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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78888 ***
+
+Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed.
+
+
+
+[Illustration: HARK, HARK, THE LARK
+ FROM A PAINTING BY W. E. EVANS]
+
+
+
+                           SUNDAY
+
+                              SUNSHINE.
+
+
+                            EDITED BY
+
+                         CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+
+                            AUTHOR OF
+
+  "Something for Sunday," "Mother-Meg," "Dickie's Secret," etc.
+
+
+                          [Illustration]
+
+
+                              LONDON
+                        JOHN F. SHAW AND CO.
+                        48, PATERNOSTER ROW
+
+
+
+                          [Illustration]
+
+                             CONTENTS.
+
+  A Black Sheep.
+  A Charge.
+  A Dark Night.
+  A Decision.
+  A Favour.
+  A Lightened Load.
+       I.
+      II.—Changed.
+  An Uninvited Guest.
+  At Bethany.
+  A Telegram.
+  A Wet Day.
+  Devotion.
+  God's Messages—Lettice's Lark.
+  Gossip.
+  Grand-dad's Advice.
+  "Hail, King of the Jews!"
+  Her Sailor Boy.
+  Hindered.
+  Hira's Quest.
+      I.—A Strange Visit.
+      II.—Hira's Friend.
+      III.—A Startling Question.
+      IV.—A Sad Story.
+      V.—Alone in the Storm.
+      VI.—Father and Daughter.
+      VII.—Sukhiya's Scheme.
+      VIII.—The Old, Old Story.
+      IX.—"His Great Love."
+      X.—Rest.
+      XI.—"Ask, and It Shall Be Given You."
+      XII.—"He Careth for You."
+      XIII.—Hira's Quest Ended.
+      XIV.—Believing and Confessing.
+      XV.—Hunger and Thirst.
+      XVI.—Home at Last.
+      XVII.—Another Prodigal Son.
+      XVIII.—The Father's House.
+      XIX.—Sukhiya's Fall.
+      XX.—Behári Lál.
+      XXI.—Brought Home.
+      XXII.—"She Only Touched The Hem of His Garment."
+  "If Thou Hadst Known!"
+  In the Prison.
+  "I Love Him Still."
+  Jesus Looked round about upon all Things.
+  Jim.
+  Looking for Father's Boat.
+  Making the Best of a Bad Job.
+  "Master, Rebuke Thy Disciples."
+  Memories.
+  "Me Too."
+  Nellie's Card.
+  Nora's Message.
+  On the Moors.
+  Our Jack-a-Napes.
+      I.
+      II.
+      III.
+  Out of the Tombs.
+  "Peter Followed Afar Off."
+  Pollie's New Mistress.
+  Pulling.
+  "Punchinello."
+  Royalty and Loyalty.
+  Scripture Clock.
+  Smoothed Out.
+  So Much the More!
+  Sunday Lessons.
+  Sunset for Jamie.
+  The Alms-house Inmates.
+  The Call of Peter.
+  The First Day.
+  The Hill above Nazareth.
+  The New Governess.
+  The Ringleaders.
+  The Stay of the Family.
+  To-day.
+  Turned Out.
+  Twenty Times.
+  Under the Lych Gate.
+  "What Doest thou here, Elijah?"
+  When?
+  "Will I?"
+
+                          [Illustration]
+
+
+
+                   [Illustration: Illustrations.]
+
+  A blind beggar.
+  A "boat from the French shore picked him up."
+  "'Ain't you sold any more than that?'"
+  "All day she sat quiet and waited."
+  "A soft hand rested on his shoulder."
+  "Beatrice fidgeted her hoop backwards and forwards."
+  Big Bob and Little Bob were carrying Liz in a net between them.
+  Bring your work, and sit under the trees.
+  Dick bringing home the wood.
+  "Eileen stood and waited under the lych gate."
+  Elijah in the wilderness.
+  "Geraldine worked in a corner apart."
+  "Gladys is the little teacher."
+  "'Go out and stay by the church gate.'"
+  "Hail, King of the Jews!"
+  "He only moved his position nearer to the fire."
+  Her late Majesty distributing gifts to soldiers' children.
+  "Hira would steal away to this quiet corner."
+  His mother clasped him in her arms.
+  "'I don't believe I shall ever learn it!'"
+  "I never saw such a sweet baby," said Grannie.
+  "Ivan drew out his little Bible."
+  "'I will go with them myself,' said Geraldine."
+  Jesus and the angry Jews.
+  Jesus and the blind man.
+  Jesus and the man possessed with a devil.
+  Jesus at Bethany.
+  Jesus at Simon's house.
+  Jesus entering the Temple.
+  Jesus going up to Jerusalem.
+  Jesus viewing Jerusalem.
+  "Jim drew the child nearer and admired her fish."
+  Joseph interpreting dreams.
+  Launching the boat.
+  "Mary went out into the November mist."
+  Memories.
+  Milly getting her ticket.
+  "Minette took Hans by the hand."
+  Nellie's card.
+  "'Now I'll put him on his hat.'"
+  "'Oh, has it!' asked Tommy, looking up surprised."
+  Peace I leave with you.
+  Peter in the court of the palace.
+  "Pollie hardly saw what flowers she gathered."
+  Pulling.
+  "Rollo stood looking on."
+  Scripture clock.
+  "She lay back exhausted."
+  "She lay in her arms for her 'cuddle.'"
+  "She's in the passage, kneeling by the window."
+  "She stooped and tied a ribbon round her dog."
+  "She tossed the corn to the fowls."
+  "'Sleep, lambkin, sleep,' she sang softly."
+  "Taking the lamp she started back to the child."
+  The alms-house inmates.
+  The call of Peter.
+  "'The "Doris" is to proceed to the Cape, Nellie.'"
+  The fishing-boat.
+  "The foam broke up white at the water's edge."
+  The new governess.
+  Tommy's grandfather.
+  "Two laughing girls sat down to a cup of chocolate."
+  "'What "doesn't" he say?' she responded lightly."
+  "'What do you want?' Sandy growled."
+  When she got out into the fields better thoughts came.
+  "'Why, see, child, it's all coming undone!'"
+  "'Why, you are reading a story book!'"
+  "'Yes; and it is all my fault,' sobbed the girl."
+
+                          [Illustration]
+
+
+
+                        SUNDAY SUNSHINE
+
+                    Edited by CATHARINE SHAW
+
+                          [Illustration]
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+BY LOUISE MARSTON.
+
+CHAPTER I.—A STRANGE VISIT.
+
+THE sun was just sinking to rest in a mass of soft white clouds which
+were banked up against a clear blue sky—streaks and waves of crimson
+mingled with tints of almost indescribable hues showed upon the white
+background with an intensity of beauty for those who had eyes to see it.
+
+The earthly scene, from which the sun was just hiding itself, was very
+different to the heavenly; "that" consisted of a few straggling mud
+houses, which could not be called a village: they were too near to the
+large Indian city of which they had originally formed a part, but had
+by some means become separated.
+
+Near by was a muddy pond, which dried up in the dry, hot months, but
+now afforded a cool, refreshing resting-place to a herd of buffaloes,
+who wisely showed they knew the best place to be comfortable in. Except
+for these ungainly animals, which could not be said to add any beauty
+to the scene, the place looked so silent and deserted that it was
+difficult to believe it to be inhabited by any human being.
+
+Suddenly the dreary dinginess was brightened by a patch of bright red,
+which appeared on the roof of one of the desolate-looking mud houses.
+It moved warily across the flat roof, and then subsided in a corner,
+where it became a "very" small patch, and kept very still.
+
+A closer inspection would have revealed the fact that this red patch
+was a sari worn by a little Hindu girl. From between its folds, which
+were often disturbed by the breeze, could be seen her face, very small
+and thin, surrounded by black hair, which apparently did not receive
+much attention. The sad, patient expression of the child's face could
+not fail to be noticed, and though she sat as if gazing on the glorious
+sky before her, no sign of pleasure helped to dispel the sadness.
+
+It was not to see the beauties of the sunset that she had crept up to
+the roof, and sat there so still.
+
+It mattered not to her whether the sun rose or set, except for the
+heat of its rays, for amidst the brightest glare of a tropical sun she
+remained in perfect darkness, for Hira was blind.
+
+She had never thought of grieving over this sad fact, but quietly
+accepted it, as she did everything which came to her. Joy and happiness
+were words which had no meaning for her, and therefore sorrow and
+sadness could not be known by contrast—just as, never having seen the
+light, she could hardly comprehend the dense darkness in which she
+dwelt.
+
+If she had been asked whether she was happy, she would have been sorely
+perplexed how to answer, for she knew no more of happiness than she did
+of the world in which she lived.
+
+If she could have analysed her thoughts and feelings and put them into
+words, she might have said that what she liked best of all was to climb
+on to the roof, and sit alone in the dark, and "listen," for though she
+had no eyes to see, she had ears which no sound escaped.
+
+She loved silence too, and that could seldom be had in the courtyard
+and verandah below, where children cried, and women talked or
+quarrelled, and men scolded.
+
+So, as soon as the sun went down, Hira would steal away to this quiet
+corner, which she knew so well that she never feared as she groped her
+way to it.
+
+She talked very little, this blind child, but she thought much, though
+it might be difficult to explain "how," when she had so little to think
+about.
+
+Her mother was dead, and her father had gone away years ago and never
+come back; so she lived with her uncle and aunt, who had plenty of
+children of their own. She never missed the love which she had never
+known, and it was only when she received an extra hard blow, dealt by
+some impatient hand, or did not receive enough food to satisfy her
+hunger, that she would creep away to her corner on the roof, where her
+tears fell unseen and unknown. Even then she did not know that she was
+unhappy.
+
+As she sat on that evening with her chin resting on her hands, suddenly
+she gave a start, for an unusual sound had reached her quick ears.
+
+It was not often she heard anything like this, and a more critical
+listener than she might have been pleased to hear the clear, full tones
+of the manly voice which broke the stillness.
+
+Hira was not left to enjoy her delight alone; it suddenly became
+evident that this was not such a deserted region as it appeared. A
+small crowd collected round the singer, and several women came on to
+the roof, that they might hear from there. The words were very simple
+and oft repeated, and before the hymn was finished, two were clearly
+imprinted on the blind child's memory, words never to be forgotten, for
+they were the name of Jesus Christ.
+
+The hymn told how His work was to save souls, and because He had laid
+down His life that He might be the Saviour, no sinner could ever come
+to Him and not receive salvation at His hand.
+
+Clear and distinct the words rang out on the still evening air, and
+were wafted afar on the breeze.
+
+The singer's heart rejoiced, for a stranger in a strange land, as yet
+separated by an unknown language from those into whose midst he had
+come to dwell, he had found a means of telling the good news which he
+had come so far to proclaim.
+
+But he had another message to give before he went on his way, and, not
+now in tones of persuasive sweetness, but as a command given by one in
+authority rang out the words, not twice, but again and again, "Prepare
+to meet thy God."
+
+Then the messenger went on his way, and the astonished listeners never
+asked him why or whence he came.
+
+For a time, people talked of the mysterious stranger who had come and
+gone so quickly and sang with such a beautiful voice. Then they forgot.
+
+But there was one who always remembered.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Blind Hira, wrapped in her red sari on the corner of the roof, heard
+the words of the command, and, perhaps because she could not be so
+easily distracted by the things of earth, which were hidden from her,
+they remained written on her memory and heart.
+
+"Prepare to meet thy God." "Prepare to meet thy God."
+
+The words rang on and on, sometimes mixing with the words of the
+hymn, telling of One of whom she had never heard, and having heard,
+understood nothing, but yet whose name became so familiar, even Jesus
+Christ, the sinner's Saviour.
+
+
+
+GOD'S MESSAGES—LETTICE'S LARK.
+
+"LETTICE, go out and sit on the form in the shade till I am ready for
+church," said her mother.
+
+"May I pick some moon-daisies for old Mrs. Robins? She does love them
+so."
+
+"Very well, but do not make yourself dirty."
+
+So Lettice set forth, and when she had filled her basket, she sat down
+to rest.
+
+How quiet it all was! How soft the air blew, bringing on it the sound
+of the distant church bells; while from the field, a lark rose up
+singing with all its might.
+
+Lettice's eyes followed it far up into the blue sky, and her thoughts
+went further than her eyes—even into heaven, where angels and the
+redeemed were praising God.
+
+When she carried the marguerites into the sick chamber of old Mrs.
+Robins, her face brought a message, though the little girl was quite
+unconscious of it. As the invalid looked at the flowers that quiet
+Sunday evening, she said over and over again to herself, "God's little
+messenger, that's what she was! She looked as if she'd been talking to
+Him."
+
+
+
+AN UNINVITED GUEST.
+
+ONE day when the Lord Jesus was on this earth, He was invited to dinner
+by a rich man named Simon.
+
+Perhaps this rich man asked the Lord Jesus to dinner because he wished
+to see Him do some miracle—something wonderful, which no one else could
+do; or he may have imagined that people would think more of himself if
+he had Jesus for a guest. At any rate, by what we read afterwards, I am
+afraid the Pharisee did not invite Jesus because he "loved" Him.
+
+But there was somebody at that feast who did love Jesus, but she was
+not invited!
+
+In Eastern lands, the houses are not shut up like our houses, but
+because it is so warm, the dining-rooms are often open to the air on
+one or two sides.
+
+When a great man makes a feast, people hear of it, and come round the
+house to look at what is going on.
+
+In the city, there lived a poor sinful and sorrowful woman who had
+learned to love the Lord Jesus; perhaps she had heard Him say those
+loving words: "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
+and I will give you rest."
+
+When this sorrowful woman heard that Jesus was gone to dinner at the
+Pharisee's house, she brought a little box made of alabaster, which was
+filled with some very sweet-smelling ointment, and she made her way
+into the open dining-hall, and when she saw where the Lord was sitting,
+on a sort of couch close to the table, she came up and stood behind Him.
+
+And as she stood there and thought of all her sinfulness, and of all
+His love and compassion, she began to weep, and her tears fell down
+over His feet as He reclined at the table.
+
+Then she wiped His feet with her hair and anointed them with the sweet
+ointment.
+
+But the Pharisee who had invited the Lord Jesus looked on with great
+anger. He thought if Jesus were a great teacher, He would not have
+allowed a woman from the city to come and wash His feet with her tears.
+
+But Jesus knows all our hearts, and He could see that the poor woman
+loved Him so much that she would go away and try never to grieve Him
+any more.
+
+By-and-by, He told Simon to look at this woman, and compare her love
+with his.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Jesus said words something like this: "Simon, I was tired and dusty
+when I came in, but you did not give Me water to bathe My feet; but she
+has washed My feet with her tears; you did not offer Me a kiss, but
+this woman has not ceased to kiss My 'feet'; you did not anoint My head
+with oil, but she has even anointed My 'feet' with precious ointment.
+She has loved Me very much because I have forgiven her very much."
+
+And turning to the woman, Jesus said to her, "Thy sins are
+forgiven; . . . go in peace."
+
+Oh, the joy of hearing Jesus say those words! And we may have the joy
+too, if we come to Him with humble, loving heart, and tell Him that we
+are sorry.
+
+He never turns anyone away who comes to Him; so, dear little children,
+let us trust His loving heart, and though we know we are very unworthy,
+do not let us stay away for that, for Jesus longs that we may be
+forgiven, and so be able to go away "in peace."
+
+
+
+JIM.
+
+THE "Sailors' Arms" had held out alluring hands to Jim Adams for many a
+long day. His was the most familiar figure by its fireside in winter,
+and in fact, the "Sailors' Arms" saw more of Jim Adams when he was home
+from sea than the bare, dirty cottage where he lodged.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+But one sunny summer afternoon, Jim turned out of the "Sailors' Arms"
+earlier than his wont.
+
+Somehow he had got thinking of the Lizzie who would have been his wife
+if she hadn't taken the fever and died. He mightn't have been the Jim
+Adams he was now if she had lived. Who cared for him? Nobody. Who
+respected him? Nobody. Who would shed a tear if he never came back from
+sea? Nobody. They called him a drunken ne'er-do-weel, and they took a
+drink from him and laughed at him almost openly, and the respectable
+men and women drew away from him. It was a black picture that Jim drew
+of himself as he sat on the shingle and looked at the sea.
+
+A sound of voices and laughter came up to him, and he saw Bob Sheppard
+and his children coming over the sand. Big Bob and little Bob were
+carrying small Liz in a net between them.
+
+Jim watched them wistfully. He might have had a little laughing
+daughter like that.
+
+The two bearers deposited the child on the shingle, and Liz, after
+looking round for something to do, came trotting straight towards Jim.
+
+Jim held his breath. He didn't know what made him think of such a
+thing, but he decided that if she turned from him, there was no chance
+of his being different, but if she came past him without fear, he would
+try to be more like the Jim that the dead Lizzie had known.
+
+Little Liz stooped and picked up a piece of shining seaweed; she came
+towards Jim and held it out. "That's for you!" she said in her baby
+voice.
+
+Jim took it. He looked at it, and folded it and put it in his pocket,
+and the child stood and watched him as he got slowly up and went away.
+
+[Illustration: Big Bob and little Bob were carrying Liz in a net
+between them.]
+
+Three days later, Jim Adams went to sea again, and Liz's bit of seaweed
+went in his pocket. For three days he had been perfectly sober, and the
+"Sailors' Arms" had been feeling empty.
+
+Bob Sheppard sailed with him, and sometimes he would look pitifully at
+his neighbour's lowering, morose face. But Jim was such a well-known
+character that Bob never once dreamed of his wanting a helping hand or
+of the wish to be different.
+
+But wish as Jim would, he had no power to make himself different, and
+when the ship put in at the seaport near his village home, he went on
+shore and got drunk. He was sitting on deck next morning feeling more
+ashamed and sorry than he ever remembered feeling before, and there was
+a terrible depression at his heart. He could never be different, never
+be good enough to meet Lizzie. He would not try any more. He even took
+out the little bit of seaweed that he had thought would be a talisman
+to help him, and was going to throw it into the sea, when a small voice
+beside him said,—
+
+"Did you like my bit of seaweed? You never said you did."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Jim started violently. There stood little Liz, hugging a great fish,
+and behind her was her mother, smiling at her. The two had come over as
+a great treat to see Bob, and Liz had spied her old friend and sought
+him out.
+
+Jim felt almost too shy to speak to her, but Mrs. Sheppard was talking
+quietly to her husband, and Jim drew the child nearer and admired her
+great fish. The two grew quite friendly, and hope began to creep back
+to Jim's heart. Suddenly looking up, he found Mrs. Sheppard looking
+down at him with a kindly expression in her eyes.
+
+"My little Liz has taken quite a fancy to you," she said.
+
+"I wish I was a better man," he said huskily. "I did try, but it don't
+seem no use."
+
+"The Lord Jesus would help you," she answered softly. "He loves you and
+died for you."
+
+A light came into Jim's bleared eyes.
+
+"Lizzie used to talk like that," he said, "but it's too late now; I'm
+too bad."
+
+"It's never too late," cried Mrs. Sheppard warmly. "Don't you remember—
+
+   "'The dying thief rejoiced to see
+       That fountain in his day;
+     And there may I, as vile as he,
+       Wash all my sins away.'"
+
+Bob called her just then, and she and Liz wished him good-bye. But
+before she parted from Bob, she said hesitatingly, "You know Jim Adams,
+Bob? Give him a kind word now and then; little Liz has taken such a
+fancy to him, and he looks lonely."
+
+Bob looked down into little Liz's clear blue eyes thoughtfully. "He
+wouldn't take a word from me," he said, "but I'll think of it. You
+know, we think of those at home when we're out on the quiet nights, and
+I will see," he added fondly.
+
+He watched Jim curiously after that. He wondered what had made Lizzie
+take to the man. She was a rather shy, particular little lady, and Jim
+was not prepossessing in appearance.
+
+Bob watched Jim a good deal that voyage.
+
+Jim was usually morose and taciturn; now, silent as ever, he looked
+different, less unkempt, less unhappy. But Bob did not find a chance of
+speaking to him; their duties lay apart, and it seemed as if all things
+combined to separate them.
+
+One night a wild gale sprang up, and the ship, never very seaworthy in
+Bob's eyes, strained and tossed, and was beaten hither and thither in
+an alarming manner. Signals were fired, for they were in sight of the
+French coast, and as the tardy morning dawned, they saw that a small
+boat was putting out to them.
+
+The storm had subsided and the sea had gone down, but the wild waves
+had done their work on the old ship and she was sinking fast, and but
+one boat was coming out in answer to the signals of distress.
+
+Jim Adams stood looking out over the heaving water. He had a lifebelt
+on. He had just been at the pumps, and he knew the ship was doomed, and
+he was facing death and eternity. Yes, he could face them calmly now.
+He took out the bit of seaweed little Liz had given him—his first ray
+of hope—and he murmured over the verse Liz's mother had repeated. As he
+said the last line, he lifted his head with a look of triumph in his
+eyes—
+
+   "And there may I, as vile as he,
+      Wash all my sins away."
+
+He started as he felt someone stand beside him, and Bob Sheppard's
+voice said, "She's going fast."
+
+Jim nodded. "It's all right for me," he said gruffly. Then he added
+quickly, "Where's your lifebelt, man? That boat will never reach in
+time, and you've dear ones waiting at home."
+
+Little Liz's fair face seemed to rise before Bob's eyes, but he knew
+nothing of the ring of pathos that came into his voice as he answered
+quietly, "There aren't enough belts to go quite round."
+
+Jim made a quick movement, and Bob cried out earnestly, "No, no! Not
+your belt, Jim Adams; I'm determined about that."
+
+"So am I," answered Jim; "I'll try for the boat. I've no one to shed
+a tear if I go down, and you have wife and child. If it should be so,
+tell little Liz when she's growed up as she pointed the way to God to a
+poor lost sinner—she and your missis."
+
+He would take no denial, and he had but bound the life-preserver round
+Bob, when there was a sudden cry from below, "She's going!"
+
+She was, indeed. In the rush of the swirl of water as the ship sank,
+Bob saw no more of Jim. He was not to wait for the boat after all, and
+Bob was borne away on the crest of a wave.
+
+A spar touched his hand, and he grasped it. He would fight for the life
+Jim had tried to give him while his strength held out. An hour later,
+the boat from the French shore picked him up and bore him to land.
+
+All his mates were saved but one, and the one that was missing was Jim.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+It was early morning when the ill-fated boat that carried Jim Adams and
+Bob Sheppard sank into the seething water. The gale that had lulled
+somewhat rose again, and a few hours later, a little fishing-smack came
+in to the hospitable shore where Bob and his companions were recovering
+from their experiences. And with them, cold and still and altogether
+peaceful, came all that was left of Jim Adams. The fishermen said they
+had picked him up just alive, but in spite of all they could do, he had
+died before they could reach home.
+
+As Bob Sheppard stood looking down on the face of the man who had
+given his life for him, great tears welled up into his eyes and rolled
+unheeded down his rough face. What was he that Jim Adams should give
+his chance of life for him? He remembered his wife's interest in Jim,
+and Jim's love for little Liz. Jim had given them back their dearest,
+and had died in the giving.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Bob stooped down and took a piece of seaweed from the hand of the dead
+man. It was twisted firmly in the fingers, and Bob took it as a little
+remembrance. It was all that he could take to tell of that morning's
+work. But he did not know that he was taking the bit of seaweed that
+Liz had given in the innocence of her childish heart that day when Jim
+had left the "Sailors' Arms" and gone to think of his lost Lizzie on
+the beach.
+
+Bob did not guess that the seaweed that he folded in his pocket-book
+had been the first ray of hope for a new life for Jim. But he
+determined that the life given back to him that day should be devoted
+more wholly to following his Saviour.
+
+He saw Jim laid to rest in the little French burying-place, and then he
+took the first opportunity of going back to his home.
+
+How warm was his welcome!
+
+And as he and his wife gathered round the fire that first evening, with
+small Bob at his elbow and Liz close clasped in his arms, he told them
+how Jim had given his life for him.
+
+Ah, Jim! You thought that no tears would be shed for you; you thought
+no one would care! No one at the "Sailors' Arms" gave you another
+thought. Other sailors, tied and bound by the curse of drink, occupied
+the "Sailors' Arms," but you were mourned and spoken of gently in one
+home, the home where little Liz lived.
+
+As Liz grew up, her mother often told her of Jim Adams, for the child
+had no knowledge of what her little innocent gift of seaweed had done
+for Jim, though she could well remember Jim's face and figure. And the
+story had an effect on all her life, making her kind and thoughtful for
+the sad and downtrodden, and ever ready to hold out a helping hand, or
+give a cheering word to those who had few to care for them.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+TURNED OUT.
+
+IT could not be true! George looked at his employer blankly; surely he
+had misunderstood. But once more, the harsh words fell on his ears, and
+he knew he had heard aright.
+
+"Here are your wages, and I shall not need your services after next
+week."
+
+George took the pile of silver handed him and walked mechanically out
+of the office. Some of the men eyed him curiously as he passed, not a
+few openly jeered, but George walked on, dragging his feet wearily.
+
+At the corner he paused, then turned sharply away from the village
+towards the desolate bare heaps of refuse which lay around, and walked
+rapidly on. How could he go home and face his mother with that story,
+that mother so dependent on him, for whom he had toiled so long?
+
+Making sure no one was within sight, he flung himself on the ground and
+moaned aloud. Oh, why had they left their little country home and come
+to this drear spot? It was all dark to him, and there was no one to
+comfort him then.
+
+At last, he roused himself and turned back towards the village; the
+sun was setting in a red glow behind the church tower, and the rooks
+in the vicarage garden were flying homewards. All was at rest and in
+peace, but he alone. And why was it? What had he done that he should be
+dismissed? Ah! He knew, but the thought brought him no comfort yet.
+
+"'Saint,'" they had called him, "'coward'" too, because he had refused
+to join in their gambling and drinks, and had mocked him; ay, and
+cursed him too for the loving care he gave to his mother.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+So he strode through the village angry and sad. Angry, for he thought
+God had forsaken him, sad because his faith was dim, and he saw not the
+hand stretched out even then to shield.
+
+He had passed the little gate which led from the vicarage garden, when
+a cheery voice called to him, and he turned to see the vicar leaning
+over it. A glance at his face told the vicar he was in trouble, and
+drawing him inside, he paced silently beside the lad while he told his
+tale.
+
+He could do little then to comfort, but his sympathy helped George and
+took the hardness out of his heart and voice.
+
+Then he hastened home and broke the news to his mother, never noticing
+in his trouble the glad bright light on her face.
+
+When he had finished, she took her son by the arm and led him to the
+window, where lay a strange, long envelope. George took it, wondering,
+then read the letter almost with awe.
+
+"Mother!" he said, and clasped her in his arms. "Then God has not
+forgotten."
+
+The letter was from a strange lawyer, telling them that George's uncle
+had died in Australia and had left £500 to George's dear mother.
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+HER SAILOR BOY.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+"I'D better go away, mother, and get over it as best I can!"
+
+"Away from 'me,' Benny?"
+
+"I shall be better away. It's no use trying here. I shall meet Mary
+every day, and I can't stand it."
+
+Then the mother knew that what she had feared had come upon her. She
+only held his hand and looked into his face.
+
+"There's only one way that I know on, to get broken hearts healed," she
+said, falteringly; "and that ain't going into foreign parts! There's a
+Healer as will do better for you nor that!"
+
+The young man would not pull his hand away, for might it not be the
+last time she might hold it? But a slight movement on his part showed
+his unwillingness, which she well understood.
+
+"Come back to me when you are tired of it," she said gently and
+tenderly. "If I'm alive, I shall be here waiting for you; and there's
+One as is nearer than ever I could be."
+
+Then he packed his bundle; and with sore, wounded heart, and burning
+anger against the friend who had played him false, he went to sea.
+
+His mother betook herself to her Refuge. She knew it would take time
+for the wound to heal; she knew that it would be hard for him to meet
+every day of his life the girl who had wronged him, and she let him go
+without further persuasion. Did she not know, too, that where she could
+not help him, God could?
+
+Perhaps Ben had not guessed all it would cost him to leave his seaside
+cottage, and the fishing smacks, and the fisher folk.
+
+He took train to the nearest seaport, and choosing a vessel that took
+his fancy, he engaged himself for a long voyage, and was soon off.
+
+Whatever home-sickness he felt, he kept to himself. In the silent,
+starry nights when he was on watch, there were thoughts that passed
+through his mind that no one would have guessed in the day while busy
+life was round him.
+
+Perhaps he thought more of his mother's God than he had ever done
+before; perhaps he humbled himself to seek comfort from Him who
+has so lovingly invited the weary and heavy laden to come to Him.
+But the three years were lengthened to many more. He had not meant
+to stay longer, but a sailor who was his chum persuaded him to try
+gold-digging, and somehow—Ben never knew how—he stayed on and on,
+writing to his mother that he was coming home "soon," but putting off
+the decision till ten long years had gone by.
+
+At length, a letter reached him in a handwriting he knew long ago.
+
+   "I that did you the greatest unkindness years ago, will do you a
+kindness now," it said. "Your mother has aged a good bit lately. To my
+thinking, she won't be here so very long."
+
+Then Ben woke up. All at once he realised that years instead of months
+had gone past. His mother's letters and her assurances of being well
+and thinking of him always had satisfied him. But now the world had
+grown dark suddenly, and he rubbed his hands across his eyes, wondering
+how everything was suddenly changed.
+
+"I meant not to go back till I could take her a fortune," he said to
+his mate, "but I've mistook mother. She don't want a fortune, she wants
+to see me agin, and to know somethin' about me; that's better nor any
+fortune."
+
+When once Ben had made up his mind to do a thing, it did not take long
+for him to begin it. The next morning saw him on his way home with much
+such a bundle as he had started with, but with a few nuggets hidden
+among his clothes. In the quiet nights of the homeward voyage, his real
+fortune came to him. It came in words which he had learned thirty years
+ago at his mother's side—"Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call
+ye upon Him while He is near."
+
+When his mother clasped him in her arms and looked in his face, she
+knew that the desire of her heart had been granted.
+
+"The Lord's way is a right way," she said gently. "Welcome home, my
+boy, welcome home!"
+
+[Illustration: His mother clasped him in her arms.]
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER II.—HIRA'S FRIEND.
+
+HIRA had a friend, though even that fact she did not attempt to put
+into words, but merely accepted. She could not remember the time when
+Sukhiya had not come to her uncle's house to sell butter and milk. She
+was a kindhearted woman with an empty place in her heart which had been
+left desolate, as one by one her ten children had pined away and died.
+That had happened ten years ago now, but she still wept when she spoke
+of it. It was just after the tenth had gone the way of all the rest
+that Hira was born, and her mother died.
+
+The heart of the mother with no children went out to the child who had
+no mother, and whenever she went to the house to sell her milk, she
+used to ask after the little one, who looked so small and frail that
+even with the best of care it seemed unlikely that she would ever live
+to grow up. But in spite of the fact that none cared whether she did
+or not, as we know, Hira did live, and if her life had brought little
+happiness to herself, at least it had been a comfort to the childless
+mother.
+
+It may have been partly owing to the kind woman that her life lasted so
+long, for many and many a time had a brimming saucer of milk or cream
+found its way out of Sukhiya's basket and helped to feed the blind
+child.
+
+Hira had not always been blind, but when she was three years old, like
+so many other children in India, she had a severe attack of inflamed
+eyes, and because no one took the trouble to see that they were
+properly treated, Hira had to pay the penalty and spend her life in the
+dark.
+
+Before this happened, and as the sad fact began to dawn upon Sukhiya
+that she would never have other children than the ten who had been
+born only to die, she sometimes cherished the secret hope that the
+motherless child might be given to her. But now she had to give up any
+such ambition, for she knew her husband would never consent to her
+taking charge of a blind child, from whom they could never expect to
+gain anything, and who might always be on their hands.
+
+Nevertheless, she did what she could for the child, who often used
+to follow her from house to house, as she went on her rounds, and
+sometimes spend many hours in her little hut beside her.
+
+Whenever the child was missing, it was easily guessed where she was,
+and sooner or later she would be sure to be brought back. Although
+Hira seldom talked to anyone else, she had always plenty to say to
+Sukhiya, who never wearied of listening to the child's prattle. All her
+knowledge of the world in which she lived had come to her from this
+source; even the red sari, which she wore on the roof that memorable
+evening, had been a present from this faithful friend.
+
+Now that Hira was growing up, she was not allowed as much liberty as
+she had had as a very small child, but still she and Sukhiya found
+plenty of opportunities for meeting.
+
+After the evening of the strange Englishman's visit, the blind child
+waited anxiously for the coming of her friend, who would be able to
+explain the wonderful event, and answer the many questions which were
+puzzling her little brain. Several days passed, and when she did not
+come, Hira determined to go in search of her. By asking her way, she
+could easily find the house, as she had often done before; so, when no
+one was looking, she slipped out of the door and was gone.
+
+Sukhiya was lying on her bed, groaning with fever, but as soon as she
+heard the blind child's voice asking, "Is there anyone here?" she
+forgot all her aches and pains and was on her feet in a moment, opening
+the door for the child, who for her meant all she knew of love and
+happiness.
+
+A long story had to be told of the illness which had prevented Sukhiya
+going on her usual rounds, of the pain in her head which kept her from
+thinking, and the pain in her back which kept her from walking. In
+time, however, all was explained, and then came Hira's turn, and this
+is the story which was told:—
+
+"I was sitting on the roof, trying to see some of the things you tell
+me about so often, and listening to all I could hear, but it was so
+still, just like it is at night when everybody is asleep. All at once I
+heard something I have never heard before; how shall I tell you what it
+was like? It was someone singing, only it didn't make my head ache, or
+want to shut up my ears, like I do when they grind and sing. This time
+I wanted my ears to be open quite wide so that I might hear every bit,
+and when it stopped, I felt so sad, I almost cried."
+
+"But who was it, child? And what did he sing?" asked Sukhiya.
+
+"How can I tell you?" answered the child. "The singer I could not see,
+and what he sang I could not understand; only two words he sang many,
+many times, and so they are written on my heart. 'Jesus Christ' was the
+sound; perhaps they were English words, for I heard it said that he
+was an English gentleman, but I want to know why he sang so many, many
+times those words, 'Jesus Christ.' Can you tell me what they mean? Or
+if not, can you find out?"
+
+"Jesus Christ? Yes, child, those are no new words. I have heard and
+known them for many years, for that is the name of Him whom the English
+worship. It must have been an English gentleman who sang that day,
+but it is strange he should have come into these parts, for I have
+never seen one here, though I have in other places. It comes to me now
+the very first time I heard that name. I had gone to a house to sell
+butter, and while I was sitting there waiting, an English lady came in,
+for there was a girl in the house she was teaching to read.
+
+"That day she was out, so there was no lesson given, but the lady said,
+'I will tell you all a story.'
+
+"So we gathered round, and then she told how one day a blind man was
+sitting by the roadside begging, and Jesus Christ came along. When the
+blind man knew who it was, he called after Him, and would not be quiet
+any way. By-and-by, he came up to where Jesus Christ was standing by,
+and as soon as He touched his eyes, he could see quite plainly."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Oh, Sukhiya," cried the child plaintively, "why did you never tell me
+this before? If Jesus Christ gave new eyes to a blind beggar, I am sure
+He would to a poor little girl like me. How could you be so unkind as
+never to tell me? And now perhaps He has gone a long way off."
+
+The woman looked distressed at the child's grief as she answered, "Why,
+little one, Jesus Christ is not here. How do I know where He is? That
+is the story the lady told. I expect it is only a story, and perhaps
+Jesus Christ is only just a name, and not any real person."
+
+But the child was not to be so easily satisfied. "Promise me," she
+said, "that you will find out where Jesus Christ lives, and then that
+you will take me to Him. Just think if I had eyes like other people,
+and didn't have to sit in the dark all day and all night—oh, how glad I
+would be! Say, quick, that you will find out."
+
+Sukhiya was willing to say anything to pacify the child, and she
+promised that as soon as she was well, and able to go about again, she
+would find out all she could.
+
+Then Hira went back to her story, and said, "But I haven't told you all
+about that gentleman and what he said. When he had finished singing, he
+called out in a loud voice, so that all could hear, 'Prepare to meet
+thy God.'
+
+"What did he mean? Is God going to come here, or is He going to send
+for us to go where He is? And how does He want us to get ready? I have
+been thinking and thinking ever since, but I don't know any better, so
+I came to tell you, for you must find out for me.
+
+"When I ask my aunt she says, 'It will be time enough for you to learn
+about the gods when you are married.'
+
+"But who will marry a blind girl?"
+
+Sukhiya looked puzzled as she said, "Little one, why do you think about
+such things, such as never come into the thoughts of other children? It
+is enough for us to think of what we shall eat and wear, and how we are
+to get enough pice to keep us alive. It is for Brahmins and pundits to
+think about God: don't trouble your little head any more, and I will
+buy you a new doll to play with."
+
+"But, I don't want a new doll," cried the child petulantly; "I want to
+know and understand, and there is nobody to tell me but you."
+
+"And I am only a poor ignorant woman, who understands nothing but how
+to sell milk and butter, and count up pice. Yes, there is one other
+thing: I know how to weep, but maybe I have cried away all my tears,
+for they do not come as they used to. Now, child, my head and back are
+aching."
+
+And not feeling inclined for any more talk on deep subjects, the woman
+lay back on the bedstead on which she had been lying when the child
+came in.
+
+Hira said nothing, but sat on for a while in perfect silence, which
+was only broken by an occasional groan from the woman as she turned
+restlessly on her bed.
+
+Presently she stood up, "I am going now," she said, "and remember you
+have promised to find out about Jesus Christ for me—and oh, do be quick
+and take me to Him, for I am so tired of groping in the dark."
+
+"Yes, child, I will remember, and as soon as this pain in my head and
+back gets better, I will find out all I can. Take care how you walk,
+and don't forget to turn the corner."
+
+The child groped her way out at the door, as the woman muttered to
+herself, "Poor little one, she is always thinking how she can get out
+of the dark, but I fear neither Jesus Christ nor anyone else can give
+her new eyes." Then the blind child was forgotten in the woes of a bad
+attack of fever.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+A WET DAY.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+WHAT a day! The rain kept on steadily pouring down. Mrs. Rolle looked
+out on the rather dingy street in which she lived, and saw the settled
+look of the weather, and she sighed. For she knew that people would "do
+without" to-day.
+
+And then the school children! Instead of their racing to her shop and
+standing, to peep in at her glass door and perhaps enter and buy, they
+would hurry by beneath their umbrellas (if they had any); and perhaps
+they would run home another way and spend their pennies elsewhere!
+
+She descended to her tiny back parlour and her solitary breakfast, and
+though her bullfinch warbled a sweet song of praise, she failed to
+notice him, but went on with her gloomy calculations of how near rent
+day was, and how little she might expect in to meet it.
+
+So she pushed aside her plate and cup, and instead of tidily washing
+them and putting them away, as she usually did, she went into her shop
+and sat down to wait for customers.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Again and again she counted her payments, again and again she thought
+of her bad trade, till her heart quite died within her.
+
+Suddenly she raised her head.
+
+She had forgotten in her pressure of spirit to read her daily portion
+ere she began her day's work. She put her hand slowly and hesitatingly
+beneath the counter, and felt on the usual shelf for her Bible. Yes,
+there it was, and to her surprise open in the darkness.
+
+Now she remembered she had been reading yesterday when a customer came
+in, and she had popped it beneath in a hurry. Her eyes fell upon the
+open leaf, and as if the words were written for her and for no one
+else, she read one startling line—
+
+   "My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, saith the Lord."
+
+Her heart leapt up with sudden rejoicing faith. "It is 'His' goodness
+I am to be satisfied with!" she murmured, while her eyes dimmed with
+penitent tears. "Why am I wanting earthly things so ardently, and
+forgetting that what He sees best He will give?"
+
+She pressed her lips to the words, and closed her Bible. Then she sat
+on, and in humble, gentle whispers she told the Lord all her cares—all
+about the rent day, all about the slack trade, all about the weary
+dropping rain.
+
+All day she sat quiet and waited. "My people shall be satisfied with
+'My' goodness," she repeated again and again.
+
+Just as she was shutting up the shop for the night, the postman passed
+across the street. He thrust a dripping letter into her box, and passed
+on.
+
+The letter was from an old friend, whom she had supposed dead,
+inclosing a cheque which would keep her far from want for many a long
+day.
+
+"I 'was' satisfied with His goodness," she said humbly, as she lay down
+in her bed, "and I said, 'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want!'
+It was just like Him to send me this."
+
+
+
+"What Doest thou here, Elijah?"
+
+HERE is a man sitting in a very bare place, where there was no water
+and no food, and he was all tired out.
+
+Now, God knew all about Elijah: he was God's servant, and loved Him
+very much, and God was taking care of him all the time.
+
+King Ahab was a very wicked king, and his wife, Jezebel, was more
+wicked still. She hated Elijah, and made up her mind to kill him,
+because he had been sent by God to destroy the wicked priests of the
+idol Baal whom Jezebel worshipped.
+
+So Jezebel sent word to Elijah that she would certainly kill him before
+to-morrow.
+
+Now, as I said, Elijah was a very good man, and had served God very
+faithfully, but just now he was tired out.
+
+So when Queen Jezebel sent him that message, Elijah forgot about God
+taking care of him, and he ran away as fast as he could into the
+wilderness, and there, when he thought he was far enough off to be safe
+from Jezebel, he threw himself down on the ground and asked God that he
+might be allowed to die.
+
+Poor Elijah! So as he sat there in the wilderness, so tired that he
+wished to die, his eyes closed, and he fell asleep.
+
+As he lay and slept, God sent one of His angels to him, and the angel
+touched him and told him to get up and eat.
+
+Perhaps Elijah's first thought was that there was nothing to eat there
+in the wilderness. But when he opened his eyes, to his astonishment he
+saw by his side a cake of bread and a bottle of water!
+
+So he ate and drank, and laid himself down again to sleep.
+
+By-and-by, the angel came again and touched him, and said to him,
+"Arise and eat; for the journey is too great for thee."
+
+See how God cares for His children, and how He knows whether things are
+too hard for us.
+
+So Elijah ate and drank again, and then being wonderfully strengthened
+and rested, he rose up and went a very long journey till he came to a
+cave in a mountain-side, where he stopped a little time, still fearing
+that Jezebel would catch him and kill him.
+
+And then the word of the Lord came to him again, and said to him, "What
+doest thou here, Elijah?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Then Elijah told the Lord how he had tried to serve Him, and how
+Jezebel had killed numbers of the Lord's prophets, and that he feared
+he was the only one who was left, and that soon she would kill him.
+
+Then the Lord told him to stand outside the cave while He passed by.
+And there was a great earthquake and storm, and then a very gentle
+voice, and the Lord asked him again: "What doest thou here, Elijah?"
+
+And when Elijah told the Lord again that he feared Jezebel would kill
+him, the Lord sent him to give two very important messages for Him, and
+assured him that He could take care of him, saying He had still seven
+thousand faithful ones who loved Him, who were being kept as safe as He
+would keep Elijah.
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER III.—A STARTLING QUESTION.
+
+FOR several days, Hira waited, not patiently, but most impatiently, for
+Sukhiya to come and tell her what she wanted to know.
+
+She would have gone again to seek her, but her last expedition had cost
+her a good beating, which she did not care to have repeated. Besides,
+if she was not careful, she would be so watched that she would have no
+opportunity of going out by herself. So she waited, counting the days,
+and at last Sukhiya came. It seemed that day as if it would never be
+settled just how much butter was wanted, and then how much must be paid
+for it. But at last, Sukhiya stood up ready to put her basket on her
+head.
+
+Now Hira's time was come; she groped her way to a small passage by the
+door through which her friend would have to pass, so as to be ready
+to stop her there, where there would be no one to listen to what was
+said. As soon as Sukhiya saw the child, she put down her basket on the
+ground, and sat down beside it, as if quite prepared to stay as long as
+she was wanted, for time was no matter of great consideration.
+
+"Tell me, Sukhiya," whispered the child eagerly, "Where is Jesus
+Christ, and how can I find Him? And has He ever made any other blind
+girl see? Tell me quickly."
+
+"Stay, stay, child! What a hurry you are in! You make my head swim with
+so many questions, and I still weak from the fever; listen quietly,
+and you shall hear all. I went to a babu's house yesterday, where I
+sometimes go to sell, and as they are Christians, I thought they would
+tell me what you want to know. They laughed when I said that a blind
+girl I knew wanted to go to Jesus Christ, to ask Him to give her new
+eyes. I did not see anything to laugh at, but they seemed to think I
+was not quite in my right senses. And then I got angry, and came away,
+so that is all I know."
+
+"Oh, how unkind!" cried the child in a tone of bitter disappointment.
+"How cruel of them to laugh, and how silly of you to be angry and not
+to ask any more! But I 'will' find out; I will go myself and ask. I
+wonder they can laugh at a poor blind girl!"
+
+"Very well," said the woman, glad to see a way of escape; "that will be
+a very good thing. I will take you some day, and you shall find out all
+you want to know."
+
+"Let us go to-day. Why should we not go now?" cried the child
+impatiently. "Surely I have waited long enough."
+
+Sukhiya considered a minute, and then, seeing no serious objection, she
+agreed, and so they started on their way—the woman with a basket on her
+head, followed by the small figure in a red sari.
+
+It was not far to the Christian babu's house, and as the door was open,
+Sukhiya walked straight in. The house was not very different to those
+in the midst of which it stood, but still, there was quite enough to
+show that it was not inhabited by ordinary Hindus or Mahomedans.
+
+Several tables and chairs, none too clean and in some cases broken,
+stood here and there, while the walls were decorated with various
+pictures and prints, in the midst of which was a text surrounded by
+Christmas cards.
+
+The courtyard and verandah seemed quite empty and deserted, but as
+Sukhiya called out, "Is there anyone at home?" a woman holding a baby
+in her arms came out of the inner room. She very well matched her
+house, being dressed in a style which was partly English and partly
+Hindustani, not over clean or tidy. She looked weary and listless,
+as if life had not proved itself very attractive to her, and she had
+ceased to take much interest in it. She sat down on the first seat she
+came to, and Sukhiya, putting down her basket before her, sat down
+beside it, Hira, who was holding on to the end of her chaddar, doing
+likewise.
+
+Sukhiya, who had little thought of her own business, but was thinking
+rather of the child beside her, and how to get her satisfied, came at
+once to the point, and told the object of her visit.
+
+"This is the blind girl I told you of," she said, "who wants to know
+about Jesus Christ, and whether He can make her see as He has done
+other people. So, as you are a Christian and know all about these
+things, will you please tell her? For she won't be satisfied any way
+till she knows, and I cannot tell her."
+
+Mary Dayál looked up in surprise, and a gleam of interest lighted
+up her otherwise dull face. She was not accustomed to being asked
+questions like this, and she hesitated a little before giving an
+answer. Then she said, "The little girl must be very ignorant not to
+know that Jesus Christ is not here now. It is hundreds of years ago
+since He gave sight to the blind."
+
+"Is Jesus Christ dead?" interrupted Hira. "Then why does the English
+gentleman sing hymns about Him? What use is a dead person?"
+
+"But Jesus Christ is 'not' dead," answered Mary. "He is alive in
+heaven, but not in this world, and He doesn't make blind people see any
+more. You had better go to the hospital and have your eyes looked at;
+something might be done for you there."
+
+The child's eager face clouded over; she had so hoped that she would be
+able to find Jesus Christ, and that He would just touch her eyes and
+she would see. Now it was all of no use, for He was dead. How could it
+be true that He was alive? If He was not anywhere, He must be dead, and
+this woman was talking nonsense. She drew her red sari further over her
+face and said nothing more.
+
+And the two women began to talk to each other about such things as milk
+and butter.
+
+Presently Sukhiya took up her basket, and Hira stood up also, ready to
+follow her. Suddenly a new thought seemed to strike her, and raising
+her sightless eyes to Mary's face, she asked earnestly, "Have you got
+ready to meet God?"
+
+The woman started at this unexpected question, and turning to Sukhiya,
+asked, "Is this child in her right mind, that she asks such strange
+questions?"
+
+Quite indignant at such a thing being said of her little favourite,
+Sukhiya answered quickly, "In her right mind! Of course she is, but
+while we spend all our time thinking of bread, and money, and such
+things, she, poor little one, sitting in the dark, thinks of God. It
+seems as if when the Almighty took away her eyes, He gave her a double
+share of understanding, for there are few of us as wise as she."
+
+Then turning to the child, "Come, little one," she said, "there is
+nothing to be learnt here, that is certain." And the two went out.
+
+But Hira, though she had gained nothing herself, left a message behind
+her. Mary Dayál sat on alone, for the baby had fallen asleep, and in
+the silence came back again the blind child's question: "Have you got
+ready to meet God?"
+
+The questioner was only a little heathen girl, who knew nothing about
+the true God, and the one of whom she had asked was a Christian, who
+had been baptised and belonged to the Christian Church, and yet the
+unanswered question had made her feel uneasy, all the more so because
+it had come so unexpectedly.
+
+If she had heard the words in church, as doubtless she often had done,
+they would have been soon forgotten, but it was quite different when
+this strange child, with her patient, eager face, and sightless eyes,
+stood before her and asked, as if she really wished to know, "Have you
+got ready to meet God?"
+
+The question brought others. When and where would she have to meet God?
+What did it mean to be ready? And how could she get ready?
+
+In the depths of her heart, she knew that she had no wish to meet God.
+She only knew Him from very far-off, and she had no desire to come
+nearer. She went to church when there was nothing to prevent, but very
+often there was, and when she was not too busy or too tired, she read
+a chapter in the Bible; if that would make her ready to meet God, then
+she was ready. But something seemed to whisper in her heart that God
+would require more than that. Then the baby woke, and soon the other
+children came in from school, and there was no more time for thinking.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+NORA'S MESSAGE.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+"NORA, ain't you ready?" asked a querulous voice from the bed.
+
+The child addressed was putting on a pair of heavy boots, while by her
+side on a box lay a rather tattered hat, and a shawl.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Nora did not answer; she was a good-tempered little girl, and she took
+things as they came, generally.
+
+"It's hard to lie here and know it will be hours before you bring home
+a bit of bread or tea," moaned the invalid.
+
+"I'm bein' as quick as I can, mother," said the child, "but these laces
+is so broken; I was near havin' a new pair yesterday—"
+
+"You sure wasn't going to spend a penny when a bit of string would do?"
+sharply suggested the invalid.
+
+Nora laughed a little. "Well, no, I didn't think of spendin' a penny,
+no more ner you would, mother!" she answered. "Not on that, leastways."
+
+How often she had stood by the boys with trays of buns, and felt as if
+she would give her whole basket of flowers 'almost' for one of those
+warm, spongy, sugary, shiny dainties!
+
+"Then how?" asked her mother, raising herself on her elbow.
+
+"I was crossin' over a wide place, one of them old fellers with laces
+was crossin' too, and one of 'em fell off the wire in the mud—"
+
+"And you didn't?" inquired her mother.
+
+"I could easy ha' had it—nothin' easier," pursued the child, with a
+nod, "but—"
+
+"But what?" asked the invalid, laying herself wearily back on her
+pillow.
+
+"But I thought of what teacher telled us—and I couldn't! So I picked it
+up and give it to him."
+
+"What did she tell you?" asked the invalid a little curiously.
+
+"She telled us that 'Jesus' noticed what we was doin', and I couldn't
+after that!"
+
+She took up her basket and ran out, and the mother lay in her weariness
+and faintness, and pondered.
+
+"Jesus notices what we're doing," she repeated again and again. "Then
+if He notices, He knows all about us!" she thought. "He sees my pain,
+and how hungry and miserable I am. I wonder if He cares?"
+
+There was a little rap at the door. "May I come in?" said a gentle,
+bright voice. "I thought you would like to see a friend this morning;
+and I've brought you a piece of toast we had on the table and a cup of
+hot tea in a bottle. Feel how warm it is wrapped in my cloak! I brought
+it because Jesus loves you! Is not that a nice comforting thought?"
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Peace I leave with you,
+ My peace I give unto you.]
+
+
+
+So Much the More!
+
+SEE how loving Jesus looks! He never turned anyone away who wanted Him.
+
+When people are tired, we sometimes hear them say, "Don't come and ask
+me; I'm too tired." But Jesus never did like that; He always was ready
+to help and bless.
+
+Perhaps you little children say in your hearts, "Yes, but then that was
+so long ago, and Jesus is not on earth now. I wish He were, and that I
+were there in the Holy Land, and could tell Him just what troubles me."
+
+And so you turn away with a sigh, and wish Jesus were here now.
+
+But though you cannot see the Lord Jesus, He "is" near you all the
+time. It is true that He left this earth and went back to heaven. But
+because He is God, He is here, close to us all the time, and is ready
+to help you the moment you speak to Him in your heart.
+
+You see this picture? You would like to hear about it, I know, because
+the Lord Jesus looks so kind, and the poor man seems so anxious to get
+to Him.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Jesus was close to the city of Jericho, and as He passed along, a
+number of people were with Him who had seen the wonderful things He did.
+
+Just outside the city, a blind man sat near the road, begging of
+those who passed by. His ears were very quick, and he soon heard the
+trampling of feet and guessed something unusual was going on.
+
+He eagerly asked what it meant, and when they told him that Jesus of
+Nazareth passeth by, he called out aloud, "Jesus, Thou son of David,
+have mercy on me!"
+
+The people who went before did not like the interruption, and told him
+to be quiet. But the blind man had heard of Jesus and knew He could
+make him well, so he cried out louder than ever.
+
+The dear Lord never refuses a cry of distress: He stood still, and
+commanded the blind man to be brought to Him.
+
+So the people ran to the blind man and said to him, "Be of good cheer,
+rise; He calleth thee."
+
+So the blind man was led to Jesus, and Jesus inquired what he wanted.
+And the blind man asked Him to do the most difficult thing in the
+world, next to raising the dead; he asked that his blind eyes might be
+made to see.
+
+But nothing is difficult to the Lord Jesus. In a moment, Jesus had
+given him what he asked, and told him that his faith had saved him.
+
+And then the blind man did what all of us should do who have been to
+Jesus and received a blessing or an answer to our prayers from Him—we
+should "follow Him in the way, glorifying God."
+
+We should try to please Jesus in all our daily work and play. When we
+think how He has heard our prayer, or comforted us, or made us pleasant
+when we felt cross, or helped us to forgive somebody who had been
+unkind to us—then we should say in our hearts,—
+
+   "Dear Lord Jesus, thank You."
+
+And so we should find our faces grow brighter and our lives happier,
+and we should be following Him in the way.
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+SMOOTHED OUT.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+"WHERE is Margaret?" asked cook crossly.
+
+"She's in the passage, kneeling by the window," said the housemaid.
+
+"'What?'" asked the cook emphatically.
+
+"Writing letters!" said Jenny.
+
+The cook marched to the door with quick step, and stood looking at
+Margaret with wrath in her eyes.
+
+"How often have I told you that I will not have you writing letters
+before your work is done!" she exclaimed.
+
+Margaret turned round, and her face grew scarlet as she rose from her
+knees.
+
+"No wonder you are ashamed!" exclaimed cook. "What with Jenny always
+wanting to go out, and you always wanting to be writing letters, and
+Martha neglecting her work like she does, I have enough of it. I shall
+tell mistress that I can't make anything of you, and that she had
+better get another girl!"
+
+With which words, she went into the kitchen and slammed the door.
+
+Margaret stood dumbfounded; then she looked down at her letter,
+and then angrily she crumpled the freshly written pages together,
+and stuffing them into her little blotter, she hurried back to the
+scullery, where a whole heap of washing-up awaited her.
+
+Boiling with anger, she plunged the plates into the tub, and dashed
+away at her work in a desperate fashion. All the time, she was
+conscious of that crumpled letter in her blotting-case. And that, worst
+of all, it was mail day, and there would be no time to write another.
+
+Burning tears scalded her cheeks and dropped into the tub, till she was
+forced to get out her handkerchief and wipe them away. Then she dashed
+on again, the thought of having lost the mail making her half beside
+herself.
+
+Just at that moment, there came a sudden check; a cover of one of the
+best vegetable dishes flew into two pieces in her cloth.
+
+Here was a disaster! Margaret hid her face in her hands.
+
+Cook had almost given her her dismissal; she had broken one of the
+best dishes, and she had spoilt the letter which was to have gone to
+her soldier brother by that afternoon's post! She put down the pieces
+of the cover without any noise now. She wrung out her dish-cloth and
+emptied away the water, and then slowly and sorrowfully she took her
+blotter and went upstairs to her room.
+
+"What shall I do? What shall I do?" she sobbed, as she threw herself on
+her knees by her bed.
+
+Oh that her own mother were alive, or that she could lay her head on
+her faithful brother's shoulder and tell him all her grief!
+
+And if she did, what would he say? The thought quieted her. She ceased
+to cry so hopelessly, and her head sank on her arms.
+
+"He would tell me to look to Jesus," she whispered to herself, "and
+he would say that He can straighten out the worst of life's tangles.
+Oh, dear! Oh, dear! But how can I ask Him after my passion? And then
+there's the mail—and cook—and the vegetable dish."
