,transcriber's note3 ,unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed4 ,,mabel ,,wynn ,,or ,,those ,,boys ,,by ,,faye ,,huntington ,,london ,,george ,,routledge ,,and ,,sons1 ,,limited ,,broadway1 ,,ludgate ,,hill ,,glasgow1 ,,manchester1 ,,and ,,new ,,york4 ,,contents4 ,,chap4 ,i4 ,,the ,,consecration ,,ii4 ,,work ,,iii4 ,,opposition ,,iv4 ,,the ,,watchword ,v4 ,,conflict ,,vi4 ,,surrender ,,vii4 ,a ,,reform ,,viii4 ,a ,,prayer ,,answered ,,ix4 ,,fragments ,,of ,,talk ,x4 ,,herbert',s ,,trial ,,xi4 ,,the ,,boy',s ,,meeting ,,xii4 ,a ,,lesson ,,of ,,waiting ,,xiii4 ,a ,,circle ,,broken ,,xiv4 ,,duncan ,,follows ,,his ,,own ,,devices ,,xv4 ,,doctor ,,myers ,,lends ,a ,,hand4 ,,xvi4 ,,the ,,ingathering ,,xvii4 ,,almost ,,within ,,xviii4 ,,troubles ,,xix4 ,a ,,batch ,,of ,,letters ,,xx4 ,,lewie ,,amesbury',s ,,creed ,,xxi4 ,,decisions ,,xxii4 ,,sowings ,,xxiii4 ,,what ,,they ,,said ,,about ,,it ,,xxiv4 ,,where ,,we ,,leave ,,those ,,boys4 ,,mabel ,,wynn4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,the ,,consecration4 ,my all is on the altar4 ,,westville had a new sensation4 ,deacon ,griffin1 earnest ,christian man as he was1 ever ready to use tongue1 hand and money for the cause of ,christ1 shook his head1 and said he didn't know about these things4 ,there was so much danger of falling into the ways of the world2 the ,church must be wary of innovations4 ,then good ,mrs4 ,culver had opposed the plan1 and determined to stand aloof4 ,what was the use in making a stir6 ,they had gone on for years without such an affair1 and for her part1 she didn't believe in new-fangled notions4 ,however1 in spite of strong opposition1 a few brave hearts persevered and carried the matter forward1 and ,westville had its first ,sunday-,school ,institute4 ,these few feeling the want of more labourers1 sensible of their own want of knowledge as to the best mode of carrying forward the work1 invited one whose life is devoted to the cause to give a course of instruction upon topics connected with the work1 hoping to be themselves better fitted for their duties1 and trusting that others might be led to enter the same field of labour4 ,many1 like ,deacon ,griffin1 looked upon ,sunday-schools as especially for children2 some1 like ,mrs4 ,culver1 clung to the old ways4 ,as a child she had recited her seven verses ,sabbath after ,sabbath1 without question or comment on the part of her teacher2 brought her penny for the mission fund1 and carried home a library book1 or perhaps a copy of the ,dayspring or ,messenger1 and had about as much idea as a kitten what all or any part of it meant2 and she taught her class in very much the same way4 ,true1 in maturer years1 the precepts and promises stored in her mind had an influence upon her heart and life4 ,as if ,christ's precious words were not for little children to carry in their hearts as well as in their memories6 ,in those three days1 much work was done for the ,master4 ,with instruction1 discussion and earnest talk were mingled many prayers and much praise4 ,the interest growing1 the audience increasing in numbers1 until at the last session1 the great church was filled to its utmost capacity1 and many hearts were throbbing with emotion4 ,new thoughts had found their way into the minds of gray-headed old men1 and to some of them it now seemed a grand thing this idea of a whole congregation coming together for the study of ,god's word4 ,and old men and women almost through with church-going1 the middle-aged1 busy fathers and mothers1 and the young1 enthusiastic and eager1 pledged themselves to the work and joined in the consecrating hymn4 ,it was grand and solemn1 that chorus of hundreds of voices4 ,many of feeble faith were encouraged1 slothful souls were quickened1 while to some1 it was the hour of a new and entire consecration to ,christ4 ,as the song died away1 the voice of the leader1 smooth and clear1 filled the house4 ,father in heaven1 he prayed1 we thank thee for this evidence that thou hast been with us1 directing and guiding us by thy ,spirit4 ,we know not what vast results may grew out of our efforts to advance thy cause1 and we are content to leave the knowledge with thee4 ,thou hast heard our solemn consecration4 ,wilt thou enable us to keep the vow8 ,may we all feel its solemnity and importance1 and may each of us be faithful to our promise4 ,wilt thou bless these thy children1 who work together here8 ,may they work hand to hand in ,christian love and forbearance1 illustrating in their lives the truths they teach4 ,may they be patient and persevering1 untiring and full of the spirit of devotion4 ,may they have all needed wisdom and every ,christian grace1 and may thy blessing so crown their efforts that multitudes shall throng the streets of the beautiful city led into the upward way by these thy servants4 ,and though we no more meet together here1 at last1 dear ,christ1 we shall be together and always with thee4 ,amen4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,work4 ,o thou whose call our hearts has stirr'd6 ,to do thy will we come4 ,i'm here1 began ,mabel ,wynn1 in her bright way1 presenting herself promptly the next ,sabbath at the superintendent's desk4 ,you know ,i am a fresh recruit4 ,i shall make a poor show1 but ,i'm ready for drill4 ,where shall ,i go8 ,mr4 ,clarke looked at her earnestly for a moment4 ,he knew her only as the daughter of the richest man in ,westville1 a man who was prompt to serve ,christ with his money1 but whose time1 strength and influence were given to the world4 ,he knew that ,mabel came to church regularly1 dressed handsomely1 and was a sort of a leader among the young ladies4 ,he knew1 too1 that she was a professed friend of ,christ1 but he did not know the earnest and unselfish purpose of her heart to work for the ,master4 ,mrs4 ,wynn called her daughter odd4 ,one of ,mabel's freaks1 or just one of her odd whims1 she would explain to her friends4 ,if to live for a purpose1 if to do one's work with earnestness1 if to seek out opportunities for doing good1 if to carry the spirit of ,christ into every day's living--in short1 if to be a sincere1 consistent ,christian1 if this is to be odd1 then ,mabel was odd4 ,as a child she had been a ,sunday-school scholar1 but as she grew up1 she had yielded to her mother's persuasions and discontinued her attendance4 ,it was such an inconvenience1 explained ,mrs4 ,wynn4 ,so tiresome to remain after service1 and such a trouble to send back the carriage4 ,thomas did not like it at all4 ,but now ,mabel determined that circumstances must yield2 fortunately ,thomas had departed1 and a very obliging ,michael reigned over the stables4 ,thus she stood ready and willing1 while ,mr4 ,clarke deliberated a moment4 ,his first impulse was to send her to ,dr4 ,eaton's class of young ladies1 and this was just what she expected--indeed she had at first intended to take her place there at once1 but some of her mother's teachings in regard to observing the proprieties under all circumstances1 impelled her to report herself at headquarters4 ,but they were short of teachers2 so many of those who had come in for the first time1 had asked for a scholar's place1 that old classes were overflowing and new ones had to be formed4 ,while ,mr4 ,clarke deliberated1 a scene of confusion across the room attracted his attention4 ,a thought struck him4 ,who knows but she may be able to do something with those boys8 ,anyway they must have a teacher to-day4 ,and with a smile for the eager face before him1 he nodded in the direction of the five unruly boys4 ,mr4 ,clarke1 began ,mabel1 then stopped suddenly4 ,well8 ,nothing4 ,i forget that it is my business to obey a superior officer4 ,i'll go4 ,as the opening exercises went on1 ,mabel had time to still her throbbing heart and lift her soul to ,god for help4 ,she had not thought of becoming a teacher at once1 and what to say or do first1 was a puzzling question4 ,she tried to remember what they did in those days so long ago when she went to ,sunday-school4 ,then she tried to recall some of the instructions of the past week1 but she could think of nothing that would exactly fit the case4 ,dissimulation was no part of her nature1 and when the time came1 she turned toward the class2 but what a class it was6 ,five bright-looking boys1 combed and brushed and neatly dressed1 but the element of quietness seemed entirely wanting4 ,there they were--five bobbing heads1 five pairs of elbows pushing this way and that1 five pairs of shuffling feet1 five pairs of eyes and ears1 open and eager to take in any sight or sound that might be turned into fun4 ,evidently they understood all the boy-tricks in the catalogue4 ,now and then a head would be thrown back with a peculiar spasmodic jerk1 and when the cause was looked for1 another boy's arm would be found quietly resting upon the back of the seat1 thrown lovingly around his neighbour's4 ,of course the owner of the arm had nothing to do with it4 ,suddenly the small boy at the end of the seat found himself on the floor1 a concerted pushing along the line having brought about the catastrophe4 ,there were pinching and nudging and treading upon toes1 and winking and laughing1 and much whispering4 ,altogether a scene of disorder4 ,and these five active1 eager minds were to be fed--those five souls to be led to ,christ6 ,what a work for some earnest disciple6 ,no wonder that ,mabel's heart almost quailed4 ,but she said1 simply and frankly1-- ,boys1 ,mr4 ,clarke has sent me here to be your teacher to-day1 but ,i am not prepared to teach the lesson1 and ,i don't know the ways of the school4 ,you will have to teach me1 ,i guess4 ,how many have learned the lesson8 ,all of you8 ,there seemed to be something remarkably fun-provoking in the question1 for the boys were very merry over it4 ,dear me1 how they do act6 thought ,mabel4 ,what shall ,i do with them8 ,but she kept all signs of her dismay out of her face1 and put the question to them individually4 ,perry ,morse hadn't looked at it4 ,henry ,trafton had not been there in a good many weeks1 and didn't know what the lesson was4 ,lewie ,amesbury had learned it4 ,herbert ,bradford and ,duncan ,mc,nair had only looked it over a little4 ,very well1 ,lewie1 then you are the one to lead off4 ,the rest of us will open our ,bibles and do the best we can with reading and looking out the references4 ,but it turned out that there was no ,bible in the class1 except ,mabel's4 ,here was a new trouble--no lesson1 and no books to refer to6 ,the next expedient was for the teacher to read a paragraph1 and request the class to repeat it in concert2 but their attempt to do this created much merriment1 and seemed to attract the attention of those around them2 so that plan was abandoned1 and she simply read over the whole lesson1 and tried to give a paraphrase of it4 ,then to ,lewie1-- ,what struck you most in the lesson8 ,at this ,henry giggled and whispered4 ,say1 ,lewie1 do you hit back when you are struck8 ,fighting ain't allowed here4 ,lewie gave a reproving nudge at his neighbour's sides1 and looked steadily at his boots4 ,evidently he had not learned the lesson with reference to ideas1 and ,mabel was obliged to make her own points1 and1 as she afterward said1 they were too hastily whittled to be very pointed4 ,yet the time slipped away pleasantly1 and ,mabel's parting word was-- ,well1 boys1 ,i'm glad ,i came4 ,we've had a nice time2 at least ,i have4 ,now1 won't you study up the lesson for next ,sabbath1 and be sure to bring your ,bibles8 ,mr4 ,clarke always kept an eye on those boys1 and as he glanced towards them now and then he saw that they were a trifle less restless than usual1 and that one or two seemed somewhat interested in what the teacher was saying4 ,that was all he saw4 ,he had been praying for a teacher for that very class1 all the while trying to pick one according to his own idea of fitness1 and one after another had failed until he almost despaired4 ,as yet he had no thought that ,god had sent this young girl as the answer to his prayers1 and during the week that followed this first ,sabbath of ,mabel's teaching1 he sought out one whom he fancied would fill the place1 and urged him to take the class1 but was met by a decided refusal2 and so it came about that another ,sabbath found them teacherless4 ,they were all prompt4 ,three of them had their ,bibles4 ,perry ,morse had forgotten his4 ,henry ,trafton never owned one4 ,i wonder who we'll have to-day8 said ,perry4 ,i don't know4 ,maybe ,professor ,mills1 answered ,duncan1 while a laugh went round at the ,professor's inability to cope with their fun-loving propensities4 ,i wish we could have ,miss ,wynn1 said ,lewie4 ,oh1 yes6 said ,henry1 sneeringly4 ,you like her1 of course4 ,she praised you a little4 ,she didn't do any such thing4 ,i'll leave it to the boys if she said one word that sounded like it1 answered ,lewie1 with some spirit4 ,well1 she looked it1 anyway2 but you needn't get wrathy over it4 ,i don't care if she did1 you are welcome4 ,don't quarrel1 said ,herbert2 ,i liked ,miss ,wynn because she didn't put on airs and pretend to be so very wise4 ,she just talked pleasant1 and the kind of talk that a fellow could understand4 ,i vote for ,miss ,wynn4 ,well1 ,herb1 go and ask ,mr4 ,clarke1 before he picks out somebody with a face as long as your arm and a voice to match4 ,mabel had chanced to meet ,dr4 ,eaton at the door and accepted his invitation to take a seat in his class1 and here ,mr4 ,clarke sought her4 ,dr4 ,eaton1 he said1 those boys want ,miss ,wynn4 ,i am sorry to take her away1 and glad1 too4 ,the colour mounted quickly to ,mabel's forehead1 and she exclaimed1-- ,why1 ,mr4 ,clarke1 ,i really don't know how to teach4 ,can't help that6 ,they want you1 and if they can't have what they want1 they won't stay4 ,miss ,wynn1 said the superintendent1 when ,sunday-school was over that day1 you'll have to keep that class6 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,opposition4 ,i am with you alway4 ,,mabel',s friends exclaimed and protested against this new freak4 ,her father and mother insisted that her health was insufficient2 that the tax upon her nervous system would be too severe2 that she already had duties enough at home and in society to fill up her time4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,wynn belonged to that large class of professing ,christians1 who1 whenever the call comes for more labourers in the vineyard1 talk largely of home duties and influence in society1 the demands of their position1 and the like1 excusing their worldly-mindedness with this sort of twaddle about the claims of society4 ,as for ,mabel's health1 an incessant round of parties1 picnics1 pleasure excursions1 making calls and entertaining company1 was never supposed to overtax her nervous system4 ,it was only when she was compelled to step outside the world of fashion that her parents' anxieties were awakened4 ,they never connected the days of languor1 headache1 and lassitude with late hours and excitement4 ,the claims of society never overtax body or mind6 ,but1 father1 said ,mabel1 ,i think this is one of the duties ,i owe to society--to help those boys into right ways1 if ,i can1 so that they may be its ornaments when they get to be men4 ,that's just what ,i object to6 interposed ,mrs4 ,wynn4 ,those boys6 ,if you had chosen a class of sweet little girls1 it wouldn't be quite so bad4 ,but those rough1 uncouth boys6 ,why1 they'll hang about you1 step on your dress1 use your fan1 handle your parasol1 speak to you in the street1 and annoy you in a dozen different ways4 ,mabel smiled at her mother's list of the unpleasant features of the case4 ,it would be such a terrible thing to have ,herbert ,bradford or ,lewie ,amesbury lift his cap gracefully1 as either of them knew how to do1 and accompany the act with a smiling1 ,good morning1 ,miss ,wynn6 ,then1 too1 she remembered that young ,mr4 ,cranson had stepped upon her dress at the picnic1 and tore off a yard or two of ruffling1 and ,dr4 ,myers had played with her fan1 as one or more broken splints would testify1 and her mother had not seemed to look upon either as unpardonable offences4 ,but young ,mr4 ,cranson was the son of a millionaire1 and ,dr4 ,myers was--ah6 ,well1 he was ,dr4 ,myers6 ,perhaps he will speak for himself4 ,mrs4 ,wynn continued1 not noticing ,mabel's amused look-- ,besides1 you won't be able to manage them4 ,i've heard ,mr4 ,clarke say it was the worst class in school4 ,they have had ,i don't know how many teachers within the last six months4 ,the last was ,professor ,mills4 ,i shouldn't think you would undertake where he had failed4 ,it was true1 that class of bright-eyed1 eager-faced boys had the reputation of being the most unmanageable set in the school1 and ,mabel know it4 ,she answered-- ,mother1 ,i did not choose-- ,she hesitated4 ,should she speak of the entire consecration she had made of her young life to the cause of ,christ8 ,would they understand her if she told them that she believed ,god had called her to that very class8 ,it was only a moment3 then she went on-- ,if ,i give myself to the ,sabbath-school work1 or any other work for the ,master1 it is not for me to choose the place4 ,if ,i am called to this post1 ,i shall1 in some way1 be made equal to it4 ,but1 ,mabel1 continued her mother1 it will be so very inconvenient4 ,you cannot walk home1 and ,michael will not like driving back for you4 ,if you persist in this absurd notion1 ,i suppose ,i shall have to give up going to church1 for ,i cannot endure the fatigue of remaining to ,sabbath-school4 ,o mother6 ,it won't be so bad as that4 ,the church is only half-way to the seminary1 and ,i used to walk to school and home again every day in pleasant weather1 and ,i ought not to have grown so delicate in two years as to be unable to walk a quarter of a mile4 ,i do it very often now when out calling or shopping4 ,yes1 ,i know2 but there will be rainy ,sundays1 and besides the dinner hour will interfere4 ,dear me6 ,i do wish you would give up the ridiculous notion4 ,everything will be turned upside down if you persist4 ,mabel was slightly amused at the idea of her mother's well-ordered establishment being so easily reversed4 ,then she looked grave as she thought if it were a music lesson1 or a dancing lesson1 or a croquet club1 at any hour of any week-day1 breakfast1 dinner1 or supper would speedily adjust itself to the arrangement4 ,of so much more apparent importance were these things than the grand work of saving souls1 of training the young for the life in this world and for that which is to follow1 and which is eternal6 ,dinner or the ,master's work--which shall take precedence8 ,mother1 she said1 calmly1 there are always difficulties in the way of any undertaking of importance1 and ,i suppose that it is a part of our business to overcome or push them aside4 ,as for rainy ,sundays1 you and father very seldom go out in unpleasant weather1 and ,i think ,michael will help me over that difficulty4 ,as for dinner1 ,i'll take a lunch and wait for supper4 ,mrs4 ,wynn had other objections to urge1 or thought she had4 ,how obstinate you are1 ,mabel6 ,i don't want you turned into a prim young woman1 going about with your arms full of ,testaments in black covers1 and ,tract ,society publications without any covers at all1 mixing up with all sorts of people1 and getting put on committees and appointed as delegate to conventions1 and all that sort of thing4 ,and then if one of those horrid boys gets the measles or mumps1 he will be sure to send for you to visit him instead of the minister4 ,don't be a fanatic1 ,i beg of you4 ,mabel made no reply1 and her mother continued-- ,i don't want to be understood as being opposed to ,sunday-schools4 ,i think them a very good thing in their way1 and you know that your father is very liberal in giving for the cause4 ,but there are plenty of people to carry them on--people who have nothing else to do--people who are not in society1 and who make the concerts1 excursions1 and such things a sort of substitute for the entertainments of our circle4 ,for them it is all very well1 but as for you-- ,as for me1 mother1 interrupted ,mabel1 ,i beg your pardon for rudeness1 but ,i want to finish that sentence4 ,as for me1 ,i believe that ,i ought to help4 ,it is ,christ's work1 and ,i have no real excuse for standing idle4 ,i want you to consent1 just as you would if ,i proposed to join ,professor ,mills's ,greek class4 ,let me try it for a few months4 ,it may not be so annoying as you think4 ,mr4 ,wynn had occupied himself with the morning paper while this talk went on1 but he had not been so absorbed as to lose the drift of the arguments4 ,mrs4 ,wynn really fancied that she had used powerful arguments1 while ,mabel had but one to urge4 ,i think ,i ought1 was sufficient for her1 and to this her father now responded1-- ',as he thinketh in his heart so is he4' ,i think1 ,helen1 you'll have to yield the point4 ,mabel's one argument really outweighs all ours4 ,let her try it4 ,mabel looked her thanks1 and the ever-courteous ,mr4 ,wynn bowed himself out1 and hurried away to the store4 ,there6 exclaimed his wife4 ,i might have known how it would be4 ,however strongly your father may be set against any of your odd fancies1 he is sure to come around1 and you get your own way at last4 ,i only wonder that you were not entirely spoiled1 for you have had everything you wanted ever since you were born4 ,that's so1 mother1 laughed ,mabel4 ,and who gave me the gilt toilet set to play with1 and the inlaid work-box for a doll-house1 and let me handle those choice prints that show my fingermarks until this very day8 ,who coaxed father into giving me a gold watch as soon as ,i was fairly in my teens1 and how did ,i get the white pony1 and a host of other things8 ,i guess somebody besides father would have to own to part of the spoiling4 ,oh1 but those were reasonable things compared with some of your whims4 ,but never mind now1 the question seems to be settled1 so we won't talk any more about it4 ,just run and tell ,miss ,moore that she may finish the blue poplin skirt this morning1 and ,i will be in about eleven to have the grosgrain fitted4 ,thus ,mrs4 ,wynn dismissed the subject and turned to one more agreeable2 and after all1 the whole matter seemed so very unimportant1 not worth making a fuss over4 ,very likely ,mabel would soon tire of her undertaking4 ,anyway1 she did not propose to trouble herself further about the affair4 ,mrs4 ,wynn was somewhat inclined to aristocratic ideas1 and somewhat chary of her welcome and favours to those outside of our set4 ,then1 too1 she had a horror of fanaticism2 and while she rejoiced that ,mabel had early taken her place among ,christ's disciples1 she thought her too enthusiastic1 feared she would be over-zealous1 and was distressed with apprehension lest some of the proprieties of their circle should be disregarded4 ,she did not see that ,mabel was making high attainments in the ,christian life1 that ,god was fitting her to do him service4 ,it seemed a lowly place to which he had called her4 ,was it8 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,the ,,watchword4 ,without thy guiding hand we go astray4 ,,nothing else at present1 thank you4 ,you may put these with the articles ,mr4 ,wynn has selected1 and he will be in this afternoon to complete the order4 ,come1 ,mabel2 dear1 are you ready8 ,and ,mrs4 ,wynn turned from the gentlemanly proprietor of the picture store1 and addressing the last words to her daughter1 prepared for her departure1 drawing her handsome wraps a little closer1 and giving a premonitory shiver4 ,mabel was busy with a quantity of engravings1 and replied1-- ,just wait a few moments1 please4 ,i want to select a few of these for the boys4 ,oh1 those boys6 ,i really believe you are more interested in making purchases for them than for yourself6 ,how can you think so1 when ,i have already supplied my own wants in this line8 responded ,mabel4 ,well1 there are other wants to be provided for1 ,i suppose you know4 ,we are to go to ,stewart's next to look at those shawls4 ,i hope you will be able to give your attention to that matter1 said ,mrs4 ,wynn1 a little impatient at the delay4 ,yes1 mother1 ,i promise to give my mind to shawls for a whole half hour if necessary4 ,only don't hurry me now1 please4 ,but we must hurry1 was the reply4 ,we have only three hours more before we leave1 and a great deal to do yet4 ,mr4 ,wynn had come to ,new ,york for a stock of winter goods1 and his wife and daughter had accompanied him to make purchases for themselves4 ,mabel always enjoyed such trips4 ,she liked the whizz and whirr of the city2 she liked to watch the hurrying stream of people1 to spend a morning in an art or book store1 to go to the park--in short1 she enjoyed the sights and novelties as all residents of quiet country villages enjoy such occasional visits4 ,she even shocked her mother by insisting that she positively enjoyed riding in the street cars4 ,because1 she said1 it is the very best place to see what sorts of people fill up this world4 ,but nowadays1 she was always on the look-out for something to help her in her work for those boys1 as ,mrs4 ,wynn always designated them4 ,having accepted the position of teacher1 she took up the work with great interest and energy4 ,those boys were to carry through life the impress of her instructions4 ,would it be for good or ill8 ,more than that--their characters were being formed for eternity4 ,to lift them above low pleasures1 evil thoughts and sinful habits2 to teach them how best to use their powers1 how to avoid failure1 and make their lives a real success2 to educate them for ,christ--this was her work2 for this she girded herself with much fervent prayer and faithful study2 to this end1 she sought a mere complete consecration to ,christ1 knowing that her own life should be the exponent of the religion she would teach them1 realizing that an example of holy living is more than much teaching4 ,some of them were nearing the age when boys think they are too big to go to ,sunday-school1 and their teacher resolved if possible to keep them1 so their teacher was continually seeking to strengthen her hold upon them4 ,whenever and wherever she found anything she could make available as a means to the end she had in view1 she seized upon it4 ,sometimes the merest trifle would give rise to a thought or plan1 and she would say1 ,i must work that up for the boys4 ,and that morning in the picture room1 she had caught an idea from a conversation which was going on over a portfolio of ,views on ,venice4 ,the gentleman of the party was evidently familiar with the scenes which these ,views represented1 and ,mabel grew interested in his remarks4 ,he was saying1-- ,these paths1 one can't call them streets1 are fearfully narrow and tortuous4 ,there is just one thing to prevent a stranger from getting hopelessly lost in the tangle of crossings and twistings4 ,the principal footpath is of white marble1 and this leads directly to the ,ponte di ,rialto4 ,so one has only to keep to this white line to come out all right4 ,and ,i have often thought1 continued the speaker1 whom ,mabel now recognized as ,dr4 ,v41 an eminent ,sunday-school worker1 how the life of ,jesus1 pure and perfect1 leading straight on to the goal of our aspirations1 is laid before us in the ,gospels1 a sure guide for our feet amid the crooked ways of life4 ,that was all4 ,at that moment1 the clerk brought the articles for which she was waiting1 and claimed her attention4 ,but an hour or two later1 having disposed of the shawl question1 and various other matters in the way of laces1 ribbons1 gloves and the like1 she had time to finish out her list of ,christmas gifts for her class4 ,it was a ,bible this time for ,henry ,trafton1 who did not own one4 ,not that his parents were too poor to buy one for their son1 but they had never thought anything about it4 ,in their handsome parlour a family ,bible1 in ,turkey leather and gilt clasps1 reposed upon a cushion that was a marvel of needlework and patience1 and ,mrs4 ,trafton had a smaller volume which she kept upon her private book-shelf4 ,but ,henry came ,sabbath after ,sabbath without a book1 and read the lesson out of his neighbour's ,bible4 ,no wonder he never had a lesson6 ,as ,mabel made her selection1 a thought of the fragment of the conversation which she had just heard flitted through her mind1 and her eye alighted upon the words1 ,i am the way1 and then ,none cometh unto the ,father but by me1 she exclaimed1 ,that's the very thing6 ,what did you say8 asked the attendant1 wondering4 ,oh1 excuse me2 ,i'll take this1 and this1 and to herself she said1 ,i must learn not to talk loud when ,i speak to ,mabel ,wynn4 ,but that is just the thing for our class motto4 ',follow the ,white ,line4' ,if ,i could only manage the cards1 if ,i were a bit of an artist1 ,i could get them up myself4 ,i must manage it4 ,she did4 ,the cards with the motto printed in the style of the illuminated texts--which she had been looking over1 failing to find just the right thing for her purpose--were ready by ,christmas--small ones for book marks1 and larger1 handsomer ones in pretty frames4 ,they were hung upon the tree of many fruits which the school met to enjoy and appropriate1 and each boy received a private letter explaining the motto and containing words of earnest warning and affectionate entreaty4 ,they were invited to take ,christ as a pattern and more than this1 to accept him as a ,saviour4 ,when they came to talk it over together1 the teacher said1 ,i hope you will all adopt it as your own motto4 ,it is my earnest prayer that we may all make our lives as near like ,christ's as possible4 ,we shall need to 'watch and pray' if we would keep the path he has laid down1 for there are many turns in this life and many things to draw us out of the narrow way4 ,but none of you have said how you like it4 ,i like it1 said ,lewie ,amesbury4 ,at school1 day schools1 ,i mean1 teachers are always holding up some great man for a pattern1 but ,i think it is a great deal better to have a perfect pattern4 ,i s'pose we can't be perfect1 but we ought to try and live as near the rules ,christ laid down as we can4 ,lewie was the best boy in the class1 always prompt1 always ready with the lesson1 always quiet1 looking grave over the frolics and tricks of the other boys1 giving assent to the truth presented1 and seeming ready to follow the right course4 ,but did he really love the ,saviour8 ,herbert ,bradford spoke next4 ,i like the motto well enough1 but it wouldn't be honest for me to adopt it entirely4 ,i don't want to be a ,christian now1 and that is what it means1 isn't it8 ,it leads to that1 certainly1 answered ,miss ,wynn2 but1 ,herbert1 will you tell us of one point in which you would not like to be like ,jesus8 ,we read that ',jesus increased in wisdom and stature1 and in favour with ,god and man4' ,that was while he was yet a boy4 ,you would not object to follow such an example8 ,when he grew to manhood1 he entered upon that work for which he came1 ',led by the ,spirit4' ,listen to this1 and ,mabel turned over the leaves of her ,bible1 and read1-- ',the ,spirit of the ,lord ,god is upon me2 because the ,lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek2 he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted1 to proclaim liberty to the captives1 and the opening of the prison to them that are bound2 to proclaim the acceptable year of the ,lord1 and the day of vengeance of our ,god2 to comfort all that mourn2 to appoint unto them that mourn in ,zion2 to give unto them beauty for ashes1 the oil of joy for mourning1 the garment of praise for the ,spirit of heaviness2 that they might be called trees of righteousness1 the planting of the ,lord1 that he might be glorified4' ,what a grand mission6 ,and how perfectly and beautifully fulfilled6 ,if we take up the study of ,christ's life here on earth1 as ,i proposed to you1 we shall see how desirable it is to follow closely the example of our ,divine ,master4 ,after giving out the next lesson1 which was to be a study of some of the prophecies regarding the ,saviour1 ,mabel said1-- ,and now remember the watchword and 'follow' closely4 ,whenever you are tempted or puzzled during this week1 ask yourself--,what would ,christ say8 ,will you do that8 ,herbert1 will you1 so far as you can1 let ,him settle the questions that come up this week8 ,it seemed a simple thing1 and ,herbert promised4 ,little did he think1 that before another ,sabbath1 he should meet and decide the most important question that could come to him in his life4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,conflict4 ,justice and ,mercy for my life ,contend6 ,oh1 smile and heal the strife4 ,,yes1 ,i was thinking of that4 ,we will talk it over when we come together this evening4 ,just tell ,deacon ,griffin about it now1 won't you8 ,i want to speak to one of the boys4 ,excuse me4 ,and ,mr4 ,earle hurried down the aisle and out of the door4 ,herbert1 one moment1 please4 ,herbert ,bradford turned back to meet his pastor1 wondering but pleased1 for ,mr4 ,earle was a favourite with the young people of his congregation1 and his influence over them was something remarkable4 ,he had that rare and happy faculty of making the shyest and most awkward schoolboy among them feel quite at ease in his presence1 and the timid1 self-conscious girl ceased to feel the hot blood mounting to her forehead1 and forgot that she had two hands to be properly folded1 and1 too1 he knew how to draw out hidden conversational powers1 often quite astonishing the possessors themselves4 ,i have a letter here from ,tom ,nichols1 he said1 as he joined ,herbert4 ,i suppose you would like to read it8 ,yes1 sir1 ,i always like ,tom's letters4 ,i wish he was back here4 ,he is a capital fellow6 said ,herbert1 with enthusiasm4 ,yes1 ,tom is a fine boy1 and his letters are always pleasant4 ,but you will find this one different from any he ever wrote before4 ,there's good news in it1 ,herbert1 said ,mr4 ,earle1 with a little ripple of joy in his voice that was testimony as to the excellence of the news4 ,herbert looked up with a bit of wonder in his eyes2 then1 as it flashed upon him what the good news might be1 he dropped his head and a sad look crept over his face4 ,mr4 ,earle's way led up the street and ,herbert's down2 so they parted at the first corner1 without further talk1 only the minister said1 as he turned off-- ,i wish1 my boy1 that you could write me just such a letter4 ,the other boys had gone on1 and ,herbert walked slowly along1 opening the letter and reading it on the way4 ,a part of it ran thus3 ,,dear ,,friend3--,i've done it6 ,a week ago tonight ,i made a resolve that ,i would turn square about and serve ,god the rest of my life4 ,i was quite afraid that he would not have me for his own1 ,i had resisted so long3 for he has been calling me almost ever since ,i can remember1 and ,i have been promising1 and putting off1 until ,i began to think that maybe he would just turn around and put me off4 ,but ,i found out by my ,bible that he is always ready to receive any and all that come1 and now ,i know it1 ,i feel it1 that he has accepted me1 that ,christ is my ,saviour and ,friend4 ,i am very glad that ,i did not wait any longer4 ,if ,i should live to be an old man1 ,i should not have any too much time to work for ,jesus4 ,i want to go right to work for him4 ,i wish you would tell me how4 ,we have a very good minister here1 but ,i do not feel as well acquainted with him1 and he does not know or understand me as you do4 ,i want to thank you for your faithfulness when ,i was with you2 and will you forgive me that ,i was so careless and ungrateful8 4 4 4 ,i wish ,i could see the boys4 ,tell them from me that ,i wish they would begin right away to serve ,christ4 ,it is not dull or gloomy work4 ,i never was so happy4 ,there are some nice boys here1 and we have a pleasant ,sunday-school class and a good teacher1 but ,i don't believe ,i shall ever like any boys quite as well as some of the ,westville boys4 ,i pray for them every day4 ,i want them to love ,jesus4 ,your friend1 ,,tom ,,nichols4 ,mr4 ,nichols and ,mr4 ,earle were old friends1 and when the first-named gentleman went abroad with his invalid wife for a protracted stay1 ,tom came to ,westville to stay with ,mr4 ,earle4 ,he had belonged to that troublesome ,sunday-school class1 and was about the most mischievous boy in it4 ,his fun would out at the most unseasonable times1 and the boy-loving ,mr4 ,earle was sometimes troubled and puzzled us to the best way of managing his charge4 ,but the faithful work was accepted1 the earnest prayers answered1 and on this ,sabbath morning1 the good pastor came before his people with a new courage1 an increased strength1 brighter hopes and stronger faith4 ,one more soul saved6 ,the door of another young heart thrown open to ,christ6 ,another young life consecrated to the ,lord's work6 ,no wonder that there was an unusual emphasis put upon the selections1 more earnestness in the prayers and thanksgiving1 and an unwonted vigour thrown into the preaching1 so that ,deacon ,griffin said to his wife1 as they rode homeward1-- ,i don't understand our pastor's mood to-day4 ,i thought ,i could detect a sort of an undertone of triumph running through all the services this morning4 ,and for my part1 things look very gloomy4 ,the state of religion in our church seems to be at a low ebb4 ,i noticed it too1 replied ,mrs4 ,griffin4 ,when he read1 ',i will praise the ,lord with my whole heart in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation1' it seemed as if he really had something unusual to thank ,god for2 but ,i haven't heard of any encouraging signs4 ,no1 ,i should think not1 responded the deacon1 sadly4 ',pears to me if ,mr4 ,earle had thought of the big crowd they had up to ,wynn's sociable night1 and the half dozen we had at prayer-meeting ,thursday night1 he couldn't have read and preached so jubilant like4 ,some of the psalms of confession or lamentation would have seemed more suitable in these times4 ,i don't know what he meant4 ,he found out that evening4 ,a few faithful ones were in the habit of communing together for half an hour before evening service1 for a little talk with each other and with ,god over the interests of the kingdom1 and here ,mr4 ,earle told them of the news that had gladdened his heart1 and of one or two things that had occurred in their midst1 causing him to hope that ,god was not far from them4 ,we will watch more closely1 work more diligently and pray more earnestly1 said the pastor4 ,yes1 we will6 exclaimed ,deacon ,griffin1 whose whole heart--and it was a large one--was warmed by this bit of sunshine2 and such a prayer as he then and there offered6 ,such thanksgiving6 ,such entreaty6 ,surely ,god must have heard4 ,meantime a great tumult arose in ,herbert ,bradford's heart as he read ,tom's letter4 ,tom a ,christian6 ,it could not be2 and he read the letter over1 to make sure that he had taken in its meaning4 ,yes1 it was so4 ,that wild boy6 ,and he loved fun so1 too6 ,and ,i was going there next summer4 ,now we won't ever have any more good times1 and he will always be dinging at me about this thing2 and ,mr4 ,earle1 he wishes1 and ,miss ,wynn1 she--well1 she don't say much4 ,i suppose she knows a fellow can't stand it2 but she means it4 ,i think most every ,sunday that she will bring some of us around before long1 in spite of ourselves4 ,my6 ,how her face would glow6 ,it would be almost worthwhile1 just to see how glad she would be4 ,that was a splendid letter she wrote last week4 ,i almost made up my mind then to do as ,tom has--turn right about4 ,pshaw6 ,i can't4 ,i don't want to1 either4 ,there's time enough five years from now4 ,is there8 ,he was just passing a house where a bit of crape and white ribbon fluttered from the door-knob1 and perhaps that suggested the question4 ,anyway1 it had thrust itself in1 and refused to be put aside2 and ,herbert found in the course of that week that to get back to his old state of careless indifference1 he would have to fight his way through a host of questions1 suggestions1 and facts that came up from he knew not where1 meeting him at every turn4 ,of late1 he had fallen into the habit of spending an hour or more of ,sabbath afternoon over the next ,sabbath-school lesson4 ,he certainly made a great show of being studious1 bringing out all the commentaries1 ,bible dictionaries1 and books of reference that the house afforded4 ,to-day he was out of sorts1 declaring to himself that he was half a mind not to go near the class again4 ,anyway he wasn't going to study1 he didn't want to see or hear of a ,bible1 he would read his library book--it looked interesting4 ,dragging an easy chair into the recess of a bay window1 he settled down in it1 saying