a great hamper lay in the moonlight on the white step4 ,warm clothes1 apples1 oranges1 beef and groceries1 crackers and nuts for the children1 and a great pudding4 ,and on slip of paper was written3 ,unto you is born a ,saviour which is ,christ the ,lord4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,the ,,flower ,,of ,,hope4 ,,all is bare in the garden6 ,the wind blows round in gusts2 the snow lies thick wherever the wind has not lifted it2 the cold seems to have taken possession4 ,daisy looked out of the window on a dull ,february afternoon4 ,the weather outside matched the chilled little heart4 ,an arm came round her shoulders1 and a gentle voice said1 ,well1 little one1 what is that head of yours so busy over8 ,oh1 ,i don't know1 ,auntie6 ,i was looking at the snow1 and thinking--somehow--the winter seems never-ending6 ,there was great sadness in the young voice4 ,yes--you have had a hard time of it1 ,daisy1 said her aunt1 lovingly4 ,and it is not only that mother is gone1 said the girl1 with a choke1 and that all the rooms are empty--it is not only that-- ,she paused1 unable to proceed4 ,i see all that1 whispered her aunt1 but ,i know well that it is not always the sorrows people can see that are the hardest4 ,daisy looked up quickly1 as if that were a ray of comfort4 ,jesus sees1 proceeded her aunt1 what we can hardly explain to any one else1 ,he understands4 ,daisy squeezed her hand1 and then1 as if impelled to go on1 she added1 ,i thought as ,i looked out on the wintry garden1 as if my heart were something like that1 and ,i don't see any help for it6 ,still1 ,daisy1 beneath the snow and the frost1 the plants are alive6 ,that is how the life of ,christ is in your heart4 ,put on your shawl1 and ,i will get mine4 ,there is nothing like seeing-- ,daisy ran with alacrity4 ,hope had begun to dawn in her heart4 ,her aunt led the way to a sheltered corner4 ,look6 she exclaimed4 ,there1 beneath a holly bush1 peeped out of the white earth a little patch of exquisite snowdrops6 ,oh6 ,auntie6 said ,daisy1 and her eyes were full of tears1 she did not know why4 ,didn't ,i tell you the life was there8 whispered her aunt4 ,hope thou in ,god1 for ,i shall yet praise ,him who is the health of my countenance and my ,god6 ,when her father came home that night1 there was a different atmosphere somehow in the quiet room1 and about his little girl4 ,there was nothing that he could say was altered1 except that a bunch of snowdrops stood in a vase beside his plate2 but ,daisy's eyes had the light of hope in them4 ,the child has been talking to ,jesus1 ,i fancy1 said his sister that night1 and any one who talks to ,him finds the worst burden lifted6 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,milicent',s ,,music4 ,,why1 ,milicent6 exclaimed her aunt4 ,crying over your music1 darling8 ,milicent was too miserable to mind being caught crying1 though generally she was so brave that she would have resented the sympathy4 ,i'm cold1 and ,i can't get on2 and ,miss ,seymour told me ,i was to do nothing till ,i had played this exercise twenty times4 ,her aunt went up to her and touched the little icy fingers1 which with contact with the cold ivory keys1 were numbed and almost useless4 ,miss ,seymour will let you warm them1 ,i am sure1 if ,i explained1 said her auntie4 ,come here on my knee1 and while you get warm we will have a little talk4 ,then ,i will help you with your exercise afterwards1 and you shall see how quickly we will learn it4 ,milicent came almost reluctantly4 ,her hands ached intolerably1 and she felt wretched altogether4 ,but the warm rays of the fire began to play upon her chilled little frame1 and as she nestled her head in her aunt's neck1 she felt comfort beginning to steal over her4 ,cold is very bad to bear1 said her aunt1 softly4 ,i heard from a soldier who came from ,south ,africa that some of the poor fellows on duty at night would positively cry with the bitter cold4 ,milicent looked up suddenly4 ,these are words said to you and to me1 ,milly1 ',endure hardness1 as good soldiers of ,jesus ,christ4' ,i didn't mean to cry1 said ,milly1 only ,i couldn't get on4 ,no1 dear2 and do you know when ,i saw your pitiful little face1 ,i remembered what ,i heard at a missionary meeting a week or two ago8 ,the young clergyman had been working for seven years all among the snows of ,north-,west ,canada-- ',working8' asked ,milicent4 ,trying to tell the ,red ,indians and ,eskimos1 and the trappers and hunters about ,jesus1 our ,saviour1 of whom they have never heard4 ,oh1 ,i see1 said ,milicent4 ,now ,i know what you mean4 ,the missionaries there only get letters three times in the year2 they have to live almost entirely on dried meat and a little tea1 and often go very short of that6 ,they never see the sun for nine months in the year1 and the snow is five feet thick on the ground6 ,when they travel from place to place to tell the good news of the love of ,jesus1 they often cannot get to a hut by night time1 and have to camp in the snow4 ,they scrape a big hole with their long snow-shoes1 and then they put on every wrap they possess1 and each gets into a long fur bag which covers them over head and all1 and then they lie down in the snow hole1 and men and dogs go to sleep as close together as they can for warmth4 ,milicent raised her head1 and put out her hands to the blaze thoughtfully4 ,they must love ,jesus very much to bear all that for ,him1 she said at length4 ,yes2 and love the poor ignorant people1 too1 ,milly6 ,do the ,eskimos learn to love ,christ1 ,auntie8 ,indeed they do4 ,the children are taught to read1 and to sing hymns1 and to repeat ,scripture2 and by and by little ,mission stations spring up and a church is built2 and those who used to be cannibals and at constant warfare with each other1 learn to be kind and gentle and forgiving even as ,christ is6 ,milicent's large eyes looked wistful4 ,i wish ,i could do something for them1 she said1 longingly4 ,milly1 ,i felt that too1 when ,i heard6 ,but do you know what ,i thought8 ,every day ,i can pray that ,god would support and bless those brave missionaries in their hardships2 and you can ask ,him1 too1 that ,he may comfort them and give them food to eat and cheer their hearts with ,his presence4 ,so ,i will1 said ,milly in a low voice4 ,and you can learn to knit warm gloves and caps for them1 perhaps8 ,or work to sell things and send them money4 ,milly nodded her head earnestly4 ,her heart was full of thoughts4 ,then her aunt rose and turned to the piano4 ,now1 childie1 we must do the next duty that comes to our hand4 ,let us have a look at this tiresome music6 ,milly went at it with a good will1 now1 and soon conquered the difficulty2 and then1 set free1 she went up into her bedroom and knelt down at her bedside for one moment4 ,lord ,jesus1 she said1 ,i want to love ,thee and serve ,thee all my life--teach me how6 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,serves ,,him ,,right6 ,,now1 ,aunt ,ruth6 ,see1 the fire is blazing1 and the wintry prospect is shut out1 let us have a story or something6 ,their ,aunt glanced on their eager faces1 illumined by the firelight1 and she smiled as she paused an instant4 ,serves him right6 she exclaimed1 and the children looked round almost startled4 ,they heard such words from each other occasionally1 but certainly not from their gentle ,aunt4 ',serves him right1' she repeated4 ',he did it to me1 and it's just as well he should feel the pinch himself6' ',what did he do1 ,rollo8' asked a school-fellow1 curiously4 ',when ,i went down in class the other day1 you should have seen the look in ,george's eyes6 ,as he took his place above me1 he muttered beneath his breath1 ,you should have worked harder last night1 then it wouldn't have happened6 ,he knew ,i had a frightful headache1 and could barely see a line4' ',well1' said his school-fellow1 ',george has got his deserts this time1 for ,joey hid his book till the last minute1 and then found it1 as innocent as anything1 and we knew he'd be bound to go down1 for he hadn't a moment to prepare4' ,rollo turned away1 but his heart was heavy4 ,it was all very well to be glad that his overbearing school-fellow had gone down in class2 but such a trick as that was beyond him4 ,he raced off to his dinner at home1 and his footmarks were the only ones across the snowy fields4 ,when he got in1 the dinner was not quite ready1 and he went and sat down in front of the fire1 by which his little crippled sister lay on her couch4 ',isn't all right to-day1 ,rollo8' she asked1 wistfully4 ,he looked up1 then back to the fire4 ',nothing particular1' he mumbled4 ',i'm sure there is1' she said gently4 ',it's only that ,george ,runton is such a cad1 and ,i said it served him right to go down in his class--' ',well8 ,did you get blamed for saying that8' she asked4 ',by nobody but myself4 ,i had a sort of feeling it wasn't nice of me3 but ,i don't know why exactly4 ,it did serve him right1 and yet--' ',i know6' said ,mary1 very tenderly2 'it wasn't like ,his compassions was it8' ',his compassions8' asked ,rollo1 equally gently1 for this little suffering sister was his pet and darling4 ',don't you know it says1 ,his compassions fail not2 they are new every morning4 ,i'm often glad of that4' ',why particularly8' ',because we're often hard in our thoughts on other people--at least ,i am4 ,but ,i'm often glad to remember that ,god is sorry for our mistakes without being hard1 and ,he makes even our mistakes work round for our good if we will trust ,him4' ,rollo looked dissatisfied4 ',doesn't that help you at all8' asked ,mary4 ',we're always paying each other out at school1 or wishing we could1' objected ,rollo4 ',i don't seem to be able to help it4' ',yes1 ,i know2 but when we get very tired of trying to be kind and to pay back a kind action instead of a nasty word1 it does help to say to one's self1 ,his compassions fail not4' ',well--' said ,rollo1 with a long-drawn breath1 ',i'll try it4 ,and here's dinner6' ,he retraced his steps over the snow1 and he looked up at the sky and saw the little robin singing on the branches in spite of the cold1 and he repeated to himself tenderly1 thinking of ,mary's face3 ',his compassions fail not2 they are new every morning4' ,for a moment his heart stood still4 ,what about ,mary's years of helplessness8 ,but he remembered that she had meant what she said1 and there was nothing but truth from those gentle lips and eyes4 ,when he got inside school he was almost late4 ,in his hurry1 he stumbled up against ,george ,runton1 and nearly knocked him over4 ,he paused for one instant1 then said1 hastily1 ',i'm sorry you lost your book1 old fellow--it was awfully vexing4' ,and so passed on into school1 with a wonderfully lightened heart4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,there was silence for a minute round the bright fire1 for ,auntie had set the children thinking4 ,i suppose we are all apt to be hard on someone6 ventured ,rose1 at last4 ,yes1 ,i expect we are1 said ,aunt ,ruth4 ,we all have our different ways of showing it1 and the things that make us hard differ with each of our dispositions4 ,but ,god seems to me to stand like 'a shadow of a great rock in a weary land1' with ,his everlasting love ready to enfold us and protect us and calm us4 ,why did you tell us this to-day1 ,auntie8 asked ,tom4 ,because-- she smiled archly1 ,i had heard those words1 ',serve him right1' eight times within the last two days6 ,oh1 ,auntie6 ,she jumped up and turned up the gas4 ,who wants a game of dominoes till teatime8 she said brightly4 ,but nevertheless1 they did not forget her little story4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,nellie',s ,,hindrance4 ,,nellie had come out from home with rather a heavy heart4 ,her basket full of fresh eggs for the ,vicarage had been taken safely there1 and now she was returning4 ,the twilight was deepening1 and she stood still to hear a thrush's good-night song4 ,yesterday a ,missioner had come to their village1 and ,nellie had gone to the service1 and she had been dissatisfied with herself ever since4 ,the subject had been hindrances to prayer1 and as ,nellie stood beneath the trees breathing in the soft spring air1 she recalled almost every word the ,missioner had said4 ,she felt they spoke home1 and her face was very downcast as she remembered them4 ,where do you think your hindrances to prayer come8 he had asked4 ,i will tell you2 it is not in your outside life1 among your acquaintances1 in the shop or the club1 the market1 the school1 or the pleasure party6 ,you can have a smiling face there1 and