+
+It did seem too many tangles to get straightened out. And yet—
+
+Her head bowed lower and lower, and her heart went out to that loving
+Saviour who is near us when we call upon Him in truth.
+
+After a minute or two she rose, and the first thing she saw was cook,
+standing in front of her with the broken dish in her hand and tears in
+her eyes.
+
+"Oh, cook!" sobbed Margaret, "I was coming to tell you—"
+
+"And I was coming to tell you," said cook gently, "that I'm sorry I
+spoke quite so sharp to you. I know you try to be a good girl, but I
+was vexed about the letter. We must make time in future for you not to
+be so drove over it. Cheer up, and I'll make it right with mistress
+about the dish!"
+
+She stooped and gave Margaret a kiss—the first kiss she had ever given
+in that house.
+
+"Where's your letter?" she asked kindly.
+
+Margaret hesitated; then, still blinded by her tears, she drew it out
+of her case.
+
+"I can't send it," she whispered; "I'm ashamed to let him see it—and
+I've never missed before!"
+
+Cook sat down and took the case on her knee. She smoothed the crumpled
+edges and pressed the letter out with her fingers, and then she
+exclaimed—
+
+"There's an iron hot on the stove; run down and iron it. There's just
+time!"
+
+So Margaret flew down, and cook followed slowly.
+
+"May I add just a line?" she asked humbly.
+
+"All right!" said cook, who was bending over the fire.
+
+And Margaret added—
+
+   "Oh, Jack, I've been so cross, and things did seem so hard, but Jesus
+has helped me, and I'm going to trust Him, as you wanted me to."
+
+Who can tell what joy that sentence gave to the young soldier fighting
+at the front?
+
+After that day, things grew better for Margaret. It was surprising how
+different cook was, and how many little pleasures she seemed able to
+put in the busy kitchenmaid's life.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+And Margaret on her part was different too. At first, she shyly tried
+to be ready to do willingly what was required of her. And by-and-by, a
+mutual understanding of love sprang up between her and the lonely cook.
+
+Sometimes in the quiet night, cook would say to herself, "Margaret has
+no mother, and I have no child; I'll be a mother to her."
+
+Margaret did not guess that for many a long day. But she often
+wondered, and thanked God in her heart many times a day, that in giving
+her His heavenly love, He had sent her cook's earthly love as well.
+
+
+
+"WILL I?"
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+THE letter had come that morning, and Mary had glanced at it as she sat
+at breakfast among her brothers and sisters, and had then stuffed it in
+her pocket, reserving it for the first quiet moment she could get.
+
+"What does he say?" asked her favourite brother, looking up quizzically
+in her face.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"What 'doesn't' he say?" she responded lightly.
+
+The fact was her eyes had caught a sentence which changed the whole
+course of her life. Instead of the long engagement which she had
+thought inevitable, here was her Jack proposing to be married within
+three months.
+
+   "You must think it well over," he said, in almost his first sentence,
+"and weigh all the things there are against it, as well as for it."
+
+How good Jack was, she thought, and then she stuffed the letter in her
+pocket and tried to give her mind to helping the bacon and cutting the
+bread.
+
+It seemed as if everybody wanted everything that morning. But at last,
+she found herself with her duties done, able to shut her door and sit
+down to think it well over, as Jack said.
+
+But Mary did not sit there a moment. With the quiet came a habit, a
+holy habit, of using her solitude in talking to her Lord Jesus. She
+sank on her knees by her bed and whispered that she was ignorant what
+to do, uncertain what would be best, and asking Him to take "the
+government upon His shoulder," to be her Counsellor.
+
+Then softly she arose and went back to her seat at the window and read
+Jack's letter over carefully.
+
+"He wants it," she said thoughtfully, "but he would not press me to do
+it without well considering it. He has had a new place in the country
+offered him—a better position—and he says that it will be very lonely
+for him, and he asks me if I will be content to begin in a very small
+way. (Of course I will!) And he says that we cannot have the comforts
+and luxuries we may have had in our fathers' homes, but we can have
+happiness and each other, even if we do have to work a little harder."
+
+She looked down at her pretty hands, in which she confessed to take
+some pride. "But that is nonsense," she thought quickly; "he says we
+shall have the upper half of a house, or perhaps a little one all
+to ourselves; and he promises to help me as much as he can, and not
+to shirk the hard things (dear Jack!) and he thinks there is every
+prospect in this new opening of improvement year by year."
+
+"I know what I should like, if mother and father think it prudent," she
+said, "and they will help me to decide rightly."
+
+So there was a long consultation that evening in the library, and Mary
+learned afresh what the tenderness of the parents' love is. Perhaps
+it helped her to understand a little more of the love and care of the
+great Heavenly Father.
+
+The letter to Jack went off before post time and it was entirely to his
+satisfaction.
+
+   "I am not above work, you know, Jack," she said, "and I will make
+your money go as far as ever I can. We will go without what we cannot
+afford; and mother thinks we shall do very well, and be very happy; so
+there!"
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Bring your work, and sit under the trees.]
+
+A CHARGE.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+WHAT a long time it seemed! What a long fortnight to take care of all
+those children, with responsibility from morning to night!
+
+Lettice waved the last good-bye to her brother and his wife, as they
+drove away from the door, and then turned round to survey the scene.
+
+Roland and Ralph, her twin nephews, stood looking at her earnestly.
+Little Ivy nestled up against her with tears in her eyes, and
+Marjory—ah! That was the difficulty—what would her headstrong niece
+Marjory say and do?
+
+"Come into the garden, auntie," called Ralph; "Roland and I are going
+to catch butterflies, and we want you to sit on the form and watch us."
+
+"Yes, and I am going to pick flowers for you," said Ivy, winking away
+her tears, as she tried not to think of her parents gone away for all
+that time.
+
+"Very well," said Lettice, "but what is Marjory going to do?"
+
+"'I' don't need looking after, thank you," said Marjory disdainfully.
+"I have plenty to do, and can take care of myself. Father said I could—"
+
+Aunt Lettice raised her eyes inquiringly. There was a gentle look in
+them in which the firmness was almost hidden.
+
+"At least—" said Marjory, hesitating a little.
+
+"At least?" echoed Aunt Lettice. Then she paused for an instant, while
+her heart sent up a swift prayer.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Marjory," she said, "I want you to be my great help—will you?"
+
+Marjory was silent. She stooped and tied a ribbon round her dog. She
+had meant to declare war to the knife with her auntie—but—
+
+"Come along," said Lettice brightly, "we will try to have a very happy
+time. What a lovely day! Bring your work, and come and sit under those
+shady trees. We can watch the twins from there; and see, Ivy is already
+picking flowers. The fortnight will soon pass away."
+
+When Lettice went to bed that night, as she passed Marjory's door a
+voice called to her—
+
+"Good-night, auntie!"
+
+Then, as she bent over Marjory's bed, she heard her whisper, "Thank you
+for being so patient; I 'will' try to help you!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER IV.—A SAD STORY.
+
+MARY DAYÁL had had a sad, weary life, not marked by any special joys,
+but clouded by many sorrows. The daughter of Christian parents, she had
+taken it for granted that she was a Christian also, and never thought
+of being anything else. She had been sent to school as soon as she
+was old enough, and had there learnt English, and many other things,
+which had been soon forgotten. When she was seventeen, her parents had
+arranged for her marriage.
+
+Her married life had not been a very happy one. Her husband had a knack
+of getting out of work, and they were never sure of any certain income.
+Sometimes he earned good wages, and they lived in comfort, but those
+days did not last long.
+
+Very soon, through no fault of his, so he said, he was sent away; then
+there was nothing to live on, so what could they do but go into debt?
+And so they did.
+
+They had had eight children, but out of those, only four were living:
+Reuben, the eldest, a boy of ten; Julius, seven years old; Maggie, six;
+and baby Rose.
+
+The three eldest went to school, which was a great comfort to their
+mother. At the time of Hira's visit, the father of the family had
+some employment, though, as he considered, far beneath a man of his
+capabilities; so these were not some of the darkest days.
+
+Still, they were quite dark enough, for there was a heavy debt on
+which they had to pay so much interest that they had little left to
+pay their daily expenses. And as Mary sat nursing her baby in the
+empty, quiet house, she used to think and wonder what could be done to
+bring in more money and ease her of this heavy load which weighed so
+upon her. Indeed, the one thought which filled her mind and absorbed
+all her attention was this: How can I provide food and clothes for
+my family? No wonder that she looked dull and listless, that she was
+cross and impatient with her children, and anything but an attractive,
+affectionate wife to her husband.
+
+Mark Dayál was one who might have been a different man under different
+circumstances. From his earliest days, he had been allowed to do just
+as he liked. When he was ten years old, his father died, which made
+matters still worse, for it was he who ruled his mother, and not his
+mother who ruled him. Some kind friends paid for his education, and
+finding that he was a clever, bright boy, quite expected to see the
+reward of their kindness in his becoming a good, useful man. But they
+were sorely disappointed; the boy began to think himself far more
+clever than he really was, and thought everything was so easy that he
+need not take pains about anything, and so he became careless and lazy.
+
+When he was twenty years old, though he had little or nothing to
+support a wife (that was a "small" matter), he married; the result
+has already been told. Now he was a hard, disappointed man, blaming
+everybody else for his want of success in life, but never thinking of
+blaming himself.
+
+Such was the household to which blind Hira came to ask how she could
+find new eyes, that she might see, and what the command meant, "Prepare
+to meet thy God." Mary did not know it at the time, but the visit of
+the blind child was the beginning of what will never end. The question
+asked had made her "think," and thinking, when it is about what is
+good, will surely bring good results, as it did in this case.
+
+For the first time in her life, the thought of coming into contact with
+God had claimed her attention, and though it was not a thought which
+brought her any pleasure, she could not get rid of it.
+
+                       ————————————
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.—ALONE IN THE STORM.
+
+THE days of which we write were hard times for all, except those who
+lived in plenty, and of such there were few.
+
+In many parts of India, famine was raging, and even where it was not
+actually present, it had its effect, and prices were so high that those
+to whom the question of rupees, annas, and pice was always a serious
+problem, were now sorely perplexed as to how to provide the necessities
+of life. Amongst those were Mary Dayál's family, as well as that in
+which Hira found a home. For the latter especially, life was anything
+but smooth, and many and bitter were the complaints of those who had to
+work, and of those who had to eat. The one who suffered most was Mira,
+and again was she reminded that it was her father's place to provide
+for her, but where that father was, no one knew.
+
+Hira was a good deal to blame for what she had to suffer, and it was
+hardly to be wondered at that nobody cared to deny themselves for
+the sake of a child, who did so little to make herself loved. Except
+Sukhiya, whose mother's heart was touched by the child's sad, forlorn
+condition, no one had a good word for Hira. Though generally very
+silent, when once started, she could pour out torrents of abuse,
+without any regard as to who was the victim. There was not much she
+"could" do, and even that little she refused, or did very grudgingly.
+
+Poor little Hira was like a plant grown in utterly uncongenial soil;
+there was more "good" in her than in anyone else in the house, but her
+circumstances only served to develop the bad and extinguish the good.
+Suddenly there came a great change in her life, and this was how it
+happened.
+
+One day everything had gone wrong. Money was scarce, and therefore food
+also, and each one blamed somebody else. Hira was told that there was
+no food for her, and if she wanted any, she had better go out and beg
+for it. The child said little, but in her heart, she made up her mind
+she would go and seek her living elsewhere. Why should she stay in this
+house to be starved and abused, when Sukhiya loved her and would feed
+her on milk and ghi? So to Sukhiya she determined to go.
+
+It did not seem a very difficult matter, as she had often been there
+before, and found her way quite easily. She waited till evening, for
+though the light and darkness made no difference to her, she would be
+less likely to be seen by others.
+
+She could not see, poor child, and so she did not know that heavy black
+clouds had gathered round, and a great storm was pending.
+
+Just after she had started, a terrific clap of thunder made her start,
+for Hira, so susceptible to sound, had a natural terror of thunder.
+Soon heavy rain began to fall, and in two or three minutes, the red
+sari was soaked through. In her fear and confusion, the blind child
+missed turning the corner which would have led her to Sukhiya's house,
+and then she was hopelessly lost.
+
+It would not have been a serious matter at any ordinary time, for she
+could easily have asked her way, and would have been soon guided safely
+home, but at this hour and in the midst of the storm which was raging,
+there was no one to see the small red figure, from whom the water was
+now pouring, nor to hear the piteous words:
+
+"Is there anyone about? Is there anyone near?"
+
+Indeed, none could have heard if they had been there, for the torrents
+of rain and roaring thunder drowned every other sound.
+
+For some time the child pressed on, driven by terror, and feeling that
+anything must be better than the place where she now was. At last, she
+could go no further; not only was the rain streaming down upon her, but
+a torrent of water was rushing down the narrow lane through which she
+was trying to force her way, and threatening to carry her off her feet.
+Groping her way by the walls of the houses, she came to some steps,
+and climbing up these, she was at any rate safe from the rushing water
+below. She sat down and tried to think, but this was no easy matter in
+the noise and confusion round her.
+
+Then she began to do what she always did when she was troubled and
+distressed, the only thing she could do—she began to cry, a piteous
+wailing cry. It was hopeless to think that anyone would hear it, but at
+any rate it was better than doing nothing. Gradually the storm, having
+spent itself, began to subside, and still Hira went on wailing and
+weeping.
+
+Suddenly the door behind her was opened, and a voice asked into the
+darkness, "Is there anyone there?"
+
+Hira only wailed the louder. Then a hand was stretched out and the
+speaker was able to gain some idea as to who it was who was in such
+distress. She recrossed the large courtyard, and entering the house,
+went into a room where a man was sitting reading.
+
+"Father," she said, "it is a child crying; it seems to be a little
+girl, and she is soaked through with the rain. I have come to fetch a
+light, and then I will bring her in, and we will try and find out who
+she is, and why she is crying alone in the dark."
+
+The man looked up from his book with a face full of interest, and
+rising from his seat, said, "Yes, child, and I will come with you and
+carry the light."
+
+"Oh, no, father! Indeed you must not. See how the water has collected
+in the courtyard, and only yesterday you had high fever. I will be back
+directly."
+
+And, taking the lamp in her hand, the daughter started back to the
+child before her father had time to speak again.
+
+Hira's cries were now pitched in a lower key, but as the noise of the
+storm still continued, it was difficult for the speaker to make her
+voice heard.
+
+"Poor little girl," she said as clearly as she could, "why are you
+sitting here alone in the rain? Come inside, and I will give you a dry
+sari, and you shall tell me why you are crying."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Still Hira said nothing, but cried the louder. Her new friend was
+sorely puzzled; it was still raining heavily, and she herself would
+soon be as wet as the child, and yet she could not go back and leave
+her there.
+
+Again she tried. "Don't be afraid of me, little one," she said kindly.
+"I only want to take you in out of the dark and rain, and you shall go
+away as soon as you want to."
+
+Then Hira's cries ceased, and the plaintive answer came: "I am blind,
+and I have lost my way, and I don't know where I am nor who you are."
+
+If anything more had been needed to touch the heart of Hira's would-be
+helper, surely this was enough, and without saying anything more, she
+set down the lamp, and taking the dripping child in her arms, lifted
+her through the door.
+
+She could scarcely attempt to carry her across the flooded courtyard,
+but having brought her so far, with loving words of encouragement, the
+child became willing to be led into the dry, comfortable dwelling.
+
+They were met on the verandah by the master of the house and an old
+servant, who had no eyes for the strange child, but was full of concern
+for her young mistress, whom she pressed to come inside at once and
+change her wet clothes.
+
+"She is blind, father," whispered the daughter, "and has lost her way;
+no wonder she cried so piteously."
+
+Then tender hands quickly changed the wet red sari for a dry white one,
+and Hira was transformed. Then came the question: What was to be done
+next? Gladly would the father and daughter have fed and sheltered the
+desolate child, who had been found weeping at their door, but until
+they knew from whence, and why she had come, and what her future would
+be, they shrank from doing anything which would cut her off from those
+to whom she belonged. Being Christians, how could they feed a child who
+was a Hindu?
+
+The great difficulty was that the little girl could not be persuaded to
+give any account of herself. After having told that she was blind and
+lost, she would say nothing more; only in reply to the question, "Had
+she a father and mother?" she shook her head. As to the whereabouts of
+her home, she would tell nothing.
+
+One thing soon became quite certain—she must stay where she was for the
+night.
+
+The old servant Anandi wished to take charge of her, but Shushila
+having found her, claimed the right to keep her, and took her to sleep
+in her room. Rest did not come to either very quickly; evidently the
+blind child had received a great shock, and seemed nervous and restless.
+
+"I wonder if she would like to be sung to?" thought Shushila.
+
+And without saying anything, she began to sing what came first to her
+mind, the very same hymn which Hira had listened to on the roof.
+
+She was little prepared for the look of joyful surprise which suddenly
+lighted up the blind girl's face.
+
+She listened quietly till the hymn was finished, and then asked with
+almost breathless eagerness, "Tell me, do you know Him, the Jesus
+Christ you have been singing about?"
+
+"Yes, little one," was the answer, "I do know Jesus Christ. He is my
+best and dearest Friend."
+
+"Then you know where He lives, and you will take me to Him and ask Him
+to give me new eyes? That cruel woman said that He was dead, but I
+didn't believe He was. Say, will you take me to-morrow?"
+
+Shushila did not speak at once; she was thinking how she could make
+this child, who knew so little, understand that He, whom she wished to
+seek, was even then close beside her, ready to give her, if not new
+eyes, what was of infinitely greater value.
+
+At last she spoke. "No, little one, Jesus Christ is not dead, and He
+will never, never die, and I need not take you to Him, because He is
+here already, nearer to you than I am."
+
+"Then ask Him to give me new eyes. I was so frightened all alone in the
+dark, and the rain and thunder made such a noise, but if Jesus Christ
+makes me see like other people, I shall never be frightened again."
+
+Shushila drew the trembling child closer to her, as she said, "Dear
+little one, only be patient, and I will tell you about Jesus Christ,
+and how much He loves you, and how He will give you what is even better
+than eyes."
+
+"But," interrupted the child, "if Jesus Christ is here, why does He not
+give me new eyes now? He did not tell that other man that he must wait,
+or that He would give him something else instead. You have told me a
+lie, and Jesus Christ is not really here; perhaps that other woman told
+me truly and He is really dead."
+
+Then Shushila knelt down by the bed on which the child had thrown
+herself in her grief and disappointment, and prayed softly,—
+
+   "Lord Jesus, we know that Thou art here, and that Thou seest us though
+we cannot see Thee. We thank Thee that Thou didst take care of this
+poor little one in the storm, and didst bring her safely here. She is
+very tired and weary. Wilt Thou give her rest? Amen."
+
+Hira said no more. And as Shushila knelt on beside her, softly singing,
+she gradually lay still, and the watcher knew that for the present she
+was at rest.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+DEVOTION.
+
+"YOU 'darling!'" exclaimed the young mother rapturously.
+
+"You 'darling!'" echoed grandmother in the same tone.
+
+While the father, just passing the window and seeing his sweet little
+daughter held up to be admired, stopped and admired her too.
+
+"Does she not look rosy from her sleep?" said Anora. "Why, she has been
+asleep this two hours."
+
+"I've been sitting here a great deal too long," said grannie, with a
+start. "What will grandfather say? He'll tell me I'm a bit silly over
+that baby, and so I am!" She gave a pleasant little laugh as she rose
+and gathered her basket handles together preparatory to setting forth.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Well, father's as bad himself," smiled Anora, nodding and chirping to
+the baby, while smile after smile broke over the little one's face in
+response.
+
+"I never saw such a sweet baby!" said grannie emphatically. "But I must
+go to see after grandfather's dinner. He'll be short of something nice,
+unless I mind."
+
+She had a good kiss of her grandchild, and then, poking her vegetables
+further into her basket, she hurried off to her cottage.
+
+That evening, when the baby was asleep, and Jacques was sitting by the
+fire resting after his day's work, Anora put her hand into his and
+looked into his face thoughtfully.
+
+"Well, dear?" he said kindly.
+
+"I'm so afraid we are getting to love her too well—"
+
+There was no need to ask whom she meant, and to Jacques' surprise,
+there was a sound of tears in her usually cheerful voice.
+
+He looked up quickly. "I never thought of that," he said at length.
+
+"No more did I. But when mother went out this afternoon, somehow it
+came over me—What would life be without baby? And then—"
+
+Jacques shook his head and they both looked towards the cradle.
+
+"We do want to love God best of all, don't we?" she murmured.
+
+"But He has sent us our child."
+
+"I tell you what!" said Anora, suddenly brightening up. "I've thought
+of something! If we thank God for her every time we think how sweet and
+dear she is, I do believe that will save us from making an idol of her.
+I'll run in and tell grannie. I know she'll do it!"
+
+
+
+Out of the Tombs.
+
+ONE day the Lord Jesus was sailing over the lake of Galilee, and a
+great storm of wind came down between the mountains, and made the waves
+beat into the ship so that it nearly sank.
+
+The Lord was tired with all His loving work among the people, and He
+fell asleep in the hinder part of the ship.
+
+When the storm came on, the disciples woke Him up in a great hurry,
+asking Him if He did not care that they were in danger.
+
+Now, Jesus always cares. Perhaps He was asleep during that storm that
+they might learn to trust Him more.
+
+So at their despairing cry, He arose and told the wind and the waves to
+be still. And immediately there was a great calm.
+
+So Jesus said to them, "How is it that you have so little faith?"
+
+And the disciples felt a great surprise and awe come over them, because
+the Master whom they loved could have power over even the wind and the
+waves.
+
+But Jesus wanted to show them that there are other things over which He
+has power besides the storm and the tempest.
+
+So when they came out of the ship, as they were passing through the
+rocky country by the sea, a very strange and unhappy man met them.
+
+The disciples were very frightened, for they knew that this poor man
+lived in the tombs and was possessed with a devil, so that no man could
+live with him, or do anything to make him happy. He had often been put
+in a safe place by his friends, but he was so strong that he had burst
+open the door and broken the chains that bound him, and day and night
+he was crying and cutting himself with stones.
+
+But Jesus has power even over a man such as that.
+
+When he who was possessed with the devil saw the Lord coming up from
+the lake, he ran to meet Him and bowed himself to the ground and
+worshipped Him, crying with a loud voice, "What have I to do with Thee,
+Jesus, Thou Son of the most high God?"
+
+For Jesus had said to the devil that possessed him, "Come out of the
+man, thou unclean spirit."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+So the devils were obliged to come out of the poor man, and by-and-by,
+when the people of that country came to see what had been done to him,
+they found him sitting with clothes on, and in his right mind, close to
+Jesus, and happy in His presence and His love.
+
+Now, what do we learn, little children, from these two stories of the
+great power of the Lord Jesus?
+
+Is it not that there is "nothing" too hard for Him to do?
+
+That if there is a great storm in our lives, if things seem too hard
+for us to manage, Jesus is ready, and at our first call, He will arise
+and rebuke the storm, and smooth the difficulty, and bring us straight
+to land.
+
+And if our sins and Satan's power, and our tempers and our temptations,
+seem to make us dwell in the tombs (as it were), if Jesus comes near,
+we may be delivered. And we can be found sitting near Him listening to
+His voice, and delivered for ever from Satan our great enemy.
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER VI.—FATHER AND DAUGHTER.
+
+IT was no ordinary home to which Hira's feet had been guided when she
+was lost in the storm. Rámpál Singh, the master of the house, was one
+who, brought up and educated as a Hindu, had been led to seek for One
+worthy of his heart's homage and obedience, and finding Christ to be
+that One, had left all to follow Him.
+
+Never for one moment had he regretted that decision, but as in every
+new circumstance and time of need he proved his chosen Master to be
+all-sufficient, he longed more and more that others might share in the
+blessing which he had gained, and rejoice in the same great salvation.
+
+For some years, he had spent his life going about from village to
+village teaching and preaching, but about a year ago, a severe attack
+of fever had made it necessary for him to lead a less wearing kind of
+life. So having taken this house, he sought to shed a light in the
+darkness surrounding him. His only daughter, Shushila, whose greatest
+joy and delight was to be with her father and share his work, was his
+faithful attendant and companion. Surely it could have been none other
+than the Good Shepherd Himself who had guided the steps of the lost
+child to those who were so well fitted to teach her what she so longed
+to know and understand!
+
+The next morning, Hira was burning and tossing with fever, which was
+not to be wondered at, after the exposure and shock of the night
+before. The father and daughter took counsel together, and sought for
+that wisdom which is promised to those who lack, that they might know
+what was the right thing to do in this difficult case.
+
+"Oh, father, I would just love to keep her always and teach her about
+the Lord Jesus!" said Shushila, whose whole heart went out towards the
+helpless child who had been thrown so unexpectedly on her hands.
+
+"And so you shall," answered her father, "if she really has been sent
+to us, as it seems likely, and there is no one who has the right to
+take her from us. But it may be that even now others are anxiously
+looking for her, and it seems only right that we should seek to let
+them know that she is safe."
+
+Then Anandi, who had been standing near, proposed that she should go
+out and make inquiries as to whether a blind child was missing from
+any house. This was thought to be an excellent plan, as if the child
+belonged to the neighbourhood, and any consternation was felt at her
+disappearance, the news would certainly spread. So Anandi set forth on
+her errand, doing her day's shopping at the same time.
+
+Wherever she went, she asked the same question, "Do you know of any
+blind child living in these parts?"—Always receiving the same answer.
+No one knew of any such child.
+
+The old woman had the wisdom to add, "If you should hear of any child
+having been lost, you can just tell them to come and inquire of us."
+
+She returned home having learnt nothing, but those who had sent her
+felt more contented having done what they could.
+
+Later in the day, Shushila remembered that she had promised to send
+some broth to a child who was ill, and Anandi went to take it. It was
+Mary Dayál's child, and through her illness, Shushila had found an
+entrance into this house, and appeared as an angel of mercy to the
+heavily laden mother who dragged out her weary existence there.
+
+Anandi had given the broth, inquired after the sick child, and was just
+going out at the door, when she turned back and said, "Have you ever
+heard of a blind child living in these parts, a little girl who wears a
+red sari?"
+
+Mary looked up with some interest. There flashed before her sight the
+vision of the small, red figure, the earnest face with its sightless
+eyes, and once more, the oft-remembered words sounded afresh in her
+ears, "Have you got ready to meet God?"
+
+In a moment it came and went, and without any pause she answered, "Yes,
+a blind girl in a red sari came here one day. She came with a woman who
+comes to sell butter, and asked me such strange questions for a child,
+that I thought she was not quite right in her head. Why do you ask?
+What do you want to know about her?"
+
+Then Anandi told the story of the voice crying at the door, and how
+her young mistress had brought in the lost child and put her to sleep
+in her own bed, and would gladly keep her altogether, if she could be
+quite sure that no one else wanted her.
+
+When she had told all, Mary Dayál remarked, "There is one person who
+could tell you all about her, and that is the woman who comes to
+sell butter. She has no children of her own—they have all died, poor
+thing—and she seems to love this blind child as if she belonged to her.
+Hira, I remember she called her."
+
+Here at last was some light, though to know who could tell was of
+little use unless she could be found, and that was no easy matter, for
+all that Mary knew was that she lived some little distance off.
+
+Having received the promise that if she came there to sell milk, she
+should be at once sent on, Anandi went home to give time information
+she had gained. Mary Dayál went back to her sick child, and as she sat
+and watched beside her, she thought again of the blind girl. She felt
+glad to think that she was with one who was so well able to tell her
+what she wanted to know. She had often thought with shame of how this
+child had come to ask her about Him of whom she ought to have been so
+glad to speak, and had learnt nothing. Now as she heard of her being
+sheltered by Shushila's loving care, she thought to herself,—
+
+"Perhaps God sent her to me first, and because I could not, or would
+not, help her, He led her Himself to one who can."
+
+Then the burden which had pressed so heavily on her heart pressed so
+sorely that she buried her face in her hands and murmured,—
+
+  "O God, make me ready to meet Thee; for I am surely no better than that
+little heathen blind girl."
+
+If only she had understood, how she would have rejoiced to know that,
+first by the message sent through the lips of Him, and then by this
+hunger in her heart, her heavenly Father was drawing His child home to
+Himself. One day she would hear the words, "I have loved thee with an
+everlasting love, therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee,"
+and know them to be true.
+
+                       ————————————
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.—SUKHIYA'S SCHEME.
+
+THERE was not much rest for Sukhiya during the night of the storm;
+even after the worst violence had spent itself, the rain continued to
+stream through the roof. And when a dry place had been found for the
+butter and milk still left for sale, and another sheltered spot for her
+husband, who being an old man must be kept as dry as possible, there
+was none left for the mistress of the house, who had to be contented to
+do the best she could, and hope to be dry again some time.
+
+Towards morning, the rain ceased and Sukhiya was roused early out of a
+deep sleep by someone knocking at the door.
+
+No answer came to her inquiry, "Who is there?"
+
+So she got up off the wet bedstead on which she had been lying, and
+went to the door.
+
+"Is Hira here?" asked a voice, which she quickly recognised as that of
+one of the blind girl's cousins.
+
+In a moment, Sukhiya was thoroughly awake, and the door quickly opened.
+
+"What do you ask, Is Hira here?" she said, in a voice of some concern.
+"How could that be? Does she ever pass the night here? Whenever she
+comes, I always bring her back, and nowadays she seldom comes."
+
+"Then how can we tell where she is?" remarked the boy in a voice which
+sounded as if he at any rate did not much care. "She is not in our
+house, and if she is not here, where can she be?"
+
+A great dread seized the heart of Sukhiya; she knew that her little
+favourite had been becoming more and more unhappy in her uncle's house,
+and not long ago had said in a determined voice, "Some time I will run
+away."
+
+Maybe this was what she had done. But where could she have gone, if she
+had not come to her, and where could she have been during the storm?
+
+The ghi-seller was a shrewd woman, and as she stood at the door in the
+early morning, facing the boy who had come to tell her that the blind
+child was lost, she at once made up her mind on one point—if Hira had
+run away from her uncle's house, she should never go back there again,
+if she could help it. So she answered in a tone of indifference, "Tell
+your father that I have not seen the child for several days, for she
+has quite given up ever coming to my house." Then she asked, "Since
+when has she been missing?"
+
+The boy answered, "She hasn't eaten anything since the morning, and no
+one has seen anything of her since just before the storm."
+
+"Well, what can I do?" said Sukhiya again. "Those to whom she belongs
+are the right ones to look for her if she is lost, and they will know
+best why the child has run away."
+
+Then the boy, finding no more to be gained, went back to give the
+answer to the question he had been sent to ask.
+
+Although Sukhiya had appeared to be so indifferent, she was far from
+feeling so. And in spite of having implied that it was not her business
+to look for the lost child, she at once began to think how she could
+best do it.
+
+She would have liked to have set off at once, but the cow must be
+milked, and as she did not wish Hira's uncle to know that she was
+making any efforts to find the child, she could not do better than make
+her inquiries as she went on her rounds.
+
+So from house to house went Sukhiya with her basket on her head and a
+heavy burden on her heart, which grew heavier and heavier as the day
+wore on, and still there was no trace of the lost child. She longed to
+go to the uncle's house and ask whether she had returned, but then that
+might spoil her little scheme.
+
+Little rest was found that night either. And the next morning, the
+poor woman began her day's work with a heavy heart, for with Hira, she
+seemed to have lost all her interest in life.
+
+The first day she had kept to her own neighbourhood, not thinking it
+likely that the blind child could have strayed far away. The next day
+she went a greater distance, and so came at length to Mary Dayál's
+house.
+
+The woman's sad, hopeless face reminded Mary at once of Anandi and the
+blind child, and she asked, "Do you know anything of the blind child
+you brought here one day? Is she safe and well?"
+
+The simple question was too much for the sore heart of the anxious
+woman, and, bursting into tears, she answered, "She is lost, the poor
+helpless little one; there was no one to love and care for her, though
+I would have done it if I could. But she is gone, and how will I ever
+see her again?"
+
+"I think I can tell you where she is," said Mary, glad to be able to
+comfort the sorrowful woman.
+
+As Sukhiya listened to what Anandi had said, she felt certain it must
+be Hira who had been found on the doorstep. Was not the red sari she
+wore the very one she had given to her?
+
+The children had gone to school, and Mary could not leave her home to
+show the way, but there was little fear that Sukhiya would not find
+the house which contained her lost treasure. So having received full
+directions, she set off to seek it.
+
+Hira was still burning with fever, which had risen so high that she
+took little notice of anything or anyone near her, only sometimes
+muttering such words as "I don't know where I am; I must be lost. If
+Jesus Christ would come and give me eyes, but He won't. He must be
+dead."
+
+Shushila, who dearly loved to tend anyone who was ill, sat by her side,
+putting wet cloths on her head, and speaking now and then in a soft,
+gentle voice, which seemed to soothe the restless child.
+
+Sukhiya found the door open and walked in. Besides what she had heard
+from Mary Dayál of Shushila's goodness, her own eyes told her that
+however Hira had found her way to this spot, she had certainly found
+refuge in a peaceful, happy home, and if she could only stay there
+always, it would be well for her. So she quickly made up her mind to
+try and bring this about.
+
+"Do you want any butter or milk to-day?" she asked, setting down her
+basket.
+
+Anandi soon appeared to answer the call. And seeing the woman, asked at
+once, "Have you come about the blind child?"
+
+"What blind child?" was the answer in a most indifferent tone.
+
+Then Anandi told what she knew, and Sukhiya listened, but said nothing
+till the story was finished.
+
+"There is a blind child I have seen about sometimes; if I were to see
+her, I should know whether it is the same."
+
+So Sukhiya was taken to where Hira lay, just at that time in a heavy
+sleep. Shushila was sitting near, and as soon as the woman caught sight
+of her sweet, gentle face, she still more fully made up her mind that,
+even though these people were Christians, Hira could find no better
+home.
+
+She tried to conceal her anxiety at the child's illness, and when
+Shushila called her out of the room and asked what she knew of the
+child and her relatives, she answered, "What can I tell more than that
+she has neither father nor mother, nor anyone else to care for her? For
+many a day she has been half starved, and now it has come to this."
+
+"Then you think," said Shushila, "that I may keep her and that no one
+will want to take her away from me?"
+
+"Who is there to take her away? Have not I said that she has neither
+father nor mother, nor anyone who cares whether she is alive or dead?
+Great will be your reward if you take this helpless little one and feed
+and clothe her."
+
+Shushila was much relieved by the woman's words, but she thought it
+right to say, "If you should hear of anyone inquiring for her, you will
+tell them where she is, and that she is being well cared for."
+
+"Who is there to ask?" was the reply. "Certainly I will tell if I
+should meet any such person. But surely you are needing some butter or
+milk, and you will find none better than mine."
+
+Anandi was called to make a small purchase, and Sukhiya determined that
+it should not be the last, for how else would she be able to see the
+child in whose interests she had been working?
+
+Although the woman felt glad for the child's sake, she felt sad for her
+own. What more would Hira care for her, poor ignorant creature, now she
+had a friend with a beautiful face and soft, sweet voice, to care for
+her? It was true that the blind eyes could see neither the beauty of
+the one nor the lack of it in herself, but something would surely tell
+her the difference. Anyway, she would be no longer needed, and Sukhiya
+felt as if she had lost yet another child.
+
+However, there was still one more thing to be done before her work for
+Hira was complete. A few days later, she arrived at the blind child's
+old home, and having put down her basket on the ground began to cry and
+wail piteously.
+
+The whole household gathered around and begged to know what was the
+matter.
+
+It was a long time before Sukhiya's distress would allow her to speak,
+and then she sobbed out, "Alas! Alas! All my children have died, and
+now this helpless little one I loved as my own is gone too; it matters
+nothing to you, but my heart is made desolate."
+
+"What do you mean?" was the general exclamation. "Have you heard any
+news of Hira? What has happened to her?"
+
+Sukhiya shed a few more tears, and then, with a quivering voice,
+explained, "She got lost that night you turned her out in that heavy
+rain, and only a thin, worn sari to cover her. Was it any wonder
+that she should get fever and die?" And again the woman's cries and
+lamentations broke forth.
+
+Then an angry voice asked, "Who says we turned her out? She went away
+herself; and it is you who are to blame that she was lost in the rain,
+for it was you who taught her to go wandering from house to house,
+which was most improper for a girl of her age. Now you can go and never
+come here again accusing innocent people of what you are to blame for
+yourself."
+
+Sukhiya was only too thankful to find that she was not to be
+cross-examined on the story which she had made up. And taking up her
+basket quickly, departed. And for many days nothing was seen of the
+ghi-seller in Hira's old home.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+A BLACK SHEEP.
+
+BY MABEL MACKINTOSH.
+
+ARTHUR NEAL was the black sheep of the school. The biggest among
+the little boys, there was no sort of possible mischief in which
+he did not entangle himself, no sort of naughtiness or laziness or
+don't-carishness in which he was not foremost. They had scolded him,
+kept him in, deprived him of extra pleasures, caned him; but nothing
+seemed to affect him. He had once overheard the head master call him
+incorrigible and a black sheep; he rather gloried in it, and his mother
+and father in India grieved over the bad accounts of their boy, and
+wrote lectures and good advice and pleadings, and Arthur only laughed.
+India was a long way off, and nobody loved him and he loved nobody.
+
+But the term was over and holidays had come, and Arthur was to go to
+Scotland to his cousins' home, for the head master had positively
+refused to keep him for the holidays. Arthur was well pleased. Here was
+a new field for his mischievous energies! Wouldn't he lead Ivan and
+Archie a life? Wouldn't he teach them a thing or two?
+
+[Illustration]
+
+He was very quiet that first day in Glasgow; he was taking in his
+surroundings. His aunt thought he had been belied; it had cost her
+much to invite this little ne'er-do-well to meet her boys, and yet she
+prayed that this uncared-for little soul might find a blessing. Was he
+to go on to rack and ruin for want of a helping hand?
+
+Ivan and Archie watched him curiously, too, the first day. They were
+in a difficulty. In the summer, both of them had given themselves to
+Christ to be His soldiers and servants, and since then, they had read
+together a chapter from their little Bibles directly after tea. What
+should they do now? Should they put it off and read separately at
+another time, or should they read aloud as usual, and let their new
+cousin laugh if he liked? It was a hard struggle, this first taking up
+the reproach of their Master, but the two boys conquered. When the tea
+was cleared, they sat down in the glowing firelight, and Ivan drew out
+his little Bible.
+
+"We always read together," he said a little brusquely, for it was a
+very big effort to him.
+
+Arthur said nothing. He was too surprised, too flabbergasted, to make
+any resistance. Had he had a minute to think, he would have retired
+with a sneer. But already Ivan had begun, and he sat still.
+
+It began with the story of the lost sheep, and the shepherd seeking
+over the mountains until he found it. It rushed into Arthur's mind that
+he was called a black sheep, and it seemed as if the story was all
+written for him.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+He did not hear the other stories in the chapter; he was too intent
+on this one. He hardly noticed when his cousins rose and left him. He
+only moved his position nearer to the fire, and sat staring into it. He
+knew enough of Bible teaching to know the meaning of the shepherd. He
+had heard often enough of the love of Jesus, but he had never thought
+of Jesus loving "him," wanting to find "him," the black sheep of the
+school.
+
+But still, if Jesus wanted to find him, how was it all done? How could
+he know he was found, he was such a naughty boy? How could he become a
+white sheep safe in the fold? He puzzled and puzzled over it for three
+days. And then, when he lay in his little bed on the third night, his
+auntie came to him and solved his problem for him.
+
+She sat down beside him and laid her soft hand on his. And then in the
+dim light, she saw his eyes were full of tears.
+
+"What is it, dear?" she said gently.
+
+"I didn't know you loved me," Arthur answered.
+
+"Didn't you, poor lonely boy?" she answered. "I love you and Jesus
+loves you."
+
+Arthur sighed deeply. "I'm such a naughty boy, a black sheep," he said;
+"but the boys were reading about the shepherd looking for the sheep.
+Would He look for me?"
+
+"'The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me,'" said auntie
+softly. "He loved you so that He gave His own life to find you."
+
+"How shall I be found?" asked Arthur.
+
+"If you were a little lost sheep lying on the dark mountain, and you
+heard the shepherd calling you, what would you do?"
+
+"I would call to him, 'Here I am.'"
+
+Auntie knelt down by the little bed, and, still holding Arthur's hand,
+she spoke to the Good Shepherd.
+
+   "Dear Lord Jesus," she said, "Arthur has heard you calling, and he says
+he is here. Take him and make him Thy lamb, and wash his sins in Thy
+precious blood."
+
+"And thank you for loving me, auntie!"
+
+
+
+NELLIE'S CARD.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+"SIT down, just a little while, Sister!" coaxed Nellie. "You haven't
+sat down all the afternoon, for I've been watching you!"
+
+Sister Ruth smiled.
+
+"Well! Just a little while, Nellie," she said sitting down beside her.
+"Why did you want me to, particularly?"
+
+"'Cause you look tired; and besides, I wanted you to talk to me."
+
+"What a lot of Christmas cards!" said the nurse, glancing at the little
+table on which Nellie had arranged all her treasures in front of her.
+
+"Yes," she said softly, "everybody, almost, that loves me has sent me
+one!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"What a rich little girl!"
+
+She smiled a happy little smile; and then as the nurse laid her hand
+gently on hers, she looked up with an earnest glance.
+
+"I know you're sorry for me," she said. "I feel it every time you come
+near."
+
+"Indeed I am."
+
+"Do you know, when I first came here, Sister, I was not—I didn't feel
+as I do now."
+
+"You were so very ill," asked Sister Ruth, "and in such pain?"
+
+"No-o," said Nellie reflectively, "it wasn't only that."
+
+"Well?" asked Sister Ruth. A weary craving in her own heart made her
+long, somehow, to know what made Nellie's face so peaceful.
+
+"At first I couldn't 'bear' it," said the child slowly, "and then all
+seemed dark and miserable."
+
+"Poor little Nellie!"
+
+"Then, on Christmas Eve, somebody sent me this."
+
+She put her little hand out towards a card which rested in the very
+centre of all the rest. "That changed everything."
+
+The nurse bent forward where she pointed, and read—"'Come unto Me all
+ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'"
+
+Sister Ruth was startled; startled at the child's look of heavenly
+peace, as she went on—
+
+"I thought at first, when my foot had to be taken off, that all the joy
+had gone out of my life; as if nothing was any good any more. I thought
+how it would be when I got home, to be limping about on crutches; how
+it would feel to be unlike everybody else for always!"
+
+"And how could that card make any difference?" asked Sister Ruth
+incredulously, and the longing in her eyes grew greater.
+
+This child had lost all that made life dear to her—deep down in her
+heart she knew that she too had done the same.
+
+"It did!" said the child with a flash of light in her eyes. "The words
+were so plain, and I was so sad! When I thought of my foot, I knew how
+heavy laden I was—and so—"
+
+"And so?" asked Sister Ruth.
+
+"I just told Jesus I was glad to come if He'd have me! And after that,
+the black darkness rolled away, and I've felt quite different."
+
+The nurse bent and kissed the little hand that lay near her, almost
+reverently, while she turned away to hide her tears.
+
+"Does He cure all sorrows, do you think, Nellie?" she asked softly.
+
+"I expect He does; if the people are heavy laden, and come. I'm sure He
+does—oh, yes, dear Sister! I know He does!"
+
+
+
+[Illustration: When she got out into the fields
+ better thoughts came.]
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+A DECISION.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+"WAIT for me at the stile, Mary: I'll be sure to come!" Charlie had
+said.
+
+"How early you are going, Mary!" called her father a little
+complainingly after breakfast the next morning.
+
+"Not earlier than usual, father."
+
+"It don't take you an hour to get to town. What makes you start so
+soon?"
+
+"I like going along by the hedges and picking the wild flowers," said
+Mary, while the slightest tinge of pink reddened her cheeks to a deeper
+shade.
+
+"Oh, well!" said her father crossly. "I don't see the sense of it.
+You're always picking flowers, or sauntering along, or something—"
+
+"Oh, I don't saunter," said Mary reproachfully. "I never saunter—" She
+took up her basket of eggs and went out abruptly, calling Fox sharply,
+settling her sun-bonnet on her head with a determined little shake that
+spoke volumes.
+
+But when she got out into the quiet fields, better thoughts came, and
+all the irritation passed from her step. If father was unreasonable,
+she herself had not been blameless.
+
+"Look here, Charlie," she said, directly he came up, "this mustn't go
+on any more. If I don't take care, I shall get to be an untruthful
+girl! Here, for the sake of meeting you, I've been and told father that
+I like to pick wild flowers, and that I started early for that! So I
+do, but—"
+
+Charlie stood silent, and Fox, who had listened eagerly to the
+conversation, hung his tail.
+
+"If we speak, he'll put an end to it," said Charlie slowly.
+
+"Yes—at least, I think so—and yet, Charlie—"
+
+The young fellow came closer to the stile, and he looked in her face.
+"I wouldn't be the one to ask you to do wrong," he said very gravely.
+"I've not been easy myself over it. Suppose we go back at once—"
+
+"Now?" said Mary. She remembered her haughty departure and her father's
+black looks, and her heart almost failed her.
+
+"If it's 'right,'" he said tenderly. It was that tenderness of
+Charlie's that had won her.
+
+"I'll do it," she said, "and we shall be 'helped,' Charlie!"
+
+And so they were.
+
+Mary ran into the cottage and put her arms round her father's neck:
+"Oh, I'm so sorry I said that about the flowers!" she said, hiding her
+face. "Father, it was partly to meet Charlie. And Charlie has come back
+to ask you if we may."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+A FAVOUR.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+"KOTCHED!" exclaimed Roland, with a chuckle, stopping at the kitchen
+door.
+
+"What?" asked Kathleen, looking up. "'Kotched' over what?"
+
+"Why, you are reading a story book, while you are pretending to cook my
+dinner! I've kotched you!"
+
+"Have you, indeed?" said his sister, springing up and chasing him.
+"I've a good mind to threaten that you shan't have a bit of my golden
+pudding!"
+
+"Your 'what?'" asked Roland.
+
+"Golden pudding. Look here, Rol, I want you to do me a favour—"
+
+"I'm not workin'" said Roland, backing.
+
+"Oh, yes, you are! No one can work like you when you've a mind."
+
+"But you see I haven't a mind—"
+
+He had reached the front door and managed to escape, and Kathleen
+slowly turned back to the kitchen with a more sober face.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Roland went down the road whistling, and somehow his whistling fell
+into a tune like this—
+
+"I believe that girl's been at it pretty nearly all day! I wonder
+what she wanted of me? How pretty she looked in that apron, and what
+a nuisance it must be to have to see to things in the house when you
+want to be out and about! I wonder if Kathleen does ever want to be out
+and about? I declare I'll take her to the football match on Saturday;
+I never thought of that. I wonder what she did want of me? Not that I
+care! I can't be called upon to do odds and ends for her all the time.
+By-the-by, I wish I'd asked her to see to those buttons for me—what
+a nuisance I forgot! I wonder what she did want me to do? Nothing of
+importance, I dare say."
+
+So Roland called in to see a friend, and forgot all about Kathleen and
+her wants.
+
+Kathleen seemed to have forgotten all about them too, he thought,
+when he came in again. She was sitting very quietly at the table, and
+everything was prepared with the utmost nicety.
+
+Roland did not feel easy; he still wondered what the favour had been
+that Kathleen had asked. Some "girls' tripe," he thought.
+
+If he could have seen a letter in the pillar-box opposite, he would
+perhaps have ceased to wonder.
+
+   "Darling Nettie,—I have never missed sending you a present for
+your birthday before, but I simply could not get out to-day—nor
+yesterday—nor the day before. You know we are single-handed just now,
+and mother is upstairs ill, and I have to keep everything going. You
+will not think I have forgotten you? I meant to send you a bottle of
+scent; perhaps I shall be able next week."
+
+That little note had not been written without tears of disappointment.
+And the only thing that made Kathleen able to meet Roland with a bright
+face was a line she read on her wall as she closed her letter—
+
+   "'My times are in 'Thy' hand!'"
+
+And she went on bravely.
+
+
+
+"If Thou Hadst Known!"
+
+PERHAPS you ask, dear children, "Who is that standing there looking so
+sorrowful? And what is He doing?"
+
+Well, I will tell you.
+
+I have heard that as travellers approach the city of Jerusalem, it is
+hidden from them by the hills which surround it. But at one point, when
+you least expect it, the view of the city bursts upon you, and you see
+all at once that which you have been travelling many weary miles to
+catch a sight of.
+
+Perhaps that is how heaven will seem to us when we die. We may be
+travellers towards it, and our feet may be tired with the rough way,
+and all at once, we shall open our eyes and find that the toilsome
+journey is over, and we are there!
+
+Be that as it may, this picture shows us the Lord Jesus when the view
+of Jerusalem burst upon His view.
+
+He had been travelling many long miles to reach it, and He well knew
+that there He was going to offer up His precious life as a ransom for
+all.
+
+But to Jesus that view of the city was not all joy. St. Luke tells us
+that when He beheld the city, He wept over it.
+
+Why did He weep? Ah, that is the question. Why did the Son of God,
+having been doing works of love and pity for three years, and now going
+up to Jerusalem to obtain eternal salvation for us, why should He weep?
+
+Little children, Jesus cried because He knew that very few in that
+beautiful city would come to Him to be saved.
+
+He cried because the people there would not believe in Him, or accept
+Him as their Saviour.
+
+So when He wept, He said, "If thou hadst known, even thou . . . in this
+thy day, the things which belong to thy peace! but now they are hid
+from thine eyes."
+
+I think that this story of the Lord Jesus weeping over Jerusalem should
+make our hearts very soft and tender.
+
+We should think to ourselves, "Jesus is very sorry when we do not love
+Him, and come to Him to be saved from our sins. I would not like to
+make Jesus sorry, who suffered so much for me; so I will just tell Him
+that I love Him, and that will make Him glad."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+And so it will, children. And the very thought of doing a little thing
+to make the Lord Jesus glad will make us happy too, and we shall be
+more cheerful over our lessons, and more bright in our play, than we
+should have been otherwise.
+
+Jesus said to Peter, "Lovest thou Me?" Shall we not answer gladly,
+"Thou knowest all things; Thou 'knowest' that I love Thee"?
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER VIII.—THE OLD, OLD STORY.
+
+AFTER several days' fight with fever, Hira began to recover.
+
+Though she could see nothing of her surroundings, she knew quite well
+that she was in a different world to that in which her life had been
+passed hitherto.
+
+She heard no harsh, scolding voices, no complaining and quarrelling
+about money, but she seemed to be in an abode of peace and love; even
+Sukhiya's house, her old refuge, was nothing compared to this.
+
+If she had learnt of heaven, she would certainly have thought she was
+there, and that Shushila, with her sweet voice and gentle touch, was
+one of the angels who ministered to her. But what did she know of
+heaven?
+
+As she grew better, she began to wonder what could happen next. Would
+her uncle come and fetch her away, or would she stay always in this
+lovely, peaceful spot, where everyone was kind and good to her?
+
+It all seemed like a dream: the terrible storm with the thunder, which
+had struck such terror to her heart, the noise and confusion, in the
+midst of which, she had felt so utterly helpless to think of anything.
+Then loving hands had lifted her out of the storm and noise into peace
+and quiet, and there she was still; but what would happen next?
+
+She did not care to see her uncle and aunt again, but if only Sukhiya
+would come and speak to her, and tell her where she was! She had a kind
+of vague feeling that during the dream from which she was awakening,
+Sukhiya really had come, but perhaps it was only part of the dream.
+
+Presently she grew tired of thinking and trying to understand, so she
+put out her hand, and asked, "Is anyone there?"
+
+Immediately, the voice she had learnt to know and love answered, "Yes,
+little one, I am here; is there anything you want?"
+
+"I want to know where I am and where I am going to?" said the child
+feebly.
+
+Then Shushila answered, "You were lost in the storm, Hira, and God, who
+takes care of little girls, brought you here, and if you like to be
+with me and my father, we will keep you always, so that you will never
+be lost again. Will you be my little sister, and stay with me?"
+
+Hira did not speak at once. Then she said, "Tell me about God, for I
+don't know anything, and there was no one who could tell me. Did you
+see Him when He brought me here?"
+
+It was Shushila's turn to pause now. Where should she begin to tell
+this child, who knew nothing, but was so eager to learn, of the
+glorious truths which were so precious to her? While she was thinking
+what she should say, the blind child spoke again.
+
+"But tell me first, who is Jesus Christ? And if He is alive and here,
+why does He not give me eyes? I thought it was a dream, but now I
+remember that you told me that He was here."
+
+Then Shushila answered, "Hira, I will tell you all about Jesus Christ,
+but it is a long story, and I am afraid so much talking will make your
+head ache. Will you not wait a few days till you are quite well?"
+
+The blind child laughed, as if the very thought amused her, as she
+said, "How can it make my head ache to hear you talk? When I had fever
+in my uncle's house, there was noise and talking all the time, and no
+one thought they must be quiet."
+
+So Shushila said no more, but began to tell her story.
+
+"Long, long ago Jesus Christ lived in heaven with God. We cannot tell
+what heaven is like, because we have never seen it, but we know that
+there is no sorrow nor crying there, nor pain nor sickness of any kind.
+No one ever dies, and, what is best of all, there is no sin there. That
+could not be, because heaven is God's house, and sin cannot be where
+God is.
+
+"But the Lord did not stay in heaven. He knew that in this world in
+which we live there is sin, and sorrow, and crying; and so, when God
+said He would send Him down from heaven to come here, Jesus Christ was
+very, very glad to come.
+
+"He might have come as a very rich man, or as a great king, but He
+chose instead to be quite poor, and live amongst poor people."
+
+"Was He as poor as my uncle?" interrupted Hira.
+
+"Yes, I expect He was poorer, because He had no house at all," said
+Shushila; "but though He had no money to give away, He helped everybody
+who came to Him, and He could help as no one else could, because He
+could do what no one else could. They all came to Him—the blind and
+lame, lepers, and sick people—and whatever was the matter with them, He
+healed them all, and even when they were dead, made them live again.
+But it was not to heal the sick, not even to make the dead alive, that
+Jesus Christ left His beautiful home in heaven and came into our world.
+He came to do something very much greater than that."
+
+"But what could be more than making blind people see, and dead people
+alive?" asked Hira eagerly. "Tell me, for I cannot understand."
+
+Then Shushila answered, "There is something, Hira, even worse than
+being blind, or lame, or ill, or even than being dead. The worst thing
+of all is to be sinful. Sin is the very worst of all diseases, worse
+even than leprosy. It is sin which makes all the sorrow and sadness
+that there is in the world. Some day I will show you that it is sin
+which has made you so unhappy, and not being blind. Jesus Christ came
+into the world not to keep us from being blind, and lame, and ill,
+because that does not matter so very much, but He came to keep us from
+sin, to make us holy like He Himself is holy, and like God is holy."
+
+"But I would like best of all to be able to see," interrupted the
+listener, "and if Jesus Christ can give me eyes, why 'doesn't' He?"
+
+"Listen, child, and I will tell you more, and by-and-by, you will
+understand," said Shushila, and then she continued, "God wants us to
+know Him and be like Him, and then He will be able to have us in His
+house to dwell with Him; but sin is like a black curtain which comes
+between us and God, and hides Him from us, and it makes us so unclean
+that we cannot possibly go to live with God unless we get rid of it."
+
+"Then is that what the gentleman meant when he told us to get ready to
+meet God?" asked Hira.
+
+"Yes," said Shushila, "that is just it."
+
+"But what has that to do with making people see, and walk? And what
+have we to do to get ready?" questioned the child eagerly.
+
+Again the speaker paused, there was so much to tell and the listener
+knew so little.
+
+Then she continued, "Hira, that is why the Lord Jesus came down from
+heaven, that He might make us fit to meet God. We cannot make ourselves
+clean and holy, and there is no one in all the world who can do it for
+us, because all are alike, and there is not anyone who is not sinful;
+but Jesus Christ is holy, just as God is holy, and so He can make us
+holy too.
+
+"Jesus Christ became a man like us that He might make us like God; He
+came down 'from' heaven that He might lift us up 'to' heaven.
+
+"Now, little one, you are tired, and I must not talk to you any more.
+Every day I will tell you something more about the dear Lord Jesus, and
+all that He has done for us, and it will make you so happy to think
+that He loves you and cares for you, though you are only a little blind
+girl."
+
+Hira's answer was to cling close to her friend as she bent over her and
+whisper, "Perhaps if I had not been blind, you would not have brought
+me into your house and taken care of me, so I think I am glad that I am
+blind, and I don't mind a bit being in the dark if you are with me."
+
+Just then Shushila was called away, and she went with a light heart,
+rejoicing to think how the child to whom she was ministering would one
+day learn to know One who could bring light into the very darkest spot,
+and whose companionship can make the hardest lot shine with glory.
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+WHEN?
+
+BY MABEL MACKINTOSH.