to himself1 ,now1 ,i won't think of ,tom nor ,mr4 ,earle again to-day1 and began to read4 ,but relief from his troublesome thoughts did not come that way4 ,in the very first chapter1 he was met by a boy as restless and unsatisfied as himself1 and not finding him a very agreeable companion1 he threw down the book1 and then yawned and oh deared1 then went after a dish of apples1 then to the store-room for a lunch1 though he had just been to dinner4 ,on his way back1 he looked into the dining room to see what time it was4 ,only four o'clock6 ,three hours to evening service6 ,what shall ,i do with myself8 ,i suppose ,i may as well go at that lesson4 ,it won't be any worse than doing nothing4 ,i can't stop thinking4 ,i wish ,i could6 ,the books were soon brought out1 and study commenced4 ,he began picking out prophecies concerning ,christ in the book of ,isaiah4 ,pencil and paper were called into use1 and he went on busily and contentedly for a while1 though now and then a verse made him think of ,tom1 and ,mr4 ,earle1 and ,miss ,wynn1 and what he knew they were all praying for1 the thing he knew he ought to do1 but didn't want to1 and didn't mean to4 ,all the glorious prophecies and abundant promises given to the world through the inspired writer were not for him that day4 ,though he copied and arranged them1 realizing something of their beauty and significance1 he felt that he had no part in them4 ,suddenly he started1 laid down his pencil and shut his ,bible1 then opened and read again-- ',the way of peace they know not2 and there is no judgment in their goings3 they have made them crooked paths2 whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace4' ,in running over the chapter1 to see if it contained any special reference to the ,messiah1 his eye had rested upon this verse2 and it seemed as though the idea of crooked paths1 contrasted with the white line he had promised to follow1 met him everywhere4 ,that promise6 ,he already saw where it would lead him1 and the thought of it greatly disturbed him4 ,he left his books and went up to his own room in search of diversion4 ,there the framed motto met him as he opened the door4 ,he turned1 shut the door quickly1 and went down-stairs again1 and wandered from room to room until his sister ,julia exclaimed-- ,why1 ,bertie6 ,what does ail you8 ,you don't stay put anywhere4 ,i don't know4 ,i guess ,i'm tired of ,sunday1 answered ,herbert4 ,well1 ,i never knew you to act so before2 and it is like all the ,sundays1 isn't it8 ,just so much church and ,sunday-school1 and just so many hours between1 and cold meat and pickled oysters for dinner1 because ,bridget had gone to her church2 mamma reading the ',meditations1' and papa poring over a big book1 and you and ,i--,oh6 ,i've got a splendid book2 don't you want to read it8 ,it is about a boy-- ,oh1 one of those awful good boys1 ,i suppose1 interrupted ,herbert1 with an emphasis that said1 ,i don't want to hear anything about your 'good boys4' ,no1 sir6 returned ,julia4 ,he was a real hateful boy--a great deal hatefuller than you are when you tease me4 ,indeed6 ,he must have been hateful4 ,i think ,i'll take a dose4 ,but1 said ,julia1 laughing1 ,i suppose ,i ought to tell you that he did most all of his bad things before the book begins1 and in the first chapter somebody spoke a word that made him stop short off and turn right about4 ,but ,herbert was gone1 banging the door after him4 ,what was the matter with people and things to-day8 ,what possessed everybody and everything to bring up the very thoughts he was trying to get rid of8 ,we all know that when our attention is turned to any particular subject1 we are astonished at the frequent recurrence of things that seem to bear upon that very point4 ,herbert imagined that a very unusual combination of events had conspired to rob him of peace4 ,only a few days ago1 during the discussion of some school affair1 ,perry ,morse had said to the boys1 ,you needn't worry about that2 ,herbert ,bradford always keeps his promises4 ,and ,herbert had been rather proud of being known as a boy who could be relied upon4 ,now here was that foolish promise to ,miss ,wynn4 ,he had promised to let ,christ decide all questions that might come up for decision1 and here at the outset was ,christ himself saying1 ,follow me2 and to ,herbert this meant a full surrender1 and that he was not ready to make4 ,he went to evening service with his father and ,julia1 and of course1 in his state of mind1 he thought ,mr4 ,earle preached right at him4 ,he might just as well have called my name straight out1 he said to himself4 ,the days that followed were not very pleasant ones4 ,he could not get rid of his troublesome thoughts4 ,in the morning1 he longed for night1 that he might go to sleep and forget everything2 but when night came1 he dreaded to go to bed1 for he was tormented with the fear that he should never wake up again in this world4 ,wednesday was ,new ,year's4 ,the boys had arranged a grand skating party4 ,though one of the foremost and most enthusiastic planners1 ,herbert had suddenly lost his interest in the frolic4 ,still he meant to join them1 and came down to the river just as a group were strapping their skates1 all talking and laughing1 full of glee4 ,one1 ,johnny ,davis1 stood a little aloof looking rather sober4 ,don't you skate to-day8 asked ,herbert1 coming up to him with his skates over his shoulder4 ,no6 answered the boy shortly4 ,there's never any good times for me4 ,my old skates have given out entirely1 and ,i cannot afford a new pair4 ,i thought ,i'd come down and see the boys off2 but ,i'd better have stayed at home1 and he choked a little at the thought of his poverty4 ,no1 said ,herbert1 it's a good thing you came4 ,my skates are aching for a chance to cut that ice2 so1 if you will take charge of them1 ,i'll be much obliged4 ,i don't feel like going4 ,he turned and ran up the street before the astonished boys understood what he was about4 ,well1 ,johnny1 said ,lewie ,amesbury1 that's good for you2 but for the life of me1 ,i can't make out what the fellow means4 ,he has acted like sixty all the week6 ,while the boys were puzzling over his queer behaviour1 ,herbert was walking rapidly up the street1 thinking in this wise3 ,a pretty mess ,i've made of it6 ,what will the boys say8 ,and what would they say if they knew that ,i was afraid to go on the ice8 ,yes6 ,actually afraid4 ,fool and coward that ,i am4 ,but they won't think of that1 for ,i have often been down the river when the ice bent and cracked under me4 ,but ,i couldn't go to-day1 though it is thick and strong4 ,the fact is1 ,i am afraid to die2 and it seems as though death was lurking around somewhere1 waiting for me4 ,this question will have to be settled pretty soon1 or ,i shall be crazy4 ,dear me6 ,what did ,i promise for1 and why did ,tom's letter come just then1 and why did everything happen just in the way it did4 ,there's ,mr4 ,earle now6 ,i've got to meet him--there's no dodging that6 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,surrender4 ,here is my heart4 ,,instead of passing on1 ,mr4 ,earle turned quietly about and walked back with ,herbert1 chatting upon indifferent matters in his usual entertaining way4 ,pretty soon he said-- ,why1 ,i thought you boys were all off down the river this morning8 ,not all of us1 answered ,herbert4 ,i'm here4 ,i see you are4 ,but ,i thought the new skates were for this occasion8 ,well1 they were2 but ,i let another boy take the job of scratching the ice4 ,i--well1 ,i changed my mind about going4 ,humph6 ,i should think so4 ,a minute or two after ,mr4 ,earle said1 suddenly-- ,herbert1 can ,i help you any8 ,i don't know4 ,i guess not4 ,but you need help4 ,perhaps1 answered ,herbert1 briefly4 ,you know ,i am your friend1 and that ,i shall be glad to help you1 said ,mr4 ,earle4 ,if you could tell me how to get rid of a promise1 without either keeping or breaking it1 and how to forget things that ,i don't want to think of1 ,i'd like it4 ,but ,i suppose you can't do that1 said ,herbert1 trying to laugh1 but not succeeding very well4 ,if ,i could1 replied his pastor1 ,i might be doing you an injury4 ,i think we shall find a better way4 ,let us hear how the case stands4 ,herbert had thought that he would not talk with ,mr4 ,earle for anything in the world1 but now he burst out with it all4 ,it's about ,tom's letter1 and your sermon1 and our class motto1 and a promise ,i made to ,miss ,wynn about it1 and--,i suppose ,i'm very wicked1 and ,i know ,god is angry with me4 ,no1 ,herbert1 you are angry with ,god4 ,you are angry because ,he has sent the ,holy ,spirit to lead you to the ,saviour4 ,he is doubtless angry with your sin and rebellion1 but ,he loves you1 and would save you4 ,he wants to make you his friend2 ,he asks your love1 and you refuse it2 and worse still1 you are angry because ,he asks it4 ,isn't that the way of it8 ,i suppose so4 ,i suppose it is a dreadful thing to say1 but ,i don't want to be a ,christian4 ,he expected his friend would be shocked at his assertion1 and was surprised at the quiet reply4 ,well1 in that case1 why trouble yourself any more about it8 ,but ,i know ,i ought to be4 ,oh1 that's it8 ,well1 ,herbert1 ,i must say ,i am a little surprised4 ,i thought you were always ready to do whatever you were sure you ought4 ,did you want to milk ,mrs4 ,brown's cow every day for a fortnight while she was laid up with a sprained ankle8 ,no2 but you know ,i was partly the means of her getting hurt1 and ,i thought ,i ought to help her4 ,exactly4 ,and ,i suppose you don't always want to obey the rules at school1 but you know you ought to do so2 and judging from the public reports1 you do what you ought1 not what you want to do4 ,i saw you at the wood-pile last ,saturday4 ,i don't imagine that you wanted to do it1 for ,i never saw a boy who liked to saw wood1 and ,i am pretty sure your father did not compel you 7you see ,i know his way71 but you knew you ought4 ,isn't that all true8 ,yes1 but this is different4 ,different8 ,yes1 in a sense4 ,and now ,mr4 ,earle's voice grew deep and solemn4 ,it is an act for eternity1 an act that decides the colour of all your future1 an act that ranks you with the sons of ,god or with the children of wrath6 ,it is different6 ,a priceless gift--life everlasting1 a mansion in the beautiful city of our ,god1 a pure heart1 a crown of glory1 all freely offered6 ,and you turn away1 saying1 ',i know ,i ought to accept all these1 but ,i really don't want them4' ,suppose you say to your father1 ',i know ,i ought to be very grateful for all you do for me2 ,i ought to be glad to honour you1 but ,i don't want to be called by your name4' ,but1 ,mr4 ,earle1 said ,herbert1 ,i've been called by my father's name always4 ,i belong to him1 and have always had his care4 ,and haven't you always had ,god's care8 ,haven't you always belonged to ,him1 body and soul8 ,refusing to take the glorious gift of free pardon through ,christ doesn't change that at all4 ,though you grieve ,him by rebellion1 you belong to ,him4 ,and if you are not called by his name1 it is because you will not own ,him as your ,god and ,saviour4 ,but1 ,herbert1 why not be a ,christian8 ,oh1 there are a good many reasons1 answered ,herbert4 ,for one thing1 ,i don't like to begin right here where ,i have always lived4 ,if ,i were going to a new place1 ,i could take a stand without its seeming queer4 ,if somebody should offer you a splendid fortune1 said ,mr4 ,earle1 ,i suppose you would say1 ',i don't want this known here where ,i have always lived4 ,it would seem queer if ,i should have or do anything different from the old way4 ,i think ,i had better wait until ,i go somewhere else before ,i accept the gift4' ,nonsense1 ,herbert6 ,you are not that sort of a boy4 ,now ,i know you pretty well1 and ,i can give the why note about as accurately as you could yourself4 ,you have an idea that to be religious is to be dull4 ,why1 some of the most earnest ,christians ,i know are among the most merry-hearted people ,i meet4 ,to be a ,christian is to be at peace--to have joy and gladness in the heart4 ,then you are looking too far ahead1 thinking there is this or that cross that you can never take up1 this or that duty that you can never perform4 ,you look up at the mountain and think1 ',i cannot scale these heights3 there is no use in starting4' ,you forget1 rather1 you have never experienced1 the love that lightens the burdens1 smooths the hard places1 and gives strength for every hour4 ,take up the work that lies before you to-day1 and do not worry about what may be required of you to-morrow or next day4 ,i trust that you will find your way to peace1 but it will not be by shaking off your serious thoughts4 ,but what were you saying about your class motto and a promise to ,miss ,wynn8 asked the minister1 after a moment's pause4 ,herbert explained as well as he could the idea embodied in the class motto4 ,mr4 ,earle listened attentively1 and as he caught the idea1 he exclaimed-- ,beautiful6 ,beautiful6 ,a while line indeed1 pure and perfect1 and so plain that we need not mistake4 ,then referring to the promise1 he asked1 ,but1 ,herbert1 what did you think when you promised ,miss ,wynn8 ,it isn't like you to make a rash promise4 ,no1 answered ,herbert1 ,i thought ,i knew what ,i was about4 ,i'll tell you4 ,i quarrelled with ,fred ,easton about a seat in the school-room1 and ,i thought of that1 and knew that ,i ought to give in2 then father had promised to take ,julia and me out for a ride on ,monday2 ,i wanted to go to the glass-works1 and ,julia wanted to take three or four more and go over to ,carter's to tea4 ,we had almost quarrelled about it1 and when ,miss ,wynn asked me to promise to refer everything to ,christ1 ,i remembered that1 and decided to give up1 because ,julia gave up to me last time father took us out4 ,it was just such little things that ,i had in mind4 ,i see1 said ,mr4 ,earle1 smiling4 ,you committed yourself1 expecting only a slight skirmishing1 not looking for the grand battle1 and your ideas of honour will not allow you to break your word1 though you had no intention of promising so much4 ,well1 my boy1 there is but one way out of it4 ,make an unconditional surrender4 ,go to ,christ and say1 ',i am ready to follow wheresoever thou leadest1 even into the thickest of the conflict4' ,with such a leader you will not faint nor fall4 ,the two had walked up the street until they reached the church1 when ,mr4 ,earle1 taking a key from his pocket1 turned in at the gate1 saying1 ,come in1 ,herbert1 and the boy had followed4 ,there was to be an evening service1 and the fire was already built in the lecture room4 ,mr4 ,earle drew forward one of the two arm-chairs for his companion1 and occupied the other himself1 and their talk went on for a little while4 ,very quietly and pleasantly the pastor discoursed of the wonderful theme--the new birth--making clear to the boy's mind the simple truths of ,christianity1 sweeping away mists of error1 piercing clouds of fear1 and pointing to the one ,source of light4 ,i sometimes think1 said he1 that it is no wonder so many stumble at the very threshold of the kingdom4 ,we have surrounded the idea of conversion with such mystery1 and darkened the entrance way to the new life with theories and doctrines1 and a mind unused to solemn thoughts shrinks away from trying to penetrate the mysteries of the change4 ,it is a solemn hour when a life is voluntarily given into ,god's keeping1 the hour of the soul's surrender4 ,and ,god's work in the heart is a mystery4 ,but our part is so easy and simple1 and the change in the life and habits comes about so quietly and naturally1 that we are astonished to remember our dread of this life4 ,it is a great and solemn change2 ,i want you to realize that1 but ,i want that you should also remember that your part of the work is very slight1 and that your benefits are very incalculable4 ,this interview1 which ,herbert dreaded and shrank from1 closed with an earnest prayer4 ,mr4 ,earle said1 ,now1 ,herbert1 what shall ,i say to ,christ for you8 ,for a full minute ,herbert looked straight into the stove1 and ,mr4 ,earle waited4 ,the good man seemed to understand the boy1 and know when to speak and when to wait4 ,at length1 with tears in his voice and eyes1 ,herbert said1 ,you may tell him that ,i am ready to follow4 ,they had risen from their seats1 and now ,mr4 ,earle threw an arm over the boy's shoulders and exclaimed1 ,my boy6 ,my boy6 ,my brother in ,christ6 ,and1 standing thus1 he poured out his heart1 not in words of entreaty1 as he had thought to do1 but in joyful thanksgiving4 ,as for ,herbert1 a strange calm had succeeded the tumult of the last few days4 ,it seemed as if he had stepped into a new world4 ,as he was leaving the room1 he said1 ,well1 ,i have said ,i was ready to follow ,christ1 and ,i am1 but ,i don't know the first step to take4 ,mr4 ,earle had just drawn out his watch4 ,holding it up1 he answered1 ,take it toward home1 eat your supper and feed your rabbits1 and remember that you may as truly and really follow the ,master in these every-day affairs us though you proclaimed the gospel from the pulpit4 ,in fact1 ,herbert1 you may sometimes find that it will require more grace to take up the common duties of life in the right spirit than to minister at the altar4 ,herbert went home with a light step1 and never once thought of the skating party1 nor of the surprise his early return would occasion4 ,he met ,julia in the hall4 ,why1 ,bertie6 she began1 back already8 ,i thought you were going to skate home by moonlight4 ,then anxiously1 ,anything happened8 ,yes1 answered ,herbert4 ,but you needn't be scared2 nothing has happened to the skaters that ,i know of4 ,the fact is1 ,i didn't go4 ,didn't go6 echoed ,julia4 ,then where have you been8 ,herbert hesitated4 ,should he--could he tell her all about it now4 ,it was so new1 he had not got used to the deep peace and the strange happiness4 ,could he talk about it8 ,how should he tell her8 ,she waited for an answer2 but as he looked up before he spoke1 she exclaimed-- ,what is it8 ,i never saw you look that way before6 ,how8 ,what way8 ,why1 you look so--so--as if the sunshine had got inside1 and was pouring out through your eyes1 and your mouth1 too1 she said1 laughing4 ,i guess you've hit it1 ,jule4 ,i--,i'll tell you about it4 ,i have been talking with ,mr4 ,earle1 and ,i--you know about the motto4 ,well1 it's no use pretending to follow1 ,i'm going to do it in real earnest4 ,i thought to-day was a good time to settle it1 and it is done4 ,christ is now my ,leader4 ,o ,bertie1 said ,jule1 softly1 ,i am so glad6 ,why1 ,julia6 ,do you love him too8 asked ,herbert1 wondering4 ,why1 ,i've always loved him1 but ,i didn't know that it was just loving and trusting him1 and trying to please him1 that gave people the name of ,christians1 until ,mr4 ,earle explained it to me4 ,oh1 won't ,miss ,wynn be glad6 ,where have you been this afternoon8 asked ,mr4 ,bradford as he came in to tea4 ,with ,mr4 ,earle1 sir1 answered the boy1 promptly4 ,ah6 ,you were in good company1 then1 said his father1 passing on to the dining room4 ,as they left the table1 ,herbert said1 ,father1 if mother is willing1 ,i would like to take ,julia down to church tonight4 ,you know it is lecture night4 ,very well4 ,as ,herbert went up-stairs1 he said to himself1 ,i couldn't tell father right out that ,i have found ,jesus1 but maybe he will see4 ,if ,i follow ,him as ,i ought1 he must see4 ,mr4 ,earle telegraphed a quick look to ,mabel when ,herbert and ,julia entered the lecture room before the evening service had begun4 ,mabel caught the glance2 also one from ,herbert1 and his happy look1 and said to herself1 ,they know something that ,i don't2 ,i must find out2 ,i can't wait4 ,oh1 if it should be that ,god has heard me1 and answered even before ,i had expected6 ,as they passed out after the meeting closed1 a low voice said1 ,is it a happy ,new ,year8 and the quick response was ,yes2 brief1 but full of meaning1 and understood by the happy teacher4 ,as ,mr4 ,earle had hoped1 ,god came very near to them in the weeks that followed4 ,many were brought into the kingdom4 ,five of ,miss ,joslyn's class of eight girls were led to give their hearts to ,jesus4 ,bright1 laughing ,lou was a faithful teacher4 ,the girls loved her1 and clustered about her so that one could hardly tell which was teacher and which was taught 7and1 indeed1 what ,sunday-school teacher is there who does not feel that they themselves are taught many valuable lessons by their class874 ,she had been their teacher for several years1 labouring earnestly for them1 and now she had her reward in part4 ,but ,miss ,wynn's class1 excepting ,herbert ,bradford and one other1 stood aloof4 ,if ,mabel was surprised that her prayer for ,herbert was answered1 much less was she prepared for ,henry ,trafton's avowal of love for the dear ,redeemer4 ,he had appeared the most unpromising boy in the class1 and she had found it difficult to make him comprehend her instructions2 but he heard the call2 he understood the plain command1 ,follow me1 and straightway he obeyed4 ,the others were diligent and attentive1 but closed their hearts against ,him who1 entering in1 would mike their lives complete1 their happiness secure4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,a ,,reform4 ,whatsoever thy hand findeth4 ,,through many improvements had come in with the fresh growth of interest in the ,sunday-school cause1 ,mr4 ,clarke had not yet seen his way clear to the establishment of regular teachers' meetings for prayer and study4 ,occasionally a meeting to talk over ways and means would be appointed1 with the invitation extended to all interested in the school4 ,the result of the call would be a thin attendance1 the talking done by ,superintendent ,clarke1 ,deacon ,griffin and ,dr4 ,myers1 with now and then a word from ,deacon ,holt and ,mr4 ,earle4 ,these proposed measures1 discussed them1 and then decided upon them1 though1 as a form1 the questions might be put to vote1 the popular side calling up two or three hands from the back seats4 ,it was some months after ,mabel joined the working force of the school that one of these meetings was announced4 ,to talk over the interests of the infant class and other matters connected with the school1 ,mr4 ,clarke had said1 ,tuesday evening at seven o'clock1 repeating the latter part of the announcement with considerable emphasis4 ,promptly at the hour ,mabel ,wynn was at the door4 ,to her surprise she found it locked4 ,she stood a moment in doubt1 looking up and down the street1 then seeing ,lou ,joslyn across the way she joined her4 ,why1 ,lou1 she began1 is the meeting given up8 ,i think not4 ,why8 ,there is nobody there and the door is looked4 ,lou laughed as she answered1 ,oh1 is that all8 ,you are too early by half an hour6 ,that can't be1 answered ,mabel2 the meeting was to be at seven o'clock1 and it is ten minutes after now4 ,oh1 well1 you see they come when they get ready4 ,you'll soon find out4 ,there's ,deacon ,griffin now2 he has the key1 and he will unlock the door1 and go away4 ,deacon ,holt will come pretty soon1 and look in1 and go away2 then ,mrs4 ,culver and ,mrs4 ,gibson will go in1 and wait1 taking the opportunity to talk over the state of things in the church1 and outside1 too4 ,dr4 ,myers will come next1 with the evening paper2 he will lean against the fence and read while he waits4 ,about half-past seven1 ,mr4 ,clarke will be on hand 7he has tried the door once before you came72 the deacons will come back1 and a few more will drop in1 and the meeting will begin4 ,dear me6 said ,mabel1 at the close of ,lou's rattling explanation4 ,what shall ,i do8 ,i don't like promenading up and down the street waiting for meeting to begin1 and ,i don't like to go there and sit alone in that great forlorn room4 ,i was going to call upon ,mrs4 ,lewis1 responded ,lou1 but if you like1 we will go in now and set a good example for the minister and the deacons4 ,is that the way you always do at your meetings8 asked ,mabel1 as she and ,lou walked down the street toward ,mr4 ,wynn's store1 where ,michael was to wait for her4 ,don't any of the lady teachers ever say anything8 ,why1 no6 ,that is1 not aloud1 answered ,lou1 laughing4 ,i declare1 continued ,mabel4 ,i could hardly keep still4 ,there were half a dozen things ,i wanted to ask1 and one or two suggestions ,i should have made2 but ,i was a newcomer1 and no one else said anything1 so ,i didn't dare4 ,well1 you see1 explained ,lou1 when we have any plan we talk to ,mr4 ,clarke beforehand2 get things all worked up1 you understand1 and he pushes them through if he can4 ,then if any new idea comes up1 we whisper it over1 and somebody beckons to ,dr4 ,myers1 and he tiptoes over1 listens to a whispered argument1 and tiptoes back4 ,then pretty soon1 he gets up and says1 ',it has been suggested1' c4 ,then we ladies nod and smile1 and are very much gratified that our ideas are getting an airing4 ,mabel was much amused at ,lou's absurd way of putting it1 though judging from the meeting she had just attended it was exactly true4 ,well1 she said1 it is a queer way of doing things4 ,so it is1 ,miss ,wynn1 said ,mr4 ,clarke1 coming up behind them4 ,can't you and ,lou bring about a reform8 ,oh6 exclaimed ,lou4 ,i am not of the stuff reformers are made of4 ,new ways are so uncertain4 ,we are all used to the old plan1 and it works very well4 ,we are pretty sure of getting our way1 and ,i think it is the whispered consultations that bring it about4 ,no doubt of it4 ,i would not break those up for anything1 responded ,mr4 ,clarke1 mischievously1 as he hurried forward to overtake ,deacon ,holt4 ,one or two more meetings after the same pattern roused ,mabel to action4 ,first she talked it over with ,lou1 who liked her proposition immensely1 and to whom she said-- ,i do not wish to push myself forward1 and if you1 who are an old teacher1 will talk it over with the others1 the lady teachers1 ,i mean1 and enlist them1 ,i am sure we can bring it about4 ,splendid6 exclaimed ,lou4 ,and we won't let the gentlemen know a thing about it until it is all done4 ,of course1 continued the merry girl1 ,mrs4 ,culver won't like it4 ,she never wants us to get out of the old track4 ,mabel had noticed that they all were free enough to express their opinions when they were clustered about the door or gathered in somebody's parlour1 and she said to ,lou-- ,if we only had a cozy little room where we could come together without so much stiffness1 and talk over our affairs1 we might get along better2 but that great bare room chills everybody4 ,that's so1 replied ,lou4 ,these straight1 hard benches put 'yes1 ma'am1' and 'no1 ma'am1' into me1 and scare everything else out4 ,connected with the lecture room was an apartment that had been originally intended for a pastor's study1 but owing to ,mr4 ,earle's preference for a study in his own house1 the room had long been unused except as a sort of lumber room4 ,it had a bay window1 the walls were unsoiled1 the carpet stored away in a box1 the curtains rolled up and shoved behind a book-case4 ,the plan was to fit up this room as a church parlour4 ,miss ,joslyn succeeded in her mission1 though ,mrs4 ,culver1 as she had predicted1 did not approve of church parlours1 and declined to lend her assistance4 ,armed with the proper authority1 as well as with brooms and brushes1 the other lady teachers entered upon the work of renovation4 ,the stock in hand having been looked over1 it was found that the carpet1 though somewhat moth-eaten1 could be made quite respectable2 the curtains would do very well4 ,then arose the question of chairs1 tables1 c4 ,of course the first thing thought of was a subscription or a church collection4 ,now ,mabel knew her father would give liberally if called upon2 but she remembered the opposition she had met with when she entered upon her work1 and thought it wise not to ask him1 and was silent1 waiting for ,lou to speak4 ,said that young lady-- ,i hate to go around and ask people for money4 ,but1 said ,mrs4 ,gibson1 what will you do8 ,we can't do it all ourselves4 ,i know that1 replied ,lou2 but there are different grades of beggars4 ,i don't know but it may be more respectable to beg for money1 but those who go about asking for old clothes are more successful4 ,i don't come at your idea yet1 said ,miss ,fox4 ,do you propose that we beg for old clothes1 and sell them for money8 she asked1 laughing4 ,not exactly1 was the reply1 and ,lou proceeded at once to unfold their plan1 which being approved was adopted4 ,in pursuance of this plan1 she and ,mabel sallied out the next morning to make a round of calls4 ,their first visit was at the house of ,mr4 ,riggs1 a wealthy manufacturer4 ,mrs4 ,riggs1 said ,mabel1 we want two chairs6 ,we don't care for new ones1 but they must be such as you would not be ashamed to have in your sitting room4 ,they need not be alike1 but must be comfortable4 ,it was a strange request1 made without explanation2 but ,mr4 ,riggs turned at once to his wife4 ,what can you spare1 ,lucy8 ,mrs4 ,riggs looked amused1 and said-- ,i wish1 ,mabel1 that you had asked for the whole of the library furniture4 ,i could spare that as well as not4 ,i've been trying to coax ,henry to get new for some time4 ,go in and make your selection4 ,we could take the whole off your hands1 and not encumber ourselves at all1 responded ,lou2 but we'll leave part for the next beggar4 ,well1 ,lucy1 let the girls have what they want1 and you may order the new furniture at once1 and they proceeded to the library4 ,what are those girls about6 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,riggs1 as they took their leave1 after the easy chair and a pair of brackets had been promised4 ,i'm sure ,i can't guess1 responded the gentleman4 ,i should not think of trying to unravel any of ,mabel's mysterious doings4 ,the next call was at ,deacon ,holt's4 ,one chair here1 said ,mabel1 as they waited upon the step4 ,making known their errand1 they were answered by a hearty laugh from the good-natured deacon4 ,do tell6 ,are you girls going to set up house-keeping on your own hook8 ,you've guessed pretty close1 and we want all our friends to furnish their own chairs1 so that they will always be welcome4 ,their requests were everywhere the same4 ,one or two chairs1 new or old1 easy and not shabby4 ,later in the day they all met at the new parlour to compare their lists of gifts1 and found that enough had been donated to furnish the room handsomely4 ,mabel had instructed ,michael to appear with the express wagon at four o'clock1 and he was sent off with the list4 ,two days later the room was ready for use4 ,a dozen chairs1 a sofa1 a small round table which ,mr4 ,riggs had added1 some pictures and brackets1 made a very pleasant and cosy parlour out of the old lumber room4 ,a few camp chairs were stored in a closet1 to be brought as occasion required4 ,thus it happened that ,westville had a church parlour4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,a ,,prayer ,,answered4 ,for pain is not the end of pain4 ,,mr4 ,,trafton kept a livery establishment which was extensively patronized by gay and fashionable people--people to whom the ,sabbath was a day of pleasuring--and it was through this ,sabbath-breaking that ,henry ,trafton's trial of faith was to come4 ,it so happened that about the time of the summer school vacation they were short of help at the stables1 and as ,henry understood the management of horses remarkably well for a boy of fourteen1 he was drafted into service4 ,he was fond of horses and rather liked the employment1 until one ,sabbath morning a party wished to be driven to the lake1 fifteen miles away4 ,but1 father1 said ,henry1 ,i can't go to-day4 ,i'd like to know why8 ,why1 it's ,sunday1 and ,i must go to ,sunday-school4 ,must1 eh8 ,who says you must8 asked his father1 half angrily4 ',well1 ,i always do4 ,i--,i never thought of driving out ,sundays1 said the boy1 in a troubled tone4 ,well1 suppose you never did think of it8 ,the time has come now to do it4 ,don't let's have any nonsense about it1 was the impatient reply4 ,henry went to his mother with his trouble1 who reasoned that it was necessary work1 that it was their business1 that it was a proper and useful business4 ,he was not responsible for the way in which the party spent the day4 ,he need not join in their frolics4 ,and while they had their sail on the lake1 he could rest in the grove and study the ,bible lesson4 ,it was very different from going for his own pleasure4 ,if they kept horses to let1 they must let them out on the ,sabbath4 ,if they let them to young ,reeves to go to his mission school at the ,ridge1 could they refuse to drive young ,golden and his friends to the lake8 ,should they dictate to their customers the direction and object of their drives8 ,this reasoning did not satisfy the boy4 ,it was all a muddle4 ,he could not tell exactly what would be the right way to conduct the business1 and1 besides1 obedience to his parents was one of his strong points4 ,if his father would not yield1 he must4 ,these were miserable ,sabbaths4 ,sometimes he ventured to remonstrate1 then his father grew angry1 declaring that he should not go to ,sunday-school any more even when he was at liberty4 ,a pretty piece of business6 ,teaching a boy to set himself up for authority6 ,father1 said ,henry1 softly1 ,it is the ,bible that is up for authority4 ,oh1 you needn't quote ,bible to me4 ,i reckon ,i understand that quite as well as you do1 or your saintly teacher4 ,you have never been too nice to eat the bread or wear the clothes bought with the ,sunday earnings of the horses and their drivers4 ,seems to me you are making extra fine distinctions4 ,and1 too1 ,i wonder if your pious friends down there know any difference between my money and other people's8 ,they are glad enough to have me pay twenty-five dollars for a pew that ,i never sit in1 and in return they put nonsensical notions into your head4 ,i believe in religion1 but ,i don't believe in that kind4 ,the whole concern is a humbug4 ,now ,mr4 ,trafton did not think any such thing as he indicated in his last remark4 ,he did believe the very truths which had been put into ,henry's heart through the teachings of the ,sunday-school1 though he had so long practically denied the gospel that it was only now and then that his conscience stirred1 and then he grew bold and defiant4 ,henry was very unhappy4 ,he went to evening service1 but hurried out to avoid an interview with ,miss ,wynn4 ,reaching home he went directly to his own room4 ,he took his ,bible1 turned over the leaves1 read a few verses here and there4 ,there were plenty of promises1 plenty of verses1 that had comforted him at other times2 but it seemed that there was no word for him now1 and he closed the book1 saying1 ,there's no promise to ,sabbath-breakers1 and that is just what ,i am4 ,but father says it is not wicked1 that it is necessary4 ,and ,mr4 ,brown came for a carriage to go to the springs this evening1 and he is a member of our church4 ,if he could go to ride instead of going to evening service1 is it wrong for me to obey father and go off in the daytime8 ,dear me1 ,i don't know anything about it4 ,anyway ,i can't stand it much longer4 ,if ,god only would hear me4 ,and then the perplexed and troubled boy prayed1 ,o ,god1 my ,father1 help me4 ,i want to do right1 but ,i am so miserably weak and cowardly that ,i am afraid to resist my father's will4 ,o ,god1 don't let me be so tempted4 ,take away my trouble4 ,deliver me out of this dark place4 ,please to show my father how wrong it is1 and do not let him ask me to drive out any more upon the ,sabbath4 ,this was the burden of his prayer1 not ,give me strength to follow the right1 but ,deliver me out of my trouble4 ,were the events of the week in answer to that prayer8 ,wednesday morning ,mr4 ,trafton said-- ,henry1 a gentleman1 a stranger in town1 wants to go out to ,crandall's4 ,you may take the black horse and a light buggy and drive out for him4 ,o father1 that horse6 ,can't ,i have ,lady ,bess8 ,no2 ,mrs4 ,jenks wants ,bess to drive out by herself this afternoon1 and you will not be back in time1 replied ,mr4 ,trafton1 adding1 ,you needn't be afraid to drive the black2 he has been very sober lately4 ,i am not afraid to trust you with him4 ,oh1 ,i don't mind4 ,i had a little rather drive ,bess1 but it's no matter4 ,as ,henry was starting out his father said-- ,see here1 ,henry1 it is the day of the picnic1 isn't it8 ,yes1 responded ,henry2 but ,i don't care a great deal4 ,it is a nice drive out to ,crandall's4 ,i think ,i shall enjoy it4 ,yell1 ,i guess you can have the day's earnings for your lesson fund4 ,oh1 that's grand6 ,thank you4 ,henry ,trafton cared very little for books2 he hated study1 and the weekly school reports showed a wretchedly low standing in his classes1 but his knowledge of some particular branches was remarkable2 for instance1 natural history and physical geography4 ,some one once expressed surprise at this1 when he responded1 ,i learned those things from pictures4 ,the walls of his room were covered with pictures2 his table was strewed with them2 his trunk and drawers were full2 they overflowed and spread through the house2 he carried them in his pocket and between the leaves of his books2 pictures of all sorts and sizes1 bought with his pocket-money1 torn from magazines1 cut from newspapers1 and not a few drawn by himself1 some in pencil and some in coloured crayons4 ,it was plain that he was a lover of art4 ,whether he had a talent for picture making remained to be seen4 ,he was anxious to take some lessons of an artist who had a studio in town1 and his father1 who thought it the merest nonsense and waste of time and money1 had finally consented1 provided ,henry should save his pocket-money to pay for the lessons4 ,as the now delighted boy harnessed the spirited horse1 he said1 ,old fellow1 the money you'll earn to-day will be a heavy lift for me4 ,five dollars6 ,whoa6 ,you needn't prance about as if the ground wasn't good enough for you to step on4 ,you're likely to get considerable of it into your shiny coat before night4 ,i s'pect we'll make the dust fly1 won't we1 old fellow8 ,in the course of that afternoon1 a man came to the house to say that the horse which ,henry had driven had just come panting to the stables without driver or carriage1 and with part of the harness dragging1 and that one of the men had gone out on horseback to look for the castaways4 ,and1 said the man1 ,i had just come from the depot with the carriage1 and so ,i drove right up here1 thinking maybe you'd want to follow4 ,one can't tell what may have happened4 ,mr4 ,trafton only delayed to go to the kitchen and give a few hasty orders4 ,you need not tell ,mrs4 ,trafton1 he said4 ,if anything serious has occurred1 ,i will come or send some one to tell her4 ,just as he was stepping into the carriage1 ,dr4 ,myers passed4 ,here1 doctor1 we may need you4 ,just go along with us1 was the abrupt invitation1 which was promptly accepted4 ,it was a sad and almost silent party that came back two hours later4 ,very slowly and carefully the driver guided his horses2 very tenderly ,mr4 ,trafton supported his suffering boy1 and very anxious was the expression of every face4 ,the stranger1 who had escaped with a sprain or two and a few bruises1 stated that the horse had been very restive all day1 but that ,henry had managed him remarkably well until1 on their return1 frightened at a peddler's cart1 he sprang down a steep bank1 overturning the buggy1 landing the gentleman upon the opposite bank1 while ,henry1 holding on stoutly1 was dragged some distance over brush and stones4 ,he was insensible when picked up1 but he had revived a little before reaching home1 though not able to speak4 ,when ,dr4 ,myers had made an examination of his patient's state1 he said1 ,mr4 ,trafton1 ,i should like to have you call in a more experienced surgeon4 ,i do not feel willing to take the responsibility of treating the case without counsel4 ,if you will call ,dr4 ,maxwell1 and if his diagnosis agrees with mine1 we shall all feel better satisfied4 ,tell me1 began the father1 and stopped1 unable to ask the question4 ,i do not think1 replied the doctor1 that your son will die2 but ,i tell you frankly that his injuries are very serious4 ,and the poor man understood then1 quite as well as he did a week later when ,dr4 ,maxwell told him1 that his boy could never walk again without a crutch4 ,when gently and tenderly ,dr4 ,myers told ,henry the sad truth1 he only said1 ,no matter1 ,i don't think ,i shall mind so very much4 ,then seeing the doctor's look of surprise1 he added1 ,i have just found out that ,god has his own way of answering prayers1 and when we don't ask for the right thing1 or forget to say1 ',thy will