people say how nice you are and how pleasant6 ,but the real man1 and the real woman1 and the real boy and girl are not seen in those places4 ,it is at home1 by your fireside1 in the family life that we are ourselves1 and it is there the great temptation comes to us to have our prayers hindered by unworthy conduct4 ,nellie remembered it all1 and she remembered1 too1 that her conduct to-day had somehow hindered her prayers4 ,her mother had asked her to do several things in the morning that she thought most unnecessary4 ,she felt sure that no other mother would have wanted such a thing on a ,monday morning6 ,she was a dutiful girl1 and she did not refuse to do them1 but she did them with an inward groan1 which made them twice as hard to do4 ,then the children had seemed tiresome1 and one of them had torn his clothes against some barbed wire2 the clothes had to be mended before he could go back to school in the afternoon4 ,and while she was mending them at the top of her speed1 he would keep on jumping in and out of bed1 where he was waiting1 and hindered her more than she could say4 ,at last the mending was done1 and the children raced off to school a little late4 ,mother might have let him wear his best for once6 she grumbled to herself4 ,and so all the afternoon she felt things were harder than she could bear4 ,but now1 as she came under the quiet shade of the trees and tried to think1 she sat down on a grassy bank and buried her face in her hands4 ,what was hindering her prayers1 and her communion with ,god8 ,the ,missioner said that the word hindered meant that you cut yourselves adrift from prayer4 ,he said that the mainland is like communication with ,god2 and that if a person rowed out to a rock1 and1 after mooring his boat to return1 cut it adrift1 he would sever himself from returning to the mainland6 ,so if we went out on to the sea of our daily life1 and let pleasure or worry1 work or care1 cut us adrift from communication with ,god1 all our happiness and peace would go6 ,yes1 ,nellie remembered every word1 and sorrowfully she thought1 ,what is separating me from communion with ,god8 ,at first she was not sure1 but after a few moments of thinking it over1 she confessed to herself that it was not pleasure1 for she thought she did not get much of that2 it was not work1 though she had heaps of that2 it was not care1 for as yet she felt but little of that2 it was--she paused--she hated to acknowledge it to herself--it was worry6 ,she had got into a kind of vexation with her life1 and all that belonged to it4 ,she could not alter it2 the more she tried the worse it seemed to be4 ,what was she to do8 ,she did love ,god2 she did wish to please ,jesus all the day1 more than anything else in the world2 and yet here she was vexed and irritated by the unalterable things in her lot1 which 7she told herself7 her mother could alter1 but did not1 and which galled and fretted her almost past endurance4 ,was there any remedy1 or must she go home just as burdened as she came out8 ,the thrush still sang1 though the dusk was falling now upon tree and meadow4 ,nellie felt she must go1 but how could she till she had found rest8 ,ah6 ,with a start of joy1 she raised her head4 ,rest8 ,then the words of her ,saviour flashed upon her1 ,come unto ,,me all ye that labour and are heavy laden1 and ,i will give you rest4 ,take my yoke upon you and learn of ,,me4 ,nellie saw it now1 and the struggle was ended4 ,she had been wanting her own will and her own way2 she had been wanting to set the crooked things straight herself1 but it was only ,god who could do it for her1 after all4 ,the ,missioner had said the yoke of ,christ1 under which he walked so patiently1 was the ,will of ,god4 ,was that the solution of all her home frets and worries8 ,the ,will of ,god6 ,yes1 she would take it4 ,she would do as ,christ said1 ,take the yoke upon her1 and so find rest6 ,such a peace stole over her that she could have cried her heart out2 but she knew she would be missed2 and with an inward thanksgiving too deep for words1 she ran along the dark lane1 and soon entered the lighted cottage4 ,she kissed her mother silently1 and hastened upstairs1 saying only1 ,i sha'n't be a minute1 and when she came down1 they wondered at her brightness1 but did not know that in finding rest of heart in ,jesus1 her life had been transfigured4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,the ,,earwig4 ,,when ,i was a little child of about five1 ,i remember very well how we used to play in the garden all the long summer days1 and how insects and toads1 hedgehogs and beetles1 were our playthings1 besides the intense enjoyment of climbing trees1 high swinging1 and other delights4 ,but fond as we were of insects1 ,i had the most shrinking fear of an earwig4 ,one day1 ,i thought ,i felt something crawl down my neck1 and in an agony ,i asked my little brothers and sisters1 and ,i daresay our busy nurse1 to see if they could find it4 ,nobody took any heed of my distress1 till1 in some way1 ,i suppose1 ,i came across my father4 ,i never had any reason to doubt his tenderness1 and whether he guessed there was something wrong1 or whether ,i ran to him and explained1 ,i cannot now remember4 ,but what is indelibly impressed on my memory is this4 ,he took me at once to his room1 and while cheeringly assuring me that even if it were an earwig1 it would do me no harm1 he began with the utmost tenderness to take off my frock1 and to peep about my little shoulders2 and still not finding it1 he took off garment by garment1 till he satisfied himself and me that no earwig was there4 ,then he dressed me again1 and with comforted heart we went downstairs together4 ,shall ,i ever forget that little childish scene8 ,does it not rise before me every time ,i read those tender words in the #ajcrd ,psalm1 ,like as a father pitieth his children1 so the ,lord pitieth them that fear ,him4 ,now1 what ,i want you all to remember1 dear children1 is this4 ,let this little picture of an earthly father's pity1 help you to understand the ,heavenly ,father's pity4 ,we all have troubles and fears1 difficulties and temptations4 ,some more1 some less4 ,let us take them to the pitying ,heavenly ,father4 ,the difficulty or fear may be as unwarrantable as my dread of the earwig1 or it may be a real danger or temptation which assails us4 ,but whatever it is1 trust the great ,father's love4 ,tell ,him all about it1 ask ,him to help you1 as ,he knows best how2 leave it in ,his ,hands how to do it1 and receive ,his assurance of peace when you have done all this4 ,then at rest from your fears1 and the worst of your difficulties1 go hand in hand into the work of life1 with a firmer trust than ever in your ,father's love4 ,and the ,heavenly ,father is always near at hand6 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,lost ,,on ,,the ,,common4 ,,why1 ,bertha6 ,i've been looking for you everywhere1 exclaimed her cousin ,norman1 a little reproachfully1 ,aunt ,esther was quite in a fidget4 ,it was hot1 and he had been sent out on the ,common1 and had been wandering about for an hour1 calling and searching4 ,bertha's eyes fell4 ,she had not intended to set everybody hunting1 she had only felt miserable1 and had wanted to be alone4 ,she loved the ,common1 and was always allowed to go out at the back gate and wander about1 so long as she kept in sight of home4 ,norman threw himself on the grass in front of her2 not that he felt particularly friendly1 but because he was tired4 ,so they sat in silence1 till1 a little rested1 he raised his eyes to her woe-begone face4 ,what's the matter8 he asked1 bluntly4 ,i've been naughty again1 said ,bertha1 simply4 ,what about8 with more interest4 ,bertha felt the difference in the tone4 ,i can't get on with ,aunt ,esther-- ,i expect you're sometimes in fault yourself1 hazarded ,norman1 looking up4 ,ye-es--oh1 yes1 ,i am2 but she's so sharp6 ,she's always after me3 'do this1' and 'do that4' ,mother never used to keep on so6 ,of course not1 said ,norman1 briefly4 ,he hoped ,bertha was not going to cry about her mother1 because he hated people to cry4 ,and then when ,father comes home1 ,i know ,aunt ,esther tells him tales about me1 and that makes me mad-- ,perhaps you fancy she does1 and after all she doesn't1 said ,norman4 ,bertha shook her head4 ,i know it isn't nice of me to be always thinking such things about her2 but1 indeed1 ,norman1 ,i can't help it1 and ,i do feel so miserable4 ,the tears came now1 and ,norman did not so much mind1 as he expected4 ,he was full of sympathy with his little cousin1 but he did not see how to help her4 ,i s'pose there's some way out of it1 he said1 consideringly1 there generally is-- ,again ,bertha shook her head4 ,what did you do to-day8 he asked1 by way of suggesting a remedy4 ,bertha brushed away her tears with her hand4 ,well1 she said1 ,i was busy in the breakfast-room1 making those toilet mats for the missionaries1 and the room was rather-- ,snippy1 suggested ,norman4 ,yes--well1 it was no harm2 it was ,saturday1 and ,i was free to do it4 ,and ,i wanted to finish a set1 because ,i thought if ,aunt ,helen came this afternoon1 ,i would get her to buy them--for the missionaries1 you know4 ,but ,aunt ,esther said she could not have such a mess all over the place1 and began gathering my things together1 and ,i felt cross1 and begged her to wait and let me put them up2 and she went on1 and my bottle of gum got spilled between us1 and went over the pink satin1 and spoilt ever such a lot4 ,what a shame1 said the boy1 flushing4 ,yes1 it was2 but1 oh1 ,i flew in such a passion4 ,i stamped about the room1 and said all the nasty things ,i could think of2 and when ,i hadn't any more words left1 she just said1 coldly1 ',that is what you call working for ,christ1 do you8 ,you will not show your things to ,aunt ,helen this afternoon1 ,bertha1' and left the room4 ,norman turned crimson1 and ,bertha saw his sympathy in his face4 ,and so ,i came out here1 she said1 sorrowfully4 ,it was quite true--that part of it--how dreadful it was of me to be in such a temper over ,his work1 ,norman6 ,now ,i don't know what to do4 ,shall ,i burn them all1 and never do any more1 if ,i can't be a better girl4 ,norman's brown hand was stretched out and took hold of her little one4 ,poor kiddie1 he said1 softly4 ,what can ,i do1 do you think8 she asked1 anxiously4 ,not burn the things6 he said1 decidedly4 ,i think--,i'm not much of a hand at good sort of talk1 you know--but if we've done wrong--if we know we have-- ,bertha nodded4 ,then mother always says we ought to ask ,god to forgive us1 and--you won't like me to say it--and ,aunt ,esther4 ,mother says then we can begin again1 you know4 ,only it's awfully hard-- ,bertha raised herself from the ground4 ,yes1 ,norman1 she said1 solemnly1 ,i see4 ,i'll do it4 ,ask ,god first1 then ,aunt ,esther4 ,i will4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,blackberrying4 ,i ,,wonder why it's been such a good year for fruit8 said a little boy1 looking up in the face of an elder one who was resting against a stile1 still keeping a crutch in his hand and leaning on it1 while a basket of blackberries lay at his feet4 ,i suppose there has been just enough rain and just enough sun to suit them1 ,tommy6 ,the tone made ,tommy look up1 and then his eyes wandered to the crutch1 and back again to the patient face wistfully4 ,if the blackberry hedges had nothing but sun1 they would be scorched up1 ,tommy1 boy6 ,and if my life had been all pleasure1 perhaps there would have been no fruit on my bush6 ,fruit8 ,yes1 don't you remember how the lesson in ,sunday ,school1 yesterday1 was ',he that abideth in ,me1 and ,i in him1 the same bringeth forth much fruit8' ,oh1 ,i see6 said ,tommy4 ,and if1 pursued the elder boy1 there had been nothing but rain and storm and sorrow and pain1 my little bush would have got mildewed and spoilt1 and so no fruit would have come either4 ,i like sunshine best6 said ,tommy4 ,but--what sort of things do you mean would have scorched up your bush8 ,he hesitated1 for though several years younger than his companion1 he had a thoughtful little heart1 and he began to guess4 ,being captain of our football team1 perhaps2 and first in all the running games2 and top of my ,form-- ,but those weren't harm8 said ,tommy4 ,no--o--oh no6 ,but it was so pleasant2 and ,i never thought it could be different1 and ,i did not need ,god then1 and so ,i brought no fruit to ,him4 ,that's what ,i call sunshine that scorches-- ,the child put his hand on the brown big one1 caressingly4 ,so then in love--yes1 ,tommy--in love1 my ,father