+
+"YOU always want to talk about those sort of things, mother," said Jim
+Harris, hitching his shoulder away from the hand that lay on it. "You'd
+take all the heart out of a fellow if you could, talking of dying and
+another world, and such-like. I'm young and I ain't a-going to die yet.
+When I see death coming, I'll prepare, maybe."
+
+He had shaken off her hand, but he glanced into the face that still
+bent over him, and his heart softened. It was his last night at home.
+To-morrow he would be on the wide sea. The wind was howling round the
+house, and the waves broke heavily and monotonously on the beach. "I
+don't want to be rough with you, mother," he said, pulling her down for
+a kiss; "you shouldn't vex me the last night, but you knows I loves
+you, if I am a bit hasty."
+
+He rose up and went out into the night. There was a moon between the
+scudding clouds, and the foam broke up white at the water's edge. He
+looked at it all and at the few boats lying at anchor, or on the shore.
+
+"To-morrow I shall be out there," he thought. "I'll go back to mother;
+it's her last night of me."
+
+The next day he had gone.
+
+It was not an eventful voyage. Day succeeded day, and his conversation
+with his mother was forgotten till one evening when he and his
+favourite mate, Ben Davis, turned in.
+
+"Jim," said Ben, "I don't believe as I shall last long."
+
+"What!" said Jim, aghast and staring. "You're playing, Ben."
+
+"No," said Ben slowly, "I ain't; I've not been well all the voyage,
+and captain, he's tried all he knows; he thinks I'm better, but he's
+mistook. My father, he went just like me."
+
+Jim sat down and looked blankly at him.
+
+All suddenly, his own words came back to him. "I'm young; when I see
+death coming, I'll prepare."
+
+Death was coming, not to him, but to Ben!
+
+"Ben," he said hoarsely, "are you ready?"
+
+There was a long, long pause, and then Ben answered.
+
+"No, lad," he said.
+
+There was no sleep for Jim that night. He might have seen death coming
+for him, and yet it was Ben who was to die. Jim lay and tossed and
+turned. All his mother's words came back to him that night. He had
+never sought Christ's salvation for himself, and yet he was torn with
+anxiety that Ben should be saved!
+
+Early next morning, he turned over his few possessions and found his
+long-forgotten Bible. Ben was leaning dejectedly over the ship's side,
+and he went to him and slipped the Bible into his hand. Ben glanced at
+it, and then his eyes sought Jim's.
+
+"Jim," he said, "I'm no reader; tell me the way."
+
+It was a strange scene—the man who was to die listening to the old,
+old story told by the lips of one who hitherto had had no care for it.
+Jim's mother's teaching was bearing fruit; her boy knew the way of
+salvation well enough.
+
+"Jim," said Ben slowly, "do you believe all that?"
+
+Jim's face was hidden. "My mother does," he said huskily.
+
+Ben opened the little Bible. "Can't you show me one place where it puts
+it plain?"
+
+Jim took it and turned over the pages, and his eyes fell on an
+underlined text. He remembered his mother marking it the day she gave
+the book to him.
+
+   "'God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
+whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting
+life.'"
+
+"That's good," said Ben, with a long breath.
+
+Three days later, when the evening sun was lighting up the sea with a
+crimson glow, Ben died. His last look was for Jim, his last word was,
+"I'm ready, lad."
+
+And as Jim knelt beside him, looking down at the peaceful dead face,
+his heart went out in one great cry to Ben's Saviour,—
+
+   "God be merciful to me a sinner!"
+
+A great peace filled his heart, and it seemed to him that he could
+almost follow Ben up the sunset path into that holy, happy land where
+he had gone to be with Christ.
+
+That very night, he sat down and wrote to his mother, telling her how
+her words and her teaching had been the means used for Ben's salvation,
+and that when he came home again, she might talk about heaven and dying
+as much as she liked.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+PULLING.
+
+"I NEVER do what I don't want to!" exclaimed Poll. "I just 'don't.'"
+
+"Oh! Well," said Ellen, "that's not my motto, is it, grandma?"
+
+Grandma smiled. "I've seen a deal of life," she said thoughtfully, "and
+I could just tell you what I've found."
+
+Ellen sat down by her affectionately, and leant her arm on her knee.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"The people that have the strongest wills 'do' the most!" said grandma.
+
+"I told you so!" exclaimed Poll. "That's what I always say."
+
+"But they have the most trouble with themselves, and with other people
+too," said grandma.
+
+"How?" asked Poll.
+
+"They're for ever knocking themselves against the fence," said
+grandmas, smiling.
+
+"The fence!"
+
+"Yes, and oh! What a job it is to get 'em to come into the shed!"
+
+"The shed!" again echoed Poll.
+
+"The shed where their food is! In my young days," said grandma, "I had
+an invalid father, and he was that gentle and patient. One day he said
+to me after I had had a self-willed fit, 'Mary, will you go out and get
+the calf in?'
+
+"'Why, father,' I said, 'you know what a plague she is! She'll keep
+me ages pulling and pulling, and she'll knock against the fence, and
+she'll bang into the posts of the shed, and I shall be as hot and as
+uncomfortable as possible. I wish you'd send Bill out to get the calf
+in.'
+
+"And so father smiled a bit, and he said, 'If you don't take care,
+Mary, you'll be as bad as the calf that doesn't know no better! Break
+your self-will now, my dear, and you'll be a happier girl ever after.'
+
+"Well, I went out and got the calf in, but all the time, she was
+pulling this way and that way, for all that her nice food was waiting
+in the shed for her.
+
+"I assure you, my dears, I did not forget his object lesson. And the
+more I saw of life, the more I saw that the self-willed people need a
+deal of discipline before they come out into tractable obedient folks."
+
+Poll stood listening thoughtfully. There was "plenty of stuff in her,"
+people were always saying, and she felt rather proud of it. But what
+if she should let that "plenty of stuff" cover over every other good
+quality?
+
+She looked at the sweet patient face of her grandmother.
+
+"And 'you' were like that calf," she said at last, incredulously.
+
+"Exactly, my dear!" said grandma.
+
+"And how did you get into—what you are now, grandma?" asked Poll, a
+little wistfully.
+
+"By being watchful, and asking God to make me what would please Him."
+
+Poll did not say anything, but as she went about her business, her
+proud heart humbled itself to say,—
+
+   "Teach me to do Thy will!"
+
+And by-and-by, it came to be much easier than she had thought it ever
+could be.
+
+
+
+MEMORIES.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+"NOW, Milly! If you'll get through the work quickly, you and I will
+have a treat."
+
+"Oh, what?" exclaimed Milly, looking up from her sweeping.
+
+"Not but what there's heaps to do," added her elder sister cheerily;
+"but you and I can well do it, if we take one thing at a time. You
+shall have the dinner things to wash, and the hearth to clean, and the
+kitchen to sweep, and I will go up stairs and clean the bedrooms; we
+must have it all bright against mother comes back, mustn't we?"
+
+"Oh, yes," assented Milly. It was so pleasant working under May's
+cheery direction. She felt as if she could do wonders.
+
+May gathered the pail and broom and floor-cloth which she required for
+her share of the work, and disappeared through the little red door that
+led upstairs.
+
+Then Milly looked round. Which should she do first? She was now
+sweeping up the kitchen, but May had spoken of that as the last thing.
+After an instant's thought, she decided that she had better finish what
+she was about, and then go to the dinner things. What a lot there were:
+should she ever get done, and what was the treat if she did?
+
+She could hear May's spirited scrubbing overhead, and this nerved her
+to work away bravely. When at length, after an hour, her sister came
+down, a tidy smiling little girl stood by the clean hearth, and all was
+done.
+
+"Why, you've scrubbed the table!" said May approvingly. "Now for the
+treat!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+She undid a long-shaped parcel and drew forth a large book. "This
+was one of father's greatest treasures," she said; "it is a book in
+which he used to draw all the things that happened. Father could draw
+beautifully, you know."
+
+She sat down on a settee, and Milly edged up close to her, and laid her
+head on her sister's shoulder.
+
+"That is a picture of the first house father and mother lived in, and I
+remember father telling us how he made a little trapdoor in the ceiling
+of the kitchen so that he could talk to mother if she was upstairs
+putting the baby to bed."
+
+"Oh!" said Milly. "How funny! Did any one ever fall through?"
+
+"No; it was made like a box upstairs, and I can remember mother peeping
+down and asking father something. And once, he had a joke and passed me
+up to mother through it! See, there is the picture of that!"
+
+"Did he love us very much?" asked Milly, to whom her father was little
+else but a loved name.
+
+"Love us!" echoed May, her dark eyes softening and glistening. "I've
+often understood more about God through thinking of father's love."
+
+One day, little Mary was tiresome, and I had put her in the corner; and
+she sent word she was sorry. I was vexed with her, and I said, "I'd
+come presently."
+
+"'Oh, don't keep her waiting for forgiveness,' said dear father
+tenderly; 'think how ready to pardon God is!' I never forgot that,
+Milly!"
+
+"I wish I could remember him," said Milly wistfully.
+
+"You'll see him some day in the Home above!" said May, kissing her.
+"But I never forget him—never!"
+
+
+
+AT BETHANY.
+
+THERE seems to have been one home where the Lord Jesus loved to visit.
+
+We hear a great deal about the people who lived in this home, perhaps
+more about them than any other of the friends of the Lord Jesus.
+
+Their names were Lazarus, Martha, and Mary.
+
+"Oh, yes," you say, eagerly, "Lazarus was raised from the dead!"
+
+And someone else remembers, "Yes, it was Mary who poured the precious
+ointment over the Lord Jesus only the week before He was crucified."
+
+"Yes, and Martha served them at the feast," someone else remarks.
+
+All these things are true, but our picture is not about either one of
+them.
+
+One day the Lord Jesus was going about healing the sick and teaching
+people of His heavenly Father, and in His journey, He came to the
+village of Bethany, where Martha and Mary and Lazarus lived.
+
+Now, you must imagine Martha as a very industrious, energetic woman.
+
+When she saw Jesus and the disciples coming, I dare say she ran out to
+meet them, and invited them into her house to have something to eat.
+
+She bustled about and spread the table; she told her servants what to
+bring to set before the large company who had suddenly come to her; and
+with joyful alacrity, she hurried to put before them whatever she could
+think of to make them welcome.
+
+Suddenly her eyes fell upon her only sister, Mary. She was not bustling
+about and getting the dinner ready; she was sitting near Jesus eagerly
+listening to His words, and satisfied to be in His presence.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Poor Martha! She loved to hurry about and make Jesus welcome, but to
+have Mary sit idle and enjoy to hear Him talk was more than she could
+bear.
+
+So she got quite cross and vexed. She felt that it was too hard, and
+she ran to Jesus and asked Him how it was He did not care that Mary had
+left her all the work to do alone, and begged Him to bid her come and
+help her.
+
+And then, Jesus turned to her and said those words which have been a
+lesson to busy, bustling people all these hundreds of years: "Martha,
+Martha, you are too much troubled over these many things; only one
+thing is 'needful,' and Mary has chosen that good part which shall
+never be taken away from her."
+
+Do you ask, children, what that one thing is?
+
+It is learning of Jesus and hearing His voice.
+
+Even if everything else is lost to us, if we have the Lord Jesus, we
+can be happy.
+
+People who have everything that this world can give are often very
+miserable. But even the most wretched, ill, or poor person in the
+world, who has heard the voice of "Jesus," has the "one thing" which
+will make him happy here, and give him endless joy and glory by-and-by.
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+SCRIPTURE CLOCK.
+
+CHOOSE A WORD FROM THE BIBLE, SUCH AS LOVE, AND WRITE IT NEATLY IN THE
+DIVISION OVER FIGURE I, WITH THE PLACE WHERE IT IS TO BE FOUND IN THE
+SPACE BETWEEN THE OUTER CIRCLES. THEN FIND A TEXT OF TWO WORDS, ONE
+OF WHICH IS LOVE, AS "HIS LOVE," (ISA. 63. 9), AND WRITE IT IN THE
+DIVISION OVER FIGURE II. NEXT, ONE WITH THREE WORDS, AS "WALK IN LOVE"
+(EPH. 5. 2), AND SO ON TILL YOU HAVE A TEXT CONTAINING TWELVE WORDS, AS
+"LOVE NOT THE WORLD NEITHER THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE WORLD" (1 JOHN
+2. 15).
+
+WORDS SUGGESTED:—Faith, Peace, Jesus, Father, Trust, Believe, Forgive,
+Look, Seed, Sins, Blood, Glory, Everlasting.
+
+
+
+THE NEW GOVERNESS.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+"I AM certain I shan't like her."
+
+"Oh, Miss Doris!"
+
+"Quite certain. I heard mother talking about her to Mrs. Foster this
+afternoon; and I am certain she's the kind that I don't like."
+
+"What kind?" asked the nurse, as she brushed out Doris' long curls.
+
+"Oh, I don't know," said Doris carelessly; "it's a dreadful pity mother
+keeps on having governesses! They're always a plague, and there is not
+one in a hundred that—"
+
+Her cousin Lilian looked up from the corner where she was sitting
+buried in a book. The book had been forgotten while Doris was speaking;
+instead of the printed words, a picture had come up before her eyes.
+
+A far-off land, a wide shaded verandah, an invalid couch, a figure
+stretched upon it; sweet eyes resting on her face, an arm round her
+neck, gentle words of parting counsel—they came back now—
+
+"Lilian! If the life is very different in England, and it must be,
+seek to please your Heavenly Lord, rather than yourself. Try to make
+other people happy, whether it is your aunt, or your cousins, or the
+governess who has such a lonely, trying life."
+
+She remembered it all vividly, and how she had promised within her
+heart that she would.
+
+Now she had come to England and these things seemed like a dream.
+
+Directly she arrived, Doris had told her of the new governess, and then
+her mother's words had flashed across her. She was not inclined to want
+a governess any more than Doris, but what if she were lonely and Lilian
+should forget her mother's words!
+
+Her earnest eyes looked across the nursery now, and Doris stopped in
+her tirade suddenly. Lilian was a funny girl, she thought, and one
+never could say anything spiteful before her!
+
+Everybody in the house knew that Doris did not "get on" with the
+governesses. The nurse gave good advice, the parlourmaid thought it was
+rather a joke; and the cook said governesses always held their heads so
+high that she was not surprised.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+So the governess came one morning just before lunch, and the little
+girls came to the schoolroom as the bell rang. It would be difficult to
+say which of the three dreaded the interview most!
+
+"I will say grace and then we shall get more sociable," said Miss Smith
+with tremulous lips.
+
+"We don't say grace," said Doris.
+
+"Not, dear?"
+
+"No—and I don't care about it, please."
+
+Over Lilian's cheeks spread a burning blush, she could hardly raise her
+eyes to Miss Smith's face, which had turned very pale. Could she speak
+out? What was seemly and right for her to do?
+
+Before Miss Smith had time to answer, the little girl said very gently
+but distinctly: "Please do, Miss Smith; I always do at home—and here—I
+couldn't be happy without—"
+
+She knew months afterwards that that had been the one drop of comfort
+to the new governess on that first hard day.
+
+
+
+ON THE MOORS.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+"SLEEP, lambkin, sleep!" she sang softly, as she rocked the cradle to
+and fro in the shade of the doorway of her little cottage on the border
+of the moor.
+
+The September sunshine shone brightly without, and far away she could
+hear the tinkle of the sheep-bells, while she dreamily pictured to
+herself her husband walking among his flock, leading them to the
+greenest grass, tending them with love and care such as only a shepherd
+knows.
+
+"I'm glad he's a shepherd!" thought the young wife. "It is so nice to
+think he's something like the Lord in that!"
+
+A shadow fell across the sunshine of the door, and she looked up to see
+her husband stagger into the cottage and guide himself uncertainly to
+the nearest chair.
+
+"Alec!" she said, springing to his side. Was he ill, was he dying? What
+could it be?
+
+He leant his head upon her bosom, but was dumb. Something in his action
+told her it was grief and not illness which had struck her husband.
+
+"What is it, Alec?" she asked, bracing herself to be strong to bear for
+his sake. "Can't you tell me?"
+
+"I telled ye lang syne that I'd hed a son that had gone awa' to
+Amerikay—and had got lost! He's come—back—Jeannie!"
+
+She guessed it all in those few broken words.
+
+She knew without telling that he had come back dishonoured.
+
+"Where is he?" she whispered.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+In that moment's pause, she had seen her own baby a man, wandering away
+in a far country, having spent all he had—ruined, hopeless, forsaken.
+
+She had pictured him turning towards his father's home on the moors;
+she had seen him crossing the ocean and making his weary way home!
+
+Should she have pity, or should she turn away?
+
+"Where is he?" she whispered, with her eyes fixed on the cot where her
+innocent babe slept.
+
+"In the wood juist beyond—"
+
+When the poor wanderer looked up as he heard a rustle on the path, he
+saw a gentle face gazing down upon him, and two hands held out to him.
+
+"Come home!" she said tenderly. "And I'll nurse you and love you for
+Christ's sake. He gave His life for you!"
+
+"I've come to die," he groaned. "Can you have such as me?"
+
+For answer, she raised him from the bank, and together they slowly made
+their way to the cottage, and straight into the little room she called
+her parlour.
+
+There she laid him upon the little sofa and bidding him rest, she went
+to her husband.
+
+"Jeannie?" he said, raising his eyes to her face.
+
+"Yes," she answered simply, "I shall take him as my own, and some day—"
+
+"Some day?" he asked with a groan.
+
+"There'll be joy in the presence of the angels of God over a sinner
+that repents. I know it will be so.
+
+"Cheer up, Alec, and trust the Good Shepherd who is seeking His lost
+sheep!"
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Her late Majesty distributing gifts to the Soldiers'
+children.]
+
+
+
+ROYALTY AND LOYALTY.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+GLADYS pushed away her lessons impatiently, and laid her
+head down on the table.
+
+"Why, Gladys," said her governess, "so tired as all that?"
+
+"I hate learning, and I hate French, and I'm so vexed at this tiresome
+cough that I'm sick of everything."
+
+"Yes, it is disappointing!"
+
+"And I wanted to go out to-day ever so much; this afternoon father was
+going to take me to see the Queen when she went for a drive, and I
+'did' want to see the dear Queen."
+
+"I am so sorry," said her governess gently. Then she added brightly,
+"Did you see the picture in this week's 'Illustrated News' of our Queen
+distributing Christmas gifts to the soldiers' children?"
+
+"No," said Gladys, raising her head.
+
+"Well, here it is—see what a sweet picture! Should not you have liked
+to be there?"
+
+"Oh! Should I not!" Gladys looked at it long and earnestly. She thought
+she would almost like to be a soldier's child for such a privilege as
+that. But then—oh, the poor soldiers!
+
+She sat for a good while silent, and her next remark was not of the
+soldiers, for whom her childish heart bled, but of scenes long past.
+
+"I wonder what sort of a 'girl' the Queen was when she was my age," she
+said thoughtfully, "to have been such a good and true woman all these
+years."
+
+"I can tell you that, for I was reading yesterday what her governess
+said about her. It was just this, Gladys; she told her governess in the
+sweetest way, when looking out on life and all its responsibilities, 'I
+will be good!'"
+
+"Did she?" asked Gladys earnestly, her face flushing with a new thought.
+
+"Indeed she did, and she has kept her promise nobly, Gladys; and when
+now she sympathises with the sorrowful and rejoices with the happy, and
+wins love and admiration of her people by all her acts, we follow her
+exultingly, and thank God for such a sweet and such a noble woman as
+our beloved Queen!"
+
+Gladys smiled through two bright tears, and she said naïvely, "I
+mustn't fret about my cough after that!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+POLLIE'S NEW MISTRESS.
+
+"I'M sure I shall be miserable, mother, and I shan't stop. I'll let her
+get settled in, and then I'll go away to Miss Edith. She always wanted
+me to be with her, she said so when she went away. I shall be miserable
+here, and then the baby will be miserable." And with that, Pollie burst
+into tears, and hugged the baby so tight that he cried too.
+
+"Miserable!" echoed her mother. "What nonsense, girl! The master did
+right to marry again, and bring home a mother to his child, and a good
+one, too, as he writes. What are we, plain people too, to bring up his
+son in a gardener's cottage? Not but what we would bring him up as good
+as we knew. And the master's been considerate and good to us; he'll not
+part us from the boy, for you're to be nurse in the grand house and
+have the charge of him. As for going to Miss Edith, why, she's married."
+
+"I know that," sobbed Pollie, still holding the baby tight, "but I know
+I shan't like it, and the new mistress will be cross if the baby loves
+me, and of course he loves me."
+
+"You're a silly girl," said her mother. "Give me the child to dress,
+and go and get the flowers to deck the rooms, and then make yourself
+neat. We must be ready for them in two hours. Are the master and his
+lady to come and find us not ready?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Pollie went slowly away down the garden. How sweet and peaceful the
+flowers looked! How little they knew that the master and a new wife
+were coming home that day, and that Pollie's heart was sore at the
+thought of the change and that she had determined to leave her precious
+charge rather than endure it.
+
+But God knew. Somehow Pollie's thoughts went straight from the flowers
+to God, and her eyes filled with tears. God knew what was best for the
+baby, God knew what was best for her, and what was best for the master
+who had been so sorely bereaved a year ago.
+
+Pollie hardly saw what flowers she gathered into her muslin apron.
+There was a battle in her heart, a battle between right and wrong,
+a battle between being a good girl to her new mistress and being a
+naughty girl and going away to serve Miss Edith.
+
+But the right conquered, and before Pollie went back to her mother, she
+had looked up through the leafy trees and asked God to help her to be a
+good girl and to do right.
+
+Two hours later, the flowers were all arranged, the baby wore his best
+frock and his blue ribbons, and Pollie and her mother stood in the hall
+to welcome the master home, for the rest of the servants were not to
+come till the new mistress had settled in.
+
+Then there was the sound of carriage wheels, and the master, tall and
+handsome, leaped out, and behind him came —Pollie's head seemed to
+swim, and she held the baby tighter that she might not drop him—behind
+the master came her dear Miss Edith.
+
+Pollie knew now that God had been planning happiness for them all, even
+while she had been encouraging that discontented spirit!
+
+How joyfully she held the baby out to its father and new mother, and
+what a happy smile lighted her eyes as she hurried to help her mother
+prepare the travellers' meal!
+
+And often in after-days, when things seemed to be dark, she remembered
+how good God had been, and that He was always the same.
+
+
+
+THE CALL OF PETER.
+
+WHEN the Lord was on earth, He did so many kind and loving things, and
+made so many people well who were sick that the multitude followed Him
+about everywhere, so that sometimes Jesus and His disciples had not
+even time to eat.
+
+One day, when He was by the Lake of Gennesaret (which is sometimes
+called the Sea of Galilee), the people pressed so close to Him that,
+seeing two ships drawn up on the shore, He entered one of these and
+asked the owner to put his ship a little way out from the land, so that
+He might speak to the multitude where they could all hear. The boats
+were empty, for the fishermen were gone out of them and were washing
+their nets in the lake.
+
+The one that the Lord Jesus entered belonged to Simon Peter, whose
+wife's mother had been healed by Jesus a very short time before.
+Peter loved Jesus very much, but he had not yet been chosen to be His
+disciple.
+
+So when the Lord had done talking to the people, He told Simon to
+launch the ship out into deep water, and let down their nets to catch
+some fishes.
+
+But Simon told Him that they had been up working hard all night, but it
+had all been for nothing, as they had not caught any fish.
+
+But Simon did not stop there; he added what has been a comfort to
+hundreds and thousands of people since then—"Nevertheless, at Thy word
+I will let down the net."
+
+Do you think they caught nothing this time?
+
+Ah, if you do, you have not thought what it is to be in the boat with
+Jesus!
+
+When He commands, He also makes it possible to obey. You will find that
+out, children, the more you love Him and trust Him.
+
+So they let down the net, and now they enclosed such an immense number
+of fishes that their net began to break, and they were obliged to
+beckon to their partners, who were in the other ship, to come and help
+them.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+So they filled both the ships full, so that they began to sink.
+
+Then Simon Peter fell down at the feet of Jesus and told Him that he
+was too sinful to be near Him.
+
+But Jesus comforted him with the loving words which are so often
+repeated in the Bible for all who are afraid—"Fear not."
+
+Then Jesus told Peter that he should be a fisher of men, that he should
+be used by God to draw people into the kingdom of heaven.
+
+And when Peter and his partners, James and John, heard that, and saw
+the wonderful miracle that Jesus had performed, they left everything
+and followed Him, and became very soon His three chief disciples who
+were chosen above all the rest to be close to Him.
+
+
+
+Making the Best of a Bad Job.
+
+"I SAY, girls, I have got a holiday on Friday. Couldn't we make up a
+skating party, start early for the lake, take lunch and eat it at the
+cottage, and come home here for high tea? What do you all say? Shall
+we, father?"
+
+"Splendid!" cried Rose and Flora and Liz.
+
+"I am quite pleased if the girls can manage it," said their father.
+
+"Well, ask a nice set," said Gerald. "It's time I was off to the
+station." He disappeared from the breakfast table, but after two or
+three minutes, he reappeared and tossed a note across to Lizzie.
+
+"Take that to Jess Bristowe," he said; "I want her to come."
+
+"You'll lose that train," grumbled Lizzie. "Why don't you deliver your
+own notes? I don't want to."
+
+But Gerald hardly heard her; he had risked the train to write the note,
+and he had to run for it.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"I do hate being asked to do his errands," went on Lizzie, giving the
+obnoxious note a toss. "Whom shall we ask, Rose? It's rather a jolly
+plan!"
+
+So the talk drifted into other things, the girls wrote notes, made a
+list of needed provisions, and hunted up their skates. Lizzie told
+herself she supposed she must go with the tiresome note sometime, but
+she shouldn't trouble when, and consequently she forgot all about it.
+
+Friday morning broke clear and bright, and promised an ideal day.
+
+Breakfast was over, and Rose and Flora were trying to persuade their
+father to accompany them, when Gerald suddenly asked Lizzie what answer
+Jess had sent.
+
+Lizzie gasped. "I never went," she said slowly.
+
+"Then I shan't go," cried Gerald, his face flushing. "I never thought
+you would fail me."
+
+"Can't we ask her now?" asked Lizzie lamely.
+
+"At the last minute!" cried Gerald. "I told her I meant to have a
+party, and she must come, and a poor compliment she would think it!
+Well, you'll have to go alone." He went off into the study and stood
+moodily looking into the fire. The day would be spoilt without Jess.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+A soft hand rested on his shoulder and Rose's voice said, "Gerald!"
+
+"It's no good your coming persuading," he said roughly; but Rose knew
+it was disappointment made him rough.
+
+"I think," she said gently, "that if I went down to Jess at once and
+explained how it was, she would quite understand, and she is not one to
+take offence, and she would so enjoy the day. I should have plenty of
+time. May I, Gerald?"
+
+"It will tire you so," objected Gerald. "You'll be wet and cold before
+we start."
+
+"Oh, no!" said Rose hopefully. "I'll bring Jess back with me, and if
+you have a cup of chocolate ready for us, we shall start warm."
+
+"All right!" said Gerald briskly, for to make chocolate for Jess was an
+alluring prospect. "You are a good girl, Rose!"
+
+It "was" a rather cold, long walk, but Rose went cheerily. And
+by-and-by, two laughing girls sat down to a cup of chocolate presided
+over by a smiling young man. And after that, the skating party went as
+merrily as marriage bells.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER IX.—"HIS GREAT LOVE."
+
+AS the days passed and no one came to claim the blind child, Rámpál
+Singh and his daughter felt assured that she had been sent to them by
+God, and that in caring for this helpless little one, they were indeed
+serving Him to whom they belonged. They were not long in discovering
+that Hira was no ordinary child, and blind though she was, it was
+possible that God had some special work for her to do, for which they
+were to prepare her.
+
+The little girl was very loath to speak of her past life. But from the
+little they were able to gather from her, it was very plain that there
+had been no one who really loved her, and therefore no one who would
+mourn her loss, and this seemed to justify her remaining where she was.
+
+It was a great day in Hira's experience when she first went to church.
+
+Naturally there was much which she could not understand, but the
+assurance that they were in God's house, and speaking to Him, made a
+great impression on her, while the singing thrilled her to the very
+depths of her heart.
+
+A few days later, Shushila was going to see Mary Dayál and inquire
+after her sick child, and took Hira with her.
+
+The child had no idea that she was going to the same house where she
+had been taken by Sukhiya, but Mary knew her at once, though the red
+sari had been exchanged for a blue one.
+
+A great change was coming over Mary Dayál, the beginning of which had
+been the question asked by the blind child.
+
+Soon after that, her youngest child had been taken ill, and Shushila,
+always ready to minister to anyone who was in need, had seized this
+opportunity of making the acquaintance of one whose sad, weary face had
+already won her sympathy.
+
+It did not take long for Mary to discover that her new friend was one
+who knew God and lived in fellowship with Him. Here was a living proof
+that it is possible to meet with God and walk with Him, even amid the
+scenes of a most commonplace earthly life. And again and again the
+question repeated itself in her heart, "How can I get ready to meet
+God?"
+
+Once more, the blind child was to bring her a message.
+
+Hira's quick ear soon recognised the voice, which she had heard before,
+and while Shushila was talking, she had quite made up her mind that
+this must be the same house to which she had come with Sukhiya. What
+could be more likely? For did she not now belong to Christians, and was
+soon to become one herself?
+
+As Mary sat quietly by herself, the old scene came back to her, and she
+almost thought with pity of the poor ignorant child who had come to ask
+where Jesus Christ lived. Now she knew so much that maybe she could
+teach the one of whom she had come that day to learn. She gave a start
+when suddenly Shushila drew her towards her, and said—
+
+"This is my new little sister God sent to me in the storm."
+
+Mary Dayál spoke kindly to the child, but said nothing of the former
+meeting; perhaps she felt a little ashamed of it. But Hira had nothing
+to be ashamed of, so she said boldly, "I have been here before. I came
+to ask about Jesus Christ, for I knew nothing then, but now I know a
+great deal, and some day I am going to have new eyes and see quite
+well. I do not mind waiting a little while, now I live with my dear
+sister Shushila."
+
+Then she paused, thinking someone else would speak, but when no one
+did, she went on, "You never told me that day whether you had got ready
+to meet God, but of course you must have done, because you are not an
+ignorant little girl like I was. I do not think I am quite ready even
+yet, but I am going to be."
+
+Still, there was no answer. Mary did not know what to say, and Shushila
+was hoping that the child's words would go home to the heart of the
+woman for whom she was longing and praying that she might learn to know
+and love God.
+
+Then suddenly, Mary's lips were unsealed; the longing of her heart
+could not keep silent any longer, and she said wistfully, "Child, it
+is easy for you to get ready; it is no fault of yours that you are not
+so already, for there has been no one to tell you about God. But it is
+quite different with me. All my life I have known of God, but my mind
+has been filled with other things."
+
+Hira looked puzzled. Then she said, "But cannot Jesus Christ make
+people even as bad as you ready? I should think He could, but then I
+don't know much. Why don't you ask my sister Shushila?"
+
+But Shushila felt that the simplicity of the child's words and faith
+might give God's message more effectually than she could, so instead
+of explaining herself, she said, "Hira, what makes you think the Lord
+Jesus can make us ready? And how does He do it?"
+
+The child hesitated a minute, and then she said—
+
+"Sister, I only know what you tell me: you say that to be ready means
+to get rid of sin, and that God hates sin so much, and yet loves us so
+that He sent His only Son all the way from heaven to save us."
+
+Shushila saw that Mary was listening intently to the child's words, so
+again she asked, "But tell me, Hira, what did the Lord Jesus do to get
+rid of our sin?"
+
+Softly the blind child answered, "He took them all on Himself, a great,
+great load, and then He put them right away, but He had to die to do
+it. He must want us to be ready very much when He tried so hard to put
+our sin away."
+
+"But," said Mary sadly, "it is the sin in my own heart I want to get
+rid of; every day I get cross and impatient, and feel ashamed for God
+to see me."
+
+Hira knew of no remedy for this difficulty.
+
+And Shushila saw it was the time for her to speak, and so she said,
+"We cannot be ready to meet God as long as we are keeping sin in our
+hearts, but the Lord Jesus will save us from that too.
+
+"We cannot keep sin out of our hearts, but if we let the Lord Jesus
+come in, He can keep out the crossness and impatience. I think what we
+need is to believe more in the 'great love' and the 'great power' of
+our dear Lord.
+
+"He would do so much more for us if we would only let Him. Shall we
+kneel down and ask Him now?"
+
+So they knelt together—one who had known of God and His great salvation
+all her life, but had never received it for herself; another to whom
+had suddenly come the glorious news of a Divine Saviour, which had
+been received gladly and fully; and lastly the blind child, into whose
+darkness had shone the bright rays of the heavenly light, which would
+go on shining brighter and brighter.
+
+Surely there was still Another present, though unseen, with pierced
+hands filled with blessings to be poured out on those who sought them.
+
+Then Shushila prayed:
+
+   "Dear Lord Jesus, we come to Thee to tell Thee that we want to be made
+holy as Thou art holy, so holy that we shall be ready to meet God. We
+cannot get rid of the sins which we have committed, nor of the sins in
+our own hearts, so we come to Thee, because Thou art our Saviour, who
+hast died to save us. Wilt Thou come Thyself into our hearts and turn
+out all which does not please Thee? Amen."
+
+"Amen," said Mary too, and she meant it, for there came to her a vision
+of what it would be to have a heart at peace and rest in the midst of
+the many trials and perplexities around her. And she realised, for the
+first time, that in order to obtain this rest, she must let the Great
+Rest-Giver come in.
+
+When they were seated again, Hira said, "Sister, won't you sing the
+hymn about the hill?"
+
+And Shushila sang—
+
+   "There is a green hill far away,
+      Without a city wall,
+    Where the dear Lord was crucified,
+      Who died to save us all.
+
+   "We may not know, we cannot tell,
+      What pains He had to bear,
+    But this we know, it was for us
+      He hung and suffered there.
+
+   "He died that we might be forgiven,
+      He died to make us good,
+    That we might go at last to heaven,
+      Saved by His precious blood.
+
+   "There was none other good enough
+      To pay the price of sin,
+    He only could unlock the gate
+      Of heaven, and let us in.
+
+   "Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved,
+      And we must love Him too,
+    And trust in His redeeming blood,
+      And try His works to do."
+
+It was a very simple hymn, which even a little child could understand,
+and yet it told the great facts of redemption, which one of the
+listeners had heard again and again, but never grasped; it told her
+once again what she so much needed to know.
+
+"Would you mind singing that last verse once more?" she asked, as
+Shushila finished the hymn.
+
+Once more the words were sung—
+
+   "Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved,
+      And we must love Him too,
+    And trust in His redeeming blood,
+      And try His works to do."
+
+"Thank you," said Mary; her heart was too full to say any more, and
+Shushila, seeing this, took Hira's hand and led her away.
+
+Then Mary was left alone, except for the sleeping baby on the bedstead
+near by.
+
+   "Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved,
+      And we must love 'Him too.'"
+
+She knew the words were true, but had she loved this One, who had loved
+her to the death? Had she tried His works to do?
+
+Her own heart told her plainly, "No." She had thought before of her
+sins of crossness and impatience, but now she saw plainly that all
+her life had been wrong, because she had shut out of it the only One
+who could give her the power to live it. It was true that the Son of
+God had died for her on the cross, but never once had she thanked Him
+for all He had suffered for her. It was true that He was alive for
+evermore, ready to save her to the uttermost, but never till now had
+she cared to be saved.
+
+It had all been put before her—this mighty loving Saviour, the great
+salvation which He had given His life to win, the forgiveness and rest
+which He promised to all who came to Him, and at last, a place in His
+Father's house, which He Himself was getting ready. But she had been so
+taken up with her own affairs, her poverty, her husband, and children,
+the debt which weighed so heavily, that she had had no eyes to see
+God's great gifts, no heart to care for His unsearchable riches.
+
+She knew now that if her heart had been at rest, if she had had the
+presence of this Divine Helper and Keeper, she would have been a far
+better wife and mother, and not so burdened by her own cares and
+sorrows; which, instead of keeping her away from God, made her need of
+Him the greater.
+
+She knew now how great that need was; she could no longer live on earth
+without God, neither was she fit to meet Him and find a dwelling-place
+with Him; whichever way she looked, it was all dark, unless she could
+find the true Light.
+
+If she had only understood, it was shining all around her, but as yet
+her eyes were shut to its brightness.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+A DARK NIGHT.
+
+[Illustration] THE parks were almost deserted when Nurse Clarice passed
+through the gates and slowly made her way to a seat beneath the trees.
+She had just come from "a case" and was quite tired out.
+
+"Mother," she had said, as she put down her parcel, "don't you tell
+anyone that I've come home till to-morrow morning! I'll get half an
+hour's air, and then I'll lay my head on my pillow."
+
+Her mother looked up anxiously from her work, and shook her head at her
+girl's tired face.
+
+"Oh, well!" said Clarice, in reply to the shake. "You know in such a
+time of epidemic it can't be helped. I shall get rested by-and-by."
+
+But though she had spoken so hopefully to her mother, when she walked
+through the twilight streets, all at once she began to think of the
+many things that worried her, and not least, that thin, tired mother
+who sat in the little dull house she had just left.
+
+As she sat on the seat in the park, she felt as if life were too full
+for her to bear.
+
+She so longed for rest, and somehow it so seldom came. She supposed
+there was nothing for it but for her to conjure up such patience as she
+could, and go on again.
+
+As she looked up across to the sunset sky, which was rapidly darkening,
+a little thin line of the new moon was just visible.
+
+With a start of surprise, she smiled to herself as the words came to
+her remembrance: "Neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord
+shall be thine everlasting light, and thy God thy glory."
+
+Already she was rested, for Clarice knew the secret of finding in God
+her comfort, and she rose up and made her way back to her mother's home.
+
+"Now for bed!" she said, as she knocked at the shabby door. "And I am
+even too tired to talk to mother. Poor mother! I believe I've been more
+than half an hour."
+
+But before she got in, a telegram had come for her, and the mother
+worked with a more wearied look.
+
+"Come at once to No. —, Park Gate."
+
+"Oh, nurse!" said a young girl, meeting Clarice in the hall when she
+entered, "I am so glad to see you! My mother is so dreadfully ill! Will
+you come up at once?"
+
+"If you wish, miss. But would you let me take off my cloak first?"
+
+"Oh, yes! Come into this little room," she said, leading the way. "I
+have had this got ready for you."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+But when they crossed the threshold, the girl's face changed from the
+forced calm which she had been trying to assume, and she covered it
+with her hands.
+
+"Is she so bad, miss?" asked Clarice, while she quickly laid aside her
+bonnet and took her cap from the tray of her little box.
+
+"Yes, and it is all my fault," sobbed the girl hopelessly, yielding
+to the sympathy in Clarice's eyes. "It was like this. Yesterday—only
+yesterday—she wished me not to go to a concert with some friends. I
+had promised, and she was very upset that I would persist in going.
+I ought not—I know that—she never denies me anything that she thinks
+for my good; but I would not heed, and ran up to dress in a hurry. She
+did not approve of the people I was going with, and did not wish me to
+appear in public with them. And she hurried upstairs to my room to try
+to persuade me to give it up.
+
+"I was vexed that she should do what I knew was bad for her, and spoke
+crossly while I threw on my things. And after she had said all she
+could, she turned away with a very white face. I would not heed, but
+drove off in the brougham as if I had not a care.
+
+"How I felt when I remembered her look, and that her heart was weak,
+I cannot tell you. I didn't enjoy myself one bit. When I came home,
+it was to find her very ill, and to-day they tell me her life is in
+danger."
+
+"I am ready now, miss," said Clarice, pausing, however, to put her
+hand gently on the girl's arm. "Miss, there's a Refuge for us in time
+of trouble, if we will go to Him for it," she said earnestly; "and
+forgiveness for what's past too."
+
+The girl looked at her almost startled, but then, comprehending, her
+eyes fell; but she gave the nurse's hand a squeeze.
+
+"Thank you," she murmured, and led the way to a spacious room, where
+the invalid lay attended by her anxious maid.
+
+Clarice put aside her weariness "till another time," she said to
+herself. And then came a resting, comforting thought, "'They that wait
+upon the Lord shall renew their strength.'"
+
+For more than a week, the invalid's life hung in the balance, and her
+daughter and Clarice, assisted by the maid, waited upon her with tender
+care.
+
+Every day, when Madge's sad eyes were raised to the nurse's with
+anxious inquiry, Clarice would say, "Take heart, miss. Remember you can
+go to God in time of trouble!"
+
+And Madge would go to her room and once again ask that her precious
+mother might be spared to her.
+
+Then came a day when Clarice could say cheeringly, "I think there's a
+little improvement, miss; and now we must thank God!"
+
+And so it went on, till the mother was sitting up in her room and
+needed the busy nurse no longer.
+
+Altogether, it was a happy time to Clarice, for we cannot try to do
+God's work without a quick reward, even in this present time.
+
+When she was putting her last things into her little box at the end of
+three weeks, there was a light tap at the door.
+
+"Good-bye, dear nurse," said a sweet voice. "You have done more for me
+than anyone ever did before! I hope I shall be a 'comfort' to mother
+now, instead of a self-willed plague! But oh! If God had not forgiven
+my waywardness, how should I be feeling now?"
+
+
+
+"Peter Followed Afar Off."
+
+DO you think, if Peter had kept close to the Lord Jesus, he would have
+denied Him?
+
+But Peter, though he loved Jesus dearly, followed Him afar off. And
+there is no surer way of getting into sin and difficulties than
+forgetting to keep close to Jesus.
+
+Now, listen to the story of how poor Peter, who did love Jesus, came to
+deny that he ever knew Him.
+
+The Lord knew all about Peter, and how he was apt to trust in his own
+strength and energy and courage; and just before that dreadful night
+when all the disciples forsook Him and fled, Jesus had warned Peter
+that Satan was very anxious to make him do wrong, and if possible to
+separate him from Himself altogether.
+
+Peter trusted so much in his own strength and courage that he could
+hardly believe that the warning was needed.
+
+He told the Lord that he was ready to go with Him to prison or to death!
+
+But Jesus warned him again that before the cock should crow the next
+morning, Peter would have denied that he knew Him.
+
+Then Jesus and His disciples went to the Mount of Olives. And there,
+Judas, the wicked disciple, betrayed Him to a band of soldiers. And
+Jesus was taken away by them to the high priest's palace, and all the
+disciples forsook Him and fled. Jesus knew all that would happen to
+Him, and He gave Himself up willingly for our sakes; but that does not
+make it any less wicked of the men who used Him so cruelly.
+
+There seem to have been two of His disciples who, after running away at
+first, loved Jesus so much that they followed Him to the palace to see
+what would become of Him.
+
+John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was known to the high priest, and
+he seems to have gone right into the palace. And when he saw Peter
+standing outside, he spoke to the servant and she let Peter enter.
+
+So the night being cold, and Peter having followed "afar off," he
+turned aside near the door, and seeing a fire lighted in the court
+round which the servants were gathered, he sat down among them and
+warmed himself.
+
+Oh, foolish Peter, not to have pressed in close after his Master! Would
+he have denied Him then, if he had seen those dear and holy eyes upon
+him? I think not.
+
+But being afar off, and being confident in his own strength, when
+a servant-maid charged him with belonging to Jesus, he denied Him,
+saying, "Woman, I know Him not."
+
+And so, as he stood and warmed himself, Peter did, at three different
+times, tell one and another that he did not know Jesus.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+At last the cock crew, and the dear Lord, from the place where He was
+being examined, turned round and looked upon Peter.
+
+And Peter remembered how Jesus had warned him, and he went out and wept
+bitterly. Oh, can you not imagine how sorrowful he was?
+
+Perhaps you ask: Was Peter ever forgiven for his sin? Oh yes, indeed.
+Jesus is full of love and compassion, and when He rose from the
+grave, He sent a special message to Peter to come and see Him. And
+afterwards, He talked to him many times, and gave him some of the
+sweetest directions to serve Him which the Bible contains. Peter was
+His faithful servant till his life's end.
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER X.—REST.
+
+THAT night, Mary Dayál was so overwhelmed by a new trial and anxiety
+that for a time the craving in her heart for spiritual blessing was
+forgotten.
+
+At the usual time of returning from his work, her husband did not
+appear. That was nothing remarkable, for he was often late. But when
+hour after hour passed and still he did not come, her heart began to
+grow heavy. The eldest boy, Reuben, was sent to inquire at different
+houses where he might possibly have gone, but nowhere was any news to
+be heard.
+
+One by one the children dropped asleep, but there was no rest for the
+anxious wife. It was true that her husband had not been the kindest or
+best of men, but now that he was gone, she knew not where, everything
+changed; the faults had all been hers, and she had driven him away by
+her constant grumblings and complainings. Was it any wonder that he had
+not cared to stay in a house with an untidy, cross wife, and children
+who were always clamouring for more than he could give them? There
+could be no doubt that his patience and courage had been worn-out, and
+now he had gone away to seek for peace and comfort elsewhere. Who could
+blame him if he had?
+
+Then the darkness around the poor weary woman grew denser, till her
+heart ached with the sorrow pressing upon her.
+
+"Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved."
+
+Clearly came back to her the words of the hymn she had heard sung so
+lately, though it seemed long, long ago.
+
+Though her husband had left her, yet she was not altogether alone, for
+nothing could change this divine love, which had proved itself stronger
+than death.
+
+If it was true that that love went out still to the most sinful and
+needy, then who could claim it more than she?
+
+Oh for eyes to see the blessed form of Him who had called the weary
+and heavy laden to come to Him! Oh for ears to catch His words of
+forgiveness and comfort!
+
+Mary Dayál had been brought up to say her prayers when she was a child,
+and she had never entirely given up doing so, only very often she was
+too tired, and the children made too much noise. But she had never
+known what it was really to "pray," to seek God because her heart cried
+out after Him, to ask Him for what He alone could give, what she felt
+she "must" have.
+
+But now in her sorrow and desolation, there rose in her heart a great
+desire to come into contact with One who could do for her what no one
+else could.
+
+The voice of the Son of God said "Come," and she heard it and came.
+
+If she had been asked, she could hardly have told what it was which
+had so changed her that night of sorrow; she might have said that the
+burden of sin had grown light because for the first time she "knew"
+what she had before only "heard"—that Christ had put it away by the
+sacrifice of Himself; or she might have said that the burden of
+loneliness had been lightened by finding the presence of One who had
+promised never to leave or forsake her.
+
+She had been like a child lost in a dreary forest, faint with hunger
+but having no food to eat, surrounded by dangers from which there was
+no one to protect her. Now she was like a child in its father's house,
+satisfied with that father's love and sure of his protection and care.
+
+Again and again she had said and heard the words, "Our Father which art
+in heaven," but never till that night had she known the joy of having
+a Father in heaven. The darkness had passed away before the bright
+shining of heavenly light, and in that light, the form of everything
+was changed.
+
+She had still to face the grinding poverty which had made her life a
+weariness to her; what was worse still, she had to face it alone if her
+husband did not return. There were four children to be fed and clothed,
+and a debt to be paid, and it might be, no money to do it with. And
+yet, in spite of all, Mary Dayál felt more light-hearted than she had
+ever done in her life, for she knew that henceforth these burdens would
+not have to be borne alone—that the great Burden-Bearer would be with
+her.
+
+It was long before she went to sleep that night. But as she was saying
+over to herself the words, "Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved," gradually
+all things faded into unconsciousness.
+
+She woke the next morning with a sense of loss, and yet of gain, and it
+took her some little time to distinguish one from the other. Gradually
+it all came clearly back to her: she had found God, but her husband was
+missing. She realised then how hard it would have been to begin this
+new day with this added burden if it had not been for the rest in her
+heart.
+
+The children soon found that in some way, which they could not
+understand, their mother was different. Never before had they known her
+so patient and gentle; they thought it must be because their father was
+not there. They were all sent to school as usual, and then Mary, taking
+the baby in her arms, locked up the house, and went to ask advice of
+her new friends Rámpál Singh and his daughter.
+
+Both listened to her story with all the interest, and sympathy she
+could desire. And when it was finished, Rámpál Singh proposed that he
+should go to the office in which Mark Dayál had been employed, and
+ascertain whether he had been there the day before. Knowing something
+of the man's history, he thought it was very possible that he had been
+dismissed, as so often happened, and rather than tell his wife the
+news, had gone off and left her; but of this, he "said" nothing.
+
+As soon as her father had left the house, Shushila began more freely to
+express her sympathy with the anxious wife.
+
+Great was her surprise and joy when Mary looked at her with a smile,
+though there were tears in her eyes, and said, "Shushila, whatever
+happens, the darkest part of my life is over. With the love of Christ
+in my heart, I can bear anything."
+
+Neither had noticed that Hira was near by, but now she came eagerly
+forward and asked, "Do you mean that you have got ready to meet God?"
+
+"Yes," said Mary gladly; "I never wanted to meet God before, but now I
+long to, because I know He is my heavenly Father."
+
+"But tell me," said the child, "how did you get ready? What did you do?"
+
+Mary paused a moment, and then she said, "Little one, once a man full
+of leprosy came to the Lord Jesus, and He put His hand on him, and
+said, 'I will; be thou clean,' and all his leprosy was gone. I was full
+of sin, but last night, the Lord Jesus came and put His hand on me, and
+said, 'Be clean,' and so I know He has put away my sin, and I am not
+afraid to meet God any more."
+
+Hira gave a little sigh as she said, "Perhaps the Lord Jesus comes more
+to big people than He does to little girls, because to me, He seems
+such a long, long way off. If He would speak only one word, then I
+should know that He had come."
+
+"And that is just how I know, little one," said Mary. "I did not hear
+His voice in my ear, but I heard it quite plainly in my heart; if you
+listen, you will hear it too."
+
+Hira looked perplexed, but she did not speak again. And very soon, she
+got up and groped her way to another part of the house, leaving the two
+friends alone.
+
+
+GOSSIP.
+
+"FATHER, you'll let me take something down for the Harvest Festival!
+Something nice from the grounds, you know, and some flowers and fruit.
+I should like to help to decorate the church."
+
+"Certainly, my dear," answered Mr. Granville, "I had thought of it
+myself when the curate spoke of the Festival. I will give Haydon orders
+about it."
+
+"I will go with them myself," said Geraldine importantly, "and I can
+arrange where they go."
+
+"Remember, dear, that you will be one of the youngest there," said her
+father gently.
+
+Geraldine did not reply, unless a little toss of her head could be
+regarded as one.
+
+The following Saturday was the morning appointed for all offerings
+to reach the church. And on the Friday evening, Mr. Granville asked
+Geraldine if Haydon had provided such flowers and green stuff as she
+wanted.
+
+Geraldine reddened; "I don't think I shall trouble about it," she said.
+"Miss Whyte is seeing after it all, and I'm not going to be at Miss
+Whyte's beck and call."
+
+"Why not?" asked her father, curiously.
+
+"I don't like her."
+
+Geraldine would say no more, but her father went on, "I should wish
+the flowers to go just the same, my child, and if you 'do' go to help,
+remember that in all church work, we are working for our Lord and
+Master, not for men."
+
+"If the flowers go, so shall I," said Geraldine to herself, and she
+went.
+
+The vestry presented a very busy scene, and Geraldine and her flowers
+were met with a hearty welcome, and Miss Whyte asked her pleasantly
+if she had any special wish about them, and though Geraldine answered
+properly enough, there was something aggressive in her tone that sent
+the colour to Miss Whyte's face. She had guessed for some time that
+Geraldine disliked her.
+
+So Geraldine worked in a corner apart, for she could not feel friendly
+to anyone. Her father's words rankled.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Miss Whyte was busily decorating a pillar when her eyes fell on the
+proud little face in the corner. It seemed such a pity for two who were
+decorating God's house to be at enmity. She jumped lightly from her
+chair and went round to Geraldine.
+
+"Geraldine! Have I done anything to vex you?"
+
+"You had no business to say I couldn't draw a bit."
+
+"When did I say so?" gasped out Miss Whyte.
+
+"The girls told me you said so at the Prize-giving at school."
+
+"My dear!" said Miss Whyte. "I said 'I had no idea that Geraldine
+drew.' Somebody has made mischief. Let us be friends; it seems so sad
+to have a difference and to be working together in God's house."
+
+Geraldine lifted her frank eyes, "I am sorry; it is my fault for
+listening to such stories. May I come and help you? It is so dull
+alone."
+
+And so there was peace in the church.
+
+Sunday by Sunday, long after the harvest thanksgiving had passed away,
+as Geraldine sat in the church, she would glance over to that little
+corner where she had sat alone, and the remembrance of it helped her
+all her life to try to be one of God's blessed Peacemakers.
+
+[Illustration: "I will go with them myself," said Geraldine.]
+
+
+
+"I LOVE HIM STILL."
+
+"AND what has happened, then, Mrs. Lloyd?"
+
+The silver-haired clergyman had just finished his reading, and had
+paused, his fingers still in the place that opened of itself at the
+story of the cross, to hear some fragments of Mrs. Lloyd's story. The
+white face in its clean frilled cap was scarcely less white than the
+pillow on which it lay. But the expression was peaceful, though the
+wrinkles on the fine brow told of trials long and painful.
+
+A week ago Mrs. Lloyd had been brought, badly burned, to a kindly
+neighbour's, and little hope was entertained from the first of her
+recovery.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+No one knew how the accident had happened; the baby was safe, that they
+all knew. And though Mrs. Lloyd was reticent and scarcely answered any
+questions the doctors and nurses put to her as they dressed her burns,
+it had oozed out among the neighbours that Jim Lloyd had been seen to
+enter the cottage not long before the place had been found in flames,
+and that he was drunk at the time.
+
+But now Mrs. Lloyd's tongue was loosened; she was alone with the vicar
+she had known and loved from her youth, and she must tell him all, that
+he might comfort Jim.
+
+Jim was her one care. Such a brave, strong fellow he had been when
+she first met him and loved him years ago. But the demon of drink had
+seized on him, and had pushed him far on the downward path.
+
+"Well, sir," continued the dying woman, slightly raising herself on her
+elbow in her earnestness, "you must not be hard on Jim, but help him
+to live right, for the baby's sake. Tell him, sir, as I'm sure he did
+not mean it, and that I forgive him and love him still. Be sure you say
+that, sir. I love him still."
+
+She lay back exhausted by the effort she had made, but after a moment
+she went on—
+
+"I was out washing in the back yard, sir, for I had not heard his step.
+His dinner was all ready for him on the stove, and baby was asleep in
+the cradle. I don't know how long he'd been home, when I noticed a
+queer smell, but I didn't think much of it, 'cause there's often bits
+of rag and such-like burnt by the neighbours. But in a few moments, I
+noticed smoke coming out of the back kitchen door, and I knew it was
+all wrong.
+
+"The first thing I saw as I got to the door was a great blaze. The
+clothes-horse was full of blouses I'd just starched, and they were just
+one great flame. I made a rush for the cradle, but I never saw Jim
+until I fell over him, and then I suppose my clothes caught fire, but
+I didn't notice them. I felt I must save Jim even before the baby, for
+she was ready, the little darling, and my Jim wasn't. So I just pulled
+him out by his legs, and then I ran back for baby. I thought maybe
+she'd be safe, for I just prayed God to spare her if only I could pull
+out Jim. And there she was sitting up in her cradle, and laughing at
+the 'pitty fire.' I suppose the neighbours saw the smoke, for when I
+got outside again, they were holding out their hands for the baby, and
+some were looking after Jim, and then I didn't know any more until I
+got here. But you'll tell Jim I loved him still, and best of all that
+God loves him too?" And the faint voice ceased for ever.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER XI.—"ASK, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN YOU."
+
+THERE was much to talk of, for though Shushila was much younger in
+years than Mary Dayál, she had been learning in God's school for
+several years, while the other had only just enrolled her name as a
+scholar.
+
+While the talk was still going on, Rámpál Singh returned. He had found
+what he had expected. Mark Dayál had been dismissed the day before, and
+that was evidently the reason of his disappearance.
+
+"He will probably go and get work elsewhere, and will then write and
+tell you of his whereabouts," added he, anxious to give some comfort.
+
+Then he proposed that they should commit the matter into the hands of
+their heavenly Father, and ask Him to guide and keep the one who had
+gone, as well as those who were left.
+
+Mary Dayál never forgot that prayer, for it taught her what true prayer
+really means, and her heart rejoiced as she realised that, having
+become a child of God through faith in Christ Jesus, a key had been put
+into her hand, with which she could unlock the storehouse of heavenly
+riches.
+
+If she had lost her husband, she had found a Father; and the grief and
+anxiety caused by the loss, only increased the joy of the gain.
+
+It was only after she returned to her desolate house that she began
+fully to realise what it really meant to be left with four children to
+feed and clothe, and no means, as far as she could see, to provide for
+them. Whichever way she looked, she could see no light. Her parents
+lived so far away that it would cost a great deal to get to them, and
+they were quite unable to support a family. Besides, how could she bear
+to tell them that her husband had gone and left her? Whatever happened,
+she would be loyal to him, and shield him all she could.