be done1' it seems as though he just took us at our word and gave us what we asked for1 but it comes a little differently from the way we expected4 ,you don't mean that you think your lying here with your broken bones is an answer to prayer6 ,i'm sure ,i wouldn't pray any more in that case6 ,the speaker was ,aunt ,harriet1 a sister of ,mr4 ,trafton1 who had come to help care for the sufferer4 ,one might know by the tone in which she spoke that she knew nothing of the power of prayer4 ,o auntie1 said ,henry1 ,i wouldn't stop praying1 but just learn to pray right4 ,i can't tell all that ,god means by this1 but it puts an end to a great trouble4 ,i had been praying over it1 but ,i never once asked for help to follow the ,white ,line-- 7glancing at the framed motto which hung at the foot of the bed7 straight through it all4 ,i just begged ,god would take away the trouble1 and ,i rather think1 he continued1 smiling faintly1 that he has4 ,dr4 ,myers interposed4 ,i must not let you talk too much1 my boy4 ,i think ,god has you in his keeping1 and is leading you onward4 ,this trial may prove the greatest blessing of your life4 ,good morning1 now4 ,rest all you can4 ,blessing1 muttered ,aunt ,harriet1 as she followed the doctor into the next room for directions4 ,i must say it looks like it1 having to hobble through life on a stick1 with no chance to do anything or be anything4 ,i think1 ,miss ,trafton1 responded the doctor1 that you will see it quite differently by and bye4 ,it seems sad1 but ,i am not sure that ,henry's chances of doing and being something worthwhile are not better than they were a fortnight since4 ,i met him three or four weeks ago1 and a more discouraged1 dispirited appearing boy ,i don't often see4 ,he did not tell me the trouble he speaks of1 but ,i think ,i guessed it4 ,there are worse troubles than broken bones4 ,at the gate the doctor met ,mabel ,wynn4 ,you'd better not go in now1 he said1 the boy needs rest4 ,how is he to-day8 she asked4 ,improving1 he replied4 ,and1 ,mabel1 he looks and talks like one who has been lifted up to a higher plane than a good many of us have reached4 ,does he know8 she asked4 ,yes1 ,i have just told him4 ,he says it is all right4 ,he has never uttered a complaining word from the beginning4 ,somehow ,i can't help thinking that he will grow to have a rarely beautiful ,christian character4 ,and ,i have been so anxious about him6 said ,mabel4 ,so faithless4 ,i have sometimes almost doubted if he really understood what it means to be a ,christian4 ,he always seemed interested and attentive2 but ,i feared he did not comprehend the truth4 ,and of late he has often been absent front the class1 and seemed to avoid an explanation4 ,i could not understand it at all4 ,but1 she added1 after a pause1 ,i suppose it was not necessary that ,i should4 ,god takes care of his own4 ,yes1 he does1 replied the doctor4 ,but1 ,mabel1 he sometimes makes use of us in doing it4 ,perhaps your anxieties and your fears for your pupil made you more careful to explain the truth and make the way to ,christ plain4 ,do you know1 ,i think that motto a particularly happy thought1 if they only get the sentiment into their hearts8 ,here their ways parted1 and ,mabel went home with a lighter heart than she had carried for many days1 she had been so anxious for her pupil4 ,it was ,saturday evening1 a month after the accident4 ,mr4 ,trafton answered a ring at the door1 and found it was young ,golden1 who had brought a basket of grapes for the invalid4 ,come in and present them yourself4 ,henry will be glad to see you1 said ,mr4 ,trafton4 ,thank you1 ,i will4 ,henry was now able to take a half-sitting posture1 propped up by pillows1 and was allowed to receive his friends4 ,the three chatted cheerfully1 even gaily1 for some time4 ,at length ,mr4 ,golden turned to ,henry4 ,well1 ,i suppose you won't be ready to drive a party of us out to the lake to-morrow8 ,the boy's cheeks flushed a little as he replied1 smiling-- ,hardly4 ,the young man continued1 turning now to ,mr4 ,trafton-- ,i would like to have a carriage to-morrow4 ,we want to start at six4 ,can you accommodate us8 ,i am sorry1 was the reply1 to refuse1 ,mr4 ,golden2 but we have lately passed a resolution down at the office to let no more horses upon the ,sabbath for secular business or pleasure excursions4 ,why1 ,mr4 ,trafton6 ,really--,i--6 ,you are not in earnest8 ,in serious earnest4 ,our notice was put in the ',standard' this morning1 and also posted on the doors at the office and the stables1 replied ,mr4 ,trafton4 ,really1 this is very astonishing6 ,what does it mean8 ,aren't you afraid your business will fall off seriously8 asked ,mr4 ,golden4 ,i presume it will4 ,but you see ,i wanted to do something to please my boy here1 and hit upon this thing4 ,too bad6 ,i wish you could accommodate us this once4 ,it will be a great disappointment1 as our party is all made up4 ,i am sorry for your disappointment1 was the reply4 ,i meant to have got the notice in the paper early in the week1 but by an oversight of ,dalton's1 it was omitted4 ,well1 all ,i have to say1 said ,mr4 ,golden1 half angrily1 is that you will lose by it4 ,it is an unheard of proceeding4 ,mon who expect the public to patronize them must try to please the public4 ,at this indirect threat ,mr4 ,trafton smiled1 and replied-- ,i am not obliged to continue this business4 ,if it fails me1 ,i can saw wood4 ,as the gentleman was the owner of a fine block of houses1 which brought him a good rental1 the danger of his being reduced to wood-sawing for a livelihood did not appear very imminent4 ,anyway1 he continued1 ,i have decided to try the experiment4 ,as he came back1 after showing his visitor out1 ,henry exclaimed-- ,o father1 ,i am so glad6 ,a little while after1 he said-- ,i am glad ,i wasn't hurt on ,sunday4 ,so am ,i6 ,it was the thought of what ,i must have suffered had it happened upon some of those ,sabbaths when ,i sent you off so against your conscience that first led me to think of giving up ,sunday business4 ,as he was bidding his father good night1 ,henry whispered-- ,do you know1 father1 what beautiful promises there are in the ,bible for those who hallow the ,sabbath8 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,fragments ,,of ,,talk4 ,step by step the journey's taken4 ,,sunday-,,school was over4 ,mr4 ,clarke had shaken hands with the last teacher2 answered the last question2 smiled upon this or that group as he passed down the aisle2 stopped a moment to speak a word of welcome to a new scholar2 and then walked briskly up the street to overtake ,miss ,dare1 who looked so tired to-day1 as if she needed an encouraging word1 a word which ,mr4 ,clarke knew how to speak4 ,the teachers had done their class-work for the day1 whether well or ill1 and gone their various ways2 the sexton had closed the shutters and locked the door1 but still that group of boys lingered4 ,a year had gone by since that ,sabbath when ,mabel ,wynn was first sent to them4 ,two more had been added to their number1 ,arthur ,knapp and ,willy ,loring1 but one was not there1 and the boys grew sad whenever ,henry's name was mentioned2 for it was now well understood that he would never be strong again4 ,arthur ,knapp was a newcomer1 and they had stopped to talk a little and get acquainted4 ,something had gone wrong with ,perry ,morse1 and he was pulling at ,herbert ,bradford's sleeve1 saying-- ,come1 ,bert2 if you are going my way1 come along4 ,don't be in a hurry2 ,i want to talk a little while1 replied ,herbert4 ,perry started down the walk1 halted half-way1 and turned back4 ,you are so awful particular1 he said1 ,i shouldn't think you'd think it quite the thing to stand there gossiping4 ,seems to me your white line has a good many curves in it4 ,it leads you in a curious way4 ,you are mistaken1 responded ,herbert4 ,the line is straight1 but the trouble is1 we boys get away from it--,i mean ,i do4 ,i should think you'd better speak for yourself1 was the half-surly remark of ,perry4 ,miss ,wynn talked solemn to-day1 didn't she8 broke in ,willy4 ,yes1 and you made a baby of yourself1 said ,perry1 who seemed disposed to say hateful things4 ,sensitive little ,willy flushed and drew back1 but ,duncan ,mc,nair flashed out1 saying-- ,i tell you what it is1 ,perry ,morse1 ,i'd rather be a baby than a stone2 and another thing1 ,i don't think it is very good manners to be gazing about1 or winking at somebody across the aisle1 while ,miss ,wynn is talking4 ,nobody asked for your opinion upon good manners1 retorted ,perry4 ,come1 said ,herbert4 ,there will be a quarrel here1 if we don't look-out4 ,all your fault1 growled ,perry4 ,we should have been half-way home1 if you had not been so slow4 ,herbert gathered up his books as if about to start4 ,a small box marked ,willing ,workers attracted ,arthur's attention4 ,is that your class name8 he asked4 ,ha1 ha6 laughed the provoking ,perry4 ,better be called ',willing ,idlers4' ,class collection last month1 thirty-five cents6 ,that's a good one6 ,i'd parade the name4 ,well1 said ,lewie ,amesbury4 ,i was ashamed4 ,can't we do better next quarter8 ,let's pledge ourselves to do more4 ,how much more8 ,oh1 make it the biggest of all6 said ,perry4 ,suppose we calculate a little1 said ,lewie4 ,there are six of us1 and twelve ,sundays in quarter4 ,suppose we each give five cents a week--five times twelve are sixty1 and six times sixty are three hundred and sixty4 ,three dollars and sixty cents6 ,that would do4 ,miss ,wynn would make it up to four dollars4 ,better make it up ourselves1 said some one4 ,well1 let's do it6 ,all in favour of giving four dollars next quarter1 say ,i4 ,there were fire prompt ,i's4 ,arthur ,knapp1 why didn't you vote8 was asked4 ,because ,i am not sure that ,i can give so much1 was the timid reply4 ,well1 some of us will have to give more to make it up4 ,i have plenty of money4 ,i can put in more as well as not1 said ,perry1 grandly4 ,the boys were used to his boasting and did not mind4 ,lewie had a new idea4 ,i've heard1 he said1 that it is a good rule to give one-tenth of a person's income4 ,who will do that--give one-tenth of all we get to the fund8 ,i will6 exclaimed one and another1 until all seemed to agree4 ,well1 here is the beginning1 and ,lewie turned out his pockets1 counting his money rapidly4 ,sixty-seven cents6 ,i won't cheat the missionaries out of half a cent--here are seven cents4 ,duncan1 following his example1 handed over eleven cents to the treasurer4 ,the rest had empty pockets1 though ,perry said he had five dollars at home4 ,all right1 said ,duncan4 ,hand over your fifty cents to-morrow morning4 ,jolly6 ,won't it count up8 ,i reckon you needn't count up quite so fast2 ,i guess ,i see myself giving fifty cents to your eleven6 ,i guess6 ,but that is according to the pledge4 ,i don't care4 ,i sha'n't do it4 ,there goes ,uncle ,john4 ,i'll go home with him and get my dinner4 ,bert1 you can talk until night1 if you want to6 ,what is the matter with ,perry to-day8 asked ,lewie ,amesbury4 ,i don't see as anything unusual is the matter1 responded ,duncan4 ,i believe he likes to be as hateful as possible4 ,thinketh no evil1 said ,herbert softly4 ,well--,i know1 but ,i can't help it1 he does provoke me so4 ,is not easily provoked1 continued the same soft voice4 ,dear me6 said ,duncan4 ,if you saw as much of him as ,i do1 you'd get provoked4 ,he never seems to care for anybody but himself1 and don't mind hurting other folk's feelings one bit4 ,a body can't stand everything4 ,beareth all things 4 4 4 ,suffereth long4 ,o ,bert1 you are determined to throw that lesson at me in pieces4 ,well1 ,i own ,i haven't much of that precious article so much talked about to-day4 ,i know people who do deal largely in it1 get on a great deal better2 somehow it smooths off a great many sharp edges4 ,but when ,i can see as plain as day that a person means to be hateful 7,i am not talking about ,perry ,morse now71 or says things that aren't true1 or is tricky and dishonest1 how am ,i going to think no evil8 ,i think ,miss ,wynn explained that a great deal better than ,i can1 said ,herbert4 ,you know she said we ought to have our hearts so full of love that we would be ready to think the very best of everybody2 to put the best instead of the worst construction upon their acts1 and remember that they may have a true motive in many things that seem to us altogether wrong4 ,it was a beautiful lesson1 said ,willy ,loring4 ,it made me feel as if ,i should never say or think evil of anybody again4 ,oh1 you dear little innocent6 exclaimed ,duncan4 ,it isn't necessary for you to turn over a new leaf4 ,i'd like to hear you burst out with something dreadful about somebody just for once4 ,do you know1 little one1 that you are altogether too good now8 ,don't1 ,i beg of you1 go to getting any better4 ,we shall all suffocate with goodness before long4 ,but since ,perry spoke of dinner ,i feel my need2 so come on1 ,bert1 ,i'll go around your way4 ,these two started off1 leaving the others to go their ways1 which they did at once4 ,not long before this1 the class had been talking of opportunities1 and now as they walked up the street1 ,herbert said to himself1 ,i wonder if this is my opportunity4 ,duncan always seemed so careless4 ,could he say anything that would make him think8 ,if ,miss ,wynn had failed1 should he try8 ,at length he said1 not so much because he meant to use his opportunity as by way of saying something-- ,dunny1 did you ever notice that1 no matter what the lesson is about1 ,miss ,wynn always brings the talk around to ,christ8 ,why1 no4 ,i never thought about it particularly1 replied ,duncan4 ,the fact is1 ,i don't always pay attention4 ,and you'll own that after the lecture you gave ,perry1 said ,herbert4 ,oh1 ,i just said that to give him a chance to explode4 ,i know he was dying for an excuse4 ,i don't pretend to do better myself1 replied ,duncan4 ,hang it6 he continued4 ,i must have fun4 ,but there are things that are better than fun1 remarked ,herbert4 ,yes1 ,i know4 ,dinners1 for instance6 ,dear me1 thought his friend1 he won't be serious4 ,but he began again1 this time coming to the point at once4 ,say1 ,danny1 won't you be in earnest about following ,christ8 ,couldn't think of it at present1 was the light reply4 ,i've got too many things on hand just now4 ,besides1 it must be hard work4 ,christ was all the time going about preaching and helping folks4 ,everybody can't do that--somebody must stay at home2 and if ,i should set out in earnest1 ,i might be bothered to know whether ,i belonged to the preachers or the stay-at-home-ers4 ,o ,duncan6 ,but don't you remember what ,mr4 ,earle said in his sermon the other ,sunday1 that we could preach ,christ in our homes sometimes to more purpose than we could in the pulpit8 ,i reckon my father wouldn't thank me to turn his house into a preaching chapel1 said ,duncan1 laughing4 ,but you know what he meant1 replied ,herbert4 ,just to let our light shine4 ,well1 you just go ahead with your lantern and light me along4 ,herbert could not say another word1 his heart was full1 and presently ,duncan said-- ,don't bother yourself1 ,bertie4 ,maybe some day ,i shall think as you do2 but ,i really can't sober down just yet4 ,good-bye2 and he turned in at his father's gate4 ,as ,herbert walked on alone1 he said softly1 ,dear ,jesus1 ,i wanted to do something for thee4 ,i tried1 but ,i failed4 ,but ,i want ,duncan to be thy disciple1 and wilt thou send some one to say just the right word8 ,he leads the boys at school1 and if he were only a ,christian1 he could do so much to help others along4 ,don't let him slip away from the right path4 ,dear ,saviour1 hear my prayer for my friend4 ,meantime ,mabel and her friend ,lou ,joslyn walked home together4 ,lou taught a class of little girls--ten of them4 ,among them were ,julia ,bradford and ,duncan ,mc,nair's sister ,jenny4 ,while the boys thought ,miss ,wynn perfection1 the girls were equally certain that ,miss ,joslyn was the very best teacher in the world1 and occasionally an excited discussion took place concerning this matter1 ending of course1 as such discussions generally do1 each party sticking to their point4 ,both were earnest1 faithful teachers1 and they often took counsel together1 comparing their experience1 and laying out plans for further effort4 ,to-day ,mabel was perplexed4 ,i don't like1 she said the way our missionary collections are managed4 ,i don't mean that the money is not taken care of and sent where it does good2 but the trouble is1 the scholars have no interest in the matter4 ,our class collection is almost nothing1 and while ,i am mortified1 ,i can't blame the boys1 for after the quarterly report of the amount collected1 they never hear anything more about it4 ,willy ,loring asked me to-day where the money went to4 ,that is just what my little girls are always asking1 said ,lou4 ,and you know it goes in with the church collection1 and is divided up among the half dozen boards that we are supposed to be interested in2 and where poor little ,jenny's pennies finally find their destined work is more than ,i can tell4 ,if ,i should grow pathetic over suffering ,persia1 or try to awaken an interest in these mission schools in ,turkey1 or tell them about the young ,zulu that our church has undertaken to educate1 ,julia ,bradford would be sure to ask1 ',are you certain that our money goes there8' ,that is it1 replied ,mabel4 ,they want to know exactly what is done with it2 and ,i wish we could have a different arrangement4 ,i wish so too1 responded ,lou4 ,i did speak to ,mrs4 ,culver about it a while ago1 and she thought that it was best as it is2 that the children ought to be trained to give from principle2 that they understood perfectly well that it was given for the support of missionaries among the heathen1 and that ought to satisfy them4 ,well1 said ,mabel1 that may satisfy ,mrs4 ,culver's young ladies1 but it does not satisfy my boys4 ,nor my girls2 and ,i tell you1 ,mabel1 we will have something done about it4 ,we will try anyway1 returned ,miss ,wynn4 ,i'm going to see ,dr4 ,myers about it4 ,i suppose you think it will go1 if he takes hold of it1 laughed ,lou4 ,things generally do1 was the quiet reply4 ,they walked on in silence for a few moments2 then ,lou spoke in a soft tone-- ,do you know1 ,mabel1 ,i think that several of my little girls have learned the sweet lesson of trust in ,jesus8 ,i have known for a long time that ,julia ,bradford sang ',jesus loves me' as if it had a meaning for her2 and now there are three more who can join her4 ,you don't know how glad ,i am4 ,yes1 ,i do4 ,i remember how ,i felt when ,henry and ,herbert made the decision1 replied ,mabel4 ,but why should the work stop there8 ,do you know1 she continued1 ,i sometimes think that perhaps that motto was a mistake4 ,i am afraid that some of the boys have fallen into the error of supposing that an outward observance of the rules and precepts which ,christ laid down is sufficient4 ,in their outward lives1 they follow closely1 but so far as ,i can judge1 their hearts have not been opened to the ,saviour4 ,i try to make them understand how worthless is such service2 but so far ,god seems to withhold his blessing4 ,pray for us1 ,lou4 ,but you are aware1 no doubt1 that your plan will meet with opposition8 ,mrs4 ,culver1 for one1 will object to a change1 said ,dr4 ,myers the next afternoon1 when ,mabel had broached the subject of a ,sunday-school missionary society4 ,i know1 but it seems as though the matter was of sufficient importance to warrant a moderate amount of pushing4 ,it is very essential that our pupils be taught the right way of giving1 and as the matter is at present conducted it is very difficult to interest them in the subject1 especially the younger ones4 ,just so1 replied the doctor4 ,mr4 ,clarke has spoken of it1 and ,i think we had better make a move4 ,we will talk it over a little quietly1 as we meet the other teachers1 and see what can be done at the next meeting4 ,another thing1 said ,miss ,wynn4 ,i am troubled about ,perry ,morse4 ,he has grown very careless and reckless in manner1 and ,i fear ,i am losing what little hold ,i have had upon him4 ,perhaps you may have an opportunity to influence and help him1 when he would be quite beyond my reach4 ,you will look-out for him8 ,certainly1 ,i will4 ,i have noticed something of that recklessness4 ,perry has good capabilities1 but ,i think his home-training is in fault4 ,you have a new scholar in your class8 ,yes1 ,arthur ,knapp4 ,do you know anything of the family8 ,not much1 replied the doctor4 ,i was called there professionally4 ,they seem to be quite poor4 ,the father is employed in ,miller's shop4 ,he inquired about our schools1 and said1 as ,arthur must go to a trade in the spring1 he wanted to send him to a good school through the winter4 ,do they attend church8 asked ,mabel4 ,i conclude that they have not been church-going people4 ,i invited them to our church1 and ,mr4 ,knapp was out last evening4 ,i must call there at once1 and taking the address from her friend1 ,mabel proceeded to carry out the intention4 ,mrs4 ,knapp was a pale little woman1 with a fretful and careworn expression4 ,she was prepared to receive her visitor with pleasure1 for ,arthur had found things very much to his liking the previous day4 ,someway--neither of them knew how--,mabel walked right into the woman's heart1 and soon found herself listening to the story of her trials1 not the least of which seemed to be the boy ,arthur4 ,he was always a hard child to manage1 said the mother4 ,he has a violent temper1 and was always getting into trouble at school4 ,if the boys provoked him1 he would fly at them in a rage1 and would just as quick fight a big boy as one of his own size2 so he was always coming home with a bruised head and torn clothes1 until we took him from school4 ,i thought he appeared like a very pleasant boy1 said ,mabel4 ,so he is1 only when he is angry4 ,if he could only control his temper6 ,sometimes ,i think perhaps we have not managed right4 ,his father is very strict1 and never overlooks any little fault in the children4 ,at this point1 there came from the next room the sound of angry voices1 and ,mrs4 ,knapp stepped out to quell the disturbance4 ,what is this all about8 ,willy has put my dolly in a pail of water4 ,well6 ,she got my pictures first1 and made pencil marks on 'em4 ,helen6 said the mother4 ,pick up those cards and give them to ,willy4 ,i sha'n't6 ,do it yourself6 ,no more of that6 ,obey me instantly1 or ,i'll punish you1 threatened ,mrs4 ,knapp4 ,and1 ,willy1 you may go out and fill the wood-box4 ,i ain't ageing to fill the old wood-box4 ,you can wait until ,arthur comes1 was the dutiful reply4 ,mabel could not avoid hearing this colloquy1 and even the mother's deep sigh reached her ear4 ,the children have been out of school so long1 said ,mrs4 ,knapp1 on re-entering the room1 that they have grown quite unmanageable4 ,i must send them soon4 ,i remember1 said ,mabel1 smiling1 that ,i always got into mischief when ,i had nothing to do4 ,mother was always contriving things for me to do4 ,but ,i haven't time for that1 returned the mother1 quickly4 ,there are so many things that must be done2 so much that must be contrived4 ,mabel was not prepared to solve the problem that vexes the lives of so many mothers--how to meet all the demands made upon them2 or1 if this is not possible1 how to decide what shall be crowded out--so she said nothing1 but soon took leave1 pitying the mother and pitying the children1 and wondering if there was any way to help them4 ,the next call was upon the ,lorings4 ,willy was the pet and plaything of a group of grown-up brothers and sisters4 ,these belonged to what ,mrs4 ,wynn denominated our circle1 and were pleasant1 agreeable people1 without apparent thought of anything beyond the good things of this life4 ,so you've coaxed ,willie into your ,sunday-school class6 said ,louise1 the gayest and prettiest of the group4 ,he is too good to live already4 ,well1 we can't spare him just yet1 said her sister ,henrietta2 so don't go to making a saint of him4 ,but1 really1 ,mabel1 aren't you a little fanatical upon that subject8 ,hardly that1 said ,mabel2 though ,i think it a very important subject1 and ,i am1 perhaps1 more interested in the work than in anything else in the world4 ,indeed6 laughed ,louise4 ,and1 arching her eyebrows1 she asked1 ,isn't ,dr4 ,myers still an inhabitant of this world8 ,hush1 ,louise1 interposed ,henrietta4 ,such allusions are not becoming4 ,o1 ,mabel don't mind4 ,but1 seriously1 have you declined ,mrs4 ,granger's invitation because you would not leave your ,sunday-school class8 ,that was my principal reason1 replied ,mabel4 ,i am so sorry6 replied her friend4 ,it would be so pleasant to be in the city together4 ,i shall spend the most of the winter with ,cousin ,fanny4 ,why1 ,mabel1 think how nice it would be6 ,mrs4 ,granger moves in the highest circles6 ,i know--socially speaking--but-- ,mabel hesitated4 ,she felt1 as she often did when talking with her mother1 that her friends would not understand her should she explain all her motives4 ,however1 she went on after a moment's pause1 ,the atmosphere of ,aunt ,granger's home is not calculated to promote ,christian growth4 ,if ,i was called to go there1 ,i should expect supplies of grace sufficient to withstand the many temptations2 but if ,i ran away from my work here1 for the sake of worldly pleasure1 ,i should not look for ,god's blessing4 ,dear me6 ,what notions you do have4 ,if you are so anxious for work1 as you call it1 ,i suppose there is plenty in the city1 said ,louise almost pettishly4 ,very likely2 but ,i might not get a chance at it2 and don't you remember1 ,louise1 that ,i always had a way of holding on to things8 ,yes1 ,i know2 and ,i suppose there's no use in saying any more about it4 ,it must not be supposed that it cost ,mabel ,wynn nothing to decline her aunt's flattering invitation to spend six months in her beautiful home4 ,she was fond of society1 and the prospect of a whole winter in the city was very delightful2 but1 as she said1 she could not see her way clear to accept2 and ,i do not think she ever regretted her sacrifice4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,herbert',s ,,trial4 ,stand by your conscience1 your honour1 your faith4 ,,it was a gala day in ,westville4 ,the people had gathered in crowds to attend the county fair4 ,from up the creek and down the valley1 from over the ridge and far up the mountain1 from every nook and corner for miles around1 they came in waggon-loads and car-loads4 ,fathers and mothers with troops of children came in family carry-alls2 young men and maidens in carriages just big enough for two1 all out for a day's pleasuring4 ,to some of them1 it was the one holiday of the year1 to which they had looked forward for months4 ,many had brought the savings of the summer to spend in necessities or finery4 ,westville was full to overflowing4 ,the fair grounds were full1 the streets were full1 the hotels and stores were full4 ,the speaker of the day announced to the few of the great crowd who could catch the words of wisdom which he poured out for a whole hour1 that the show was a success4 ,and no doubt it was4 ,surely all the requisites were there--the products of farm and dairy1 of orchard and garden1 big squashes and overgrown pumpkins1 golden butter and creamy cheese1 luscious fruits and rare flowers1 tidies and bed-quilts1 wax fruit and feather flowers1 the beautiful and the grotesque1 marvels of skill1 ingenuity1 and patience4 ,all trades and professions were represented2 all grades of animals1 from the high-bred pride of the dairy to the pet bantam chickens4 ,the balloon went up and out of sight of the wondering and admiring crowd4 ,the side shows1 the steel-pen man1 and the patent-rights man1 and the ginger-bread and pop-corn boys1 had each their share of patronage1 and the merchants shared largely in the benefits of the occasion4 ,every clerk was at his post1 with eyes and ears for half a dozen customers at once4 ,a showily and not very tastefully dressed girl stood at one of the counters in ,mr4 ,wynn's store1 looking over a box of nets for the hair4 ,are these the newest fashion8 she asked1 holding up one of gay chenille1 studded with glittering white beads4 ,herbert ,bradford was behind the counter1 and he answered1 frankly-- ,no2 these are not worn now4 ,very plain ones like this are the most stylish1 and he held up a bit of fine netting that you might pack into a thimble4 ,but1 he added1 we sell those very cheap if you like them4 ,oh1 no6 quickly rejoined the girl4 ,if they are out of fashion1 ,i am sure ,i don't want one1 though the red one is powerful pretty1 and she looked at it longingly2 but ,i want all my things right in the fashion4 ,then she asked for other goods1 and ,herbert showed her the best styles1 as he would1 had it been ,miss ,mabel herself4 ,mr4 ,wynn was at the next counter1 and watched the proceedings with disapproving glances4 ,finally dress silks were called for1 and ,herbert was about to open a drawer of new goods1 when ,mr4 ,wynn interfered4 ,excuse me1 ,herbert1 but will you run up to the fourth story and tell ,jenks to hasten1 for customers are waiting8 ,i will take your place while you are gone4 ,herbert returned in time to hear his employer assuring the girl that the gay plaid silk which he had brought up from the depths of a drawer of old goods was one of the most stylish patterns1 very desirable1 his own daughter had a dress nearly like it1 7he should have added1 ten years ago71 just the colours she ought to wear1 and more of the same sort4 ,herbert was astonished at what he heard1 and more so when1 after the customer had left with her gay dress-pattern1 ,mr4 ,wynn turned to him and said-- ,now1 ,herbert1 when a customer like that comes in1 it is the time to get off old goods4 ,those people that come from up the mountain know nothing about the styles1 and we always depend upon selling our old stock out to that class of customers4 ,that chenille net would have pleased the girl better and wore longer than the one she bought1 and she would have taken it1 if you had not been silly enough to tell her nobody wore them now4 ,but she asked me if they were fashionable1 said ,herbert4 ,of course she did1 returned ,mr4 ,wynn4 ,they always ask such questions1 and part of your business is to know how to answer them4 ,we always have a great many of that class here upon holidays1 and if you are shrewd1 you may make large sales of goods desirable to be disposed of1 and which will satisfy them quite as well as goods that are more constantly called for4 ,you need not look so grave about it4 ,don't you see that we can sell these goods for less money1 and often suit their tastes far better4 ,and if they are satisfied1 what is there wrong about it8 ,herbert made no reply1 but the thought in his mind was1 ,i can't do it4 ,i can't say a thing is so when it isn't4 ,a few days later1 a similar circumstance occurred4 ,mr4 ,wynn was much displeased1 and said1 ,i cannot allow this4 ,if ,i have occasion to speak of the matter again1 ,i shall feel obliged to ask your father to take you away4 ,herbert had thought over the subject and prayed over it1 and made his decision4 ,mr4 ,wynn1 he said1 ,i am sorry to displease you1 but ,i think the only right way for me to do is to speak the truth1 and ,i must do it1 if ,i say anything4 ,mr4 ,wynn was angry1 but he was always calm and dignified2 he said1 quietly1 ,very well2 call things by whatever name you please4 ,your father placed you here to learn the business1 but if you already know so much more than ,i do about the proper mode of conducting it1 there is no necessity of your remaining here any longer4 ,you are free to go at once4 ,i will see your father this evening4 ,poor ,herbert6 ,discharged6 ,disgraced6 ,he had not anticipated quite that4 ,in resolving to do right1 he had expected that ,god would stand by him and reward him for his faithfulness to the truth4 ,he had asked ,god to show him the right way and to keep him from all evil as he walked therein4 ,he had looked for deliverance in the hour of trial4 ,had ,god failed to hear8 ,he1 too1 had yet to learn something of ,god's ways of answering prayer4 ,mr4 ,bradford's office was two or three doors down the street from the store1 and ,herbert went at once to his father with his story1 telling it in a straightforward style1 without a word of exaggeration or blame4 ,father1 did ,i do right8 he asked4 ,mr4 ,bradford hesitated4 ,he was called an honest man2 he called himself a ,christian1 and though less worldly-minded than ,mr4 ,wynn1 he had not ,herbert's ardent love of truth1 but he could not look in his boy's face and say that he preferred to have him retain his position at the expense of falsehood and trickery4 ,when he spoke1 it was with an embarrassed laugh4 ,well1 ,herbert1 your idea about it is well enough1 ,i suppose1 but if ,i were a poor man1 and you were depending upon your position for your bread1 ,i should say you were rather over-nice4 ,you will have trouble to find another place after being turned away from the largest store in town4 ,i don't know as ,i want another place2 ,i don't care about learning the business1 if lying belongs to it1 said ,herbert1 with some excitement4 ,tut6 ,tut6 ,boy1 you mustn't be squeamish4 ,there is considerable in the art of putting things4 ,after a pause1 he continued1 ,you know1 ,herbert1 that ,i am not anxious about the matter4 ,it was your own choice2 ,i should much prefer to have you come into the office here4 ,as for ,mr4 ,wynn1 he was more disturbed by the event than he cared to own4 ,he had been pleased with ,herbert in most respects1 and had resolved upon promoting him as fast as practicable1 with a view to giving him a permanent position in the store4 ,queer1 isn't it1 that a fellow would spoil his prospects by such a bit of nonsense8 he said that day at dinner time4 ,i suspect1 ,mabel1 it is some of your work4 ,what1 father8 ,why1 that boy ,herbert thinks he knows all about the principles of business1 and in carrying out his theories has forfeited his place1 that is all4 ,o father6 said ,mabel1 ,have you discharged him8 ,well1 yes4 ,i tell you1 ,mabel1 this mixing all sorts of fanciful ideas up with the matter of earning one's bread1 won't answer4 ,herbert will find that success don't run in the same track with his sentimental religious notions4 ,business is one thing and religion is another4 ,i confess that such seems to be the prevalent opinion1 said ,mabel1 but ,i--well1 ,i like to see people carry their religion with them1 not lay it upon the shelf4 ,our faith is given us to help over hard places1 and if one does not keep it about him continually1 it is pretty sure to be out of call when most needed4 ,as for ,herbert1 if ,i have taught him this1 ,i have not quite failed in my work4 ,i supposed you were at the bottom of it1 but ,i did not expect you to own it quite so readily1 replied ,mr4 ,wynn1 with unusual warmth4 ,i don't think ,i shall be in a hurry to take another boy from your class4 ,well1 father1 responded ,mabel1 all ,i can say is1 that ,i have simply tried to show them what the life and teachings of ,christ mean2 and if ,herbert has found anything required of him that conflicts with his understanding of the spirit of the gospels1 you cannot wonder that he should be unwilling to conform to the requirements of the business4 ,all a notion6 ,all a notion6 ,no need of being so strict4 ,besides1 these people who are so over-nice1 sometimes find that they have smutted their fingers in spite of their carefulness4 ,and ,i can tell you that ,master ,herbert will find that such places are not vacant every day4 ,he will have to drop some of his whims before he gets very high up in the world4 ,mabel said softly1-- ',his delight is in the law of the ,lord2 and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper4' ,yes1 yes6 ,you quote ,bible1 but ,i quote facts1 said ,mr4 ,wynn4 ,and don't you think that the facts will prove the ,bible true4 ,of course the ,bible is true1 child1 but not to be taken literally4 ,now look at old ,jackson over there at the distillery4 ,he hasn't much regard for ,bible rules4 ,i suspect that your nice distinctions between right and wrong would be quite too fine for his dull vision2 but it looks very much as though the work of his hands was prospered2 now don't it1 ,mabel8 ,that depends on what you call prosperity1 replied ,mabel4 ,i don't suppose that good ,mr4 ,frink1 old and poor as he is1 would change places with ,mr4 ,jackson4 ,it was only the other day that1 speaking of the abundance of work that had come in1 he said1 ',the ,lord ,lath dealt bountifully with me1 ,miss ,mabel4' ,but ,i suppose that if things ended with this world1 we might sometimes conclude that the wicked had the best of it4 ,but 'riches profit not in the day of wrath4' ,things don't come out quite straight1 she continued2 but ,i can't help thinking that the ,lord does repay1 even in this life1 those who delight to do him honour4 ,well1 my dear1 your theories are all very fine2 but if you were a business man1 you would find that a little coarse1 rugged common sense mixes in very well in the concerns of this life4 ,and is this life all8 asked ,mabel4 ,mr4 ,wynn had left the table1 and at the last question1 he said1 with a forced laugh1 something about a woman's last word1 and bowed himself out politely as ever2 but1 if the truth was told1 he was slightly dissatisfied with himself1 with ,mabel1 with the world generally1 and especially with boys4 ,i suspect that he wished with all his heart that ,herbert was back again in his place2 for of course1 he knew that the boy who braved his displeasure for the sake of the right as he saw it 7that was the way ,mr4 ,wynn put it7 would make a trusty clerk4 ,besides1 they were short of help1 and now he must look-out for a new boy4 ,what a bother these strict notions were6 ,and what a nuisance such a tender conscience must be6 ,for his own part1 ,mr4 ,wynn was usually very well satisfied with his religion4 ,it served him well as to reputation1 it answered for ,sundays1 and1 no doubt1 would do for a dying day4 ,he was willing to take the benefits of it2 but as for personal work for the ,master--why1 that was for the ministers and deacons and women2 only he couldn't see that there was any need of his daughter's enlisting in the cause4 ,i said he was willing to take the benefits4 ,of real personal religious experience1 he knew very little4 ,once--a long time ago--he lived for a few months a different life--a life that now seemed to him like a dream4 ,the spirit of worldliness had soon taken possession of his heart1 and1 gradually smothering the ,christian graces that were springing up1 now reigned supreme4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,the ,,boys' ,,meeting4 ,his grace descends2 and1 as of old1 ,he walks with men apart1 ,keeping the promise1 as foretold1 ,with all the pure in heart4 ,,the experiment of a church parlour had proved a success4 ,both old and young found it a pleasant place for all sorts of church gatherings4 ,the occasional teachers' meeting having been fully attended1 and the discussions more free when held in the cosy1 home-like little room1 ,mr4 ,clarke was encouraged to make regular appointments1 and the teachers now met weekly for study and conference2 and it could no longer be said that the talking was all done by two or three4 ,here1 too1 teachers could meet their classes2 and it was for this that ,mabel ,wynn came down to the church one evening about the time of ,herbert ,bradford's trouble at the store4 ,she sat at the cabinet organ which had been added to the furnishings of the room1 and around her were clustered the seven boys4 ,it was not often that one was absent from this meeting--their own meeting4 ,mabel had long been the church organist1 and of late1 it was her custom to come down half an hour before the time of the ,saturday evening rehearsal to meet any or all of her class4 ,it was an informal gathering4 ,the boys dropped in1 sometimes singly1 sometimes by twos and threes1 sometimes one came and went before the others appeared4 ,it was not exactly a prayer-meeting1 though there were prayers2 nor exactly a conference-meeting1 though many conferences were held4 ,it was just the boys' meeting4 ,they talked of their trials 7for boys do have trials71 their perplexities1 their wants1 their failures and their triumphs1 and they received--always sympathy1 often help and counsel4 ,doubtless good ,mrs4 ,culver would have sighed over the worldliness of some of their talk1 for ,mabel was trying to teach these young friends of hers to put ,christ into everything1 to let his teachings1 his words and his example get such a hold upon their young hearts1 that in all their work and