sent the rain and the storm4 ,he saw there would be no fruit on my little bush1 and ,he knew ,i should be sorry2 and so ,he-- ,frank paused and looked down at the crutch1 which said all there was to say4 ,it needed no explanation4 ,tommy knew all about the long1 painful illness which had resulted in the loss of ,frank's right leg4 ,everybody knew how patiently their school-fellow bore his deprivation4 ,your bush has lots of 'fruit' on it now1 ,i think6 said ,tommy1 affectionately4 ,tommy6 said ,frank1 getting himself upright again to start for home4 ,there are sunshine and storms in your life as well as mine6 ,we don't all of us have the same lot4 ,you've got no mother1 and--heaps of things that are hard--but every time you are brave and patient 'for ,jesus' sake1' you are 'bearing fruit4' ,think of that1 ,tommy6 ,doesn't it kind of feel nice8 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,the ,,stopped ,,watch4 ,,the sun's set1 ,jim1 called ,nellie1 as she raked up the last bit of hay1 and we shall have a fine day to-morrow to finish it1 by the looks of the sky4 ,yes1 he answered1 turning towards the ferry boat1 we've done for to-day1 let's take a rest in the twilight till father's ready to go home4 ,nellie was nothing loth4 ,she and her favourite brother were a great deal together1 and worked on the same farm on which their father had lived all his life4 ,as she got into the boat1 she said1 ,what time is it1 should you say8 ,he took out his rather clumsy watch1 and looked at it4 ,it's gone wrong again6 he said1 ,i set it all right this morning1 and ,i thought ,i'd done it this time4 ,i doubt ,i must have it seen to4 ,the man in the village isn't no hand at it1 no more than ,i am myself4 ,i've tinkered it1 and ,i've altered it1 and ,i've shaken it-- ,nellie laughed a little1 and he laughed with her4 ,it strikes me ,i must take it to the man as made it1 he remarked gravely1 and ,nellie looked up at his tone4 ,do you know who did8 she asked4 ,yes1 a man in ,windsor4 ,but1 funny enough1 ,nell1 when ,i was shaking it this morning1 thinks ,i to myself1 ',here's a help for you1 ,jim1 in ,heavenly things6' ,because your watch had gone wrong8 said ,nell1 her eyes questioning with interest4 ,she and ,jim wanted to get on in ,heavenly things1 and they often helped each other4 ,yes1 he said1 raising his head1 and looking at the golden sky2 while the ripple of the water lapping against the boat as the river flowed on1 made soft1 soothing music4 ,yes1 ,nell4 ,somehow1 lately1 ,i've felt that my works were rather out of order6 ,things haven't been so very comfortable at home--as you know--and ,i've had all that bother with mother and father about ,meg ,marston2 and somehow ,i've tried my hardest to be patient and kind1 and to wait willingly till they saw things different2 and it's all been no use4 ,i've not been patient inwardly1 nor outwardly either1 for that matter4 ,i've tossed and fumed and fretted4 ,i've tried to set the outside of the watch right1 and ,i've poked at the inside1 and ,i've shaken myself-- ,again ,nell smiled4 ,but this time there were tears in her gentle1 dark eyes4 ,she knew better than any one what ,jim had had to bear4 ,and this morning1 as ,i was trying to set my watch right1 it suddenly darted into my mind1 ',take it to the man as made it1 ,jim6' ,and all at once ,i thought1 perhaps1 that was what my ,saviour wanted me to do with my 'works1' as ,i call my heart and my difficulties4 ,so ,i just slipped down on to my knees1 ,nell1 with my watch in my hand1 just as ,i was1 and ,i said1 ',dear ,lord1 ,i am yours6 ,you made me1 you understand me4 ,i've been trying to make myself go for months and ,i've failed4 ,the 'works' have stopped1 and they want seeing to6 ,take me in hand2 make me clean1 set me right1 keep me going1 make me true to ,you1 whatever else ,i am6' ,nell's tender face bent down1 and she looked into the flowing1 crimson water for a minute in silence4 ,and then8 she asked1 gently4 ,then ,i came downstairs1 and found mother in the kitchen2 and instead of passing by1 and coming out without a word1 ,i managed to say1 ',it's going to be lovely for the hay1' and gave her a kiss1 and so started to my work4 ,i'm awfully glad1 said ,nell4 ,yes1 so am ,i4 ,so all day1 when ,i have thought how hard it is of mother and father about ,meg1 ,i've tried to think1 too1 that the ,lord is setting my 'works' right1 and ,he has them in hand1 and ,i've got no call to be so anxious about everything4 ,he'll set them right1 and me1 too6 ,but here's father6 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,the ,,midnight ,a1 ,b1 ,c ,i ,,hate learning ,scripture6 ,at least--,i don't like it--or see the good of it1 said ,robbie1 his eager tone diminishing as he got through his sentence1 and his eyes met those of his father's1 a patient invalid1 sitting by the fire4 ,if there was one person ,robbie was devoted to1 it was his father4 ,so while he was speaking1 his eyes turned naturally to those quiet grey ones1 which had looked out on the world so tenderly for so many years4 ,he pushed his school ,bible away1 and went over and stroked the cramped thin hand1 looking inquiringly into the dear face4 ,yes1 ,robbie1 ,i understand that4 ,i mean1 that ,i remember the days when ,i thought it a great task to learn ,scripture4 ,well--is there any good8 asked ,robbie1 hesitating1 ,i don't mean in reading it1 of course1 but in learning it by heart--just like a parrot8 ,you have given me a good many questions to answer in that one sentence1 said his father1 fondly1 but ,i'll answer one first4 ,it is good2 ,i only wish ,i had learned more4 ,robbie opened his eyes wide4 ,sometimes ,i try to see how many ,psalms and chapters1 or portions1 ,i can say through1 but ,i am always sorry there are not more-- ,why8 ,you can read them yourself4 ,sometimes--but there are twilight hours1 and the long dark night1 and then ,i can't read2 and it is an inexpressible comfort to be able to repeat to myself4 ,do you learn any now1 father8 ,not as easily as ,i used1 and with great pains1 too4 ,over and over4 ,we don't learn so quickly when we are older4 ,oh1 ,i see1 said ,robbie1 looking into the fire meditatively4 ,so learn your daily verse cheerfully1 my boy1 and say1 ',it will be a comfort to me by and by4' ,and the parrot8 asked ,robbie1 smiling a little4 ,he only repeats without thinking2 we have a better reason than that1 ',thy word have ,i hid in my heart1 that ,i might not sin against ,thee4' ,robbie stroked the loved hand again2 a touch of love which his father perfectly understood4 ,shall ,i tell you another thing ,i do1 when ,i am ill1 or the night seems long8 ,his father spoke cheerily1 and the boy looked up4 ,i take the old game1 ',i love my love with an ,a1' and turn it into a help to bring me nearer my ,god6 ,i can't see how1 said ,robbie4 ,i say to myself1 when ,i am weary or wakeful1 ',i adore my ,god with an ,a1 because ,he is ,abundantly able to save4' ',i adore my ,god with a ,b1 because ,he says1 ,behold the ,lamb of ,god that taketh away the sin of the world4' ,oh1 like 'capping verses1' said ,robbie1 smiling again4 ,something like2 but my way gives more scope4 ,i never get tired of it4 ,if ,i can't think of a verse beginning with ,c1 for instance1 ,i say1 ',i adore my ,god with a ,c1 because ,he has said1 ,i will not leave you ,comfortless1' and so to the end of the alphabet4 ,there aren't many ,z's1 ,i should think8 ,enough to give me a feast4 ',zacchaeus1 come down1 for to-day ,i must abide at thy house1' or ',i am ,alpha and ,omega1 the beginning and the ending1 saith the ,lord4' ,there1 ,robbie6 ,and what do you do for ,x8 ,ah6 ,yes2 ,i use the verses where there are ',excepts1' and call them--like this--',i will not let ,thee go ',xcept ,thou bless me4' ,oh1 ,i see6 ,that's good6 ,now1 let me hear you say your verses for this week1 and we'll soon learn them together--you will1 faster than ,i shall4 ,robbie went back to fetch his ,bible1 and soon1 as his father said1 the six verses which he had learnt separately every day came into one whole1 and he could say them off4 ,he gave a great sigh1 and then with a kiss on his father's forehead1 he bounded off to play4 ,but he never forgot that day4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,vera',s ,,content4 ,i ,,could be perfectly happy if ,i could live always in a cottage like that1 and look-out on such a view6 sighed ,vera1 as she and her mother sat one evening on a stile1 and looked over into a peaceful field1 covered with daisies1 and with a pond in front whose deep shadows were now and then broken by snowy ducks swimming across them4 ,her mother smiled a little1 but did not otherwise answer4 ,i get so tired of the houses opposite us6 ,vera went on1 ,and our holiday seems so soon over1 and we have to go back to the dull streets and noisy trams4 ,don't you1 mother8 ,yes1 dear1 a little1 sometimes2 but ,i am sure we ought not to encourage such a feeling-- ,i can't help it1 interrupted ,vera1 a little vehemently1 ,i was made so6 ,her mother gave a little laugh4 ,that is very comfortable1 she said1 archly4 ,well1 then--,i don't know how to help it6 pursued ,vera4 ,i perfectly love pretty scenery1 and country flowers1 and blue skies1 and--and-- ,oh1 stop1 ,vera6 ,so do ,i2 but now let us look at the other side4 ,think of the hundreds and thousands who have to live in the towns1 and who have not the great treat which you and ,i have been given1 of spending a whole fortnight in this sweet place4 ,that doesn't make me more contented1 it only makes me so sorry for them that ,i can't enjoy myself one bit4 ,vera dashed two or three tears from her eyes1 and looked over the pretty prospect4 ,well1 dear1 let us think of it like this4 ,god1 our loving ,father1 sees what we need4 ,he knows all about us2 all about our delight in pretty1 refined things2 all about how tired and weary we have been1 you with your examinations1 and ,i with the cares of home1 and so ,he has sent us what will rest us1 and help us to go on again4 ,when ,i look at this holiday as ,his gift1 and thank ,him for it1 it makes every fresh beauty more beautiful2 it helps me to pray for the weary ones who have not got one1 and to plan how1 in our little way1 we may shed brightness and pleasure round on those we do know-- ,you're always trying to do that6 said ,vera1 ,but-- ,as to happiness being found in a country cottage1 said her mother1 if we do not make happiness in our everyday life for each other1 by being loving and unselfish1 we should not get it1 though we might live in the most beautiful scenery in the world6 ,vera put her hand in her mother's4 ,i'll try1 she said1 impulsively2 and her mother1 with a bright smile1 added some lines of ,george ,herbert's1 she often repeated to herself3 ,not thankful when it pleaseth me1 ,as if ,thy blessings had spare days2 ,but such a heart--whose pulse should be ,thy praise6 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,a ,,search ,,for ,,violets4 ,,where have you been all the afternoon1 ,aunt ,ruth8 asked ,oswald1 as they assembled after school hours4 ,we could not find you6 ,ah1 ,i have a trophy to show you1 though6 said ,aunt ,ruth4 ,just look6 ,well1 if ,i didn't think ,i smelled violets1 exclaimed ,rose2 and ,i could not believe it6 ,where--if it is not a secret1 ,auntie8 ,no secret at all4 ,you see1 ,i lived here years ago1 and ,i know where to look4 ,the four gathered round her little vase1 and took turns in smelling1 till ,jean said there would be no scent left4 ,but where did they grow8 asked ,tom4 ,i knew long ago a certain bank under a hedge1 where1 sheltered from the winds and storms1 and warmed by the sun1 the violets grew and flourished4 ,so this afternoon as ,i wanted a walk1 ,i made my way to the old spot1 and1 presently1 as ,i went along1 something delicious seemed to surround me1 and without thinking1 ,i exclaimed1 ',violets6' ,and then laughed at myself1 for what else was ,i searching for8 ,so when ,i had found a few ,i sat down on the warm1 sunny bank1 and thought-- ,you always have 'thoughts1' ,i do believe1 ,auntie1 said ,oswald4 ,let's have them1 then6 ,i thought--,i wondered whether we ,christians could be like the violets4 ,jean smiled4 ,they are hidden1 she said4 ,and sweet1 said ,tom4 ,and pleasant to look at1 and have about you1 said ,rose4 ,and they fulfil their ,maker's purpose1 said ,oswald1 slowly1 as if considering2 yes--they certainly do that-- ,and when the great ,gardener goes round ,his kingdom to seek them1 there they are1 ready to look up into ,his face and greet ,him with joy1 said ,aunt ,ruth4 ,and ,he sent them