+
+If there was anyone to blame, it was she, for not being more patient
+and gentle, and she determined that if her husband returned, he should
+never hear a word of reproach from her lips.
+
+Of course he "would" return, she told herself again and again, or if
+not, he would send for her and the children. He never intended to
+desert them, but only to seek employment to enable him to provide for
+them. As soon as he succeeded, he would surely write.
+
+Then there came over her a great desire that her husband should be one
+with her in her newly found happiness, that he too should be ready to
+meet God. Gradually all other needs seemed to be lost sight of in this
+great cry of her heart.
+
+And why should it not be granted? The mighty Hand which had been
+stretched out to save her could reach her husband also, wherever he
+might be. The first treasure which she would seek to obtain by this
+newly found key should be the salvation of her husband, and never would
+she cease seeking until she knew she had obtained it.
+
+So, as she had committed herself into the hands of this almighty
+Friend, she committed her husband also, and prayed that wherever
+his wanderings might lead him, or whatever his disappointments or
+difficulties might he, he might at last be guided, as she had been, if
+not by easy means, then through sorrow and suffering, to the cross of
+Christ, there to find pardon and salvation.
+
+Then Mary began to think of the present, and consider her earthly lot.
+Something must be done, and besides herself there was none to do it, so
+it was quite plain that she "must" find some work; but what was it to
+be?
+
+Besides learning her lessons in school, and, after her marriage,
+looking after her house and children, which her conscience told her had
+been very badly done, she had never tried to do anything.
+
+It was true that sometimes in her days of greatest poverty, when her
+husband was out of work, she had thought of trying to get employment as
+a Zenana teacher, but though she knew of others who did this in order
+to obtain the salary, her own heart told her that it should not be so,
+and that only those who knew God themselves were fitted to teach others
+about Him.
+
+It was different now. Having found salvation herself, it would be
+a joy and privilege to tell others about it; only who, knowing her
+circumstances, would be able to understand that she was not seeking her
+own good only?
+
+Again, she remembered her newly found key. Did not her heavenly Father
+know all her needs and difficulties, as well as the change in her heart?
+
+If He would call her to take a share in His work, and count her worthy,
+it would not matter what others thought. And so again, Mary prayed that
+God Himself would lead and direct her, and make it quite plain what
+work He would have her do.
+
+By-and-by, the children returned from school full of questions about
+their father, whose sudden disappearance sorely perplexed them all. The
+mother tried her best to satisfy them, by saying she believed he had
+gone away to find work, and very soon they would hear from him.
+
+Reuben, the eldest, listened gravely to all his mother said, and did
+not join in the questions of the others.
+
+Though only ten years old, in many ways he seemed older, being a
+steady, studious boy, more fond of learning than of playing. From this
+time, he seemed suddenly to grow older still, and to realise that he
+must be the helper and comforter of his mother, so in this also the
+deserted wife found comfort in her sorrow.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+A TELEGRAM.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+"SHE'S dyin'! That's what the telegram's put, and I'm goin' down by the
+next train."
+
+There was a pause, for Milly had had a hard struggle, and how to find
+the four and eight-pence for the fare she knew not. But the kind
+neighbour came to her aid. She searched deep in a drawer, and brought
+out an old stocking foot, and from this, she counted out five precious
+shillings.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"I'll pay you, if I work my fingers to the bone," said Milly
+gratefully; and then she made her way, just as she was, to the station.
+
+Meantime, down in a country village, far away from the din of London,
+Milly's sister lay and watched from her little window.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Go out," she whispered to her pretty, tidy children, "and stay by the
+church gate; and when you see your aunt, bring her to the door, but no
+further. I haven't seen her for twelve years!"
+
+The invalid lay on a neat bed beneath the window of the front room.
+
+And when Milly came, her eyes rested on a face which had once been like
+hers, but was not so any longer, for peace and joy shone on the wasted
+features, instead of hard care.
+
+"Agnes!" she said, and came forward and knelt by the bed, burying her
+face in her hands.
+
+"I could not find your address! I've tried over and over," whispered
+Agnes. "Look up, Milly, and kiss me; our time may not be long together."
+
+So Milly got up and kissed her over and over again, stroking her thin
+hand fondly.
+
+Both remembered that they had parted in anger twelve years before, and
+Milly had said she "would never see her, never, till her dying day!"
+
+Ah! Words too true, as words are sometimes, which we fain would not
+have spoken!
+
+"Will you forgive me?" said Milly brokenly.
+
+"And will you forgive me?" asked Agnes. "I know what it is to be
+forgiven myself, by Him who loved me and died for me; and since then,
+I've never ceased to seek for you that you might be happy too, whether
+for life or death."
+
+"Life!" groaned Milly. "That's but a hard, poor thing to me."
+
+"Ah! But if you have my Saviour, it will all be different," whispered
+Agnes faintly. "You'll take care of the children—and there's a little
+annuity for you besides. God's been very good to me! I felt sure He
+would send you in time."
+
+And it was in time. Before Agnes went "Home," Milly had time to go back
+to London and pack up her few belongings.
+
+She bid good-bye to her kind neighbour, and thanked her over again
+for enabling her to travel down to see her dear sister. And then she
+returned to the sweet country home, and nursed Agnes and settled down
+to the care of the children, which she was to undertake henceforth.
+
+"What you have been to me," whispered Agnes on the last day, "and what
+the Lord has done for me, words cannot say. To think He should let me
+'know' that you have come to trust Him! That is worth all the rest."
+
+"I am lost in wonder to think of His love," said Milly.
+
+
+
+Hira's Quest.
+
+CHAPTER XII.—"HE CARETH FOR YOU."
+
+AS soon as Mary Dayál had left, Rámpál Singh and his daughter began to
+think what means they could take for helping her, for they believed in
+"doing" as well as "praying."
+
+"Shall I go and see my uncle," suggested Shushila, "and see what he
+advises? He knows Mark Dayál and his wife, and will know better than
+anyone else what is the best thing to do."
+
+Rámpál Singh quite approved, and so, accompanied by the faithful
+Anandi, Shushila started for the house of her uncle Harnáth Singh, who
+was the pastor of the Hindustáni Church in this city.
+
+It did not require much argument to enlist his sympathy with Mary Dayál
+and her family, and greatly did he rejoice to hear that one of his
+flock had received such great spiritual blessing. He advised waiting a
+few days to see whether the runaway husband would return, or send his
+wife any news of his intention. But in the meantime, he would be making
+all inquiries with regard to finding means of help.
+
+When Komela, Shushila's aunt, joined her husband and niece, she was
+able at once to throw some light on the subject.
+
+"It was only yesterday," she said, "that Miss Elsemere came to ask me
+if I knew of any truly Christian woman who could take charge of a small
+school she is opening for Hindu girls. She said, 'It must be one who
+will do this work for "Christ's sake," and not merely for the sake of
+a salary. I "cannot" ask anyone to take a share in our Lord's work who
+does not really love Him and wish to serve Him.'"
+
+Shushila hastened to reassure her aunt on this point, and they all
+agreed that nothing would be so likely to strengthen the faith and warm
+the love of one who had so lately found Christ herself as to teach
+others about Him.
+
+"Whether her husband returns or not, it will be well for her to have
+this work to do," said Harnáth Singh; "so the best thing will be to let
+Miss Elsemere hear of her at once, then she can go and see her."
+
+"I am so glad," said Shushila, with a beaming face; "it seems as if
+God knew of the need which was coming and had prepared the supply
+beforehand. It will be a proof to Mrs. Dayál of what she may expect now
+that she has learned to know God and trust in Him."
+
+"Yes, indeed," answered her aunt, "she will soon find what a difference
+it makes when we give up ourselves and all that concerns us into God's
+keeping, and know that our heavenly Father cares for us. But now tell
+me about your little blind Hira; I have heard nothing of her for some
+days."
+
+"She is a strange child," answered Shushila, "and very difficult to
+understand. She is at the same time 'so' naughty and 'yet' so 'good.'"
+
+"How do you mean?" asked Komela.
+
+"I mean," was the answer, "that in some ways she is more naughty than
+most children. She will not do anything unless she chooses, and as
+for telling lies, she thinks nothing of it. But at the same time, she
+loves to hear about God and our Lord Jesus, and though she has been
+learning such a little while, it is quite wonderful how much she knows
+and remembers. I cannot understand what has come over her to-day; she
+has been sitting in the quietest corner of the house, and even when I
+called her to eat, she would not come, so I just left her alone."
+
+"The more I hear of her," said Komela, "the more it seems to me that
+God Himself sent her to you, and that He has a work for you to do in
+training her, and then some special work for her to do. You will need
+much love and patience to accomplish your task, but I feel sure that it
+will not be in vain."
+
+"I just love to have her," said Shushila warmly, "in spite of her
+naughtiness. I love her dearly, and her love for me quite makes up for
+any trouble I have. Most of all, I want you to pray that she may truly
+receive Christ into her heart, for until she does, I cannot think that
+it is right for her to be called by His name. I do not think she wants
+it either, for she seems quite to understand that there must be a great
+change in her before she can be a Christian."
+
+"Would that all knew as much as this blind child!" said Komela
+earnestly. "Then there would not be so many bearing Christ's name and
+yet bringing dishonour on Him."
+
+The day after this conversation, as Mary Dayál was busy in her house,
+there came a knock at her door.
+
+For a moment, her heart beat faster; could it be that her husband had
+returned? Quickly, she went to unfasten the chain, and then saw that
+it was not her husband, but an English lady, who was standing there
+waiting for admittance.
+
+Mary knew Miss Elsemere very well by sight, and had met her more than
+once. But this was the first time she had come to her house.
+
+She was at once asked in, one of the broken chairs dusted for her, and
+then Mary waited to hear what was the cause of this unexpected visit.
+
+She very soon felt at ease with her visitor, who spoke so kindly, and
+sympathised so warmly in her husband's absence, though she never said a
+word which implied that she knew why he had gone, or that he was in any
+way to blame.
+
+Very soon she introduced the subject which was in her mind. She was
+just about to open a school for Hindu children, and wanted someone to
+take charge of it. Having heard of Mrs. Dayál, she had come to ask her
+about it.
+
+For a moment, Mary was almost too much overcome to answer. Had the
+answer to her prayer come so quickly as this? It seemed almost too good
+to be true. Her heart was too full to say much, and if Miss Elsemere
+had not already heard her story, especially the spiritual part, she
+might almost have doubted whether this very silent, grave woman would
+be a suitable teacher for bright little girls.
+
+When all arrangements had been made and she was just leaving, a little
+glimpse was given her into the heart of the one who, she trusted, had
+been chosen of God to be a fellow-worker with her in His service.
+
+With tears in her eyes, Mary Dayál said earnestly, "It seems to me that
+it was God Himself who put it into your heart to ask me to do this
+work, and if so, He will help me to do it, though it may be difficult
+at first."
+
+Miss Elsemere pressed her hand warmly as she answered, "We may be quite
+sure that God never gives us anything to do in our own strengths; in
+all our times of need, His word to us is, 'My grace is sufficient for
+thee.' I am sure you will find it so."
+
+As soon as she was alone, Mary Dayál gave thanks for the light which
+had shone upon her path. Glad as she was to know that her children
+would be provided for, she was most glad to have this proof of her
+heavenly Father's care, and of His readiness to hear and answer His
+children's prayer.
+
+Then there came to her mind that other petition, offered at the same
+time, that her husband might not only be brought back to her, but also
+be made ready to meet God.
+
+If one had been granted, then why not the other also? So with
+strengthened faith, the wife determined that she would not grow weary,
+though she might have to wait many days to see the desire of her heart
+granted.
+
+But there was something else for her to do besides pray; the prospect
+of so soon beginning to teach others about God made her realise how
+very little she knew herself.
+
+The Bible, which had been for many days so little read and never
+studied, was now often in her hands, and as she sought for food to feed
+others, she was fed herself.
+
+"It is a perfectly 'new' book," she said one day to Shushila. "I used
+to read the words, but they did not mean much to me; now it is just as
+if God Himself is speaking to me, and the words go right into my heart.
+I would rather give up anything than this book, though I have had it
+all these years, and cared little for it."
+
+Shushila answered earnestly, "Is not that because it contains God's
+message to His children? As long as we do not know Him, we do not care
+to listen, but as soon as we know our heavenly Father and love Him, we
+listen to hear what He will say to us."
+
+"If only I had known all this before!" said Mary with a sigh. "What a
+difference it would have made to my life! Now I feel that it has been
+wasted and spoiled."
+
+"Yes, indeed," answered Shushila, "you have missed what alone makes our
+lives worth living. But do not be too sad; now you have given your life
+to God, He will make it new again according to His will; and after all,
+'this' life is only just beginning—our real, perfect life we shall live
+with God."
+
+That evening, the three younger children had gone to sleep, Mary was
+reading, and Reuben preparing his lessons for the next day.
+
+Suddenly the boy looked up from his books. "Mother, tell me what it
+all means. Why has my father gone away like this? And why do you read
+so much and seem so different? It seems to me as if something has
+happened, and yet I do not know what."
+
+Mary smiled at her boy's perplexity as she answered, "Yes, something
+very wonderful has happened, Reuben, but I do not know whether you will
+understand if I tell you."
+
+"Why, mother, of course I will; you forget how old I am," said the boy
+with an air of importance; "please tell me."
+
+Then the mother answered, "Reuben, this is what has happened: I have
+been trying to live my life without God, but lately my heart became so
+hungry that I could not stay away from Him any longer. The Lord Jesus
+has put away my sin and so brought me to God."
+
+The boy looked surprised, for he had not expected such an answer. It
+seemed so strange to hear of heavenly things from the lips of one who
+had always been so taken up with the things of earth.
+
+He had himself learnt much in school, but his mother was the last
+person to whom he would have thought of speaking of what was in his
+heart. His class in Sunday-school had at one time been taught by
+the pastor's son, Harnám Singh, and young though he was, he had not
+forgotten his teacher's earnest words; and this fact remained clearly
+impressed on his mind, that to belong to Christ and serve Him was the
+greatest honour to which anyone could attain.
+
+When the teacher had had to be separated from his class, he had given
+to each of the boys a card, on which was printed the words, "If any man
+will serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My
+servant be."
+
+This card Reuben kept among his special treasures, and as often as he
+looked at it, he would say to himself, "When I am a man, I am going to
+serve Christ."
+
+He had not yet learnt that "any man" means anyone, even a boy of ten
+years old. He felt glad as he listened to his mother's words, and after
+a while, said thoughtfully, "It will not matter so much that my father
+has gone away if God has come; He will take care of us."
+
+The mother then told her son how that care had already been shown, but
+she added, "Although God is with us and caring for us, yet we must ask
+Him to bring your father back, for we want him too."
+
+Already the faithful wife had forgotten all her husband's failings, and
+only longed for his return.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+The Alms-house Inmates.
+
+CHRISTMAS EVE was terribly cold, the snow fell fast, and the wind
+howled round the alms-houses, making the inmates shiver and draw nearer
+to their firesides. In the first house lived old Mrs. Lunn, or Beckie
+as she was commonly called, and when the wind blew more fiercely, she
+spread her old wrinkled hands to the blaze and said reverently,—
+
+   "I thank Thee, Lord, for all my comforts. Here I have a home and fire
+and many kind friends, while there are others who are hungry and alone.
+
+"I wonder," added the old woman, "how Nancy is next door; she'll
+feel the cold terribly, and she always is in pain, so she can't help
+grumbling a wee bit."
+
+Nancy was lying on her bed in the next house, while every bone in her
+old worn-out body ached. Yet when the bells rang out over the snow, she
+crossed her hands and whispered,—
+
+   "Let me be in heaven next year, dear Lord, and free from pain."
+
+In number three lived Mrs. Peck, a little, nimble, bright old lady, who
+hopped about on one leg, as bright as a button.
+
+"To-morrow is Christmas Day," she said. "Well, we'll all get something
+warm from the Squire's lady for sure; may mine be a petticoat, which I
+need sorely, then I'll be very thankful."
+
+Away at the end of the row, and opposite to the men's houses, a couch
+was drawn to the window, and a frail, delicate woman gasped her life
+away.
+
+   "On Christmas Day—to meet them all again! Oh, I am ready, dear Lord,
+quite ready."
+
+And when the Squire's lady bent over and whispered, "Mary, can you
+hear me?" the dying woman murmured, "Yes, the angels with their harps
+ringing over the snow."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+When Christmas Day dawned, all the earth was white and beautiful. The
+old alms people, men and women, walked up to the Manor House, when each
+one received a present.
+
+"There is one parcel over, ma'am," said the maid, when all the old
+folks had departed.
+
+"Ah! Yes," replied the lady; "that was for Mary, but she needs no
+present now, her eyes have seen the King."
+
+By Beckie's fireside sat Nancy, wrapped up warm and comfortable in a
+new Scotch plaid, and Mrs. Peck was there also, holding her petticoat
+under her arm.
+
+"It's a wonderful thing, is prayer," she was saying. "I just asked God
+to let the Squire's lady give it me, and sure enough, I have it—you
+see."
+
+
+
+The Hill above Nazareth.
+
+LOOK at those angry men! You ask, "Whom are they angry with, and what
+has he done?"
+
+That is the dear Lord Jesus.
+
+Now I will try to tell you why the Jews were angry with Him, and what
+they wanted to do to Him that day.
+
+Jesus had been baptised in Jordan, and had been led by the Holy Spirit
+into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan for more than a month.
+
+So you see Jesus knows what temptations mean, and He can feel for us.
+
+Well, when Satan had finished all the temptations, Jesus came back to
+Nazareth, the town where He had been brought up, and when the Sabbath
+day came, He went, as He usually did, to the synagogue to worship God.
+
+He stood up to read the Bible to the Jews, and then He explained to
+them how God had sent Him to be the Messiah they were looking for, and
+how He would bind up broken hearts and make all sorrowful people joyful.
+
+The Jews listened to Him with great wonder, and some of them could
+not believe that one who had been brought up in their own town could
+possibly be the Christ.
+
+Then the Lord told them that strangers and Gentiles would believe on
+Him, if the Jews would not; and after that, they grew very angry and
+took hold of Him, and thrust Him out of the synagogue and led Him up to
+the brow of the hill on which the town was built, that they might cast
+Him down from there.
+
+How sad that they should want to kill the blessed Lord, who had just
+told them that He would be their Saviour and their Messiah!
+
+You notice in the picture that Jesus did not resist them or seem angry
+with their cruelty. He was ever patient and loving.
+
+The Bible does not say "how" He escaped out of their hands. It says:
+"But He, passing through the midst of them, went His way, and came
+down to Capernaum," and began healing the sick and doing kind things
+directly to those who needed His help.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Very soon, people began saying all round the country what wonderful
+things He did.
+
+One day, He entered into Simon Peter's house, and there He found the
+mother of Peter's wife very ill with a bad fever. They had all seen
+the wonderful things that Jesus could do, so they begged Him to heal
+her. So Jesus told the fever to leave her, and she felt quite well all
+at once, and got up and waited on the Lord Jesus, and did her work as
+usual.
+
+Soon the heat of the day began to subside, and all the people who had
+sick people in their houses brought them to Jesus, and the dear loving
+Saviour laid His hands on every one of them and healed them all.
+
+Let us, like those people at Capernaum, bring all our troubles and
+sorrows to Jesus; let us kneel down and tell Him what we want most, and
+believe that He is able and willing to help us, and we shall know that
+He draws near to us and gives us the blessing which we most need.
+
+
+
+The Stay of the Family.
+
+"THE 'Doris' is to proceed to the Cape, Nellie, at once!"
+
+"'What,' mother?"
+
+"To the Cape at once!" repeated her mother slowly.
+
+"Oh, mother! I thought Jim was going to cruise about in the Channel."
+
+She bent over to see the words for herself, and her pretty placid
+countenance fell. The world would be changed for her if brother Jim
+were gone out of their life.
+
+Hitherto he had been the one to see after their mother since father's
+death. His advice had been what had been acted on, his loving wishes
+had ruled the little home.
+
+[Illustration: "The 'Doris' is to proceed to the Cape, Nellie, at
+once!"]
+
+Nellie drew her fallen work back to her lap, but there was no more
+cheerful gossip with her mother, no more remarks as to what Molly and
+Pollie were learning at school, and how George was getting on at his
+new place—instead came down over her a blank feeling of dismay. Who
+would take the responsibility of the home if Jim were gone?
+
+Then her thoughts went back to what she had been thinking of and
+praying about lately—how she could be more of a comfort to her invalid
+mother. Was this the opportunity come which she had longed for? But how
+different from anything she had planned!
+
+Then she looked up and put her hand gently on her mother's arm.
+
+"We shall all try to take care of you when brother is gone," she
+faltered with quivering lips. "I hoped he'd have come backwards and
+forwards as he had been doing; but if he goes—" Nellie knelt down
+hastily by her mother's side and put her head on her shoulder with an
+unwonted caress—"If he goes, there's always Jesus left," she whispered,
+"and He will never leave us and never forsake us, mother."
+
+And while Jim was at the war, that was how Nellie became the stay of
+the family.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER XIII.—HIRA'S QUEST ENDED.
+
+WHILE Mary Dayál was rejoicing in her newly found peace and happiness,
+Hira's heart was daily growing sadder. At the time Mary told her that
+if she listened, she would hear the voice of the Lord Jesus speaking
+to her, she made up her mind that she would begin to listen with all
+her might. If she could not "see," at least she could hear, better than
+most.
+
+So she crept away to the quietest corner she could find, and after
+saying,—
+
+   "Please, Lord Jesus, speak to me—"
+
+sat still and waited for the answer. But though she waited long and
+refused to eat food, which she was always so ready for, or to sit by
+her dear sister Shushila, yet hour after hour passed, and still no
+voice came.
+
+Again and again she cried,—
+
+   "Please, Lord Jesus, speak to me like you did to Rose's mother."
+
+But there was no answer.
+
+Then she began to grow angry. She had been deceived by everybody; there
+was no Jesus Christ at all. How could anyone know if they had never
+seen Him? It must be a lie to say anyone had heard His voice. If He
+were alive and close by her, as Shushila said, why did He not give her
+eyes, or at least answer her when she spoke to Him?
+
+So she groped her way to where Shushila was sitting, and before her new
+sister knew that she was anywhere near, she was suddenly aroused by
+hearing an indignant voice say, "It is very wicked of you all to tell
+lies to a poor little blind girl who cannot see for herself. It is not
+true that Jesus Christ is alive; I do not believe He ever was. He does
+not make blind people see, and He does not speak so that we can hear
+His voice. I have been listening and listening, but no voice came.
+
+"I am not going to get ready to meet God, because there is no one to
+make me ready. I will just go on being as naughty as I want to be, and
+if you do not like to have a naughty girl to live with you, I will go
+and beg. That is what my aunt always told me to do."
+
+Shushila listened with astonishment to this outburst of childish wrath.
+But by the time it was over, the child, who was trembling with anger
+and excitement, felt two loving arms round her, and she was gently led
+to a seat.
+
+Shushila did not speak at once, for it required some thought and prayer
+to know what to say. But she tenderly soothed and calmed the child she
+held so closely to her.
+
+Presently she said, "Little sister, do you remember the night you came
+here? How you sat on the doorstep in the dark and storm, trembling with
+fear of the thunder and lightning? Then I came to you, and though you
+could not see me, nor hear my voice, yet you let me lift you in my arms
+and bring you into the house. You trusted me, even though you could
+neither hear nor see me.
+
+"You are afraid now, not of storm and tempest, but of meeting God. You
+are afraid of your own heart, which is so full of all kinds of sin and
+naughtiness; and just as I lifted you in my arms and saved you from the
+rain and storm, so the Lord Jesus will surely save you from the fear
+and sin which are troubling you so much. Cannot you 'trust' Him, even
+though you cannot see or hear Him, just as you trusted me that night?
+It will grieve Him so if you do not, and He has loved us so dearly."
+
+"But Rose's mother said she heard His voice," said Hira in a subdued
+tone.
+
+"Yes, dear, so will you some day, just as you hear my voice every day,
+now you are in the house beside me and there is no noise of rain and
+storm. But you did not hear it when you were sitting outside on the
+doorstep, and did not know who was speaking to you."
+
+"I think I will go away again," said Hira.
+
+And as Shushila unclasped her arms, she groped her way back to her old
+place.
+
+Then she knelt down as Shushila had taught her, and said,—
+
+   "Lord Jesus, I want to see you very much, but I am blind, and I want
+to hear your voice, but you do not speak to me; but most of all, I want
+to be ready to meet God, and to be made good, because I am so bad.
+Shushila says you are quite sure to do this, even though you do not
+give me eyes, or speak to me in a loud voice, because she says you love
+us so. Please, Lord Jesus, here I am."
+
+Then into the dark, sinful heart of the blind girl, a light shone—the
+light of the divine love poured out in death on the cross for the very
+weakest and most unworthy.
+
+As of old, the Son of God took the children in His arms and blessed
+them, so, as the risen and exalted Son of God, He drew the blind child
+to Himself, and Hira's quest was ended as she found the Saviour.
+
+In the distance, she heard Shushila softly singing—
+
+   "Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved,
+      And we must love Him too,
+    And trust in His redeeming blood,
+      And try His works to do."
+
+And as she listened, she knew what Mary Dayál meant when she said she
+heard the Lord Jesus speak to her.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+TWENTY TIMES.
+
+"COME near, Lizzie, and hear what I have to say!"
+
+"I can hear!" called Lizzie at the top of her voice.
+
+And the hens clucked, and the little kid "baa'd," and Snap barked, but
+Lizzie came no nearer. She tossed the corn to the fowls, and took no
+further notice of her mother waiting there.
+
+"Lizzie!" called her mother, coming out of the doorway. "Lizzie, come
+at once!"
+
+"What is it?" asked Lizzie very coolly.
+
+Her mother advanced out into the sunshine and came slowly up to
+her. "Lizzie, you grieve me very much. I like you to play and enjoy
+yourself, but when it comes to not attending when I call you—"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+She took the basket out of the little girl's hand, and led her gently
+into the house.
+
+"What are you going to do with me?" asked Lizzie, raising her blue eyes
+wonderingly.
+
+"I'm going to make you remember."
+
+"But I haven't finished feeding the fowls."
+
+No answer.
+
+"Mother!"
+
+No answer.
+
+"Can't I put the little kid away?"
+
+Her mother was getting out pencil and paper, which she laid on the
+table in front of the little girl. And then she drew a chair forward
+and put her gently into it.
+
+Lizzie was awed by these proceedings. She was conscious that lately she
+had been taking advantage of her mother's frail health to do as she
+chose.
+
+Her mother's thin fingers were tracing some words in large writing
+across one of the sheets of her copy-book, which, to Lizzie's
+astonishment, she had torn out for the purpose.
+
+Torn out a leaf of her copy-book! The occasion must indeed be great.
+Then five words stood before her in rather trembling, but plain,
+round-hand—
+
+"I must obey my mother."
+
+"Write that twenty times before you move, Lizzie," said mother, "and
+when it is done, come up and show it to me."
+
+Slowly she left the room, and Lizzie saw her going out to shut up the
+goat, and then watched her stoop and pick up the puppy and put him in
+his kennel. Fancy mother doing that!
+
+"Twenty times!" How "could" she write all that? was her next thought.
+
+At first, she decided she would not even try to do it. Then she heard
+her mother come back through the scullery and go up the stairs very
+wearily.
+
+Lizzie's heart smote her. She remembered with dismay all those thoughts
+of independence and restiveness which she had been cherishing.
+
+The sounds ceased, and perfect silence reigned. What was mother doing?
+But she might not go to see till the twenty lines were done!
+
+Tears filled the blue eyes at last.
+
+"Oh, mother, mother," she sobbed, "I do love you! Come down and kiss
+me!"
+
+Perhaps her sobs were heard; there was a little movement above, and
+presently the face Lizzie loved best in the world was close to hers,
+and two arms were about her, and mother was whispering words of
+forgiveness and "beginning again!"
+
+"Lizzie," she said, "if I were to let you go on being self-willed, what
+an unhappy girl you would grow up, and how wrong it would be of me! I
+love you too well, my darling."
+
+And Lizzie wrote those twenty lines with dimmed eyes. But she did
+"begin again" in good earnest, and turned out to be mother's greatest
+comfort.
+
+
+
+HINDERED.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+"I DON'T believe I shall ever learn it!" Hugh thought hopelessly. "It's
+just one of those lessons that 'won't' get into your head."
+
+"I say," began his next door neighbour, in a whisper, "did you see my
+kite go up last night?"
+
+"Oh, bother!" exclaimed Hugh. "I'd almost got a line, and now I've lost
+it!"
+
+"No, but did you?" persisted his neighbour.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Hugh frowned, and put his fingers in his ears. Harry was always trying
+to distract him, and the consequence was, down he went in his class.
+
+No, the lesson would not get learned. Instead of the tiresome lines of
+poetry, which he hated, came a string of thoughts like these:—
+
+"Harry does it on purpose; of course, Harry is clever, he can carry
+anything before him. My master always sets me the hardest pieces he can
+find! I've had a headache all the morning, and Harry always bothers
+more when he sees I've got a headache."
+
+The preparation hour was over, and Hugh put his books into his satchel
+with a hopeless feeling that if he had conquered that tiresome poetry,
+he would have been able to fly "his" kite that evening. But now it was
+quite useless: there would be such a chatter at home, that with his
+headache, he would never do it!
+
+So he entered the dining-room at home with clouded brow and heavy
+heart. His eyes fell on his little invalid sister, lying on her pillow
+in the corner.
+
+She saw in a moment that something had gone wrong, and beckoned him to
+her side.
+
+"Put my pillow straight, Hughie!" she said, gently.
+
+He bent to do it, and then kissed the little white face.
+
+"Has it been so tiresome?" she asked wistfully.
+
+"The old story!" he said, bitterly. "Headache and stupidity. It's no
+use, Angel!"
+
+"There's another 'old story' besides that one," she whispered, with a
+slight nod of her little head.
+
+He shook his, as much as to say he was willing to be comforted, but—
+
+Yes, she understood that, but it did not daunt her. She stroked his
+boyish hand with her thin fingers, and went on softly—"A lesson I had
+to learn seemed very hard this morning—"
+
+He looked at her suddenly. Angel learning a lesson?
+
+But she went on—"And I felt I could not! And then—then I remembered to
+tell Jesus about it, and He said, 'I'll help you, Angel; I've set it,
+and I won't let it be too hard!'"
+
+Her eyes were full of tears, and his watered in sympathy.
+
+"And then?" he asked.
+
+"Then I felt I could go on learning it—if 'He' had set it!"
+
+He squeezed her hand, thinking—how could he put Harry and his headache
+into one of the lessons Jesus was teaching? Then he raised his head.
+
+"I see," he said, more brightly. "Angel, after tea, may I come and read
+my poetry over to you, line by line!"
+
+And then the rest came rushing in, but the little comforter had had her
+chance—and had taken it!
+
+
+
+[Illustration: A Schoolboy's Message.
+ "Oh, has it?" asked Tommy, looking up surprised.]
+
+THE FIRST DAY.
+
+"WELL, Tommy, where are you off to?"
+
+"To 'school!'" said Tommy impressively, with surprise in his tone. He
+thought everyone knew that this was his first day at school, and that
+he had in his pocket a bright penny which grandfather had given him in
+honour of the day.
+
+"Oh, I see!" said the big boy, smiling down upon him and taking his
+hand. "So you have a new suit and a new slate. How kind your mother is!"
+
+"Yes," said Tommy, as if that were a very ordinary affair, "and
+grandfather has given me this," letting the penny peep out of his
+pocket just a little bit.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Oh!" said the big boy. "Someone else kind too, eh?"
+
+"Grandfather's going away by train to the country to-day," pursued
+the child; "he's going to where 'he' was a little boy, and lived at
+a windmill, and went to school, like me, and he said he should be
+thinking about me all day!"
+
+"I'm not as old as grandfather," said the big boy, "and so it's no
+wonder that I remember the first day 'I' went to school, is it? And
+you know I had no kind mother like you have, Tommy, and it was 'your'
+grandfather that gave me a kind word as I went past his cottage, that's
+done the good ever since."
+
+"Oh! Has it?" asked Tommy, looking up surprised.
+
+"Yes. He told me to remember that the Lord Jesus was close to me all
+the time, and would be better to me in everything than even father and
+mother! I've never forgotten it—never!"
+
+They hurried along hand in hand, the little boy skipping over the
+ground with eagerness; while the big boy, who was a true missionary at
+heart, wondered if the tiny seed he had tried to sow would bear fruit
+some day.
+
+But he remembered that we have to sow in faith, like Tommy's
+grandfather did in his case; so he ran along by the little boy,
+brightly planning to meet him after school to hear how he had got on.
+
+Tommy never did forget that kind little word, and often when he would
+have been over-pressed by difficulty, or evil, he suddenly thought,
+"The Lord Jesus is close to me!" and took courage.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER XIV.—BELIEVING AND CONFESSING.
+
+ALTHOUGH Hira fully made up her mind that henceforth she was going to
+"try His works to do" who had so loved her, yet she found it was not
+always easy to leave off doing those very different works which she had
+been doing all her life.
+
+It was not easy always to ask, "What would the Lord Jesus like me to
+do?" for one who had been accustomed to ask, "What would 'I' like to
+do?"
+
+Shushila looked on and prayed much as she saw daily battles being
+fought, in which her little charge was sometimes defeated and sometimes
+victorious.
+
+She understood that every contest was a clear proof that a new
+principle had been introduced into the child's life which was trying to
+subdue the old one.
+
+There could be no doubt that, though still weak and faulty, Hira was
+really a new child in Christ Jesus.
+
+Shushila began to wonder how she could best explain to the little girl
+the next step to be taken, so as to make her baptism a very real and
+lasting blessing to her.
+
+So one day she read to her the story of the woman who touched the hem
+of Christ's garment and was made whole. And as she finished, she asked,
+"Hira, why do you think the Lord Jesus asked who it was who had touched
+Him? Because He must have known."
+
+Hira considered a minute, and then she said, "Perhaps it was because
+He wanted her to say 'Thank you,' just like you teach me to say 'Thank
+you' when you give me anything."
+
+Shushila smiled as she answered, "Yes, I think that was one reason, and
+besides that, I think He wanted her to let all those other people know
+how good He had been to her. When we were in church to-day, I thought
+that perhaps if the Lord Jesus had been there, as He was that day, He
+might have asked, 'Where is that little girl whom I have made ready to
+meet God?'"
+
+"But, sister, if He had, I would have said directly, 'Here I am.'"
+
+Then Shushila explained how the Lord Jesus had appointed a way by which
+His followers could confess Him before men, and let it be known that
+they belong to Him.
+
+Hira listened gladly, then she said, "I am so glad, because I would not
+like anyone to think that I am a little heathen girl when I am not, and
+really belong to the Lord Jesus. Please let me be baptised very soon."
+
+Shushila did not answer at once, then she said, "Hira, I want very
+much that you should be, but supposing after you have been called by
+the name of Christ and received into His Church you tell lies and get
+into those naughty tempers, those who see you will say, 'Is that what
+Christians do? Hira is no better than heathen girls'; and so the name
+of our Lord Jesus will be dishonoured."
+
+The little girl looked very sad and grave, then she said, "Sister, do
+let me be baptised, and I will ask the Lord Jesus to put His hand on my
+lips so that the lies will not be able to come out, and another on my
+heart to keep the naughty tempers away."
+
+"Yes, Hira," was the answer, "He surely will if you trust Him, for that
+is just what He came down from heaven and gave His life on the cross
+for. You have learnt that verse, 'Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for
+He shall save His people from their sins.' You are one of His people,
+and these are your two special sins, so I am sure He will save you from
+them; it is just what He came to do."
+
+Hira gave a little sigh as she said, "I wish I could be cured like that
+leper was you told me about, his leprosy went away all at once. I wish
+my naughtiness would go like that."
+
+Shushila could not help sympathising with the child's wish. "Do not you
+think, little sister," she asked, "that if you want to tell a lie, or
+to be angry, and you do not because you want to please the Lord Jesus,
+that is one way of showing that you love him, and that He is really
+able to save you? Those who are in no danger do not need to be saved,
+do they? You are going to be made a soldier of the Lord Jesus, and
+soldiers always have to fight."
+
+"But you do not have to fight," said Hira.
+
+Shushila smiled. "Yes, indeed I do," she answered; "sometimes I have to
+fight very hard not to be impatient with a little girl who will not do
+as she is told."
+
+At this point someone came in, and so the conversation ended.
+
+A few Sundays later, Hira had her wish and was baptised. It was a day
+never to be forgotten in her experience, for it was the "visible" line
+which separated the old life from the new, darkness from light.
+
+Besides Rámpál Singh and his daughter, there were two others among
+those who were present who watched the ceremony with strong feelings of
+interest.
+
+Of these, one was Mary Dayál, who had been much interested in the blind
+child ever since she came into their midst.
+
+As she saw her openly confessing her faith in the Lord Jesus, and being
+received into His church, there was some regret mixed with her joy. She
+thought to herself, "Hira is a precious jewel which the Lord gave 'me'
+the opportunity of seeking and finding for Him, but I was unfitted for
+the work, and so He has given the honour to another."
+
+As she thought of this, she determined that she would with all her
+heart seek for other jewels which should adorn her Master's crown.
+
+The other spectator was of a very different appearance, and had very
+different feelings. Soon after the service began, there crept into the
+church a poor woman, who looked as if she was little accustomed to
+enter such places. Without looking for a seat, she sat down in a corner
+on the ground. No one noticed her except those who were sitting close
+by, and while the last prayer was being read, she got up and went out.
+Then Mary Dayál saw her and recognised Sukhiya.
+
+Her fears had been to some extent realised. It was quite true that
+Hira, in the days of her comfort and prosperity, did not feel the need
+of her old friend as she had done when she was her only friend.
+
+This was quite as much the woman's fault as the child's; for, partly
+because she thought she was no longer needed, and partly because she
+feared to let it be seen on what familiar terms she had been with
+the blind girl, she kept out of her way, and except when she came
+occasionally to sell her milk and butter, Hira saw nothing of her.
+
+Still, it had occurred to her that she would like her old friend to be
+present at her baptism, and so she had begged her to come.
+
+Sukhiya had promised, and that is why she was there; but to her, it
+was a time almost as sad as when her last child died. It was the final
+severing of the link which had bound her to the child who had filled
+the empty place in her heart, and been the one bright spot in her sad
+life.
+
+Now Hira was a Christian, and to Sukhiya's mind that meant that
+henceforth she lived in another world to her own.
+
+It was very true that every time the child had had an opportunity she
+had pleaded with her, "Sukhiya, do believe on the Lord Jesus, and let
+Him make you ready to go to heaven, for I do want you to come too."
+
+But she had always shaken her head and said, "Child, I am too old
+and stupid to understand these new things. All my sense has gone in
+weeping. I will go on selling butter and milk a little longer, and then
+my days will end."
+
+Hira grieved over the indifference of her old friend, for one of the
+first lessons taught her was that, having come to Christ herself, she
+should now seek to bring others; and who so likely to be the first as
+the one who had done so much for her in the darkest days of her life?
+
+After leaving the church, Sukhiya went to her home, and that day no
+food was cooked, and no milk and butter sold, for the poor woman cared
+nothing for those things.
+
+All that day she sat and wept. The next, she went out with her basket
+as usual, and her husband found his food cooked, and from that time,
+all went on as before, only that Sukhiya never talked of the blind
+child, and went to see her even less frequently than before.
+
+There had been some discussion as to whether Hira's name should be
+changed at her baptism. It was Harnáth Singh's custom to let each
+convert choose for himself or herself, and child though she was, Hira
+was quite capable of knowing her own mind.
+
+When she was told what was the meaning of her name, she said, "Then,
+please, let me keep it always, for I like to be a jewel belonging to
+the Lord Jesus; and some day, He will make me as shining and beautiful
+as a real diamond."
+
+So Hira she remained.
+
+
+
+A LIGHTENED LOAD.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+"IT'S so fearfully cold to-day, Mary! I do not seem to be able to get a
+bit of warmth!"
+
+Mary looked at the fire, warm still, but dying down on the hearth. How
+fast the wood did die down, she thought, with a sigh. How many little
+things there were to do even to keep moderate comfort round her mother.
+
+"I'll get some more wood, mother," she said patiently.
+
+"Yes, do," said the invalid, not thinking much of the tired legs of her
+little nurse, nor noticing the pale cheeks which lately had grown so
+thin.
+
+Mary put away the cups she had been washing, and took off her apron.
+
+"Is there any wood outside?" asked her mother.
+
+"Only a stick or two," said Mary. "It does burn away so fast!"
+
+"I wish there were, I'm that cold, Mary! Be quick, child, and get some,
+will you?"
+
+She cowered over the red embers, and Mary, thus urged, put on her hat
+and went out into the November mist.
+
+She would not have disliked this if her legs had not ached so much, and
+if she had not felt so faint and hungry. She had been cleaning up all
+the morning; and then she had cooked mother's gruel. But the invalid
+had never asked her if she had had anything to eat.
+
+Poor little Mary!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+She took a piece of cord in her hand and slowly left the cottage door.
+She knew she would have a good way to go, for she and her mother,
+before she became ill, had picked up every scrap of wood that they
+could find near the house.
+
+"I wish mother would get into bed; she would not feel the cold there,"
+she thought, and then she ran back to suggest this.
+
+"Oh, no, any dear; I'd a deal rather sit by the fire," said the
+invalid. "Only you be quick with the wood."
+
+Thus bidden, Mary started once more. She walked and ran, walked and
+ran, till she had reached a spot in the forest where the wood began to
+lie about, and there she halted out of breath.
+
+The autumn grass was strewn with leaves and bits of the branches
+blown off by the wind; and instead of gathering them up eagerly and
+returning, the little burdened girl sat down on the damp leaves and hid
+her face in her hands.
+
+It was so hard—so hard! And she was so tired, and mother only thought
+of how bad she felt herself, and never guessed how tired and dispirited
+little Mary was.
+
+Was there no help? Had she only to wipe away her tears and get up and
+go on again?
+
+Mary sobbed hopelessly for a few minutes, and then a thought came over
+her, which, to her surprise, brought a sense of relief and comfort. How
+could it be? She was as hungry, as tired, as hopeless as before, and
+yet—
+
+The words were, "Jesus wept."
+
+She had a tiny text-book given her when for a few months she had lived
+in the town and had gone to Sunday-school, which contained a selection
+of the shortest texts in the Bible. Mary had promised her teacher she
+would read it, and occasionally she glanced in it to keep her word.
+
+To-day, her eyes had lighted upon those two short words, and she had
+wondered, and closed the book.
+
+Now they came over her with a sense of sweetness.
+
+"Jesus wept"? That meant then that when He was on earth, He had been
+sorrowful like her! Was He? That was a nice thought, because then He
+would know something of how sad and lonely she felt.
+
+"Jesus wept"! Then He felt for her, she was sure He did; for she
+remembered her teacher had told her that the Saviour knew all that was
+passing on this earth, even though He is in heaven.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Mary sat very still, while she thought of all this; and as she thought
+of it, she felt, without knowing how, that she had had an interview
+with the King of Glory, and that earth was a changed place.
+
+Then her eyes fell upon the scattered wood, and she quickly gathered a
+large bundle, tied it together, and set off homewards.
+
+She had not taken many steps before she heard a voice, and turned to
+find a neighbour calling to her to stop.
+
+"Mary, I'll help you along with that bundle. Why, see, child, it's all
+coming undone! Lucky for you I overtook you. Why, child, what a pale
+face you have! I guess you've thought a goodish bit more of your mother
+than you have of yourself by the looks of you! I'll help you home with
+that wood."
+
+                       ————————————
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.—CHANGED.
+
+SO, helped by the kind neighbour, Mary brought the wood into the shed,
+and, carrying a few sticks in her hand, she entered the cottage once
+more.
+
+Had a change come over her own heart only, or was there something
+different in her mother's too?
+
+Was it only the unexpected bright blaze of the firelight that made
+Mary's blue eyes shine?
+
+"See, Mary! Dick brought home this wood all of his own accord, and I've
+got nice and warm; and I've made a cup of tea ready against you came
+in. Why, child, how pale you look!"
+
+Mary's blue eyes, which had been shining in the firelight, were shining
+in tears now, the solicitude was so unexpected—and so sweet.
+
+"Thank you, mother," she said gratefully; "but where is Dick?"
+
+"Dick's gone out again to fetch in some more. Come right along and have
+a cup of this steaming tea. It will put some life into you, child!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Mary took the tea, and stood by the fire warming herself and looking
+down on her mother.
+
+"Are you better, then, mother?" she asked quietly.
+
+"I don't know as I am, my dear. But while you were out in the forest,
+and I sat thinkin' by those few embers, I kind of dreamed that I heard
+someone a-knockin' at the door. It was different from our neighbour's
+knock, and somehow I knew it wasn't her; and I sez, 'Come in, Lord,'
+afore I thought as this ain't no place to ask Him into."
+
+Mary looked up startled, while her mother went on—
+
+"And He said some words like these, which it seems to me as I've heard
+long ago, 'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My
+voice, and open the door, I will come in and sup with him, and he with
+Me."
+
+"How nice!" whispered Mary. Had her mother seen a vision of Jesus too?
+That Saviour who wept with the sorrowful, would He come in and sup with
+those who welcomed Him?
+
+She bent and kissed her mother's forehead.
+
+"So I seemed to wake from my dream, and I said, 'Lord Jesus, if you are
+knocking at my heart, I'm willing.'"
+
+Mary's eyes shone again.
+
+"I have not thought of these things as much as I ought," she went on
+musingly, "but there was a time when I did. Perhaps this illness, Mary,
+has been sent to lead me back to Him. If so, I'm glad on it!"
+
+That night when Mary went to bed, she knelt down in the moonlight and
+looked up to her pitiful Saviour, and thanked Him for letting her feel
+His sympathy, and for bearing her through so wonderfully.
+
+When she came down the next morning, Dick had already lighted the fire
+and set on the kettle.
+
+"Why, Dick!" she exclaimed.
+
+"Do you like it?" smiled her brother.
+
+"Oh, Dick, you can't think how a little thing is a help. Thank you so
+much."
+
+So they set about getting the breakfast together, and it took half the
+time, of course, to Mary's great satisfaction.
+
+They did all very quietly so as not to wake their mother in the next
+room. And when they sat down, Mary whispered, "Do you know, Dick, who
+it was, I think, that told you to help me?"
+
+Dick shook his head. "Nobody did," he said, stuffing a piece of bread
+into his mouth.
+
+"Ah, but I know better," said Mary, smiling; "and, Dick, I like to tell
+you, because He'll help you too—it was Jesus our Saviour, Dick!"
+
+
+
+IN THE PRISON.
+
+YOU have most of you heard the story of Joseph: how his jealous
+brothers sold him for a slave, and how he was carried away from his
+loving father to a country, a long way off, called Egypt.
+
+Yes, you smile and say you have heard all about Joseph: how God was
+with him and made him ruler over the land, and how his father and his
+brothers all came down to Egypt, and how he forgave his brothers and
+gave them nice fields for their flocks, and made them as happy as ever
+he could.
+
+But there is one thing which I wonder whether you have ever heard about
+Joseph.
+
+You ask what that can be, because you have read the history in Genesis
+so many times.
+
+This picture tells you what it is.
+
+In the 105th Psalm and the 17th and 18th verses we read: "He sent a man
+before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: whose feet they
+hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron."
+
+Now, I think this verse is a great comfort to people who are in any
+trouble.
+
+Perhaps you ask—Why? Because it tells me that though it was hundreds of
+years after when God told David to write that psalm, yet "God" had not
+forgotten that His faithful Joseph had been laid in iron and had his
+feet hurt with fetters.
+
+So it seems to me that there are numbers of places in the Bible which
+show us that God is watching over us all at all times; that whether our
+troubles are very great or very small, He notices them, and remembers
+them, and sends us deliverance out of them.
+
+Joseph was cast into prison and bound by his angry master, though he
+had done nothing wrong, yet God soon delivered him from the chains and
+fetters.
+
+We read that the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and made
+the keeper of the prison kind to Joseph, so that he began to trust him
+and gave him charge of the other prisoners, and whatever Joseph thought
+best to be done, they did.
+
+Joseph was in the prison for quite two years, but God was watching over
+him, and at the end of that time caused Pharaoh the king to have a
+wonderful dream; and he sent for Joseph to explain it to him.
+
+Perhaps you remember how Joseph had told Pharaoh's butler and baker the
+meanings of their dreams when they were in the prison with him? At any
+rate, when Pharaoh had his dream, the chief butler suddenly remembered
+how he had promised when he was set free to speak to the king about
+Joseph.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+So he asked Pharaoh to send for him, which he did. And God told Joseph
+all about the dream, and Pharaoh was so astonished and delighted that
+he released Joseph from prison, and made him a great ruler in the land
+of Egypt.
+
+See what it is to be "God's" servant!
+
+
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER XV.—HUNGER AND THIRST.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+MANY days had passed without bringing any news of Mark Dayál, but still
+his wife watched and prayed, believing that sooner or later she would
+see the answer to her second petition, as she had done to the first.
+
+In the meantime, the school had been opened and Mary installed as
+teacher. At first, it hardly seemed as if this could be work for God,
+teaching the alphabet to children who at first seemed to make no
+progress, and only wished to play and tear their books.
+
+When it came to the Scripture lesson, it was not much better; either
+they "could" not or "would" not remember, and every day the same thing
+had to be repeated.
+
+But as time went on, a change came. The teacher found that if "some"
+of her pupils were dull and stupid, "all" were not, and as she saw
+their faces beginning to brighten with interest, and their eagerness to
+answer the questions put to them, her courage began to rise.
+
+Perhaps one great secret of the change was this: Miss Elsemere came
+to the school one day, and seeing the teacher looking very depressed,
+and hearing her words of discouragement, she said as she was leaving,
+"Shall I tell you what has often helped me very much in my work? When
+I have had to teach those who seemed careless and indifferent, I have
+prayed,—
+
+   "'Lord, help me to love these children as Thou dost love them; give me
+love like Thine.'
+
+"And you know love makes everything easy."
+
+Having proved the help of prayer in other difficulties, Mary was quite
+ready to try it in this also. She was not disappointed, and as she
+began to love her little pupils, she wondered how she could ever have
+thought them dull and unlovable.
+
+But it was not only in her new work that Mary Dayál found that knowing
+Christ, and seeking to follow Him, had not changed the world in which
+she lived, though it had entirely changed her relationship towards it.
+Like Hira, she too proved that a soldier must fight, and many a hard
+battle she had to engage in.
+
+Like Hira, too, she turned to Shushila for help and guidance. Doubtless
+they both felt, without saying so, that one who lived so near to God
+must know His will and be able to help others to do it.
+
+One day Shushila found her friend looking more than usually downcast,
+and without waiting to hear the cause, asked, "What new trouble is it,
+Mary, which is making you look so sad to-day? Have the children been
+more troublesome than usual?"
+
+"Oh, no, it is not the children; I think they get better every day. It
+is myself I am troubled about, for I seem to get worse daily. I thought
+that when I let the Lord Jesus come into my heart, He would turn all
+the evil straight out, and I would find it quite easy to be good; but
+it is not so. I have been doing my own works so long that it is almost
+impossible to leave them off and do only His works, though I do want
+to."
+
+"That is just what Hira says," answered Shushila, "and I am sure all
+the followers of the Lord Jesus have to learn the same lesson. We have
+to find out our own utter weakness before we can prove the greatness of
+His power. It is not enough to commit ourselves to Him; we must also
+believe that He is able to 'keep' that which we commit.
+
+"It often seems to me that many of our difficulties arise from this,
+that we so little know and comprehend the unspeakable 'love' and
+'power' of our dear Lord. We are so inclined to think of Him as being
+like ourselves."
+
+Mary did not speak, so Shushila spoke again.
+
+"I have learnt so many new lessons since Hira came to live with us.
+She can do so little for herself, poor little one, and yet she is so
+anxious to that, she often gets into trouble.
+
+"Only to-day she wanted to take a message to my father alone. I let her
+go, but she fell and hurt herself; presently she came to my side, and
+slipping her hand in mine, said, 'Sister, you take me.' I thought, 'Is
+not that just how it often is with us and the Lord Jesus?' We try to go
+our way alone, and do what we have to do without Him. If we would only
+in the beginning, put our hand in His and say, 'Lord, do Thou take me,'
+He would indeed fulfil His promise and keep us from falling."
+
+Mary's face brightened as she said, "I am sure it was the Lord Himself
+who sent you to me this afternoon, for it just seemed as if I had come
+to such a difficult place that I could not go on any farther. Now I see
+that it does not so much matter if the place is difficult, if the Lord
+Jesus leads me over it."
+
+Then after a pause, she said again, "It seems as if I have so much to
+learn, because all my life I have been doing things and seeing others
+do them which I did not think were really sins, but now I see they must
+be for those who are called by the name of Christ and profess to follow
+Him."
+
+"What sort of things do you mean?" asked Shushila.
+
+Mary paused a minute, and then answered, "I feel almost ashamed to tell
+you, because you are so good, but I have never thought it any harm to
+tell a lie sometimes, if it seemed necessary, or to go into debt. And
+as for grumbling and complaining if things did not go right, or getting
+angry if others did not please me, why, I have done it constantly, and
+never thought I was sinning against God."
+
+"But what makes you think that these are sins now?" asked Shushila.
+
+Mary smiled as she said, "Knowing you for one thing, for I see quite
+plainly that you do not do them, and if they are not right for you,
+they cannot be for me either. Then, too, I read so much in the Bible
+which I never noticed before about being holy. I cannot think now how I
+could ever have thought that I could be a Christian and yet do just as
+I like."
+
+Shushila took up a Bible which was lying on the table, and opening it,
+read, "'The great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for
+us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself
+a people for His own possession, zealous of good works.' Whatever we
+or others may think it means to be a Christian, that tells us quite
+plainly what the Lord Jesus means by it, and why He gave Himself for
+us—not just to take us to heaven that we may be happy there, but 'to
+redeem us from all iniquity, and to make us a people for His own
+possession.'"
+
+"But that must mean after we get to heaven," said Mary.
+
+"I do not think it can mean that," answered Shushila, "because listen
+to what is written, 'For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing
+salvation to all men, instructing us to the intent that, denying
+ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, and righteously,
+and godly "in this present world," looking for the blessed hope and
+appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who
+gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and
+purify unto Himself a people for His own possession, zealous of good
+works.' You see, it says quite plainly what we are to be in 'this
+present world,' not at any future time."
+
+"But surely there are very few who do this," said Mary, with a sigh.
+
+"Then all the more reason that 'we' should," was the answer. "Does it
+not seem very sad that the dear Lord should not see the accomplishment
+of His purpose? We may be quite sure that nothing less will satisfy Him
+than that for which He gave Himself. 'He died to make us good.' Does
+not the thought make us long to be so?"
+
+Shushila found it was now time for her to return home, but she left a
+bright ray of light behind her. And as Mary thought over what had been
+said, she began to realise that what the Son of God had given Himself
+to accomplish, must be possible.
+
+Then there came to her mind a text she had often repeated in her
+childhood, but little understood the meaning of, "Blessed are they that
+hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled."
+
+With all her heart, she thanked God for the hunger and thirst of her
+own heart, which brought with it the blessed assurance of future
+satisfaction.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+THE RINGLEADERS.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+"THAT'S our master!" said Jim.
+
+"It isn't! He ain't a bit like that."
+
+"You do it better, then!" said Jim.
+
+"All right," said Ned, "so I will."
+
+He took the chalk, and, with his companion jeering at him all the time,
+he rubbed out the first attempt and accomplished a second, much to his
+own satisfaction.
+
+"Now I'll put him on his hat," exclaimed Jim, "and then we'll walk away
+and watch to see the old bird coming along. Won't he just be mad?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+There was a lot of loose wood piled up in the corner of their
+playground, which afforded delight to the boys at all times. Sometimes
+it served for a lion's den, at another for a castle, at another for a
+palace most rare and beautiful.
+
+To-day, as the two hastened towards it, their imagination made it into
+a cave in which fierce robbers lurked, and they stealthily made their
+way behind some of the slanting pieces, and crouched down to watch for
+their victim.
+
+It seemed a long ten minutes, and their patience was almost exhausted.
+They could hear the other boys racing and tearing and shouting in the
+field on the other side of the wall; and they almost thought of giving
+it up and joining the more lively game beyond.
+
+Just as they had reached this conclusion, and were whispering it to
+each other, the head master came out into the empty playground. He
+glanced round, and then slowly began to pace up and down in the shade,
+his head bent and his hands clasped behind him.
+
+"He's up to mischief," said Jim.
+
+"No, he ain't; that's the way he walks mostly when he's thinkin'. He's
+not a bad sort," said Ned.
+
+"N-o-o," assented Jim; "if you don't come across 'im too much. Hush—"
+
+The master turned their way, and walked straight to where their sketch
+stood out boldly in the sun. The master came to a stand in front of it,
+and still he kept his quiet hands clasped behind him. Then he walked
+briskly towards the wood pile.