in all their play1 the spirit of the gospel should be the controlling power4 ,tonight they were all there1 and as their leader played the accompaniment1 they sang the hymn-- ,stand up6 ,stand up for ,jesus6 ,then1 while every head was bowed1 ,mabel uttered low and reverent words-- ,jesus1 dear friend1 we have come here to talk with ,thee and with each other4 ,some of us have reached the hard places1 and we need help and counsel4 ,some of us have been sorely tried1 and we need help to go forward4 ,let our hearts be strengthened1 our faltering steps steadied and upheld1 and our weak faith increased4 ,let us realize that ,thou art with us1 leading our thoughts and inspiring our words4 ,we do need ,thy help1 dear ,christ4 ,answer us by ,thy spirit and through ,thy word4 ,give unto each of us as we are in need4 ,amen4 ,since we were here last week-- she said1 taking ,deacon ,griffin's arm chair1 while the boys took their favourite or characteristic positions--,perry ,morse walked over to the further side of the room and established himself in the handsome easy chair which was a part of ,mr4 ,riggs's gift2 ,willy ,loring nestled upon a cushion at ,mabel's feet2 ,herbert ,bradford stood leaning against the organ1 as he had done while they sang1 but now he shaded his face with his hand and turned a little away from facing the boy across the room in the easy chair2 the other boys formed a group around a small table-- ,since we met last week1 ,mabel was saying1 one of us has met a sharp trial1 a temptation has been bravely met and conquered1 a pleasant hope1 perhaps a darling ambition1 has been quietly set aside for the sake of right4 ,you all know of the matter to which ,i refer2 but1 as ,i understand that there are several versions of the affair afloat1 to set the matter right with you all1 ,i will just say that ,herbert lost his place simply because he refused to comply with one of the requirements which conflicted with the teachings of the gospel4 ,there was no quarrel1 no misunderstanding1 just a disagreement as to the right and wrong of an established method of doing business4 ,we must honour our friend for standing up firmly for the truth1 and thank ,god that he gave him strength to live up to his convictions4 ,turning to ,herbert1 ,i have wanted to tell you that you have had my sympathy and my prayers4 ,i know something of the cost of your course1 of your disappointment and mortification4 ,it has been a sore trial2 but1 ,herbert1 remember that ,christ knows all about it1 and he will not forget4 ,thank you1 said ,herbert4 ,it was your making things so plain that led me to take the stand ,i did4 ,as you have just said1 ,i refused to do what was required of me because ,i thought it was not right1 not according to what ,christ taught4 ,was that standing up for ,jesus8 ,we have sung that hymn a great many times1 and ,i never thought much about it until tonight2 now it seems as if ,i knew a little about what it means4 ,but1 he continued1 after a moment's hesitation1 ,i don't want any of you to be deceived4 ,i don't think ,i did meet the temptation very bravely4 ,i am almost afraid ,i should not have had courage to do as ,i did1 if ,i had thought it would turn out so4 ,i prayed about it1 and told ,god all my trouble2 and while ,i promised to obey him1 ,i asked to be shielded from the consequences1 and ,i expected that ,mr4 ,wynn would yield the point4 ,i was quite astonished when ,i found that ,i was discharged4 ,i thought ,god had forsaken me4 ,i don't think so now4 ,i believe he has only taken his own way to answer me1 and that some time1 ,i shall find out what it all means4 ,it is a lesson we all have to learn1 said ,mabel1 this--that ,god does not always give us just what we ask for1 because he sees a better way4 ,sometimes we wait long enough for the light that shows us what it all means4 ,we are dull at learning these lessons of discipline1 unless the ,spirit enlightens us4 ,but it may be that some of the whys are not meant for us to know until our trial is over4 ,what is it1 ,willy8 ,i don't understand1 replied the boy1 whose questioning face ,mabel had observed4 ,what did ,herbert mean about standing up for ,jesus8 ,i thought that meant to speak in prayer-meeting1 join the church1 or maybe take his side when anybody spoke against him2 but ,i don't see as there was anything said about ,jesus or religion4 ,suppose1 ,willy1 that your teacher1 ,miss ,payne1 gives out certain rules and counsels to guide her pupils during study and play hours1 and suppose that ,lewie here says to himself1 ',no matter about the rules2 they don't apply over on this side the fence1 anyway4 ,i shan't mind anything about them4' ,but you think1 ',i am sure she meant us to do so and so1 and ,i am going to carry it out2' and you both act according to your ideas and resolutions2 neither of you say a word about ,miss ,payne1 but are you not standing up for her honour and authority when you make her rule your guide8 ,i see1 exclaimed ,willy4 ,it is the principle1 the truth4 ',i am the way1 the truth1' quoted ,lewie4 ,but1 ,miss ,wynn-- began ,willy1 and stopping suddenly1 his cheeks reddened4 ,well1 what is it8 ,will you please excuse me if ,i say something8 ,why1 that is just what we want you to do1 dear boy1 said ,mabel kindly4 ,i know2 but what ,i want to say don't sound quite respectful--that is1 ,i am afraid it won't4 ,i understand1 interrupted ,mabel1 smiling1 and ,i will excuse it4 ,go on4 ,well1 you know the commandment says1 ',honour thy father4' ,now is it just right for you to take sides against your father8 ,mabel's cheek flushed1 and her voice trembled slightly1 as she answered-- ,i am glad you put your question1 ,willy4 ,the ,book says1 too1 ',children1 obey your parents in the ,lord2' and also1 ',he that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me4' ,we must1 if we are ,christians1 put ,christ first1 and regulate our lives according to the tenor of the gospel1 though we may sometimes be obliged in doing so to oppose the will of those in authority4 ,the word of ,god is our highest authority4 ,but in this matter1 my father knows that ,i take ,herbert's view of the right1 and he does not try to bind my conscience4 ,it seems to me1 said ,perry ,morse--and his position in his great sleepy-looking chair seemed to indicate that he would be glad if somebody would take the trouble of making conscientious decisions for him--it seems to me that older and more experienced persons should know better than us boys what is right and what is wrong1 and that we ought not to set our judgment up against theirs4 ,but ,mabel remembered that ,perry had a will of his own when he chose to exercise it1 and a quiet smile accompanied her reply4 ,perry1 that argument would have more force if it came from a boy who was always willing to listen to the opinions of older people1 and ready to heed their counsels4 ,the boys laughed1 and ,perry looked a little embarrassed1 but she continued1 ,suppose we take up one or two of ,christ's sayings1 and see how it would do to put your conscience in another's keeping4 ,this1 for instance1 ',thou shalt love the ,lord thy ,god with all thy soul1 and thy neighbour as thyself4' ,who will help you to obey that command8 ,upon whom can you shift the responsibility1 if you fail to fulfil the obligation8 ,or this1 ',do unto others as ye would that they should do unto you4' ,how will another's judgment or experience serve you here8 ,who knows so well as yourself what you would desire under the same circumstances8 ,of course there are times when we need the counsel and advice of our friends4 ,but1 after all1 the decision rests with our own consciences4 ,the ,word and the ,spirit are given to enlighten and guide2 and we should keep our consciences tender and pure1 that they may not fail us in the hour of doubt and temptation4 ,led by the ,spirit1 we are sure to go right1 but human counsel may lead us astray4 ,how shall we know for certain8 asked ,willy4 ,by the gospel test1 answered ,miss ,wynn4 ,bring all doubtful questions to the ,book1 and settle them by its measure4 ,this is only another way of bringing out our motto4 ,my dear boys1 continued the teacher1 after a few moments1 ,i am always very glad when ,i see you trying to order your lives according to the spirit of our chosen motto4 ,but ,i am often disturbed by the fear that some of you may make a merit of your following4 ,i want to make you understand that a mere outward observance of the precepts given us is not sufficient4 ,christ asks for a complete surrender of self1 a laying aside of selfish motives1 a belief and trust in ,him as a present ,saviour4 ,to really and truly follow ,christ1 we must first accept the pardon he offers us4 ,scorning that1 refusing to be first reconciled to ,him1 how can we render acceptable service8 ,as they separated after singing again1 ,lewie ,amesbury walked away with an incredulous look upon his face1 and his thoughts ran on something in this wise3 ,i'm sure ,i don't quite know what ,miss ,wynn is driving at4 ,she tells us to follow ,christ1 and then says it is of no account after all4 ,as for accepting pardon1 ,i can't see what a fellow wants to be pardoned for1 if he keeps on about right4 ,seems to me that it's kind of an unfair thing to haul him up1 when he is doing his very best1 and tell him it all goes for nothing4 ,folks that belong to the church always talk just so4 ,if some people that ,i know would try living up to the ,bible1 maybe they would find out whether it amounts to anything or not4 ,i'd like to have the experiment tried in our house4 ,seems to me that a little following would make a pleasanter home of it4 ,and the incredulous look changed to one of sadness4 ,lewie's home was not a happy one4 ,she who had made its brightness had several years ago been called from earth1 and the woman who filled her place seemed to care very little for the comfort of the lonely boy4 ,while professing to follow ,christ1 she followed the world1 and unlike the mild and gentle teacher1 she was harsh and uncharitable in her opinions1 cold and haughty in her manner4 ,selfish and worldly1 the religion of ,christ manifested in her life did not recommend itself to her stepson4 ,oh1 yes1 she would say1 ,mr4 ,earle is a very good man1 no doubt1 but quite too strict for the place he occupies4 ,there are so many people of wealth and culture in our church who will not be pinned down to such narrow notions4 ,a man who could adapt himself to the wants of the people would be more successful4 ,as for ,mabel ,wynn1 she was absurd and fanatical4 ,it must be a great trial to ,mrs4 ,wynn to see her go on in the way she does4 ,there's ,mr4 ,amesbury's son ,lewie4 ,she is trying to make a saint of him1 and has succeeded so well that his long face drives me half wild4 ,really ,i don't believe in making such a fuss about one's religion4 ,i never make a parade of what little ,i possess4 ,mrs4 ,amesbury has spoken for herself3 ,we will not judge her further2 but we need not be surprised that with a few exceptions1 ,lewie did not believe in church member's religion4 ,having adopted the watchword of the class1 he was in a sense trying to follow4 ,studying carefully the life and character of ,christ1 he fancied that he could model his own after that perfect pattern4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,a ,,lesson ,,of ,,waiting4 ,shall we grow weary in our watch1 ,and murmur at the long delay1 ,impatient of our ,father's time ,and his appointed way8 ,how do you like your new clerk8 asked ,mrs4 ,wynn1 as she poured out the coffee one morning few months later4 ,pretty well1 replied her husband4 ,he is teachable and improves2 he has made some good sales already4 ,to be sure he is not quite so prompt nor so industrious as ,herbert1 but then few boys are4 ,i will say that for ,master ,herbert1 if only he had not been quite so certain that his own way was the best4 ,it would have been a costly experiment1 but ,i should have liked to have kept him1 just to see how far he would carry his notions1 and what they would amount to4 ,his way8 ,his notions8 thought ,mabel4 ,why don't father say ,god's way8 ,but she did not speak her thought4 ,she know it was useless to argue the question1 and she was only too thankful that her father allowed her liberty of conscience1 and seldom interfered with her plans4 ,the new clerk with whom ,mr4 ,wynn had just expressed his satisfaction was ,perry ,morse1 who now filled the place made vacant by ,herbert ,bradford's dismissal1 notwithstanding ,mr4 ,wynn had declared his determination not to take another boy from ,mabel's class4 ,it came about naturally enough4 ,mr4 ,morse had intimate business connections with ,mr4 ,wynn1 and the vacancy occurring just us he was looking about for a position of the sort for his son1 the place was easily secured1 to the present satisfaction of all parties4 ,very likely ,mr4 ,wynn never knew that ,perry belonged to those boys1 or had forgotten a resolution made in a moment of intense disgust and vexation4 ,mabel had listened eagerly for the reply to her mother's question 7a question she would not have put herself for a small fortune74 ,she was not surprised at the answer4 ,yet some way it saddened her1 and as she went up to her room when breakfast was over1 the old questions came up1 ,have ,i done all ,i could for my class8 ,why does failure seem to be written upon my work8 ,she had met with many discouragements of late4 ,having determined to remain at her post through the winter1 she had laboured diligently and prayerfully for her beloved class with little apparent success4 ,true1 ,herbert went steadily forward in the path he had chosen1 and quiet1 thoughtful ,willy was ever anxious to know and to do the will of ,christ2 then there was the suffering ,henry1 whose faith grew stronger and brighter4 ,surely the heart of the teacher might have rejoiced over these souls saved6 ,but the others seemed slipping away from her and from ,christ4 ,satan was determined to have them1 and ,mabel sometimes thought that everything conspired to favour the enemy's plans4 ,something had gone wrong with ,mr4 ,morse4 ,there had been a warm debate in regard to some proposed ,sunday-school measure4 ,perhaps it was the question of old or young first in the distribution of library books1 or it may have been in regard to the propriety of electing a lady to fill the office of assistant superintendent4 ,i cannot say that it was not some really important question4 ,at all events1 as one of the defeated party1 ,mr4 ,morse was displeased1 and declared that if ,dr4 ,myers was going to run the school1 he would do it without any of his 7,mr4 ,morse's7 help1 and by way of punishing the offenders1 he absented himself4 ,perry had just reached the age when boys 7some boys7 are apt to think themselves too old to go to ,sunday-school1 and now that he had his father's example before him1 he became very irregular in attendance4 ,in vain1 ,mabel sought him out and redoubled her efforts to interest him4 ,he would not be interested1 only when the little quiet talk among the teachers and ,dr4 ,myers's energetic moves had done their work1 and the ,sabbath-,school ,missionary ,association was formed1 with ,mr4 ,burns 7a member of ,dr4 ,myers's class7 as president1 ,miss ,joslyn secretary1 and ,perry ,morse treasurer4 ,he condescended to accept his appointment1 and made a great display of business1 but paid little attention to the main work of the hour4 ,as for ,lewie ,amesbury1 he was diligent as ever1 but drew his self-righteousness more closely about him1 spoke bitterly of those who1 proposing to live by faith and to be actuated by love for ,jesus1 failed in their lives to honour their ,master--as he expressed it--,keeping their religion for communion ,sundays1 and doing like other people the rest of the time4 ,his interest in sacred themes1 his study1 his following1 was all of the intellect1 his heart was untouched2 as ,mabel said often and sadly to herself1 ,i cannot reach him4 ,with ,duncan ,mc,nair1 it was different4 ,he had no interest of any sort4 ,he came to ,sunday-school sometimes with and sometimes without a lesson2 he came because he liked to be with the boys1 liked ,miss ,wynn1 liked the library books1 and1 like every other boy in the congregation1 he liked ,mr4 ,earle4 ,but first in his list of saints and heroes was ,dr4 ,myers1 who had once helped him out of some boyish scrape2 for that matter1 somebody might have a chance to help him out of a scrape almost any day1 for he was generally in one4 ,his mother had died so long ago that he scarcely remembered her4 ,he had been petted and spoiled as well as cared for1 by his grandmother1 until she too1 was called away when he was twelve years old4 ,since then1 he had lived at home with his father and the housekeeper4 ,judge ,mc,nair was a wealthy and influential lawyer1 and a man of much culture1 both intellectual and spiritual4 ,duncan was his only son1 and of late1 from being more constantly with the boy1 he noticed with pain the careless habits of thought and speech which he had been suffered to acquire4 ,he said1 too1 that though openhearted and generous1 ,duncan was wilful and passionate1 and that very few people seemed to have any influence over him4 ,from the first1 ,mabel was one of these few2 but though he was always ready to serve her1 he would not listen to serious conversation4 ,scenting the most distant approach to it1 he brought out his keenest weapons of nonsense and adroitness1 and invariably managed to turn aside every attempt at a personal appeal4 ,just once that winter1 ,mabel grew hopeful4 ,it was the ,sabbath of the ,week of ,prayer4 ,she had gone from her closet to her class2 gone with the lesson not more in her mind than in her heart1 and had taught as one who teaches for eternity4 ,duncan forgot to be nonsensical4 ,lewie seemed to realize that there might be a depth of meaning in their watchword which he had not fathomed1 and even ,perry was less alive to the importance of his official duties4 ,referring to the notices of religious services every evening during the week1 the teacher expressed the hope that they would all attend the meetings1 and was gratified at the promptness with which they responded to the request4 ,but it turned out that of all the class1 only ,herbert and ,arthur ,knapp were present upon ,monday evening4 ,some trifle kept ,perry away1 ,mrs4 ,amesbury sent ,lewie upon an errand to her milliner1 and ,duncan forgot all about the meeting until it was too late2 his father being out of town1 he was not reminded by him as he would otherwise have been4 ,as for ,miss ,wynn herself1 she was detained at home by an attack of nervous headache4 ,so it chanced that none of those four heard of a singular discussion which arose at the close of the evening's service1 nor of the result4 ,it appeared that a popular lecturer1 who regarded not the appointments of the ,evangelical ,alliance1 proposed to occupy ,tuesday evening in speaking in the hall upon a scientific subject1 and ,mr4 ,morse suggested that the meeting for that evening be given up4 ,though ,mr4 ,earle and others were opposed1 the majority were in favour of the arrangement1 and carried that point4 ,they argued that a great many would go to the lecture anyway who ought to go to the meeting1 if there were one1 and it was better to give it up entirely4 ,said ,mr4 ,earle1 ,if it were a question of making an appointment there might be room for hesitation1 but in the case of one already made1 and by us at second hand1 ,i must protest against recalling the notice4 ,but1 as ,i have said1 the majority ruled1 and the lecturer was sure of an audience4 ,strangely enough1 ,mr4 ,morse did not speak of the matter at home4 ,it is not so very strange either1 for ,mrs4 ,morse never went out evenings1 and ,perry was not supposed to be interested in prayer-meetings4 ,ah1 if we only knew sometimes what people were interested in6 ,want to go to the lecture tonight1 ,perry8 asked ,mr4 ,morse at tea-time4 ,i'm going to get tickets4 ,get one for you8 ,no1 sir4 ,i've another engagement1 answered ,perry4 ,better give it up4 ,this will be best one of the season4 ,well1 ,i don't care about going1 replied ,perry4 ,and a little later1 he started out to go to a prayer-meeting6 ,as he reached the corner1 he stopped suddenly1 saying to himself1 ,catch me stalking in there alone4 ,i'll just run around and see if ,art will go4 ,why couldn't father have told me8 he exclaimed1 ten minutes later1 when ,arthur ,knapp had explained the state of affairs4 ,ah6 ,why couldn't he8 ,it is safe to say that if he had1 ,perry might have gone to the lecture instead of a worse place1 and the first downward step would not have been taken that night4 ,and1 to go a little further back1 why couldn't he have been satisfied with things as they were1 letting the meeting have its chance4 ,then1 perhaps1 it might have been an upward step4 ,lewie and ,duncan met somewhere in the street1 and decided to go to meeting together1 but soon learned that there was none to go to2 and presently they met ,miss ,wynn coming from the darkened church1 herself quite in the dark4 ,i wonder what it means1 she said4 ,i thought there was to be service every evening6 ,so there was1 ,lewie replied4 ,i couldn't come last night1 but ,i came tonight1 to keep my promise4 ,but it seems that science is better than religion--for some folks1 he added quickly1 as ,mabel said1 ,o ,lewie6 in a troubled tone4 ,don't be cross about it1 said ,duncan4 ,if they had only known that you and ,i were coming1 they'd had a meeting sure4 ,we'll let them know beforehand next time4 ,they didn't expect us out1 you know4 ,but ,i don't understand1 said ,mabel4 ,why1 you see1 replied ,lewie1 ,professor ,a4 is going to demonstrate the problem of the man in the moon's mode of existence1 or some other puzzle1 so the meeting is given up4 ,i suppose people can sing and pray any evening1 but they can't hear ,professor ,a41 except tonight4 ,still ,i think it is queer1 and the ,week of ,prayer1 too6 ,i tell you1 ,miss ,wynn1 he continued1 things are a great puzzle to me4 ,if prayer is so important that a week is set apart for it1 and the whole world turned into a great prayer-meeting1 ,i should think that ,professor ,a4 might go without an audience1 rather than the meeting be given up4 ,it appears that it is not considered of much consequence after all4 ,shall we go to the lecture1 ,miss ,wynn8 ,i think not1 she replied4 ,we will be consistent1 anyway4 ,i am quite puzzled about the matter1 but ,i will venture to assert that you will not find ,mr4 ,earle1 nor several others ,i might mention1 at the hall tonight2 and ,i have no doubt there will be a great deal of closet prayer this evening4 ,and1 ,lewie1 you know this doesn't prove anything against the power and importance of prayer4 ,it may show that too low an estimate is put upon its value1 but nothing more4 ,well1 ,lew1 said ,duncan1 as they reached ,mr4 ,wynn's store1 where ,mabel sought an escort for her homeward walk1 what are we going to do now8 ,i'm afloat4 ,upon a sea of nothingness8 asked ,lewie4 ,well1 ,i don't know1 ,i'm sure4 ,hang around a spell1 and then go home1 ,i suppose4 ,hang around6 repeated ,mabel to herself4 ,yes1 and be snapped up by ,satan in some of his guises4 ,no1 that won't do1 and her thoughts travelled quickly1 seeking a remedy for the evil4 ,she had intended to go directly home and spend the evening in her own room1 but now she changed her mind very suddenly4 ,see here1 she said1 suppose we go around and spend an hour with ,henry ,trafton4 ,all right6 ,superexcellent6 exclaimed ,duncan4 ,if we can't go to prayer-meeting1 we will visit the sick4 ,what say1 ,lew8 ,i don't care4 ,yes1 ,i'd like it1 answered ,lewie4 ,henry1 who had so far improved as to be able to move about his room by means of an invalid's chair1 welcomed them warmly1 and they spent a quiet evening together1 safe from the vices and temptations of the street4 ,but where was ,perry ,morse8 ,sauntering down street1 he met ,nick ,turner1 an out-and-out loafer1 who called out-- ,halloo6 ,i say1 ,morse1 how do you happen to be in the street this time of day8 ,how the fellow dared to address ,perry ,morse1 haughty as he generally was1 in that familiar tone and manner1 must remain unexplained4 ,almost any other time1 ,perry would have answered shortly1 ,that's my affair1 and passed on2 but tonight he was out of tune2 he had missed the lecture for nothing1 and being in search of amusement1 he replied-- ,i got leave of absence to go to church1 because ,i thought that was the style2 but it seems the fashion has changed1 so ,i'm out4 ,ho6 ,that's it6 ,well1 just you follow me1 and ,i'll show you a tall thing or two1 that will throw your sort of fun in the shade4 ,a dingy back room1 half a dozen boys around a table1 a pack of dirty cards1 a bottle and some glasses4 ,nick knew they waited for him1 but he knew better than to take ,perry ,morse into that den1 so he turned in at ,murphy's saloon1 where everything was bright and enticing4 ,it was a rather expensive place1 to be sure1 but then it was not often he had such a companion1 and perhaps in the end it would pay4 ,they found dominoes and dice1 and whatever else belongs to the gambler's craft1 and they found cigars and liquors1 and silver and cut glass1 and obsequious attendance4 ,but why try to describe the gilded haunt of sin1 or recount the story of the evening8 ,late that evening1 ,perry groped his way to his room1 his pockets empty and his head--well1 something ailed his head--something was the matter the next morning with head1 hands1 and limbs4 ,could it have been the wine8 ,in vain1 ,miss ,wynn looked for the boys of her class the next evening4 ,excepting ,herbert and ,willy1 none of them appeared at church during the remainder of the week1 and when she met them on the ,sabbath1 all signs of any special interest had vanished4 ,then it was that these souls resting heavily upon her1 she grew weary and faint1 until remembering that the work was ,christ's1 and that surely he must have far more interest than she could have1 she took heart again1 saying1 softly1 ,in thine own time and way1 ,o ,god6 ,mabel was learning to wait4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,the ,,circle ,,broken4 ,jesus1 when my soul is parting ,from this body frail and weak1 4 4 4 4 ,thine1 my ,saviour1 ,be the name ,i last shall speak4 ,,well1 ,herbert1 what are you going to do now8 asked ,mr4 ,earle sometime during that winter4 ,are you going to fit for college8 ,oh1 no6 replied ,herbert4 ,i am going to become a merchant1 of course4 ,i shall not give up for one failure4 ,father is on the look-out for a position for me4 ,study the matter carefully and prayerfully1 ,herbert4 ,the ,lord sometimes thwarts our plans to try us1 sometimes to turn us4 ,of course ,i make it a subject of prayer1 replied ,herbert4 ,mr4 ,earle1 though he had his plan and hope for the boy1 did not think it wise to say more at that time1 and his slight hint was quite unnoticed4 ,herbert1 like a great many other people1 had first made up his mind1 and afterwards asked ,god to guide and direct him1 which meant1 if he had but known it1 to help him on in the way he had chosen4 ,but older and wiser ,christians often do the same thing4 ,as ,mr4 ,bradford had predicted1 it was not easy to secure another desirable situation in ,westville4 ,mr4 ,wynn was popular1 and the other merchants thought1 if they did not say it1 ,there must have been something back of that story4 ,of course1 ,mr4 ,wynn would shield the son of his friend1 and they have hushed up the matter4 ,after one or two trials1 ,mr4 ,bradford gave up the idea of getting a place at present1 and decided to send ,herbert to school4 ,herbert was disappointed1 and begged to be allowed to go to the city1 where a friend had offered him a position2 but his mother was an invalid1 and pleaded so hard for a year or two more at home1 that the offer was declined4 ,he was a good scholar and fond of books1 but had never inclined to a profession2 his father wished to make him a lawyer1 but he had a decided repugnance to that profession4 ,a year or two longer at school will do no harm1 said his mother1 and perhaps something will offer by that time4 ,and as it seemed the only thing to do1 he pursued his studies in the same classes with ,lewie and ,arthur4 ,if nothing more of good had ever grown out of his dismissal from ,mr4 ,wynn's store1 the advantage which ,arthur ,knapp derived from ,herbert's companionship would of itself have shown that there was design in what seemed only a misfortune4 ,arthur's associates had hitherto been of a different stamp4 ,he had never been placed alongside of one whose life was ordered by ,christian principle4 ,he had no idea that a boy who was trying to follow ,christ could be such a pleasant companion4 ,gradually ,herbert gained an influence over him1 and his disputes 7which were sure to be angry ones7 with the boys grew less frequent1 and he had less trouble with the teachers2 rather they had less trouble with him4 ,and as school-life grew more tolerable1 the home life was less tempestuous1 and frequently ,arthur carried home so much sunshine that it lasted all the evening4 ,then the months rolled away with few noticeable changes until the third year of ,miss ,wynn's connection with the class was ended4 ,once in the time1 ,herbert had gone into a store in a neighbouring town1 but was soon recalled by the alarming illness of his father1 and before he could be spared from the invalid's side1 the vacancy was filled4 ,but his city friend had again offered him a position1 his mother had consented1 and he was going soon4 ,affairs had so far brightened with ,mr4 ,knapp that he had been able to keep ,arthur in school a year longer than he had expected1 but he had now been some months away working at a trade4 ,greater changes were coming4 ,things never stay long in the same position even apparently4 ,the ,lorings had just returned from the seaside1 where they went in ,june with ,willy1 who was failing in health4 ,at first there seemed to be an improvement4 ,he sent pleasant1 boyish letters to his dear ,miss ,wynn1 telling her of his returning strength--letters that were running over with a quiet happiness1 a happiness that had its foundation in a childlike trust in the dear ,saviour4 ,later1 he had not been so well4 ,a note from his sister informed ,mabel that ,willy wished to thank her for her kind letters1 but he was not quite strong enough to write4 ,at last they brought him home1 and ,mabel1 calling as soon as she learned of the arrival1 was met by ,miss ,louise1 whose sad pale face told of nights of watching and of hope almost gone4 ,the doctor says he may linger until the leaves fall1 she said1 in answer to ,mabel's inquiries2 then with a passionate outburst1 ,o ,mabel1 it is cruel1 cruel1 to take away our darling6 ,this is your kind1 loving ,god6 ,mabel sat down beside her friend1 offering no word of reply1 no attempt at consolation1 knowing too well how worse than useless are words when the soul first tastes the bitterness of death1 remembering her own hour of darkness1 for once in ,mabel ,wynn's young life1 death had come very near taking away a bright earthly hope4 ,so she waited until ,louise grew calm and spoke again4 ,willy has several times said he should not get well1 but we thought it a fancy1 until this morning ,dr4 ,myers told us the same4 ,but ,i won't give up yet4 ,he must get well4 ,louise1 dear friend-- began ,mabel4 ,oh1 ,i know what you are going to say4 ,you ,christians talk about submission to the will of ,god1 but ,i don't see that the most do not rebel quite as often as we do4 ,does ,willy8 asked ,mabel1 softly4 ,no2 but he is unlike any one ,i ever knew4 ,the darling6 ,i cannot give him up4 ,you need not talk resignation to me4 ,i will not1 returned ,mabel4 ,you mistook my intention4 ,until you look upon ,god as your friend you cannot say1 ',thy will be done4' ,i think you will grow to feel differently2 but just now ,i only wanted to say that in your grief1 you must not forget what awaits him1 how he will be welcomed in the other world1 how more than all you have hoped for him here will be realized there4 ,he is very dear to me4 ,i have watched him ripening for the time of his ingathering1 and ,i feel sure that he is ,christ's very own4 ,i know1 ,i know he is6 exclaimed ,louise4 ,then with sudden vehemence1 ,i wish ,i were1 ,i wish ,i were6 ,mabel was startled4 ,the bitterness with which ,louise had spoken of ,god's dealings and her rebellious mood had seemed to indicate that she was far from desiring to have aught to do with ,christ4 ,louise felt the want of a strong arm1 and she knew that ,jesus did support his followers in their hours of trial4 ,she knew that ,willy and ,mabel had a source of strength which she had not1 and a sudden longing to possess it came over her4 ',come unto me1' repeated ,mabel1 ',every one4' ',whosoever will4' ,you see there is only acceptance1 and you may step into the kingdom and take your inheritance of love1 peace1 comfort and strength4 ,will you go up and see ,willy now8 asked ,louise1 presently4 ,it was a quiet but cheerful interview4 ,willy said-- ,i am glad you have come4 ,i wanted to thank you1 while ,i have strength1 for all you have done for me4 ,you made the way to ,christ so plain that ,i think ,i found him two years ago4 ,i have been trying to follow ever since4 ,the white line leads to a bridge1 and ,i have almost reached it4 ,sometimes people talk about the dark waters of the river of death4 ,but ,christ's love stretches all the way across4 ,i think it is strong enough to carry me over1 he said1 smiling4 ,mabel was not the only one who went out from the presence of the dying boy comforted and strengthened4 ,he lingered a month or two1 until dark1 chilly ,november1 and while he had strength to speak1 his constant theme was ,christ4 ,once1 when his sister ,louise had performed some little service for him1 he said-- ,thank you1 ,louise4 ,i shall not need that many times more4 ,oh1 my darling6 she returned4 ,why must we give you up8 ,because ,jesus wants me1 he answered4 ,looking wistfully at her1 he continued1 ,ever since ,i learned to know ,jesus1 ,i have been praying for you particularly4 ,i did not forget the rest1 but my great longing was for you4 ,it seemed as if you needed ,christ so much4 ,tears and sobs almost choked the words which ,louise whispered4 ,and1 ,willy1 ,i sometimes think ,i have found ,him4 ,a great peace has lately come into my heart4 ,i have hardly dared to hope that it is the peace of ,god2 but it seems to grow out of a trust in ,his love4 ,o my sister6 ,and you'll never give up until they are all brought to ,christ8 ,one morning a message came4 ,willy was failing rapidly4 ,would ,mabel come8 ,we felt that we could not be alone to-day1 said ,miss ,loring4 ,mamma is quite overcome1 and my sisters are so unused to care4 ,if you will think for us1 we shall be grateful4 ,send for anybody you choose4 ,so it happened that ,mabel ,wynn1 who had always been friendly with the ,lorings1 but not intimate1 stood by her beloved pupil at the last1 wiped his damp brow1 responded to the faint request1 ,sing of ,jesus1 supported the fainting mother2 and1 finally1 when ,willy had fallen asleep1 planned1 arranged1 and executed numberless minor details that somebody must always attend to when death is a guest in the house4 ,during the next day1 she stood for a moment beside the young sleeper1 when the door opened and ,louise came and stood beside her4 ,he was young to die1 said the sister sadly4 ,yes1 said ,mabel4 ,but do you know1 ,louise1 ,i cannot connect the thought of death with him4 ,it is as though he were sleeping now1 and by-and-by 'twill be as though he had just gone out of sight1 and was waiting somewhere ahead for us4 ,dear child6 ,he need to ask a great many questions as to what ,i thought about heaven4 ,i remember one thing seemed to trouble him2 he did not know anybody there1 and it would all be so strange--he would feel so shy4 ,i said1 ',but1 perhaps1 before you go1 you may have a great many friends there4' ',perhaps so1' he said4 ,then ,i told him that any way ,jesus would be there1 and he asked1 ',do you suppose that ,jesus would notice a little fellow like me8' ,darling6 said ,louise1 bending over her idol4 ,you've received your welcome6 ,the circle was indeed broken6 ,willy gone6 ,herbert and ,arthur away from home4 ,henry rarely able to be present1 and ,perry coming only occasionally4 ,only ,lewie and ,duncan were regularly and promptly in their places4 ,but1 except the one for whom she had now no need to labour1 ,mabel still counted them hers1 still sought to bring them all to ,christ4 ,when ,herbert and ,arthur went away1 they carried notes of introduction to ,sabbath-school superintendents1 and frequent letters testified of her continued interest in their welfare4 ,calling on ,mrs4 ,knapp one day1 that lady said1-- ,arthur writes that he hears from you sometimes4 ,i am very glad that you take the trouble to write to him4 ,i am sorry to say that ,arthur is not as steady as we could wish4 ,i hope he will improve1 and ,i depend a great deal upon your influence over him4 ,poor woman6 ,she had not yet learned to depend upon ,christ1 and ,mabel said-- ,my dear ,mrs4 ,knapp1 my letters1 my influence are worth very little to ,arthur1 compared with what a praying mother would be to him4 ,and the rest of your children--you need ,christ for them4 ,i know it1 said ,mrs4 ,knapp4 ,there was a time1 a great many years ago1 when ,i hoped ,i was a ,christian2 but ,i don't know4 ,it is a long while since ,i have had any religious privileges1 and with so many cares1 ,i got in the way of neglecting prayer1 and reading the ,bible1 and now ,i suppose ,i'll just go on so4 ,i hope not1 said ,mabel1 quickly4 ,i come in to-day on purpose to invite you to the afternoon prayer-meeting in the church parlour4 ,i will come around to-morrow afternoon with a friend who will take you1 and ,i will stay with the children4 ,thus smoothing the way1 she gained her point4 ,it was after spending a few hours with those ungoverned children that ,mabel said 7talking to herself71 ,how much that family need ,christ6 ,this was precisely the remark she had made after calling upon the ,lorings4 ,yet the ,knapps and ,lorings are not the only people who turn away from ,him who would supply their great need6 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,duncan ,,follows ,,his ,,own ,,devices4 ,,if anyone supposes that ,mabel ,wynn had found a smooth and even pathway laid out for her during these years1 that person is mistaken4 ,a great many things annoyed and tried her4 ,the atmosphere of her father's house was in a high degree worldly1 and sometimes it seemed to her that all spiritual growth must be smothered4 ,her parents had always been very indulgent1 and this fact had only made it harder to oppose their wishes when these conflicted with her ideas of duty4 ,if ,mrs4 ,wynn was disturbed when ,mabel quietly ripped an extra ruffle from a new costume1 and laid aside an unusually gay hat1 or when she chose to spend her money for ,sabbath-school helps2 when she declined to attend card and dancing parties1 or parties of any sort1 whenever they interfered with more important duties2 when she put aside her aunt's invitation to spend the winter in the city1 from conscientious motives--that lady considered it the climax of absurdities when the exasperating young woman refused young ,mr4 ,golden's offer of marriage4 ,i declare1 she said1 ,mabel ,wynn1 you are enough to drive one distracted6 ,your whims and ridiculous notions quite outweigh your common sense4 ,you always were an absurd child1 but since you got bewitched with those boys1 and so mixed up with ,sunday-school people1 you have grown positively fanatical4 ,i am out of all patience6 ,what more can you want8 ,young1 handsome1 rich1 of fine connections1 well educated1 and1 ,i presume1 moral character1 and you throw it all over1 for what reason nobody knows4 ,hard as ,i have worked to bring it about1 too6 ,my dear mother1 ,i am sorry that you have troubled yourself4 ,if you had consulted me beforehand1 ,i could have told you how utterly useless it was4 ,but really ,i do not see that all your recommendations do not apply to ,judge ,mc,nair1 except1 maybe1 that he is not so very young4 ,and as to his moral character1 you have no need to take it upon presumption4 ,i believe he is remarkable not only for strict integrity1 but for earnest devotion to ,christ4 ,what's the use of talking6 ,you know he is not one of my sort2 but1 as usual1 you have won over your father1 and ,i suppose ,i must consent with what grace ,i may4 ,since you won't marry ,mr4 ,golden1 and ,dr4 ,myers is out of the question1 ,i'd as lief it should be ,judge ,mc,nair as anybody4 ,he does rank high