rain and showers and sunshine to help them to grow6 said ,oswald4 ,aunt ,ruth's eyes gave a little flash4 ,yes6 she answered earnestly2 and ,he planted them just where ,he knew they would grow best2 where ,he wished them to grow4 ,that's nice1 said ,jean1 for sometimes ,i'm discontented when things don't happen right1 and ,i almost wish ,i were growing somewhere else6 ,i often do6 said ,tom1 bluntly4 ,well1 said ,aunt ,ruth1 ,i fancy we all do4 ,we think that any other cross but the one we have to carry would be more bearable4 ',if we were in ,so-and-,so's shoes1 we could be much more contented6' ,yes1 said ,rose2 ,i often think if ,i were in my friend ,gertrude's place1 ,i should not have half so many hindrances to being good6 ,her eyes filled as she turned away4 ,well1 said ,aunt ,ruth1 if we are really wishing to please ,god in the circumstances in which ,he has put us1 what ,i took as my violet-text may be a help to us2 for though it speaks of humbleness1 ,i think it is one of the most wonderfully exalting texts that can be6 ,let's have it1 ,auntie1 said ,oswald4 ,i like your plan of making the ,bible into a book to live on6 ,she smiled brightly at that4 ,here it is1 then1 she said2 ',for thus saith the high and lofty ,one that inhabiteth eternity1 whose name is ,holy2 ,i dwell in the high and holy place1 with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit1 to revive the spirit of the humble1 and to revive the heart of the contrite ones4' ,that's a very nice one1 said ,rose4 ,thank you1 ,auntie6 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,summer ,,days4 ,,where did you spend your summer holiday8 asked ,aunt ,ruth1 in a smiling but significant tone4 ,the fact was1 the four children had got into rather a hot dispute one day at tea over a trifling difference of opinion1 and ,aunt ,ruth had interrupted with a quick1 bright question1 which had made them all turn their eyes towards her4 ,why8 asked ,tom1 answering the tone of the question1 rather than the words4 ,that is what we used to say at home when we wanted to change the subject1 said ,aunt ,ruth4 ,did you want to change the subject8 asked ,oswald4 ,then pausing1 ,oh1 ,i see1 with a conscious laugh4 ,well1 ,i suppose it would be as well to talk of something else1 as we are never likely to agree over it4 ,oh1 oh6 said ,tom1 ,that is beginning again6 ,well--,auntie--as you know very well where we spent our summer holiday1 let's hear where you did4 ,i'm quite willing4 ,come along to the summer-house1 and when ,i hear the bees humming among the pear blossoms1 ,i shall get taken back in imagination to last year1 and shall be able to tell you where ,i did spend mine4 ,she led the way out of doors1 and the children scampered after her1 carrying certain camp stools and chairs1 which were kept in the passage leading to the garden4 ,aunt ,ruth had caught up her writing case1 which ,jean wondered at1 but when they were settled in their usual places1 this was explained by her producing from it a sketch1 which she handed round4 ,this is where ,i spent my summer holiday1 she said lovingly1 as if the place were dear to her4 ,oh6 said ,rose4 ,that is why you said you must come out near the pear blossoms4 ,i see now4 ,were there bees there8 ,it was an ideal place4 ,i was in urgent need of rest and refreshment and quiet 7as you know71 and ,i heard of this little cottage on the borders of the ,downs4 ,this clematis-covered porch was my entrance1 and the other door was the good woman's4 ,i could go out on the ,downs with my camp chair1 and sit and look at the sea1 and feel the breezes blow round me1 or ,i could bask in the sunshine to my heart's content1 sheltered by the cottage from the cold winds4 ,and the bees8 asked ,rose4 ,yes1 the bees seem to link themselves with the restful thoughts of those days1 for when ,i was near the cottage1 with its flowers1 their song seemed to tell me over and over again what ,i think ,i shall never forget-- ,and that was--8 asked ,jean1 putting her soft hand into her auntie's4 ,all the children knew that ,aunt ,ruth had had some great trial1 but they had never been told what it was4 ,the lesson ,i learned in that peaceful time was1 ',the ,lord ,god is a sun and shield2 the ,lord will give grace and glory2 no good thing will ,he withhold from them that walk uprightly4' ,i learned1 dears1 that ,god wishes to be to us all a ,sun and a ,shield4 ,as a ,sun1 ,he warms and cheers us with the light of ,his countenance2 as a ,shield1 ,he shelters us from that which would hurt us and do us harm4 ,just as those hives were put in the sunniest place1 so they were also put in a sheltered place4 ',a ,sun and ,shield4' ,god is near us for both2 and when the cold winds of trouble1 or sorrow1 or temptation blow1 we must hide in ,him1 for ,he is our ,shield4 ,oh1 ,i see6 said ,tom4 ,now1 ,auntie1 what else did the bees say8 ,heaps of things6 ,but ,i did not learn all1 nor should ,i have time to tell you1 either4 ,i thought that they taught me that there was great good in being busy-- ,rose nodded approvingly4 ,they worked steadily and patiently2 they went about their tasks with a will1 and they gathered--what8 ,aunt ,ruth turned round smiling on the four faces4 ,poison8 she asked4 ,unkindness1 quarrelling1 selfishness1 self-will8 ,no1 no6 ,what did they gather as they hovered over the pretty flowers8 ,sweetness6 said ,jean1 gently4 ,yes--that is a lovely word for it6 exclaimed ,aunt ,ruth4 ,they gathered 'sweetness1' enough and to spare4 ,they brought it home for those who did not go out2 they stored it up for the rainy and dark days1 when the flowers might not be there4 ,god had been their ,sun and ,shield1 and they had done their part in gathering the sweetness which ,he had provided1 so that others might be blessed and cheered and comforted4 ,oh1 ,aunt ,ruth1 ,i shall always think of that when there is honey on the table6 said ,oswald4 ,do1 it is worth learning1 she answered4 ,what did you do all day1 ,auntie8 ,i sat out in the sunshine and sketched most of the time1 or watched the bees and thought of what ,god could be to me if ,i would let ,him4 ,then you did this drawing8 said ,tom4 ,yes1 and a good many more4 ,see1 ,i have written underneath this one a few lines ,i often say to myself from ',a ,song in the day of the ,east ,wind1' written nearly three hundred years ago by ,tersteegen2 and it often reminds me of those sunny days3 ',my heart in joy upleapeth2 ,grief cannot linger there2 ,she singeth high in glory1 ,amid the sunshine fair4 ,the sun that shines upon me ,is ,jesus and ,his love1 ,and the fountain of my singing ,is deep in heaven above6' ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,,because4 ,i ,,want to love ,god and do what pleases ,him1 sighed ,norman to himself2 but ,i make such a poor hand at it4 ,here ,i'm at school all day1 and my head is cram full of lessons1 and when ,i get to bed ,i'm so tired1 and so dissatisfied with myself1 that ,i feel quite disheartened4 ,he was on his way to spend the week-end with one of his school-fellows1 who lived among the mountains in ,cumberland4 ,he had left the station some hours ago1 and his friend's house was still a long way off1 and the evening shadows were falling over the land4 ,he knew his way pretty well1 and was not anxious about his destination1 so that he had plenty of time to think4 ,he was an earnest boy1 and really wished to do right1 but somehow he had got into rather a muddle lately1 and did not know how to extricate himself4 ,i don't doubt my love to ,him1 he pursued1 but it's so cold and lifeless--such a poor return1 that sometimes-- ,then he glanced up at the sunset clouds1 and his troubled thoughts took the form of a prayer--a very simple1 child-like one--,o ,god1 show me some one who will help me where ,i am going6 ,with a lightened heart1 he made his way across the bridge1 and now could take in the glory and refreshment of the scene4 ,when he reached his school-fellow's house he was1 however1 dismayed to find that ,jack had set out an hour ago to meet him1 and they must have missed4 ,he was asked into the library to wait1 and there1 seated by a fire1 was an invalid gentleman who glanced up from his book to welcome him4 ,after the first civilities had passed1 the invalid asked ,norman if he would help him by turning over some leaves for him1 as with his crippled hands he found it difficult4 ,i am searching for the ',becauses1' he said1 looking up with his genial smile2 and ,i want to find this one1 ',we love ,him because ,he first loved us6' ,norman's face flushed as he turned over the pages as directed to the ,first ,epistle of ,john1 and the fourth chapter1 and the nineteenth verse4 ,was this an answer to his questionings8 ,i have been thinking a great deal about that one1 ,jack's father went on2 and it has comforted me to remember that though my love is often cold and faint1 yet my salvation does not depend on that1 for it is because ,he loved me that ,i am ,his at all6 ,norman's eyes flashed an answering look of joyful acquiescence1 and something prompted him to say3 ,that's just what ,i wanted1 sir4 ,i'd got all mixed up6 ,ah6 said the invalid1 ,we do6 ,the more earnest we are in wishing to please ,god1 the more1 ,i think1 ,satan tries to discourage us and make us doubt that we are serving ,him at all4 ,and this is where my 'because' comes in2 not my love1 but ,his1 being my safety4 ,the invalid smiled happily2 and then they heard ,jack's step come bounding through the house1 and his ,hullo1 ,norman1 have you come8 sounded with a hearty1 cheery welcome4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,,the ,,haunted ,,room4 ,you will be disappointed if you expect too much1 said ,agnes1 holding the door in her hand and looking into five eager faces congregated on the landing4 ,let us in1 then1 and we'll tell you6 answered ,hugh1 a tall boy of about fifteen4 ,you are as bad as the 'penny-a-liners1' who pile up the interest to the end of the chapter1 and then leave you in the lurch6 ,agnes laughed a little at that1 as she threw open the door of the chamber in their uncle's old house1 which1 for many a day1 had had the repute of being haunted4 ,she and her two sisters1 with her brothers ,john and ,hugh1 had come to spend a fortnight of their ,christmas holidays in this old-fashioned abode1 where every corner seemed to have a history1 if not a mystery2 and ,agnes ,headley1 ever on the look-out to do a little work for her ,heavenly ,master1 found that she could carry out1 in her present weird surroundings1 a thought she had long had in her mind4 ,come here1 ,florence1 she said1 holding out her hand to a little cousin1 who1 like themselves1 had come for a visit2 if you are at all nervous1 we will got the lamp--only-- ,florence disdained to acknowledge herself nervous1 and was sure she should not be frightened2 so1 taking her cousin ,minnie's little soft hand1 she entered the moonlit room with the rest1 wondering what ,agnes would have to show them so very particular4 ,though this is uncle's haunted room1 ,i must explain to you that we have nothing to do with it for that reason2 but1 as what ,i have to show you is kept here1 ,i thought we could not have a better place in which to have our little talk4 ,but we can't see anything1 said ,minnie1 squeezing ,florence's hand very hard4 ,i wish you would strike a match1 ,agnes4 ,all in good time1 ,minnie4 ,here1 ,john1 light the lantern1 and let us see what there is to be seen4 ,john1 the eldest brother1 though not in the secret1 knew from experience that ,agnes generally had something pleasant in her little preparations1 and took the lantern from her hand to do as she desired4 ,when its fitful gleams shone out in the haunted chamber1 the young people looked round curiously1 not without a certain creepiness in their hair and a shiver down their backs4 ,the room was not very large1 but was gloomy and dark2 the corners were unlighted1 and the moonlight shining along the floor was almost brighter than the rays of the shaded light in ,john's hand4 ,at one end some garments hung against the wall1 and1 as their eyes grew accustomed to the shadows1 they could see dimly the shapes of old-fashioned armour1 swords1 and spears1 arranged in set patterns1 against the oak panelling4 ,in one corner a knight1 with a coat of mail1 stood up gaunt and still1 his visor down1 his hand clasping his sword1 his foot advanced1 as if ready to step forward to the fight4 ,i don't like it much1 ,agnes1 whispered ,minnie1 clinging to her side4 ,i wish you would not make it so dark4 ,there is nothing in the world to be afraid of1 said her