+
+Jim and Ned shook in their shoes, or would have if they had had them.
+But Ned bethought himself that he had done no wrong. And when the
+master peeped down beneath the boards, his eyes met a candid pair of
+brown ones that somehow touched his heart with a sort of tender stab.
+
+"Hullo!" he said. "What are you two doing here?"
+
+Jim was covered with confusion, and could think of no ready answer.
+
+But Ned, still looking into his master's face, added naïvely, "We was
+waitin' for someone, sir—"
+
+"I suppose it is meant for me," said the master, smiling slightly.
+"Nobody else wears a hat quite like mine. Was it meant for a
+compliment?"
+
+He sat down on one of the logs, and took Ned's soiled little hand in
+his. "You are the two boys who love to be called pickles! I was wanting
+to ask you both if you'd be my right-hand boys. I once had one such as
+you," he said, glancing at Ned, "and I wish I had him now, pickles and
+all!"
+
+After that, the head master had no firmer friends than Jim and Ned,
+and somehow, when the ringleaders in mischief turned good, the rest
+followed.
+
+The master never forgot that pair of brown eyes, and years afterwards,
+Ned became his greatest comfort, as his love that day had been Ned's
+greatest help.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER XVI.—HOME AT LAST.
+
+MONTH after month glided quietly on, till a year had elapsed since Mark
+Dayál left his home.
+
+His children had almost forgotten the time when they had a father—all
+except Reuben, who had grown a tall, manly boy, and was the chief help
+and support of his mother.
+
+Those who spoke of the missing man shook their heads and whispered
+mysteriously that there must have been more in his disappearance than
+they had imagined; if he were living, he would surely have sent some
+news of himself before this.
+
+Mary heard nothing of these hints and suspicions, and it was well for
+her she did not. In spite of her faith that God would hear and answer
+her prayer, her heart sometimes failed her, and she grew weary of the
+long waiting and watching.
+
+It was true that this year of sorrow and anxiety had also been one of
+great blessing; that was evident to all.
+
+The family had been obliged to move into a smaller house, at a lower
+rent, but it was kept so much more clean and tidy that no one could
+regret the change. Mary herself in her busy life, teaching her school
+and looking after her own children, could hardly be recognised as
+the untidy, discontented woman who had done so little in past days.
+The children too, though it needed more than a year to correct the
+negligence and bad management of former years, were learning to be
+obedient and less self-willed.
+
+The heavy burden of debt under which it would have been almost
+impossible for the lonely wife to have made her way had been taken off
+her by the united efforts of several kind friends on condition that
+nothing should ever induce her to go into debt again.
+
+To this Mary readily agreed, especially when it was pointed out to her
+that "Owe no man anything" is one of the commands of God's Word, and
+cannot be broken by His own obedient children.
+
+Harnáth Singh had undertaken the education of Reuben, while another
+friend had shown the same kindness to Julius, the second boy. And thus
+the burden had been lightened, and with great care, it was possible for
+Mary to provide for the needs of her family.
+
+The school had prospered under her charge, and as she listened to the
+children joining eagerly in Christian hymns and repeating texts so
+willingly, and realised that only a year ago they had not even heard
+the name of Christ, she thanked God for having given her the honour
+and privilege of making known His great salvation to these little ones
+outside the fold.
+
+If it had not been for the cloud which always rested on her heart and
+life on account of her husband, Mary Dayál would have counted herself a
+much-favoured and happy woman.
+
+One day she was returning home from school, when, just as she reached
+her door, a postman came up, "Can you tell me anything of a Mrs.
+Dayál?" he asked. "Here is a letter with that name, but the address
+does not seem to be right, for I cannot find it anywhere."
+
+"I am Mrs. Dayál," said Mary, her heart beginning to beat. Could it be
+that news had come at last?
+
+She held out her hand for the letter and recognised her husband's
+handwriting at once.
+
+The postman, relieved at having found the rightful owner, went on his
+rounds, while Mary turned into her house, and with eager hands opened
+the much-longed-for letter.
+
+Her hands trembled so that she could hardly read it, and the letters
+seemed to dance before her eyes. Gradually she became calmer and was
+able to read what was written.
+
+   "MY DEAR WIFE,
+
+   "I am almost ashamed to write the word because I feel I no longer
+deserve to call myself your husband, and that is one reason why I am
+writing this letter instead of coming myself. Another reason is that I
+cannot come to be a burden on you. After these many days of silence, my
+own fault I know, the other day I heard news of you and my children,
+and from what I heard, I know that my going away did you no harm, but
+rather good.
+
+   "I am told that my wife has become so good and industrious that I
+should hardly know her, and my children so well-behaved and obedient
+that they are favourites with all. I might tell you that I am changed
+too; but how will you trust me when I have so often deceived you? I
+shrink from coming to the home which 'you' have made for yourself and
+the children. I would rather make a home to which I could fetch you,
+but that may take time, and there is much I want to tell you.
+
+   "First of all, I ask you to forgive me for forsaking you as I did, and
+I leave it for you to decide whether I shall return.
+
+                   "Your affectionate husband,
+
+                                       "MARK DAYÁL."
+
+By the time Mary had finished her letter, she could hardly see for
+tears, but they were tears of joy, not of sorrow. Was not this letter
+a proof that her prayer had been answered? What but the grace of God
+could have transformed her husband so as to make him write a letter
+like this?—He who had always been so quick to blame her, but never
+himself.
+
+No time must be lost in sending an answer. And though writing materials
+were not abundant or often used in this house, a sheet of paper was
+found, and the few words necessary quickly written.
+
+   "MY DEAR HUSBAND,
+
+   "Come home as quickly as you can. I forgive you all; please forgive me
+too. The new house is very near the old one.
+
+                 "Your loving wife,
+
+                            "MARY DAYÁL."
+
+Just as the letter was finished, Reuben came in and was at once
+despatched to buy a stamp and post the letter.
+
+"It is to your father; he is coming home," was all the explanation
+given to the astonished boy as he was hurried off on his errand.
+
+It was difficult for Mary to give her mind to her work the next day.
+However much she tried to keep her attention to what she was teaching,
+she constantly found herself wondering by what train her husband would
+arrive, and would she be there to receive him.
+
+Happily for her, Miss Elsemere paid a visit to the school that day,
+which relieved her for a time and also gave her an opportunity to say,
+"I am expecting my husband home to-morrow."
+
+Miss Elsemere knew enough of the teacher's story to understand how much
+that one sentence meant, and her heart went out in loving sympathy to
+the wife who had borne her grief so bravely.
+
+"Then you must have a holiday," she said at once; "so do not think of
+coming to school, and I will arrange for someone to take your place."
+
+This removed a great difficulty, and as Mary saw her pupils depart and
+started for home, she felt she was now free to give herself up to the
+thought of meeting her husband and hearing all he had to tell her.
+
+"How much 'I' shall have to tell," she thought to herself; "and even if
+he has not yet come back to God, surely when he hears of all the Lord's
+goodness to me and the children, it will touch his heart and bring him
+back."
+
+But something seemed to tell her that her husband, like herself,
+was already "a new creature in Christ Jesus." Had not this been her
+constant prayer all through the year? And why should she not believe
+that it had been heard and answered?
+
+Very little sleep came to Mary Dayál that night. And when it was still
+scarcely morning, she was awake and active, for it might be that the
+traveller would arrive by some very early train.
+
+When school-time came, the children begged that they might have a
+holiday as well as their mother, and so all the family waited in
+readiness to welcome the father home.
+
+It proved to be a long wait, and when four o'clock came and still no
+arrival, Mary's heart began to sink. Perhaps the letter had not been
+received, or she had not said enough to show that he would be welcomed
+back.
+
+Suddenly the door opened, and the long-expected wanderer was present in
+their midst.
+
+In a moment, Mary saw how much her husband must have suffered during
+those days of absence; he looked so thin and ill, and at least ten
+years older than when he went away. But the change in his words and
+manner was even greater than that in his appearance, and again came the
+thought, "What but the grace of God can have accomplished this?"
+
+The children, who had forgotten so much of the past and felt no fear of
+this quiet, gentle man, clustered round him, while baby Rose very soon
+held out her arms, and claimed the place of honour.
+
+It was just as well that the little ones were so ready to talk, for
+their parents found their hearts too full to say very much at present,
+and each was longing to hear the story the other had to tell, but as
+yet there was no opportunity.
+
+For some months, Mary had made it a custom to gather her children round
+her after the evening meal, and read and pray with them.
+
+As the time drew near, she began to wonder what she should do. She felt
+too shy to pray before her husband, and yet she could not be quite sure
+that he would be willing to take her place if she asked him.
+
+Reuben solved the problem. It was always his part to fetch his mother
+the Bible; this evening, he hesitated a moment, and then handing it to
+his father, said, "Will you read to-night, father?"
+
+Mark Dayál took the book with a look of surprise and pleasure, and
+after turning over the leaves, began to read Psalm ciii.
+
+Then they knelt down, and as Mary heard her husband pray, she knew
+without the shadow of a doubt that her own prayer had been answered.
+These were not the words of one going his own way and seeking to do
+his own will, but rather the reconciled and forgiven son telling out
+the gratitude of his heart to the loving Father who had so wonderfully
+cared for and guided His children.
+
+As Mark's prayer ended, Mary's heart was too full to remain silent, and
+she added her petition and thanksgiving to that of her husband, and so
+it came to pass that each learnt of the change in the other, and of the
+blessing received, as they knelt at the feet of Him who had done so
+much for them.
+
+As they rose from their knees, Maggie whispered, "Sometimes we sing a
+hymn; would you like to hear us, father?"
+
+A ready consent was given, and after a little discussion, "mother's
+most favourite one" was chosen. And so the first message which Mark
+Dayál heard from his children's lips was the one which had gone home
+with such power to the heart of his wife. As they heard together the
+words—
+
+   "Oh, dearly, dearly, has He loved,
+      And we must love Him too,
+    And trust in His redeeming blood,
+      And try His works to do—"
+
+each determined afresh that, because of that great redeeming love which
+had done so much for them, they would, with all their hearts, and to
+their life's end, "try His works to do."
+
+
+
+LOOKING FOR FATHER'S BOAT.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+"COME along, Hans!" said his sister, pushing back the bowl which had
+held his porridge. "What a time you have been!"
+
+Hans looked rather discomfited. He glanced at his spoon, and then at
+the empty bowl, taken so far away, and finally deciding that it was
+very unpleasant to be spoken to so roughly, he began to cry.
+
+"Hullo!" exclaimed his sister sharply. "What's that for? You leave off,
+or you'll get a slap, I tell you!"
+
+She paused abruptly, for slowly and painfully their invalid mother was
+making her way into the kitchen, and Minette had not intended her to
+hear such talk as that.
+
+The mother bent over her little boy, and kissed his forehead, and then
+stood smoothing his hair with her thin white fingers. Minette often
+thought how white they were for a working woman.
+
+She did not speak, but her presence soothed both her children—the
+eldest and the youngest. Hans left off his sobs, and Minette busied
+herself in finding her bonnet and a fish basket, preparatory to going
+down to meet her father's boat.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Run outside, Hans," said their mother's gentle voice, "and Minette
+will come in a minute."
+
+The girl moved towards the door, but a gesture from her mother stopped
+her.
+
+The child ran out, and their mother sat down by the fire and beckoned
+her daughter to her side.
+
+"What is it, dear?" she asked, raising her eyes anxiously to the
+clouded face above her.
+
+"Nothing," answered Minette, abruptly.
+
+"Nothing, when you treat your good little brother so?" asked her
+mother. "What if I were not here, Minette?"
+
+Minette felt a great inward pang, but she replied gruffly, "You're
+always fancying things, mother! One can't be sweet all the time—at
+least, I can't—and Hans has been half an hour over his porridge, and
+you said he must not go till it was done."
+
+"Well?" asked her mother, gently.
+
+"Well! I wanted to go quickly," said Minette, frowning, "and Hans
+always spoils everything. You're so faddy with him, mother! It would
+not have hurt him to go a little short for once—"
+
+"I think he would often go short if it were left to you, dear," said
+her mother, patiently. She ceased to look up, for her eyes were
+filling, and she could not.
+
+"May I go?" asked Minette, edging towards the door.
+
+"Yes, dear," answered her mother. "Someday, you will understand how
+patient we have to be with the little ones—"
+
+And then Minette took Hans by the hand, and they went to the shore,
+while the wind blew in their faces and moaned round the boats.
+
+The fishing boats were long in coming, and Minette had time to think
+over her mother's words. Surely "she" had had patience shown her all
+those twenty years she had lived in that little cottage! Could she not
+bear with her little brother?
+
+"Poor mother," she thought, with fresh tenderness, "poor, dear, mother!
+How hard it must be to be so ill, and to know that she'll have to leave
+little Hans to—such as me! But when I go back, I will kiss her and tell
+her I'm sorry, and that I'll never behave so again—never!"
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Eileen stood and waited under the lych gate.]
+
+Under the Lych Gate.
+
+[Illustration] THERE were voices in the doctor's hall, and Eileen
+Lanyon sprang from her seat and opened the drawing-room door to peep
+out. Was it her father at last?
+
+But no! A tall, awkward boy stood there facing the old housekeeper.
+There was a pitiful ring in his voice, though it was angry too.
+
+"I tell you it'll be too late!" he said. "Can't ye tell me where I'll
+find the doctor? My mother's dying! The doctor might save her."
+
+"I don't know!" said the housekeeper's voice. "I can't say what I don't
+know, I s'pose."
+
+"Then it will be too late!" The boy turned away, and the housekeeper
+went back to her kitchen grumbling. "It's all nonsense about dying,"
+she muttered; "it's all dying if their little finger aches. They'll
+kill the doctor between 'em."
+
+Eileen shut the drawing-room door and pondered. Where was her father?
+Why, he had said he would finish putting up the Christmas motto in the
+church at five o'clock! Like a flash, she was across the hall and had
+flung open the front door. But the boy was gone. Nothing but the white
+snow and the dark, bare trees lay between her and the road. It was
+getting dark, and only the red sunset still lingered in the west, but
+Eileen's resolution was taken. She would go down to the church herself
+and tell her father. She could still hear Dick Donovan's despairing
+"Too late!"
+
+In three minutes, Eileen was dressed and on her way. Such a little girl
+to be out alone on that snowy Christmas Eve! However, the loneliness
+did not daunt Eileen.
+
+But the church was still and dark. Evidently her father had not come
+yet. Eileen stood and waited under the lych gate. How lonely it was!
+How still! Eileen's heart seemed to stand still as the trees creaked in
+the breeze. Once she turned to rush home, but then the thought of Mrs.
+Donovan checked her, and she looked up into the quiet sky. After all,
+Christ, whose birthday they would celebrate to-morrow, was near her. No
+harm could happen to her, and He could keep Mrs. Donovan alive till her
+father could come.
+
+So busy was she with this thought that she did not hear her father's
+step till he spoke her name: "Why Eileen!"
+
+She sprang into his arms and poured out her story, and the doctor went
+at once.
+
+Late that night, when the Christmas bells were pealing joyfully, the
+doctor bent over Eileen's bed.
+
+"Mrs. Donovan is saved," he whispered. "Half an hour later and I should
+have been too late."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+"ME TOO."
+
+THE glory of the setting sun streamed across the wide sea, and one long
+ray crept through a port-hole in a ship and lit up a tiny cabin.
+
+In the narrow berth, a young seaman lay dying, and he spoke to the
+sailor who knelt beside him.
+
+"The sun's setting," he said. "I'd have liked to die at home, but it
+doesn't matter now—I'm nearly home, John. Ask Sandy Miller to see me
+before I go."
+
+John rose obediently and passed out of the little cabin, but he felt
+it was on a fruitless errand, and he wished George had been satisfied
+to die without asking for Sandy. George had been no favourite with the
+elderly Scotchman, and if Sandy had an enemy—well, the enemy was apt to
+have an unpleasant time, and George had had no peace since the day when
+he had openly confessed before the men that he was a Christian.
+
+And now George was dying—they had hoped to reach England before the end
+came, but the disease had come with a gallop, and he would not see home
+again. He had always been John's "protégé," but John was astonished now
+to see how the other sailors rallied round George. They nursed him,
+watched by him, read his little Bible to him, and vied with each other
+in serving him; and yet he was the youngest and most insignificant on
+board, and he had dared to speak to each of his Saviour.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Sandy alone never visited the lad, Sandy alone never asked of his
+welfare, and now George had begged for him to be fetched.
+
+Sandy leant on a rail watching the setting sun. He started as John
+touched him.
+
+"What do you want?" Sandy growled.
+
+"George is dying, and he wants to see you," said John briefly.
+
+Sandy's face turned to a dull red. "Let him die," he shouted hoarsely.
+"How dare you come to me with his messages? Let him die, and the sooner
+the better; there'll be one less to ask if you're saved. Saved, indeed!
+I wish I had thrown him overboard before he asked me."
+
+He flung off John's hand and turned his back.
+
+Well might he wish that he had thrown George overboard before the lad
+spoke about his soul's salvation, for not one minute's peace had Sandy
+had since.
+
+John went away, and Sandy leaned on his rail and watched the sinking
+sun. A sort of hush came over the ship, and he knew that George was
+dead. And if he were, where was he gone, and what made him happy to go
+into that unknown world?
+
+Sandy shivered as his eyes followed the pathway of crimson that
+stretched away to the far-off sun. What a long way away heaven was! And
+how could one be sure of going there?
+
+Then like a whisper of the sea wind came back to his memory the words
+George had said that day he spoke to Sandy: "This Man receiveth
+sinners."
+
+And Sandy's proud heart bowed itself.
+
+"Me too, Lord," he whispered. "I have been a sinner and a rebel all
+these many years, but if I'm not too bad, take me and make me clean."
+
+And somehow a sweet assurance that Christ Jesus had accepted him came
+to his heart.
+
+Sandy did not keep his change of heart to himself. That very night, he
+told his mates that he was a Christian like George now. And when he had
+done speaking, one by one his mates rose up and shook his rough hand.
+
+"George has done us all good," they said.
+
+
+
+"MASTER, REBUKE THY DISCIPLES."
+
+WHEN the time was getting very close for the Lord Jesus to be
+crucified—that He might die for our sins instead of us—He went up to
+Jerusalem, willingly going among the Jews who, He knew, would take Him
+and kill Him. He did all this because He loved us so very much.
+
+As He got near to the city, He sent on two of His disciples to find a
+colt for Him to ride on.
+
+Jesus knew everything beforehand, and He told them just where the colt
+was tied and what they should say to the man to whom it belonged.
+
+This man must have loved Jesus, for directly the disciples said "The
+Lord hath need of him," he let the colt go at once.
+
+No one had ever ridden that colt before, but Jesus, the Lord of Glory,
+did not have any trouble with him. They put their garments on him for a
+saddle, and Jesus sat on him, and so they went along towards the city.
+
+The people who had been healed, and who had seen some of the wonderful
+things Jesus had done, began to rejoice very much as they saw Him
+riding there so gentle and lowly, and with such tender compassion in
+His face.
+
+They ran before Him, casting down their clothes for Him to ride over.
+Others cut down branches of trees and strewed them along the path;
+while even the children ran along by His side shouting, "Hosanna!
+Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord."
+
+And the whole multitude, as they went down the hill from the Mount of
+Olives, began to praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works
+which they had seen.
+
+But some of the Jews were very displeased indeed, and they asked Jesus
+to stop His disciples.
+
+But Jesus told them that if the disciples were to hold their peace the
+very stones would cry out for joy.
+
+And why do you think that was? Because He was coming to save us.
+
+ "He knew how wicked men had been;   | So out of pity Jesus said
+  He knew that God must punish sin;  | He'd bear the punishment instead."
+
+Do you feel, children, that you wish you were good, or that you are
+sorry that you did something that was naughty, perhaps to-day, or
+yesterday, or a long time ago?
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Well then, think of His love in dying for you, and be comforted.
+
+You can say to yourself: "Jesus came to save even me. He lived on this
+earth for thirty-three years, and at last died on the cross that I
+might be forgiven and made God's happy, holy child."
+
+There is a very short little prayer that you can pray every day:
+
+   "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."
+
+That little prayer has made little children, and old people too, so
+happy. For if we ask God from our hearts to wash us in our Saviour's
+precious blood, we shall be whiter than snow, and we "shall" be ready
+to go and be with Him in heaven.
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER XVII.—ANOTHER PRODIGAL SON.
+
+WHEN the children, in spite of the excitement of the day, had at last
+fallen asleep—all except Reuben, who had his lessons to prepare for the
+next day—Mark Dayál proposed to his wife that they should go and sit on
+the roof, where they could talk together without disturbing anyone, or
+being overheard, and Mary was only too glad to comply.
+
+The first question to be settled was, which was to be the first to
+relate the story of the past year.
+
+The wife insisted that Mark must have his turn first, because, she
+said, "You can see that we are all quite well and have not suffered,
+but when I look at you, I know that you must have gone through much
+trouble and distress, and I long to hear all about it."
+
+Mark could not deny his wife's words, and consented to tell his story
+first, which shall be related as he told it.
+
+"I expect you soon guessed why it was that I went away—that once more I
+had lost my employment and felt ashamed to come home and confess it.
+
+"I was angry with my master, and spoke rudely to him, so he dismissed
+me at once, saying that he already had had no intention of keeping me.
+
+"I felt still more angry then, and I thought, What would be the use
+of going home to be scolded by you and hear the children crying for
+food? You had had trouble enough with me, now I would see how you would
+get on without me. So I determined to go away. I had no intention of
+staying away so long, or of sending no news. I thought I should soon
+find work elsewhere, and then I would send you word where I was and
+what I was doing.
+
+"But the time never seemed to come when I could give a good report of
+myself. If I found work, I lost it again sooner than ever. I just lived
+from hand to mouth, and every day my condition seemed to get worse.
+
+"I could not write and tell you this, so I thought I had better not
+write at all. Then I began to think it would be better if I never
+wrote. It was much better that you should have no husband than a bad
+one, and that the children should have no father than such a one as I
+was.
+
+"I knew that you had good friends in Harnáth Singh and his brother, and
+that they would never let you starve; indeed, they would find it far
+easier to help you when I was out of the way.
+
+"So the time passed on, and more and more I became weary of my life and
+weary of myself. I did not always stay at the same place; again and
+again I persuaded some kind person to pay my fare to another town, on
+the plea that if I could only get there, I was sure of obtaining work.
+But it was not often that my hopes were realised.
+
+"In this way month after month passed by, till at last I felt as I
+think one must do who has fallen into some deep pit.
+
+"I was sinking, sinking lower and lower; below me was ever dense
+darkness and above me appeared no gleam of light.
+
+"I little thought that my very depth of need was to bring me
+deliverance.
+
+"During all those days of want and misery, I had very seldom been
+inside a church.
+
+"At first, I did not care whether I went or not, for I had hard
+thoughts against God, and considered that He had favoured me less than
+others, and less than I deserved.
+
+"Later on, if I had wanted to go, I should have felt ashamed. My
+clothes were so old and ragged, and, as you know, I had always liked to
+'look' tidy and respectable, whatever I might be.
+
+"That particular Sunday I was going to tell you about, I felt more than
+usually wretched and miserable. I was really ill, although I did not
+know it, and if I was ill in body, I was still more so in mind.
+
+"Then I heard the church bells begin to ring, and suddenly it came into
+my mind, 'I will go into the church to-day.' I know now that it was God
+who sent that thought to me.
+
+"I never considered how I looked, I had got past caring about that;
+besides, no one would know me. So I started in the direction the sound
+of the bells seemed to come from, for this was a strange place to me,
+and I had never seen the church. When I tried to walk, I found how weak
+I was, but though I had to stop and rest every now and then, still I
+kept on—something seemed to say that I 'must' get to that church.
+
+"At last I arrived, but the service had begun, so I just slipped into a
+seat at the back, where I thought no one would see me. At first I was
+too tired to take much notice of anything, and though someone was kind
+enough to offer me a prayer-book, I felt too weak to stand up and join
+in the service. Suddenly I found my attention drawn to what was going
+on; before that I had only been thinking about myself and my own misery.
+
+"A young man from the congregation was reading the Second Lesson, and
+as he read, I could not help listening, every word sounded so real. It
+was not that he was reading any thing new and strange; it was only the
+story of the Prodigal Son, of which I had learnt every word by heart
+when I was a boy at school.
+
+"But somehow as I listened that Sunday morning, it seemed as if I was
+hearing my own story, as if I was that very prodigal son myself.
+
+"I could just see that poor fellow in his rags and hunger, having come
+to the end of everything, and he was a perfect picture of myself. As
+I heard the words, 'Father, I have sinned against Heaven and in thy
+sight,' I just caught another sight of myself which I had never seen
+before. I was no longer the poor, unfortunate, ill-used man, to be
+pitied and helped, but I was a guilty sinner before God, bearing a name
+which I had no right to, and bringing dishonour on Him whom it ought to
+have been my greatest delight to honour and obey.
+
+"My life, so full of sin and failure, passed before me, and in my
+shame and sorrow of heart, I forgot to think of my physical weakness
+and misery. Surely it was God who drew me to that church that Sunday
+morning and then met me there.
+
+"It would have been well for me if I had said then and there, 'I will
+arise and go to my Father'; but though I heard the words, I did not
+make them my own. Surely I was the son in the far-off country, but I
+had no strength to turn my steps towards the Father's house.
+
+"I don't remember anything of the rest of the service; I had heard my
+message, and nothing else mattered to me.
+
+"The closing hymn had been sung, the last prayer read; then the
+congregation began to disperse, but still I sat on. I seemed to have no
+strength left to get up and go away.
+
+"By-and-by, someone came and touched my arm and said, 'Brother, I fear
+you are ill. Can I do anything to help you?'
+
+"I lifted my head and saw that it was the young man who had read the
+Second Lesson, which had so much impressed me, who was standing by my
+side.
+
+"'Yes, I am ill,' I answered with some difficulty; and then I could say
+no more, I was too faint and dizzy.
+
+"I hardly know what happened next; I heard voices which seemed to me
+far away in the distance, then I felt a strong arm put round me, and I
+was led out of the church. After that came a perfect blank, of which I
+can tell nothing.
+
+"One day I came back to life and found myself lying on a bed in a
+strange house. At first I thought I was quite alone. But after a while,
+I heard a sound as of someone moving about, and presently a man came in
+sight.
+
+"I was still more puzzled, for I knew I had never seen him before, and
+had no idea as to who he was. He did not notice that I was watching him
+till he came to my side with a cup of soup, then he looked very pleased
+and surprised.
+
+"I drank the soup without a word, for I felt too weak to talk, though I
+longed to ask where I was and what had happened.
+
+"Then I fell asleep, and was awaked by the sound of voices. And when I
+opened my eyes, I saw standing by my bedside, not only the man who had
+given me the soup, but also the young man who had read the lesson in
+church.
+
+"I soon found that he must be a doctor, for he felt my pulse and asked
+many questions about me. He evidently thought me much better and seemed
+very pleased. Then, turning to the other man, he said, 'You will be
+willing for him to go to the hospital now? He is so much better that it
+will be quite easy.'
+
+"'Why should he go to the hospital,' was the answer, 'now that he is
+getting well? In a few days, there will be nothing wrong with him.'
+
+"'You are an obstinate man, Sath Guru Dàs,' said the young doctor, 'and
+evidently determined to have your own way, so I suppose I must let you
+keep your patient. You have done a good deal towards saving his life,
+so it is only right you should.'
+
+"I said nothing, but I wondered more than ever what it could all mean.
+
+"When the doctor had left, I called the other man, whose name I found
+was Sath Guru Dàs, to my side and asked him to tell me what it all
+meant, and how I came to be there.
+
+"Then he said, 'When you came into church last Sunday, I saw you, and
+I thought to myself, "That is some brother in trouble." I watched you
+all through the service, and felt sure that you must be very ill and
+weak. When the congregation left and you still sat on in your place, I
+asked the young doctor who was here just now to come and speak to you.
+He said you were very ill, and as my house was close by, we brought you
+here, and here you have stayed.'
+
+"'Why did you not take me to the hospital?' I asked.
+
+"After a pause my new friend answered, 'That I can hardly tell myself,
+only I think the Lord must have put it into my heart to bring you here
+and care for you myself. Perhaps some day we may understand why it was.'
+
+"Then I said, 'If you had known what a worthless fellow I am, you would
+never have taken me in.'
+
+"There was a tone of rebuke in his voice as he said, 'Brother, you are
+worth so much that the dear Lord came down from heaven and gave His
+life on the cross for you; that which cost Him so much can never be
+worthless to His followers.'"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+SUNDAY LESSONS.
+
+[Illustration: Gladys is the little teacher.]
+
+ IT is peaceful Sunday morning,   |  'Tis the story of the shepherd,
+   Stillness in the air,          |     Who his lambs doth guide,
+ Only all the birds are making    |  In the pastures green and happy
+   Music everywhere.              |     By the waterside.
+                                  |
+ In the nursery too are voices,   |  Gladys is the little teacher,
+   Earnest, low and sweet,        |     Bob the scholar small,
+ As the children to each other    |  And the Shepherd is the Saviour,
+   Holy words repeat.             |     Who has loved us all.
+
+
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.—THE FATHER'S HOUSE.
+
+[Illustration] "AFTER that I did not answer, but I lay and thought. Of
+course I knew all about the life and death of Christ; indeed, I know it
+so well that it had become like an old story to me. I had never doubted
+that Christ gave His life to save the world, but this man seemed to single
+me out as if it had been only for me that the great sacrifice was made.
+
+"Then there came back to me the words I had heard read in the church,
+and how I had felt myself to be the prodigal son who had wandered far
+away from the Father's house.
+
+"I was too weak to think it all out, but this much I knew and
+understood, that I had sinned against Heaven and in God's sight; and
+now here was another great fact, heard from the lips of the man who
+had taken me, a needy stranger, into his own house: 'The dear Lord
+came down from heaven and gave His life on the cross for you.' If it
+was true I was a great sinner, it was true also that there was a great
+Saviour.
+
+"From that day, I began to improve rapidly. The young doctor came to
+see me regularly, and Sath Guru Dàs never seemed to weary of attending
+to me.
+
+"I used to look at that man and wonder what made him so different to
+other men. I could see that he had not had much education, for it was
+with difficulty that he could spell out the words of his Bible, which
+he seemed to love to read. Another thing I noticed was that he seemed
+to do nothing without praying about it first; I got to know that when
+he went away and left me, as he did sometimes quite suddenly, it was
+that he might go into a little room alone and pray. And so I began to
+understand that this man, who in himself was neither clever, nor great,
+nor better than others, possessed a wonderful power, because he lived
+his life with God and in constant touch with Him.
+
+"One day I overheard him as he was praying say,—
+
+   "'O Lord, reveal Thyself unto this poor, sad heart, that he may know
+what a Saviour he has in Thee, and let him go away from here to live a
+new life in Thy strength.'
+
+"I cannot tell you how it touched me to hear this stranger praying for
+me so earnestly, and my own heart said,—
+
+   "'O Lord, reveal Thyself to me.'
+
+"I believe that was the first time I had ever 'really' prayed.
+
+"I found that my new friend was a colporteur, and as soon as I was well
+enough to be left, he began to go his rounds with his books to sell.
+
+"One evening he said to me, 'Brother, do you feel well enough to read a
+little? I am but a poor reader myself, but I love to be read to.'
+
+"Of course I said I was quite willing, and asked what I should read.
+
+"He brought me a New Testament in Hindi, and pointing to Luke xv. said,
+'Will you read that, brother?'
+
+"I felt quite startled when I saw what it was. It seemed almost as if
+he must have known what had been in my mind during those days.
+
+"I began to read, but as I read on, it became more and more difficult.
+The words almost seemed to choke me, and my voice trembled again and
+again.
+
+"As I read the sentence 'He arose and came to his father,' Sath Guru
+Dàs suddenly put his hand on mine, and said in a voice almost of
+entreaty, 'Brother, will you?'
+
+"I was wholly taken by surprise. What did this stranger know about
+me, that he should understand that I was like the son in the far-off
+country? It was true that 'I' knew, but how should 'he?'
+
+"I determined then that I would hide nothing from this true friend, who
+had done so much to save my life, and was now praying for my salvation.
+So I said, 'Brother, I will tell you all, and you shall judge whether I
+am fit to be received into the Father's house.'
+
+"He answered, 'Brother, it is not a question of your fitness, but of
+the Father's love; but tell me all.'
+
+"Then I told him the story of my life, and you may be sure that I did
+not try to make myself out any better than I was.
+
+"When I finished, he said, 'Brother, one thing I am quite sure of—that
+you are just the very one the Lord Jesus spoke of when He said, "The
+Son of Man is come to seek and to find that which was lost." You are so
+altogether lost that none but He "could" find you. He has followed you
+into the "far country," and now, don't you hear His voice calling you
+home to the Father's house?'
+
+"I could not deny his words. Surely it was nothing less than a divine
+hand which had been leading me on step by step till I stood at the very
+threshold of God's kingdom.
+
+"I could not turn back, and so I arose and came to my Father.
+
+"I need not tell you that I was not turned away; that, as I had seen I
+was like the son in the parable, so I found that the loving, forgiving
+father who ran and fell on his son's neck and kissed him was a picture
+of God Himself.
+
+"I found, too, that the son wandering in the far-off country, ragged
+and hungry and weary, was just a new man altogether when he came into
+the father's house and was clothed and fed and loved. It was indeed
+true 'old things had passed away, and all things had become new.'"
+
+"Thank God!" said Mary earnestly as she listened to her husband's
+words. And then, after a pause, she asked, "And did you find out who
+your friend was, and why he had been so good to you, a stranger?"
+
+"There was not much to find out," was the answer. "He was only a
+poor ignorant man, as this world would call him, who had only been a
+Christian for a few years, but I feel sure he is a prince in God's
+kingdom, and will have a seat very near his Master in the coming glory.
+It was for the love of that same Master, he took me in and served me so
+faithfully. And when I expressed my wonder at his goodness to me, he
+only said, 'Brother, it was for the dear Lord's sake. What am I here in
+this world for unless it be to do His work? It is what He himself would
+have done, only far more; and what right have we to be called by His
+name if we do not follow in His steps?'
+
+"The next day he said to me, 'Brother, what are you going to do now?'
+
+"I had not made any plans or thought what I would do; indeed, my heart
+was so full of joy and thanksgiving that my sins had been forgiven
+and I received by the Father, that I had not thought much of earthly
+things. But my friend's words made me think, and of course I knew that
+I could not continue where and as I was.
+
+"So we talked things over, and as I shrank from coming back to be a
+burden to you, we decided that I should wait a few days and gain a
+little more strength, for I was still very weak. What astonished me
+very much was to see the joy of both Sath Guru Dàs and the young doctor
+over the change which had been wrought in me. If their own brother had
+been raised from the dead, I do not think they could have been more
+glad.
+
+"But I must not tell you any more, for mine has been a long story; and
+now tell me yours."
+
+So Mary told what had befallen her, which we already know. And as
+she finished, her husband exclaimed, "Now I see it all as plain
+as daylight; you were praying hard, in the dark, as it were, not
+even knowing whether I was dead or alive, and God was listening and
+answering, and leading me step by step on the path which was to bring
+me home to Himself."
+
+Then together the husband and wife afresh prayed for forgiveness for
+all the sins of the past, especially for the great sin of forgetting
+Him who had so manifested His love for them. Together they gave thanks
+for the great salvation which had become theirs, and gave themselves
+anew to be His for ever who had endured the cross for their sakes.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+Jesus Looked round about upon all Things.
+
+AFTER the Lord had been brought in triumph into Jerusalem, and after
+the multitudes had done crying out, "Hosanna to the Son of David!"
+Jesus entered into the Temple. And it tells us in the Gospel of Mark
+that "He looked round about upon all things."
+
+Now it seems to me, children, that this is what we should think the
+Lord Jesus is doing now.
+
+He comes into the temple of our hearts, or He comes into our homes,
+into every room that we live in, and He looks round about upon all
+things.
+
+What does He see?
+
+Here in this picture of the Temple of God, when He was upon earth, He
+saw many things which He did not like at all.
+
+The people who had offerings to bring to God, had got careless about
+the holiness of God's House, and they began to buy and sell the
+offerings within the Temple. The people bargained and cheated, and
+bought and sold, without thinking that God was dwelling there, and that
+His House was not to be made into a market.
+
+Then some people wanted their money changed, and so tables were set up
+where the money was spread out, and those who were buying went to them
+to get change to pay for their purchases.
+
+At length, things got to such a pass that the Jews even kept their
+oxen and sheep inside the Temple to be ready to be bought by those who
+wished to make God an offering for their sins.
+
+Think what confusion, and dirt, and disorder must have been all about.
+
+So the Lord Jesus was very grieved, and the next day, He came and
+turned them all out, and told the Jews that God's Temple was meant to
+be a House of Prayer, but that they had made it a den of thieves.
+
+Now, before we finish this little story, I want us to look into our
+hearts and just think what the Lord Jesus sees there, when He comes and
+looks round about upon all things.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+What does He see? Does He see a heart with lots of naughty things in
+it? A heart which does not mind telling an untruth? A heart that would
+not mind cheating in a game? A heart which does not mind thinking a
+naughty thought, or doing a naughty act?
+
+Oh, if He can see any of those things in the temple of our hearts, let
+us ask Him to turn them all out, and make it clean and fit for Him to
+visit and stay in.
+
+Perhaps, instead of that sad list of things, Jesus can see a heart that
+loves Him.
+
+Perhaps He can see a heart that goes, every time it gets soiled by sin,
+to His precious cleansing blood to be washed white.
+
+If He does, then Jesus is glad to look into that loving, washed heart,
+and He says, "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that
+is of a humble and contrite heart, to revive the heart of the contrite
+ones, and to revive the spirit of the humble."
+
+This is what Jesus will do for you, and for me.
+
+
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER XIX.—SUKHIYA'S FALL.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+IT was one day, a few weeks after Mark Dayál's return to his family,
+that Sukhiya was sitting in her house alone.
+
+It was a hot, sultry evening, and there seemed to be no air to breathe
+in the tiny courtyard and still smaller verandah of her poor abode.
+
+The evening meal had been cooked and put on one side for when it was
+wanted, and, having nothing more to do, Sukhiya decided that she would
+go on the roof, where it might be a little cooler than it was below.
+
+It was a poor, rickety ladder to climb, but that was nothing to one who
+was accustomed to have most things broken and rickety. The roof, too,
+looked anything but safe, but Sukhiya never gave that a thought, for
+had she not sat on that same roof many and many a time during the past
+years and nothing had ever befallen her? So she sat and fanned herself,
+and gradually the sun went down and darkness gathered round her.
+
+Suddenly she heard a sound below. Maybe her husband had come back and
+wanted his evening meal, or worse still, it might be one of the many
+monkeys of the neighbourhood, who had come to help himself to some of
+her bread. Anyway, she must not sit fanning herself any longer, but go
+quickly to see what was happening.
+
+Alas, poor Sukhiya! She tried to go too quickly, and in her haste
+and the darkness, she never saw how near her foot was to the sloping
+edge of the roof. There was a cry of distress, a heavy thud, and a
+motionless figure lay in the middle of the small courtyard below.
+
+Happily it was not a monkey, but Sukhiya's husband, whose coming in had
+disturbed her and brought about this catastrophe.
+
+He was a poor, helpless old man at the best of times, and as he saw his
+wife lying at his feet unable to move or lift herself up, he was very
+perplexed.
+
+Gradually it occurred to him that if he could do nothing himself, at
+least he could call someone who could.
+
+When it was once started, it did not take long for the news to spread.
+And in a very short time, the small courtyard was crowded. They lifted
+the injured woman, regardless of her groans, on to a bedstead, and felt
+her limbs to see what bones were broken.
+
+Each one had some different remedy to suggest, and some of the wiser
+ones advised taking her to the hospital, but as others protested
+against it, nothing was done.
+
+Presently Sukhiya left off groaning for a minute, and with some
+difficulty gasped out, "Bring Hira—I want to see Hira."
+
+Then there followed a discussion as to where Hira was to be found, and
+an old woman, who said she knew the house, volunteered to go and bring
+her.
+
+"Tell her," gasped the injured woman, "that Sukhiya is dying; then she
+will surely come."
+
+So the old woman started on her errand. She had some distance to go and
+she could not walk very fast, for her back was bent nearly double, and
+it was only with the help of a stick that she could walk at all.
+
+When at last she reached the house, it was some time before she
+succeeded in making anyone hear. Rámpál Singh and his daughter were
+not at home, Anandi was ill, and Hira was absorbed in her book, which
+Shushila was teaching her to read with her fingers.
+
+When the old woman came in, she was so tired with her long walk that
+she had to wait a little to recover herself. Then she explained,
+"Sukhiya the ghi-seller sent me; she has fallen off the roof. She says
+she is dying, and wants the blind girl who lives here to come and see
+her."
+
+Hira needed no persuading, and was ready to go at once, but Anandi was
+not so sure. What would her master and mistress say if they returned
+and found that the blind girl had gone out alone with a stranger who
+was quite unfit to protect her? If she could have gone herself, it
+would have been quite easy, but that was impossible, for she had no
+strength to walk so far.
+
+In the meantime, Hira had thrown a large shawl round her, and was ready
+to start. What could Anandi say? So she let her go, but with many
+misgivings and entreaties to return as soon as she possibly could.
+
+When the old woman and her charge arrived, the crowd was still there,
+indeed it had increased, for as they looked at the face of the
+suffering woman, they knew that what she said was true; she was indeed
+dying.
+
+They had tried their best to help her; one had brought oil to rub her
+with, but she groaned so when she was touched that not much could be
+done in that way. Another, who said he knew how to set bones, tried to
+show his skill, but Sukhiya's screams soon put an end to his attempts.
+A doctor was brought and ordered some medicine for her to drink, which
+someone was busy preparing.
+
+In the midst of it all, Hira arrived, and the crowd divided to let her
+pass. The past year had wrought a great change in the blind girl's
+appearance. She had grown so much taller, and instead of being unwashed
+and uncared-for, as in the days of old, everything betokened the touch
+of loving hands. In her spotless sari, she formed a great contrast to
+the dirty, squalid group into the midst of which she came.
+
+There was no need for anyone to lead her to the spot where Sukhiya lay.
+The groans of the dying woman were a quite sufficient guide.
+
+Sukhiya tried to raise herself as she saw the girl coming to her side,
+but only fell back with a heavier groan, as she moaned, "All my bones
+are broken; that terrible fall has killed me, but I had to see you once
+more. Come close, for my eyes are getting dim and I can hardly see you."
+
+Hira stretched out her hands to find a place by her old friend's side,
+and then sat down on the edge of the bedstead. She could not see the
+look of death creeping over the face she had never seen, and knowing
+how little the expression, "I am killed," often means, she wondered
+whether the case was really quite so hopeless.
+
+How she wished that Shushila, or even Anandi, had been there with her!
+
+She too had heard of the hospital and what wonders were sometimes
+accomplished there, so she also thought that if only the sufferer could
+be carried there, even if her bones were broken, she might live and not
+die.
+
+But as soon as Sukhiya heard the word "hospital" she only groaned
+again and said, "What is the use of a hospital when I am all broken to
+pieces? I tell you, child, I am killed, and now that I have seen you I
+am quite ready to die and escape from this pain and misery."
+
+At the words "I am quite ready to die," Hira started. Supposing it was
+true that her old friend's life was ending, was she ready to die, still
+more, was she ready to meet God? If there was nothing to be done to
+restore her to life, at least she might try to prepare her for death;
+for she knew that of all the crowd assembled there she alone knew that
+secret.
+
+Bending over the stricken form beside her, she said softly, "Sukhiya,
+you say you are ready to die, but are you quite sure? We must get rid
+of sin before we can meet God."
+
+"Child," gasped the woman, "what do I know about sin? I have always
+told you I have no understanding for such things. And now I can only
+think of this awful pain, and long to get out of it."
+
+Poor Hira, it seemed so easy and simple to her that the dying woman
+should stretch out her hand to the One mighty to save, and find life as
+she met death. But what could she say when the one for whose salvation
+she so longed seemed to care nothing about it herself?
+
+"Shall I sing you a hymn?" she asked, thinking of nothing else to say
+or do, and Sukhiya always liked to hear her sing.
+
+"Yes, child, sing," said the voice, growing feebler every moment.
+
+A hush fell on the crowd, and not a sound was heard as the blind girl
+sang in a clear, sweet voice the same words that had first told her of
+Jesus Christ and His great salvation.
+
+Sukhiya had left off groaning; she had hardly strength even for that.
+But the eyes, which were fast closing to the things of earth, rested
+lovingly on the face of the blind girl.
+
+"You are never hungry now, little one, and no one ever beats you or
+makes you cry," she whispered.
+
+"Oh, no, Sukhiya dear; everybody is so good to me, and I am always
+happy," answered Hira, wondering what she meant.
+
+"I would have taken care of you and kept you, but what could I do? I
+could not even keep my own children; they all went one by one. Now I am
+going too." Slowly came the words, and then Sukhiya lay still.
+
+Hira bent fondly over her. "Sukhiya, Jesus Christ is here; take hold of
+Him, and He will save you."
+
+"Jesus Christ, save my soul!" The words were so low that only Hira
+could catch them, but surely there was One standing by whom they saw
+not, whose ear can catch the faintest whisper, and who never fails to
+see the least spark of faith.
+
+There was silence for a few seconds, then someone said, "She is dead,"
+and straightway rose a wail of grief and mourning.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+OUR JACK-A-NAPES.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+[Illustration] THAT morning, as Sailor Jem had been busy on the shore
+preparing for his fishing expedition, his son Jack had come sauntering
+along the sands with his baskets of fish.
+
+"Ain't you sold any more than that?" asked his father in surprise.
+
+Jack hated to be blamed (who does not?), and he answered rather
+roughly, "I've sold all I could; it ain't my fault that the folks won't
+buy."
+
+"Have you been up to the Vicarage?" asked his father.
+
+"No; the baskets was that heavy I couldn't get as far. I thought when I
+had sold some, they'd be a bit lighter."
+
+"And they will have been looking out for you all the morning!" said his
+father vexedly. "The cook always likes some fresh fish for lunch, and
+you'll be too late! Run off as fast as you can!"
+
+"I'm not agoin' to run," grumbled Jack beneath his breath. "It's a mile
+if it's a inch, and it'll take me a good hour, and all for nothing,
+perhaps."
+
+"Go at once!" thundered his father. And then he turned to his boat and
+went on splicing a rope, his face grave and his heart as heavy as a
+piece of lead.
+
+[Illustration: "Ain't you sold any more than that?" asked his father.]
+
+When Jack was at length out of sight, an old man, who had been watching
+them both, turned to Jem with a quiet sympathy in his look as he said,
+"'Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord—' We mustn't get
+too disheartened, my son!"
+
+"No—no!" said Jem. "But sometimes one gets so disappointed, father! The
+youngster ain't doin' quite as I like. He's lazy, he is. You may work
+for 'em night and day, and after all, if it don't go exactly as they
+consider it should, then they go and think you're hard on 'em! That's
+what I find."
+
+"Yes, Jem, that's so; but I got to learn, as I grew older, that it's a
+good thing as the Lord's patience don't run out as soon as ours, for if
+it did the rope wouldn't be long enough to pull us to shore!"
+
+"I'll think of that, father." And then he went home to his dinner, and
+to wish his wife good-bye.
+
+                       ————————————
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+"YOU'LL get that net done, I reckon, before I come home again, Minnie?"
+
+"That depends how long ye're gone," his wife answered with a smile,
+which in her young days had caught her James's fancy more than anything
+else about her.
+
+He laughed now in a good-humoured sort of way, as he turned over the
+net and measured it with his eyes.
+
+"And see to that young Jack-a-Napes of yours, and make him a good boy."
+
+His wife put down her netting needle and looked at him. "Do you really
+mean that?" she asked gently.
+
+"Of course I do! One can't get a bit of peace with him, first this,
+then that—you make him mind, wife! That's what I mean."
+
+"I can make him mind," she said very seriously, "but as to making him
+good—"
+
+He stooped and kissed her good-bye. Perhaps he did not guess what a
+pang of pain he had given her.
+
+"I'm off," he said cheerily.
+
+But she detained him by an earnest gesture. "Jem," she said, "he's your
+'Jack-a-Napes' as much as mine! We must both pray for him that God may
+make him all we would have him—it's only He can."
+
+The father nodded, and then, the last moment having come, he made a
+bolt for it, and went clattering down the little steps to the shore,
+while she stood watching till she saw him get into his boat and start
+with the others for his two or three days' fishing.
+
+She did not know why her husband's mind had been specially full of
+young "Jack-a-Napes" as he had called their only boy, but she wished he
+had not spoken of it at the moment of their parting.
+
+Jack made his way slowly back from the Vicarage. He had been too late,
+after all. When he sauntered into the cottage, his baskets were heavier
+than he liked, and his pockets were lighter.
+
+"Why, Jack!" said his mother peeping into the basket.
+
+For answer, Jack sat down and burst into tears.
+
+"Aren't you well?" asked his mother.
+
+Jack shook his head, and then sobbed out that father was cross, and he
+wasn't going to sell fish any more if people wouldn't buy, and if he
+was to be scolded when he did his best.
+
+His mother looked at him for a few moments without speaking, and then
+she placed his food near him, and went on with her netting.
+
+Jack wiped his eyes and ate his dinner in silence. He could not quite
+make his mother out.
+
+"Jack," she said, when he had finished, "take one of those baskets and
+go out again and see what you can do. 'If a man will not work, neither
+shall he eat,' is the Bible rule. And I'm not going to have you idle
+all the morning, and then think you'll play and eat as usual."
+
+Jack slowly went forth again, but he found most people supplied, and he
+had hard work to get even some of his fish sold.
+
+Meanwhile, his mother prayed over her netting. She had been young and
+troublesome herself, she knew; and every day, even now, she saw how
+much patience God had with her!
+
+                       ————————————
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+SO when Jack brought his empty basket at last, and laid the money down
+on the table, she kissed him, and said a cheery word or two.
+
+"Jack, I see you have done your best to make up for this morning! Now,
+have your tea, and then you may go down to see the boats in. There's a
+high sea on, and they'll have a job to beach them. I'm glad in that way
+that your father won't be in to-night. He's safer out there."
+
+Jack lifted his face to give her a kiss.
+
+"Thank you, mother," he said, more gratefully than was his wont.
+
+And he was off like a shot to the only landing place where, in rough
+weather, the boats could be brought up, and there he stood among the
+men, ready to catch the rope that was thrown, or to do any little
+service with all his might.
+
+"I hope it won't be like this when father lands to-morrow," said Jack
+to himself. "Poor father! I wish I hadn't been so rough to him to-day.
+But I never can hold my tongue! Perhaps some day, when I get older—"
+
+And then some of his grandfather's words had come back to
+him—"Jack-a-Napes, there's nothing like serving Christ for getting rid
+of the devil! That's the best way, my boy!"
+
+The next day, however, the wind had risen to a gale, and the waves
+dashed against the cliff with the noise of thunder.
+
+Jack did not say much. But he started out bright and early with the
+remainder of his fish, and often he cast a glance over the sea and at
+the scudding clouds, longing that the wind might abate before the other
+fishing boats were expected.
+
+Perhaps he had never spent such an unhappy day. He remembered how he
+had wished in his anger yesterday that father never would come back;
+and the thought seemed to burn into him like fire.
+
+The moment he could get off, he ran down to the beach, and there he
+stood for many long hours, sheltering from the wind behind a big rock,
+and watching the sea line with large anxious eyes. What if father never
+came back?
+
+It began to grow dusk, but still he watched. Suddenly in his despair,
+he thought of praying! He dropped on his knees behind the great rock,
+and though his voice was drowned by the thunder of the waves, he felt
+sure God heard his broken words.
+
+   "Please, heavenly Father, forgive me, and make me a good boy to father,
+and bring him safe home, for Jesus' sake."
+
+He rose feeling wonderfully comforted, and then he saw a stir among the
+sailors, and on the crest of a wave fast coming in was his father's
+boat!
+
+"Thank the Lord!" said grandfather's voice close to him. "For hearing
+our prayers and bringing him home, Jack-a-Napes!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+"PUNCHINELLO."
+
+A TRUE STORY.
+
+GWENDOLINE hugged her doll rapturously, and, looking up in her mother's
+face, exclaimed, "I love Punchinello better than 'anything' in the
+world!"
+
+So saying, she put him down to go and learn her evening text.
+
+To-night it was, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."
+
+"What does 'idols' mean, mother?"
+
+"Anything in our hearts that we put in the place God ought to have; or
+anything that we love more than we do Him," said her mother softly.
+
+In her own mind, she was learning the text too, and as she gazed at her
+little daughter afresh, she was asking that she might love her heavenly
+Father more—much more—and her fatherless little girl next.
+
+Gwendoline, unconscious of her mother's thoughts, learned her text, and
+then went to bed, returning only for her good-night kiss.
+
+"Mother," said she, as she lay in her arms for her "cuddle," as she
+called it, "mother, is God sad if we have an idol?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Why, yes, Gwenny, He is, for He loved us so much as to give His Son to
+die for us."
+
+"Then—" with a slight sob—"I mustn't love Punchinello 'best' any more."
+
+"No, darling; and He loves you so much, it will not be hard to love
+Him."
+
+"I will, I do," said the child softly. "And, mother, please may I give
+Punchinello to the little lame Mary, and that will 'help' me not to
+love him too much."
+
+So next day, Gwendoline took her dear Punchinello to little lame Mary,
+and added a great brightness and joy to the life of the sick child.
+
+As she put the doll into Mary's hand, Gwendoline whispered, "It is
+because Jesus loves me I give you that, and also to help me remember to
+love 'Him' best; so you'll remember too, won't you?"
+
+Mary did remember, every time she played with her dear dolly.
+
+And little Gwenny went home and remembered too.
+
+So years passed on, and Gwendoline learned to love Jesus Christ and God
+much best, and was content to leave her nice home and go and teach the
+heathen of His great love.
+
+And her mother had her prayer answered, and she too learned to love God
+best, and was willing to spare her child to do God's great work.
+
+And so their prayer was answered.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER XX.—BEHÁRI LÁL.
+
+DURING the time Rita was singing, a boy who was passing down the lane
+had been attracted by the unusual sound. And then, seeing the crowd
+gathered, had joined in, and standing on the outskirts listened to
+the hymn being sung. At first, he could not see the singer, but by
+gradually forcing his way, he at last came in sight of her.
+
+If anyone had been watching him, they would have seen him give a
+violent start. He might have seen a ghost, and indeed he thought he
+had, for as he looked at the scene before him he felt quite certain
+that the blind girl, arrayed in her clean white sari, sitting by the
+side of the dying woman, was none other than his cousin Hira, who had
+died a year ago.
+
+Had he not been present when Sukhiya had come in and announced her
+death, with bitter cries and reproaches?
+
+Anyway, she was sitting there before him—whether in real flesh and
+blood or not, he could not tell. He had heard of strange things
+happening at the time of death, and even he could see that the woman
+lying there was dying, so maybe the girl who had been so loved by her,
+though by no one else, had appeared to comfort her at that hour.
+
+Still, being a plain, matter-of-fact boy, he hardly thought this
+likely, and was much more inclined to believe that Hira really had
+never died; so he determined to wait and see what would happen next.
+
+As soon as Hira knew that her old friend was dead, she began to think
+of returning home, for she remembered Anandi's parting injunction not
+to stay a minute longer than she could possibly help.
+
+Then the difficulty arose—how was she to get back? The old woman, whose
+legs were still aching, did not volunteer to take another walk, and
+there was no one else who knew the house.
+
+Here Behári Lál (Hira's cousin) saw his opportunity, and determined
+to have a little fun out of the strange event. So coming forward, he
+offered the girl to see her safely home.
+
+To Hira's quick ear, the voice had a familiar sound, but when or where
+she had heard it, she could not remember. And being only too glad to
+find anyone who was willing to be her escort, she was quite ready to
+trust herself to the boy's guidance.
+
+But Behári Lál had no intention of taking his cousin to Rámpál Singh's
+house. If he had told the truth, he had not the least idea where it
+was; rather he meant to take her to his own home, and give those there
+a good fright by showing them a ghost. What fun it would be to see
+their consternation!
+
+So the two started on their way. Hira's mind was too full of the scene
+she had just left, to think of which way she was going, so she the more
+easily fell into the trap laid for her.
+
+The boy thought it best to keep silent, lest his voice should betray
+him. So nothing was said till they reached the house, and Behári Lál
+knocked with the chain on the door.
+
+"Where are the steps?" asked Hira in a bewildered voice, as she felt
+for the familiar entrance and did not find it.
+
+"Just wait a minute till they bring a light; it is so dark I can hardly
+see where we are," answered the boy. "Perhaps I have brought you to the
+wrong door. Don't be troubled; I will see you safely home."
+
+After a further knocking and waiting, the door was opened.
+
+Behári Lál had taken care to have a good grasp of Hira's arm. And
+before she had time to think, she was inside the courtyard. Then
+followed a scene of great confusion.
+
+"I have brought someone to see you," said the boy.