in his profession1 that is one consolation4 ,and straightway1 ,mrs4 ,wynn set herself about planning and ordering an extensive wardrobe for the bride-elect4 ,just one more whim she had yet to gratify4 ,mabel had chosen to be married quietly at home upon ,thanksgiving morning1 which certainly was not quite in keeping with ,mrs4 ,wynn's ideas4 ,the only daughter of the rich man ought to have a grand wedding1 and it was so commonplace to choose ,thanksgiving4 ,it was only ordinary country people who did that4 ,but1 said ,mabel1 if it is not a matter of thanksgiving1 then ,i won't be married at all2 if it is1 then it must be very proper to choose that day4 ,and that day was chosen4 ,oh1 dear6 sighed ,jenny ,mc,nair1 coming in from school about a week before ,thanksgiving4 ,what a horrid lonesome house this is6 ,it is the worst place when ,i come in at night after being with the girls all day4 ,nobody to speak to1 nobody to welcome me4 ,i wish-- ,what do you wish1 my daughter8 asked ,judge ,mc,nair1 who unexpectedly appeared at the parlour door1 while ,jenny talked to herself as she threw off her wraps in the hall4 ,she hesitated1 then spoke out quickly1 with something in the tone that begged pardon for her suggestion4 ,i just wish you'd get me a mamma6 ,i'm sick and tired of living so4 ,nobody to fix my clothes or curl my hair1 help me out with my lessons1 or do anything that ,i want done4 ,all the girls are talking about ,thanksgiving1 going to have family parties1 and everything nice4 ,looking up1 she saw a curious smile on her father's face4 ,well1 ,jenny1 he said1 come in here1 and ,i'll tell you something4 ,i mean this shall be a real ,thanksgiving for you and ,duncan4 ,it was a very pleasant little talk they had1 and at the close ,jenny said-- ,does ,dunny know8 ,yes1 ,i told him this afternoon1 replied her father1 a little sadly2 however1 the sad inflection escaped ,jenny's notice1 so busy was she with her own glad thoughts4 ,duncan did not appear at tea-time4 ,jenny wondered1 and ,mr4 ,mc,nair looked troubled but made no remark4 ,as soon as his father left the house1 ,duncan came down from his room4 ,why1 ,dunny1 exclaimed ,jenny1 are you sick8 ,nancy has carried away the things4 ,shall ,i bring you some tea8 ,no6 replied ,duncan1 shortly1 tilting his chair and thumping his head against the wall1 a trick he had when he was particularly out of humour4 ,suddenly ,jenny remembered something pleasant4 ,o ,dunny1 isn't it perfectly splendid8 ,what8 asked ,duncan1 testily4 ,you needn't pretend not to understand4 ,papa said he had told you4 ,won't it be lovely8 ,just like a girl6 ,bought up with a new dress1 ,i suppose1 growled ,duncan4 ,why1 ,duncan ,mc,nair1 you act as if you didn't like it4 ,well1 ,i don't1 and ,i didn't suppose you'd be such a goose4 ,i think it's just mean1 that's what ,i think1 said ,duncan1 pounding the wall energetically4 ,well1 responded ,jenny1 if you knew how much ,i need somebody to take care of me1 you wouldn't you think me a goose4 ,i can take of myself1 replied ,duncan1 adding1 in an undertone1 and ,i will1 too2 then raising his voice1 ,i'll tell you just what ,i think about this piece of business2 but as we already understand the drift of his thoughts upon the subject under consideration1 we will not repeat the exposition of his sentiments1 given in no very choice or gentle terms4 ,finally ,jenny interrupted4 ,stop1 ,duncan6 ,what would ,miss ,wynn say if she heard you go on at that rate8 ,to this1 he made no sort of reply1 but gathering his books together1 pretended to study4 ,sure enough1 what would she say8 ,he was half a mind to go and tell her his trouble4 ,it was ,wednesday evening2 she would be at the prayer-meeting2 he could step in1 and be ready to join her when the meeting closed4 ,so strong was the prompting1 that he actually started1 and gained half the distance to the church1 when he was met and diverted from his purpose by ,perry ,morse1 who had tickets for some second or third rate exhibition at the ,hall4 ,at first ,duncan declined the invitation1 upon which ,nick ,turner1 who was with ,perry1 said-- ,better come along while you have a chance4 ,going to have a new administration up at your house1 ,i hear4 ,likely the first move will be to shut down on this sort of thing4 ,i don't imagine the new administration will affect me much1 replied ,duncan4 ,that's the kind4 ,but we are late2 come on6 ,and they hurried forward1 ,duncan with them4 ,the next morning ,duncan said-- ,father1 ,i really wish you would let me go to ,uncle ,john's4 ,this is the second special invitation ,i have had4 ,and you must not blame me1 but ,i would rather be away on ,thanksgiving ,day4 ,i am sorry1 replied his father1 that you cannot fall in with our plans4 ,we expected that you and ,jenny would be present at the ceremony1 and after dinner we would all come back here together4 ,but1 perhaps1 in your present mood1 it may be as well for you to go4 ,if you feel differently1 you can return the first of the week4 ,i am sorry1 ,duncan1 that you are so unhappy about this4 ,i had counted upon your hearty approval of my choice4 ,why in the world couldn't ,judge ,mc,nair have once mentioned the name of his choice8 ,the next morning1 ,duncan departed1 and ,jenny went with her father to call upon the future ,mrs4 ,mc,nair1 making what excuse she could for ,duncan4 ,she came home more delighted than ever4 ,very busy was she during the next few days1 arranging and rearranging the rooms1 preparing little devices of welcome1 selecting her gifts1 hurrying the dressmaker and hindering everybody4 ,meantime ,duncan and his cousin ,joe were having long talks4 ,duncan had recounted his troubles1 and found ,joe a sympathizing listener4 ,i wouldn't stand it if ,i were you4 ,i am not going to4 ,i wish ,i could get something to do here in ,caryl4 ,i don't intend to go back to ,westville at present4 ,do you mean that8 asked ,joe eagerly4 ,yes1 ,i mean it4 ,well1 now1 say2 suppose we go off together6 ,i'm sick of this place4 ,it is awful poky anyway4 ,i just want to see the world4 ,but will your father let you go8 asked ,duncan1 in surprise4 ,will your father let you go8 repeated ,joe1 laughing4 ,i sha'n't ask him4 ,and ,i sha'n't ask him1 again repeated ,joe4 ,the next four or five days were full of planning4 ,wonderful were their imaginary adventures4 ,nu thought of failure entered their heads4 ,of course they must succeed4 ,in what8 ,in being independent1 of course4 ,joe brought out a book filled with sketches of successful men who1 when mere boys1 had started out with empty pockets and determined purposes4 ,of course they should come out all right4 ,if only somebody had been there to suggest to the foolish fellows that running away from good homes was not characteristic of these noble boys4 ,how to get away without exciting suspicion was a question which required considerable study4 ,how shall ,i ever got my trunk to the depot8 pondered ,joe4 ,mine isn't half full1 said his cousin4 ,put your things in with mine2 that will fix that part of the business1 and we shall have to trust to luck for the rest4 ,friday morning1 ,duncan started for home4 ,as he was saying ,good-by to his friends1 ,joe called out from the steps-- ,good-by all6 ,if ,i don't come back1 you may know that ,i have gone with ,duncan4 ,as he had repeatedly declared his intention of going home with his cousin1 the family finally settled upon this conclusion when he did not appear at dinner time4 ,truth is1 ,joe ,aiken was a wild boy1 and used to having pretty much his own way1 going and coming as he pleased2 but this was the first time he had launched out so boldly for a sail upon an unknown sea4 ,of course their destination was ,new ,york1 which they reached the same evening4 ,joe suggested that as they had a pretty good supply of money 7he had not hesitated to help himself from his father's desk71 they should spend a few days in having a good time1 seeing the sights and getting acquainted with the city1 meantime looking out for work4 ,duncan had objected to going to ,new ,york1 saying that it would be inconvenient to meet ,herbert ,bradford4 ,but ,joe said1 ,fudge6 ,we might stay in the city ten years and never light upon anybody we ever saw before4 ,i can tell you there is no place like ,new ,york to get lost in4 ,and that's what we want1 isn't it8 ,no place like ,new ,york to get lost in6 ,duncan began to feel the truth of this before he had been there twenty-four hours2 and in the little time that elapsed before he saw ,westville again1 he many times feared that he was lost indeed4 ,for ,duncan's heart was tender1 and his affection for the home friends strong4 ,he had left home and entered upon this mad course in a fit of angry excitement4 ,he had known one or two second-mothers who were unworthy to hold that place1 and measured all by their standard2 besides1 he did not like the lady whom he supposed his father was about to bring to his house2 and in his blindness1 he thought he was justified in his resentment and rebellion4 ,what those boys did1 where they went1 what scenes they looked upon during the days of their sojourn in the city1 never exactly transpired4 ,jenny once asked1 ,dunny1 did you go to ,central ,park when you were in ,new ,york8 and received for reply1 ,better not ask any questions about that1 ,jenny4 ,i can tell you ,i came pretty near going to destruction6 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,dr4 ,,myers ,,lends ,a ,,hand4 ,now make us strong1 we need ,thy deep revealing ,of trust and strength and calmness from above4 ,,at ,westville1 ,thursday's programme was carried out4 ,a quiet wedding1 a small dinner party1 after which1 the newly married pair quietly established themselves in their own home4 ,upon ,friday1 ,mr4 ,mc,nair received ,duncan's note1 which ran thus3 ,,caryl4 ,tuesday4 ,,dear ,,father3--,this is to say that you need not make a commotion about my coming back4 ,it might hurt ,mrs4 ,mc,nair's pride to have it noised about that her son is a runaway4 ,i think ,i will defer paying my respects to that lady until ,i have time to prepare my speech4 ,you need not inquire for me at ,caryl4 ,i shall not be there4 ,when ,i have anything worth saying1 ,i'll write4 ,,duncan4 ,the strong man groaned as he read this apparently heartless note4 ,my poor boy6 ,my poor foolish boy6 ,may ,god help us6 ,already ,jenny and her mother had begun to wonder when ,dunny would come1 and ,judge ,mc,nair shrank from imparting the sorrowful news he had just received4 ,if it were only possible to find him and bring him back1 without ever revealing the truth2 but where should he look for him--how trace him out8 ,where could he have gone without money8 ,here a thought ran through the father's mind4 ,duncan had a small sum in the ,savings ,bank1 deposited in his own name1 a little legacy from his grandmother1 with a few savings of his own4 ,an inquiry brought out the fact that he had drawn this the day he went away4 ,there was not the slightest clue as to the direction his wanderings had taken4 ,possibly he might be traced from ,caryl1 but not likely--so the bewildered man thought2 the strong man1 the far-seeing lawyer1 the clear-headed judge was at his wits' end4 ,things looked very dark to him1 until he had talked it over with his wife and ,jenny1 who1 though terribly shocked and pained1 were hopeful4 ,we must find him and bring him back1 said ,mrs4 ,mc,nair4 ,some one ought to go to ,caryl1 and see what can be learned there4 ,he could hardly stay there four or five days1 and let fall no hint of his plans4 ,true1 true1 responded the judge1 and while they were talking and planning1 ,nancy announced that ,dr4 ,myers was in the parlour4 ,just the one to advise with6 said ,mabel4 ,going to meet his guest1 who had called to pay his respects to the bride1 ,mr4 ,mc,nair said-- ,you find us in trouble1 and then suddenly he asked-- ,can you leave town tonight upon a mission of great importance8 ,much astonished1 the doctor replied1 ,why1 this is a sudden proposal2 but1 if necessary1 ,i might4 ,but to go where1 and stay how long8 ,i will explain1 which ,mr4 ,mc,nair proceeded to do1 adding1 ,if you could start tonight1 and return to-morrow noon1 ,i could be ready to follow a clue1 should you find one4 ,the widow ,fletcher's case is to be argued to-morrow1 and ,i should not feel justified in leaving unless absolutely necessary4 ,i could trust you4 ,thank you--,i will go4 ,upon taking leave of the ,mc,nairs1 ,dr4 ,myers went directly to the office of his friend and counsellor1 ,dr4 ,maxwell4 ,doctor1 could you do me a favour8 ,i certainly will1 if ,i can1 replied ,dr4 ,maxwell4 ,you have done me too many to allow a refusal4 ,explaining that a sudden and imperative call would take him out of town for a longer or shorter period1 he requested the doctor to take charge of his patients4 ,this matter being arranged1 he wrote the following note3 ,,mr4 ,,clarke3--,i am suddenly called from home4 ,doubtful if ,i return for ,sunday4 ,please look up a teacher for my class4 ,i suggest ,mrs4 ,bradford1 but ,i have not time to see her4 ,my mission is an important one4 ,ask ,god to go with me4 ,your brother in ,christ1 ,l4 ,n4 ,,myers4 ,a few more hurried preparations1 and he was off by the #aa o'clock express4 ,the next day ,judge ,mc,nair received this telegram3-- ,off for ,new ,york4 ,slight clue4 ,wait for a letter4 ,l4 ,n4 ,,myers4 ,a few hours later1 a letter came1 written on board the train3-- ,,dear ,,friends3--,i reached ,mr4 ,aiken's house before breakfast4 ,found your nephew ,joe had gone off with ,duncan4 ,supposed to have returned to ,westville4 ,left on ,wednesday4 ,mr4 ,aiken and myself went to the depot to make inquiries4 ,neither the ticket-agent nor the baggage-master remembered them1 and ,i was about giving up in despair1 when a ragged boy with a basket of peanuts on his arm said-- ',bese you axin about ,joe ,aiken and another boy8 ',case ,joe bought a lot of peanuts1 and t'other fellow dropt his ticket1 and ,i picks it up4 ,it was a ,new ,york ticket1 and ,i hollers1-- ',here1 city bug1 is your ticket--'taint no good to me4 ,i've had enough of that kind of livin'4 ',it's no livin' at all1 sir4' ,this is all my clue1 but it is all we need for the present4 ,i trust that the way will be opened to success1 just as fast as ,i can get over the ground4 ,dear friends1 do not despair4 ,god is our refuge and a very present help4 ,if you think best to come on to ,new ,york1 meet me at the ,metropolitan2 but unless you are too anxious to stay at home1 it may be as well to wait for ,monday's message4 ,i shall post this at the next stopping place1 hoping that you will get it tonight4 ,i know your prayers are following me1 and ,i have strong faith that ,i shall bring ,duncan back with me4 ,yours1 ,l4 ,n4 ,,myers4 ,monday evening another telegram came3-- ,be of good cheer--we are on the right track4 ,and two days later3-- ,all right2 look-out for us at #f o'clock4 ,in telling ,mr4 ,mc,nair of the search1 ,dr4 ,myers said-- ,judge1 ,i brought your boy home2 but ,i hate to tell you where ,i found him4 ,your pure1 innocent boy had a narrow escape4 ,some day ,i should like to show him the ,christian side of ,new ,york4 ,he has seen enough of its dark side4 ,from long residence and several years' practice of his profession in ,new ,york1 ,dr4 ,myers knew much of the ins and outs of the city1 and was prepared to follow up the slightest clue1 and slight indeed that was4 ,he had taken the #aj o'clock express from ,caryl1 the same the boys had travelled upon four days previous4 ,as he was nearing the end of his journey1 the thought occurred to him that possibly the conductor might remember the boys1 and addressing that official upon his next round1 he entered into conversation with him1 and presently said-- ,i would like to ask if you noticed two boys travelling over this road together on ,wednesday--one a sandy-haired fellow1 about fifteen years old1 wearing an overcoat of the light shade so fashionable2 the other a little older1 with dark hair4 ,yes1 ,i remember them1 replied the conductor quickly2 and ,i set them down as runaways1 too4 ,just before we got into the city1 one of them1 the dark-haired one--,joe1 his companion called him--asked me to direct them to a respectable boarding-house1 and ,i said1 ',boys1 the best boarding-house you can find is your own home4' ,i did hate to see two such boys going in there alone as strangers2 but ,i directed them to what ,i knew to be a decent house4 ,this is all ,i can tell you about them4 ,i conclude ,i guessed right1 and they were runaways8 continued the man4 ,well1 yes1 they left home clandestinely4 ,will you give me the address you gave them8 ,possibly it may be of service4 ,thank you4 ,i hope they have met with more of your sort to direct them to good places4 ,may be1 returned the man2 but ,i am afraid some of the imps of ,satan have got hold of them before this4 ,with which comforting remark1 he moved on4 ,it was #e o'clock ,saturday afternoon when ,dr4 ,myers stepped from the car1 and taking a carriage1 drove directly to the street and number given him by the conductor4 ,yes1 two such boys had been there--stayed one day and left1 saying it was too far up town4 ,didn't know where they went1 or anything about them4 ,they paid their bill1 and an expressman took their trunk4 ,undismayed1 the doctor went to work2 hunted up a detective1 stated his case1 adding1 ,those boys are in the city1 ,i feel sure--they must be found at any cost4 ,then he sought out ,herbert ,bradford4 ,to him1 he said1-- ,herbert1 your old friend ,duncan is in this city1 and ,i am looking for him4 ,it seems a hopeless search1 but with ,god's blessing1 success is sure4 ,i want you to make it a subject of special prayer1 that he may be restored to his home at once4 ,need we say that the ,sabbath that followed was a day of much prayer8 ,indeed1 ,dr4 ,myers's life was a prayer--whatever he did1 wherever he went1 an earnest asking for ,god's presence and blessing attended his movements4 ,and now1 as he walked the streets1 gazing eagerly at every red-headed boy and every light overcoat1 he repeated1-- ',some trust in horses1 some in chariots2 but we will remember the name of the ,lord our ,god4' ,monday afternoon1 the officer appeared1 saying1-- ,i think ,i have a clue1 sir4 ,they were with a party that went over the river yesterday1 and they are stopping at one of those dens on ,c-- ,street4 ,i know the fellow that seems to be showing them around1 and he is a hard one1 too4 ,but ,i reckon we'll get hold of them tonight4 ,but they did not get hold of them that night4 ,another twenty-four hours of anxious waiting and watching rolled away before ,dr4 ,myers laid his hand upon ,duncan ,mc,nair's shoulder1 and said1 with unmistakable sincerity-- ,how are you1 my boy8 ,i'm glad to see you6 ,probably not even ,judge ,mc,nair himself would have succeeded as well in overcoming ,duncan's unwillingness to go home2 for although the foolish fellow had seen about enough of this wonderful city 7no wonder1 when he had only seen the wicked side71 he was yet loth to go back4 ,as for ,joe1 the doctor was armed with the necessary legal authority1 a foresight of his father's1 and for him1 he had no choice2 but as for ,duncan1 his hold upon him was stronger than more legal power2 it was the influence which a thoroughly good man and a boy-lover must ever exercise over boys like ,duncan4 ,as ,i have hinted before1 ,dr4 ,myers was his hero and saint1 and he had only to say1 ,duncan1 ,i cannot go back without you4 ,i promise you one thing1 if matters do not go on well at home1 and you are not happy there1 ,i will do all ,i can for your relief2 but now ,i want you to go with me1 and ,duncan went4 ,once1 as they neared home1 ,duncan ventured to say1-- ,do they know--people1 ,i mean--about my going off8 ,i cannot say1 returned the doctor4 ,i came away so suddenly1 but ,i presume it is not generally known2 but you need not mind2 you have only to say frankly that you were foolish and mistaken1 and are sorry for it4 ,that won't be very hard1 will it8 ,no1 replied ,duncan slowly4 ,but do you suppose ,miss ,wynn knows about it8 ,miss ,wynn6 repeated his friend with a puzzled expression4 ,why1 of course she knows4 ,i wish she didn't4 ,she will be disappointed in me1 said ,duncan sadly4 ,she will think it is a queer way to follow4 ,anyway1 doctor1 you won't tell her where you found me6 ,i couldn't bear to have her know4 ,once more1 he referred to ,miss ,wynn in a way that puzzled the doctor1 until a sudden light burst in upon him4 ,he was about to speak1 then checked himself with the thought1 ,i won't enlighten him4 ,i shall rather enjoy his surprise2 but how could he have made such a mistake8 ,at the junction where they changed cars1 they were met by ,mr4 ,aiken1 whom the doctor had summoned by telegraph1 and who took his son in charge1 much to the relief of all4 ,arriving at ,westville1 they were welcomed at the depot by ,judge ,mc,nair1 who greeted his son as though he had just returned from an ordinary journey4 ,isn't father splendid8 whispered ,duncan to his friend in the momentary absence of the judge4 ,he seems just as glad to see me as if ,i were the best boy in the world4 ,of course1 replied the doctor4 ,you are to come home with us to tea1 doctor1 said the judge4 ,jenny was watching1 and flew out to meet them4 ,returning her kiss of welcome1 ,duncan said1-- ,if you please1 father1 ,i'll run up to my room before ,i go into the parlour4 ,certainly2 but don't be long4 ,i presume tea is waiting4 ,the boy ran up-stairs1 pushed open the door of his room1 and was inside before he noted the strangeness of everything--that is1 almost everything4 ,there was his familiar motto at the foot of the bed1 and some other familiar personal belongings4 ,but there was fresh paper on the walls1 new curtains at the windows1 and in place of the old torn matting on the floor1 there was a carpet soft to the foot and warm in colours1 an easy chair1 and under the gas-light1 a small table with crimson cover1 and upon it a handsomely-bound copy of the ,book4 ,a note lay beside it1 which he picked up4 ,it ran thus3-- ,mother and ,jenny have been very happy in refitting the room for our dear ,dunny4 ,we hope he may be as happy in it4 ,here you can bring your friends for quiet visits1 or come alone for communion with the ,friend who is above and beyond any other friend4 ,duncan whistled4 ,well1 now1 that is nice2 but ,i didn't suppose she cared anything about that ,friend4 ,i thought folks who did showed it1 and ,i never saw her at church in the world4 ,well1 ,i promised ,dr4 ,myers that ,i would try and make the best of it1 and ,i am going to4 ,this is a jolly room1 anyway6 ,as he turned to go down1 his eye fell upon a little photograph of herself which ,mabel had given him some time before1 and he sighed1 ,if it had only been her now6 ,in the parlour1 ,judge ,mc,nair had said1 ,we have got our boy back again1 and that must do for tonight4 ,some other time the doctor may tell his story4 ,and they were chatting of other things when ,duncan entered4 ,rising and passing his arm around him1 his father said1-- ,duncan1 will you welcome your mother as she welcomes you8 ,the bewildered boy looked from one to another1 and gasped1 ,miss ,wynn6 ,mother6 ,what--why8 ,oh6 ,why didn't somebody tell me8 ,and breaking from his father's embrace1 he rushed from the room4 ,tea waited some time that evening4 ,there were explanations to be made1 soothing words to be spoken1 and tears to be dried4 ,it may be doubted if ,dr4 ,myers enjoyed the surprise much after all1 for he said1-- ,i am sorry1 ,duncan1 that ,i did not correct your mistake2 but ,i was not quite sure that you were in the dark4 ,but how came you to make such a blunder8 ,whom did you suppose your father was to marry8 ,i thought it was ,miss ,carver4 ,the boys hinted at it a good while ago4 ,besides ,i thought--you were going to marry ,miss ,wynn4 ,mistake number two1 laughed the doctor4 ,see here1 drawing forward a lady whom ,duncan had not noticed as making one of the group1 this is the future ,mrs4 ,myers4 ,the lady was ,lou ,joslyn4 ,but1 persisted ,jenny1 ,i am sure1 ,dunny1 we talked about it1 and you must have been told who it was4 ,yes1 we talked about it1 ,i know2 but no one ever mentioned the name4 ,i suppose1 he added humbly and sadly1 it all grew out of my getting angry and making a fuss before father finished his story4 ,and turning to ,dr4 ,myers1 ,i know you told me once that my temper would play me a shabby trick some day4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,the ,,ingathering4 ,look again6 the fields are whitening1 ,for the harvest time is near4 ,,again the ,lord seemed about to bless his church at ,westville in the outpouring of his ,spirit1 in deepening the experience of those already ,christ's disciples1 and in leading others to grasp his offered hand4 ,the week after ,willy ,loring's death1 his sister ,louise glided into the ,thursday evening prayer-meeting and took her place beside ,mabel2 again she came2 then she slipped into the young people's meeting1 where she found her voice to speak of the new hopes that were growing up in her heart out of the great peace that had fallen upon her life4 ,next ,mr4 ,loring came to church with his daughter upon a ,sabbath evening1 much to the surprise of all who knew him1 for he was one of those who ignored religion in his life and conversation4 ,but there he sat listening to ,mr4 ,earle's sermon4 ,now1 had the good pastor known that ,mr4 ,loring was coming to church he would have preached a very different sermon4 ,however1 the ,lord must have known it2 and as ,mr4 ,earle had both in public and in private asked the ,lord whom they worshipped to take the direction of the day's services1 it may be supposed that it was just the sermon needed1 especially as ,mr4 ,loring afterwards remarked that it was that sermon which led him to think seriously upon the claims of ,christ4 ,he continued to attend church1 and one evening1 he arose and said-- ,my friends and neighbours1 you have known me for an irreligious and worldly man4 ,i hope henceforth to be known as a humble disciple of ,christ4 ,i have much to learn4 ,bear with me if in weakness and ignorance ,i stumble1 and pray that strength and wisdom may be given me4 ,what a thrill ran through the little company met in sadness for prayer4 ,in sadness because ,christ had seemed to withdraw from them1 and lo6 ,he was here in their midst4 ,what wonder that a voice took up the glad song-- ,thine1 ,o ,god1 be all the glory4 ,this was the beginning of a glorious revival4 ,night after night the people came together--,christians to pray and tell the wonderful story of ,christ's love1 and many came to listen2 some who had heard the story again and again without realising its meaning for them2 to others1 who came drawn by curiosity1 the story had almost the freshness of a now and unread book4 ,there were many who1 hearing the ,spirit's call1 yielded at once1 and quickly found their way into the kingdom1 while others hesitated upon the very threshold1 drawn back by sin's strange power1 and only entering after repeated struggles4 ,the whole church was awakened1 ready and eager for work4 ,men stopped in the street or gathered at the corners to talk of the meetings1 to say how the work was going on1 to urge attention to the soul's interests1 and to plan how best they might reach those yet outside the blessed influence4 ,women ran in to spend an hour in each other's parlours or kitchens1 as the case might be1 forgetting that there were such things as ruffles and ribbons1 charades and tableaux1 while their talk ran upon the love of ,christ and the ways of doing his work4 ,for many weeks the people lived in an atmosphere of prayer1 and there was a glorious ingathering4 ,the anxious teacher who had been waiting so long for ,god's blessing upon her work hoped that now the time had come when the rest of her class should enter the ,master's service4 ,it seemed that now when so many were entering in1 these could not stay out2 and yet1 though she watched and prayed1 there were no signs of their coming6 ,duncan had found the new home life very pleasant4 ,no reproaches 7except those of his own conscience7 had met him1 and his visit to ,new ,york was scarcely referred to4 ,for this1 he endeavoured to show his gratitude by exemplary conduct4 ,he refrained from grumbling with ,jenny1 and storming at ,nancy when she forgot to keep his breakfast warm2 he was oftener prompt in coming down to breakfast1 in time for breakfast1 in time for prayers2 his reports from school were of a higher grade1 and so marked was the general improvement that ,judge ,mc,nair said to his wife-- ,you have no idea how that boy has improved4 ,i am quite hopeful that he will turn out well4 ,are you8 replied ,mrs4 ,mc,nair4 ,i was never otherwise than hopeful of him4 ,but ,i am very anxious to see him a ,christian4 ,i cannot feel at all satisfied with any improvement that falls short of that4 ,can't you persuade him to attend the meetings8 asked her husband4 ,i have thus far failed4 ,if ,i understand his disposition1 it will not do to urge him very much--that would drive him the other way4 ,he always has some excuse4 ,i heard ,jenny ask him tonight if he didn't want to go with her and ,julia ,bradford1 and he refused flatly4 ,mr4 ,mc,nair looked troubled1 but quickly brightened1 saying-- ,well1 there is ,one whose pleadings are more powerful than ours1 and who knows how to find a way into his heart4 ,we will ask ,him to come and plead with our boy4 ,oh1 what earnest prayers went up from those anxious and waiting hearts6 ,at that very hour1 while these were praying for him1 ,duncan was in his room4 ,he had not had such a fit of ill-humor in a month4 ,he had snapped at ,jenny because she asked him to go to church2 he had kicked his dog because of ,jenny's suggestion of church1 and growled at ,nancy for the same reason1 and here he was snapping and growling at the walls or window curtains1 without any earthly excuse for doing so4 ,when his growls shaped themselves into words1 he said1 ,i won't go to meeting6 ,there6 ,everybody's at me about it4 ,i can't walk along the street without hearing somebody say1 ',go to church tonight4' ,i think the folks here might be satisfied with the new leaf ,i've turned over2 but it seems they are not4 ,so they have got ,jenny and ,jule ,bradford to do a sharp thing4 ,now that's what ,i call a sharp dodge6 ,i sha'n't go6 ,i heard a man say to-day that there was no use in resisting4 ,if a fellow once got into one of those powerful meetings1 he'd be carried right along up to the gate of the kingdom in spite of himself4 ,i don't want to go to heaven that way4 ,when ,i get ready1 ,i'll step in all by myself4 ,my6 ,what would ,joe say to the idea of my turning saint8 ,i know just what he would say4 ,he'd make use of his favorite--2 but his ugly words wouldn't sound well in this pretty room2 with the old matting and dingy walls they might have corresponded4 ,it was a capital idea of the new mother's1 fixing up this den4 ,but as for those meetings1 ,i won't go6 ,duncan had paused directly before the little table under the gas-light1 and at that moment1 he saw a bit of folded paper lying beside the ,book4 ,taking it up1 he read1 ,duncan1 will you refuse ,christ8 ,it is his call4 ,just at that moment the church bell began to toll1 and to ,duncan every stroke was equivalent to the words1 ,he calls6 ,he calls6 ,for a moment he stood still1 then he went swiftly down the stairs1 took his overcoat and cap from the hat-rack1 and joined the group in the sitting room1 who were putting on their wraps4 ,come1 girls1 hurry up1 if you are going under my escort4 ,can you account for his sudden change of purpose8 ,does any one think it strange that the little note left there for him should attract his notice just as the church bell was about to strike4 ,remember1 they had been praying for him down-stairs1 committing him into the hands of ,one who understood his words and knew how to time the double call4 ,duncan knew very little about the character or order of the meetings4 ,if he thought about it at all1 he supposed that they were going to a preaching service in the church1 instead of which he found himself in the lecture room and parlour adjoining4 ,dr4 ,myers came towards him1 and taking his hand in both his1 said earnestly-- ,duncan1 ,i'm glad to see you here6 ,suppose you go into the parlour4 ,you'll find ,mr4 ,earle there4 ,now ,mr4 ,earle was the very last person in the world whom ,duncan ,mc,nair wished to find just then2 however1 somewhat bewildered1 he obeyed the suggestion4 ,as he entered1 he heard ,mr4 ,earle say1 as in response to some one who had been speaking-- ,blessed news6 ,another wanderer brought home6 ,then1 as he saw the newcomer1 he continued-- ,ah6 ,duncan1 we've been waiting a long time for you4 ,we are very glad you've come at last4 ,will you take this seat8 indicating a chair near his own4 ,the boy went forward wondering4 ,this was not at all his idea of a prayer-meeting4 ,both rooms were nearly filled4 ,deacon ,griffin had charge of the meeting in the outer room4 ,his father and mother1 ,dr4 ,myers1 ,mr4 ,clarke1 and others1 were there1 singing praises and rendering thanks for the gifts already bestowed1 seeking the continued presence of the ,spirit with its renewing power1 and speaking words of instruction and counsel to some of the young converts who were there1 ready to take up the ,master's work1 only asking to be shown how4 ,in the room where ,duncan was seated were ,willy and ,helen ,knapp1 ,alice ,trafton and ,mr4 ,trafton himself1 besides many more of ,duncan's schoolmates and acquaintances4 ',well1 ,mr4 ,trafton1 ,mr4 ,earle said1 turning back to continue the talk ,duncan's entrance had interrupted1 ,i think you quite understand the step you have taken4 ,i hope that you will join the working force at once4 ,we need you4 ,if you will stop a minute after church1 ,i have a hint to give you to start on4 ,and so1 ,willy1 you1 too1 have quite made up your mind to belong to ,christ8 ,yes1 sir2 but ,i don't know what to do4 ,what to do1 repeated ,mr4 ,earle1 smiling kindly4 ,why1 my boy1 you've nothing to do4 ,christ has done it all4 ,he takes you just as you are4 ,you have but to trust in ,him4 ,yes1 ,i know1 returned ,willy4 ,i don't mean just that4 ,he has forgiven me and made me his own1 and now ,i am different1 ,i ought to live different4 ,i mean ,i don't know how ,i ought to live4 ,it is just as you said1 sir4 ,i want to do something to please ,jesus1 but ,i don't see anything that ,i can do4 ,i understand you now1 ,mr4 ,earle replied2 and ,i think ,i can help you4 ,suppose that to-morrow morning when you fill the wood-box and sweep the paths1 or bring the pail of water1 you go about it with the thought that it is the work ,christ has given you to do1 and do it promptly and cheerfully4 ,i think the ,saviour will be pleased with the service4 ,then ,i suppose1 like all school-boys1 you like to play tricks on your mates--now1 if you remember the rule ,jesus gave1 you will drop the paper ball before you send it flying across the school-room1 aiming at somebody's nose2 you would not like to be in the place of that other boy1 nor of the teacher4 ,these are little things1 but if you are faithful1 ,god may call you to do greater work for him4 ,and how is it with ,helen8 turning to the little girl4 ,oh1 sir1 ,i am very happy4 ,i asked ,jesus this morning to help me to be good-natured this day1 and ,i think he did4 ,i told mother that ,willy and ,i hoped we were ,christians1 and she said she was very glad1 and she wished she was one herself4 ,i am praying for her and for father4 ,we will all pray for them4 ,well1 ,alice1 there was a very sad-looking little girl sitting in that seat last evening2 but ,i see a very happy face tonight4 ,what has become of the sadness8 ,it has all gone out of my heart1 and that's the reason it don't show in my face1 ,i suppose4 ,yes4 ,have you any idea what drove it out8 ,yes1 sir1 ,alice replied4 ,i think it was ,christ himself4 ,i felt so bad last night that ,i cried all the while you were preaching4 ,helen sat with me1 and she was so happy1 and that made me more miserable4 ,i thought ,i was left out4 ,when ,i went home1 ,i went straight to ,henry's room1 and told him all about it4 ,then ,i knelt down by his chair1 and he prayed for me1 and ,i think ,christ heard him1 and that he has forgiven my sins2 and with the sin all washed out1 ,i couldn't be sad1 you know6 ,duncan listened in amazement4 ,here were these children1 three or four years younger than himself1 rejoicing in sins forgiven1 and starting out in the ,christian life4 ,when ,alice spoke of her sins being forgiven1 he said to himself1 ,whew6 ,if that little innocent puss had sins to forgive1 what kind of a reckoning would ,i have8 ,there were others to testify for ,christ1 and some who had not yet heard the sweet1 gentle voice1 saying1 ,fear not1 ,i have redeemed thee4 ,behind ,mr4 ,trafton sat a young man who was greatly agitated4 ,while the rest were singing1 ,mr4 ,earle went over and sat beside him4 ,nicholas1 he said1 don't you find ,christ yet8 ,no1 returned the young man1 choking with emotion1 ,i can't find ,him1 and if ,i could1 ,i don't believe it would do any good4 ,he wouldn't pay any attention to such a wicked fellow as ,i am4 ,i'll agree to that1 if you will find any account of his turning away from anybody4 ,are you sure ,he never turned anybody away8 asked the poor fellow4 ,may be they didn't tell of it4 ,we have his word for it3 ',him that cometh unto me ,i will in no wise cast out4' ,as ,mr4 ,earle went on repeating the precious promises1 ,duncan leaned forward to see who he was talking to1 and1 to his utter astonishment1 discovered that it was ,nick ,turner6 ,he began to take in some idea of the extent and power of the work that was going on4 ,true1 he had heard many details1 or might1 if he had listened to conversations that went on around him1 but he had failed to comprehend more than that there were meetings which a great many people called very interesting4 ,he felt something of the solemnity that rested upon all present1 and when ,mr4 ,earle knelt and prayed for ,nick1 he found himself wondering how he should feel if it was himself that was being prayed for4 ,he listened eagerly to all that followed1 until fearing he might become interested in spite of himself1 he resolutely set about turning his thoughts away from the place4 ,suddenly the bell rang out for the preaching services4 ,mr4 ,earle laid his hand upon ,duncan's shoulder to detain him1 then1 turning to ,willy and ,helen1 he said-- ,if you feel so anxious about your parents becoming ,christians1 ,i suppose you are willing to make some sacrifice for it4 ,are you not8 ,yes1 sir1 said ,willy4 ,i think so1 ,helen said thoughtfully4 ,well1 suppose that to-morrow evening you two offer to stay with the two little ones1 and let your father and mother come to the inquiry meeting4 ,don't decide now1 but think and pray about it4 ,good night4 ,to ,duncan1 ,well1 my boy1 is your decision made8 ,i haven't made any decisions lately1 was the reply4 ,i didn't even decide to come here tonight4 ,ah6 ,but since you are here you are not sorry8 ,no--,i guess not4 ,and you'll come again8--,will you8 ,i don't know--perhaps ,i will4 ,duncan1 will you1 if ,god permits1 meet me here at a quarter before six to-morrow evening8 ,we shall be alone then1 and ,i would like to have a long talk with you4 ,you may bring a friend if you like4 ,will you come8 ,duncan could not refuse1 and gave his promise1 which he wanted to take back the next minute4 ,mr4 ,earle's sermon that evening was a solemn appeal to the hearts of those who still refused ,christ's invitation1 and ,duncan felt that the truths presented reached him--he saw his guilt and danger--indeed1 ,i am not certain that he had not seen it before--but hitherto he had been quite determined to resist for the present4 ,now he was not so certain2 perhaps it would be better to settle the matter now1 if he only could4 ,it was so awkward to start2 he had made a good many remarks about the revival they were getting up1 and it would seem queer to come around now and join in with the rest4 ,he couldn't do it4 ,as yet1 his class at the seminary had not been broken into2 they all stood out firmly against the call1 and he wouldn't be the one to break the ranks4 ,but then he had been to an inquiry meeting4 ,what would they say to that8 ,and he had promised to go again6 ,then1 again1 it might be1 as ,mr4 ,earle had said1 that this was his very last opportunity4 ,he remembered ,willy ,loring1 and thought1 what if he had waited for this time6 ,he began to see where he stood1 but was unwilling to take the step that would plant him upon the rock4 ,the next day a