sister1 and1 if you will come here between me and ,alice1 you will feel all right1 shall you not8 ,but1 if you are afraid1 ,i will take you downstairs again1 only ,i did want you to hear about it1 too1 ,minnie4 ,the little girl was reassured by the loving arms wrapped round her1 and by the warm kisses pressed on her flushed cheeks4 ,that knight in armour1 who looks so terrible there1 explained ,agnes1 is not a real man1 though he has on real armour1 which was used in real warfare1 long ago4 ,so1 before ,i tell you my story1 ,minnie and ,florence shall have a good look at him to make sure that it is only a wooden man1 and not a hero of bygone ages come to life again4 ,florence laughed a little nervously as she advanced to where ,john's light shone brightly1 but she was sufficiently courageous to touch the steel-clad foot with her hand1 and to peep up earnestly to see if there might be any face behind those iron bars4 ,but no eyes looked out from the dark cavity1 and no movement came from those rigid arms4 ,florence stepped back to ,minnie's side with a whispered3 ,it's all right1 ,minnie2 you needn't be one bit afraid--he's not real4 ,now for the story6 said ,hugh1 who had been impatient all this time1 if not to get it over1 at any rate to find out what it was4 ,come1 then1 answered ,agnes1 turning towards the window1 and pointing to an old-fashioned settle covered with a warm rug4 ,sit down here1 opposite to the old knight1 and ,i will tell you what ,i have been thinking about4 ,they quickly obeyed1 and now ,minnie could feel her two sisters on either side of her1 and could gaze up at the familiar face of the clear moon1 she began to feel enough at home to enjoy herself4 ,you remember1 began ,agnes1 that when ,uncle ,hugh came home from ,india1 he bought this old house1 furniture1 pictures1 and all1 with that money which had been unexpectedly left him8 ,yes--yes1 broke from several lips4 ,the first day after we came1 he called me into his library1 and said that he intended to make me a present of one of the old curiosities it contained1 and wished me to say what ,i would like best1 reserving to himself the right of altering my choice should it fall upon something he could not part with4 ,i was greatly at a loss1 as you may suppose2 but ever since ,i had seen those knights standing in the hall downstairs1 ,i had had an idea which1 if he were willing1 could now carry out2 so ,i told him1 if it were not too much to ask1 to make me a present of one of his armed knights6 ,you may guess that he had a good laugh at my request1 but all the same1 he granted it4 ,hugh and ,john felt as if they would have been very delighted to have had the chance themselves of such a gift1 but before they could say anything beyond a low exclamation of surprise1 ,agnes went on-- ,i asked him if he would be hurt if ,i did just as ,i liked with my knight2 but very soon ,i found ,i had to take him into my confidence3 so he knows all about it1 and approves4 ,well8 asked ,alice4 ,my thought was this1 as ,i stood and looked that first morning on those motionless figures1 dressed in armour1 that had been used1 now only shadows1 as it were1 of what once had been--that each one of us living and breathing1 and enjoying life had a set of armour which we ought to put on1 but which often lay hidden away1 rusty and useless1 because we disregarded the message our great ,captain had sent us--sent to each one who loves and serves ,him--',wherefore take unto you the whole armour of ,god1 that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day1 and1 having done all1 to stand4' ,oh1 ,i see now6 said ,john4 ,you do not see all1 answered ,agnes1 gently4 ,that old knight in the corner is not my knight1 for ,i have pulled mine to pieces4 ,have you8 asked ,hugh1 regretfully4 ,yes1 said ,agnes4 ,here is his armour1 hanging up against the wall4 ,i asked ,uncle if ,i might divide his armour between us six1 and he willingly gave me leave4 ,now1 what ,i want to know is this--which of us is willing1 earnestly and faithfully1 to take his or her share of this invisible armour1 and begin this very day to clasp on one piece at any rate1 that so we may make the first step towards 'taking unto us the whole armour of ,god4' ,but1 ,agnes1 objected ,john1 many of us--all1 ,i hope--have taken the great step of enlisting under the ,captain2 you do not mean that8 ,oh no1 answered ,agnes quickly1 we are all soldiers2 but we fail to put on the armour ,god has appointed in order that we may be able to stand6 ,we walk along satisfied in our own strength1 far too often4 ,oh1 that's all right1 answered ,john earnestly4 ,i was only afraid lest for the sake of an illustration1 and a very nice idea1 ,agnes1 any one might forget for a moment that1 ere we can be soldiers1 we must be redeemed by precious blood4 ,i did not mean that1 said ,agnes1 but was thinking of ourselves1 because ,i hope we all home been washed in that precious blood4 ,then what is it you want us to undertake so seriously8 asked ,hugh from his dark corner4 ,i want us all to choose a piece of this spiritual armour--not because one piece will do1 but because one piece is better than none2 when we have got used to our one piece1 we shall begin to think of trying another6 ,all right1 answered ,hugh4 ,go ahead1 ,agnes4 ,who will try to wield the sword--the sword of the ,spirit8 ,i don't mind having that1 said ,john4 ,agnes got up and crossed the room1 taking from the wall the sword which hung there4 ,but this is not intangible1 said ,john1 hesitating4 ,only that something tangible may remind us-- ,for my own1 or lent to me8 he asked4 ,for your own4 ,now1 ,hugh1 you may choose1 there are five more things4 ,what will you have1 ,agnes8 ,the one that is left2 ,hugh1 choose6 ,i'll have the breastplate of righteousness1 then2 for ,i suppose you mean to take the ,scripture list8 ,you have guessed quite right4 ,alice1 what for you8 ,i'll have the truth one4 ,that's the coat of mail1 'loins girt about with truth4' ,florence1 what would you like8 ,i don't remember the meanings exactly1 answered ,florence shyly1 but ,i like the helmet4 ,what is it1 ,agnes8 ',the hope of salvation1' joy now and always2 do you like that1 ,florence8 ,a very soft little ,that will do for me6 came up from a very faithful little heart4 ,now1 ,minnie8 ,might ,i have the shield8 ',the shield of ,faith4' ,but there'll be nothing nice left for you1 ,aggie6 ,the very thing is left for her that is most suitable6 exclaimed ,alice warmly4 ,her 'feet shod with the preparation of the ,gospel of peace4' ,agnes is a thorough peacemaker1 and she loves to tell people about the ,gospel of peace1 too4 ,so ,i do2 but not half as ,i ought1 answered ,agnes1 lifting down the pieces of armour and handing each to the various possessors4 ,they will serve as reminders1 'with a vengeance1' said ,hugh4 ,where shall we put them8 ,i mean to hang mine up at home over my mantelshelf1 said ,agnes4 ,it will be quite an ornament1 and if-- ,yes1 said ,john1 taking up the word4 ,if we think of them1 and by and by take unto us the whole armour of ,god-- ,agnes' kindness and thought for us will not be in vain1 added ,alice1 kissing her warmly4 ,to-morrow1 said ,agnes1 we will have some more talk about our different pieces of armour1 for it will be easier to us to use what ,god has provided1 if we can understand the sorts of weapons which will be used against us4 ,oh6 ,tell us now1 ,aggie1 exclaimed her little sister4 ,not to-night2 let us go downstairs now1 and try to make the evening bright to uncle ,hugh4 ,the young people carried their armour to their respective rooms1 placing it in full view on chests of drawers1 bureaus1 c41 each touched with ,agnes' unselfishness1 which had caused her1 in that house full of treasures to choose something which she meant but to receive and then to give away4 ,when they reached the drawing-room1 their uncle met them at the door with an unusually bright look on his face4 ,agnes1 he said1 leading her up to an easel1 which stood under the chandelier in the middle of the room1 ,i have looked out another little treasure for you1 in remembrance of your knight6 ,i felt1 after what we talked about yesterday1 that it ought to belong to no one else4 ,when ,agnes reached the easel1 what was her surprise to see a beautiful oil painting of a soldier1 clad in armour1 kneeling before his sovereign1 receiving from his hands the victor's laurels and rewards6 ,his face1 patient with many a hardship1 holy with many a self-denial1 earnest with many a purpose1 radiant with many a victory1 his face touched the hearts of the lookers on1 all fresh from ,agnes' earnest words1 and a silent sort of awe fell upon them1 as they thought of what they had undertaken1 and of what the end would be4 ,their uncle's voice1 gentle and solemn1 broke the pause-- ',i have fought a good fight1 ,i have finished my course1 ,i have kept the faith4 ,henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness1 which the ,lord1 the righteous ,judge1 shall give me at that day4' ,i cannot attempt to thank you1 said ,agnes in a low voice1 putting her hand in her uncle's1 but-- ,don't try to1 my dear4 ,rather would ,i thank you for having turned my haunted chamber into an armoury of light6 ,that night as ,hugh1 the last of the party1 crossed the hall on his way to bed1 he paused by the marble pillars and looked round4 ,the moon had left the windows of the haunted chamber1 and had come round to the front1 where it streamed along the pavement1 touching the feet of the gaunt knights1 and casting fairy shadows from the ferns and palms between which they stood4 ',the whole armour of ,god1' he murmured softly1 ,i wonder how long ,i shall be before ,i have strength to buckle it all on8 ,but ,i'm glad there are those words3 ',i can do all things through ,christ which strengtheneth me6' 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,agnes1 the best thing you can do is to come into the haunted room and tell us what you promised1 said ,hugh one evening soon after the giving out of the armour4 ,we could not have a better place to sit1 and we shall be uninterrupted4 ,i do not mind1 if you all like it best1 answered ,agnes4 ,when shall we begin8 ,no time like the present1 said ,john1 laughing1 and taking his sister round the waist2 we will lead the way1 ,agnes1 and face the haunted room altogether1 if need be6 ,the rest soon followed2 and before long all were seated by the window1 where the first rays of the moon were peeping in1 instead of leaving it1 as they had been a few days before4 ,well1 ,agnes8 began ,alice4 ,i daresay some of you have thought of your pieces of armour since we had our other talk8 asked ,agnes4 ,i've thought ever so much1 said ,hugh4 ,so have ,i1 pursued ,agnes1 and ,i think we had better begin in the order in which we find the list in ,ephesians4 ,who is it who has the coat of ,mail--,truth8 ',loins girt about with truth'8 ,that is my piece of armour1 answered ,alice4 ,what have you to tell us about that1 ,agnes8 ,it seems to me that truth is a sort of strengthening of our minds2 as in the ,east they would gird up their encumbering robes1 so as to walk along more bravely in a difficult path4 ,do you think of it like that1 ,alice8 ,yes1 answered her sister4 ,i was reading these words on ,sunday3 ',grace and truth came by ,jesus ,christ4' ,i suppose that has something to do with my piece of armour4 ,of course it has6 exclaimed ,agnes eagerly4 ,and it is so difficult to combine those two things in the same person--grace and truth4 ,people can be truthful1 but they find it very hard to be gracious also2 or they are so gracious that they fail to be truthful4 ,i don't see how you mean1 said ,hugh4 ,in this sort of way1 answered ,agnes4 ,one day lately1 ,i heard a girl say something like this3 ,oh1 you know1 she asked me how ,i liked her drawing1 and ,i said it was sweetly pretty2 but really1 you know1 it was not a bit nice1 nor a quarter as well done as so-and-so's4' ,oh1 ,agnes6 ,you did not hear me say that6 exclaimed ,alice1 shocked4 ,no1 not you2 but every day we hear this sort of compromise4 ,if that girl ,i spoke of1 had been taxed with not speaking the truth1 she would have answered3 ,well1 it was very pretty1 or1 if ,i didn't think so1 she did1 and that made it quite true4' ,i would not have said such a thing for the world1 exclaimed ,alice4 ,i am sure you would not2 but ,i find1 for myself1 that these difficulties meet one at every step1 and that our being 'girt about with truth' is an everyday necessity4 ,i'm sure it is1 said ,john1 in a hundred ways4 ,if we look-out for them1 they will