+
+And his mother, catching sight of the blind girl, whom she had thought
+of as dead for more than a year, uttered a loud scream.
+
+By this time, she knew that she had been led astray, that she had not
+been brought to Rámpál Singh's house, but to some strange place.
+
+Then, as she began to distinguish the voices, it flashed upon her what
+it all meant; the familiar voice was that of her cousin, and he had
+brought her to her uncle's house. But why her appearance should have
+caused such consternation she could not imagine. Now her heart sank
+within her! Suppose they should refuse to let her go, and she had to go
+back to the old life of poverty and misery? Gradually the clamour of
+voices grew less, and she was able to make herself heard.
+
+"Why have you been so cruel as to bring me here," she asked, "where
+no one wants me? You promised to take me home, and this is my home no
+longer. I am a Christian and live with Christians. Take me back to
+them; they will all be looking for me."
+
+"Tell us first," answered the aunt angrily, "who made up all that fine
+story that we had turned you out into the storm and you had died of
+cold and wet? Fine Christians those who have taught you to lie like
+that, though certainly you did not need much teaching."
+
+Then Hira began to get angry too, for she understood nothing of the
+story of her death. "I never said I was dead," she said in a shrill,
+excited voice. "I never said you turned me out; I never said anything
+about you, and it was you who taught me to lie. Now I am a Christian, I
+know better, and I never tell lies. But take me home—do take me home;
+they will all be wondering where I am."
+
+"And where is your home but here, where your father left you? And
+what will he say when he comes back and hears that you have become a
+Christian? Far better that he should hear that you are dead, as we all
+thought."
+
+"But I 'won't' stay here," cried Hira, stamping her feet angrily; "if
+you try to keep me, I will run away again; you cannot make me stay if I
+don't want to. How can a Christian live with Hindus? Oh, do let me go!"
+
+"How do 'we' know where your Christian friends live?" asked Behári Lál.
+"So how can we take you there? They are no friends of ours, these new
+friends of yours, who steal other people's children."
+
+Hearing this, Hira became more angry than ever, and uttered many bitter
+words of anger and scorn. If it had not been for her tall figure and
+clean, tidy clothes, it might have been the very same child who had
+disappeared a year ago.
+
+"A fine Christian you are!" said her aunt contemptuously. "And nice
+friends those must be who have taught you to come back and abuse your
+relations like this. We have heard quite enough of you for now, so you
+had better be quiet and go to sleep."
+
+Hira's only answer was to sit down on the ground and weep bitterly.
+
+No one took any more notice of her, and when she was exhausted with
+crying, she lay down where she was, but no sleep came to her.
+
+Gradually the rest of the household left off talking, and settled
+themselves for the night. And in the silence that followed, Hira had a
+good opportunity for thinking over what had passed and what was likely
+to happen next.
+
+Her anger had begun to subside, and in its place a feeling of shame
+begets to steal over her. Again, she seemed to hear the words of her
+aunt, "A fine Christian you are, and nice friends those must be."
+
+How often she had been told that it was useless to bear the name of
+Christ unless she also had His spirit and did as He would do! Now she
+had proved to her heathen relations that the so-called Christian Hira
+was no different to, no better than, the Hindu Hira.
+
+Again she wept bitterly, but this time they were not tears of rage and
+bitterness, but of shame and sorrow.
+
+She felt so lonely and desolate, for she was not only separated from
+her earthly friends, but how could she believe that her heavenly Friend
+could be near her when she had so sinned against Him?
+
+   "Please, Lord Jesus, forgive me for being so naughty and keep me from
+getting angry any more. And oh, do take me home again," she whispered.
+
+And so from that heathen home went up the first prayer which had ever
+been offered in it.
+
+We may be quite sure that it was answered, and in spite of her sorrow
+and loneliness, a sense of quietness and peace stole into the child's
+heart. She knew she was alone no longer, that there was One beside her
+able to take care of her under all circumstances, and to save her from
+the greatest dangers.
+
+Then she began to wonder what she could do to atone for the wrong she
+had done. And finally made up her mind that as soon as her aunt woke,
+she would ask her to forgive her. Then, she thought, she will see that
+if Christians do naughty things, they are sorry for it afterwards.
+After that, with a mind at rest, she fell asleep.
+
+The next morning she woke with a start, roused by the sound of voices.
+For a moment, she could not think where she was. How did she come to be
+lying on the hard ground? And who were those people who were talking so
+loudly around her?
+
+Then it all came back to her: Sukhiya's death, her being brought to
+her uncle's house, the stormy scene which had followed, her prayer for
+forgiveness, and her determination to confess her fault to her aunt.
+
+Again from her heart went up a cry for divine help.
+
+   "Please, Lord Jesus, keep me good and tell me what to say."
+
+Then she listened to what was being said, and found that Behári Lál
+was being scolded for bringing her there. Suddenly the voices became
+more subdued and she could only just catch the mention of rupees, and
+understood nothing of what it meant.
+
+As soon as the discussion had come to an end, she got up from the place
+where she had been lying, and groping her way along, called her aunt by
+name.
+
+The response she received was not encouraging. But Hira never lacked
+courage, and she said bravely, "Please, aunt, forgive me for being so
+angry last night; I know it was very naughty. And please send me home."
+
+A sudden silence fell on the group, for all were surprised to hear the
+fiery Hira speaking words of such gentleness. It was probably the first
+time in their lives that they had ever heard anyone confess themselves
+in the wrong, or ask for forgiveness.
+
+The aunt hardly knew how to grant it, never having done so before,
+so she only looked at the blind girl with astonishment. And, after a
+pause, said, "Let you go home! Why shouldn't we? We have no money to
+buy you fine clothes like those; and what would you say to our food
+now, I wonder? Besides, how can Hindus and Christians live together?"
+
+"Then you will send me back?" cried Hira joyfully.
+
+"And where are we to send you?" asked the uncle, who was standing by.
+"'You' cannot find the way, and 'we' don't know it."
+
+Here was a difficulty Hira had not thought of. She shrank from being
+entrusted to Behári Lál's care, but what else could be done? So she
+said, "Let Behári Lál go with me, and we will ask and ask until we find
+the house. Everyone knows Rámpál Singh and his daughter, because they
+are so good."
+
+But Behári Lál thought differently. "No indeed," he exclaimed on
+hearing the proposal; "I was abused enough last night for bringing you
+here; I am not going to take you anywhere else."
+
+It was difficult for Hira not to give an angry and reproachful answer.
+But, remembering her late repentance, she held back the words which
+were so ready to come, and said nothing.
+
+In the meantime, her uncle and aunt whispered together, after which the
+latter said quite kindly, "Wait patiently a little while, and all will
+be settled rightly. Your uncle is going out, and will, maybe, find out
+where these people live."
+
+So Hira had to be as patient as she knew how. In a little while, the
+men of the household went out, and she and her aunt were left alone.
+Then she was glad she had not gone away at once when she wanted to, for
+in the talk which followed, she was able to tell all which had befallen
+her.
+
+And for the first time in her life, the one who had never heard the
+good news of salvation, listened to the sweet story as it was told by
+her blind niece.
+
+She listened attentively, and at the end said, with a sigh, "Your words
+are very good, Hira, and as I listen, I forget everything else and feel
+glad; but they are not for me. It is a good thing for you that you have
+become a Christian, for by doing so you have got food to eat and good
+clothes to wear; but what can I do? I must just go on as I am."
+
+"But it was not to get clothes and food that I became a Christian,"
+cried the girl eagerly; "it was to get my sins put away and be ready to
+meet God; and the Lord Jesus will do just the same for you if you ask
+Him."
+
+"No, no, child," was the answer. "What time have I to learn these new
+things? All my time goes in thinking of food and pice. I will go the
+same way as my forefathers have gone, and what I don't know, God does."
+
+Hira was sorely disappointed with this indifferent answer, and wondered
+that anyone should hear such good news without being glad.
+
+Just then a woman came in with flour to sell, so there was no more
+opportunity for talking. The new-comer was full of the story of
+Sukhiya's accident and death, which Hira, so taken up with her
+own experiences, had forgotten to mention. She too expressed her
+astonishment at the appearance of the blind girl, whom all had thought
+to be dead.
+
+This led to Hira's asking for an explanation. And she heard of the
+false story which her old friend had invented on her behalf, and how
+she had thought and planned for her good.
+
+
+
+"Hail, King of the Jews!"
+
+WHEN the chief priests of the Jews had determined to kill the Lord
+Jesus, after examining Him for many hours on that dreadful night in
+which He had been betrayed by Judas and forsaken by His disciples, as
+they did not like to put Him to death themselves, they took Him when
+the morning dawned to Pilate, the Roman governor, for they thought he
+would do what they wished.
+
+The Jews and the high priest had asked the Lord Jesus whether He really
+was the Christ, the Son of God; and Jesus, to leave them without
+excuse, told them plainly that He was, and that hereafter they would
+see Him sitting in heaven and coming back to earth in the clouds.
+
+At this, they were fearfully angry, and tore their clothes, and led Him
+away to Pilate, in the hopes that Pilate would at once order Him to be
+put to death.
+
+So Pilate examined Jesus and put to Him many questions. But the dear
+Lord, who could have asked His Father to send thousands of angels to be
+with Him, stood before Pilate and answered nothing.
+
+Pilate was very much afraid to do anything to the Lord Jesus. His wife
+sent to him when he was sitting on the judgment-seat, telling him of a
+dream she had had, and begging him to have nothing to do with Jesus,
+because He had done nothing wrong.
+
+But the Jews kept on clamouring that Jesus should be crucified, and
+Pilate was more afraid of the Jews than he was of displeasing God. So
+at last, he ordered the dear Lord to be scourged, and then told the
+soldiers they could take Him away to be crucified.
+
+So they led Him into a great hall, and there they gathered together all
+the rest of the soldiers, and began to mock at the dear Lord whom we
+love so much.
+
+They clothed Him with a purple robe and plaited a crown of long sharp
+thorns and put it on His loving head, and then they began to bow to Him
+and call Him in mockery the King of the Jews.
+
+Jesus did not mind being called the King of the Jews, because He came
+to be their King; He was only sorry they would not love Him or have Him
+for their King.
+
+But oh, how it must have cut Him to the heart in all His pain to have
+them mock Him, and beat Him on the head, and spit upon Him, and pretend
+to worship Him!
+
+If our hearts are filled with grief that He could have suffered so
+much, should it not make us love Him more than ever, and hate the sins
+which He died on purpose to put away?
+
+[Illustration]
+
+We may not know, we cannot tell,    |  There was no other good enough
+  What pains He had to bear,        |    To pay the price of sin,
+But we believe it was for us        |  He only could unlock the gate
+  He hung and suffered there.       |    Of heaven, and let us in.
+                                    |
+He died that we might be forgiven,  |  Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved,
+  He died to make us good,          |    And we must love Him too,
+That we might go at last to heaven, |  And trust in His redeeming blood,
+  Saved by His precious blood.      |    And try His works to do.
+
+
+
+GRAND-DAD'S ADVICE.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+ROLLO had said only that morning that he wished Clare's brat were at
+the bottom of the sea!
+
+And he had wished it just then, for all night long Clare had been
+walking up and down her room, while the baby had moaned and cried
+ceaselessly.
+
+But now here was Clare coming down over the beach, with white face and
+eyes heavy with unshed tears; and surely she looked as if something
+were the matter as she came up and showed the babe to grandfather.
+
+Rollo's heart smote him; beneath his rough boyish exterior he had a
+tender spot, and that was for his sister Clare who had brought him up
+since he was a toddling child.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"What is it, my dear?" asked grandfather in his sympathetic, cheery
+tones, looking in the little face as he spoke.
+
+"I can't think," said Clare despairingly. "The neighbours say I shall
+lose him. There was a white dove flew against the window this morning—"
+
+"I wouldn't trouble over that," he said gently, "but think what's best
+to be done for the little 'un. I should take him indoors, and give him
+a warm bath and keep him wrapped up a bit. And then—"
+
+"Then?" asked Clare, raising her heavy eyes.
+
+"Then I should tell the Lord all about it, and ask Him to bless what
+you've done, and make the little 'un better in His own time."
+
+"I wish I could trust Him like you do, grand-dad," she said tearfully,
+as she turned and made her way back to the cottage with her treasure.
+
+Rollo stood looking on.
+
+What if his cruel thought that morning were to deprive Clare of her
+baby?
+
+"Grand-dad," he said, moving closer, "if you was to wish a wrong thing
+in your heart and then be ever so sorry you had, what would you do?"
+
+"I'd run quick and ask the Lord to forgive it; and I'd make what amends
+I could, if so be I'd hurt anyone."
+
+Rollo ran after his sister.
+
+"Clare," he said, "I'm ever so sorry I was nasty about the baby—and
+indeed, I've asked God to forgive me, and to make him better—"
+
+"Dear old Rollo!" she said, but she felt comforted.
+
+
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER XXI.—BROUGHT HOME.
+
+[Illustration] WHEN Rámpál Singh and his daughter returned home on the
+night of Sukhiya's death, they heard, with some consternation, that
+Hira had gone out alone with a strange old woman.
+
+They had no heart to reproach Anandi for letting her go, for the old
+servant was so distressed herself that they could not add to her grief.
+
+As no one had the least idea where the ghi-seller lived, it was
+impossible to go in search of the missing girl, so they could only wait
+and pray, hoping that she would soon return.
+
+As night closed in and still she did not come, Rámpál Singh started out
+in hopes of hearing some news. But as he took the opposite direction
+and went away from, instead of towards, Sukhiya's home, he naturally
+heard nothing, and returned as much in the dark as ever.
+
+The night was passed by the whole household in great anxiety, for who
+could tell that the story was a true one? It was more than possible
+that Sukhiya's accident had been invented as a means of enticing the
+blind girl away from her Christian friends.
+
+As soon as morning dawned, the search was begun in good earnest. In
+spite of her weakness, Anandi persisted in taking her part, for she
+bitterly reproached herself for having let the girl go, and longed to
+do all in her power to bring her back.
+
+On her way, she met Reuben Dayál, who was more than ready to help those
+who had been such good friends to his family in time of need.
+
+"I know Sukhiya quite well," he said cheerily, "and will soon find out
+whether she really fell off the roof or not. If she did, everybody will
+know it."
+
+The boy was not at all sure of the house, but he went in the right
+direction. And the first person he met told him that it was quite true
+that the ghi-seller had fallen off the roof, that she had died soon
+after, and even now preparations were being made for her funeral.
+
+Reuben was delighted to think that he was to be the one to restore Hira
+to her friends, and hurried on to the house, which had been pointed out
+to him.
+
+Here a new difficulty arose. There were several amongst those gathered
+to take part in the funeral who bore witness to the fact that a blind
+girl had been there the night before, but none could tell what had
+become of her. All they knew was that a boy in the crowd had offered to
+see her home, and she had left with him.
+
+Reuben was sorely disappointed that he was again thrown off the track.
+Still, he determined not to give up, for it was plain that Hira could
+not be very far-off.
+
+As he was standing outside, wondering where he should go next, a man
+and boy passed him; they were talking very earnestly, and he thought he
+caught the name of Rámpál Singh. This might be a clue, so he followed
+them, and as they turned a corner, he caught them up and asked eagerly,
+"Have you heard anything of a blind girl who was here last night, in
+the ghi-seller's house?"
+
+Reuben was a sharp boy, and he knew from the look of warning which the
+man gave to his son that he did know something, whether he said so or
+not.
+
+"What blind girl are you asking after? And what should we know about
+her?" was the evasive answer given.
+
+"Tell us what she is like," said Behári Lál, "for there are many blind
+girls, and we might tell you of the wrong one."
+
+Reuben gave a few particulars of Hira's appearance, which the father
+and son gravely listened to.
+
+And at the end, the man asked, "And who may 'you' be, that you should
+be looking for this girl? Perhaps you are her brother?"
+
+"Oh, no, I am not," answered Reuben; "I am no relation at all. But
+Rámpál Singh and his daughter have been very kind to my mother, and as
+they are in great trouble about this lost girl, I am trying to find
+her."
+
+"And who is Rámpál Singh? And where does he live?" asked the man
+carelessly.
+
+Reuben was delighted at the opportunity, and eagerly exclaimed, "Shall
+I take you to his house? Then you can tell him all you know."
+
+"What do I know about this girl?" was the answer. "But you can show me
+the house; it will do no harm."
+
+So Reuben led the way while the others followed.
+
+When they arrived, Rámpál Singh had just returned after another vain
+search.
+
+Reuben introduced his two companions by saying, "I think this man knows
+something about Hira, so I have brought him to you."
+
+Behári Lál was ready to contradict this statement, but his father
+stopped him.
+
+Then began a conversation, from which Rámpál Singh gathered, with some
+difficulty, for he could get no direct answer, that the man "could"
+give some information, but he was determined to gain something for
+himself by doing so. It was quite evident that if a sufficient reward
+was offered, Hira would very soon be produced.
+
+This was a perplexing turn for things to take, for, anxious as Rámpál
+Singh was to rescue the blind girl and bring her home again, he
+hesitated at taking such means. Besides, if it should be proved that
+the man was any relation, and so had a claim on the girl, having once
+obtained money on this account, he might try to do so again and again.
+
+Before there had been time to settle this knotty point, suddenly
+Shushila and Anandi appeared in sight, bringing Hira with them.
+
+The man's face fell, and Behári Lál gave an exclamation of surprise.
+But neither of them revealed the fact that this was the blind girl of
+whom they could have given some information if they had chosen.
+
+Rámpál Singh said gravely, "I see my daughter has found the missing
+child, so we need not trouble you any more."
+
+And the father and son quietly walked away.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+TO-DAY.
+
+"THERE!" cried Mrs. Rosendale, stopping short in her walk. "I have
+never given poor Mrs. Lee that money after all! How stupid of me!"
+
+"You gave her the parcel," said Beatrice; "won't that do for to-day?"
+
+Mrs. Rosendale sighed. She was very, very tired—almost too tired to
+contemplate another twenty minutes' walk through the snow, and yet the
+money she had taken for Mrs. Lee was urgently needed.
+
+She hesitated still, and Beatrice fidgeted her hoop backwards and
+forwards. She knew her mother was weary and that she might offer to go
+by herself, but it was dull to go alone.
+
+"Can't they wait till to-morrow?" she said grudgingly. "You are always
+doing things for them."
+
+"He that 'seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his compassion
+from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?'" said Mrs. Rosendale
+thoughtfully. "We know their need, Beatrice. Yes, I must go." She
+turned round resolutely and set off at a brisk pace.
+
+"I 'spose I can go," said Beatrice, lagging a step or so behind. "You
+go home, mother. Mrs. Lee ought to be very grateful to you, wearing
+yourself out like this."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"I shouldn't like you to go grudgingly, dear," said Mrs. Rosendale,
+pausing and looking into the clouded little face, "for to help these
+poor ones is to serve the Lord Jesus."
+
+"I said I'd go," repeated Beatrice.
+
+She could not quite conjure up a smile, it did seem such an unnecessary
+bother to go back, but she held out her hand for the money, and
+strolled slowly away.
+
+She had not intended to do more than pop the money into Mrs. Lee's hand
+and return at once; but such a mite of a boy opened the door and told
+her to come to mother 'cause baby was a-dying that she felt obliged to
+step inside. And once in, she stood fascinated.
+
+Such a poor bare room, such a tiny fire, such a pale, sorrowful mother,
+such a tiny, pinched baby lying with closed eyes on her lap.
+
+"Mother sent you this," said Beatrice in a whisper.
+
+Mrs. Lee's eyes brightened. "The doctor has just been, miss, and he
+said as how we might still save the baby with proper nourishment.
+Will you tell your dear mother, and say I can't thank her enough? The
+money's just come in time, please God."
+
+Beatrice went home to find warm shoes and hot cocoa awaiting her, and
+she delivered her message, but she said little of all she had seen.
+
+The next day, thought snow was falling fast, she volunteered to go
+again and see how the baby did. And an hour later, she came flying into
+her mother's room.
+
+"Mother, it's better! It's got its eyes open and smiled at me!" Then
+she flung her arms round her mother's neck, and her eyes filled with
+sudden tears. "Oh, mother darling, if you hadn't persisted in going
+yesterday, it might have been dead."
+
+"I thought 'you' went, my child."
+
+"Yes," said Beatrice slowly, "but I hated going. Now I am so very, very
+glad. Mrs. Lee said God must have sent us just at the right minute."
+
+
+
+HIRA'S QUEST.
+
+CHAPTER XXII.—"SHE ONLY TOUCHED THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT."
+
+HIRA had much to tell of all which had befallen her from the time when
+she left her home under the protection of the old woman.
+
+The child had a natural gift for telling stories, and as she related
+her adventures, the whole household listened with the keenest interest.
+
+As she described Sukhiya's death, she felt as if she were living
+through the scene, and what had been for a time banished from her mind
+by other things, now came back with intense reality.
+
+"I never knew she loved me so much," said the girl tearfully, "but I
+see it all now, and that she told that lie—that believing me to be
+dead, no one might try to get me back again. If only she had believed
+on the Lord Jesus and had been made ready to meet God, I would not
+mind, because then I would have been sure of seeing her again; but now
+she has gone, and I will never see her any more. Poor Sukhiya!"
+
+"But how do you know that she did not trust the Lord Jesus, and that He
+did not make her ready to meet God?" asked Rámpál Singh.
+
+The girl's face brightened. "Oh! Do you think He did? She did not seem
+to care, and there was such a little while."
+
+"And how long did it take the Lord Jesus to cleanse the man who was
+full of leprosy, or to heal the woman who touched the hem of His
+garment? Sukhiya said, 'Lord Jesus, save my soul,' but that woman did
+not say one word, and yet she was healed. It takes us a long time to do
+a very little thing, but the Lord can do a great work in a very little
+time."
+
+"Then you really think," said Hira joyfully, "that I shall see my dear
+old Sukhiya again, and be able to tell her that I did really love her?"
+
+"I know this," was the answer, "that the love of our Lord is just as
+tender and forgiving and His power is just as great as it was before He
+died on the cross, and if Sukhiya asked Him from her heart to save her,
+that He never said her nay."
+
+"Then I 'will' believe that Sukhiya has gone to be with God, and that
+I shall meet her there. And I am very glad now that I got lost again,
+though I was so frightened at the time."
+
+As she continued her story, she told how, after her uncle and cousin
+had gone out, and her aunt was bargaining with the flour-seller, she
+went and sat close by the door and began to sing, because, she said,
+"I knew I could not see if anyone I knew passed by, and my aunt would
+have been angry if I had sat with the door open, or on the doorstep, so
+that I could be seen. But I thought, 'If I sit and sing, someone who is
+looking for me may hear my voice and know that I am here.'"
+
+"It must have been God who put that thought into your heart," said
+Shushila, "for that is just how we found you. We did not know where to
+go and look for you, but all at once, I heard the sound of singing, and
+when I came a little nearer, I said, 'It is surely Hira's voice.' And
+when I pushed the door open, there you were."
+
+"And was your aunt willing to let you go?" asked Rámpál Singh.
+
+"No, indeed she was not," said Shushila. "She said Hira must wait till
+her uncle returned, to say what was to be done. I think she really
+wanted to let her go, but was afraid what her husband would say."
+
+Then Hira spoke. "So I said I was very hungry, and I asked her to give
+me something to eat. She said quite angrily, 'Do you think I am going
+to feed a Christian?'
+
+"So I asked, 'How can I live here if you will not feed me?'
+
+"Then we came away and she did not try to stop us, only we heard her
+talking very loud as we walked away down the lane. Oh, I am glad that
+I have come back, for I was so afraid they would keep me, and that I
+should get angry again."
+
+There was no need for Shushila and her father to say that they were
+very glad too. But there was fear mixed with their joy, for now that
+Hira's relatives had discovered where she lived, and were evidently
+anxious to make something out of her, it was hardly likely that they
+would be left in peace.
+
+However, as the days passed by and nothing more was heard or seen of
+Behári Lál and his father, the fear was soon forgotten, and except for
+the remembrance of Sukhiya and the closing scene of her life, Hira's
+adventure passed from the minds of all.
+
+It was only a few days later that Mary Dayál came to Rámpál Singh's
+house to ask for some advice from her friend.
+
+Shushila and her father were not at home, but Hira, recognising the
+voice, cried eagerly, "Please don't go away. I am here, and I want you
+to listen to something."
+
+Mary, who always had a warm place in her heart for the blind child, was
+quite willing to spend a little time with her.
+
+When she had been seated, Hira said, "You must not try to 'see'
+anything, you must only listen."
+
+Then a voice began to read, rather slowly and hesitatingly, but quite
+clearly, "'In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I
+would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.'"
+
+It was difficult not to look round and see the reader, but Mary obeyed
+her orders. After several verses had been read, Hira came to her
+friend's side, and with a beaming face asked,—
+
+"Do you know who was reading? It was I, but you didn't know that blind
+people could read before, did you?"
+
+Mary expressed quite enough surprise and pleasure to satisfy the
+delighted child, who was then quite willing to fetch her book and show
+its wonders.
+
+Suddenly she exclaimed, "And, oh, I want to tell you something I never
+knew before. Shushila says that when the Lord Jesus said those words,
+'I will come again, and receive you unto Myself,' He meant just exactly
+what He said, and that He is really and truly coming back again,
+perhaps very soon. Are you not glad?"
+
+There was a thrill of joy in Mary's voice as she answered, "Yes,
+indeed, child. Why should we not be glad to see our dear Lord whom we
+love so much?"
+
+"But it will be best of all for me," cried the child again, "because
+when Jesus comes, I shall have my new eyes and not be blind any more.
+And shan't I be just like that blind man? Because the first person he
+ever saw was the Lord Jesus, and so He will be the first that I shall
+see. It used to make me angry that I did not have my new eyes all at
+once, but now I think I am rather glad, because it makes me want the
+Lord Jesus to come all the more, and Shushila says it must make Him sad
+if we do not want Him to come."
+
+"I am afraid," said Mary sadly, "there are a great many who do not care
+about His coming."
+
+Then said Hira thoughtfully, "That must be either because they do
+not know and love Him, or else, that they are not ready to meet Him.
+Shushila says we cannot be glad unless we are ready, and now I know
+what she meant when she said the Lord Jesus would give me something
+better than new eyes. He has given me a new heart, and some day I shall
+have the new eyes too."
+
+There was silence, and then Mary spoke again. "When I first heard that
+the Lord Jesus was coming back, I felt very glad, but sometimes I feel
+afraid, because I think I shall be ashamed that I am not more fit to
+meet Him."
+
+Neither of the two speakers had noticed that Shushila and her father
+had come in, and they started as Rámpál Singh said earnestly, "We know
+that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him
+as He is. There will be no need to be ashamed when we are like our own
+blessed Lord."
+
+No one spoke till Shushila said joyously, "Oh, how happy and how good
+we ought to be, for whether we have much or little in this world, we
+have 'everything' in Jesus Christ our Lord; and when we look forward to
+what we are going to 'be' and to 'have,' no words seem enough to thank
+and praise God for all His wonderful love and goodness."
+
+"And," responded her father, "the very least we can do is to seek to
+walk worthily of this high calling, and so to be to the praise of His
+glory."
+
+Thus, we leave them. The father and daughter seeking to raise others
+to the same height of spiritual life and happiness to which they have
+themselves been brought.
+
+The husband and wife starting life afresh, with an almighty hand to
+uphold them as they run together the heavenly race. And Hira, the blind
+child, whose eyes had been opened already to see the things "which are
+unseen and eternal," looks forward with joy to the time when in the day
+of perfect vision she will see "the King in His beauty."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+SUNSET FOR JAMIE.
+
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.
+
+"WHAT'S father doing now?" asked a little invalid, raising his head
+ever so slightly from his pillow.
+
+"I don't rightly know, Jamie; but I see it's near sundown, and he and
+the sheep will be making their way home."
+
+The little boy's eyes brightened. "I'm glad of that," he said, with a
+weary little sigh. "I'm always glad when sunset comes, and then again
+I'm always glad when sunrise comes. Isn't that funny?"
+
+"Not that I know of," said the busy mother, darning in and out over a
+big hole in her eldest boy's stocking. She thought she was glad too
+when the sunset came, and the day's work was nearly over; and then when
+the light came once more, she was glad that the new day was there, with
+its new duties and new strength to do them.
+
+Perhaps something else in her thought was reflected in the child's
+eyes; for she put down her work and stroked his hair tenderly.
+
+"There's the same Shepherd to lead His little lamb towards Home at
+sunset as there is to lead him to the pastures at sunrise, Jamie. He
+loves you, and will not give you more to bear than He will give you
+strength for."
+
+Jamie's eyes watered in sympathy with hers. He knew that his mother had
+learned the lesson herself, or she would not have said it.
+
+"And what is father doing 'now?'" he asked, when she took up her
+darning again.
+
+"He is getting near home, I should think; and the sheep and lambs are
+hurrying a little to reach the fold before nightfall. And father is
+thinking of his Jamie, and praying that his pain may be better—"
+
+Jamie nodded ever so little; he was sure of all that too.
+
+"You can tell him that I think it is—a little," he whispered; "that
+will make him eat his supper better—"
+
+Then there was a stir in the yard, and the sheep-dog came barking up
+the path. And in a moment, a kind, weather-beaten face peeped in, and a
+cheery voice, which was music to Jamie's heart, said—
+
+"And how's my little laddie to-night? Here's father come back, and all
+the sheep are in the fold, Jamie!"
+
+
+
+                       [Illustration: END.]
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78888 ***
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+<html lang="en">
+<head>
+    <meta charset="UTF-8">
+    <title>
+      Sunday Sunshine | Project Gutenberg
+    </title>
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+    <style>
+
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+<body>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78888 ***</div>
+
+
+<p>Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image001" style="max-width: 33.8125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image001.jpg" alt="image001">
+</figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image002" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image002.jpg" alt="image002">
+</figure>
+<p class="t4">
+<b>HARK, HARK, THE LARK</b><br>
+<b>FROM A PAINTING BY W. E. EVANS</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<h1>SUNDAY&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;SUNSHINE.</h1>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+EDITED BY<br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t1">
+CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+AUTHOR OF<br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t4">
+"Something for Sunday," "Mother-Meg," "Dickie's Secret," etc.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image003" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image003.jpg" alt="image003">
+</figure>
+
+<p><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t4">
+LONDON<br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+JOHN F. SHAW AND CO.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t4">
+48, PATERNOSTER ROW<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image004" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image004.jpg" alt="image004">
+</figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t3b">
+CONTENTS.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p><a href="#S_1">A Black Sheep.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_2">A Charge.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_3">A Dark Night.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_4">A Decision.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_5">A Favour.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_6">A Lightened Load.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_6_C_1"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">I.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_6_C_2"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">II.—Changed.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_7">An Uninvited Guest.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_8">At Bethany.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_9">A Telegram.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_10">A Wet Day.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_11">Devotion.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_12">God's Messages—Lettice's Lark.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_13">Gossip.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_14">Grand-dad's Advice.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_15">"Hail, King of the Jews!"</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_16">Her Sailor Boy.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_17">Hindered.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18">Hira's Quest.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_1"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">I.—A Strange Visit.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_2"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">II.—Hira's Friend.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_3"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">III.—A Startling Question.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_4"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">IV.—A Sad Story.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_5"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">V.—Alone in the Storm.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_6"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">VI.—Father and Daughter.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_7"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">VII.—Sukhiya's Scheme.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_8"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">VIII.—The Old, Old Story.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_9"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">IX.—"His Great Love."</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_10"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">X.—Rest.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_11"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">XI.—"Ask, and It Shall Be Given You."</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_12"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">XII.—"He Careth for You."</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_13"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">XIII.—Hira's Quest Ended.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_14"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">XIV.—Believing and Confessing.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_15"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">XV.—Hunger and Thirst.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_16"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">XVI.—Home at Last.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_17"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">XVII.—Another Prodigal Son.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_18"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">XVIII.—The Father's House.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_19"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">XIX.—Sukhiya's Fall.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_20"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">XX.—Behári Lál.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_21"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">XXI.—Brought Home.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_18_C_22"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">XXII.—"She Only Touched The Hem of His Garment."</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_19">"If Thou Hadst Known!"</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_20">In the Prison.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_21">"I Love Him Still."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_22">Jesus Looked round about upon all Things.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_23">Jim.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_24">Looking for Father's Boat.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_25">Making the Best of a Bad Job.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_26">"Master, Rebuke Thy Disciples."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_27">Memories.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_28">"Me Too."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_29">Nellie's Card.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_30">Nora's Message.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_31">On the Moors.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_32">Our Jack-a-Napes.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_32_C_1"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">I.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_32_C_2"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">II.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_32_C_3"><span style="margin-left: 3em;">III.</span></a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_33">Out of the Tombs.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_34">"Peter Followed Afar Off."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_35">Pollie's New Mistress.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_36">Pulling.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_37">"Punchinello."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_38">Royalty and Loyalty.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_39">Scripture Clock.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_40">Smoothed Out.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_41">So Much the More!</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_42">Sunday Lessons.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_43">Sunset for Jamie.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_44">The Alms-house Inmates.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_45">The Call of Peter.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_46">The First Day.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_47">The Hill above Nazareth.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_48">The New Governess.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_49">The Ringleaders.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_50">The Stay of the Family.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_51">To-day.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_52">Turned Out.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_53">Twenty Times.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_54">Under the Lych Gate.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_55">"What Doest thou here, Elijah?"</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_56">When?</a></p>
+<p><a href="#S_57">"Will I?"</a></p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image005" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image005.jpg" alt="image005">
+</figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image006" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image006.jpg" alt="image006"></figure>
+<p class="t3">
+<b>Illustrations.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p><a href="#Image021">A blind beggar.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image015">A "boat from the French shore picked him up."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image0113">"'Ain't you sold any more than that?'"</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image023">"All day she sat quiet and waited."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image064">"A soft hand rested on his shoulder."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image0121">"Beatrice fidgeted her hoop backwards and forwards."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image012">Big Bob and Little Bob were carrying Liz in a net between them.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image033">Bring your work, and sit under the trees.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image092">Dick bringing home the wood.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image099">"Eileen stood and waited under the lych gate."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image024">Elijah in the wilderness.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image072">"Geraldine worked in a corner apart."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image0106">"Gladys is the little teacher."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image078">"'Go out and stay by the church gate.'"</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image0117">"Hail, King of the Jews!"</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image042">"He only moved his position nearer to the fire."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image059">Her late Majesty distributing gifts to soldiers' children.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image009">"Hira would steal away to this quiet corner."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image019">His mother clasped him in her arms.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image086">"'I don't believe I shall ever learn it!'"</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image038">"I never saw such a sweet baby," said Grannie.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image043">"Ivan drew out his little Bible."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image073">"'I will go with them myself,' said Geraldine."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image081">Jesus and the angry Jews.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image029">Jesus and the blind man.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image039">Jesus and the man possessed with a devil.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image055">Jesus at Bethany.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image010">Jesus at Simon's house.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image0109">Jesus entering the Temple.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image0103">Jesus going up to Jerusalem.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image049">Jesus viewing Jerusalem.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image013">"Jim drew the child nearer and admired her fish."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image093">Joseph interpreting dreams.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image014">Launching the boat.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image090">"Mary went out into the November mist."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image054">Memories.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image077">Milly getting her ticket.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image098">"Minette took Hans by the hand."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image044">Nellie's card.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image096">"'Now I'll put him on his hat.'"</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image087">"'Oh, has it!' asked Tommy, looking up surprised."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image028">Peace I leave with you.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image070">Peter in the court of the palace.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image062">"Pollie hardly saw what flowers she gathered."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image053">Pulling.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image0118">"Rollo stood looking on."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image056">Scripture clock.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image074">"She lay back exhausted."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image0115">"She lay in her arms for her 'cuddle.'"</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image031">"She's in the passage, kneeling by the window."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image034">"She stooped and tied a ribbon round her dog."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image085">"She tossed the corn to the fowls."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image058">"'Sleep, lambkin, sleep,' she sang softly."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image036">"Taking the lamp she started back to the child."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image080">The alms-house inmates.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image063">The call of Peter.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image082">"'The "Doris" is to proceed to the Cape, Nellie.'"</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image0114">The fishing-boat.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image052">"The foam broke up white at the water's edge."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image057">The new governess.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image088">Tommy's grandfather.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image065">"Two laughing girls sat down to a cup of chocolate."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image032">"'What "doesn't" he say?' she responded lightly."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image0102">"'What do you want?' Sandy growled."</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image045">When she got out into the fields better thoughts came.</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image091">"'Why, see, child, it's all coming undone!'"</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image048">"'Why, you are reading a story book!'"</a></p>
+<p><a href="#Image069">"'Yes; and it is all my fault,' sobbed the girl."</a></p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image007" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image007.jpg" alt="image007"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>SUNDAY SUNSHINE</b><br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t1">
+Edited by CATHARINE SHAW<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image008" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image008.jpg" alt="image008"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_18">HIRA'S QUEST.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY LOUISE MARSTON.<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_1">CHAPTER I.—A STRANGE VISIT.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>THE sun was just sinking to rest in a mass of soft white clouds which
+were banked up against a clear blue sky—streaks and waves of crimson
+mingled with tints of almost indescribable hues showed upon the white
+background with an intensity of beauty for those who had eyes to see it.</p>
+
+<p>The earthly scene, from which the sun was just hiding itself, was very
+different to the heavenly; "that" consisted of a few straggling mud
+houses, which could not be called a village: they were too near to the
+large Indian city of which they had originally formed a part, but had
+by some means become separated.</p>
+
+<p>Near by was a muddy pond, which dried up in the dry, hot months, but
+now afforded a cool, refreshing resting-place to a herd of buffaloes,
+who wisely showed they knew the best place to be comfortable in. Except
+for these ungainly animals, which could not be said to add any beauty
+to the scene, the place looked so silent and deserted that it was
+difficult to believe it to be inhabited by any human being.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the dreary dinginess was brightened by a patch of bright red,
+which appeared on the roof of one of the desolate-looking mud houses.
+It moved warily across the flat roof, and then subsided in a corner,
+where it became a "very" small patch, and kept very still.</p>
+
+<p>A closer inspection would have revealed the fact that this red patch
+was a sari worn by a little Hindu girl. From between its folds, which
+were often disturbed by the breeze, could be seen her face, very small
+and thin, surrounded by black hair, which apparently did not receive
+much attention. The sad, patient expression of the child's face could
+not fail to be noticed, and though she sat as if gazing on the glorious
+sky before her, no sign of pleasure helped to dispel the sadness.</p>
+
+<p>It was not to see the beauties of the sunset that she had crept up to
+the roof, and sat there so still.</p>
+
+<p>It mattered not to her whether the sun rose or set, except for the
+heat of its rays, for amidst the brightest glare of a tropical sun she
+remained in perfect darkness, for Hira was blind.</p>
+
+<p>She had never thought of grieving over this sad fact, but quietly
+accepted it, as she did everything which came to her. Joy and happiness
+were words which had no meaning for her, and therefore sorrow and
+sadness could not be known by contrast—just as, never having seen the
+light, she could hardly comprehend the dense darkness in which she
+dwelt.</p>
+
+<p>If she had been asked whether she was happy, she would have been sorely
+perplexed how to answer, for she knew no more of happiness than she did
+of the world in which she lived.</p>
+
+<p>If she could have analysed her thoughts and feelings and put them into
+words, she might have said that what she liked best of all was to climb
+on to the roof, and sit alone in the dark, and "listen," for though she
+had no eyes to see, she had ears which no sound escaped.</p>
+
+<p>She loved silence too, and that could seldom be had in the courtyard
+and verandah below, where children cried, and women talked or
+quarrelled, and men scolded.</p>
+
+<p>So, as soon as the sun went down, Hira would steal away to this quiet
+corner, which she knew so well that she never feared as she groped her
+way to it.</p>
+
+<p>She talked very little, this blind child, but she thought much, though
+it might be difficult to explain "how," when she had so little to think
+about.</p>
+
+<p>Her mother was dead, and her father had gone away years ago and never
+come back; so she lived with her uncle and aunt, who had plenty of
+children of their own. She never missed the love which she had never
+known, and it was only when she received an extra hard blow, dealt by
+some impatient hand, or did not receive enough food to satisfy her
+hunger, that she would creep away to her corner on the roof, where her
+tears fell unseen and unknown. Even then she did not know that she was
+unhappy.</p>
+
+<p>As she sat on that evening with her chin resting on her hands, suddenly
+she gave a start, for an unusual sound had reached her quick ears.</p>
+
+<p>It was not often she heard anything like this, and a more critical
+listener than she might have been pleased to hear the clear, full tones
+of the manly voice which broke the stillness.</p>
+
+<p>Hira was not left to enjoy her delight alone; it suddenly became
+evident that this was not such a deserted region as it appeared. A
+small crowd collected round the singer, and several women came on to
+the roof, that they might hear from there. The words were very simple
+and oft repeated, and before the hymn was finished, two were clearly
+imprinted on the blind child's memory, words never to be forgotten, for
+they were the name of Jesus Christ.</p>
+
+<p>The hymn told how His work was to save souls, and because He had laid
+down His life that He might be the Saviour, no sinner could ever come
+to Him and not receive salvation at His hand.</p>
+
+<p>Clear and distinct the words rang out on the still evening air, and
+were wafted afar on the breeze.</p>
+
+<p>The singer's heart rejoiced, for a stranger in a strange land, as yet
+separated by an unknown language from those into whose midst he had
+come to dwell, he had found a means of telling the good news which he
+had come so far to proclaim.</p>
+
+<p>But he had another message to give before he went on his way, and, not
+now in tones of persuasive sweetness, but as a command given by one in
+authority rang out the words, not twice, but again and again, "Prepare
+to meet thy God."</p>
+
+<p>Then the messenger went on his way, and the astonished listeners never
+asked him why or whence he came.</p>
+
+<p>For a time, people talked of the mysterious stranger who had come and
+gone so quickly and sang with such a beautiful voice. Then they forgot.</p>
+
+<p>But there was one who always remembered.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image009" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image009">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image009.jpg" alt="image009"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Blind Hira, wrapped in her red sari on the corner of the roof, heard
+the words of the command, and, perhaps because she could not be so
+easily distracted by the things of earth, which were hidden from her,
+they remained written on her memory and heart.</p>
+
+<p>"Prepare to meet thy God." "Prepare to meet thy God."</p>
+
+<p>The words rang on and on, sometimes mixing with the words of the
+hymn, telling of One of whom she had never heard, and having heard,
+understood nothing, but yet whose name became so familiar, even Jesus
+Christ, the sinner's Saviour.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_12">GOD'S MESSAGES—LETTICE'S LARK.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"LETTICE, go out and sit on the form in the shade till I am ready for
+church," said her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"May I pick some moon-daisies for old Mrs. Robins? She does love them
+so."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, but do not make yourself dirty."</p>
+
+<p>So Lettice set forth, and when she had filled her basket, she sat down
+to rest.</p>
+
+<p>How quiet it all was! How soft the air blew, bringing on it the sound
+of the distant church bells; while from the field, a lark rose up
+singing with all its might.</p>
+
+<p>Lettice's eyes followed it far up into the blue sky, and her thoughts
+went further than her eyes—even into heaven, where angels and the
+redeemed were praising God.</p>
+
+<p>When she carried the marguerites into the sick chamber of old Mrs.
+Robins, her face brought a message, though the little girl was quite
+unconscious of it. As the invalid looked at the flowers that quiet
+Sunday evening, she said over and over again to herself, "God's little
+messenger, that's what she was! She looked as if she'd been talking to
+Him."</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_7">AN UNINVITED GUEST.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>ONE day when the Lord Jesus was on this earth, He was invited to dinner
+by a rich man named Simon.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps this rich man asked the Lord Jesus to dinner because he wished
+to see Him do some miracle—something wonderful, which no one else could
+do; or he may have imagined that people would think more of himself if
+he had Jesus for a guest. At any rate, by what we read afterwards, I am
+afraid the Pharisee did not invite Jesus because he "loved" Him.</p>
+
+<p>But there was somebody at that feast who did love Jesus, but she was
+not invited!</p>
+
+<p>In Eastern lands, the houses are not shut up like our houses, but
+because it is so warm, the dining-rooms are often open to the air on
+one or two sides.</p>
+
+<p>When a great man makes a feast, people hear of it, and come round the
+house to look at what is going on.</p>
+
+<p>In the city, there lived a poor sinful and sorrowful woman who had
+learned to love the Lord Jesus; perhaps she had heard Him say those
+loving words: "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
+and I will give you rest."</p>
+
+<p>When this sorrowful woman heard that Jesus was gone to dinner at the
+Pharisee's house, she brought a little box made of alabaster, which was
+filled with some very sweet-smelling ointment, and she made her way
+into the open dining-hall, and when she saw where the Lord was sitting,
+on a sort of couch close to the table, she came up and stood behind Him.</p>
+
+<p>And as she stood there and thought of all her sinfulness, and of all
+His love and compassion, she began to weep, and her tears fell down
+over His feet as He reclined at the table.</p>
+
+<p>Then she wiped His feet with her hair and anointed them with the sweet
+ointment.</p>
+
+<p>But the Pharisee who had invited the Lord Jesus looked on with great
+anger. He thought if Jesus were a great teacher, He would not have
+allowed a woman from the city to come and wash His feet with her tears.</p>
+
+<p>But Jesus knows all our hearts, and He could see that the poor woman
+loved Him so much that she would go away and try never to grieve Him
+any more.</p>
+
+<p>By-and-by, He told Simon to look at this woman, and compare her love
+with his.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image010" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image010">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image010.jpg" alt="image010"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Jesus said words something like this: "Simon, I was tired and dusty
+when I came in, but you did not give Me water to bathe My feet; but she
+has washed My feet with her tears; you did not offer Me a kiss, but
+this woman has not ceased to kiss My 'feet'; you did not anoint My head
+with oil, but she has even anointed My 'feet' with precious ointment.
+She has loved Me very much because I have forgiven her very much."</p>
+
+<p>And turning to the woman, Jesus said to her, "Thy sins are
+forgiven; . . . go in peace."</p>
+
+<p>Oh, the joy of hearing Jesus say those words! And we may have the joy
+too, if we come to Him with humble, loving heart, and tell Him that we
+are sorry.</p>
+
+<p>He never turns anyone away who comes to Him; so, dear little children,
+let us trust His loving heart, and though we know we are very unworthy,
+do not let us stay away for that, for Jesus longs that we may be
+forgiven, and so be able to go away "in peace."</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_23">JIM.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>THE "Sailors' Arms" had held out alluring hands to Jim Adams for many a
+long day. His was the most familiar figure by its fireside in winter,
+and in fact, the "Sailors' Arms" saw more of Jim Adams when he was home
+from sea than the bare, dirty cottage where he lodged.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image011" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image011.jpg" alt="image011"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>But one sunny summer afternoon, Jim turned out of the "Sailors' Arms"
+earlier than his wont.</p>
+
+<p>Somehow he had got thinking of the Lizzie who would have been his wife
+if she hadn't taken the fever and died. He mightn't have been the Jim
+Adams he was now if she had lived. Who cared for him? Nobody. Who
+respected him? Nobody. Who would shed a tear if he never came back from
+sea? Nobody. They called him a drunken ne'er-do-weel, and they took a
+drink from him and laughed at him almost openly, and the respectable
+men and women drew away from him. It was a black picture that Jim drew
+of himself as he sat on the shingle and looked at the sea.</p>
+
+<p>A sound of voices and laughter came up to him, and he saw Bob Sheppard
+and his children coming over the sand. Big Bob and little Bob were
+carrying small Liz in a net between them.</p>
+
+<p>Jim watched them wistfully. He might have had a little laughing
+daughter like that.</p>
+
+<p>The two bearers deposited the child on the shingle, and Liz, after
+looking round for something to do, came trotting straight towards Jim.</p>
+
+<p>Jim held his breath. He didn't know what made him think of such a
+thing, but he decided that if she turned from him, there was no chance
+of his being different, but if she came past him without fear, he would
+try to be more like the Jim that the dead Lizzie had known.</p>
+
+<p>Little Liz stooped and picked up a piece of shining seaweed; she came
+towards Jim and held it out. "That's for you!" she said in her baby
+voice.</p>
+
+<p>Jim took it. He looked at it, and folded it and put it in his pocket,
+and the child stood and watched him as he got slowly up and went away.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image012" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image012">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image012.jpg" alt="image012"></a></figure>
+<p class="t4">
+<b>Big Bob and little Bob were carrying Liz</b><br>
+<b>in a net between them.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Three days later, Jim Adams went to sea again, and Liz's bit of seaweed
+went in his pocket. For three days he had been perfectly sober, and the
+"Sailors' Arms" had been feeling empty.</p>
+
+<p>Bob Sheppard sailed with him, and sometimes he would look pitifully at
+his neighbour's lowering, morose face. But Jim was such a well-known
+character that Bob never once dreamed of his wanting a helping hand or
+of the wish to be different.</p>
+
+<p>But wish as Jim would, he had no power to make himself different, and
+when the ship put in at the seaport near his village home, he went on
+shore and got drunk. He was sitting on deck next morning feeling more
+ashamed and sorry than he ever remembered feeling before, and there was
+a terrible depression at his heart. He could never be different, never
+be good enough to meet Lizzie. He would not try any more. He even took
+out the little bit of seaweed that he had thought would be a talisman
+to help him, and was going to throw it into the sea, when a small voice
+beside him said,—</p>
+
+<p>"Did you like my bit of seaweed? You never said you did."</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image013" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image013">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image013.jpg" alt="image013"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Jim started violently. There stood little Liz, hugging a great fish,
+and behind her was her mother, smiling at her. The two had come over as
+a great treat to see Bob, and Liz had spied her old friend and sought
+him out.</p>
+
+<p>Jim felt almost too shy to speak to her, but Mrs. Sheppard was talking
+quietly to her husband, and Jim drew the child nearer and admired her
+great fish. The two grew quite friendly, and hope began to creep back
+to Jim's heart. Suddenly looking up, he found Mrs. Sheppard looking
+down at him with a kindly expression in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"My little Liz has taken quite a fancy to you," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I was a better man," he said huskily. "I did try, but it don't
+seem no use."</p>
+
+<p>"The Lord Jesus would help you," she answered softly. "He loves you and
+died for you."</p>
+
+<p>A light came into Jim's bleared eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Lizzie used to talk like that," he said, "but it's too late now; I'm
+too bad."</p>
+
+<p>"It's never too late," cried Mrs. Sheppard warmly. "Don't you remember—</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+<br>
+"'The dying thief rejoiced to see<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That fountain in his day;<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;And there may I, as vile as he,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wash all my sins away.'"<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>Bob called her just then, and she and Liz wished him good-bye. But
+before she parted from Bob, she said hesitatingly, "You know Jim Adams,
+Bob? Give him a kind word now and then; little Liz has taken such a
+fancy to him, and he looks lonely."</p>
+
+<p>Bob looked down into little Liz's clear blue eyes thoughtfully. "He
+wouldn't take a word from me," he said, "but I'll think of it. You
+know, we think of those at home when we're out on the quiet nights, and
+I will see," he added fondly.</p>
+
+<p>He watched Jim curiously after that. He wondered what had made Lizzie
+take to the man. She was a rather shy, particular little lady, and Jim
+was not prepossessing in appearance.</p>
+
+<p>Bob watched Jim a good deal that voyage.</p>
+
+<p>Jim was usually morose and taciturn; now, silent as ever, he looked
+different, less unkempt, less unhappy. But Bob did not find a chance of
+speaking to him; their duties lay apart, and it seemed as if all things
+combined to separate them.</p>
+
+<p>One night a wild gale sprang up, and the ship, never very seaworthy in
+Bob's eyes, strained and tossed, and was beaten hither and thither in
+an alarming manner. Signals were fired, for they were in sight of the
+French coast, and as the tardy morning dawned, they saw that a small
+boat was putting out to them.</p>
+
+<p>The storm had subsided and the sea had gone down, but the wild waves
+had done their work on the old ship and she was sinking fast, and but
+one boat was coming out in answer to the signals of distress.</p>
+
+<p>Jim Adams stood looking out over the heaving water. He had a lifebelt
+on. He had just been at the pumps, and he knew the ship was doomed, and
+he was facing death and eternity. Yes, he could face them calmly now.
+He took out the bit of seaweed little Liz had given him—his first ray
+of hope—and he murmured over the verse Liz's mother had repeated. As he
+said the last line, he lifted his head with a look of triumph in his
+eyes—</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+<br>
+"And there may I, as vile as he,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wash all my sins away."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>He started as he felt someone stand beside him, and Bob Sheppard's
+voice said, "She's going fast."</p>
+
+<p>Jim nodded. "It's all right for me," he said gruffly. Then he added
+quickly, "Where's your lifebelt, man? That boat will never reach in
+time, and you've dear ones waiting at home."</p>
+
+<p>Little Liz's fair face seemed to rise before Bob's eyes, but he knew
+nothing of the ring of pathos that came into his voice as he answered
+quietly, "There aren't enough belts to go quite round."</p>
+
+<p>Jim made a quick movement, and Bob cried out earnestly, "No, no! Not
+your belt, Jim Adams; I'm determined about that."</p>
+
+<p>"So am I," answered Jim; "I'll try for the boat. I've no one to shed
+a tear if I go down, and you have wife and child. If it should be so,
+tell little Liz when she's growed up as she pointed the way to God to a
+poor lost sinner—she and your missis."</p>
+
+<p>He would take no denial, and he had but bound the life-preserver round
+Bob, when there was a sudden cry from below, "She's going!"</p>
+
+<p>She was, indeed. In the rush of the swirl of water as the ship sank,
+Bob saw no more of Jim. He was not to wait for the boat after all, and
+Bob was borne away on the crest of a wave.</p>
+
+<p>A spar touched his hand, and he grasped it. He would fight for the life
+Jim had tried to give him while his strength held out. An hour later,
+the boat from the French shore picked him up and bore him to land.</p>
+
+<p>All his mates were saved but one, and the one that was missing was Jim.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image014" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image014">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image014.jpg" alt="image014"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>It was early morning when the ill-fated boat that carried Jim Adams and
+Bob Sheppard sank into the seething water. The gale that had lulled
+somewhat rose again, and a few hours later, a little fishing-smack came
+in to the hospitable shore where Bob and his companions were recovering
+from their experiences. And with them, cold and still and altogether
+peaceful, came all that was left of Jim Adams. The fishermen said they
+had picked him up just alive, but in spite of all they could do, he had
+died before they could reach home.</p>
+
+<p>As Bob Sheppard stood looking down on the face of the man who had
+given his life for him, great tears welled up into his eyes and rolled
+unheeded down his rough face. What was he that Jim Adams should give
+his chance of life for him? He remembered his wife's interest in Jim,
+and Jim's love for little Liz. Jim had given them back their dearest,
+and had died in the giving.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image015" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image015">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image015.jpg" alt="image015"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Bob stooped down and took a piece of seaweed from the hand of the dead
+man. It was twisted firmly in the fingers, and Bob took it as a little
+remembrance. It was all that he could take to tell of that morning's
+work. But he did not know that he was taking the bit of seaweed that
+Liz had given in the innocence of her childish heart that day when Jim
+had left the "Sailors' Arms" and gone to think of his lost Lizzie on
+the beach.</p>
+
+<p>Bob did not guess that the seaweed that he folded in his pocket-book
+had been the first ray of hope for a new life for Jim. But he
+determined that the life given back to him that day should be devoted
+more wholly to following his Saviour.</p>
+
+<p>He saw Jim laid to rest in the little French burying-place, and then he
+took the first opportunity of going back to his home.</p>
+
+<p>How warm was his welcome!</p>
+
+<p>And as he and his wife gathered round the fire that first evening, with
+small Bob at his elbow and Liz close clasped in his arms, he told them
+how Jim had given his life for him.</p>
+
+<p>Ah, Jim! You thought that no tears would be shed for you; you thought
+no one would care! No one at the "Sailors' Arms" gave you another
+thought. Other sailors, tied and bound by the curse of drink, occupied
+the "Sailors' Arms," but you were mourned and spoken of gently in one
+home, the home where little Liz lived.</p>
+
+<p>As Liz grew up, her mother often told her of Jim Adams, for the child
+had no knowledge of what her little innocent gift of seaweed had done
+for Jim, though she could well remember Jim's face and figure. And the
+story had an effect on all her life, making her kind and thoughtful for
+the sad and downtrodden, and ever ready to hold out a helping hand, or
+give a cheering word to those who had few to care for them.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image016" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image016.jpg" alt="image016"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_52">TURNED OUT.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>IT could not be true! George looked at his employer blankly; surely he
+had misunderstood. But once more, the harsh words fell on his ears, and
+he knew he had heard aright.</p>
+
+<p>"Here are your wages, and I shall not need your services after next
+week."</p>
+
+<p>George took the pile of silver handed him and walked mechanically out
+of the office. Some of the men eyed him curiously as he passed, not a
+few openly jeered, but George walked on, dragging his feet wearily.</p>
+
+<p>At the corner he paused, then turned sharply away from the village
+towards the desolate bare heaps of refuse which lay around, and walked
+rapidly on. How could he go home and face his mother with that story,
+that mother so dependent on him, for whom he had toiled so long?</p>
+
+<p>Making sure no one was within sight, he flung himself on the ground and
+moaned aloud. Oh, why had they left their little country home and come
+to this drear spot? It was all dark to him, and there was no one to
+comfort him then.</p>
+
+<p>At last, he roused himself and turned back towards the village; the
+sun was setting in a red glow behind the church tower, and the rooks
+in the vicarage garden were flying homewards. All was at rest and in
+peace, but he alone. And why was it? What had he done that he should be
+dismissed? Ah! He knew, but the thought brought him no comfort yet.</p>
+
+<p>"'Saint,'" they had called him, "'coward'" too, because he had refused
+to join in their gambling and drinks, and had mocked him; ay, and
+cursed him too for the loving care he gave to his mother.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image017" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image017.jpg" alt="image017"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>So he strode through the village angry and sad. Angry, for he thought
+God had forsaken him, sad because his faith was dim, and he saw not the
+hand stretched out even then to shield.</p>
+
+<p>He had passed the little gate which led from the vicarage garden, when
+a cheery voice called to him, and he turned to see the vicar leaning
+over it. A glance at his face told the vicar he was in trouble, and
+drawing him inside, he paced silently beside the lad while he told his
+tale.</p>
+
+<p>He could do little then to comfort, but his sympathy helped George and
+took the hardness out of his heart and voice.</p>
+
+<p>Then he hastened home and broke the news to his mother, never noticing
+in his trouble the glad bright light on her face.</p>
+
+<p>When he had finished, she took her son by the arm and led him to the
+window, where lay a strange, long envelope. George took it, wondering,
+then read the letter almost with awe.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother!" he said, and clasped her in his arms. "Then God has not
+forgotten."</p>
+
+<p>The letter was from a strange lawyer, telling them that George's uncle
+had died in Australia and had left £500 to George's dear mother.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image018" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image018.jpg" alt="image018"></figure>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_16">HER SAILOR BOY.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"I'D better go away, mother, and get over it as best I can!"</p>
+
+<p>"Away from 'me,' Benny?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be better away. It's no use trying here. I shall meet Mary
+every day, and I can't stand it."</p>
+
+<p>Then the mother knew that what she had feared had come upon her. She
+only held his hand and looked into his face.</p>
+
+<p>"There's only one way that I know on, to get broken hearts healed," she
+said, falteringly; "and that ain't going into foreign parts! There's a
+Healer as will do better for you nor that!"</p>
+
+<p>The young man would not pull his hand away, for might it not be the
+last time she might hold it? But a slight movement on his part showed
+his unwillingness, which she well understood.</p>
+
+<p>"Come back to me when you are tired of it," she said gently and
+tenderly. "If I'm alive, I shall be here waiting for you; and there's
+One as is nearer than ever I could be."</p>
+
+<p>Then he packed his bundle; and with sore, wounded heart, and burning
+anger against the friend who had played him false, he went to sea.</p>
+
+<p>His mother betook herself to her Refuge. She knew it would take time
+for the wound to heal; she knew that it would be hard for him to meet
+every day of his life the girl who had wronged him, and she let him go
+without further persuasion. Did she not know, too, that where she could
+not help him, God could?</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps Ben had not guessed all it would cost him to leave his seaside
+cottage, and the fishing smacks, and the fisher folk.</p>
+
+<p>He took train to the nearest seaport, and choosing a vessel that took
+his fancy, he engaged himself for a long voyage, and was soon off.</p>
+
+<p>Whatever home-sickness he felt, he kept to himself. In the silent,
+starry nights when he was on watch, there were thoughts that passed
+through his mind that no one would have guessed in the day while busy
+life was round him.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps he thought more of his mother's God than he had ever done
+before; perhaps he humbled himself to seek comfort from Him who
+has so lovingly invited the weary and heavy laden to come to Him.