spirit of insubordination ran through his class-room1 and it was plain from what corner it emanated4 ,never had ,duncan ,mc,nair seemed so full of fun and frolic4 ,he was quite determined to forget and make everybody else forget the position into which he had been led4 ,lessons were failures1 ridiculous notes and outrageous caricatures were slyly handed about1 causing subdued explosions of laughter4 ,had ,professor ,mills had charge of that department1 serious trouble must have ensued2 but ,professor ,harris understood the boys better than they understood themselves1 and quietly watched and waited4 ,toward the close of the day's session1 ,duncan captured a note intended for his neighbour1 reading it with a flushed and angry face4 ,i must prevent an outbreak there1 thought the teacher4 ,that boy has been in a state of excitement all day1 and he won't stand much more4 ,a little while after1 he said-- ,mc,nair1 ,i have discovered the error in your work4 ,if you will stop a moment and make the correction1 we will overlook the mistake1 as your statement is correct4 ,then1 when the work was done1 ,duncan1 if it is not a breach of confidence1 will you tell me what was in that note that made you so angry at ,clarence ,golden8 ,it was an insult to one of the best friends ,i have in the world1 answered the boy1 flushing again4 ,i'd fight any day for ,dr4 ,myers's honour1 and ,clarence knows it4 ,i think he will keep out of my way1 and he'd better1 too4 ,duncan1 would you fight for your ,saviour's honour8 ,receiving no reply1 ,professor ,harris continued1 ,dr4 ,myers cannot be a better friend to you than ,christ has been1 and yet you do not hesitate to offer ,him a gross insult1 despising and rejecting his friendship1 without which you are lost4 ,the conversation was not prolonged4 ,there were others waiting to speak to the teacher1 into whose ears he was sure to drop some word of warning or encouragement4 ,duncan walked slowly home4 ,all the fun and frolic gone1 his heart was burdened with a sense of his sin4 ,it was true2 all that ,dr4 ,myers had done could not be compared with ,christ's sacrifice4 ,and yet that very day he had ridiculed ,christians and scoffed at things that belong to ,christ's kingdom4 ,how it all appeared to him now6 ,could he hope for pardon--might it not be too late8 ,in his own room1 he waited for the hour which ,mr4 ,earle had set for their interview1 for which he was now as anxious as he had been averse4 ,half-past four6 ,an hour and a quarter to wait1 when he was not sure of a minute4 ,inconsistent follow6 ,yesterday he had scorned the idea of any help whatever1 thinking to make his way alone to the mercy-seat1 when he should decide to start2 and now he was depending entirely upon ,mr4 ,earle4 ,why didn't he kneel right down there and give his heart to ,jesus8 ,this was the very thought which presently occurred to him4 ,and when1 an hour later1 he met ,mr4 ,earle1 and that gentleman said1 smiling1 ,well1 shall ,i talk to you1 or you talk to me8 ,he replied-- ,i have not much to say1 only to answer your question of last night as to the decision being made4 ,i think1 sir1 that ,i have made it4 ,i do not feel sure that ,christ has forgiven and received me1 but ,i am very sure that ,i want to be his4 ,again the glad pastor said fervently1 ,thank ,god6 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,almost ,,within4 ,he called me once again1 ,pleading that ,he had precious things to say4 ,,very soon after it became manifest that the ,holy ,spirit was in an especial manner present with the people of ,westville1 the clerks from ,mr4 ,wynn's store began to drop into church after closing time1 which was perhaps half an hour before the dismissal4 ,soon one and another got leave to go earlier1 and at length1 finding that almost everybody went to church1 the merchants entered into an agreement to close their places of business an hour earlier1 that their employes might have the full benefit of the extra services4 ,the interest among that class of young men was very general4 ,if ,mr4 ,wynn had found it inconvenient to have one earnest ,christian clerk in his employ1 he was likely to have more trouble of the same sort1 for five out of his six clerks came out squarely for ,christ4 ,the sixth was ,perry ,morse4 ,like the rest he had gone regularly to church1 and listened with deep interest to the preaching4 ,like the rest he had heard the call to forsake sin and follow ,christ4 ,for many days he was grave and thoughtful2 he slipped into the inquiry meetings1 and once in the congregation1 he spoke of his desire to become a disciple of ,jesus ,christ4 ,one evening in particular he was deeply impressed4 ,mr4 ,earle had a long conversation with him1 saying afterward to ,dr4 ,myers-- ,that boy seems almost ready to step in1 yet there is something holding him back4 ,if ,i could only get at it6 ,it will be a sad thing if he comes so near only to draw back4 ,since that first evening when ,perry went with ,nick ,turner to ,murphy's saloon1 he had gone steadily downward1 not swiftly--he was too cautious for that--but surely4 ,he had found the allurements of that glittering trap of ,satan's quite too strong to be passed over and resisted4 ,he had long been a frequent visitor1 and cards and wine had grown as familiar to him as anything connected with his home life1 and the excitement of the one and the stimulus of the other seemed almost necessary to his existence4 ,but now for a little time he had withdrawn from this haunt1 and was apparently giving his whole thought to the work of seeking ,god's favour4 ,still days passed1 and he held back4 ,nick ,turner1 his old crony1 had forsaken the path they had been walking together1 and now he was trying to persuade ,perry to turn from it altogether4 ,i can never forget1 he said1 that ,i was the one to lead you into sin4 ,if ,i could only undo it all4 ,perry1 won't you break off and come with us8 ,oh1 ,i don't mind that sort of thing much1 replied ,perry4 ,you need not feel any remorse about it4 ,doubtless ,i should have found my way there some time4 ,besides1 ,i can assure you1 ,nick1 it is something else that keeps me from becoming a ,christian4 ,there is something stronger than the attractions of ,murphy's saloon that holds me back4 ,there1 don't ask--you won't find out4 ,i thought ,i'd tell you1 that you needn't be fretting over your share in the work1 if ,i go to the bad wholly4 ,when ,mr4 ,earle asked1 ,perry1 could you give up evil associates1 strong drink1 and gambling8 ,perry winced slightly at the plain words1 but answered very decidedly-- ,yes1 sir4 ,i've got past that4 ,the very thought of those things is a horror to me4 ,but--there are other things in the way4 ,do you imagine that there will ever come a time when the way will seem perfectly clear8 asked the pastor4 ,perhaps not2 but if ,i could got around one or two things it wouldn't be so hard2 but ,i can't get around them4 ,i'd have to go right through4 ,perry1 there is nothing it would not be worthwhile to give up--no duty too hard1 no cross too heavy1 for the sake of ,god's favour4 ,don't let anything keep you from grasping the hand that ,christ holds out to you4 ,and let me tell you that the very things you dread will seem very different to you when the cloud of ,god's displeasure is lifted1 and you walk in the sunlight of sin forgiven4 ,i can't do it1 ,mr4 ,earle4 ,i want to be a ,christian1 ,i surely do1 but ,i'm afraid ,i can't4 ,no matter--don't think any more about me4 ,work and pray for somebody else1 and let me go4 ,no1 replied ,mr4 ,earle1 we can't let you go4 ,you will not be so foolish4 ,whatever your stumbling block may be1 ,christ will help you to pass it--only ask ,him to help you4 ,perry went home and spent a night of conflict4 ,it did seem that there never were so many things to hinder a boy from coming to ,christ4 ,satan contested every step of the way4 ,perry had gained many points1 but here was this thing1 the something that ,mr4 ,earle could not come at4 ,it loomed up before him1 darkened the way1 seeming to shut him out of heaven4 ,to be sure there was a way through it1 as he said4 ,it was right through it4 ,but could he do it8 ,could he go to ,mr4 ,wynn and tell him that a year ago when he had charge of the books for a few days1 during the brief illness of ,morris ,clarke1 he had made false entries to cover up a theft he had committed8 ,it was a small sum1 and apparently had never been missed2 and he had almost forgotten it himself1 until now his quickened and tender conscience kept it continually before him4 ,the money went1 with a great deal more1 to pay gambling debts4 ,doubtless his father would replace it1 but1 of course1 dismissal would follow disclosure4 ,and this wasn't all4 ,while treasurer of the ,sunday-school missionary society he had used some of the funds intrusted to him4 ,if he could only quietly refund this money and the other1 and have no noise made about it6--but this thought gave him no comfort4 ,in the first place1 he could not very well do it2 and besides he felt that ,god required that he should confess his sin--and here was his stumbling block4 ,here he halted1 as we have said1 for days4 ,thinking it over and over1 he remembered ,mr4 ,earle's earnest3 ,don't let anything keep you from ,christ4 ,and finally he resolved1 hard as it would be1 that he would go to ,mr4 ,wynn the first thing in the morning and tell him the story and accept the consequences4 ,now it never occurred to him that as a ,christian man1 ,mr4 ,wynn was bound to forgive a repenting brother1 and unite his own prayers with his for the forgiveness of a holy ,god4 ,of course it didn't6 ,mr4 ,wynn's life was not calculated to awaken any such thought4 ,a man to whom business and religion are entirely distinct affairs is likely to have a great deal of the one and very little of the other1 and to be the last person who would kneel down in his private office and pray for an erring clerk4 ,so ,perry made up his mind to face his anger2 at least he thought he made it up2 but he forgot to plead with ,christ for help that his steps should not falter1 that his courage might not fail1 that ,satan might be restrained from throwing any further hindrances in his path4 ,he went down to breakfast and drank his coffee in silence1 until ,mr4 ,morse addressed him-- ,perry1 have you ever spoken to any one about that black horse that ,i sold to ,davis8 ,i mean about any defect in him4 ,no1 sir1 ,i think not1 replied ,perry1 wondering4 ,mrs4 ,morse laughed as she said-- ,i don't think you needed to ask that question4 ,did you ever in your life know ,perry to acknowledge that anything he had an interest in was not quite perfect8 ,i know he is a great boaster of his own perfections1 replied the father4 ,i shouldn't wonder though if somebody might find a flaw or two in him if they looked sharp4 ,eh1 ,perry6 ,but about the horse4 ,it will be just as well if you don't know anything about it4 ,understand8 ,not quite4 ,why8 ,nothing1 only ,davis threatens to sue for damages1 so ,i hear4 ,he asked no questions about the horse1 and ,i wasn't bound to tell all ,i knew unless asked4 ,that's what ,lawyer ,bradford says4 ,davis had known the horse longer than ,i had4 ,it was raised within two or three miles of his place4 ,if he should make a fuss1 it would be as well if you know nothing about it4 ,of course1 you wouldn't want ,perry to tell a downright lie about it1 said ,mrs4 ,morse2 and little ,charlie wondered if downright lies were any different from other lies4 ,why1 no--certainly not4 ,but he never drove the horse--what can he know8 ,i'll trust him to get around it4 ,of course if he should have to come upon the stand and testify1 he would have to tell the truth about it4 ,but if he don't know anything about it1 he will not be likely to be called upon4 ,perry wondered if a lie in the court-room was really so much worse than a lie in somebody's parlour or breakfast-room2 but then ,perry's conscience was tender just then4 ,perry's resolution had not gained strength by this little conversation1 and his father's hint at his own possible imperfections disturbed him somewhat4 ,what would he say when he knew all8 ,oh1 if ,perry's father had lived nearer to ,christ1 and if ,perry had gone first to him with his confession6 ,he was walking straight on toward the private office where he expected to meet ,mr4 ,wynn1 when he was stopped by that gentlemen4 ,morse1 see here--some goods belonging to your department have just come in4 ,i want to show them to you4 ,there--aren't those beauties8 displaying some laces4 ,now see if you can tell the difference4 ,is there any8 ,i should be a dull scholar not to have profited by the lesson you gave me on laces1 returned ,perry1 smiling2 but the imitation is so like the real that ,i am almost afraid to call it so4 ,just so6 ,just so6 said ,mr4 ,wynn4 ,now1 ,morse1 ,i am going to take a set of these up to ,mrs4 ,wynn1 and when you show the others you can say that ,mrs4 ,wynn has a set like them--they are very like1 you see4 ,and you understand1 you are not to show them both to the same customers4 ,mrs4 ,golden or ,mrs4 ,amesbury would detect a difference very quick1 but ,mrs4 ,longseam would never know whether she paid ten dollars for a collar exactly like ,mrs4 ,wynn's or not4 ,do you understand8 ,yes1 sir1 ,i understand1 said the clerk to his employer2 then as that individual turned away1 he continued to himself1 ,i quite understand that it is no worse for me to take twenty-five dollars of your money than for you to take ten dollars from a poor woman for an article that isn't worth five1 because she never will know any better4 ,yes1 ,i understand4 ,you and father call yourselves ,christians1 and ,i don't know as it will pay for me to humble myself for the sake of being like you1 and ,i sha'n't do it4 ,my secret is safe now1 and ,i'll keep it4 ,i'd like to know how ,lester1 and ,clarke1 and all the rest of them1 are going to get along here4 ,i can tell them that religion hasn't any chance for a foothold in this store4 ,they'll have to give in at last2 then they won't be any better off than ,i am4 ,a customer interrupted this one-sided talk1 and he had no farther opportunity for meditation during the day4 ,indeed he would have avoided anything of the sort4 ,he said he had stopped thinking2 he guessed it would do as well to let things slide along2 and by way of doing his part1 he did not go near the church that evening1 but went back to ,murphy's1 and reeled home toward midnight with just sense enough left to remember his broken resolutions4 ,as he kicked off his boots and groped about for a match1 he muttered1 ,well1 this is different from last evening6 ,and to think that all my hard work to bring myself up to the confessing point has just ended in smoke6 ,everything knocked over by the wonderful consistency of two church members6 ,well1 if it hadn't been for father and ,mr4 ,wynn1 ,i should have spent this evening differently1 ,i presume4 ,humph6 ,i guess so6 ,for all ,i know ,i might have spent it in jail4 ,mr4 ,wynn would have been as likely to take that course as any other4 ,my6 ,what a mountain ,i made of it last night6 ,it wasn't such a great affair1 after all4 ,i have done extra work enough to earn that money a dozen times over2 and as for religion1 ,i don't want the kind that some folks have1 and in my position1 ,i couldn't very well manage any other4 ,heigh ho6 ,i'm sick of ,westville4 ,i wish ,i had ,herbert's chance in ,new ,york4 ,he is a lucky dog4 ,it was dull at ,murphy's without ,nick4 ,i must try to coax him back4 ,with which resolve ,perry tumbled into bed and snored off into a stupid sleep that lasted so long that he was late at the store1 and ,mr4 ,wynn wondered how much longer those meetings were to be kept up4 ,the excitement was spoiling the clerks4 ,he had given them their evenings1 and now they took the mornings of their own accord4 ,who takes8 asked ,morris ,clarke1 respectfully4 ,i cannot remember that any of us have been late before for a month4 ,i can assure you1 ,mr4 ,wynn1 that the meetings don't make a fellow into1 and they do help one to do better work2 and as for excitement1 there is very little of that element4 ,oh1 returned ,mr4 ,wynn1 ,i never yet knew a person to acknowledge that he was excited4 ,but1 ,mr4 ,wynn1 said young ,lester1 don't you approve of such things8 ,i thought you were a member of ,mr4 ,earle's church4 ,so ,i am4 ,but1 my boy1 it does not follow that ,i indorse all of ,mr4 ,earle's measures4 ,it seems to me1 said ,morris ,clarke1 that these meetings are the ,lord's measures4 ,well1 well1 doubtless you think so4 ,i only hope they won't infringe upon business4 ',diligent in business1' you know1 is just as much a command as a great many other passages that much stress is put upon4 ,yes1 sir4 ,and1 ,mr4 ,wynn1 that is just what we boys mean to be4 ,we have decided for ,christ1 and we find it to be a part of our ,christian duty to do our very best at whatever we are set about1 and we promise to be faithful to your interests4 ,in our inexperience1 we shall doubtless make missteps in trying to follow ,christ1 but we hope that you will bear with us1 and out of your longer experience in ,christian living show us when we go wrong4 ,if ,morris ,clarke had meant to be sarcastic1 he could scarcely have done better than in this last remark4 ,mr4 ,wynn show young disciples how to walk6 ,and yet he was sincerely glad that these young men were converted4 ,if only they would not be over-zealous1 and this was what he said1 stammering a little4 ,religious conversation was not easy for him4 ,well1 boys1 ,i am glad that--to know--to hear --it is a very good thing to start while you are young4 ,i hope you will all hold out4 ,i'm very glad4 ,but ,i want to warn you against fanaticism--a quiet1 even sort of thing is what ,i like in religion4 ,yes1 ,i am very glad4 ,perry ,morse stood a little apart during this talk1 and as ,mr4 ,wynn moved away he said1 following him-- ,sir1 ,i didn't go to church last night4 ,i wasn't well this morning4 ,that's how ,i was late4 ,never mind4 ,i was a little worried over a missing letter1 and spoke a little sharper than ,i intended4 ,but how is it that you didn't go to church8 ,aren't you one of them8 ,no1 sir4 ,ah1 better go with the rest1 ,perry4 ,little as ,i approve of what are called revival meetings1 ,i would not for the world hinder any one from becoming a ,christian4 ,you've hindered me1 thought ,perry as he went forward to show the laces to a wealthy customer4 ,and so ,perry ,morse drew back4 ,his father wondered why it was that in this ingathering his son was left out1 and as months went by1 ,mr4 ,wynn complained of ,perry's dissipated habits1 and neither of them dreamed how near he had come to the gate of the kingdom1 nor suspected that they had helped to turn him back to indifference and sin4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,,troubles4 ,i dared not look on the long way before2 ,i dared not look on the dark way behind4 ,six months later1 ,judge ,mc,nair and his wife were dining at the ,wynn mansion4 ,mrs4 ,wynn had exquisite taste1 and also plenty of money at her command3 consequently the finishing and furnishing of that dining room was a rare combination of beauty and comfort4 ,the hangings were of the palest of green tints1 the carpet wonderfully like the rich moss into which our feet sink in our summer rambles1 the pictures few and appropriate1 the chairs of a graceful pattern2 flowers filled one window with colour and the room with delicate fragrance1 while an open fire at the farther end dispelled the chill and gloom of a ,november day4 ,the table appointments were perfect1 and the cook had done her part well4 ,there was no extra display--the daughter of the house had come to spend the day with her mother1 and the judge had been invited to an informal dinner4 ,no doubt they ought to have been very bright and happy1 all of them4 ,mabel and her mother had passed a very cheery morning1 and ,judge ,mc,nair came in smiling and genial as ever2 but the host wore a vexed and pained expression1 which did not altogether pass off as the dinner progressed4 ,when they came to the wine1 which1 as usual1 ,mabel and her husband declined1 ,mr4 ,wynn said-- ,i believe you are right1 judge4 ,if ,i had a boy1 ,i'd do the same4 ,but1 father1 said ,mabel1 you have young men in your employ4 ,i'm not responsible for my clerks' habits1 ,mr4 ,wynn returned2 and1 besides1 they don't sit at my table4 ,i have no doubt but that they perfectly understand your views and practices on the temperance question1 though they never saw you take a glass of wine2 but1 father1 it seems to me that you are to a certain degree responsible for them4 ,i hope not1 he answered quickly4 ,i don't want to be held responsible for ,perry ,morse's dishonesty1 which has just come to light4 ,i declare ,i don't know when ,i have been so sorry for anybody as for ,mr4 ,morse2 but ,i couldn't help it1 ,i had to discharge him4 ,why1 ,mabel6 said ,mrs4 ,wynn4 ,he was one of your famous boys1 wasn't he8 ,yes1 replied ,mabel sadly4 ,humph6 ,i wonder you didn't instil in him some of the first principles of honour1 growled ,mr4 ,wynn4 ,you mean1 returned ,mabel1 with a touch of sarcasm1 you wonder why ,i didn't teach him the happy medium4 ,it seems there is one4 ,queer that ,herbert should have been discharged for being too strict1 and ,perry ,morse for being too loose4 ,herbert ,bradford was discharged for disobeying orders2 but ,perry ,morse was sent adrift because he is a drunkard and a gambler1 and took my money to pay his gambling debts4 ,if his father had not been an old friend1 ,i'd have lodged the boy in jail1 and ,i am not sure that ,i should not have been more in the way of duty if ,i had done so4 ,give him another chance1 said ,judge ,mc,nair quietly4 ,another chance at the money-drawer8 ,mr4 ,wynn asked1 laughing4 ,no1 ,i can't do it4 ,morse must find some other berth for his scapegrace2 but ,i am really sorry for them4 ,i declare1 turning to his daughter1 ,i don't see how you happened to make a failure of him4 ,i thought all those boys were going to turn out paragons4 ,it seems that ,perry was too much for you1 eh8 ,i do not give ,perry ,morse up for lost yet1 returned ,mabel4 ,the freshness and purity of his boyhood may be sadly marred1 but he may make a good and useful man4 ,i have worked hard for him1 but ,satan has been busy too4 ,do you know what ,morse thinks of doing with him8 asked the judge4 ,no2 he spoke of his brother's establishment near ,dunkirk1 and thought perhaps he would take him4 ,what is the business8 asked his wife4 ,manufacturing leather--in other words1 a tannery4 ,do you mean that ,mr4 ,morse would be so unwise as to set a boy of ,perry's peculiar tastes and temperament to work at that disagreeable business8 exclaimed ,mabel4 ,why not8 returned ,mr4 ,wynn4 ,i presume you would prefer the odour of hides and tan-bark to that of whisky4 ,anyway1 the fellow wants bringing down4 ,i don't think so4 ,he needs lifting up4 ,he is a proud1 fastidious fellow4 ,i dare say you would never find him at ,smith's den around the corner1 nor over the railroad at ,bacon's1 but always at ,murphy's1 where ,satan takes especial pains to be agreeable and fascinating to boys of ,perry's stamp4 ,he would never have become a drunkard1 if he had been forced to buy his liquor at ,smith's4 ,he will rebel against any such plan as you suggest4 ,but1 ,mabel1 don't you see that he has forfeited all claim to a consideration of his tastes and inclinations8 ,no1 ,i don't see4 ,doubtless he has gone very far astray2 but ,i don't feel at all sure that he may not be reclaimed1 and under proper influences led into the right way4 ,i don't know what you mean by proper influences1 retorted ,mr4 ,wynn4 ,his father and mother1 as you know1 are ,christian people1 and ,i have no doubt have tried to train their son up in the way he should go4 ,unfortunately ,christian people sometimes make sad mistakes1 and ,perry is one of those persons who are sharp to detect inconsistencies in the lives of professing ,christians1 and turn them to account in excusing their own faults4 ,i can't help thinking that if the atmosphere of his home had been more truly ,christian1 if love to ,christ had been the ruling motive in every day's affairs1 if the life1 the labour1 and the conversation had been of and for ,jesus1 ,perry ,morse might have turned out differently4 ,that's what ,i mean by proper influences4 ,influences that lead to ,christ1 not away from ,him4 ,it would be very far from my intention or desire to judge ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,morse1 continued ,mrs4 ,mc,nair2 but we all know what has been the tenor of their walk and conversation1 and only the faithful are sure of the promises4 ,well1 all ,i have got to say about it1 returned ,mr4 ,wynn1 is that the fellow has been taught at home and at church better than he has done1 and his common sense might have told him that the way he has been going on must lead to ruin first or last4 ,the scamp has only himself to blame as ,i can see4 ,now1 if we allow that 7which ,i do not71 suppose one should give him a chance to thank somebody for a helping hand1 so that he gets back to a safe path1 wouldn't it be better than letting him go on down hill1 because it is his own fault that he started8 ,it might be1 if he showed any signs of wanting to turn about2 but ,i can tell you1 my dear1 coaxing won't do any good in his case1 he is too hardened4 ,mabel said no more1 but her thoughts were busy while her father and ,mr4 ,mc,nair branched off upon a less painful topic4 ,meanwhile ,perry1 sullen and defiant1 listened to his father's reproaches1 which were neither few nor mild4 ,to think that a son of mine should be a drunkard6 ,a man of my position in both business and religious circles6 ,young man1 it is positively outrageous6 ,father1 said ,perry1 with a sneer1 ,i wouldn't find so much fault with my own work if ,i were you4 ,if ,i am a drunkard1 you made me one4 ,i made you one6 ,what an abominable story to invent6 ,pray tell me how ,i1 a temperance man1 succeeded so admirably in the work you credit me with4 ,i don't know what you mean by being a 'temperance man2' but ,i do know that when ,mr4 ,spencer was here lecturing upon temperance1 he one ,sunday spoke to the ,sunday-school1 and after he had spoken a while1 he asked all who would promise to abstain from intoxicating drink to rise4 ,almost everybody in the church rose1 and ,i was just going to get up with the rest of our class1 when ,i looked over and saw you keeping your seat1 and ,i thought that if you didn't think such a pledge was right for you1 of course it wouldn't be for me4 ,and that is how ,i came to be a drunkard1 sir6 ,if ,i had taken that pledge1 ,i should have kept it4 ,for a moment ,mr4 ,morse was confounded1 but recovering himself1 he said-- ,of course that is nonsense1 ,perry4 ,you know very well that ,i do not believe in total abstinence pledges1 but that ,i do believe in temperance4 ,there is a vast difference between an occasional glass of wine1 or even an habitual glass1 and this drinking to excess1 frequenting saloons1 and being brought home dead drunk4 ,won't you please to tell me how a fellow is going to know just where temperance ends and intemperance begins8 asked ,perry1 in a sarcastic tone4 ,i should think you had tried the experiment times enough to find out for yourself1 retorted his father sharply4 ,i reckon you'll have some trouble to lay the rest of your confounded follies upon my shoulders1 he said1 after a pause4 ,you can't accuse me of training you in the art of gambling4 ,i never played a game of cards in my life--or stole a dollar1 he added bitterly4 ,perhaps not1 returned the boy1 stung to madness4 ,but who bet fifty dollars on the election last fall8 ,and maybe cheating isn't stealing1 but-- ,perry6 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,morse4 ,won't you stop8 ,i cannot endure it4 ,perry turned toward the pale little woman who1 exhausted with grief1 lay upon the lounge listening to this talk4 ,yes1 mother1 ,i will stop2 but isn't it hard to be reproached for learning a lesson too well8 ,i think ,mr4 ,morse had it in his heart to strike his son to the floor1 but he restrained himself1 remembering his plan1 which would bring a sweeter revenge1 and to ,perry a more bitter punishment4 ,you'll soon be under another teacher1 young man1 he said quietly4 ,i have just written to brother ,john1 and if he will take you1 ,i'll apprentice you to him for the next two years4 ,father6 exclaimed ,perry1 in utter dismay4 ,you won't do that8 ,i will do just that6 ,i will never go there4 ,we shall see4 ,but1 father1 you are not in earnest8 ,i'd sooner die4 ,oh1 no1 people are not so ready to die4 ,and pray what objection have you to my plan8 ,i should suppose you would be glad to hide yourself somewhere4 ,not in a tan-vat6 said ,perry4 ,father1 ,i don't like the business--that is my objection4 ,of course it is a coming down2 but remember1 you brought yourself down4 ,but it is such dirty work4 ,afraid of dirt1 eh8 ,perry1 you are too proud for your present position4 ,if ,i were you1 ,i'd be thankful for any work that is respectable1 and not mind if it is not as-- ,i'm not afraid of dirt1 but ,i hate it2 and as for pride1 ,i'll prove to you it is not that1 by doing any kind of clean work1 even if it is sawing wood4 ,but ,i never will go into ,uncle ,john's tannery4 ,mr4 ,morse repeated his cool ,we shall see1 and left the room4 ,mrs4 ,morse said-- ,you'd better not oppose your father now4 ,he feels your fall into sin very deeply4 ,perhaps he will be more yielding after a little while4 ,it isn't so much the sin that he cares about as the disgrace1 said ,perry4 ,i tell you1 mother1 if ,i had not gone so far1 it would have been all right4 ,a gentleman tippler1 a parlour gamester1 a sharp money-getter--these pass muster4 ,my son1 you are unreasonably bitter toward your father4 ,and isn't he unreasonably bitter toward me8 ,oh1 ,i don't know1 ,i don't know1 moaned the poor woman2 but don't quarrel4 ,i can't bear it4 ,oh1 ,perry1 how could you go so wrong8 ,you certainly have been taught better4 ,yes1 mother1 ,i have had a mixed sort of education2 and1 unfortunately1 ,i found some of the lessons easier than others4 ,but1 after all1 ,i think you and father are making a great fuss about something that happens every day4 ,i've done no more than half a dozen rich men's sons that ,i could name4 ,the poor mother turned her face to the wall2 she did not know what to say to her boy2 she only partly understood him1 but she began to realise faintly that there had been a fault in his training1 that the seed which had brought such bitter fruit might have been of their own sowing4 ,unconsciously and ignorantly on her part the evil had been wrought2 but was she not to blame for this very unconsciousness and ignorance8 ,alas6 ,she had followed ,christ afar off1 and so her children had failed to see manifested in her life the beauty of holiness4 ,and1 too1 now in her troubles1 her ,saviour seemed afar off1 so far that she could not carry her grief to ,him1 and she had no strength to call out that ,he might hear and draw nigh4 ,poor mother6 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,a ,,batch ,,of ,,letters4 ,how many lives made beautiful and sweet ,by self-devotion and by self-restraint6 ,,that which they said of ,perry ,morse was true4 ,he had been brought home dead drunk2 he had neglected his business and taken his employer's money to pay his gambling debts1 and he was only seventeen6 ,the reproaches which his father had heaped upon him had roused a spirit of defiance and stubbornness2 yet he was not altogether hardened1 as was shown by the tears he shed over a note he received the next morning4 ,it ran thus3 ,,dear ,,perry3--,could you come and see me a little while this afternoon8 ,i would like to have a little quiet talk and consultation upon a matter of interest to you1 and think that we may have a better chance to be alone here4 ,shall we say at three o'clock8 ,your friend1 ,,mabel ,,mcnair4 ,but ,perry found himself unable to accept this invitation4 ,the course he had been pursuing had undermined his health1 and the excitement and shame of the last day or two had quite used up his strength4 ,he lay upon the lounge1 with throbbing head and fever pulse4 ,by the following morning1 ,mrs4 ,morse was thoroughly alarmed1 and would have a physician4 ,mr4 ,morse said1 ,very well4 ,if you are anxious1 ,i'll send up ,dr4 ,maxwell4 ,i don't want ,dr4 ,maxwell1 said ,perry1 overhearing the remark4 ,i'll have ,dr4 ,myers1 if anybody4 ,dr4 ,max4 is fussy4 ,well1 you won't have ,dr4 ,myers1 ,i can assure you1 replied ,mr4 ,morse4 ,dr4 ,maxwell is our family physician1 said ,mrs4 ,morse soothingly4 ,it would not be treating him well to call any one else4 ,i don't know why1 said ,perry4 ,if ,i like ,dr4 ,myers better1 ,i should think ,i might have him4 ,the things you like don't always happen to be the best1 replied ,mr4 ,morse significantly1 as he closed the door after him4 ,an hour after this1 ,dr4 ,maxwell made his visit4 ,he found his patient sullen and silent4 ,surprised1 he turned to the mother for an explanation4 ,embarrassed and pained1 ,mrs4 ,morse said hesitatingly1 ,the truth is1 ,perry took a freak into his head to want ,dr4 ,myers1 and ,i have not been able to reason it out of him4 ,of course not1 returned the kindly old doctor4 ,he is not in a state to be reasoned with4 ,why in the world wasn't ,dr4 ,myers called8 ,why1 you know you are our family physician1 and ,mr4 ,morse did not think it would be right to employ any one else1 replied ,mrs4 ,morse1 conscious that she was telling only half the truth4 ,fudge6 ,that's being over particular4 ,i'm too old a man to be jealous or troubled by any such thing4 ,i'll send ,dr4 ,myers up myself1 said the doctor1 rising to go4 ,oh1 no1 don't do that2 at least1 not until you have seen ,mr4 ,morse--,i--he--well1 ,i think my husband does not quite approve ,dr4 ,myers4 ,well1 ,i do1 but ,i'll see ,morse4 ,good morning4 ,mr4 ,morse was surprised and a little alarmed when ,dr4 ,maxwell entered his store that morning4 ,see here1 ,morse1 began the visitor1 you made a mistake4 ,i wasn't wanted up at your house4 ,just as ,i thought1 returned ,mr4 ,morse1 but my wife is nervous and easily alarmed1 and ,i called you to pacify her4 ,not that1 not that1 said the doctor quickly4 ,there's need enough of a physician's service1 but ,i am not the one to help the boy4 ,it seems he wants ,dr4 ,myers1 and he is the man to go to4 ,i was going to send him up myself1 but your wife thought ,i'd better see you first4 ,i do not employ ,dr4 ,myers1 said ,mr4 ,morse1 with emphasis4 ,i have confidence in your skill and am satisfied to trust him with you4 ,thank you1 but it won't do4 ,the boy is in no state to be reasoned with or crossed2 he wants ,dr4 ,myers1 and ,dr4 ,myers he must have4 ,but ,i tell you ,i won't have him4 ,not when ,i assure you that ,i consider him a perfectly reliable physician1 and that ,i would trust my own son with him8 ,not even upon that assurance4 ,the good old man was puzzled and troubled1 too4 ,after a brief silence1 he said slowly-- ,mr4 ,morse1 ,i do not understand you4 ,you and ,dr4 ,myers are members of the same church1 and yet you seem to hold bitterness toward him4 ,i do not understand that4 ,further than this1 you will let your son die1 perhaps1 for lack of the help which the man you dislike can give1 because you happen to dislike him4 ,i do not understand that4 ,i did not prescribe for your son1 and ,i shall not4 ,it is of no use4 ,he must be soothed and quieted4 ,my visit was an injury to him4 ,but of course you must do as you think proper4 ,good morning4 ,turning back from the door1 ,dr4 ,maxwell added1 ,if it would be a satisfaction to you1 ,i will agree to call often enough to watch the progress the disease is making1 and will counsel with the doctor4 ,but something must be done at once4 ,though ,mr4 ,morse was becoming alarmed by the doctor's earnestness1 he retained his almost surly manner as he replied1 ,well1 ,i have placed him in your care4 ,if you prescribe a heavy dose of ,dr4 ,myers1 ,i suppose we shall have to submit1 however unpleasant4 ,dr4 ,maxwell found his friend just returned from his morning round of calls1 and he was soon sitting beside the sick boy1 holding his burning hand in his own cool one1 while he spoke gentle soothing words4 ,for a few days fever and delirium raged1 then came a slow convalescence4 ,dr4 ,myers came often1 and sat long beside his patient trying to cheer him and drive away a gloom that hung over him4 ,perry rarely smiled2 his mood seemed between sullenness and despair4 ,one day the doctor said-- ,perry1 my boy1 you don't gain as fast as ,i wish you did4 ,you must try to cheer up2 it is low spirits that keeps you back4 ,there is always something keeping me back1 returned ,perry4 ,supposing you were to break loose and take a fresh start4 ,which is it8 ,are you brooding over the past1 or dreading the future8 ,both4 ,well1 you can't undo the past1 but you know how it can be wiped out4 ,perry looked up inquiringly4 ,the blood of ,christ1 said the doctor softly4 ,perry shook his head4 ,true1 some of the consequences of sin must follow you1 but your future will be very much what you make it4 ,no1 it won't4 ,it will be just what father makes it1 said ,perry bitterly4 ,outwardly1 perhaps so2 but that need not affect the real1 the inner life4 ,true living is of the soul1 and1 ,perry1 if you would cease to work against ,christ1 and begin working with and for ,him1 then you would begin to live4 ,don't waste these hours of quiet in useless regrets and miserable forebodings1 but go to ,jesus with all your burden of sin1 take the pardon that awaits you1 and leave the future with ,him4 ,can't you do this8 ,perry again shook his head4 ,i don't mind telling you1 he said1 that ,i am sorry for the past1 and ,i would like to be different1 but it is of no use to try2 they won't give me a chance4 ,this is only a bit of that talk4 ,to all ,dr4 ,myers's arguments and entreaties1 ,perry continued to respond1 ,it is no use to try4 ,yet it seems not to have been altogether in vain4 ,some faint glimmer of hope must have reached the boy's heart1 for he grew more cheerful1 and gained strength correspondingly1 and in the course of a week was able to come down-stairs4 ,lying upon the lounge in the sitting room1 while the family were at dinner1 he overheard a fragment of conversation which sent the blood capering through his veins1 and set heart and head to throbbing violently4 ,mr4 ,morse was saying1 ,i suppose ,i had better write to ,john4 ,he will be waiting for an answer4 ,probably ,perry will not be able to go for a month yet4 ,i should think not sooner1 perhaps not then1 replied his wife4 ,but hadn't you better wait a little before you make any decisive answer8 ,i do not think ,perry will be willing to go4 ,can't help it4 ,of course1 ,i have his welfare in mind1 and ,i think it is the best thing to do4 ,he is ruined for ,westville1 and a stranger would not take a boy without recommendations4 ,as for not liking it1 he will get over that after he is once fairly at work4 ,forgetting how weak he was1 the unhappy boy started to go to the dining room to enter an indignant protest1 but sank upon the threshold limp and white4 ,then there was consternation1 running for restoratives1 a swift messenger for the doctor1 and it must be confessed upon ,mr4 ,morse's part an uncomfortable feeling that he was to blame for what might prove a serious relapse4 ,and so it turned out4 ,at the end of a month1 instead of going to work in ,uncle ,john's tannery1 the invalid1 muffled in shawls and tippets1 was taken out in the doctor's carriage for an airing1 and when another four weeks had passed1 he was pronounced fit for work4 ,meantime this bit of correspondence had been going on3-- ,,nelson1 ,dec4 #aj4 ,,my ,,dear ,,brother3--,harvey is about leaving me to go ,west4 ,can you send me a good clerk to fill his place1 or one to grow into it1 not a fresh hand1 but one with some knowledge of the business4 ,you know what ,harvey's position has been4 ,for the present1 ,i shall take more care and work upon myself1 but ,i want to get some one who can be trusted as ,i have trusted him4 ,if you can find an honest fellow1 let me know at once4 ,yours as ever1 ,,david ,,mcnair4 ,,westville1 ,december #ab4 ,,dear ,,brother ,,david3--,i have in mind a clerk for you1 and fine accountant1 a good salesman1 but not otherwise up to your requirements4 ,david1 good boys can get places any day1 but one who has been discharged for dishonesty is in a bad fix4 ,and the worst is1 there are so few who are willing to give such a boy a chance to redeem himself4 ,this boy is a mate of ,duncan's1 and was a member