come to us fast enough1 and we shall get used to watching ourselves4 ,is that all about ,truth8 asked ,florence4 ,not half enough1 but you must think it out for yourselves2 we shall not have time to-night for more than a few suggestions4 ,we must now proceed to the ',breastplate of ,righteousness4' ,that's mine1 said ,hugh4 ,all of us need it1 answered ,agnes1 for ,i think it is one of our best weapons against ,satan4 ,how8 asked ,hugh4 ,don't you see that it is only as we carry the ',breastplate of ,righteousness' we can face ,satan boldly1 without fear8 ,but1 said ,hugh1 very soberly1 ,i don't always feel bold when ,i meet ,satan1 for he often accuses me1 and ,i have nothing to say6 ,yes1 answered ,agnes1 and that is the very reason1 ,i believe1 why our ,god has provided the ,breastplate of ,righteousness--not ours but ,his--the perfect righteousness of ,christ1 in which we may face all our foes with calm confidence4 ,who shall lay anything to the charge of ,god's elect8' ,that is a nice thought1 said ,hugh heartily2 and ,agnes1 glancing up at the moment1 saw the moonbeams resting on a very bright1 earnest face1 in which a look of peace had taken up its abode4 ,it strikes me1 we shall find all we need1 every piece as we come to them1 said ,john4 ,agnes smiled to herself1 and then ,minnie1 who was looking up in her eyes1 said1 ,shall we1 ,aggie8 ,i should not wonder1 she answered4 ,but what comes next8 asked ,minnie4 ',shod with the preparation of the ,gospel of peace1' said ,john4 ,that belongs to ,agnes1 and it suits her4 ,i wish it did1 she answered2 but ,i have thought of it like this4 ,to have feet always ready to do our ,lord's bidding2 to go everywhere1 not with our own poor1 bare1 tired feet1 but shod with ,his ,gospel of peace2 a covering which will make us welcome wherever we go4 ,what next1 ,agnes8 asked ,hugh4 ',the ,shield of ,faith1' ,minnie's great piece of armour4 ,yes1 that's mine1 nodded ,minnie4 ,here we come across another reference to the power of ,satan1 said ,agnes1 and you see there is no disgrace in taking refuge under the ,shield4 ,satan hurls darts at those who are bearing ,god's name1 and carrying ,his armour1 and he hopes by their terrible fiery nature to beat down the combatant4 ,but our ,captain1 who has not sent us out to battle unarmed1 has provided a shield1 which not only protects us from the fiery darts1 but actually quenches them6 ,the ,shield of ,faith4 ,minnie1 whatever people say as you go on in life1 whatever ,satan may say1 take your ,shield of ,faith and answer1 ',if ,god be for us1 who can be against us8' ',he that believeth shall not make haste4' ,i never knew what it meant before1 said ,minnie4 ,if you think it over1 you will find that ,jesus is your ,shield in more ways than you can count2 but ,i must leave you to find these out for yourselves4 ,i think the other thought is the main one in our present subject4 ,florence's ,helmet is next1 remarked ,hugh1 as ,agnes paused4 ,yes--the crowning of all--the hope which lifts the head proudly before every foe4 ,salvation6 ,victory at last2 no defeat or dismay for those who trust ,him4 ',take the ,helmet of ,salvation1' and the joy of the ,lord shall be your strength6 ,oh1 ,agnes1 whispered ,florence1 how nice6 ,and then1 pursued ,agnes1 the last equipment must be taken in hand1 and never put down till the fight is fought4 ',take 444 the ,sword of the ,spirit1 which is the ,word of ,god4' ,i often think how our ,lord conquered ,satan when ,he was on earth4 ,don't you remember that at every attack1 ,he answered him by the ,word of ,god8 ,satan hates to have ,scripture quoted to him4 ,he knows its power1 and would by every device urge the soldier to lay down this powerful weapon4 ,but let us all be too wary for this4 ,let us brighten our ,sword ere we go to bed2 let us grasp it afresh when we rise in the morning2 let us wield it in our hearts and in our lives all day1 that so the ,word of ,christ may dwell in us richly1 and we may be able to fight the good fight of faith4 ,agnes paused1 and all her listeners were silent4 ,do you catch my meaning1 dears8 she asked gently4 ,oh yes1 ,agnes1 answered several voices1 and then ,john spoke earnestly4 ,agnes1 there's one thing ,i've learned from what you have been saying 7besides many other things74 ,as you went along1 ,i came to this conclusion-- ,well1 ,john dear8 ,that1 though our one piece of armour will be a first-rate reminder all through this ,new ,year1 the upshot saying is this--we must take unto us the whole armour1 or we shall not be able to stand6 ,rather1 corrected ,agnes1 earnestly1 that we may be able to stand6 ,you are quite right1 ,john1 it is the whole armour of ,god which we need4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,agatha',s ,,story4 ,,on ,christmas ,day1 three children were walking down the lighted streets of a dark city1 and were all1 from different directions1 wending their way to the same place4 ,this place was a mission-room in one of the crowded streets near the ,east ,end4 ,even though it was ,christmas night1 there were a few people who preferred the warm mission-room to their own homes1 and these children were some of them4 ,one was a ragged boy who had no home4 ,the second was a little girl1 who wandered in for the sake of the warm stove1 for she was perished with cold4 ,the third was the clergyman's son1 who came because his father came1 and because on this night1 he could not bear him to come alone4 ,the ragged boy1 cold to the bones1 with a body wasted by disease and want1 crouched down in a corner1 intending to go to sleep till a cup of coffee1 which he knew would be given1 should be offered him4 ,the girl put her feet as near the stove as she could1 but she knew nothing about the coffee1 and only prepared herself to wait till she was warm1 and then intended to slip out and go away4 ,and the clergyman's son was longing to get home to his ,christmas presents and the bright party he had left for his father's sake4 ,but every one of them received a ,gift which they little expected1 and which altered their whole lives from that day forth4 ,behold1 ,i stand at the door and knock2 if any man hear ,my voice1 and open the door1 ,i will come in and sup with him1 and he with ,me4 ,by the time the clergyman had impressed this verse and its meaning on the attention of his hearers1 the poor little girl was warm1 and shrinkingly giving a glance behind her1 for fear she should be chidden1 she slipped out into the cold1 windy1 winter air4 ,drawing her thin little shawl closer around her1 she ran as fast as she could to the court in which was her home4 ,she found her way up the dark stairs1 and soon stood within her mother's attic4 ,there was a glimmer of fire in the grate1 but it was too small to shed any light in the room4 ,how long you've been6 exclaimed her mother's voice from a corner1 sounding near the floor1 for bedstead there was none4 ,no1 ,i ain't1 answered the little girl1 remembering1 as she said the words1 that she must have stayed full half an hour by that warm stove4 ,i know it don't take you all this time to get that candle and a bit of bread2 and there's yer brother been whining the whole time you've been gone4 ,the voice was sharp with pain and suffering1 and at the same moment little ,bill began his whining again4 ,the poor little girl lighted the farthing candle and cut her brother a piece of bread1 then placed another by her mother's side1 and lastly seized1 rather than took1 a piece herself1 and sat down by the tiny fire to eat it4 ,but as she ate the first food she had tasted that day1 before her eyes came up a picture1 living as it were1 and she saw over again a ,kingly ,stranger knocking for admittance1 and promising to enter and sup with those who opened to ,him4 ,the little girl glanced round the wretched room3 no loving hand had been there to put it tidy1 no hope had entered it to make it bright1 no relief had come to cheer and comfort4 ,all that dreary ,christmas ,day1 her mother had lain moaning on her miserable straw1 and her little crippled brother had cried for food since early dawn1 when the ,christmas bells had sounded on the frosty air4 ,ah6 no help1 no succour1 no happiness2 nothing but want1 and sin1 and misery4 ,an hour before1 a neighbour1 pitying the wretchedness of the poor starving family1 had made her way up the dark stairs4 ,it ain't much ,i've got to give1 she said abruptly1 but on ,christmas night1 ,i don't like to feel as you've not had a bit in your mouths all day2 so here's sixpence1 and you're kindly welcome4 ,with that she laid down the little coin1 and without waiting for thanks or to inquire how the invalid was1 she hastened back to her room4 ,and so it was to her kindness1 they were indebted for that bit of candle and loaf of bread4 ,again the child heard the voice1 ,i stand and knock2 ,i will come in and sup4 ,he said it was our hearts1 she murmured to herself1 looking still at the picture in the fire4 ,what8 asked her mother sharply4 ,the gen'lman said as ,he was askin' to come in1 and if ,he came in1 ,he'd make the place as beautiful as a palace--that ,he would6 ,we don't want no one in here1 gasped her mother2 leastways1 unless they bring some'ut with 'em6 ,the gen'lman said as ,he would1 if we opened the door4 ,then open it6 exclaimed the sick woman1 rousing herself suddenly4 ,it's our hearts1 said the girl1 musingly1 and ,i daren't open the door for such as ,him to come in2 it ain't fit4 ,the sick woman threw herself back impatiently1 but after a long1 long silence she said more softly3 ,say them words over again1 ,meg2 ,i've heard 'em afore1 and ,i believe it's the ,saviour as is knocking and wants to come in4 ,yes1 mother1 answered ,meg1 eagerly2 ,i couldn't call it to mind afore4 ,it's the ,saviour as sez ,he's a-coming in1 if we'll have ,him6 ,he's waited a long time for me to open the door1 said the sick woman1 but--if ,he'll forgive-- 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,and the clergyman's son heard the message1 as he had so often heard it before1 and he turned away from it as he had so often turned before4 ,but when he reached his own chamber that night1 after the pleasant family party was over1 his mind went back to what he had witnessed in that mission-room4 ,the little starving1 emaciated1 ragged boy had sat with his hungry eyes waiting for the coffee2 but1 though the child had intended to go to sleep1 he did not do it1 for the clergyman made it so plain that the ,saviour was knocking at his heart that he could not forget it1 and he listened with deep attention to every word4 ,if any man hear ,my voice1 and open the door1 ,i will come in4 ,that's me1 he said2 ,i'm anyone1 anyhow4 ,but ,i'm so 'ungry and so cold and so wretched1 ,i don't see as 'ow ,he can care to come into my heart4 ,so he listened again2 and again1 he heard the words1 ,he wants every one of you to be happy and blessed4 ,he's a kind 'un1 then1 said the boy to himself1 as the rare tears filled his sunken eyes4 ,and then the cup of steaming coffee had come1 and he had swallowed it quickly enough1 and the kind clergyman had said a few words to him about the love of ,jesus1 and then the boy had crouched down again in the same corner as before1 too ill and miserable to move4 ,my poor boy1 said the minister1 ,i am afraid you must leave here1 we are going to shut it up4 ,what1 sir8 asked the boy1 rousing a little1 while a deathly pallor overspread his face4 ,the sentence was repeated even more gently1 but the child did not take it in4 ,he started up and stretched out his arms1 calling1 in a voice in which love1 and yearning1 and joy were all expressed1 ,oh1 come in1 come in2 ,i've opened the door for yer6 ,with that his arms fell1 and then they saw that he needed no more earthly care1 for he had gone in to supper with the ,king of kings4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,this was what the clergyman's son had seen1 and as he stood in his room alone that night he thought that the knock had come to him too1 and woe be to him1 if he disregarded it6 ,he knelt down by his bedside4 ,so sinful1 he whispered1 so forgetful1 so full of selfishness and self-seeking--if ,thou comest in1 ,thou ,king of ,glory1 it is ,thou who must make it fit1 for ,i cannot4 ,nevertheless1 if ,thou dost knock--and ,thou dost1 ,i hear ,thee--,thou shalt not knock in vain2 for this very night ,i will echo those dying words1 ',come in1 come in6' 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,children1 said ,agatha1 ,he knocks at your hearts to-night4 ,he wants you to let ,him in1 that ,he may bless you and dwell