+But the three years were lengthened to many more. He had not meant
+to stay longer, but a sailor who was his chum persuaded him to try
+gold-digging, and somehow—Ben never knew how—he stayed on and on,
+writing to his mother that he was coming home "soon," but putting off
+the decision till ten long years had gone by.</p>
+
+<p>At length, a letter reached him in a handwriting he knew long ago.</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I that did you the greatest unkindness years ago, will do you a
+kindness now," it said. "Your mother has aged a good bit lately. To my
+thinking, she won't be here so very long."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>Then Ben woke up. All at once he realised that years instead of months
+had gone past. His mother's letters and her assurances of being well
+and thinking of him always had satisfied him. But now the world had
+grown dark suddenly, and he rubbed his hands across his eyes, wondering
+how everything was suddenly changed.</p>
+
+<p>"I meant not to go back till I could take her a fortune," he said to
+his mate, "but I've mistook mother. She don't want a fortune, she wants
+to see me agin, and to know somethin' about me; that's better nor any
+fortune."</p>
+
+<p>When once Ben had made up his mind to do a thing, it did not take long
+for him to begin it. The next morning saw him on his way home with much
+such a bundle as he had started with, but with a few nuggets hidden
+among his clothes. In the quiet nights of the homeward voyage, his real
+fortune came to him. It came in words which he had learned thirty years
+ago at his mother's side—"Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call
+ye upon Him while He is near."</p>
+
+<p>When his mother clasped him in her arms and looked in his face, she
+knew that the desire of her heart had been granted.</p>
+
+<p>"The Lord's way is a right way," she said gently. "Welcome home, my
+boy, welcome home!"</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image019" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image019">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image019.jpg" alt="image019"></a></figure>
+<p class="t4">
+<b>His mother clasped him in her arms.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image020" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image020.jpg" alt="image020"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_2">CHAPTER II.—HIRA'S FRIEND.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>HIRA had a friend, though even that fact she did not attempt to put
+into words, but merely accepted. She could not remember the time when
+Sukhiya had not come to her uncle's house to sell butter and milk. She
+was a kindhearted woman with an empty place in her heart which had been
+left desolate, as one by one her ten children had pined away and died.
+That had happened ten years ago now, but she still wept when she spoke
+of it. It was just after the tenth had gone the way of all the rest
+that Hira was born, and her mother died.</p>
+
+<p>The heart of the mother with no children went out to the child who had
+no mother, and whenever she went to the house to sell her milk, she
+used to ask after the little one, who looked so small and frail that
+even with the best of care it seemed unlikely that she would ever live
+to grow up. But in spite of the fact that none cared whether she did
+or not, as we know, Hira did live, and if her life had brought little
+happiness to herself, at least it had been a comfort to the childless
+mother.</p>
+
+<p>It may have been partly owing to the kind woman that her life lasted so
+long, for many and many a time had a brimming saucer of milk or cream
+found its way out of Sukhiya's basket and helped to feed the blind
+child.</p>
+
+<p>Hira had not always been blind, but when she was three years old, like
+so many other children in India, she had a severe attack of inflamed
+eyes, and because no one took the trouble to see that they were
+properly treated, Hira had to pay the penalty and spend her life in the
+dark.</p>
+
+<p>Before this happened, and as the sad fact began to dawn upon Sukhiya
+that she would never have other children than the ten who had been
+born only to die, she sometimes cherished the secret hope that the
+motherless child might be given to her. But now she had to give up any
+such ambition, for she knew her husband would never consent to her
+taking charge of a blind child, from whom they could never expect to
+gain anything, and who might always be on their hands.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless, she did what she could for the child, who often used
+to follow her from house to house, as she went on her rounds, and
+sometimes spend many hours in her little hut beside her.</p>
+
+<p>Whenever the child was missing, it was easily guessed where she was,
+and sooner or later she would be sure to be brought back. Although
+Hira seldom talked to anyone else, she had always plenty to say to
+Sukhiya, who never wearied of listening to the child's prattle. All her
+knowledge of the world in which she lived had come to her from this
+source; even the red sari, which she wore on the roof that memorable
+evening, had been a present from this faithful friend.</p>
+
+<p>Now that Hira was growing up, she was not allowed as much liberty as
+she had had as a very small child, but still she and Sukhiya found
+plenty of opportunities for meeting.</p>
+
+<p>After the evening of the strange Englishman's visit, the blind child
+waited anxiously for the coming of her friend, who would be able to
+explain the wonderful event, and answer the many questions which were
+puzzling her little brain. Several days passed, and when she did not
+come, Hira determined to go in search of her. By asking her way, she
+could easily find the house, as she had often done before; so, when no
+one was looking, she slipped out of the door and was gone.</p>
+
+<p>Sukhiya was lying on her bed, groaning with fever, but as soon as she
+heard the blind child's voice asking, "Is there anyone here?" she
+forgot all her aches and pains and was on her feet in a moment, opening
+the door for the child, who for her meant all she knew of love and
+happiness.</p>
+
+<p>A long story had to be told of the illness which had prevented Sukhiya
+going on her usual rounds, of the pain in her head which kept her from
+thinking, and the pain in her back which kept her from walking. In
+time, however, all was explained, and then came Hira's turn, and this
+is the story which was told:—</p>
+
+<p>"I was sitting on the roof, trying to see some of the things you tell
+me about so often, and listening to all I could hear, but it was so
+still, just like it is at night when everybody is asleep. All at once I
+heard something I have never heard before; how shall I tell you what it
+was like? It was someone singing, only it didn't make my head ache, or
+want to shut up my ears, like I do when they grind and sing. This time
+I wanted my ears to be open quite wide so that I might hear every bit,
+and when it stopped, I felt so sad, I almost cried."</p>
+
+<p>"But who was it, child? And what did he sing?" asked Sukhiya.</p>
+
+<p>"How can I tell you?" answered the child. "The singer I could not see,
+and what he sang I could not understand; only two words he sang many,
+many times, and so they are written on my heart. 'Jesus Christ' was the
+sound; perhaps they were English words, for I heard it said that he
+was an English gentleman, but I want to know why he sang so many, many
+times those words, 'Jesus Christ.' Can you tell me what they mean? Or
+if not, can you find out?"</p>
+
+<p>"Jesus Christ? Yes, child, those are no new words. I have heard and
+known them for many years, for that is the name of Him whom the English
+worship. It must have been an English gentleman who sang that day,
+but it is strange he should have come into these parts, for I have
+never seen one here, though I have in other places. It comes to me now
+the very first time I heard that name. I had gone to a house to sell
+butter, and while I was sitting there waiting, an English lady came in,
+for there was a girl in the house she was teaching to read.</p>
+
+<p>"That day she was out, so there was no lesson given, but the lady said,
+'I will tell you all a story.'</p>
+
+<p>"So we gathered round, and then she told how one day a blind man was
+sitting by the roadside begging, and Jesus Christ came along. When the
+blind man knew who it was, he called after Him, and would not be quiet
+any way. By-and-by, he came up to where Jesus Christ was standing by,
+and as soon as He touched his eyes, he could see quite plainly."</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image021" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image021">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image021.jpg" alt="image021"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Sukhiya," cried the child plaintively, "why did you never tell me
+this before? If Jesus Christ gave new eyes to a blind beggar, I am sure
+He would to a poor little girl like me. How could you be so unkind as
+never to tell me? And now perhaps He has gone a long way off."</p>
+
+<p>The woman looked distressed at the child's grief as she answered, "Why,
+little one, Jesus Christ is not here. How do I know where He is? That
+is the story the lady told. I expect it is only a story, and perhaps
+Jesus Christ is only just a name, and not any real person."</p>
+
+<p>But the child was not to be so easily satisfied. "Promise me," she
+said, "that you will find out where Jesus Christ lives, and then that
+you will take me to Him. Just think if I had eyes like other people,
+and didn't have to sit in the dark all day and all night—oh, how glad I
+would be! Say, quick, that you will find out."</p>
+
+<p>Sukhiya was willing to say anything to pacify the child, and she
+promised that as soon as she was well, and able to go about again, she
+would find out all she could.</p>
+
+<p>Then Hira went back to her story, and said, "But I haven't told you all
+about that gentleman and what he said. When he had finished singing, he
+called out in a loud voice, so that all could hear, 'Prepare to meet
+thy God.'</p>
+
+<p>"What did he mean? Is God going to come here, or is He going to send
+for us to go where He is? And how does He want us to get ready? I have
+been thinking and thinking ever since, but I don't know any better, so
+I came to tell you, for you must find out for me.</p>
+
+<p>"When I ask my aunt she says, 'It will be time enough for you to learn
+about the gods when you are married.'</p>
+
+<p>"But who will marry a blind girl?"</p>
+
+<p>Sukhiya looked puzzled as she said, "Little one, why do you think about
+such things, such as never come into the thoughts of other children? It
+is enough for us to think of what we shall eat and wear, and how we are
+to get enough pice to keep us alive. It is for Brahmins and pundits to
+think about God: don't trouble your little head any more, and I will
+buy you a new doll to play with."</p>
+
+<p>"But, I don't want a new doll," cried the child petulantly; "I want to
+know and understand, and there is nobody to tell me but you."</p>
+
+<p>"And I am only a poor ignorant woman, who understands nothing but how
+to sell milk and butter, and count up pice. Yes, there is one other
+thing: I know how to weep, but maybe I have cried away all my tears,
+for they do not come as they used to. Now, child, my head and back are
+aching."</p>
+
+<p>And not feeling inclined for any more talk on deep subjects, the woman
+lay back on the bedstead on which she had been lying when the child
+came in.</p>
+
+<p>Hira said nothing, but sat on for a while in perfect silence, which
+was only broken by an occasional groan from the woman as she turned
+restlessly on her bed.</p>
+
+<p>Presently she stood up, "I am going now," she said, "and remember you
+have promised to find out about Jesus Christ for me—and oh, do be quick
+and take me to Him, for I am so tired of groping in the dark."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, child, I will remember, and as soon as this pain in my head and
+back gets better, I will find out all I can. Take care how you walk,
+and don't forget to turn the corner."</p>
+
+<p>The child groped her way out at the door, as the woman muttered to
+herself, "Poor little one, she is always thinking how she can get out
+of the dark, but I fear neither Jesus Christ nor anyone else can give
+her new eyes." Then the blind child was forgotten in the woes of a bad
+attack of fever.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image022" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image022.jpg" alt="image022"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_10">A WET DAY.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>WHAT a day! The rain kept on steadily pouring down. Mrs. Rolle looked
+out on the rather dingy street in which she lived, and saw the settled
+look of the weather, and she sighed. For she knew that people would "do
+without" to-day.</p>
+
+<p>And then the school children! Instead of their racing to her shop and
+standing, to peep in at her glass door and perhaps enter and buy, they
+would hurry by beneath their umbrellas (if they had any); and perhaps
+they would run home another way and spend their pennies elsewhere!</p>
+
+<p>She descended to her tiny back parlour and her solitary breakfast, and
+though her bullfinch warbled a sweet song of praise, she failed to
+notice him, but went on with her gloomy calculations of how near rent
+day was, and how little she might expect in to meet it.</p>
+
+<p>So she pushed aside her plate and cup, and instead of tidily washing
+them and putting them away, as she usually did, she went into her shop
+and sat down to wait for customers.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image023" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image023">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image023.jpg" alt="image023"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Again and again she counted her payments, again and again she thought
+of her bad trade, till her heart quite died within her.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly she raised her head.</p>
+
+<p>She had forgotten in her pressure of spirit to read her daily portion
+ere she began her day's work. She put her hand slowly and hesitatingly
+beneath the counter, and felt on the usual shelf for her Bible. Yes,
+there it was, and to her surprise open in the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>Now she remembered she had been reading yesterday when a customer came
+in, and she had popped it beneath in a hurry. Her eyes fell upon the
+open leaf, and as if the words were written for her and for no one
+else, she read one startling line—</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, saith the Lord."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>Her heart leapt up with sudden rejoicing faith. "It is 'His' goodness
+I am to be satisfied with!" she murmured, while her eyes dimmed with
+penitent tears. "Why am I wanting earthly things so ardently, and
+forgetting that what He sees best He will give?"</p>
+
+<p>She pressed her lips to the words, and closed her Bible. Then she sat
+on, and in humble, gentle whispers she told the Lord all her cares—all
+about the rent day, all about the slack trade, all about the weary
+dropping rain.</p>
+
+<p>All day she sat quiet and waited. "My people shall be satisfied with
+'My' goodness," she repeated again and again.</p>
+
+<p>Just as she was shutting up the shop for the night, the postman passed
+across the street. He thrust a dripping letter into her box, and passed
+on.</p>
+
+<p>The letter was from an old friend, whom she had supposed dead,
+inclosing a cheque which would keep her far from want for many a long
+day.</p>
+
+<p>"I 'was' satisfied with His goodness," she said humbly, as she lay down
+in her bed, "and I said, 'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want!'
+It was just like Him to send me this."</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_55">"What Doest thou here, Elijah?"</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>HERE is a man sitting in a very bare place, where there was no water
+and no food, and he was all tired out.</p>
+
+<p>Now, God knew all about Elijah: he was God's servant, and loved Him
+very much, and God was taking care of him all the time.</p>
+
+<p>King Ahab was a very wicked king, and his wife, Jezebel, was more
+wicked still. She hated Elijah, and made up her mind to kill him,
+because he had been sent by God to destroy the wicked priests of the
+idol Baal whom Jezebel worshipped.</p>
+
+<p>So Jezebel sent word to Elijah that she would certainly kill him before
+to-morrow.</p>
+
+<p>Now, as I said, Elijah was a very good man, and had served God very
+faithfully, but just now he was tired out.</p>
+
+<p>So when Queen Jezebel sent him that message, Elijah forgot about God
+taking care of him, and he ran away as fast as he could into the
+wilderness, and there, when he thought he was far enough off to be safe
+from Jezebel, he threw himself down on the ground and asked God that he
+might be allowed to die.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Elijah! So as he sat there in the wilderness, so tired that he
+wished to die, his eyes closed, and he fell asleep.</p>
+
+<p>As he lay and slept, God sent one of His angels to him, and the angel
+touched him and told him to get up and eat.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps Elijah's first thought was that there was nothing to eat there
+in the wilderness. But when he opened his eyes, to his astonishment he
+saw by his side a cake of bread and a bottle of water!</p>
+
+<p>So he ate and drank, and laid himself down again to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>By-and-by, the angel came again and touched him, and said to him,
+"Arise and eat; for the journey is too great for thee."</p>
+
+<p>See how God cares for His children, and how He knows whether things are
+too hard for us.</p>
+
+<p>So Elijah ate and drank again, and then being wonderfully strengthened
+and rested, he rose up and went a very long journey till he came to a
+cave in a mountain-side, where he stopped a little time, still fearing
+that Jezebel would catch him and kill him.</p>
+
+<p>And then the word of the Lord came to him again, and said to him, "What
+doest thou here, Elijah?"</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image024" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image024">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image024.jpg" alt="image024"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Then Elijah told the Lord how he had tried to serve Him, and how
+Jezebel had killed numbers of the Lord's prophets, and that he feared
+he was the only one who was left, and that soon she would kill him.</p>
+
+<p>Then the Lord told him to stand outside the cave while He passed by.
+And there was a great earthquake and storm, and then a very gentle
+voice, and the Lord asked him again: "What doest thou here, Elijah?"</p>
+
+<p>And when Elijah told the Lord again that he feared Jezebel would kill
+him, the Lord sent him to give two very important messages for Him, and
+assured him that He could take care of him, saying He had still seven
+thousand faithful ones who loved Him, who were being kept as safe as He
+would keep Elijah.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image025" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image025.jpg" alt="image025"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_3">CHAPTER III.—A STARTLING QUESTION.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>FOR several days, Hira waited, not patiently, but most impatiently, for
+Sukhiya to come and tell her what she wanted to know.</p>
+
+<p>She would have gone again to seek her, but her last expedition had cost
+her a good beating, which she did not care to have repeated. Besides,
+if she was not careful, she would be so watched that she would have no
+opportunity of going out by herself. So she waited, counting the days,
+and at last Sukhiya came. It seemed that day as if it would never be
+settled just how much butter was wanted, and then how much must be paid
+for it. But at last, Sukhiya stood up ready to put her basket on her
+head.</p>
+
+<p>Now Hira's time was come; she groped her way to a small passage by the
+door through which her friend would have to pass, so as to be ready
+to stop her there, where there would be no one to listen to what was
+said. As soon as Sukhiya saw the child, she put down her basket on the
+ground, and sat down beside it, as if quite prepared to stay as long as
+she was wanted, for time was no matter of great consideration.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me, Sukhiya," whispered the child eagerly, "Where is Jesus
+Christ, and how can I find Him? And has He ever made any other blind
+girl see? Tell me quickly."</p>
+
+<p>"Stay, stay, child! What a hurry you are in! You make my head swim with
+so many questions, and I still weak from the fever; listen quietly,
+and you shall hear all. I went to a babu's house yesterday, where I
+sometimes go to sell, and as they are Christians, I thought they would
+tell me what you want to know. They laughed when I said that a blind
+girl I knew wanted to go to Jesus Christ, to ask Him to give her new
+eyes. I did not see anything to laugh at, but they seemed to think I
+was not quite in my right senses. And then I got angry, and came away,
+so that is all I know."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, how unkind!" cried the child in a tone of bitter disappointment.
+"How cruel of them to laugh, and how silly of you to be angry and not
+to ask any more! But I 'will' find out; I will go myself and ask. I
+wonder they can laugh at a poor blind girl!"</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," said the woman, glad to see a way of escape; "that will be
+a very good thing. I will take you some day, and you shall find out all
+you want to know."</p>
+
+<p>"Let us go to-day. Why should we not go now?" cried the child
+impatiently. "Surely I have waited long enough."</p>
+
+<p>Sukhiya considered a minute, and then, seeing no serious objection, she
+agreed, and so they started on their way—the woman with a basket on her
+head, followed by the small figure in a red sari.</p>
+
+<p>It was not far to the Christian babu's house, and as the door was open,
+Sukhiya walked straight in. The house was not very different to those
+in the midst of which it stood, but still, there was quite enough to
+show that it was not inhabited by ordinary Hindus or Mahomedans.</p>
+
+<p>Several tables and chairs, none too clean and in some cases broken,
+stood here and there, while the walls were decorated with various
+pictures and prints, in the midst of which was a text surrounded by
+Christmas cards.</p>
+
+<p>The courtyard and verandah seemed quite empty and deserted, but as
+Sukhiya called out, "Is there anyone at home?" a woman holding a baby
+in her arms came out of the inner room. She very well matched her
+house, being dressed in a style which was partly English and partly
+Hindustani, not over clean or tidy. She looked weary and listless,
+as if life had not proved itself very attractive to her, and she had
+ceased to take much interest in it. She sat down on the first seat she
+came to, and Sukhiya, putting down her basket before her, sat down
+beside it, Hira, who was holding on to the end of her chaddar, doing
+likewise.</p>
+
+<p>Sukhiya, who had little thought of her own business, but was thinking
+rather of the child beside her, and how to get her satisfied, came at
+once to the point, and told the object of her visit.</p>
+
+<p>"This is the blind girl I told you of," she said, "who wants to know
+about Jesus Christ, and whether He can make her see as He has done
+other people. So, as you are a Christian and know all about these
+things, will you please tell her? For she won't be satisfied any way
+till she knows, and I cannot tell her."</p>
+
+<p>Mary Dayál looked up in surprise, and a gleam of interest lighted
+up her otherwise dull face. She was not accustomed to being asked
+questions like this, and she hesitated a little before giving an
+answer. Then she said, "The little girl must be very ignorant not to
+know that Jesus Christ is not here now. It is hundreds of years ago
+since He gave sight to the blind."</p>
+
+<p>"Is Jesus Christ dead?" interrupted Hira. "Then why does the English
+gentleman sing hymns about Him? What use is a dead person?"</p>
+
+<p>"But Jesus Christ is 'not' dead," answered Mary. "He is alive in
+heaven, but not in this world, and He doesn't make blind people see any
+more. You had better go to the hospital and have your eyes looked at;
+something might be done for you there."</p>
+
+<p>The child's eager face clouded over; she had so hoped that she would be
+able to find Jesus Christ, and that He would just touch her eyes and
+she would see. Now it was all of no use, for He was dead. How could it
+be true that He was alive? If He was not anywhere, He must be dead, and
+this woman was talking nonsense. She drew her red sari further over her
+face and said nothing more.</p>
+
+<p>And the two women began to talk to each other about such things as milk
+and butter.</p>
+
+<p>Presently Sukhiya took up her basket, and Hira stood up also, ready to
+follow her. Suddenly a new thought seemed to strike her, and raising
+her sightless eyes to Mary's face, she asked earnestly, "Have you got
+ready to meet God?"</p>
+
+<p>The woman started at this unexpected question, and turning to Sukhiya,
+asked, "Is this child in her right mind, that she asks such strange
+questions?"</p>
+
+<p>Quite indignant at such a thing being said of her little favourite,
+Sukhiya answered quickly, "In her right mind! Of course she is, but
+while we spend all our time thinking of bread, and money, and such
+things, she, poor little one, sitting in the dark, thinks of God. It
+seems as if when the Almighty took away her eyes, He gave her a double
+share of understanding, for there are few of us as wise as she."</p>
+
+<p>Then turning to the child, "Come, little one," she said, "there is
+nothing to be learnt here, that is certain." And the two went out.</p>
+
+<p>But Hira, though she had gained nothing herself, left a message behind
+her. Mary Dayál sat on alone, for the baby had fallen asleep, and in
+the silence came back again the blind child's question: "Have you got
+ready to meet God?"</p>
+
+<p>The questioner was only a little heathen girl, who knew nothing about
+the true God, and the one of whom she had asked was a Christian, who
+had been baptised and belonged to the Christian Church, and yet the
+unanswered question had made her feel uneasy, all the more so because
+it had come so unexpectedly.</p>
+
+<p>If she had heard the words in church, as doubtless she often had done,
+they would have been soon forgotten, but it was quite different when
+this strange child, with her patient, eager face, and sightless eyes,
+stood before her and asked, as if she really wished to know, "Have you
+got ready to meet God?"</p>
+
+<p>The question brought others. When and where would she have to meet God?
+What did it mean to be ready? And how could she get ready?</p>
+
+<p>In the depths of her heart, she knew that she had no wish to meet God.
+She only knew Him from very far-off, and she had no desire to come
+nearer. She went to church when there was nothing to prevent, but very
+often there was, and when she was not too busy or too tired, she read
+a chapter in the Bible; if that would make her ready to meet God, then
+she was ready. But something seemed to whisper in her heart that God
+would require more than that. Then the baby woke, and soon the other
+children came in from school, and there was no more time for thinking.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image026" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image026.jpg" alt="image026"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_30">NORA'S MESSAGE.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"NORA, ain't you ready?" asked a querulous voice from the bed.</p>
+
+<p>The child addressed was putting on a pair of heavy boots, while by her
+side on a box lay a rather tattered hat, and a shawl.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image027" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image027.jpg" alt="image027"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Nora did not answer; she was a good-tempered little girl, and she took
+things as they came, generally.</p>
+
+<p>"It's hard to lie here and know it will be hours before you bring home
+a bit of bread or tea," moaned the invalid.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm bein' as quick as I can, mother," said the child, "but these laces
+is so broken; I was near havin' a new pair yesterday—"</p>
+
+<p>"You sure wasn't going to spend a penny when a bit of string would do?"
+sharply suggested the invalid.</p>
+
+<p>Nora laughed a little. "Well, no, I didn't think of spendin' a penny,
+no more ner you would, mother!" she answered. "Not on that, leastways."</p>
+
+<p>How often she had stood by the boys with trays of buns, and felt as if
+she would give her whole basket of flowers 'almost' for one of those
+warm, spongy, sugary, shiny dainties!</p>
+
+<p>"Then how?" asked her mother, raising herself on her elbow.</p>
+
+<p>"I was crossin' over a wide place, one of them old fellers with laces
+was crossin' too, and one of 'em fell off the wire in the mud—"</p>
+
+<p>"And you didn't?" inquired her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"I could easy ha' had it—nothin' easier," pursued the child, with a
+nod, "but—"</p>
+
+<p>"But what?" asked the invalid, laying herself wearily back on her
+pillow.</p>
+
+<p>"But I thought of what teacher telled us—and I couldn't! So I picked it
+up and give it to him."</p>
+
+<p>"What did she tell you?" asked the invalid a little curiously.</p>
+
+<p>"She telled us that 'Jesus' noticed what we was doin', and I couldn't
+after that!"</p>
+
+<p>She took up her basket and ran out, and the mother lay in her weariness
+and faintness, and pondered.</p>
+
+<p>"Jesus notices what we're doing," she repeated again and again. "Then
+if He notices, He knows all about us!" she thought. "He sees my pain,
+and how hungry and miserable I am. I wonder if He cares?"</p>
+
+<p>There was a little rap at the door. "May I come in?" said a gentle,
+bright voice. "I thought you would like to see a friend this morning;
+and I've brought you a piece of toast we had on the table and a cup of
+hot tea in a bottle. Feel how warm it is wrapped in my cloak! I brought
+it because Jesus loves you! Is not that a nice comforting thought?"</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image028" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image028">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image028.jpg" alt="image028"></a></figure>
+<p class="t4">
+<b>Peace I leave with you,</b><br>
+<b>My peace I give unto you.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_41">So Much the More!</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>SEE how loving Jesus looks! He never turned anyone away who wanted Him.</p>
+
+<p>When people are tired, we sometimes hear them say, "Don't come and ask
+me; I'm too tired." But Jesus never did like that; He always was ready
+to help and bless.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps you little children say in your hearts, "Yes, but then that was
+so long ago, and Jesus is not on earth now. I wish He were, and that I
+were there in the Holy Land, and could tell Him just what troubles me."</p>
+
+<p>And so you turn away with a sigh, and wish Jesus were here now.</p>
+
+<p>But though you cannot see the Lord Jesus, He "is" near you all the
+time. It is true that He left this earth and went back to heaven. But
+because He is God, He is here, close to us all the time, and is ready
+to help you the moment you speak to Him in your heart.</p>
+
+<p>You see this picture? You would like to hear about it, I know, because
+the Lord Jesus looks so kind, and the poor man seems so anxious to get
+to Him.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image029" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image029">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image029.jpg" alt="image029"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Jesus was close to the city of Jericho, and as He passed along, a
+number of people were with Him who had seen the wonderful things He did.</p>
+
+<p>Just outside the city, a blind man sat near the road, begging of
+those who passed by. His ears were very quick, and he soon heard the
+trampling of feet and guessed something unusual was going on.</p>
+
+<p>He eagerly asked what it meant, and when they told him that Jesus of
+Nazareth passeth by, he called out aloud, "Jesus, Thou son of David,
+have mercy on me!"</p>
+
+<p>The people who went before did not like the interruption, and told him
+to be quiet. But the blind man had heard of Jesus and knew He could
+make him well, so he cried out louder than ever.</p>
+
+<p>The dear Lord never refuses a cry of distress: He stood still, and
+commanded the blind man to be brought to Him.</p>
+
+<p>So the people ran to the blind man and said to him, "Be of good cheer,
+rise; He calleth thee."</p>
+
+<p>So the blind man was led to Jesus, and Jesus inquired what he wanted.
+And the blind man asked Him to do the most difficult thing in the
+world, next to raising the dead; he asked that his blind eyes might be
+made to see.</p>
+
+<p>But nothing is difficult to the Lord Jesus. In a moment, Jesus had
+given him what he asked, and told him that his faith had saved him.</p>
+
+<p>And then the blind man did what all of us should do who have been to
+Jesus and received a blessing or an answer to our prayers from Him—we
+should "follow Him in the way, glorifying God."</p>
+
+<p>We should try to please Jesus in all our daily work and play. When we
+think how He has heard our prayer, or comforted us, or made us pleasant
+when we felt cross, or helped us to forgive somebody who had been
+unkind to us—then we should say in our hearts,—</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Dear Lord Jesus, thank You."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>And so we should find our faces grow brighter and our lives happier,
+and we should be following Him in the way.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image030" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image030.jpg" alt="image030"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_40">SMOOTHED OUT.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"WHERE is Margaret?" asked cook crossly.</p>
+
+<p>"She's in the passage, kneeling by the window," said the housemaid.</p>
+
+<p>"'What?'" asked the cook emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>"Writing letters!" said Jenny.</p>
+
+<p>The cook marched to the door with quick step, and stood looking at
+Margaret with wrath in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"How often have I told you that I will not have you writing letters
+before your work is done!" she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>Margaret turned round, and her face grew scarlet as she rose from her
+knees.</p>
+
+<p>"No wonder you are ashamed!" exclaimed cook. "What with Jenny always
+wanting to go out, and you always wanting to be writing letters, and
+Martha neglecting her work like she does, I have enough of it. I shall
+tell mistress that I can't make anything of you, and that she had
+better get another girl!"</p>
+
+<p>With which words, she went into the kitchen and slammed the door.</p>
+
+<p>Margaret stood dumbfounded; then she looked down at her letter,
+and then angrily she crumpled the freshly written pages together,
+and stuffing them into her little blotter, she hurried back to the
+scullery, where a whole heap of washing-up awaited her.</p>
+
+<p>Boiling with anger, she plunged the plates into the tub, and dashed
+away at her work in a desperate fashion. All the time, she was
+conscious of that crumpled letter in her blotting-case. And that, worst
+of all, it was mail day, and there would be no time to write another.</p>
+
+<p>Burning tears scalded her cheeks and dropped into the tub, till she was
+forced to get out her handkerchief and wipe them away. Then she dashed
+on again, the thought of having lost the mail making her half beside
+herself.</p>
+
+<p>Just at that moment, there came a sudden check; a cover of one of the
+best vegetable dishes flew into two pieces in her cloth.</p>
+
+<p>Here was a disaster! Margaret hid her face in her hands.</p>
+
+<p>Cook had almost given her her dismissal; she had broken one of the
+best dishes, and she had spoilt the letter which was to have gone to
+her soldier brother by that afternoon's post! She put down the pieces
+of the cover without any noise now. She wrung out her dish-cloth and
+emptied away the water, and then slowly and sorrowfully she took her
+blotter and went upstairs to her room.</p>
+
+<p>"What shall I do? What shall I do?" she sobbed, as she threw herself on
+her knees by her bed.</p>
+
+<p>Oh that her own mother were alive, or that she could lay her head on
+her faithful brother's shoulder and tell him all her grief!</p>
+
+<p>And if she did, what would he say? The thought quieted her. She ceased
+to cry so hopelessly, and her head sank on her arms.</p>
+
+<p>"He would tell me to look to Jesus," she whispered to herself, "and
+he would say that He can straighten out the worst of life's tangles.
+Oh, dear! Oh, dear! But how can I ask Him after my passion? And then
+there's the mail—and cook—and the vegetable dish."</p>
+
+<p>It did seem too many tangles to get straightened out. And yet—</p>
+
+<p>Her head bowed lower and lower, and her heart went out to that loving
+Saviour who is near us when we call upon Him in truth.</p>
+
+<p>After a minute or two she rose, and the first thing she saw was cook,
+standing in front of her with the broken dish in her hand and tears in
+her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, cook!" sobbed Margaret, "I was coming to tell you—"</p>
+
+<p>"And I was coming to tell you," said cook gently, "that I'm sorry I
+spoke quite so sharp to you. I know you try to be a good girl, but I
+was vexed about the letter. We must make time in future for you not to
+be so drove over it. Cheer up, and I'll make it right with mistress
+about the dish!"</p>
+
+<p>She stooped and gave Margaret a kiss—the first kiss she had ever given
+in that house.</p>
+
+<p>"Where's your letter?" she asked kindly.</p>
+
+<p>Margaret hesitated; then, still blinded by her tears, she drew it out
+of her case.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't send it," she whispered; "I'm ashamed to let him see it—and
+I've never missed before!"</p>
+
+<p>Cook sat down and took the case on her knee. She smoothed the crumpled
+edges and pressed the letter out with her fingers, and then she
+exclaimed—</p>
+
+<p>"There's an iron hot on the stove; run down and iron it. There's just
+time!"</p>
+
+<p>So Margaret flew down, and cook followed slowly.</p>
+
+<p>"May I add just a line?" she asked humbly.</p>
+
+<p>"All right!" said cook, who was bending over the fire.</p>
+
+<p>And Margaret added—</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Oh, Jack, I've been so cross, and things did seem so hard, but Jesus
+has helped me, and I'm going to trust Him, as you wanted me to."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>Who can tell what joy that sentence gave to the young soldier fighting
+at the front?</p>
+
+<p>After that day, things grew better for Margaret. It was surprising how
+different cook was, and how many little pleasures she seemed able to
+put in the busy kitchenmaid's life.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image031" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image031">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image031.jpg" alt="image031"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>And Margaret on her part was different too. At first, she shyly tried
+to be ready to do willingly what was required of her. And by-and-by, a
+mutual understanding of love sprang up between her and the lonely cook.</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes in the quiet night, cook would say to herself, "Margaret has
+no mother, and I have no child; I'll be a mother to her."</p>
+
+<p>Margaret did not guess that for many a long day. But she often
+wondered, and thanked God in her heart many times a day, that in giving
+her His heavenly love, He had sent her cook's earthly love as well.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_57">"WILL I?"</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>THE letter had come that morning, and Mary had glanced at it as she sat
+at breakfast among her brothers and sisters, and had then stuffed it in
+her pocket, reserving it for the first quiet moment she could get.</p>
+
+<p>"What does he say?" asked her favourite brother, looking up quizzically
+in her face.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image032" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image032">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image032.jpg" alt="image032"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"What 'doesn't' he say?" she responded lightly.</p>
+
+<p>The fact was her eyes had caught a sentence which changed the whole
+course of her life. Instead of the long engagement which she had
+thought inevitable, here was her Jack proposing to be married within
+three months.</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You must think it well over," he said, in almost his first sentence,
+"and weigh all the things there are against it, as well as for it."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>How good Jack was, she thought, and then she stuffed the letter in her
+pocket and tried to give her mind to helping the bacon and cutting the
+bread.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed as if everybody wanted everything that morning. But at last,
+she found herself with her duties done, able to shut her door and sit
+down to think it well over, as Jack said.</p>
+
+<p>But Mary did not sit there a moment. With the quiet came a habit, a
+holy habit, of using her solitude in talking to her Lord Jesus. She
+sank on her knees by her bed and whispered that she was ignorant what
+to do, uncertain what would be best, and asking Him to take "the
+government upon His shoulder," to be her Counsellor.</p>
+
+<p>Then softly she arose and went back to her seat at the window and read
+Jack's letter over carefully.</p>
+
+<p>"He wants it," she said thoughtfully, "but he would not press me to do
+it without well considering it. He has had a new place in the country
+offered him—a better position—and he says that it will be very lonely
+for him, and he asks me if I will be content to begin in a very small
+way. (Of course I will!) And he says that we cannot have the comforts
+and luxuries we may have had in our fathers' homes, but we can have
+happiness and each other, even if we do have to work a little harder."</p>
+
+<p>She looked down at her pretty hands, in which she confessed to take
+some pride. "But that is nonsense," she thought quickly; "he says we
+shall have the upper half of a house, or perhaps a little one all
+to ourselves; and he promises to help me as much as he can, and not
+to shirk the hard things (dear Jack!) and he thinks there is every
+prospect in this new opening of improvement year by year."</p>
+
+<p>"I know what I should like, if mother and father think it prudent," she
+said, "and they will help me to decide rightly."</p>
+
+<p>So there was a long consultation that evening in the library, and Mary
+learned afresh what the tenderness of the parents' love is. Perhaps
+it helped her to understand a little more of the love and care of the
+great Heavenly Father.</p>
+
+<p>The letter to Jack went off before post time and it was entirely to his
+satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I am not above work, you know, Jack," she said, "and I will make
+your money go as far as ever I can. We will go without what we cannot
+afford; and mother thinks we shall do very well, and be very happy; so
+there!"<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image033" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image033">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image033.jpg" alt="image033"></a></figure>
+<p class="t4">
+<b>Bring your work, and sit under the trees.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_2">A CHARGE.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>WHAT a long time it seemed! What a long fortnight to take care of all
+those children, with responsibility from morning to night!</p>
+
+<p>Lettice waved the last good-bye to her brother and his wife, as they
+drove away from the door, and then turned round to survey the scene.</p>
+
+<p>Roland and Ralph, her twin nephews, stood looking at her earnestly.
+Little Ivy nestled up against her with tears in her eyes, and
+Marjory—ah! That was the difficulty—what would her headstrong niece
+Marjory say and do?</p>
+
+<p>"Come into the garden, auntie," called Ralph; "Roland and I are going
+to catch butterflies, and we want you to sit on the form and watch us."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and I am going to pick flowers for you," said Ivy, winking away
+her tears, as she tried not to think of her parents gone away for all
+that time.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," said Lettice, "but what is Marjory going to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"'I' don't need looking after, thank you," said Marjory disdainfully.
+"I have plenty to do, and can take care of myself. Father said I could—"</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Lettice raised her eyes inquiringly. There was a gentle look in
+them in which the firmness was almost hidden.</p>
+
+<p>"At least—" said Marjory, hesitating a little.</p>
+
+<p>"At least?" echoed Aunt Lettice. Then she paused for an instant, while
+her heart sent up a swift prayer.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image034" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image034">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image034.jpg" alt="image034"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"Marjory," she said, "I want you to be my great help—will you?"</p>
+
+<p>Marjory was silent. She stooped and tied a ribbon round her dog. She
+had meant to declare war to the knife with her auntie—but—</p>
+
+<p>"Come along," said Lettice brightly, "we will try to have a very happy
+time. What a lovely day! Bring your work, and come and sit under those
+shady trees. We can watch the twins from there; and see, Ivy is already
+picking flowers. The fortnight will soon pass away."</p>
+
+<p>When Lettice went to bed that night, as she passed Marjory's door a
+voice called to her—</p>
+
+<p>"Good-night, auntie!"</p>
+
+<p>Then, as she bent over Marjory's bed, she heard her whisper, "Thank you
+for being so patient; I 'will' try to help you!"</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image035" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image035.jpg" alt="image035"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_4">CHAPTER IV.—A SAD STORY.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+<p>MARY DAYÁL had had a sad, weary life, not marked by any special joys,
+but clouded by many sorrows. The daughter of Christian parents, she had
+taken it for granted that she was a Christian also, and never thought
+of being anything else. She had been sent to school as soon as she
+was old enough, and had there learnt English, and many other things,
+which had been soon forgotten. When she was seventeen, her parents had
+arranged for her marriage.</p>
+
+<p>Her married life had not been a very happy one. Her husband had a knack
+of getting out of work, and they were never sure of any certain income.
+Sometimes he earned good wages, and they lived in comfort, but those
+days did not last long.</p>
+
+<p>Very soon, through no fault of his, so he said, he was sent away; then
+there was nothing to live on, so what could they do but go into debt?
+And so they did.</p>
+
+<p>They had had eight children, but out of those, only four were living:
+Reuben, the eldest, a boy of ten; Julius, seven years old; Maggie, six;
+and baby Rose.</p>
+
+<p>The three eldest went to school, which was a great comfort to their
+mother. At the time of Hira's visit, the father of the family had
+some employment, though, as he considered, far beneath a man of his
+capabilities; so these were not some of the darkest days.</p>
+
+<p>Still, they were quite dark enough, for there was a heavy debt on
+which they had to pay so much interest that they had little left to
+pay their daily expenses. And as Mary sat nursing her baby in the
+empty, quiet house, she used to think and wonder what could be done to
+bring in more money and ease her of this heavy load which weighed so
+upon her. Indeed, the one thought which filled her mind and absorbed
+all her attention was this: How can I provide food and clothes for
+my family? No wonder that she looked dull and listless, that she was
+cross and impatient with her children, and anything but an attractive,
+affectionate wife to her husband.</p>
+
+<p>Mark Dayál was one who might have been a different man under different
+circumstances. From his earliest days, he had been allowed to do just
+as he liked. When he was ten years old, his father died, which made
+matters still worse, for it was he who ruled his mother, and not his
+mother who ruled him. Some kind friends paid for his education, and
+finding that he was a clever, bright boy, quite expected to see the
+reward of their kindness in his becoming a good, useful man. But they
+were sorely disappointed; the boy began to think himself far more
+clever than he really was, and thought everything was so easy that he
+need not take pains about anything, and so he became careless and lazy.</p>
+
+<p>When he was twenty years old, though he had little or nothing to
+support a wife (that was a "small" matter), he married; the result
+has already been told. Now he was a hard, disappointed man, blaming
+everybody else for his want of success in life, but never thinking of
+blaming himself.</p>
+
+<p>Such was the household to which blind Hira came to ask how she could
+find new eyes, that she might see, and what the command meant, "Prepare
+to meet thy God." Mary did not know it at the time, but the visit of
+the blind child was the beginning of what will never end. The question
+asked had made her "think," and thinking, when it is about what is
+good, will surely bring good results, as it did in this case.</p>
+
+<p>For the first time in her life, the thought of coming into contact with
+God had claimed her attention, and though it was not a thought which
+brought her any pleasure, she could not get rid of it.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+————————————<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_5">CHAPTER V.—ALONE IN THE STORM.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>THE days of which we write were hard times for all, except those who
+lived in plenty, and of such there were few.</p>
+
+<p>In many parts of India, famine was raging, and even where it was not
+actually present, it had its effect, and prices were so high that those
+to whom the question of rupees, annas, and pice was always a serious
+problem, were now sorely perplexed as to how to provide the necessities
+of life. Amongst those were Mary Dayál's family, as well as that in
+which Hira found a home. For the latter especially, life was anything
+but smooth, and many and bitter were the complaints of those who had to
+work, and of those who had to eat. The one who suffered most was Mira,
+and again was she reminded that it was her father's place to provide
+for her, but where that father was, no one knew.</p>
+
+<p>Hira was a good deal to blame for what she had to suffer, and it was
+hardly to be wondered at that nobody cared to deny themselves for
+the sake of a child, who did so little to make herself loved. Except
+Sukhiya, whose mother's heart was touched by the child's sad, forlorn
+condition, no one had a good word for Hira. Though generally very
+silent, when once started, she could pour out torrents of abuse,
+without any regard as to who was the victim. There was not much she
+"could" do, and even that little she refused, or did very grudgingly.</p>
+
+<p>Poor little Hira was like a plant grown in utterly uncongenial soil;
+there was more "good" in her than in anyone else in the house, but her
+circumstances only served to develop the bad and extinguish the good.
+Suddenly there came a great change in her life, and this was how it
+happened.</p>
+
+<p>One day everything had gone wrong. Money was scarce, and therefore food
+also, and each one blamed somebody else. Hira was told that there was
+no food for her, and if she wanted any, she had better go out and beg
+for it. The child said little, but in her heart, she made up her mind
+she would go and seek her living elsewhere. Why should she stay in this
+house to be starved and abused, when Sukhiya loved her and would feed
+her on milk and ghi? So to Sukhiya she determined to go.</p>
+
+<p>It did not seem a very difficult matter, as she had often been there
+before, and found her way quite easily. She waited till evening, for
+though the light and darkness made no difference to her, she would be
+less likely to be seen by others.</p>
+
+<p>She could not see, poor child, and so she did not know that heavy black
+clouds had gathered round, and a great storm was pending.</p>
+
+<p>Just after she had started, a terrific clap of thunder made her start,
+for Hira, so susceptible to sound, had a natural terror of thunder.
+Soon heavy rain began to fall, and in two or three minutes, the red
+sari was soaked through. In her fear and confusion, the blind child
+missed turning the corner which would have led her to Sukhiya's house,
+and then she was hopelessly lost.</p>
+
+<p>It would not have been a serious matter at any ordinary time, for she
+could easily have asked her way, and would have been soon guided safely
+home, but at this hour and in the midst of the storm which was raging,
+there was no one to see the small red figure, from whom the water was
+now pouring, nor to hear the piteous words:</p>
+
+<p>"Is there anyone about? Is there anyone near?"</p>
+
+<p>Indeed, none could have heard if they had been there, for the torrents
+of rain and roaring thunder drowned every other sound.</p>
+
+<p>For some time the child pressed on, driven by terror, and feeling that
+anything must be better than the place where she now was. At last, she
+could go no further; not only was the rain streaming down upon her, but
+a torrent of water was rushing down the narrow lane through which she
+was trying to force her way, and threatening to carry her off her feet.
+Groping her way by the walls of the houses, she came to some steps,
+and climbing up these, she was at any rate safe from the rushing water
+below. She sat down and tried to think, but this was no easy matter in
+the noise and confusion round her.</p>
+
+<p>Then she began to do what she always did when she was troubled and
+distressed, the only thing she could do—she began to cry, a piteous
+wailing cry. It was hopeless to think that anyone would hear it, but at
+any rate it was better than doing nothing. Gradually the storm, having
+spent itself, began to subside, and still Hira went on wailing and
+weeping.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the door behind her was opened, and a voice asked into the
+darkness, "Is there anyone there?"</p>
+
+<p>Hira only wailed the louder. Then a hand was stretched out and the
+speaker was able to gain some idea as to who it was who was in such
+distress. She recrossed the large courtyard, and entering the house,
+went into a room where a man was sitting reading.</p>
+
+<p>"Father," she said, "it is a child crying; it seems to be a little
+girl, and she is soaked through with the rain. I have come to fetch a
+light, and then I will bring her in, and we will try and find out who
+she is, and why she is crying alone in the dark."</p>
+
+<p>The man looked up from his book with a face full of interest, and
+rising from his seat, said, "Yes, child, and I will come with you and
+carry the light."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, father! Indeed you must not. See how the water has collected
+in the courtyard, and only yesterday you had high fever. I will be back
+directly."</p>
+
+<p>And, taking the lamp in her hand, the daughter started back to the
+child before her father had time to speak again.</p>
+
+<p>Hira's cries were now pitched in a lower key, but as the noise of the
+storm still continued, it was difficult for the speaker to make her
+voice heard.</p>
+
+<p>"Poor little girl," she said as clearly as she could, "why are you
+sitting here alone in the rain? Come inside, and I will give you a dry
+sari, and you shall tell me why you are crying."</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image036" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image036">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image036.jpg" alt="image036"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Still Hira said nothing, but cried the louder. Her new friend was
+sorely puzzled; it was still raining heavily, and she herself would
+soon be as wet as the child, and yet she could not go back and leave
+her there.</p>
+
+<p>Again she tried. "Don't be afraid of me, little one," she said kindly.
+"I only want to take you in out of the dark and rain, and you shall go
+away as soon as you want to."</p>
+
+<p>Then Hira's cries ceased, and the plaintive answer came: "I am blind,
+and I have lost my way, and I don't know where I am nor who you are."</p>
+
+<p>If anything more had been needed to touch the heart of Hira's would-be
+helper, surely this was enough, and without saying anything more, she
+set down the lamp, and taking the dripping child in her arms, lifted
+her through the door.</p>
+
+<p>She could scarcely attempt to carry her across the flooded courtyard,
+but having brought her so far, with loving words of encouragement, the
+child became willing to be led into the dry, comfortable dwelling.</p>
+
+<p>They were met on the verandah by the master of the house and an old
+servant, who had no eyes for the strange child, but was full of concern
+for her young mistress, whom she pressed to come inside at once and
+change her wet clothes.</p>
+
+<p>"She is blind, father," whispered the daughter, "and has lost her way;
+no wonder she cried so piteously."</p>
+
+<p>Then tender hands quickly changed the wet red sari for a dry white one,
+and Hira was transformed. Then came the question: What was to be done
+next? Gladly would the father and daughter have fed and sheltered the
+desolate child, who had been found weeping at their door, but until
+they knew from whence, and why she had come, and what her future would
+be, they shrank from doing anything which would cut her off from those
+to whom she belonged. Being Christians, how could they feed a child who
+was a Hindu?</p>
+
+<p>The great difficulty was that the little girl could not be persuaded to
+give any account of herself. After having told that she was blind and
+lost, she would say nothing more; only in reply to the question, "Had
+she a father and mother?" she shook her head. As to the whereabouts of
+her home, she would tell nothing.</p>
+
+<p>One thing soon became quite certain—she must stay where she was for the
+night.</p>
+
+<p>The old servant Anandi wished to take charge of her, but Shushila
+having found her, claimed the right to keep her, and took her to sleep
+in her room. Rest did not come to either very quickly; evidently the
+blind child had received a great shock, and seemed nervous and restless.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder if she would like to be sung to?" thought Shushila.</p>
+
+<p>And without saying anything, she began to sing what came first to her
+mind, the very same hymn which Hira had listened to on the roof.</p>
+
+<p>She was little prepared for the look of joyful surprise which suddenly
+lighted up the blind girl's face.</p>
+
+<p>She listened quietly till the hymn was finished, and then asked with
+almost breathless eagerness, "Tell me, do you know Him, the Jesus
+Christ you have been singing about?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, little one," was the answer, "I do know Jesus Christ. He is my
+best and dearest Friend."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you know where He lives, and you will take me to Him and ask Him
+to give me new eyes? That cruel woman said that He was dead, but I
+didn't believe He was. Say, will you take me to-morrow?"</p>
+
+<p>Shushila did not speak at once; she was thinking how she could make
+this child, who knew so little, understand that He, whom she wished to
+seek, was even then close beside her, ready to give her, if not new
+eyes, what was of infinitely greater value.</p>
+
+<p>At last she spoke. "No, little one, Jesus Christ is not dead, and He
+will never, never die, and I need not take you to Him, because He is
+here already, nearer to you than I am."</p>
+
+<p>"Then ask Him to give me new eyes. I was so frightened all alone in the
+dark, and the rain and thunder made such a noise, but if Jesus Christ
+makes me see like other people, I shall never be frightened again."</p>
+
+<p>Shushila drew the trembling child closer to her, as she said, "Dear
+little one, only be patient, and I will tell you about Jesus Christ,
+and how much He loves you, and how He will give you what is even better
+than eyes."</p>
+
+<p>"But," interrupted the child, "if Jesus Christ is here, why does He not
+give me new eyes now? He did not tell that other man that he must wait,
+or that He would give him something else instead. You have told me a
+lie, and Jesus Christ is not really here; perhaps that other woman told
+me truly and He is really dead."</p>
+
+<p>Then Shushila knelt down by the bed on which the child had thrown
+herself in her grief and disappointment, and prayed softly,—</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Lord Jesus, we know that Thou art here, and that Thou seest us though
+we cannot see Thee. We thank Thee that Thou didst take care of this
+poor little one in the storm, and didst bring her safely here. She is
+very tired and weary. Wilt Thou give her rest? Amen."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>Hira said no more. And as Shushila knelt on beside her, softly singing,
+she gradually lay still, and the watcher knew that for the present she
+was at rest.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image037" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image037.jpg" alt="image037"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_11">DEVOTION.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"YOU 'darling!'" exclaimed the young mother rapturously.</p>
+
+<p>"You 'darling!'" echoed grandmother in the same tone.</p>
+
+<p>While the father, just passing the window and seeing his sweet little
+daughter held up to be admired, stopped and admired her too.</p>
+
+<p>"Does she not look rosy from her sleep?" said Anora. "Why, she has been
+asleep this two hours."</p>
+
+<p>"I've been sitting here a great deal too long," said grannie, with a
+start. "What will grandfather say? He'll tell me I'm a bit silly over
+that baby, and so I am!" She gave a pleasant little laugh as she rose
+and gathered her basket handles together preparatory to setting forth.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image038" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image038">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image038.jpg" alt="image038"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"Well, father's as bad himself," smiled Anora, nodding and chirping to
+the baby, while smile after smile broke over the little one's face in
+response.</p>
+
+<p>"I never saw such a sweet baby!" said grannie emphatically. "But I must
+go to see after grandfather's dinner. He'll be short of something nice,
+unless I mind."</p>
+
+<p>She had a good kiss of her grandchild, and then, poking her vegetables
+further into her basket, she hurried off to her cottage.</p>
+
+<p>That evening, when the baby was asleep, and Jacques was sitting by the
+fire resting after his day's work, Anora put her hand into his and
+looked into his face thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, dear?" he said kindly.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm so afraid we are getting to love her too well—"</p>
+
+<p>There was no need to ask whom she meant, and to Jacques' surprise,
+there was a sound of tears in her usually cheerful voice.</p>
+
+<p>He looked up quickly. "I never thought of that," he said at length.</p>
+
+<p>"No more did I. But when mother went out this afternoon, somehow it
+came over me—What would life be without baby? And then—"</p>
+
+<p>Jacques shook his head and they both looked towards the cradle.</p>
+
+<p>"We do want to love God best of all, don't we?" she murmured.</p>
+
+<p>"But He has sent us our child."</p>
+
+<p>"I tell you what!" said Anora, suddenly brightening up. "I've thought
+of something! If we thank God for her every time we think how sweet and
+dear she is, I do believe that will save us from making an idol of her.