of my wife's class in ,sunday-school1 and ,i am much interested in him4 ,i have offered him a place in my office1 but his inclinations are still for a mercantile life4 ,now1 can you find it in your heart to do your ,master a service by giving this young fellow an opportunity to begin life anew8 ,i hope you will consider it1 ,i need not add prayerfully1 knowing as ,i do your habit4 ,there is no immediate hurry4 ,he has been ill and is just getting about4 ,let me hear at the end of a week4 ,and may ,christ through his ,spirit guide you to decision in accordance with his will4 ,your brother1 ,,robert ,,mcnair4 ,,nelson1 ,dec4 #bj4 ,,brother ,,robert3--,i think my duty has been made plain to me4 ,the ,lord has so prospered me that ,i have no need to be anxious about money affairs1 so that ,i have more time to give thought to this work2 and just at present1 ,i find here nothing especial to put my hand to 7mind1 ,i say nothing especial--there is always the ordinary1 every-day work for ,christ72 so it seems to me that perhaps ,i may be his chosen instrument to help the boy you speak of1 by bearing with his faults1 correcting his mistakes1 and strengthening his good purposes4 ,harvey has decided to remain until spring4 ,if your young friend comes1 he will board with us and room with ,harvey4 ,as to salary 4 4 4 if he should remain with me and fill ,harvey's place1 of course the pay would be the same that he receives4 ,if this is satisfactory1 he may come as soon as he is able4 ,yours1 c41 ,,david4 ,it was ,dr4 ,maxwell who undertook to set this proposition before ,mr4 ,morse4 ,that gentleman's opposition was at first very decided4 ,he had made the proposal which his brother had accepted1 and he would much prefer not to retract anything4 ,however1 ,perry was so averse to the idea1 he was willing to promise him a release at the end of a specified time1 if he should not become reconciled to it4 ,the truth was1 his brother was wealthy1 and had offered to do well by his nephew4 ,perry would be a rich man in a few years1 and it was all nonsense this being afraid of a little dirt4 ,it is a good deal of dirt instead of a little1 laughed the doctor4 ,of course that sort of work has to be done1 but you must remember that you have always encouraged ,perry's fastidiousness1 and love of neatness and pleasant surroundings has become a part of his very nature1 so that if you insist upon forcing him into such uncongenial work1 ,i really believe it will have a bad influence upon his mental and moral character4 ,now he has a chance to retrieve the past1 and seems ready to make the attempt4 ,i beg of you don't put a straw in his way4 ,now ,mr4 ,morse's word had always been decisive in his family4 ,when he said a thing was to be1 or not to be1 that ended discussion1 and he hated to give in4 ,finally ,dr4 ,maxwell said1 ,see here1 ,morse1 that boy is not pronounced convalescent yet1 and ,i believe he is under my care4 ,i recommend the air of ,nelson4 ,don't you dare to disobey your family physician6 ,i suppose you'll have your way1 said ,mr4 ,morse1 laughing a little1 and really glad to have the mutter settled4 ,he had been very angry with ,perry1 and in wrath had fallen upon this plan of punishment1 and afterward it had seemed a good thing in a money point of view2 so you see he had several reasons for holding on to his idea4 ,before his departure1 ,perry went to bid the ,mc,nairs good-bye4 ,this was the first opportunity for that quiet talk which his friend had suggested in her note so many weeks previous1 and now they had but a few moments together1 and the subject was altogether different from that which she had in mind then4 ,perry1 she said1 when you were too ill to know any of us1 ,i stood beside you with a very sad heart4 ,it seemed to me that ,i must have sadly failed in trying to show you the way to ,christ1 and ,i promised ,god then1 that if he would spare you1 ,i would never give up until you came to ,christ4 ,remember always that ,i am praying for you1 that the burden is ever upon me4 ,i know you are going away armed with many good resolutions1 but ,i do not feel that you are safe so long as you trust in yourself4 ,in the course of a few months1 ,mr4 ,morse received from his son fifty dollars to repay ,mr4 ,wynn's loss4 ,i have never1 he wrote1 used money more to my satisfaction than ,i do in repaying this4 ,it is a great relief to be able to make retribution4 ,now ,i wish ,i could forget all about that miserable business1 but ,i don't suppose ,i ever shall4 ,i am perfectly contented here4 ,mr4 ,mc,nair expresses himself as very well satisfied with my work1 and ,i think he has considerable confidence in me4 ,i have often wondered if he knew of my reputation4 ,i hardly think he did--at least he has never made the slightest reference to it4 ,you can tell mother that this is a no-license town1 and there is not a liquor-saloon within five miles of here4 ,about this time he wrote to ,dr4 ,myers3-- ,,my ,,dear ,,friend3--,i received your letter the other day4 ,yes1 ,i am contented here4 ,harvey went away two months ago4 ,he is a splendid fellow4 ,i can't help thinking that he ought to have been a minister4 ,i said so once1 and he replied that ,christian merchants were needed4 ,i can tell you1 business is done here on ,christian principle4 ,i'd just like to tell ,mr4 ,wynn that a man can do a thriving business and be perfectly true and fair4 ,there are three clerks of us1 and ,i don't know what ,mr4 ,mc,nair would say if one of us should sell an article for what it is not1 or recommend a thing one bit higher than it will bear4 ,i believe that man loves the truth as he does his own life4 ,the least little bit of a lie would be terrible to him4 ,mrs4 ,mc,nair and ,emily are very pleasant4 ,emily is twelve years old4 ,we are reading ,german together4 ,her father said ,i might find it useful1 as the ,german population is very large about here4 ,in answer to your question1 ,am ,i following ,christ8 ,i have to say1 not as you mean4 ,i am different from what ,i was in ,westville4 ,i feel that ,i am changed in many ways4 ,i do not think that ,i could be induced to taste a bit of liquor1 or touch a card1 or take a penny that did not belong to me4 ,i do not shun religious people and religious services as ,i did once4 ,when ,harvey was here1 ,i always joined him in reading and prayer1 but ,i know that ,i am not a ,christian4 ,i almost wish ,i were4 ,but you remember ,i told you once there was always something to hold me back4 ,i can't tell just what it is now2 only ,i think that if ,i did start1 and then did not follow any closer than some ,christians ,i know1 ,i should not be better off than ,i am now4 ,i don't want to say anything hard of any one1 but ,i will tell you that ,i was almost a ,christian once1 and was turned back by those who profess to be living for ,christ4 ,i thought ,i could do as well as they could any day without being a ,christian1 and ,i think so still4 ,now there is ,dr4 ,maxwell4 ,he is not a church member1 but how kind and patient he was when ,i abused him4 ,he took my part all the way through1 and ,i know well enough that ,i shouldn't be here to-day if it had not been for him4 ,he couldn't be better if he belonged to forty churches4 ,i am much obliged to you for writing to me4 ,i wonder why you were always so kind to us boys8 ,your friend1 ,,perry ,,morse4 ,it was perhaps a year later that ,perry's employer wrote to his brother a letter1 from which ,i copy a sentence or two4 ,we have had a precious work of grace in our midst4 ,of my ,bible class of twenty young men1 all but two are now professing ,christians4 ,one of these two is your young friend1 ,perry ,morse4 ,he seems to linger just on the threshold4 ,he has been attentive and interested1 but will not come in4 ,i am pleased with him in a business way4 ,he is honourable and upright4 ,it seems sad that he will imperil his soul by this strange halting4 ,not yet was the burden lifted from the heart of the praying teacher4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,lewie ,,amesbury',s ,,creed4 ,our eyes see dimly till by faith anointed4 ,,herbert ,,bradford remained in ,new ,york about four months1 when he was thrown out of business by the failure of the firm by which he was employed4 ,again he returned to ,westville disappointed4 ,i think it is queer1 the trouble ,i have in getting into business1 he said to his old friend and companion1 ,lewie ,amesbury4 ,you never seem to have any trouble of any sort4 ,i wonder what you would do1 if you were disappointed and thwarted every time you tried to do anything that seemed likely to amount to something4 ,i wonder what you would do1 if you were disappointed and thwarted about a dozen little things every day1 responded ,lewie1 laughing4 ,my life isn't so smooth and easy as you imagine2 but ,i have got into a way of letting go of a good many annoying things1 and trying new plans4 ,maybe ,i should do the same in more important cases4 ,i can't lie around and do nothing1 said ,herbert1 so ,i may have to take up something else4 ,just for the present ,i am going to help father with a quantity of copying2 but this is only to fill up the gap4 ,have you decided what to do8 ,oh1 ,i shall study law4 ,i expect to enter ,princeton next fall4 ,i wish you were going4 ,i suppose you could be ready if you studied hard until then8 ,yes1 ,i suppose so1 and father would like it4 ,he has always wanted me to be a lawyer1 but ,i don't incline that way4 ,you are not obliged to be a lawyer1 said ,lewie1 laughing4 ,i know1 returned ,herbert1 but my ambition has been to become a rich merchant--not that ,i should care to be just a rich man and nothing more1 but ,i'd like to do good in the world1 and if ,i had money1 ,i could be so much more useful4 ,i'd like to help poor people1 build churches and send out missionaries1 and that sort of thing4 ,i see2 that's all very nice to want to do1 and maybe you'll reach that point2 but ,i think you are made to travel by a roundabout road4 ,that's so1 returned ,herbert4 ,as ,i said1 failure is written upon everything that ,i undertake4 ,i'm sure ,i don't know what to do4 ,ask ,god6 said ,mr4 ,earle1 who in passing caught the last sentence without at all guessing the drift of the conversation1 but such was his thought and practice to ask ,god for direction in all things1 and the reply came readily in reply to ,herbert's bewildered tone and words4 ,he only halted an instant1 then passed hurriedly on to catch the train that was puffing and snorting in the depot1 seemingly in haste to be gone4 ,it was seed by the wayside in a literal sense1 but it was also seed sown on good ground4 ,what a queer man ,mr4 ,earle is1 said ,lewie4 ,he is a thoroughly good man1 returned ,herbert4 ,perhaps you call that queer8 ,well1 rather2 such men are rare1 ,i confess4 ,but ,i was thinking how queer to ask ,god whether you should be a merchant or a lawyer4 ,don't you suppose ,god cares8 asked ,herbert1 upon whose mind the thought had just flashed that he had never asked ,god any such thing4 ,i don't know2 but if ,he cares enough to interfere1 ,he will do so without your asking4 ,don't you believe in prayer8 questioned ,herbert1 in a troubled tone4 ,i don't disbelieve in it4 ,i suppose it has its place and its uses2 but ,i don't believe that it will make any difference with your business arrangements whether you pray about them or not4 ,now didn't you pray over that affair at ,mr4 ,wynn's store and you got your leave of absence for all that6--,and ,i suppose you prayed when you went to ,dayton's1 and when you were in ,new ,york1 and yet here you are without a situation1 no better off than as if you had never prayed at all4 ,what do you think prayer is for1 then8 ,why1 ,i suppose that some people find comfort in it1 returned ,lewie4 ,i suppose you do1 and ,mr4 ,earle1 and my father4 ,i suppose there is such a thing as a kind of communion with ,god1 and ,i presume that people who are so privileged gain spiritual strength1 and that helps them over hard places4 ,i know father smooths the tangles out every morning so far as they concern him2 but as for things really being any different1 ,i never could see that4 ,now1 ,herbert1 did you ever get what people call a direct answer to prayer8 ,lewie asked presently1 and ,herbert replied1-- ,yes1 more than once--answers so direct that no power on earth could convince me that ,i was mistaken4 ,i'll tell you of one instance which ,i think was remarkable4 ,it was connected with the lawsuit against the widow ,blake's place4 ,you remember that it was ,tom ,allan's testimony that proved her claim4 ,father was her lawyer1 and he had been very much troubled1 because nobody knew what had become of ,tom ,allan4 ,he hadn't been heard from in five or six years1 and there was no hope unless he could be found4 ,i felt so sorry for ,aunty ,blake that ,i couldn't keep the matter out of my mind2 and ,i began to pray about it1 asking ,god to let the truth come out by revealing ,tom's hiding place4 ,one day mother sent me over across the river to see if old ,betsy could come and clean house4 ,the old lady was trying to read a letter from her boy ,jake1 and as her eyes were poor1 she asked me to read it for her4 ,i fairly shouted over it4 ,he said1 ',tom ,allan turned up here the other day1 and we have gone into partnership1' c4 ,i forgot all about the house-cleaning1 and rushed up to the office4 ,father says ,i came in like a whirlwind4 ,now you need not tell me that it just happened1 because ,i don't believe it4 ,betsy said she hadn't heard from ,jake before almost in two years1 but you see that letter came just at the right time4 ,lewie laughed a little incredulous laugh1 and said1 as he turned off to go to his home-- ,well1 now1 suppose you study out a reason for your own ill-luck4 ,i intend to1 was the reply4 ,a week later1 he said-- ,lewie1 it is all clear to me now4 ,i had just made up my mind to be a merchant4 ,i don't think ,i ever prayed at all on that point1 but ,i was so presumptuous as to ask ,god to bless me in a decision which ,i had made without consulting ,him4 ,i begin now to think that this constant thwarting of my plans means something4 ,so you've been studying up the case as ,i advised1 said ,lewie1 with a slight sneer1 which ,herbert did not mind4 ,he was used to ,lewie4 ,they did not think and feel alike upon religious subjects1 but they always spoke freely to each other4 ,lewie went regularly to church and ,bible class 7the remaining members of the old class having been transferred to ,dr4 ,myers's class1 while ,mrs4 ,mc,nair took charge of the younger scholars71 the old motto still hung in a conspicuous place in his room1 and he assured himself whenever he looked at it that he was following1 even closer than many who bore the name of ,christian4 ,did he call himself a ,christian8 ,we will see what he thought about it4 ,herbert had returned home to find ,westville in the midst of the spiritual awakening of which we have already written something4 ,mr4 ,earle had the rare faculty of understanding how to set people to work1 and in a quiet1 unostentatious way ,herbert was soon earnestly engaged in the work of winning souls for ,christ4 ,it was through him that ,nick ,turner was led to place himself within reach of the means of grace4 ,it was he who brought ,willy and ,helen ,knapp to the children's meeting1 and1 too1 it was he who rejoiced with ,henry ,trafton when his young sister ,alice gave her heart to ,christ1 and his father owned ,him as his ,saviour4 ,and after ,duncan's conversion1 a prayer-meeting was started among the boys at the seminary1 and here ,herbert found work4 ,in the three years that had gone by since he gave his heart to ,christ1 he had tried to do his ,master service as he found opportunity1 but it seemed that he had never found so grand an opening for labour as now1 and never before had his heart been so full of love for souls4 ,mr4 ,earle watched him with gladness1 yet with anxiety4 ,he felt that by his providence ,god was calling ,herbert to devote himself entirely to the work of spreading the gospel1 and he waited longingly for the time when the ,spirit should show the boy the meaning of those things that puzzled him now4 ,but to go back to what we were saying about ,lewie ,amesbury's thoughts1 as to whether he might call himself a ,christian or not4 ,one evening1 after many had spoken1 old ,christians out of their rich experience1 and young converts out of hearts all aglow with love1 ,mr4 ,earle said-- ,i have no doubt2 that many1 perhaps nearly all1 here1 would be glad to testify for ,christ tonight1 and if there were time1 or if it were prudent to remain1 we would gladly listen to their testimony2 but us we cannot do this1 ,i have a request to make4 ,will all who would like to speak for ,christ1 all ,christians1 and all who are willing now to accept ,christ's terms of discipleship1 and be known henceforth by his glorious name1 will all such rise1 and thus swell the crowd of witnesses8 ,every seat in that large audience-room was occupied1 as were the benches and camp chairs put down in the aisles2 and as ,mr4 ,earle ceased speaking1 the great congregation seemed to rise with one mind4 ,but there were a few who retained their position1 looking straight before them or down at the floor1 feeling1 doubtless1 some embarrassment at being so small a minority4 ,indeed it must have required more courage to sit quietly in their places than to rise on that occasion4 ,and ,lewie was one who braved it out2 and this is what he said about it as he walked home with ,herbert3-- ,i don't like some of ,mr4 ,earle's measures4 ,i think that was a very unwise course he took tonight4 ,it is not very pleasant for a person to be forced to express his views whether he wants to or not4 ,i don't understand how there can be anything objectionable in it1 returned ,herbert4 ,if one is a ,christian1 he certainly can have no objection to being known as such1 and if one is not a ,christian1 he will not wish to sail under false colours4 ,if you don't like your position1 ,lewie1 it is a good time to take a new and safer one4 ,i am satisfied with my position1 said ,lewie1 but ,i don't like to be placed in a false one4 ,i don't class myself with those you call ,christ's enemies1 but ,i know very well that ,mr4 ,earle didn't mean me when he called upon ,christians to rise1 so ,i sat still1 like ,george ,hawley and the rest of the set--fellows that lie and swear1 and don't know the meaning of the word honour4 ,lewie6 ,what do you mean1 anyway8 ,if you are not ,christ's enemy1 and if you will not acknowledge yourself as his friend1 what are you8 ,i never said ,i wasn't his friend1 only as ,i was put in a false position4 ,i think ,i am a great deal better ,christian than some who stood up there tonight1 but as long as ,i can't talk about repentance and faith and that sort of thing1 ,i suppose ,i mustn't call myself one4 ,i don't understand you yet1 said ,herbert1 perplexed and sorry4 ,what do you mean by being a better ,christian when you don't pretend to repent of sin or to have faith in ,christ8 ,why1 ,i mean this3 ,in the first place1 ,i try to do just as well as ,i can always4 ,i've studied that ,sermon on the ,mount1 and ,i make it my guide4 ,and ,i don't know as ,i have done anything to repent of2 and as for faith1 ,i don't know what you mean4 ,i believe in ,christ1 of course1 and follow ,him1 too4 ,you see1 ,bert1 ,i am not your sort1 but if ,i do what ,i think is right1 ,god can't require anything more4 ,i feel that you are wrong1 said his friend1 though ,i don't suppose ,i could convince you4 ,but won't you read that guide over again1 and see if you haven't neglected something1 and then remember that ,god requires perfect obedience8 ,i don't believe that ,god requires impossibilities1 returned ,lewie4 ,if he only requires what we are able to perform1 why did ,christ take up the work of our salvation8 asked ,herbert1 us they parted at the gate4 ,one could scarcely find a flaw in ,lewie ,amesbury's outward life4 ,he walked straight through the temptations that beset the boys of ,westville1 es in other places1 and in the midst of which so many fell4 ,at home he was vexed and annoyed1 misunderstood and reproached4 ,yet1 keeping silence1 he was patient and thoughtful of others' comfort4 ,he was industrious and studious1 respectful in the house of ,god1 and a thoroughly gentlemanly boy1 growing in manliness and rapidly advancing intellectually4 ,he only needed the crowning gift1 the one thing needful1 to round his character out into perfect proportions4 ,lacking this1 what but failure could he make of his life ultimately6 ,yet he was not like the young man who went away sorrowful2 he had never seemed troubled about the interests of eternity1 always dismissing the subject with the utmost unconcern4 ,and you are not coming with the rest to-morrow8 ,the speaker was ,tom ,nichols1 who was spending a few days with his old friends1 and he referred to the fact that a large number1 the fruits of a recent revival1 were about to unite with the church4 ,he was addressing ,lewie1 who replied1 somewhat coldly-- ,no4 ,i have attended some of the meetings1 but ,i have had very little interest in the matter4 ,my time and thoughts have been very much engrossed with other things4 ,weightier matters8 asked ,tom meaningly4 ,everyday duties1 replied ,lewie4 ,i suppose you call those mighty2 at least you will acknowledge that they ought to receive attention4 ,certainly1 after the one all-important duty has been disposed of4 ,you remember it says1 ',seek ye first the kingdom4' ,and that is in your creed-chapter1 said ,herbert1 who was present4 ,well1 boys1 ,i don't see these things as you do4 ,my ideas of what is required of us are different from yours4 ,herbert1 you and ,i have the same motto1 but we read it differently and go our ways accordingly4 ,this is mine4 ,good night4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,,decisions4 ,all to leave end follow ,thee4 ,,there were many changed households in ,westville4 ,perhaps nowhere was the change more marked than in the homes of the ,lorings and the ,knapps4 ,how much they need ,christ1 was ,mabel's thought months ago2 but now ,he is with them an ever-present ,friend and ,helper4 ,at the ,lorings's1 the proud and haughty father has become a humble learner at the feet of the ,great ,teacher1 led there through sorrow and bereavement4 ,willy's short life had not been fruitless4 ,he brought a blessing to the home he left so early1 and where his were the only prayers ever offered4 ,the family altar has been established1 the lonely mother is comforted1 and ,louise rejoices in her ,saviour's love4 ,at the ,knapps's1 there is peace and harmony4 ,the children are obedient and respectful1 the tried mother has found a rest1 and the stern father1 remembering ,god's patience and long-suffering as exercised toward him1 has grown more gentle and forbearing toward his children4 ,mr4 ,earle's request that ,willy and ,helen should remain at home with the little ones while their parents came to church gave ,helen much trouble4 ,what6 ,stay at home from those precious meetings6 ,how could she get on without the help and instruction which she found there8 ,mr4 ,earle could not have thought how much she loved to be there1 nor how much she needed to hear him talk4 ,she carried a very sober face to school the next morning1 and brought it home with her at night--at least she started with it4 ,she stopped a few minutes at ,mr4 ,trafton's1 and while ,alice went to get a book for her1 she sat in ,henry's room4 ,you find the meetings very pleasant1 do you not8 he said4 ,oh1 yes1 indeed4 ,i wouldn't miss them for anything4 ,ah6 returned ,henry1 smiling1 ,i've missed a great many2 but ,i have had some meetings here a great deal more precious than any ,i ever attended anywhere else4 ,why1 do you ever have a meeting here8 asked ,helen4 ,yes1 he replied1 still smiling4 ,when the rest are away1 my ,saviour meets me here1 and teaches and comforts me4 ,if one can go to church1 of course he can't look for a blessing by staying at home2 but if kept at home by sickness or duty to others1 ,christ will not forget1 especially if the sacrifice be a willing one4 ,alice is calling you4 ,what a patient boy ,henry ,trafton is1 thought ,helen2 and how perfectly happy he looked when he talked about the visits of his ,saviour4 ,i wonder--,i will6 ,mother1 she said1 on reaching home1 ,i'll stay at home tonight1 and you can go to church4 ,and if father will go with you1 ,i'll stay1 too1 added ,willy4 ,mr4 ,earle had not forgotten to send a special reminder to ,mr4 ,knapp's shop that afternoon1 and ,god blessing the efforts put forth in his name1 both parents were ere long rejoicing in sins forgiven1 and ,helen felt that she had gained by her sacrifice4 ,and where was the son and brother while these at home were coming within the fold8 ,to show that he was not forgotten1 ,i copy a part of a letter written about this time4 ,,westville4 ,,my ,,dear ,,arthur3--,i have in my possession a little note which you wrote to me two years ago4 ,in it you say1 ',i think ,i love ,jesus4 ,i am trying to follow the ,white ,line4' ,my dear boy1 are you still following on8 ,i have feared much for you4 ,i know very little of your associations and habits2 but1 oh1 ,i do know that temptation must come to every one1 and that we all need to be faithful and on our guard4 ,sometimes the tempter creeps in under disguises1 and we fail to recognise him until we have fallen4 ,my dear ,arthur1 ,i want you for ,christ1 ,i want you to be a comfort to your parents1 a help to your brothers and sisters1 an example to your companions1 a blessing to the world4 ,are you8 ,are you doing ,god's work8 ,you remember what ,i used to tell you about honouring ,christ everywhere1 at home1 in the street1 in places of business1 as well as in the sanctuary4 ,if we love ,him we shall delight to do ,him honour4 ,if you have drawn back1 if you are not following ,christ1 let me entreat you to no longer tamper with your salvation4 ,it would be a terrible thing to slide back a little too far1 to be a little too late4 ,don't risk your soul in that way4 ,i have wished that you were here while so many are coming to ,christ2 but ,he is just as near to you where you are1 if you will only reach out and take hold of his outstretched hand4 ,will you8 ,i do not know just how to advise you because ,i know so little of your life at present4 ,it may be that you do not always find your associates pleasant4 ,it may be that they are not always safe companions4 ,shun their evil ways1 seek opportunities to do them good1 but beware of following their examples4 ,it may be that your employers sometimes seem hard or unjust4 ,let me say that the world is full of just such little fretting things1 and if we allow them to fret and annoy us1 we shall never have a moment's peace4 ,we are never going to find a place here that will be free from annoying circumstance4 ,and it is just in this way that we prove that we are one with ,christ4 ,if we bear our trials1 do our work1 taking the good and ill together1 as coming from our ,father's hand1 accepting with a spirit of obedience and consecration whatever comes to us1 we shall find our hearts growing restful4 ,then shall our lives be peaceful and full of good works4 ,your friend1 ,,mabel ,,mcnair4 ,to this letter ,arthur made answer3-- ,,dear ,,teacher3-- 4 4 4 ,i do not dare to call myself a disciple1 though ,i think ,i do love the ,saviour4 ,but ,i wander so often and so far4 ,it seems that ,i have no strength to resist temptation1 and yet if it were not for ,christ's love drawing me back1 ,i must have gone to ruin long ago4 ,i wish ,i could cut loose from my sins1 but it does seem sometimes as though ,satan was determined to have possession4 ,i have no time to grow in grace1 for ,i am continually wandering and then repenting4 ,i should like to make a public profession of my love for ,jesus1 but ,i dare not1 ,i should so soon dishonour the name4 ,i am not worthy to take the ,christian name4 ,i belong to a ,bible class here1 but it is not like the dear little class in ,westville4 ,i miss the ,saturday evening talks4 ,do you think that ,christ will accept me8 ,dare ,i come to his ,supper8 ,i should like to come home in the spring1 and join the church with the rest1 if ,i was only fit4 ,i know you pray for all of us boys4 ,i wish we were all following4 ,will you pray especially for me1 that ,i may be strengthened to resist temptation8 ,your loving pupil1 ,,arthur ,,knapp4 ,a long letter was written in response to this1 but ,i will quote only a sentence or two3-- ,my dear boy1 the only fitness required for the step you desire to take is a humble1 childlike trust in ,christ4 ,if you feel your own weakness1 remember in ,him is strength2 if you realise that you are sinful1 remember that it was to save a lost and sinful race that ,he came2 if you feel that you really love the ,saviour1 and that ,he is your only hope1 you need not fear to come4 ,with great hesitation1 with many doubts and fears1 ,arthur came4 ,mabel rejoiced1 though her joy was dimmed by the thought of the two who would not come1 and she prayed as she had often before-- ,my whole dear class for ,jesus6 ,oh1 let not one be lost4 ,tom and ,herbert had many long talks during the visit of the former4 ,very soon after his conversion1 ,tom had asked1 ,lord1 what wilt ,thou have me to do8 ,and the answer had come to him as it comes to all who ask in sincerity4 ,by his providence and by his spirit ,god had said1 ,go1 proclaim the gospel of my ,son1 ,jesus ,christ4 ,in the experience of the last few months1 and1 indeed1 in his whole ,christian life1 ,herbert began now to see a hand pointing him to the same course2 and his talks with ,tom1 their comparison of experience and feelings1 had strengthened his growing conviction that his early choice of a life-work had been a mistake4 ,tom had gone4 ,mr4 ,bradford and ,herbert were busy at the office1 ,herbert writing in the private office1 his father talking with clients in the outer room4 ,presently a low1 soft voice attracted the attention of the copyist4 ,i am looking for work1 said the lady to whom the voice belonged1 and whom ,mr4 ,bradford recognised as the daughter of a once wealthy1 but lately insolvent manufacturer4 ,my penmanship has always been considered as something remarkable for an unprofessional2 and my choice of work would be something which would call this one talent into use4 ,i have called to ask you if you do not need a copyist4 ,mr4 ,bradford began a reply to the effect that he was sorry1 but for the present his son was acting in that capacity2 but was interrupted by a call from the inner office4 ,father6 ,excuse the interruption1 but will you step here8 ,i am quite ready1 he continued1 in a low voice1 to resign in favour of ,miss ,dean4 ,i--in short1 ,i have decided to accept your offer of a college course4 ,and give up a business life8 ,yes2 that is--,i think ,i must be about my ,master's business4 ,ah6 ,the ministry8 questioned ,mr4 ,bradford4 ,yes1 sir4 ,i think ,i ought4 ,you do not object8 ,no1 a little doubtfully4 ,i knew ,mr4 ,earle had his eye upon you4 ,mr4 ,earle6 ,he has never spoken a word to me about it4 ,i was going to consult him this afternoon2 but ,i should have spoken to you first1 if ,miss ,dean had not called4 ,mr4 ,bradford had been sincerely sorry2 and now he was sincerely glad1 because of the answer he had to give the waiting lady1 and as ,miss ,dean herself was very glad to hear the favourable decision1 there were several persons in that very desirable state of mind4 ,to tell the truth1 ,herbert had anticipated some little opposition upon his father's part4 ,he had been bent upon a mercantile life1 and had with some difficulty won his parents' consent1 and he expected to be accused of fickleness4 ,then he fancied that he had foreseen several arguments which his father would use to prove that he should study law1 in case he made a change1 and he had prepared himself to answer these2 but to his surprise1 he had no use for his counter arguments4 ,as ,mr4 ,bradford hinted1 he was not unprepared for this announcement1 and he was not so worldly as to wish to keep ,herbert from the path of duty4 ,it seems strange1 said ,herbert1 in the course of his talk with ,mr4 ,earle1 that1 if you had this in mind1 you should never have spoken of it to me4 ,mr4 ,earle smiled4 ,i knew the matter was in safe hands4 ,i might be mistaken1 and ,i was sure that if the ,lord really wanted you for this work1 he would make it known to you in his own good time4 ,as ,i am writing of decisions1 ,i will record one more4 ,i have somewhere said that ,nick ,turner was an out-and-out loafer4 ,he worked when obliged to1 and the rest of the time1 he smoked1 drank1 and gambled4 ,his father was a well-to-do farmer1 living half a mile from the village4 ,kindly old ,mr4 ,turner and his sweet-faced wife were growing old and sad faster than their years warranted4 ,years do not bow one down to the earth like the carrying of a heavy heart2 and what burden can weigh heavier upon a parent's heart than the living death of the first-born8 ,nick's help upon the farm counted for very little2 consequently his father was astonished at a remark he made one morning4 ,father1 if ,gibbs wants ,jonas1 you may as well let him go4 ,i'll take his place for the summer4 ,i would like to go ,west next year1 if you will help me off2 but for the present1 you may depend upon me4 ,can ,i depend upon you8 asked the father gently1 but meaningly4 ,yes1 sir4 ,i think so4 ,you know that ,i am not just the boy ,i was a few weeks ago4 ,at least ,i hope so4 ,yes2 ,i know4 ,i know1 ,nicholas1 that you are not the same4 ,thank ,god for it4 ,i only meant--,well1 ,i am afraid you will get tired of work2 and it will be bad for me to lose the chance of keeping a steady hand4 ,but if you say you'll stick to it1 ,i'll trust you4 ,thank ,god1 ,i have my boy back again4 ,it was a simple affair that took ,herbert ,bradford out to the farmhouse one afternoon two months previous to this conversation4 ,the apples from the ,turner orchard were famous1 and ,mr4 ,bradford had sent ,herbert out to engage a few bushels1 to be brought in when convenient4 ,yes1 they could spare a few1 the old man said1 and ,nicholas might as well drive down then1 and ,herbert could ride with him4 ,that was the young ,christian's opportunity1 and out of the few earnest words spoken during that drive grew the little talk that ended with1 ,thank ,god1 ,i have my boy back again6 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,,sowings4 ,and thy soul may see the value ,of its patient morns and eves1 ,when the everlasting garner ,shall be filled with precious sheaves4 ,,it was a bright summer day1 just after dinner4 ,julia ,bradford stood in the front doorway1 waiting for her particular friend ,alice ,trafton4 ,her broad-brimmed sun-hat lay upon the stop1 and she was putting lines in her young face in the desperate effort to make sense out of what seemed to her a senseless paragraph in her despised ,csar4 ,dear me6 she thought1 closing the book4 ,i can't do anything with it4 ,i suppose ,herbert would help me1 but ,i won't ask him now while ,mr4 ,amesbury is here4 ,i don't like him much4 ,i wonder why it is that ,bertie is so fond of him8 ,i suppose it is because they are such old friends1 but they are so very unlike4 ,lewie is nice1 that's certain1 and that is just the trouble2 he thinks that being nice and proper1 kind and generous1 and all that1 is going to open heaven's door4 ,what puzzles me is1 what did ,christ come for1 if we can live so as to merit ,god's favour8 ,oh1 ,i am glad ,i haven't got to depend upon my good deeds as a ladder to climb into heaven upon4 ,it would be too short to reach the threshold1 and what would ,i lean it against8 ,but that is just what ,mr4 ,amesbury is depending upon4 ,i heard him say so yesterday4 ,why don't somebody try to reason him out of such a dreadful mistake8 ,i suppose that would not be easy4 ,why don't ,alice come8 ,what a silky1 shiny hat that is1 and that duster hasn't a wrinkle in it4 ,the fellow always looks as though he were done up fresh every morning4 ,but1 nice as he is1 ,i can't quite like him4 ,there's something lacking4 ,here she returned to her ,latin puzzle for a few moments1 then leaned out to look for ,alice1 and suddenly1 as if a new idea presented itself1 she threw down the book and sprang up the staircase4 ,returning a moment later1 she took the shiny hat from the rack and slipped a folded paper under the lining1 with an inaudible1 ,if it please ,thee1 ,o ,god1 in thine own time1 let this see the light and do its work4 ,replacing the hat1 she picked up her own1 and went down the walk to join her tardy friend4 ,herbert and ,lewie were at home for their summer vacation1 and as ,lewie did not find his home more congenial1 but rather less so1 as the years went by1 he had fallen into the habit of spending much of his time at the ,bradfords's1 and this is how it happened that the speckless hat and unwrinkled duster were hanging upon the hall rack upon that particular summer day4 ,am ,i late8 asked ,alice1 as she came hurrying down the street4 ,you see father had a letter that we were all interested in1 and ,i stayed to talk it over4 ,uncle ,philip has written to invite ,henry to make his home with his family in ,new ,york this next winter1 and ,i am to go to take care of him4 ,he is to paint in the studio of some great artist1 and ,i am to take organ lessons4 ,isn't it splendid8 ,uncle ,philip1 she continued1 took the pictures father sent him to the artist1 and he said they showed a remarkable talent4 ,you know ,henry only took one quarter's lessons of ,ledlie4 ,oh1 ,i am so glad6 ,of course ,i am glad that ,i am going1 but it is for ,henry that ,i care the most2 he has waited so long and patiently for the opportunity1 and now that it has come1 he is just as quiet as ever1 but ,i can't keep still4 ,say1 ,julia1 don't you think it is lovely8 ,i should have said so several minutes ago1 if you had given me a chance1 returned ,julia1 laughing4 ,i am very glad indeed4 ,when do you go8 ,the first of ,october1 and this is the third week in ,august4 ,only six weeks to get ready6 ,it is fortunate that it is no longer4 ,westville couldn't hold you a great while4 ,oh1 ,i shall quiet down presently1 and settle to planning and contriving1 turning things wrong side out and upside down1 sponging1 piecing and stretching1 in the effort to get up a presentable wardrobe with the least possible expense4 ,you talk as if your father was a poor man1 said ,julia1 with another laugh4 ,well1 ,i suppose he could give me all ,i want1 but ,i like to be economical4 ,mother says she got in the way of it in the first years after father gave up letting horses upon ,sunday4 ,you know business fell off1 and ,henry's sickness cost so much that ,i suppose they felt very poor1 but father says he has never been sorry that he took that stand4 ,i have heard him say that it was his first step toward becoming a ,christian4 ,i think it was real noble in your father to take such a stand1 said ,julia1 with enthusiasm4 ,such things always make me feel jubilant2 and this reminds me1 ,bertie had a letter from ,nick ,turner this morning4 ,you remember1 he went ,west a year ago4 ,he says-- ,but while ,julia tells the story in her way1 we will read for ourselves what he says3-- ,,my ,,dear ,,friend3--,seeing you were so kind as to write to me1 and as you requested an answers1 ,i will try to do as you wish1 though ,i am not much of a writer4 ,i write home to the old folks pretty often and manage to make them understand what ,i mean1 but it is just as it is in talking4 ,with some folks the words slip out easy like1 and sound all smooth and regular1 while other1 blunder along1 getting in the wrong words1 or the right ones in the wrong places1 and ,i happen to be one of the blunderers with the pen4 ,i can do some things a sight better than ,i can write letters4 ,how did ,i happen to come out here8 ,well1 you see there are a good many reasons4 ,the ,westville folks never could forget that ,i had been ,nick ,turner the loafer1 and it wasn't pleasant for a fellow to hear it whispered1 ',he was one of the worst characters in the town4 ,i'm afraid he won't hold out4' ',i hope he is really sincere1 but he has been so dissipated that his old habits may prove too strong4' ,now1 that's what ,i did hear whispered1 and ,i thought ,i would come off out here where ,i could have a fair chance4 ,if ,i'd a been needed at home1 ,i'd a stuck it through1 but if ,em's husband took hold of things there1 ,i was only in the way1 so ,i just swung off1 and ,i'm awful glad ,i did4 ,this is a grand country to draw breath in1 and ,i've got just the snuggest slice off the prairie that ever a man looked at4 ,this is