with you all this coming year4 ,you will not keep ,him waiting1 you will not hold the door fast6 ,surely you will say too1 ',saviour1 come in1 come in4' ,so the moonlight city faded away1 the little guests bade their entertainers good-night1 and each one went home with new thoughts1 and some of them with new hopes for the ,new ,year4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,,under ,,the ,,stars4 ,,aunt ,,ruth had been out all the evening1 and when she came home the children were walking up and down the gravel path1 waiting for her4 ,the darkness had fallen1 and the young moon had set1 so that there was nothing now but the blue vault of heaven studded with twinkling1 sparkling stars4 ,i love starlight1 said ,jean1 pressing close to her side4 ,yes2 the stars seem to bring one so near to ,god6 ,where have you been ,auntie8 asked ,tom4 ,i've been to the prayer-meeting1 she said4 ,i want to tell you about the old woman who went to the prayer-meeting last week6 ,it's a lovely story4 ,i have wanted to get home quickly so that ,i might repeat it to you-- ,did she tell you8 asked ,oswald4 ,no2 she told a neighbour the next morning1 and the neighbour told me1 with tears in her eyes1 just now4 ,aunt ,ruth spoke in an unusually eager voice1 and all the while she seemed gazing up into the sky4 ,this is what the neighbour told me4 ,there is a dear old woman who comes to the prayer-meeting very often4 ,she is very poor1 and is thankful for any little bits of work that are put in her way4 ,last week1 as she was coming home from the meeting1 and looking up at the stars1 as we are1 she suddenly thought1 ',god is my ,father6 ,i'll tell ,him6' ,so she said very simply and gently1 ',lord1 you know we're very hungry1 and there's nothing in the cupboard at home4 ,please1 dear ,father1 send us something1 because you know we are hungry4' ,so1 with a heart at rest1 she made her way home1 and opened the cottage door4 ',look here1 wife1' called her invalid husband1 'here's a great basket that somebody's sent us6' ,the old woman cast her eyes upon the hamper1 and then1 instead of opening it1 she sank on her knees by the table4 ',dear ,lord1' she said1 ',i knew you'd not forget your hungry children6 ,thank you1 dear1 heavenly ,father6' ,then she rose with a wonderful happiness1 and opened the basket4 ,as she took out the things one by one1 she told her neighbour 'it was just like the ,lord1' for there was bread1 and butter1 tea and sugar1 and a piece of bacon6 ',and didn't we have a good supper6' she concluded4 ,and did that really happen here1 auntie8 asked ,rose4 ,really happened here6 said ,aunt ,ruth4 ,the ,lord is the same ,lord always1 'rich unto all that call upon ,him4' ,but sometimes we ask for things and don't get an answer8 ventured ,tom1 in his downright fashion4 ,why do you think that is1 ,auntie8 ,i think it may be this1 said ,aunt ,ruth1 slowly1 'your ,heavenly ,father knoweth what things you have need of4' ,sometimes we ask for things we think we have need of1 and ,god sees that to have them would have been the very worst thing for us4 ,tom looked thoughtful for a minute1 and the others were thinking of instances when they had asked and not received4 ,then how are we to know8 asked ,tom at last4 ,ask for the thing you want1 simply and trustfully1 and say from your heart1 ',if it is best for me1 if it is according to ,thy will--,thou knowest best1' and then leave it4 ,there was a pause4 ,then1 emboldened by the darkness and the tenderness of the conversation1 ,jean said softly3 ,i did so want something the other day1 and ,i prayed for it2 ,i daresay you'll think it nonsense1 but ,i thought my tennis shoes were too shabby to go to that party in4 ,but ,god did not send them1 and ,i did not think ,i ought to ask mother for them-- ,well8 said ,aunt ,ruth gently1 pressing her arm4 ,what did you do8 ,when ,i found mother said nothing about them1 ,i felt bad for a little while2 then ,i prayed again1 and asked ,jesus not to let me mind so much-- ,and then8 asked ,aunt ,ruth softly4 ,then--well1 ,i forgot all about it in the end1 and had a very nice afternoon4 ,that is just the way ,i find the ,lord ,jesus does help1 exclaimed ,aunt ,ruth4 ,to the old woman who is hungry1 ,he sends bread and all she wants1 and to the little girl who is worried about her shoes1 ,he sends the best thing for her in ,his wisdom and love--an acquiescence in ,his provision1 and then forgetfulness of what she thought would spoil her day6 ,they turned indoors now1 and ,jean with tear-filled eyes ran up to her bedroom1 and knelt down for one instant4 ,dear ,lord ,jesus1 she whispered1 ,i know you know best2 help me to trust you always6 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,,kindled4 ,,aunt ,,ruth1 exclaimed ,jean1 do come and sit down by this fire4 ,see6 ,i've blown it into such a lovely blaze1 because ,i know you love blazes4 ,aunt ,ruth laughed4 ,where did you find that nice pair of bellows8 she asked4 ,i never saw them before4 ,i should think you hadn't6 said ,jean4 ,i was searching in the garret this afternoon for something mother wanted in that old chest of hers1 and ,i came upon them1 wrapped up in a sheet of old-fashioned paper1 as yellow as yellow4 ,among her treasures8 asked ,aunt ,ruth4 ,yes2 she would hardly let me use them1 they were such a treasure6 ,but ,i told her they did nobody any good up there1 hidden away1 and if ,i left them there they would be forgotten for another twenty years-- ,where shall you keep them8 asked ,aunt ,ruth4 ,handy6 returned ,jean1 emphatically4 ,with which words she began blowing up the wood fire with fresh energy1 enjoying the effect to the full1 as who does not8 ,go it6 said ,tom1 coming behind1 ,or let me4 ,oh6 ,here you all are6 said ,aunt ,ruth4 ,yes1 just ready for a nice twilight story1 said ,rose4 ,they are getting the tea1 and there is just time4 ,aunt ,ruth was always willing1 though she seldom suggested a talk unless they did4 ,often she seized upon a little lesson from what was passing at the moment1 which the children were grateful for1 and did not forget4 ,well1 come along1 settle yourselves quickly1 she said1 for if ,rose is right about the tea1 there will not be much time4 ,they all gathered round her affectionately4 ,well1 auntie8 said ,oswald1 by way of a beginning4 ,well1 she responded1 it struck me as if by a flash when ,i saw ,jean fanning the fire into that beautiful flame1 how the dull fire was typical of our dull hearts1 cold and dead1 the spark of love and faith nearly extinguished by adverse circumstances-- ,yes1 auntie1 said ,tom eagerly1 what then8 ,then comes a force outside ourselves1 and with the breath of living power1 ,he fans the little sparks till they brighten and grow warm1 fanned by the love of ,god1 and the breath of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,i don't understand much about the ,holy ,spirit1 said ,oswald1 in a low tone1 it always seems too high a subject for me4 ,yes1 ,i can understand that1 but if we think of the ,holy ,spirit as ',he1' not 'it1' we shall better understand that ,he is a ,person2 not only an influence1 but ,someone we may speak to and love4 ,does that make a difference8 asked ,rose4 ,i am sure it does4 ,we can pray to ,him1 if ,he is a ,person--unseen1 indeed1 but very near and very real4 ,when we pray to ,him1 the first effect ,i think that we shall find1 will be that the little spark of love which we had to ,jesus will brighten and glow4 ,oh6 ,now ,i see6 smiled ,jean1 thinking of her dull fire4 ,and then as the ,holy ,spirit becomes more to us--more of a living reality--the spark of our love to ,jesus will grow and glow1 and at length burst into a bright flame1 so that others will see in our faces a beam of ,his holy love and holy life6 ,and we shall be warm and happy1 sighed ,jean1 in a comfortable rested tone4 ,well1 said ,oswald1 hesitating a little1 that's too difficult a subject for me4 ,i don't think it is1 when you think it over1 said ,aunt ,ruth1 looking up4 ,i heard a celebrated preacher once speak on this very subject4 ,he pressed his hearers very earnestly to make a decision then and there2 to say ',yes' to the ,holy ,spirit1 and let ,him enter their hearts4 ,in the solemn pause which ensued1 the little girl next me seemed very earnest1 but it was not till afterwards that ,i knew about the great transaction that had taken place in her life in that quiet church4 ,as we were sitting in the train going home1 her hand lovingly within my arm1 and her face close to my shoulder1 ,i whispered1 ',what answer did you give1 darling8' ,and she squeezed my arm earnestly1 as she whispered back1 ',i said yes4' ,since then1 children1 that girl has been a devoted servant of ,christ1 and has done much for ,him4 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,,tom',s ,,persuasions4 ,,we are going home to-morrow6 said ,jean1 with a sigh4 ,auntie1 are you not very sorry8 ,now1 confess6 ,very sorry to leave this nice place1 and the sea1 but not to be going home4 ,tom1 who was sitting on the grass at her feet1 looked up suddenly4 ,is our home going to be yours8 he asked1 gently and earnestly4 ,i do not know1 ,tom6 ,have mother and father asked you8 ,don't answer if you'd rather not1 auntie1 he said1 his cheeks burning1 as he still looked in her face1 but mother is better and back again now1 and she said in her letter this morning-- ,it was not curiosity1 apologised ,rose1 but because we did so hope you might be able4 ,aunt ,ruth's eyes filled4 ,it makes me very happy to think you want me1 she said in a low tone2 but ,i have not been able to decide yet4 ,i am afraid ,i ought not to have asked1 said ,tom1 earnestly2 but as ,rose said1 we were so hoping you would1 as mother told us before we came away1 she hoped it would be settled so-- ,aunt ,ruth did not gainsay it4 ,she was looking earnestly at the quiet river and the golden trees1 lighted up just now by the setting sun4 ,i do not mind your having asked me in the least1 dears4 ,i have been thinking about telling you about my-- about the blow that came upon me last year4 ,their faces of sympathy and interest were enough encouragement to her to go on4 ,you know ,i lost my dear father then1 and when everything was settled up1 instead of my having an income sufficient to keep me1 through no fault of his1 but because some investments had gone down1 it was found there was not nearly enough to keep me-- ,jean showered kisses on the hand she was holding1 and ,oswald opened his mouth as if to speak1 but closed it again1 and was silent4 ,tom was the first to venture a remark1 and his gentle1 grave tone was full of sympathy4 ,i heard how bravely and sweetly you bore it1 auntie-- ,there were many days when ,i could not2 when ,i felt as if the waves went over my head4 ,you would not understand how many things hinged on that insufficient income of mine2 how hopes that had long been cherished were blighted-- ,and yet1 auntie1 said ,rose1 you told us the ,lord was your ',sun and ,shield4' ,so ,he was1 and is2 ,i do not forget that1 dears4 ,several homes have been offered to me1 and ,i have been waiting to see where ,god would let me go4 ,to us1 ,i hope1 said ,tom1 earnestly4 ,your father and mother have been most kind1 and not least in allowing me time to decide1 so as to do nothing in a hurry4 ,mother is far from strong1 said ,rose4 ,i know she would be very glad if you were never to leave us-- ,but you and ,jean will be able to help her in a year or two1 said ,aunt ,ruth1 what then8 ,time enough for that1 said downright ,tom1 and if you're right in coming to us now1 when the next step comes1 you'll be able to see it6 ,eh1 auntie8 ,she smiled happily1 and bent forward to kiss his forehead1 as he knelt before her4 ,i've got hopes that in a year or two1 there may be several things altered1 he said1 decidedly4 ,aunt ,ruth looked earnestly at him4 ,what do you mean1 dear8 ,i mean that there are 'promises' for you1 auntie1 just as much as there are for us4 ',promises8' she asked1 stroking his hair1 and thinking that1 for a boy of fifteen1 he had been a wonderful comfort to her all this year4 ,yes1 he answered1 not guessing her thoughts2 there's one that ,i've had on my mind all the week1 ',casting all your care upon ,him1 for ,he careth for you6' ,yes-- she answered1 with a long-drawn breath1 as if some heavy care were rolling off as she spoke1 yes--,i must not forget that4 ,and you'll come and settle down with us till some other home wants you more than we do8 asked ,tom1 with a gravity and sweetness which she wondered at4 ,aunt ,ruth was silent1 still stroking his sunny hair4 ,you seem to think there are a great many homes likely to want me6 she said1 hesitating1 with a questioning1 shy look in her eyes4 ,i did not say a great many1 said ,tom1 gravely4 ,i know of one that isn't ready yet--and in ,america--and till then we want you6 ,aunt ,ruth pointed to the sunset1 and rose to go in2 but as ,tom struggled to his feet1 she said softly3 ,tom1 ,i don't think there is any home in ,america getting ready-- ,but ,i know there is1 said ,tom1 bluntly2 meanwhile1 and always1 ',he careth for you1' auntie6 ,they went in at last1 and as they were wishing good-night1 ,aunt ,ruth said3 ,children1 as you all seem to want me to live with you1 ,i am only too happy to come4 ,there was a bright joy on every face1 and not least on ,aunt ,ruth's patient one4 ,you did persuade her well6 whispered ,rose to ,tom on the stairs4 ,i think it was ,god's assurance did it1 said ,tom4 ,i told her that she as well as we had ,his promise1 ',he careth for you4' ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,a ,,message ,,from ,,america4 ,,so the summer and the holidays had come to an end1 and ,aunt ,ruth had settled down1 as ,tom called it1 and filled her own quiet little niche very happily4 ,after their last evening's talk at the seaside1 the others were very curious to know whether ,tom knew1 really1 of a home which was getting ready for ,aunt ,ruth4 ,tom only shook his head whenever they asked him4 ,i know what ,i know1 he said gravely1 and ,i have my own conclusions4 ,it is not for me to say to everybody what ,i think4 ,i'm glad ,aunt ,ruth is going to be with us for the present6 ,that's all ,i have to do with1 and you won't get more out of me if you ask me for a year6 ,but all the same for that1 when he got a letter one morning from ,america1 he never mentioned the contents to anyone but his mother1 and they did not know of that4 ,it was not his own secret he was keeping4 ,what makes you so bright1 ,tom8 asked his aunt wistfully one wintry day1 as they sat over the fire together4 ,whenever ,i look at you1 ,i say to myself1 ',he careth for you1' auntie1 and that does me good4 ,but why1 dear--,i am very happy1 she added4 ,you are all so loving1 and ,i have such a much easier life than if ,i had to turn out on the world4 ,yes1 ',he careth for you1' said the boy1 smiling4 ,you came and taught us to trust ,him more than we ever did before1 and now ,god lets me pass it back to you1 so that you take courage to keep on6 ,he smiled at her lovingly1 and went to fetch his lesson books4 ,tom read and re-read that letter from ,america1 and could not make up his mind about it4 ,the letter said3 ,you cannot think how you have comforted me about your ,aunt ,ruth6 ,tom6 ,if you see any cause to tell her1 or if you think it will add to her happiness1 show her this letter4 ,no one knows what it cost me to leave her without a word--but ,i seemed to have no right--at least1 ,i thought so then4 ,but sometimes ,i have thought--,tom1 ,i am getting on nicely4 ,your text has been a great comfort1 ',casting all your care upon ,him1 for ,he careth for you4' ,god has cared for me wonderfully1 and if you think that she whom ,i love would be happier to know there is some one working for her1 then--then tell her1 ,tom1 or show her this letter1 and ask her if ,i may write the next to her4 ,tom had gone up to fetch his books4 ,as he stood in the cold1 reading over these words1 he felt perplexed4 ,it seemed such a great responsibility4 ,then he thought of his text1 and knelt down for an instant4 ,casting all your care upon ,him1 for ,he careth for you4 ,for a minute he looked soberly at the letter1 then with brightening cheeks1 and ran downstairs4 ,how thankful he was that the others were out6 ,aunt ,ruth1 he said1 hesitating a little1 ,i have a letter here which ,i was to give you or not1 as ,i considered best4 ,it was a great honour to be charged with so much1 but ,i think if ,i were in your place1 ,i should like to see it4 ,he held out his hand1 and it trembled4 ,aunt ,ruth looked up earnestly4 ,who is it from1 ,tom8 ,some one you knew before your grand-papa died--some one who went abroad because-- ,tom choked4 ,you'll see what he says2 it can't do any harm1 and it may be a ,christmas present for you1 auntie6 ,he caught up his books1 and was gone before she could speak4 ,presently--it seemed a good while to ,tom in the cold--,aunt ,ruth came to his door4 ,tom1 dear1 she said1 with averted face1 how can ,i tell you how glad ,i am that you told me6 ,god has been very good to me1 and1 indeed1 ,his assurance which ,i trusted has come abundantly true1 ',he careth for you4' ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,,how ,,to ,,find4 ,,well1 ,i can't find it6 said ,nancy in rather an exasperated tone4 ,i've been looking and peeping about for this twenty minutes1 and ,i can't find it6 ,what is it8 asked ,tom lazily1 from his book and his corner of the sofa4 ,why1 a shilling6 ,i was putting some change into my purse1 and it rolled from under my very fingers6 ,perhaps you've made a mistake8 ,no2 but ,i'm sure ,i haven't4 ,i have only half-a-crown in the world1 and that was in three sixpences and a shilling2 and the shilling is gone6 ,besides1 ,i heard it drop and roll away4 ,we'll look after tea1 yawned ,tom4 ,but ,nancy was not satisfied with that1 and went on groping about in all the likely corners1 almost ready to cry at her brother's lack of sympathy1 and at her own want of success4 ,mary was preparing the tea busily1 and did not seem to be taking much notice2 but presently she said in her gentle voice1 ,perhaps you have not light enough8 and while ,nancy looked up with relief at someone being interested in her trouble1 ,mary quietly slipped out of the room4 ,poor little ,nancy sat down on the hearth-rug1 and almost gave up her shilling2 she had looked everywhere1 she was certain4 ,then a light came in at the door1 and there was ,mary with a small lamp in her hand4 ,try this1 she said1 holding it out so that its light sent a beam into the dark recesses round the fireplace4 ,nancy started up with fresh energy1 and then there was a sudden exclamation4 ,why1 ,mary--6 ,have you found it8 asked ,mary joyfully4 ,yes2 but ,i'd looked there heaps of times6 ,it was just by the scuttle-- ,the light shone on it1 ,i expect1 said ,mary1 and then you saw it6 ,tom looked up in his sister's face4 ,a spiritual lesson1 ,moll8 he asked1 with a smile at her tone4 ,i thought so1 she answered1 for1 do you know1 it exactly matched a very curious experience ,i had a day or so ago4 ,i was in darkness about something1 and could not at all find out what ,god meant me to do4 ,i searched in the corner of experience1 and in the corner of expediency1 and in another of wishes1 and in another of obstacles2 when suddenly it flashed across me that light was what ,i wanted--not so much searching6 ,and then ,i thought of fetching the ,lamp of ,god's ,word2 and as ,i turned over the pages1 the ,light shone on my difficulty1 and ,i could see the way out of it1 shining as bright as ,nancy's shilling in the dark corner6 ,and that was8 asked ,tom1 while ,nancy still held her recovered shilling in her hand1 and looked earnestly at her sister4 ',commit thy way unto the ,lord1 trust also in ,him1 and ,he will bring it to pass1' quoted ,mary4 ,nice6 said ,nancy heartily4 ,so ,i took the lesson to my heart1 dears1 added ,mary gently1 that when we are in a difficulty1 it is very often because we have not enough light2 and that light is to be found in the ,word of ,god1 which is there for anyone who seeks6 ,,chapter ,,xxvi4 ,,worth ,,while4 ,,mary1 ,cecil1 ,tom and ,nancy were together in the cosy room where there always seemed a bright bit of fire1 and a tidy table and a warm welcome4 ,mary1 for once1 sat muffled in a shawl in the arm-chair1 and the rest gathered round her1 glad to make her welcome to their circle1 after her enforced absence of two days in bed with a bad cold4 ,now we are complete6 said ,nancy comfortably4 ,yes2 ,i would not have believed that one person being away would make such a difference1 said ,cecil1 looking round the room reflectively4 ,tom did not add his quota of praise1 but he looked very contented1 and after a few moments said1 smiling1 ,i expect you've had some thoughts up there1 ,moll1 that would do us good6 ,it's been mighty dry down here6 ,she put out her hand and touched her brother's softly4 ,i have chiefly been learning a hymn6 she said4 ,a hymn6 echoed ,cecil4 ,whatever for8 ,to have as 'a possession1' said ,mary4 ,you can't think how the ,psalms ,i can say1 and the hymns ,i have committed to memory1 freshen me up if ,i am ill1 and are so comforting to repeat to people in trouble4 ,i never thought of that1 said little ,nancy4 ,and what was your hymn8 asked ,tom4 ,a very simple one1 but holding in every verse a magnificent secret6 ,cecil turned round and gazed at her4 ,what8 he asked4 ',let ,jesus ,christ be praised6' ,how is that such a wonderful secret8 said ,tom4 ,just this1 she answered earnestly1 that if in every circumstance of life1 in every difficulty1 danger or fear1 we can claim all that is stored up for us in that wonderful name ,jesus1 we have solace1 strength1 victory assured to us4 ,i know it1 dears1 and so will you1 if you will believe it4 ,the room got darker1 and the silence was unbroken for some time4 ,mary's voice had almost startled them with its fervour4 ,what is the hymn called8 asked ,cecil presently4 ,the first verse is3 ,when morning gilds the skies1 ,my heart awaking cries1 ,may ,jesus ,christ be praised ,alike in work or prayer1 ,to ,jesus ,i repair1 ,let ,jesus ,christ be praised6 ,but ,i am specially fond of the sixth verse--this3 ,the night becomes as day1 ,when from the heart we say1 ,may ,jesus ,christ be praised6 ,the powers of darkness fear1 ,when this sweet chant they hear1 ,may ,jesus ,christ be praised6 ,i'll learn it1 said ,nancy1 and perhaps the others thought the same1 for ,tom said gently1 as he smoothed his sister's hand1 ,i should think it was almost worth while being ill6 ,,chapter ,,xxvii4 ,,mid-,,winter4 ,,here is the first ,sunday in ,december1 ,mary6 said ,tom1 as he went to draw the curtains4 ,we may as well sit in the firelight till the tea comes in4 ,yes1 do let us6 said ,nancy with a contented sort of sigh1 as she nestled up close to her sister and laid her head on her shoulder4 ,it will soon be the shortest day1 remarked ,mary4 ,i do love the shortest day6 ,why8 asked ,cecil4 ,because ,i always feel as if 'the summer had begun1' smiled ,mary4 ,in mid-winter8 asked ,cecil4 ,yes4 ,when the shortest day comes1 ,i say to myself1 ',my summer has begun4' ,you cannot think how1 to rejoice in the lengthening days1 seems to shorten the winter6 ,i daresay it does1 said ,tom reflectively4 ,every bit of hopefulness does one good1 you know1 ,mary went on softly4 ,you laugh at me for quoting ',pa ,gladden' so often1 but he says ',human nature air always huntin' for the cheerful1' and ,i have noticed that cheery people bring sunshine4 ,i know one thing1 said ,cecil1 gloomy people are never liked4 ,well1 there is no better way of being cheerful than to have a firm hope in ,god1 said ,mary4 ,i was reading the other day one verse with a whole list of names1 that ,david1 in exulting thankfulness1 calls the ,lord his ,god4 ,just listen to them1 and see if your heart does not grow stronger and braver and more hopeful as ,i repeat them-- ,mary's little ,bible was tucked into her workbasket close handy1 and she leant down toward the blaze of the fire to read the very words4 ',the ,lord is my ,rock1 and my ,fortress1 and my ,deliverer2 my ,god1 my ,strength1 in whom ,i will trust2 my ,buckler1 and the horn of my ,salvation1 and my ,high ,tower4' ,a pretty good list6 said ,cecil smiling4 ,where is it1 ,mary8 ,the second verse of the eighteenth ,psalm4 ,all in one verse8 asked ,nancy4 ,all in one verse6 ,that is a verse for those who are out in the world1 fighting the everyday battles2 and there is another for the weak and tired ones1 that is just as wonderful-- ,well1 let's have it1 said ,tom in his blunt hearty fashion1 then we can take our choice4 ,mary turned over the leaves rapidly1 and her gentle face glowed in the firelight as she read from the #cbnd of ,isaiah3 ',and a man shall be as an ,hiding-place from the wind2 and a ,covert from the tempest2 as ,rivers of ,water in a dry place2 as the ,shadow of a ,great ,rock in a weary land4' ,the little head that rested on ,mary's shoulder nestled closer1 as ,nancy murmured1 ,that's a nice one for the shortest day2 and the other one will do for the ,new ,year6 ,,the ,,end