going to be a grand farming country4 ,you ask if ,i have the means of grace here4 ,well1 ,i have my ,bible1 and a ,saviour to pray to1 if that's what you mean2 but if you mean ministers and churches and ,christian people1 we haven't them here4 ,there is work for a missionary4 ,i hope you'll get through your ,greek and ,hebrew1 and all that1 as soon as possible1 and come out here and talk to these fellows just as you did to me that night ,i took the apples home for you4 ,there wasn't a bit of ,greek in that talk1 but for all that1 it hit just right1 and ,i thank ,god to-day for sending you to me4 ,another question you ask1 ,what am ,i doing for ,jesus8 ,i can tell you what ,i am trying to do4 ,i board with a man who owns the next bit of prairie to mine1 and it isn't much like home1 ,i can tell you4 ,i missed mother's bread and butter the first meal ,i ate here1 but ,i missed father's blessing the most1 and the next time when we got to the table1 ,i said1 ',see here1 mister1 if you'd just as lief1 ,i'd like to say a bit of prayer over the victuals4 ,i've been used to it at home1 and it don't seem right not to do it4' ',pray away1' was what he said1 and ,i opened my mouth1 and ,i think ,god put the words into my heart1 for they were never my own rough words4 ,since then ,i always say them at every meal1 and ,i think the folks are getting to like it1 for if ,i am behind time1 they always wait4 ,then ,i try to speak a word for ,christ when it comes right1 and the boys--here are ten or twelve in the neighbourhood--all hang on to me just as they did in ,westville1 when ,i was such a bad sinner that ,i led them the wrong way4 ,well1 every ,sunday we get together4 ,there is a little cabin on my land1 and we generally go there1 and ,i try to tell them about the ,saviour1 and about ,god's laws1 and all the good things that ,i know4 ,all this isn't much to do1 but you see ,i ain't a scholar4 ,i can't explain things very well1 but ,i can read to them what the ,bible says1 and tell them what ,christ has done for me1 and then ,i can pray2 one needn't be a ,greek scholar to pray4 ,thank ,god1 anybody that has wants can pray1 and ,god can understand if one don't get the words all in straight4 ,last ,sunday the man ,i board with1 and another member1 came in4 ,i felt a little kinder queer1 for ,mr4 ,blake has been to the ,assembly1 but ,i said to ,nick ,turner1 ',now1 don't be ashamed of ,christ1 and upset all the work you've been trying to do by running away1' and he answered back1 ',i ain't ashamed of ,christ2 it is my blundering way of reading and talking that ,i'm ashamed of2' but ,i said again1 ',you are mistaken2 you talk to these same men by the hour about farming1 and never think of your blunders2 you know you are speaking truth1--do it as well as you can1 and leave the rest with ,god4' ,when we broke up1 ,mr4 ,blake said to me1 ',i want to thank you2 you have made me ashamed of myself4 ,i used to be a church member at the ,east1 but ,i guess ,i left my religion there1 or lost it here2 anyway1 ,i never thought of doing as you are doing4' ,i have written all this to let you see how much you are needed here1 but ,i suppose you can't come for several years1 if you thought it was the place for you2 but can't you send us somebody8 ,there is a grand chance for somebody to work for ,christ4 ,ah6 ,and wasn't that somebody doing his work well8 ,who shall say that ,nick ,turner was not chosen of ,god to preach his gospel to these people8 ,at least he was preparing the way for the coming missionary4 ,how happy ,herbert must be to think that he was the means of ,nick's conversion to ,christ4 ,oh6 ,if ,i could save one soul1 ,i'd be willing to sacrifice a great deal--at least ,i think ,i would4 ,it was truthful ,alice who said this4 ,i think of this very often1 returned ,julia4 ,i do not know that ,i have ever done anything like that1 ,i mean anything that has really helped any one4 ,i have tried to lead my schoolmates to ,jesus1 but my efforts do not seem to be blessed4 ,i don't suppose that you always know for certain2 maybe when we get to heaven1 we shall find out that ,god has accepted our work1 and maybe some souls will thank us then for the right word4 ,perhaps so1 said ,helen a little sadly4 ,she was thinking of her little effort just put forth4 ,would it bear fruit8 ,just here ,i may as well record a bit of a talk that occurred a few days before ,henry and ,alice went to ,new ,york4 ,mrs4 ,trafton had a slight illness1 and ,dr4 ,myers was called in4 ,aunt ,harriet1 who had remained with her brother ever since she came to nurse ,henry when he was first injured1 was full of rejoicings over her nephew's prospects1 and detailed the plans for ,dr4 ,myers's benefit1 prophesying that he would become famous4 ,the doctor listened with a queer smile4 ,i am very glad indeed1 he said4 ,and now1 ,miss ,trafton1 do you see how this has come about8 ,you remember1 perhaps1 that once you could not discover the loving ,hand that destroys to build up2 you could not understand how what seemed a great calamity might prove a blessing4 ,no1 ,i couldn't1 and ,i am not sure of it yet4 ,don't you suppose that ,henry would have made just as good an artist if he had two sound legs and a strong back8 ,no1 ,i don't1 replied the doctor4 ,he might have painted pictures as a recreation1 but his work in all probability would have been found in connection with that livery stable1 and you know that the business at that time was not conducted upon ,christian principles1 and perhaps but for this1 which we call a calamity1 that might never have been changed4 ,henry might have sustained his ,christian character through it all1 but it would have been a hard and dangerous path4 ,but suppose1 what is not at all likely1 that he had been allowed to follow his inclinations and had become an artist1 he could never have done the work he will now4 ,the growth of heart and mind which has come through suffering1 and could come in no other way1 will tell upon his work2 his pictures will have a character purer and nobler than he could have given them had not his own soul been purified by these years of discipline4 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,,what ,,they ,,said ,,about ,,it4 ,young soldiers of the cross1 beware6 ,a watchful foe besets thy way4 ,,the carrier had just thrown the ,westville ,news in at ,deacon ,griffin's front door4 ,the good old man had rubbed his spectacles with his red and white spotted silk handkerchief1 drawn his arm chair a little nearer the window1 unfolded the limp sheet1 and read a few moments1 before he exclaimed-- ,can it be possible8 ,will the ,lord suffer it8 ,what is it8 asked the soft-voiced woman who was darning the deacon's stockings in the other arm chair before the other window4 ,just hear this6 ',the ,charles ,dickens ,society will hold their ,annual ,reunion at ,waden's ,hall1 on ,wednesday evening1 ,january #f4 ,their friends are invited to attend4 ,a company of amateurs will perform several popular plays4 ,musicians will be in attendance1 and the hall will be cleared for dancing at an early hour4 ,an elegant collation will also be provided4 ,proceeds to be applied to the ,library ,fund4 ',single ,tickets1 #a dollar4 ,lady and ,gentleman1 #a dollar1 #ej cents4 ',,george ,,barnes1 ,,duncan ,,mcnair1 ',,john ,,peters1 ,,frank ,,lester1 ',,elmer ,,green1 ,,ira ,,baker4 ',committee4' ,there6 ,can you make anything out of that but conformity to the world1 unless it is worse8 ,it seems to me like going right over to the enemy's ranks4 ,what are we coming to8 ,here are two of our young brothers1 to whom we must soon commit the gospel standard1 giving their names and their labour to this unholy thing6 ,o1 father1 don't say that1 said the soft-voiced woman4 ,maybe it isn't so bad as you think1 or as it looks at first4 ,sometimes things seem worse than they really are4 ,and you know there have been a good many things1 first and last1 which you have condemned as worldly1 which have turned out to be real spiritual helps4 ,you remember how sorry you were that we gave ,mabel ,wynn a chair for the church parlour1 because you thought it was going to introduce worldliness into the church1 and you know we could hardly get along now without that room4 ,then remember the time we had the convention-- ,yes1 ,i remember4 ,i opposed that1 and ,i was wrong4 ,it proved a great blessing1 and ,i confessed my mistake4 ,but1 wife1 you can't make this out to be an affair that a ,christian should be mixed up with4 ,it is a matter of worldly amusements of the most pernicious sort4 ,theatricals and dancing6 ,but young folks--don't be too hard on them4 ,you danced yourself when you were young4 ,so ,i did1 so ,i did1 and nearly lost my soul by it4 ,it makes me shudder to think of our young people getting as near the brink of the precipice as ,i did4 ,no1 no1 mother1 these things are not for ,christ's followers4 ',if any man love the world the love of the ,father is not in him4' ,one must have wandered a long way before he reached the point where he could engage in such an enterprise4 ,perhaps1 he added1 with a sigh1 we older ,christians have not been watchful enough over these our young brothers4 ,we have let the world get a hold upon them1 which a little more vigilance upon our part might have prevented4 ,duncan1 said ,judge ,mc,nair1 as his son came into the office that afternoon1 haven't you made a great mistake8 ,where1 and how8 ,what do you mean8 ,just this4 ,four years ago this winter you promised to live only for ,christ4 ,you covenanted with ,god and with his people1 accepting ,god's terms1 and promising to walk worthily of the ,christian name2 accepting the fellowship of the ,church1 agreeing to avoid whatever might be a stumbling block for others1 or in any way bring reproach upon ,christ's name and people4 ,this at least is the spirit of your vows4 ,strange that you should have publicly renounced them4 ,why1 father1 what do you mean8 ,why1 there in that paper you range yourself with the world1 replied ,judge ,mc,nair4 ,i thought you approved of the object of our society4 ,i consulted you before ,i joined it4 ,i do approve of it--at least ,i supposed that ,i did2 but it seems that you have objects of which ,i was not aware4 ,i approve of the library scheme1 but ,i would sooner have given fifty dollars for the fund than have had you engaged in an affair of this sort4 ,but1 father1 expostulated ,duncan1 aren't you a little too strict8 ,don't you think that such rigid notions are apt to repel outsiders8 ,duncan1 if we who profess to be following ,christ are in no wise different from those who are walking in the ways of sin1 how shall we recommend our faith8 ,if1 through fear of repelling1 we fail to attract1 what have we gained8 ,there is a great deal of that sort of talk nowadays1 but ,i think it is all wrong4 ,we are expressly enjoined to 'come out from the world1' to 'love not the world1' to 'be not conformed to the world4' ,if these words mean anything1 they mean that you and ,i1 and all who are the disciples of ,christ1 have no part in that which must come under the head of worldly dissipation4 ,duncan1 ,i am very sorry about this matter2 it will be a stumbling block to many4 ,but ,i shall not join the dancers1 and my duties as one of the committee relate to the literary part of the entertainment4 ,the theatricals6 ,yes4 ,ah1 my boy1 it's all alike4 ,you indorse the whole1 and it is not the dancing or the theatricals in themselves4 ,it is this element of worldliness that pervades the entire plan of the entertainment4 ,the spirit of conformity to the world has crept into the ,church at large in just this way1 undermining and destroying spirituality4 ,there is another thing1 continued ,judge ,mc,nair4 ,it is to be upon ,wednesday evening4 ,five or six years ago1 ,i knew a boy who thought it a very inconsistent thing when the church decided to omit a prayer-meeting on account of a scientific lecture at the hall4 ,where is your consistency now8 ,but would you cut us off from recreations8 asked ,duncan1 ignoring the judge's last remark4 ,not at all1 was replied2 but ,i would discriminate between recreations and amusements4 ,the propriety of one who professes to do all to the glory of ,god engaging in anything1 simply as amusement1 may be doubted4 ,there is a wide range from which a ,christian may choose his recreations2 and when used as a needed rest1 relief or exercise of body or mind1 are right and proper2 but when we carry them so far that they become dissipations1 we may conclude that we have gone beyond our limit4 ,just at that moment ,mr4 ,earle looked in4 ,he only asked-- ,duncan1 did you ask ,god what you'd better do about it8 ,ah6 ,duncan had not been living very near to ,god lately4 ,here was the trouble2 this was how he had become entangled in this affair1 which had in it not a single element of spirituality4 ,talk about carrying one's religion with them through the week-days as well as the ,sundays6 ,one may carry his ,christian faith and practice into his palatial store1 or into his dingy1 dark grocery-store1 keep it with him in shop or stall1 but do people ever carry it with them into scenes of frivolity and dissipation8 ,what place has the ,christian faith in the ball-room8 ,the family at the ,golden mansion were at dinner4 ,clarence ,golden1 ,duncan ,mc,nair's old crony1 was at home for the holidays4 ,it was he who said-- ,well1 ,i suppose all you good people are going to the hall tonight8 ,i suppose it is the best thing a fellow can do up here in this stupid town4 ,amateur acting6 ,that will be something to see1 ,i imagine4 ,you'll go1 ,i presume8 addressing the question to his sister-in-law1 whom we have known as ,louise ,loring4 ,i think not4 ,why not8 ,will it be any more stupid than staying at home8 ,i shall not stay at home4 ,where--oh1 yes1 ,i remember1 it is ,wednesday evening4 ,that's your evening out1 he said1 laughing4 ,well1 there'll be time to go after4 ,i presume the entertainment will last through the night4 ,i'll wait for you4 ,or do you expect your husband will be home in time8 ,i do not expect him1 and ,i should not go in any case4 ,i never attend entertainments of that sort4 ,oh1 but1 ,louise1 this must be all right2 at least two of your saintly sort are among the managers4 ,i am sorry for that1 ,clarence1 but it does not change my opinion4 ,as the rest of the family left the table1 these two lingered1 and ,clarence said-- ,well1 ,louise1 ,i'll tell you frankly ,i had begun to think there was something in this religion of yours1 and to wish ,i had a little of it about me2 but this upsets it all4 ,i cannot feel any great confidence in a faith that makes so little difference in its disciples4 ,i used to think ,i saw a great change in ,duncan1 and ever since that winter when he was converted1 ,i have had a sort of wish that ,i had gone over to that side then4 ,but nowadays1 he seems very like the rest of us sinners4 ,mrs4 ,golden's heart was very sad4 ,she liked her young brother-in-law1 and earnestly desired to see him numbered with ,christ's friends1 and it seemed very discouraging that he should be turned back by the inconsistency of one who professed to love the ,saviour4 ,the sadness was in her voice as she spoke4 ,clarence1 do you think the error lies in the faith itself1 or in the mistaken lives of those who profess it8 ,i don't know1 ,i'm sure4 ,it appears to me that there should be in it a power that would prevent such mistakes and inconsistencies4 ,you are right4 ,i can assure you that there is a strength and wisdom that comes through faith in ,christ1 which will be given to us in measure according to our love and obedience4 ,i cannot explain how your friend ,duncan has made what ,i feel1 with you1 is a great mistake2 but1 ,clarence1 this world1 the things seen and of to-day1 are very alluring4 ,as the young man rose to go1 she added--,the ,christian faith is worth having1 ,clarence1 if you only would look away from human frailties and take ,christ into your heart and life6 ,he shook his head4 ,there are enough half-way ,christians already2 and ,i don't suppose that ,i should be any more in earnest than the rest of them4 ,he went half-way down the hall thinking of ,louise's sad face4 ,turning back1 he said-- ,see here1 sister1 ,i'd just as lief go to church with you tonight1 if you want me4 ,i do want you1 she said1 with a meaning smile4 ,a copy of the ,westville ,news found its way into the little room where ,herbert and ,lewie were spending the last year of their college course4 ,lewie having undertaken to read the news items for ,herbert's benefit as well as his own1 lighted upon the announcement which was causing such a commotion at home4 ,a long discussion followed1 but ,i will only repeat the conclusion4 ,well1 you see1 ,herbert1 that ,duncan's religion is not so very different from mine1 after all4 ,he professes something more1 but his practice does not agree4 ,i think ,i'll wait until ,i see more consistency upon the part of others1 before ,i get dissatisfied with my own way of thinking4 ,and yet ,duncan feared that stricter living would repel others6 ,so many had expressed their sorrow and disapprobation that ,duncan wondered at ,dr4 ,myers's silence4 ,though he met him every day1 he did not refer to the matter2 and much as the young man desired to hear his views1 he dared not ask a question4 ,he was just leaving the office on ,tuesday evening when he met the doctor4 ,ah6 ,here you are6 said the gentleman4 ,i'm glad to find you4 ,it saves me a walk up to the house4 ,you remember ,dr4 ,grovesner1 to whom ,i introduced you once in ,now ,york8 ,yes1 indeed ,i do6 ,i should not be likely to forget one who impressed me in the way he did4 ,wasn't he a grand man8 ,i tell you1 he added1 laughing1 he is one of the few men ,i could reverence4 ,well1 ,i remembered your enthusiasm1 and this is what ,i came for4 ,dr4 ,grovesner has been making a tour in the ,west1 and ,i have just received a telegram which says he will stop here to-morrow1 from noon until the leaving of the night express4 ,now1 will you meet him at tea to-morrow8 ,he is the man who has done more for me than anybody else in the world1 and ,i would like to have you get the benefit of his society1 even for a short time4 ,what would ,duncan ,mc,nair not have given to have been free to accept that invitation8 ,he heartily wished the reunion had been in ,south ,africa or some remote region1 else that he had a less important part in the carrying out of the programme4 ,it would never do to desert now1 he thought4 ,every minute would be occupied2 there was no chance to slip in at the doctor's1 and if there were1 what pleasure would it be with his mind in such a whirl of excitement8 ,he understood his friend too well to suspect that it was a scheme contrived in order to punish him4 ,he must make some reply1 and he stammered out-- ,i'd like to meet your friend1 but--,i--you know there's doings at the hall4 ,i shall have to be there4 ,i know1 but ,i thought perhaps you could get off4 ,are you so very much needed there8 ,i suppose there is no one who could take my place now4 ,i wish ,i could1 but ,i can't4 ,you'll have to excuse me4 ,thank you very much for thinking of me4 ,i'm sorry1 very sorry1 ,duncan4 ,good night4 ,in the doctor's tones there was more than a passing regret that he could not have his young friend's company to tea1 and ,duncan heard all they expressed4 ,duncan ,mc,nair was not the sort of person to keep a journal4 ,generally1 he kept his inmost thoughts to himself1 except when he talked to the pavement or the window curtains1 or some other inanimate thing without the power of revealing secrets4 ,if he had made a true record of his spiritual life at that time1 and we had been privileged with a peep at the pages1 we might have found records like these3-- ,spent this day without prayer4 ,haven't had time for a single verse4 ,went to prayer-meeting tonight for the sake of appearance2 found it dull2 wonder what the reason is8 ,a prayerless day4 ,i spend a great many such4 ,it is a fact that if ,i am following ,christ at all1 it is afar off4 ,how did ,i ever get so nearly out of sight of the ,leader8 ,i hardly ever read or pray in my closet nowadays4 ,worldly duties and pleasures give me no time for spiritual growth4 ,how soon a prayerless ,christian finds he has lost his hold upon ,jesus6 ,i have written a prayerless ,christian6 ,the words sound very strangely4 ,if you call yourself a ,christian1 and yet are living without prayer1 would it not be well to stop and inquire what right you have to the name8 ,and this was the question that was presently brought home to ,duncan's conscience4 ,just now he was too busy1 too much engrossed with pleasure seeking1 to give place to the duty of self-examination4 ,the next morning after the reunion1 he met ,mr4 ,earle4 ,good morning4 ,good morning1 sir4 ,well1 ,duncan1 did it pay8 ,i can't tell1 sir1 replied ,duncan lightly4 ,we haven't reckoned up the accounts yet4 ,just so6 ,perhaps you'll find it a little troublesome getting in all the loss and gain1 eh8 ,duncan was disturbed and annoyed4 ,what a fuss people do make about a small matter1 he said1 talking to the pavement now1 for ,mr4 ,earle had not lingered for any further conversation4 ,and when the next ,sabbath evening1 the pastor took for his text the old and awfully solemn words-- ,what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul8 ,he recalled ,mr4 ,earle's suggestion of a difficult reckoning2 and1 listening to the fearful truths presented1 the conviction came over him that1 after all1 it was hardly worth the while to risk the loss of the ,saviour's friendship for miserable and unsatisfying worldly pleasures4 ,duncan ,mc,nair might have appropriated the words of the ,psalmist1-- ,as for me1 my feet were almost gone2 my steps had well nigh slipped4 ,but the loving ,saviour with pitying eye was watching for the wanderer's return2 not only watching1 but calling4 ,it might have been a week later that ,duncan was one morning hurrying down ,elm ,street upon a rather unusual errand4 ,mrs4 ,mc,nair had the headache1 and1 being unable to fulfil a promise previously made1 had chosen ,duncan as her deputy4 ,having no reasonable excuse to offer1 he accepted the appointment graciously1 but as he walked rapidly down the street1 as if to have the business over with1 he thought1 ,this is a queer thing to ask me to do4 ,i sha'n't know a word to say4 ,i wonder if a fellow ought to look very sober and solemn8 ,wonder if the boy is very sick8 ,halting at the door of a small house1 he rapped4 ,a sad-faced woman came to the door1 to whom he said-- ,mother1 ,mrs4 ,mc,nair1 is sick this morning1 and ,i came to inquire after the sick boy1 and to bring this-- handing a small parcel4 ,thank you4 ,walk in4 ,as ,duncan entered and sat down1 he heard a feeble voice in the next room say1 ,has she come8 ,no1 ,davy1 the sad-faced woman replied4 ,she is sick1 but she sent you this jelly and some oranges4 ,they are very nice2 she is very good1 but ,i wanted to see her1 was the reply of the sick boy4 ,won't she come at all8 ,please1 sir1 said the mother to ,duncan1 will you walk in and see my poor boy8 ,he is disappointed at not seeing the lady4 ,maybe you could say a word to comfort him4 ,are you her son8 asked the invalid4 ,yes1 replied ,duncan1 smiling4 ,then maybe you know ,jesus8 ,yes1 a little doubtfully this time4 ,the lady your mother has told me about ,him1 and she always prays to ,him1 and ,i thought maybe you had learned how4 ,i pray a little when ,i am alone1 but ,i don't know how very well1 and ,i am so weak it tires me to think of the words4 ,i guess ,he hears me1 though2 but when she prays1 it seems as if ,jesus came and stood right by us1 and that's the reason ,i wanted her4 ,call you pray8 ,not like her1 answered ,duncan4 ,i'm sorry1 said the boy1 so sadly that his visitor grew sad and sorrowful likewise4 ,i should think you'd learn1 continued ,davy4 ,i have learned a little myself1 but ,i want some one that knows ,him better than ,i do to ask ,jesus to receive me when ,i go4 ,but my mother will probably be able to come and see you in a day or two4 ,i don't think ,i shall be here4 ,the doctor says ,i may die suddenly4 ,it will be all right1 ,i suppose4 ,i can trust ,him4 ,but--don't you think you could speak to ,him8 ,duncan's thoughts were in a perfect tumult4 ,what could he do8 ,whatever possessed him to come here8 ,he might have known better4 ,could he resist the pleading voice and eyes of the sufferer8 ,but should he dare to pray now and here1 when he had not prayed in his closet for weeks6 ,only last ,thursday evening1 at the young people's meeting1 he had declined to lead in prayer1 saying to the leader1 ,i can't tonight2 and saying to himself1 ,i'm a miserable hypocrite3 ,i call myself a ,christian1 and yet ,i don't dare to pray4 ,but ,davy waited1 watching him with those great eager eyes4 ,he must say something1 but he could not pray4 ,don't you want me to sing for you8 he asked4 ,oh1 yea1 ,i'd like that1 it you can't pray4 ,so ,duncan sang a sweet little hymn1 and when it was ended1 acting upon a new idea1 he slid down upon his knees beside the dying child1 and said-- ,jesus1 friend of sinners1 ,i would speak to ,thee for this sick boy4 ,wilt ,thou come and stand very near to him1 and support him as he goes from this life into the next8 ,he loves and trusts ,thee4 ,do not let his faith falter2 do not withdraw thyself from him until he goes to be where he shall ever dwell in ,thy presence4 ,the words were few1 but the longing heart was satisfied1 and the feeble voice just whispered1-- ,he heard--he came4 ,duncan hurried away1 the tumult in his soul in no degree stilled4 ,he had fought many hard battles with that fiery temper and headstrong will of his1 but never had he passed through such a struggle as that day witnessed4 ,in the evening1 he went again to the young people's meeting4 ,without waiting to be asked this time1 he said1 ,last ,thursday evening1 ,i refused to pray4 ,the truth is1 ,i dared not pray as a ,christian1 and ,i was not prepared to humble myself and confess my sin4 ,tonight ,i am ready to acknowledge that ,i have wandered far from the white line which ,i have so long professed to follow1 but ,i am glad to say that ,i think ,i have found the true path again4 ,i will tell you how ,i got astray4 ,worldly pleasures enticed me1 and ,i set aside the apostolic command1 ',be not conformed to the world4' ,let us pray4 ,but ,clarence ,golden was not there to hear the confession of error1 and years after1 the thought of ,duncan would bring a curl to his lip1 and the bitter reflection1 ,i was nearer to being a ,christian that winter than ever before or since1 and if ,duncan had been true1 ,i might have been saved three years of doubt and scepticism4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,,where ,,we ,,leave ,,those ,,boys4 ,men are only boys grown tall4 ,,lewie ,,amesbury was packing up4 ,his college days were over4 ,herbert had already gone1 expecting to return to enter the theological school4 ,but as ,lewie's leave-taking was supposed to be final1 his preparations for departure took more time4 ,two or three fellow students were in the room helping1 saying good-bye1 talking over their late triumphs1 or lounging listlessly about4 ,from the dark corner of the closet1 ,lewie had just brought out a medley of garments1 dusty1 worn1 and old-fashioned4 ,fairly aching for a frolic1 ,fred ,torrey seized upon the veritable hat that once hung upon the rack in ,mr4 ,bradford's hall1 speckless and glossy4 ,hurrah6 he exclaimed1 as he fished out the shabby old thing4 ,here's an old acquaintance6 ,say1 ,amesbury1 how did you feel when you first put that hat on8 ,try it on and see for yourself1 was the curt reply4 ,oh1 it would fit ,baker here better1 and ,torrey attempted to put the battered old hat upon ,baker's head2 but that young gentleman suggested spiders1 and tossed it from him1 whereupon a very undignified scuffle ensued1 and the old acquaintance1 banged and bruised1 was kicked back and forth until ,fred ,torrey conceived the brilliant idea of turning it inside out4 ,suddenly1 he exclaimed-- ,well1 now1 this is rich6 ,say1 ,amesbury1 when did you turn tract distributor8 ,must have lent your hat to ,bradford sometimes4 ,pretty piece of literature for you to carry about6 ,what is it8 asked two or three voices4 ,just be quiet1 will you8 ,i can't deliver my sermon in such a din4 ,then he proceeded to read out the solemn appeal4 ,the little messenger which ,julia ,bradford had so long ago sent to speak words of warning1 which she found in her heart but could not bring to her lips1 had at last come forth from its hiding place4 ,lewie had not been engaged in the frolic1 and he now turned from the box of books which he was packing1 saying-- ,come1 ,torrey1 we've had enough of that4 ,what have you got1 and where did you get it8 ,oh1 yes6 ,what and where6 ,it is some of your own treasures4 ,i supposed you'd be willing to share your good things4 ,never mind1 ,i can get a supply from the ,tract ,society1 ,i suppose4 ,to which piece of nonsense ,lewie made no reply1 but reached out his hand for the yellow and worn paper1 which ,torrey relinquished1 saying-- ,come on1 ,baker1 if we make those calls1 and get off by the five o'clock train1 we've got to hurry4 ,lewie was left alone with the dingy tract in his hand4 ,as soon as his visitors were out of hearing1 he walked over to the door1 turned the key1 and leaving his books half packed1 sat down to read the message that he could not turn away from4 ,the language was simple and commonplace1 but the truths were awfully solemn4 ,he had heard them all before--heard them from the pulpit1 read them in the ,bible1 partly assenting and partly denying1 but never led by them into a real experience of the power of ,christ's love4 ,but now and here was ,god's time and way to answer the prayers of teacher and friends2 and when ,lewie ,amesbury1 the self-satisfied moralist1 read1-- ,remember that there is no salvation in any other1 no other name given under heaven whereby we must be saved2 only by casting yourself upon him1 renouncing self-righteousness and self-dependency1 can you hope for salvation-- ,how mean and miserable his past life looked to him6 ,and he had presumed to set aside ,christ's atonement as quite unnecessary in his case1 building his hopes for eternity upon his own good works6 ,no salvation in any other4 ,he had not entirely denied ,christ1 but he had not made him a ,saviour4 ,in his own thoughts1 he had endeavoured to follow ,christ's precepts4 ,now there seemed a great lack in his life4 ,what should fill it8 ,this was the question that absorbed his thoughts for many days2 but the answer came as it comes to those who really seek4 ,three months afterward1 ,fred ,torrey was hurrying down ,broadway when a voice arrested him4 ,see here1 ,tor1 if it isn't a life1 or a million that is at stake1 suppose you stop and speak to an old crony8 ,ah1 ,baker1 glad to see you4 ,i have no special need of haste1 though ,i have several things to do this afternoon4 ,i'm off to-morrow4 ,for ,europe8 ,does ,amesbury go with you8 asked ,baker4 ,amesbury8 ,haven't you heard8 ,he has gone back with ,bradford to study for the ministry4 ,amesbury study for the ministry6 repeated ,baker4 ,you are quizzing4 ,not at all4 ,it is the solemn truth1 queer as it seems4 ,well1 a sudden turn around ,i should say4 ,i have a note from him1 said ,torrey3 ,let me see--no1 ,i haven't it about me4 ,he says that the purposes of his life have changed1 that he just begins to see the real meaning of ,christ's life and death1 and more in that strain4 ,he is evidently in earnest4 ,if ,i had time1 ,i'd look into the matter4 ,there must be something in a religion that wins over a fellow like ,amesbury4 ,i know reckless sort of sinners like you and me are apt to go from one extreme to another1 but steady1 cautious fellows of his stamp are hard to turn4 ,i wonder what did it8 ,i'm sure ,i don't know--though ,i can't help thinking that that dirty1 dingy tract that ,i resurrected had something to do with it4 ,i shouldn't wonder1 said ,baker thoughtfully2 then the conversation drifted to other topics4 ,the years passed away1 four more of them4 ,mrs4 ,judge ,mc,nair1 just seated in her mother's room1 was saying1-- ,no1 ,i won't take off my hat4 ,i mustn't stop long4 ,father said you were not well last evening1 so ,i thought ,i must run up a few moments1 if ,i did not get everything done4 ,oh1 you expect your boys6 ,why1 mother1 laughed the younger lady1 do you forget that they are grown-up1 really men doing their work among men8 ,well1 ,i suppose so4 ,but how large a party do you intend to have8 ,only about twenty--,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,earle1 ,dr4 ,myers and ,lou1 ,mr4 ,golden and ,louise1 and a few more4 ,when are ,herbert and ,jenny to go8 ,in about a week1 replied ,mabel4 ,mr4 ,turner is very urgent4 ,it is wonderful what a work that man has done4 ,they have a little church quite finished1 and a part of the salary pledged2 and six or seven years ago there was no such thing known as the ,sabbath4 ,one or two who had been church members at the ,east1 but who had been living away from ,christ1 awakened by his example1 and took hold of the work with him4 ,it is remarkable how ,god raises up his workers4 ,but don't you feel that it is a great pity that ,jenny and ,herbert should bury themselves way off there8 ,i don't think it is a pity at all1 returned ,mrs4 ,mc,nair1 with earnestness4 ,it seems a grand field for labour4 ,i am glad they are called to it4 ,it seems that ,nicholas has had his thoughts turned toward ,herbert as their future minister almost ever since he went out there2 but ,herbert was quite decided about remaining at the ,east1 until lately the indications of ,providence have seemed so pointed that he could not refuse to go4 ,the ,lord seems to guide him by baffling his own plans1 and shutting him up to one path4 ,ah6 ,mabel1 you are just as queer as ever6 ,queer1 is she8 ,well1 ,i wish we were all as queer6 ,the last speaker was ,mr4 ,wynn1 who had just entered4 ,i'd be glad to find the satisfaction in religion that you do1 ,mabel4 ,ah6 ,father1 ,i am sure that if you looked there for satisfaction as earnestly as you do to the world1 you would find it4 ,perhaps so4 ,well1 ,i am going to retire from business next year2 then ,i shall have time to pay more attention to religious matters4 ,mabel did not reply1 only smiled sadly1 as she thought how persistently her father separated the things that ought to go together4 ,presently ,mrs4 ,wynn exclaimed1-- ,why1 ,mabel1 what a company of ministers you'll have6 ,tom ,nichols and ,herbert and young ,amesbury1 besides ,mr4 ,earle4 ,well1 child1 said ,mr4 ,wynn1 you did pretty well to train up two preachers from that class4 ,two6 ,why1 father1 they are nearly all preachers4 ,all but one1 and ,i expect that he will be4 ,there's ,arthur ,knapp away in ,colorado1 and if his life is at all what his letters indicate 7and he is no hypocrite71 he is preaching ,christ most effectively4 ,i insist that every ,christian man and woman ought by their daily living to hold up ,christ as the one perfect pattern and the only ,saviour4 ,then there's ,henry ,trafton1 his pictures are lessons of truth and purity4 ,the one the judge bought last winter is as good as a sermon to me whenever ,i look at it1 which is pretty often4 ,and ,duncan is growing more like his father every year4 ,it is a fact1 those boys have turned out well4 ,i thought one while that ,perry ,morse would go to ruin sure1 but his father tells me he is doing well4 ,as for that matter1 ,i believe they were rather a hard set4 ,how did you manage them1 ,mabel8 ,in the first place1 they were not a 'hard set' at all4 ,they were just like any other half dozen boys1 and ,i never managed at all4 ,i had faith in them and faith in ,god's promises4 ,i tried to teach them what it was to follow ,christ1 and to show them how much easier and better to follow closely than afar off4 ,but1 continued ,mrs4 ,mc,nair1 rising1 ,i really must not stop4 ,mother1 do you think you will be able to come over this evening8 ,oh1 yes1 ,mr4 ,wynn answered for her4 ,we will look in at your 'ministers' meeting4' ,upon her way home1 ,mabel took a letter from the office4 ,here it is3 ,,my ,,dear ,,friend3--,i have very pleasant things to write4 ,in those dark days just before ,i left ,westville1 ,i never expected to see such good times as these4 ,god has dealt very mercifully with me4 ,in my time of disgrace and despair1 he raised up kind friends for me1 and in those years since1 he has followed me with loving-kindness1 and yet ,i have not been mindful of him4 ,if ,i have led a different life since ,i came here1 it was not from love to ,christ4 ,if ,i have outwardly kept pretty near the white line1 it was because it seemed the better way in a worldly point of view4 ,but for several months ,i have been dissatisfied with my life and its motives4 ,i seemed to need something higher4 ,at last the long1 weary struggle over1 ,i yield to ,christ a loving service1 and accept the joy and peace which fills my need4 ,yesterday ,i joined with his own people in the holy communion4 ,i mean to be earnest and true4 ,i trust that ,i shall still be one for whom you pray4 ,you will doubtless be interested in hearing of some of the new business arrangements4 ,your good brother-in-law has taken me into partnership4 ,he reckons my youth and business capacity as an offset to his money capital4 ,he proposes to retire from active life 7so far as the store is concerned7 and leave the business in my care4 ,you will see how he trusts me4 ,once ,i should have been very vain of such a trust1 now ,i look to ,christ for grace to sustain it4 ,i should like to be in ,westville while ,herbert and ,lewie are there1 but ,i think ,i cannot leave at present4 ,may ,god go with them and bless them in their work4 ,as ever1 your old pupil1 ,,perry ,,morse4 ,at last6 ,oh1 ,i knew ,god would not fail me4 ,he never has6 ,with this thought1 ,mrs4 ,mc,nair slipped her letter back into its envelope1 smoothed her hair and went down to dinner4 ,and so they were all following at last4 ,as they were far from perfection as boys1 so they are far from being perfect men4 ,it takes years of ,christian living and learning before we reach that higher plane where grace so abounds that sin has no foothold4 ,but for fine specimens of noble ,christian manhood1 you need not go outside the little circle of ,those ,boys1 who have found that their chosen motto1 while it is narrow as regards being of the world1 is yet broad in all ,christian aims4 ,,the ,,end4 ,,printed ,,by ,j4 ,s4 ,,virtue ,,and ,,co41 ,,limited1 ,,city ,,road1 ,,london4 ,,the ,,pansy ,,books4 ,,there are substantial reasons for the great popularity of the ,,pansy ,,books1 and foremost among these is their truth to nature and to life4 ,the genuineness of the types of character which they portray is indeed remarkable2 their heroes bring us face to face with every phase of home life1 and present graphic and inspiring pictures of the actual struggles through which victorious souls must go4 ,messrs4 ,,george ,,routledge ,,sons1 to meet a demand that has arisen for first-rate ,sunday ,school ,books1 have issued the above ,series1 now having an enormous sale in ,america4 ,they are published in crown #hvo1 #chd pages in each1 bound in cloth4 ,,prices ,,of ,,routledge',s ,,editions ,,of ,,the ,,pansy ,,books4 #a4 ,in crown #hvo1 cloth1 price #as4 each4 #b4 ,in crown #hvo1 cloth1 gilt edges1 price #as4 #f;d4 each4 #c4 ,in crown #hvo1 cloth gilt1 with ,frontispieces1 price #bs4 each4 #d4 ,in crown #hvo1 cloth gilt1 gilt edges1 with ,frontispieces1 price #bs4 #f;d4 each4 ,for ,list of the ,series1 see next page4 ,,the ,,pansy ,,books4 ,,routledge',s ,,editions4 #a4 ,,four ,,girls ,,at ,,chautauqua4 #b4 ,,little ,,fishers ,,and ,,their ,,nets4 #c4 ,,three ,,people4 #d4 ,,echoing ,,and ,,re-,,echoing4 #e4 ,,christie',s ,,christmas4 #f4 ,,divers ,,women4 #g4 ,,spun ,,from ,,fact4 #h4 ,,the ,,chautauqua ,,girls ,,at ,,home4 #i4 ,,the ,,pocket ,,measure4 #aj4 ,,julia ,,ried4 #aa4 ,,wise ,,and ,,otherwise4 #ab4 ,,the ,,king',s ,,daughter4 #ac4 ,,links ,,in ,,rebecca',s ,,life4 #ad4 ,,interrupted4 #ae4 ,,the ,,master ,,hand4 #af4 ,,an ,,endless ,,chain4 #ag4 ,,ester ,,ried4 #ah4 ,,ester ,,ried ,,yet ,,speaking4 #ai4 ,,the ,,man ,,of ,,the ,,house4 #bj4 ,,ruth ,,erskine',s ,,crosses4 #ba4 ,,household ,,puzzles4 #bb4 ,,mabel ,,wynn4 #bc4 ,,modern ,,prophets4 #bd4 ,,the ,,randolphs4 #be4 ,,mrs4 ,,solomon ,,smith ,,looking ,,on4 #bf4 ,,from ,,different ,,standpoints4 #bg4 ,a ,,new ,,graft ,,on ,,the ,,family ,,tree4 #bh4 ,,profiles4 #bi4 ,,sidney ,,martin',s ,,christmas4 #cj4 ,,tip ,,lewis ,,and ,,his ,,lamp4 #ca4 ,,eighty-,,seven4