+I'll run in and tell grannie. I know she'll do it!"</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_33">Out of the Tombs.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>ONE day the Lord Jesus was sailing over the lake of Galilee, and a
+great storm of wind came down between the mountains, and made the waves
+beat into the ship so that it nearly sank.</p>
+
+<p>The Lord was tired with all His loving work among the people, and He
+fell asleep in the hinder part of the ship.</p>
+
+<p>When the storm came on, the disciples woke Him up in a great hurry,
+asking Him if He did not care that they were in danger.</p>
+
+<p>Now, Jesus always cares. Perhaps He was asleep during that storm that
+they might learn to trust Him more.</p>
+
+<p>So at their despairing cry, He arose and told the wind and the waves to
+be still. And immediately there was a great calm.</p>
+
+<p>So Jesus said to them, "How is it that you have so little faith?"</p>
+
+<p>And the disciples felt a great surprise and awe come over them, because
+the Master whom they loved could have power over even the wind and the
+waves.</p>
+
+<p>But Jesus wanted to show them that there are other things over which He
+has power besides the storm and the tempest.</p>
+
+<p>So when they came out of the ship, as they were passing through the
+rocky country by the sea, a very strange and unhappy man met them.</p>
+
+<p>The disciples were very frightened, for they knew that this poor man
+lived in the tombs and was possessed with a devil, so that no man could
+live with him, or do anything to make him happy. He had often been put
+in a safe place by his friends, but he was so strong that he had burst
+open the door and broken the chains that bound him, and day and night
+he was crying and cutting himself with stones.</p>
+
+<p>But Jesus has power even over a man such as that.</p>
+
+<p>When he who was possessed with the devil saw the Lord coming up from
+the lake, he ran to meet Him and bowed himself to the ground and
+worshipped Him, crying with a loud voice, "What have I to do with Thee,
+Jesus, Thou Son of the most high God?"</p>
+
+<p>For Jesus had said to the devil that possessed him, "Come out of the
+man, thou unclean spirit."</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image039" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image039">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image039.jpg" alt="image039"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>So the devils were obliged to come out of the poor man, and by-and-by,
+when the people of that country came to see what had been done to him,
+they found him sitting with clothes on, and in his right mind, close to
+Jesus, and happy in His presence and His love.</p>
+
+<p>Now, what do we learn, little children, from these two stories of the
+great power of the Lord Jesus?</p>
+
+<p>Is it not that there is "nothing" too hard for Him to do?</p>
+
+<p>That if there is a great storm in our lives, if things seem too hard
+for us to manage, Jesus is ready, and at our first call, He will arise
+and rebuke the storm, and smooth the difficulty, and bring us straight
+to land.</p>
+
+<p>And if our sins and Satan's power, and our tempers and our temptations,
+seem to make us dwell in the tombs (as it were), if Jesus comes near,
+we may be delivered. And we can be found sitting near Him listening to
+His voice, and delivered for ever from Satan our great enemy.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image040" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image040.jpg" alt="image040"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_6">CHAPTER VI.—FATHER AND DAUGHTER.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>IT was no ordinary home to which Hira's feet had been guided when she
+was lost in the storm. Rámpál Singh, the master of the house, was one
+who, brought up and educated as a Hindu, had been led to seek for One
+worthy of his heart's homage and obedience, and finding Christ to be
+that One, had left all to follow Him.</p>
+
+<p>Never for one moment had he regretted that decision, but as in every
+new circumstance and time of need he proved his chosen Master to be
+all-sufficient, he longed more and more that others might share in the
+blessing which he had gained, and rejoice in the same great salvation.</p>
+
+<p>For some years, he had spent his life going about from village to
+village teaching and preaching, but about a year ago, a severe attack
+of fever had made it necessary for him to lead a less wearing kind of
+life. So having taken this house, he sought to shed a light in the
+darkness surrounding him. His only daughter, Shushila, whose greatest
+joy and delight was to be with her father and share his work, was his
+faithful attendant and companion. Surely it could have been none other
+than the Good Shepherd Himself who had guided the steps of the lost
+child to those who were so well fitted to teach her what she so longed
+to know and understand!</p>
+
+<p>The next morning, Hira was burning and tossing with fever, which was
+not to be wondered at, after the exposure and shock of the night
+before. The father and daughter took counsel together, and sought for
+that wisdom which is promised to those who lack, that they might know
+what was the right thing to do in this difficult case.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, father, I would just love to keep her always and teach her about
+the Lord Jesus!" said Shushila, whose whole heart went out towards the
+helpless child who had been thrown so unexpectedly on her hands.</p>
+
+<p>"And so you shall," answered her father, "if she really has been sent
+to us, as it seems likely, and there is no one who has the right to
+take her from us. But it may be that even now others are anxiously
+looking for her, and it seems only right that we should seek to let
+them know that she is safe."</p>
+
+<p>Then Anandi, who had been standing near, proposed that she should go
+out and make inquiries as to whether a blind child was missing from
+any house. This was thought to be an excellent plan, as if the child
+belonged to the neighbourhood, and any consternation was felt at her
+disappearance, the news would certainly spread. So Anandi set forth on
+her errand, doing her day's shopping at the same time.</p>
+
+<p>Wherever she went, she asked the same question, "Do you know of any
+blind child living in these parts?"—Always receiving the same answer.
+No one knew of any such child.</p>
+
+<p>The old woman had the wisdom to add, "If you should hear of any child
+having been lost, you can just tell them to come and inquire of us."</p>
+
+<p>She returned home having learnt nothing, but those who had sent her
+felt more contented having done what they could.</p>
+
+<p>Later in the day, Shushila remembered that she had promised to send
+some broth to a child who was ill, and Anandi went to take it. It was
+Mary Dayál's child, and through her illness, Shushila had found an
+entrance into this house, and appeared as an angel of mercy to the
+heavily laden mother who dragged out her weary existence there.</p>
+
+<p>Anandi had given the broth, inquired after the sick child, and was just
+going out at the door, when she turned back and said, "Have you ever
+heard of a blind child living in these parts, a little girl who wears a
+red sari?"</p>
+
+<p>Mary looked up with some interest. There flashed before her sight the
+vision of the small, red figure, the earnest face with its sightless
+eyes, and once more, the oft-remembered words sounded afresh in her
+ears, "Have you got ready to meet God?"</p>
+
+<p>In a moment it came and went, and without any pause she answered, "Yes,
+a blind girl in a red sari came here one day. She came with a woman who
+comes to sell butter, and asked me such strange questions for a child,
+that I thought she was not quite right in her head. Why do you ask?
+What do you want to know about her?"</p>
+
+<p>Then Anandi told the story of the voice crying at the door, and how
+her young mistress had brought in the lost child and put her to sleep
+in her own bed, and would gladly keep her altogether, if she could be
+quite sure that no one else wanted her.</p>
+
+<p>When she had told all, Mary Dayál remarked, "There is one person who
+could tell you all about her, and that is the woman who comes to
+sell butter. She has no children of her own—they have all died, poor
+thing—and she seems to love this blind child as if she belonged to her.
+Hira, I remember she called her."</p>
+
+<p>Here at last was some light, though to know who could tell was of
+little use unless she could be found, and that was no easy matter, for
+all that Mary knew was that she lived some little distance off.</p>
+
+<p>Having received the promise that if she came there to sell milk, she
+should be at once sent on, Anandi went home to give time information
+she had gained. Mary Dayál went back to her sick child, and as she sat
+and watched beside her, she thought again of the blind girl. She felt
+glad to think that she was with one who was so well able to tell her
+what she wanted to know. She had often thought with shame of how this
+child had come to ask her about Him of whom she ought to have been so
+glad to speak, and had learnt nothing. Now as she heard of her being
+sheltered by Shushila's loving care, she thought to herself,—</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps God sent her to me first, and because I could not, or would
+not, help her, He led her Himself to one who can."</p>
+
+<p>Then the burden which had pressed so heavily on her heart pressed so
+sorely that she buried her face in her hands and murmured,—</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"O God, make me ready to meet Thee; for I am surely no better than that
+little heathen blind girl."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>If only she had understood, how she would have rejoiced to know that,
+first by the message sent through the lips of Him, and then by this
+hunger in her heart, her heavenly Father was drawing His child home to
+Himself. One day she would hear the words, "I have loved thee with an
+everlasting love, therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee,"
+and know them to be true.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+————————————<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_7">CHAPTER VII.—SUKHIYA'S SCHEME.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>THERE was not much rest for Sukhiya during the night of the storm;
+even after the worst violence had spent itself, the rain continued to
+stream through the roof. And when a dry place had been found for the
+butter and milk still left for sale, and another sheltered spot for her
+husband, who being an old man must be kept as dry as possible, there
+was none left for the mistress of the house, who had to be contented to
+do the best she could, and hope to be dry again some time.</p>
+
+<p>Towards morning, the rain ceased and Sukhiya was roused early out of a
+deep sleep by someone knocking at the door.</p>
+
+<p>No answer came to her inquiry, "Who is there?"</p>
+
+<p>So she got up off the wet bedstead on which she had been lying, and
+went to the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Is Hira here?" asked a voice, which she quickly recognised as that of
+one of the blind girl's cousins.</p>
+
+<p>In a moment, Sukhiya was thoroughly awake, and the door quickly opened.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you ask, Is Hira here?" she said, in a voice of some concern.
+"How could that be? Does she ever pass the night here? Whenever she
+comes, I always bring her back, and nowadays she seldom comes."</p>
+
+<p>"Then how can we tell where she is?" remarked the boy in a voice which
+sounded as if he at any rate did not much care. "She is not in our
+house, and if she is not here, where can she be?"</p>
+
+<p>A great dread seized the heart of Sukhiya; she knew that her little
+favourite had been becoming more and more unhappy in her uncle's house,
+and not long ago had said in a determined voice, "Some time I will run
+away."</p>
+
+<p>Maybe this was what she had done. But where could she have gone, if she
+had not come to her, and where could she have been during the storm?</p>
+
+<p>The ghi-seller was a shrewd woman, and as she stood at the door in the
+early morning, facing the boy who had come to tell her that the blind
+child was lost, she at once made up her mind on one point—if Hira had
+run away from her uncle's house, she should never go back there again,
+if she could help it. So she answered in a tone of indifference, "Tell
+your father that I have not seen the child for several days, for she
+has quite given up ever coming to my house." Then she asked, "Since
+when has she been missing?"</p>
+
+<p>The boy answered, "She hasn't eaten anything since the morning, and no
+one has seen anything of her since just before the storm."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what can I do?" said Sukhiya again. "Those to whom she belongs
+are the right ones to look for her if she is lost, and they will know
+best why the child has run away."</p>
+
+<p>Then the boy, finding no more to be gained, went back to give the
+answer to the question he had been sent to ask.</p>
+
+<p>Although Sukhiya had appeared to be so indifferent, she was far from
+feeling so. And in spite of having implied that it was not her business
+to look for the lost child, she at once began to think how she could
+best do it.</p>
+
+<p>She would have liked to have set off at once, but the cow must be
+milked, and as she did not wish Hira's uncle to know that she was
+making any efforts to find the child, she could not do better than make
+her inquiries as she went on her rounds.</p>
+
+<p>So from house to house went Sukhiya with her basket on her head and a
+heavy burden on her heart, which grew heavier and heavier as the day
+wore on, and still there was no trace of the lost child. She longed to
+go to the uncle's house and ask whether she had returned, but then that
+might spoil her little scheme.</p>
+
+<p>Little rest was found that night either. And the next morning, the
+poor woman began her day's work with a heavy heart, for with Hira, she
+seemed to have lost all her interest in life.</p>
+
+<p>The first day she had kept to her own neighbourhood, not thinking it
+likely that the blind child could have strayed far away. The next day
+she went a greater distance, and so came at length to Mary Dayál's
+house.</p>
+
+<p>The woman's sad, hopeless face reminded Mary at once of Anandi and the
+blind child, and she asked, "Do you know anything of the blind child
+you brought here one day? Is she safe and well?"</p>
+
+<p>The simple question was too much for the sore heart of the anxious
+woman, and, bursting into tears, she answered, "She is lost, the poor
+helpless little one; there was no one to love and care for her, though
+I would have done it if I could. But she is gone, and how will I ever
+see her again?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think I can tell you where she is," said Mary, glad to be able to
+comfort the sorrowful woman.</p>
+
+<p>As Sukhiya listened to what Anandi had said, she felt certain it must
+be Hira who had been found on the doorstep. Was not the red sari she
+wore the very one she had given to her?</p>
+
+<p>The children had gone to school, and Mary could not leave her home to
+show the way, but there was little fear that Sukhiya would not find
+the house which contained her lost treasure. So having received full
+directions, she set off to seek it.</p>
+
+<p>Hira was still burning with fever, which had risen so high that she
+took little notice of anything or anyone near her, only sometimes
+muttering such words as "I don't know where I am; I must be lost. If
+Jesus Christ would come and give me eyes, but He won't. He must be
+dead."</p>
+
+<p>Shushila, who dearly loved to tend anyone who was ill, sat by her side,
+putting wet cloths on her head, and speaking now and then in a soft,
+gentle voice, which seemed to soothe the restless child.</p>
+
+<p>Sukhiya found the door open and walked in. Besides what she had heard
+from Mary Dayál of Shushila's goodness, her own eyes told her that
+however Hira had found her way to this spot, she had certainly found
+refuge in a peaceful, happy home, and if she could only stay there
+always, it would be well for her. So she quickly made up her mind to
+try and bring this about.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you want any butter or milk to-day?" she asked, setting down her
+basket.</p>
+
+<p>Anandi soon appeared to answer the call. And seeing the woman, asked at
+once, "Have you come about the blind child?"</p>
+
+<p>"What blind child?" was the answer in a most indifferent tone.</p>
+
+<p>Then Anandi told what she knew, and Sukhiya listened, but said nothing
+till the story was finished.</p>
+
+<p>"There is a blind child I have seen about sometimes; if I were to see
+her, I should know whether it is the same."</p>
+
+<p>So Sukhiya was taken to where Hira lay, just at that time in a heavy
+sleep. Shushila was sitting near, and as soon as the woman caught sight
+of her sweet, gentle face, she still more fully made up her mind that,
+even though these people were Christians, Hira could find no better
+home.</p>
+
+<p>She tried to conceal her anxiety at the child's illness, and when
+Shushila called her out of the room and asked what she knew of the
+child and her relatives, she answered, "What can I tell more than that
+she has neither father nor mother, nor anyone else to care for her? For
+many a day she has been half starved, and now it has come to this."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you think," said Shushila, "that I may keep her and that no one
+will want to take her away from me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Who is there to take her away? Have not I said that she has neither
+father nor mother, nor anyone who cares whether she is alive or dead?
+Great will be your reward if you take this helpless little one and feed
+and clothe her."</p>
+
+<p>Shushila was much relieved by the woman's words, but she thought it
+right to say, "If you should hear of anyone inquiring for her, you will
+tell them where she is, and that she is being well cared for."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is there to ask?" was the reply. "Certainly I will tell if I
+should meet any such person. But surely you are needing some butter or
+milk, and you will find none better than mine."</p>
+
+<p>Anandi was called to make a small purchase, and Sukhiya determined that
+it should not be the last, for how else would she be able to see the
+child in whose interests she had been working?</p>
+
+<p>Although the woman felt glad for the child's sake, she felt sad for her
+own. What more would Hira care for her, poor ignorant creature, now she
+had a friend with a beautiful face and soft, sweet voice, to care for
+her? It was true that the blind eyes could see neither the beauty of
+the one nor the lack of it in herself, but something would surely tell
+her the difference. Anyway, she would be no longer needed, and Sukhiya
+felt as if she had lost yet another child.</p>
+
+<p>However, there was still one more thing to be done before her work for
+Hira was complete. A few days later, she arrived at the blind child's
+old home, and having put down her basket on the ground began to cry and
+wail piteously.</p>
+
+<p>The whole household gathered around and begged to know what was the
+matter.</p>
+
+<p>It was a long time before Sukhiya's distress would allow her to speak,
+and then she sobbed out, "Alas! Alas! All my children have died, and
+now this helpless little one I loved as my own is gone too; it matters
+nothing to you, but my heart is made desolate."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" was the general exclamation. "Have you heard any
+news of Hira? What has happened to her?"</p>
+
+<p>Sukhiya shed a few more tears, and then, with a quivering voice,
+explained, "She got lost that night you turned her out in that heavy
+rain, and only a thin, worn sari to cover her. Was it any wonder
+that she should get fever and die?" And again the woman's cries and
+lamentations broke forth.</p>
+
+<p>Then an angry voice asked, "Who says we turned her out? She went away
+herself; and it is you who are to blame that she was lost in the rain,
+for it was you who taught her to go wandering from house to house,
+which was most improper for a girl of her age. Now you can go and never
+come here again accusing innocent people of what you are to blame for
+yourself."</p>
+
+<p>Sukhiya was only too thankful to find that she was not to be
+cross-examined on the story which she had made up. And taking up her
+basket quickly, departed. And for many days nothing was seen of the
+ghi-seller in Hira's old home.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image041" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image041.jpg" alt="image041"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_1">A BLACK SHEEP.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY MABEL MACKINTOSH.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>ARTHUR NEAL was the black sheep of the school. The biggest among
+the little boys, there was no sort of possible mischief in which
+he did not entangle himself, no sort of naughtiness or laziness or
+don't-carishness in which he was not foremost. They had scolded him,
+kept him in, deprived him of extra pleasures, caned him; but nothing
+seemed to affect him. He had once overheard the head master call him
+incorrigible and a black sheep; he rather gloried in it, and his mother
+and father in India grieved over the bad accounts of their boy, and
+wrote lectures and good advice and pleadings, and Arthur only laughed.
+India was a long way off, and nobody loved him and he loved nobody.</p>
+
+<p>But the term was over and holidays had come, and Arthur was to go to
+Scotland to his cousins' home, for the head master had positively
+refused to keep him for the holidays. Arthur was well pleased. Here was
+a new field for his mischievous energies! Wouldn't he lead Ivan and
+Archie a life? Wouldn't he teach them a thing or two?</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image042" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image042">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image042.jpg" alt="image042"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>He was very quiet that first day in Glasgow; he was taking in his
+surroundings. His aunt thought he had been belied; it had cost her
+much to invite this little ne'er-do-well to meet her boys, and yet she
+prayed that this uncared-for little soul might find a blessing. Was he
+to go on to rack and ruin for want of a helping hand?</p>
+
+<p>Ivan and Archie watched him curiously, too, the first day. They were
+in a difficulty. In the summer, both of them had given themselves to
+Christ to be His soldiers and servants, and since then, they had read
+together a chapter from their little Bibles directly after tea. What
+should they do now? Should they put it off and read separately at
+another time, or should they read aloud as usual, and let their new
+cousin laugh if he liked? It was a hard struggle, this first taking up
+the reproach of their Master, but the two boys conquered. When the tea
+was cleared, they sat down in the glowing firelight, and Ivan drew out
+his little Bible.</p>
+
+<p>"We always read together," he said a little brusquely, for it was a
+very big effort to him.</p>
+
+<p>Arthur said nothing. He was too surprised, too flabbergasted, to make
+any resistance. Had he had a minute to think, he would have retired
+with a sneer. But already Ivan had begun, and he sat still.</p>
+
+<p>It began with the story of the lost sheep, and the shepherd seeking
+over the mountains until he found it. It rushed into Arthur's mind that
+he was called a black sheep, and it seemed as if the story was all
+written for him.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image043" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image043">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image043.jpg" alt="image043"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>He did not hear the other stories in the chapter; he was too intent
+on this one. He hardly noticed when his cousins rose and left him. He
+only moved his position nearer to the fire, and sat staring into it. He
+knew enough of Bible teaching to know the meaning of the shepherd. He
+had heard often enough of the love of Jesus, but he had never thought
+of Jesus loving "him," wanting to find "him," the black sheep of the
+school.</p>
+
+<p>But still, if Jesus wanted to find him, how was it all done? How could
+he know he was found, he was such a naughty boy? How could he become a
+white sheep safe in the fold? He puzzled and puzzled over it for three
+days. And then, when he lay in his little bed on the third night, his
+auntie came to him and solved his problem for him.</p>
+
+<p>She sat down beside him and laid her soft hand on his. And then in the
+dim light, she saw his eyes were full of tears.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, dear?" she said gently.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't know you loved me," Arthur answered.</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't you, poor lonely boy?" she answered. "I love you and Jesus
+loves you."</p>
+
+<p>Arthur sighed deeply. "I'm such a naughty boy, a black sheep," he said;
+"but the boys were reading about the shepherd looking for the sheep.
+Would He look for me?"</p>
+
+<p>"'The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me,'" said auntie
+softly. "He loved you so that He gave His own life to find you."</p>
+
+<p>"How shall I be found?" asked Arthur.</p>
+
+<p>"If you were a little lost sheep lying on the dark mountain, and you
+heard the shepherd calling you, what would you do?"</p>
+
+<p>"I would call to him, 'Here I am.'"</p>
+
+<p>Auntie knelt down by the little bed, and, still holding Arthur's hand,
+she spoke to the Good Shepherd.</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Dear Lord Jesus," she said, "Arthur has heard you calling, and he says
+he is here. Take him and make him Thy lamb, and wash his sins in Thy
+precious blood."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>"And thank you for loving me, auntie!"</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_29">NELLIE'S CARD.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"SIT down, just a little while, Sister!" coaxed Nellie. "You haven't
+sat down all the afternoon, for I've been watching you!"</p>
+
+<p>Sister Ruth smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"Well! Just a little while, Nellie," she said sitting down beside her.
+"Why did you want me to, particularly?"</p>
+
+<p>"'Cause you look tired; and besides, I wanted you to talk to me."</p>
+
+<p>"What a lot of Christmas cards!" said the nurse, glancing at the little
+table on which Nellie had arranged all her treasures in front of her.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she said softly, "everybody, almost, that loves me has sent me
+one!"</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image044" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image044">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image044.jpg" alt="image044"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"What a rich little girl!"</p>
+
+<p>She smiled a happy little smile; and then as the nurse laid her hand
+gently on hers, she looked up with an earnest glance.</p>
+
+<p>"I know you're sorry for me," she said. "I feel it every time you come
+near."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I am."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know, when I first came here, Sister, I was not—I didn't feel
+as I do now."</p>
+
+<p>"You were so very ill," asked Sister Ruth, "and in such pain?"</p>
+
+<p>"No-o," said Nellie reflectively, "it wasn't only that."</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" asked Sister Ruth. A weary craving in her own heart made her
+long, somehow, to know what made Nellie's face so peaceful.</p>
+
+<p>"At first I couldn't 'bear' it," said the child slowly, "and then all
+seemed dark and miserable."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor little Nellie!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then, on Christmas Eve, somebody sent me this."</p>
+
+<p>She put her little hand out towards a card which rested in the very
+centre of all the rest. "That changed everything."</p>
+
+<p>The nurse bent forward where she pointed, and read—"'Come unto Me all
+ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'"</p>
+
+<p>Sister Ruth was startled; startled at the child's look of heavenly
+peace, as she went on—</p>
+
+<p>"I thought at first, when my foot had to be taken off, that all the joy
+had gone out of my life; as if nothing was any good any more. I thought
+how it would be when I got home, to be limping about on crutches; how
+it would feel to be unlike everybody else for always!"</p>
+
+<p>"And how could that card make any difference?" asked Sister Ruth
+incredulously, and the longing in her eyes grew greater.</p>
+
+<p>This child had lost all that made life dear to her—deep down in her
+heart she knew that she too had done the same.</p>
+
+<p>"It did!" said the child with a flash of light in her eyes. "The words
+were so plain, and I was so sad! When I thought of my foot, I knew how
+heavy laden I was—and so—"</p>
+
+<p>"And so?" asked Sister Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>"I just told Jesus I was glad to come if He'd have me! And after that,
+the black darkness rolled away, and I've felt quite different."</p>
+
+<p>The nurse bent and kissed the little hand that lay near her, almost
+reverently, while she turned away to hide her tears.</p>
+
+<p>"Does He cure all sorrows, do you think, Nellie?" she asked softly.</p>
+
+<p>"I expect He does; if the people are heavy laden, and come. I'm sure He
+does—oh, yes, dear Sister! I know He does!"</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image045" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image045">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image045.jpg" alt="image045"></a></figure>
+<p class="t4">
+<b>When she got out into the fields</b><br>
+<b>better thoughts came.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image046" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image046.jpg" alt="image046"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_4">A DECISION.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"WAIT for me at the stile, Mary: I'll be sure to come!" Charlie had
+said.</p>
+
+<p>"How early you are going, Mary!" called her father a little
+complainingly after breakfast the next morning.</p>
+
+<p>"Not earlier than usual, father."</p>
+
+<p>"It don't take you an hour to get to town. What makes you start so
+soon?"</p>
+
+<p>"I like going along by the hedges and picking the wild flowers," said
+Mary, while the slightest tinge of pink reddened her cheeks to a deeper
+shade.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well!" said her father crossly. "I don't see the sense of it.
+You're always picking flowers, or sauntering along, or something—"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't saunter," said Mary reproachfully. "I never saunter—" She
+took up her basket of eggs and went out abruptly, calling Fox sharply,
+settling her sun-bonnet on her head with a determined little shake that
+spoke volumes.</p>
+
+<p>But when she got out into the quiet fields, better thoughts came, and
+all the irritation passed from her step. If father was unreasonable,
+she herself had not been blameless.</p>
+
+<p>"Look here, Charlie," she said, directly he came up, "this mustn't go
+on any more. If I don't take care, I shall get to be an untruthful
+girl! Here, for the sake of meeting you, I've been and told father that
+I like to pick wild flowers, and that I started early for that! So I
+do, but—"</p>
+
+<p>Charlie stood silent, and Fox, who had listened eagerly to the
+conversation, hung his tail.</p>
+
+<p>"If we speak, he'll put an end to it," said Charlie slowly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes—at least, I think so—and yet, Charlie—"</p>
+
+<p>The young fellow came closer to the stile, and he looked in her face.
+"I wouldn't be the one to ask you to do wrong," he said very gravely.
+"I've not been easy myself over it. Suppose we go back at once—"</p>
+
+<p>"Now?" said Mary. She remembered her haughty departure and her father's
+black looks, and her heart almost failed her.</p>
+
+<p>"If it's 'right,'" he said tenderly. It was that tenderness of
+Charlie's that had won her.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll do it," she said, "and we shall be 'helped,' Charlie!"</p>
+
+<p>And so they were.</p>
+
+<p>Mary ran into the cottage and put her arms round her father's neck:
+"Oh, I'm so sorry I said that about the flowers!" she said, hiding her
+face. "Father, it was partly to meet Charlie. And Charlie has come back
+to ask you if we may."</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image047" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image047">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image047.jpg" alt="image047"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_5">A FAVOUR.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"KOTCHED!" exclaimed Roland, with a chuckle, stopping at the kitchen
+door.</p>
+
+<p>"What?" asked Kathleen, looking up. "'Kotched' over what?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, you are reading a story book, while you are pretending to cook my
+dinner! I've kotched you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Have you, indeed?" said his sister, springing up and chasing him.
+"I've a good mind to threaten that you shan't have a bit of my golden
+pudding!"</p>
+
+<p>"Your 'what?'" asked Roland.</p>
+
+<p>"Golden pudding. Look here, Rol, I want you to do me a favour—"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not workin'" said Roland, backing.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, you are! No one can work like you when you've a mind."</p>
+
+<p>"But you see I haven't a mind—"</p>
+
+<p>He had reached the front door and managed to escape, and Kathleen
+slowly turned back to the kitchen with a more sober face.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image048" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image048">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image048.jpg" alt="image048"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Roland went down the road whistling, and somehow his whistling fell
+into a tune like this—</p>
+
+<p>"I believe that girl's been at it pretty nearly all day! I wonder
+what she wanted of me? How pretty she looked in that apron, and what
+a nuisance it must be to have to see to things in the house when you
+want to be out and about! I wonder if Kathleen does ever want to be out
+and about? I declare I'll take her to the football match on Saturday;
+I never thought of that. I wonder what she did want of me? Not that I
+care! I can't be called upon to do odds and ends for her all the time.
+By-the-by, I wish I'd asked her to see to those buttons for me—what
+a nuisance I forgot! I wonder what she did want me to do? Nothing of
+importance, I dare say."</p>
+
+<p>So Roland called in to see a friend, and forgot all about Kathleen and
+her wants.</p>
+
+<p>Kathleen seemed to have forgotten all about them too, he thought,
+when he came in again. She was sitting very quietly at the table, and
+everything was prepared with the utmost nicety.</p>
+
+<p>Roland did not feel easy; he still wondered what the favour had been
+that Kathleen had asked. Some "girls' tripe," he thought.</p>
+
+<p>If he could have seen a letter in the pillar-box opposite, he would
+perhaps have ceased to wonder.</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Darling Nettie,—I have never missed sending you a present for
+your birthday before, but I simply could not get out to-day—nor
+yesterday—nor the day before. You know we are single-handed just now,
+and mother is upstairs ill, and I have to keep everything going. You
+will not think I have forgotten you? I meant to send you a bottle of
+scent; perhaps I shall be able next week."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>That little note had not been written without tears of disappointment.
+And the only thing that made Kathleen able to meet Roland with a bright
+face was a line she read on her wall as she closed her letter—</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"'My times are in 'Thy' hand!'"<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>And she went on bravely.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_19">"If Thou Hadst Known!"</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>PERHAPS you ask, dear children, "Who is that standing there looking so
+sorrowful? And what is He doing?"</p>
+
+<p>Well, I will tell you.</p>
+
+<p>I have heard that as travellers approach the city of Jerusalem, it is
+hidden from them by the hills which surround it. But at one point, when
+you least expect it, the view of the city bursts upon you, and you see
+all at once that which you have been travelling many weary miles to
+catch a sight of.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps that is how heaven will seem to us when we die. We may be
+travellers towards it, and our feet may be tired with the rough way,
+and all at once, we shall open our eyes and find that the toilsome
+journey is over, and we are there!</p>
+
+<p>Be that as it may, this picture shows us the Lord Jesus when the view
+of Jerusalem burst upon His view.</p>
+
+<p>He had been travelling many long miles to reach it, and He well knew
+that there He was going to offer up His precious life as a ransom for
+all.</p>
+
+<p>But to Jesus that view of the city was not all joy. St. Luke tells us
+that when He beheld the city, He wept over it.</p>
+
+<p>Why did He weep? Ah, that is the question. Why did the Son of God,
+having been doing works of love and pity for three years, and now going
+up to Jerusalem to obtain eternal salvation for us, why should He weep?</p>
+
+<p>Little children, Jesus cried because He knew that very few in that
+beautiful city would come to Him to be saved.</p>
+
+<p>He cried because the people there would not believe in Him, or accept
+Him as their Saviour.</p>
+
+<p>So when He wept, He said, "If thou hadst known, even thou . . . in this
+thy day, the things which belong to thy peace! but now they are hid
+from thine eyes."</p>
+
+<p>I think that this story of the Lord Jesus weeping over Jerusalem should
+make our hearts very soft and tender.</p>
+
+<p>We should think to ourselves, "Jesus is very sorry when we do not love
+Him, and come to Him to be saved from our sins. I would not like to
+make Jesus sorry, who suffered so much for me; so I will just tell Him
+that I love Him, and that will make Him glad."</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image049" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image049">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image049.jpg" alt="image049"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>And so it will, children. And the very thought of doing a little thing
+to make the Lord Jesus glad will make us happy too, and we shall be
+more cheerful over our lessons, and more bright in our play, than we
+should have been otherwise.</p>
+
+<p>Jesus said to Peter, "Lovest thou Me?" Shall we not answer gladly,
+"Thou knowest all things; Thou 'knowest' that I love Thee"?</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image050" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image050.jpg" alt="image050"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_8">CHAPTER VIII.—THE OLD, OLD STORY.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>AFTER several days' fight with fever, Hira began to recover.</p>
+
+<p>Though she could see nothing of her surroundings, she knew quite well
+that she was in a different world to that in which her life had been
+passed hitherto.</p>
+
+<p>She heard no harsh, scolding voices, no complaining and quarrelling
+about money, but she seemed to be in an abode of peace and love; even
+Sukhiya's house, her old refuge, was nothing compared to this.</p>
+
+<p>If she had learnt of heaven, she would certainly have thought she was
+there, and that Shushila, with her sweet voice and gentle touch, was
+one of the angels who ministered to her. But what did she know of
+heaven?</p>
+
+<p>As she grew better, she began to wonder what could happen next. Would
+her uncle come and fetch her away, or would she stay always in this
+lovely, peaceful spot, where everyone was kind and good to her?</p>
+
+<p>It all seemed like a dream: the terrible storm with the thunder, which
+had struck such terror to her heart, the noise and confusion, in the
+midst of which, she had felt so utterly helpless to think of anything.
+Then loving hands had lifted her out of the storm and noise into peace
+and quiet, and there she was still; but what would happen next?</p>
+
+<p>She did not care to see her uncle and aunt again, but if only Sukhiya
+would come and speak to her, and tell her where she was! She had a kind
+of vague feeling that during the dream from which she was awakening,
+Sukhiya really had come, but perhaps it was only part of the dream.</p>
+
+<p>Presently she grew tired of thinking and trying to understand, so she
+put out her hand, and asked, "Is anyone there?"</p>
+
+<p>Immediately, the voice she had learnt to know and love answered, "Yes,
+little one, I am here; is there anything you want?"</p>
+
+<p>"I want to know where I am and where I am going to?" said the child
+feebly.</p>
+
+<p>Then Shushila answered, "You were lost in the storm, Hira, and God, who
+takes care of little girls, brought you here, and if you like to be
+with me and my father, we will keep you always, so that you will never
+be lost again. Will you be my little sister, and stay with me?"</p>
+
+<p>Hira did not speak at once. Then she said, "Tell me about God, for I
+don't know anything, and there was no one who could tell me. Did you
+see Him when He brought me here?"</p>
+
+<p>It was Shushila's turn to pause now. Where should she begin to tell
+this child, who knew nothing, but was so eager to learn, of the
+glorious truths which were so precious to her? While she was thinking
+what she should say, the blind child spoke again.</p>
+
+<p>"But tell me first, who is Jesus Christ? And if He is alive and here,
+why does He not give me eyes? I thought it was a dream, but now I
+remember that you told me that He was here."</p>
+
+<p>Then Shushila answered, "Hira, I will tell you all about Jesus Christ,
+but it is a long story, and I am afraid so much talking will make your
+head ache. Will you not wait a few days till you are quite well?"</p>
+
+<p>The blind child laughed, as if the very thought amused her, as she
+said, "How can it make my head ache to hear you talk? When I had fever
+in my uncle's house, there was noise and talking all the time, and no
+one thought they must be quiet."</p>
+
+<p>So Shushila said no more, but began to tell her story.</p>
+
+<p>"Long, long ago Jesus Christ lived in heaven with God. We cannot tell
+what heaven is like, because we have never seen it, but we know that
+there is no sorrow nor crying there, nor pain nor sickness of any kind.
+No one ever dies, and, what is best of all, there is no sin there. That
+could not be, because heaven is God's house, and sin cannot be where
+God is.</p>
+
+<p>"But the Lord did not stay in heaven. He knew that in this world in
+which we live there is sin, and sorrow, and crying; and so, when God
+said He would send Him down from heaven to come here, Jesus Christ was
+very, very glad to come.</p>
+
+<p>"He might have come as a very rich man, or as a great king, but He
+chose instead to be quite poor, and live amongst poor people."</p>
+
+<p>"Was He as poor as my uncle?" interrupted Hira.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I expect He was poorer, because He had no house at all," said
+Shushila; "but though He had no money to give away, He helped everybody
+who came to Him, and He could help as no one else could, because He
+could do what no one else could. They all came to Him—the blind and
+lame, lepers, and sick people—and whatever was the matter with them, He
+healed them all, and even when they were dead, made them live again.
+But it was not to heal the sick, not even to make the dead alive, that
+Jesus Christ left His beautiful home in heaven and came into our world.
+He came to do something very much greater than that."</p>
+
+<p>"But what could be more than making blind people see, and dead people
+alive?" asked Hira eagerly. "Tell me, for I cannot understand."</p>
+
+<p>Then Shushila answered, "There is something, Hira, even worse than
+being blind, or lame, or ill, or even than being dead. The worst thing
+of all is to be sinful. Sin is the very worst of all diseases, worse
+even than leprosy. It is sin which makes all the sorrow and sadness
+that there is in the world. Some day I will show you that it is sin
+which has made you so unhappy, and not being blind. Jesus Christ came
+into the world not to keep us from being blind, and lame, and ill,
+because that does not matter so very much, but He came to keep us from
+sin, to make us holy like He Himself is holy, and like God is holy."</p>
+
+<p>"But I would like best of all to be able to see," interrupted the
+listener, "and if Jesus Christ can give me eyes, why 'doesn't' He?"</p>
+
+<p>"Listen, child, and I will tell you more, and by-and-by, you will
+understand," said Shushila, and then she continued, "God wants us to
+know Him and be like Him, and then He will be able to have us in His
+house to dwell with Him; but sin is like a black curtain which comes
+between us and God, and hides Him from us, and it makes us so unclean
+that we cannot possibly go to live with God unless we get rid of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Then is that what the gentleman meant when he told us to get ready to
+meet God?" asked Hira.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Shushila, "that is just it."</p>
+
+<p>"But what has that to do with making people see, and walk? And what
+have we to do to get ready?" questioned the child eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>Again the speaker paused, there was so much to tell and the listener
+knew so little.</p>
+
+<p>Then she continued, "Hira, that is why the Lord Jesus came down from
+heaven, that He might make us fit to meet God. We cannot make ourselves
+clean and holy, and there is no one in all the world who can do it for
+us, because all are alike, and there is not anyone who is not sinful;
+but Jesus Christ is holy, just as God is holy, and so He can make us
+holy too.</p>
+
+<p>"Jesus Christ became a man like us that He might make us like God; He
+came down 'from' heaven that He might lift us up 'to' heaven.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, little one, you are tired, and I must not talk to you any more.
+Every day I will tell you something more about the dear Lord Jesus, and
+all that He has done for us, and it will make you so happy to think
+that He loves you and cares for you, though you are only a little blind
+girl."</p>
+
+<p>Hira's answer was to cling close to her friend as she bent over her and
+whisper, "Perhaps if I had not been blind, you would not have brought
+me into your house and taken care of me, so I think I am glad that I am
+blind, and I don't mind a bit being in the dark if you are with me."</p>
+
+<p>Just then Shushila was called away, and she went with a light heart,
+rejoicing to think how the child to whom she was ministering would one
+day learn to know One who could bring light into the very darkest spot,
+and whose companionship can make the hardest lot shine with glory.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image051" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image051.jpg" alt="image051"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_56">WHEN?</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY MABEL MACKINTOSH.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"YOU always want to talk about those sort of things, mother," said Jim
+Harris, hitching his shoulder away from the hand that lay on it. "You'd
+take all the heart out of a fellow if you could, talking of dying and
+another world, and such-like. I'm young and I ain't a-going to die yet.
+When I see death coming, I'll prepare, maybe."</p>
+
+<p>He had shaken off her hand, but he glanced into the face that still
+bent over him, and his heart softened. It was his last night at home.
+To-morrow he would be on the wide sea. The wind was howling round the
+house, and the waves broke heavily and monotonously on the beach. "I
+don't want to be rough with you, mother," he said, pulling her down for
+a kiss; "you shouldn't vex me the last night, but you knows I loves
+you, if I am a bit hasty."</p>
+
+<p>He rose up and went out into the night. There was a moon between the
+scudding clouds, and the foam broke up white at the water's edge. He
+looked at it all and at the few boats lying at anchor, or on the shore.</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow I shall be out there," he thought. "I'll go back to mother;
+it's her last night of me."</p>
+
+<p>The next day he had gone.</p>
+
+<p>It was not an eventful voyage. Day succeeded day, and his conversation
+with his mother was forgotten till one evening when he and his
+favourite mate, Ben Davis, turned in.</p>
+
+<p>"Jim," said Ben, "I don't believe as I shall last long."</p>
+
+<p>"What!" said Jim, aghast and staring. "You're playing, Ben."</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Ben slowly, "I ain't; I've not been well all the voyage,
+and captain, he's tried all he knows; he thinks I'm better, but he's
+mistook. My father, he went just like me."</p>
+
+<p>Jim sat down and looked blankly at him.</p>
+
+<p>All suddenly, his own words came back to him. "I'm young; when I see
+death coming, I'll prepare."</p>
+
+<p>Death was coming, not to him, but to Ben!</p>
+
+<p>"Ben," he said hoarsely, "are you ready?"</p>
+
+<p>There was a long, long pause, and then Ben answered.</p>
+
+<p>"No, lad," he said.</p>
+
+<p>There was no sleep for Jim that night. He might have seen death coming
+for him, and yet it was Ben who was to die. Jim lay and tossed and
+turned. All his mother's words came back to him that night. He had
+never sought Christ's salvation for himself, and yet he was torn with
+anxiety that Ben should be saved!</p>
+
+<p>Early next morning, he turned over his few possessions and found his
+long-forgotten Bible. Ben was leaning dejectedly over the ship's side,
+and he went to him and slipped the Bible into his hand. Ben glanced at
+it, and then his eyes sought Jim's.</p>
+
+<p>"Jim," he said, "I'm no reader; tell me the way."</p>
+
+<p>It was a strange scene—the man who was to die listening to the old,
+old story told by the lips of one who hitherto had had no care for it.
+Jim's mother's teaching was bearing fruit; her boy knew the way of
+salvation well enough.</p>
+
+<p>"Jim," said Ben slowly, "do you believe all that?"</p>
+
+<p>Jim's face was hidden. "My mother does," he said huskily.</p>
+
+<p>Ben opened the little Bible. "Can't you show me one place where it puts
+it plain?"</p>
+
+<p>Jim took it and turned over the pages, and his eyes fell on an
+underlined text. He remembered his mother marking it the day she gave
+the book to him.</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"'God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
+whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting
+life.'"<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>"That's good," said Ben, with a long breath.</p>
+
+<p>Three days later, when the evening sun was lighting up the sea with a
+crimson glow, Ben died. His last look was for Jim, his last word was,
+"I'm ready, lad."</p>
+
+<p>And as Jim knelt beside him, looking down at the peaceful dead face,
+his heart went out in one great cry to Ben's Saviour,—</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"God be merciful to me a sinner!"<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>A great peace filled his heart, and it seemed to him that he could
+almost follow Ben up the sunset path into that holy, happy land where
+he had gone to be with Christ.</p>
+
+<p>That very night, he sat down and wrote to his mother, telling her how
+her words and her teaching had been the means used for Ben's salvation,
+and that when he came home again, she might talk about heaven and dying
+as much as she liked.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image052" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image052">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image052.jpg" alt="image052"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_36">PULLING.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"I NEVER do what I don't want to!" exclaimed Poll. "I just 'don't.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Well," said Ellen, "that's not my motto, is it, grandma?"</p>
+
+<p>Grandma smiled. "I've seen a deal of life," she said thoughtfully, "and
+I could just tell you what I've found."</p>
+
+<p>Ellen sat down by her affectionately, and leant her arm on her knee.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image053" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image053">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image053.jpg" alt="image053"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"The people that have the strongest wills 'do' the most!" said grandma.</p>
+
+<p>"I told you so!" exclaimed Poll. "That's what I always say."</p>
+
+<p>"But they have the most trouble with themselves, and with other people
+too," said grandma.</p>
+
+<p>"How?" asked Poll.</p>
+
+<p>"They're for ever knocking themselves against the fence," said
+grandmas, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"The fence!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and oh! What a job it is to get 'em to come into the shed!"</p>
+
+<p>"The shed!" again echoed Poll.</p>
+
+<p>"The shed where their food is! In my young days," said grandma, "I had
+an invalid father, and he was that gentle and patient. One day he said
+to me after I had had a self-willed fit, 'Mary, will you go out and get
+the calf in?'</p>
+
+<p>"'Why, father,' I said, 'you know what a plague she is! She'll keep
+me ages pulling and pulling, and she'll knock against the fence, and
+she'll bang into the posts of the shed, and I shall be as hot and as
+uncomfortable as possible. I wish you'd send Bill out to get the calf
+in.'</p>
+
+<p>"And so father smiled a bit, and he said, 'If you don't take care,
+Mary, you'll be as bad as the calf that doesn't know no better! Break
+your self-will now, my dear, and you'll be a happier girl ever after.'</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I went out and got the calf in, but all the time, she was
+pulling this way and that way, for all that her nice food was waiting
+in the shed for her.</p>
+
+<p>"I assure you, my dears, I did not forget his object lesson. And the
+more I saw of life, the more I saw that the self-willed people need a
+deal of discipline before they come out into tractable obedient folks."</p>
+
+<p>Poll stood listening thoughtfully. There was "plenty of stuff in her,"
+people were always saying, and she felt rather proud of it. But what
+if she should let that "plenty of stuff" cover over every other good
+quality?</p>
+
+<p>She looked at the sweet patient face of her grandmother.</p>
+
+<p>"And 'you' were like that calf," she said at last, incredulously.</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly, my dear!" said grandma.</p>
+
+<p>"And how did you get into—what you are now, grandma?" asked Poll, a
+little wistfully.</p>
+
+<p>"By being watchful, and asking God to make me what would please Him."</p>
+
+<p>Poll did not say anything, but as she went about her business, her
+proud heart humbled itself to say,—</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Teach me to do Thy will!"<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>And by-and-by, it came to be much easier than she had thought it ever
+could be.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_27">MEMORIES.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"NOW, Milly! If you'll get through the work quickly, you and I will
+have a treat."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, what?" exclaimed Milly, looking up from her sweeping.</p>
+
+<p>"Not but what there's heaps to do," added her elder sister cheerily;
+"but you and I can well do it, if we take one thing at a time. You
+shall have the dinner things to wash, and the hearth to clean, and the
+kitchen to sweep, and I will go up stairs and clean the bedrooms; we
+must have it all bright against mother comes back, mustn't we?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes," assented Milly. It was so pleasant working under May's
+cheery direction. She felt as if she could do wonders.</p>
+
+<p>May gathered the pail and broom and floor-cloth which she required for
+her share of the work, and disappeared through the little red door that
+led upstairs.</p>
+
+<p>Then Milly looked round. Which should she do first? She was now
+sweeping up the kitchen, but May had spoken of that as the last thing.
+After an instant's thought, she decided that she had better finish what
+she was about, and then go to the dinner things. What a lot there were:
+should she ever get done, and what was the treat if she did?</p>
+
+<p>She could hear May's spirited scrubbing overhead, and this nerved her
+to work away bravely. When at length, after an hour, her sister came
+down, a tidy smiling little girl stood by the clean hearth, and all was
+done.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, you've scrubbed the table!" said May approvingly. "Now for the
+treat!"</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image054" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image054">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image054.jpg" alt="image054"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>She undid a long-shaped parcel and drew forth a large book. "This
+was one of father's greatest treasures," she said; "it is a book in
+which he used to draw all the things that happened. Father could draw
+beautifully, you know."</p>
+
+<p>She sat down on a settee, and Milly edged up close to her, and laid her
+head on her sister's shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"That is a picture of the first house father and mother lived in, and I
+remember father telling us how he made a little trapdoor in the ceiling
+of the kitchen so that he could talk to mother if she was upstairs
+putting the baby to bed."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" said Milly. "How funny! Did any one ever fall through?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; it was made like a box upstairs, and I can remember mother peeping
+down and asking father something. And once, he had a joke and passed me
+up to mother through it! See, there is the picture of that!"</p>
+
+<p>"Did he love us very much?" asked Milly, to whom her father was little
+else but a loved name.</p>
+
+<p>"Love us!" echoed May, her dark eyes softening and glistening. "I've
+often understood more about God through thinking of father's love."</p>
+
+<p>One day, little Mary was tiresome, and I had put her in the corner; and
+she sent word she was sorry. I was vexed with her, and I said, "I'd
+come presently."</p>
+
+<p>"'Oh, don't keep her waiting for forgiveness,' said dear father
+tenderly; 'think how ready to pardon God is!' I never forgot that,
+Milly!"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I could remember him," said Milly wistfully.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll see him some day in the Home above!" said May, kissing her.
+"But I never forget him—never!"</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_8">AT BETHANY.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>THERE seems to have been one home where the Lord Jesus loved to visit.</p>
+
+<p>We hear a great deal about the people who lived in this home, perhaps
+more about them than any other of the friends of the Lord Jesus.</p>
+
+<p>Their names were Lazarus, Martha, and Mary.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes," you say, eagerly, "Lazarus was raised from the dead!"</p>
+
+<p>And someone else remembers, "Yes, it was Mary who poured the precious
+ointment over the Lord Jesus only the week before He was crucified."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and Martha served them at the feast," someone else remarks.</p>
+
+<p>All these things are true, but our picture is not about either one of
+them.</p>
+
+<p>One day the Lord Jesus was going about healing the sick and teaching
+people of His heavenly Father, and in His journey, He came to the
+village of Bethany, where Martha and Mary and Lazarus lived.</p>
+
+<p>Now, you must imagine Martha as a very industrious, energetic woman.</p>
+
+<p>When she saw Jesus and the disciples coming, I dare say she ran out to
+meet them, and invited them into her house to have something to eat.</p>
+
+<p>She bustled about and spread the table; she told her servants what to
+bring to set before the large company who had suddenly come to her; and
+with joyful alacrity, she hurried to put before them whatever she could
+think of to make them welcome.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly her eyes fell upon her only sister, Mary. She was not bustling
+about and getting the dinner ready; she was sitting near Jesus eagerly
+listening to His words, and satisfied to be in His presence.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image055" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image055">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image055.jpg" alt="image055"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Poor Martha! She loved to hurry about and make Jesus welcome, but to
+have Mary sit idle and enjoy to hear Him talk was more than she could
+bear.</p>
+
+<p>So she got quite cross and vexed. She felt that it was too hard, and
+she ran to Jesus and asked Him how it was He did not care that Mary had
+left her all the work to do alone, and begged Him to bid her come and
+help her.</p>
+
+<p>And then, Jesus turned to her and said those words which have been a
+lesson to busy, bustling people all these hundreds of years: "Martha,
+Martha, you are too much troubled over these many things; only one
+thing is 'needful,' and Mary has chosen that good part which shall
+never be taken away from her."</p>
+
+<p>Do you ask, children, what that one thing is?</p>
+
+<p>It is learning of Jesus and hearing His voice.</p>
+
+<p>Even if everything else is lost to us, if we have the Lord Jesus, we
+can be happy.</p>
+
+<p>People who have everything that this world can give are often very
+miserable. But even the most wretched, ill, or poor person in the
+world, who has heard the voice of "Jesus," has the "one thing" which
+will make him happy here, and give him endless joy and glory by-and-by.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image056" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image056">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image056.jpg" alt="image056"></a></figure>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_39">SCRIPTURE CLOCK.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>CHOOSE A WORD FROM THE BIBLE, SUCH AS LOVE, AND WRITE IT NEATLY IN THE
+DIVISION OVER FIGURE I, WITH THE PLACE WHERE IT IS TO BE FOUND IN THE
+SPACE BETWEEN THE OUTER CIRCLES. THEN FIND A TEXT OF TWO WORDS, ONE
+OF WHICH IS LOVE, AS "HIS LOVE," (ISA. 63. 9), AND WRITE IT IN THE
+DIVISION OVER FIGURE II. NEXT, ONE WITH THREE WORDS, AS "WALK IN LOVE"
+(EPH. 5. 2), AND SO ON TILL YOU HAVE A TEXT CONTAINING TWELVE WORDS, AS
+"LOVE NOT THE WORLD NEITHER THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE WORLD" (1 JOHN
+2. 15).</p>
+
+<p>WORDS SUGGESTED:—Faith, Peace, Jesus, Father, Trust, Believe, Forgive,
+Look, Seed, Sins, Blood, Glory, Everlasting.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_48">THE NEW GOVERNESS.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"I AM certain I shan't like her."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Miss Doris!"</p>
+
+<p>"Quite certain. I heard mother talking about her to Mrs. Foster this
+afternoon; and I am certain she's the kind that I don't like."</p>
+
+<p>"What kind?" asked the nurse, as she brushed out Doris' long curls.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't know," said Doris carelessly; "it's a dreadful pity mother
+keeps on having governesses! They're always a plague, and there is not
+one in a hundred that—"</p>
+
+<p>Her cousin Lilian looked up from the corner where she was sitting
+buried in a book. The book had been forgotten while Doris was speaking;
+instead of the printed words, a picture had come up before her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>A far-off land, a wide shaded verandah, an invalid couch, a figure
+stretched upon it; sweet eyes resting on her face, an arm round her
+neck, gentle words of parting counsel—they came back now—</p>
+
+<p>"Lilian! If the life is very different in England, and it must be,
+seek to please your Heavenly Lord, rather than yourself. Try to make
+other people happy, whether it is your aunt, or your cousins, or the
+governess who has such a lonely, trying life."</p>
+
+<p>She remembered it all vividly, and how she had promised within her
+heart that she would.</p>
+
+<p>Now she had come to England and these things seemed like a dream.</p>
+
+<p>Directly she arrived, Doris had told her of the new governess, and then
+her mother's words had flashed across her. She was not inclined to want
+a governess any more than Doris, but what if she were lonely and Lilian
+should forget her mother's words!</p>
+
+<p>Her earnest eyes looked across the nursery now, and Doris stopped in
+her tirade suddenly. Lilian was a funny girl, she thought, and one
+never could say anything spiteful before her!</p>
+
+<p>Everybody in the house knew that Doris did not "get on" with the
+governesses. The nurse gave good advice, the parlourmaid thought it was
+rather a joke; and the cook said governesses always held their heads so
+high that she was not surprised.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image057" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image057">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image057.jpg" alt="image057"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>So the governess came one morning just before lunch, and the little
+girls came to the schoolroom as the bell rang. It would be difficult to
+say which of the three dreaded the interview most!</p>
+
+<p>"I will say grace and then we shall get more sociable," said Miss Smith
+with tremulous lips.</p>
+
+<p>"We don't say grace," said Doris.</p>
+
+<p>"Not, dear?"</p>
+
+<p>"No—and I don't care about it, please."</p>
+
+<p>Over Lilian's cheeks spread a burning blush, she could hardly raise her
+eyes to Miss Smith's face, which had turned very pale. Could she speak
+out? What was seemly and right for her to do?</p>
+
+<p>Before Miss Smith had time to answer, the little girl said very gently
+but distinctly: "Please do, Miss Smith; I always do at home—and here—I
+couldn't be happy without—"</p>
+
+<p>She knew months afterwards that that had been the one drop of comfort
+to the new governess on that first hard day.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_31">ON THE MOORS.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"SLEEP, lambkin, sleep!" she sang softly, as she rocked the cradle to
+and fro in the shade of the doorway of her little cottage on the border
+of the moor.</p>
+
+<p>The September sunshine shone brightly without, and far away she could
+hear the tinkle of the sheep-bells, while she dreamily pictured to
+herself her husband walking among his flock, leading them to the
+greenest grass, tending them with love and care such as only a shepherd
+knows.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm glad he's a shepherd!" thought the young wife. "It is so nice to
+think he's something like the Lord in that!"</p>
+
+<p>A shadow fell across the sunshine of the door, and she looked up to see
+her husband stagger into the cottage and guide himself uncertainly to
+the nearest chair.</p>
+
+<p>"Alec!" she said, springing to his side. Was he ill, was he dying? What
+could it be?</p>
+
+<p>He leant his head upon her bosom, but was dumb. Something in his action
+told her it was grief and not illness which had struck her husband.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, Alec?" she asked, bracing herself to be strong to bear for
+his sake. "Can't you tell me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I telled ye lang syne that I'd hed a son that had gone awa' to
+Amerikay—and had got lost! He's come—back—Jeannie!"</p>
+
+<p>She guessed it all in those few broken words.</p>
+
+<p>She knew without telling that he had come back dishonoured.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is he?" she whispered.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image058" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image058">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image058.jpg" alt="image058"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>In that moment's pause, she had seen her own baby a man, wandering away
+in a far country, having spent all he had—ruined, hopeless, forsaken.</p>
+
+<p>She had pictured him turning towards his father's home on the moors;
+she had seen him crossing the ocean and making his weary way home!</p>
+
+<p>Should she have pity, or should she turn away?</p>
+
+<p>"Where is he?" she whispered, with her eyes fixed on the cot where her
+innocent babe slept.</p>
+
+<p>"In the wood juist beyond—"</p>
+
+<p>When the poor wanderer looked up as he heard a rustle on the path, he
+saw a gentle face gazing down upon him, and two hands held out to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Come home!" she said tenderly. "And I'll nurse you and love you for
+Christ's sake. He gave His life for you!"</p>
+
+<p>"I've come to die," he groaned. "Can you have such as me?"</p>
+
+<p>For answer, she raised him from the bank, and together they slowly made
+their way to the cottage, and straight into the little room she called
+her parlour.</p>
+
+<p>There she laid him upon the little sofa and bidding him rest, she went
+to her husband.</p>
+
+<p>"Jeannie?" he said, raising his eyes to her face.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she answered simply, "I shall take him as my own, and some day—"</p>
+
+<p>"Some day?" he asked with a groan.</p>
+
+<p>"There'll be joy in the presence of the angels of God over a sinner
+that repents. I know it will be so.</p>
+
+<p>"Cheer up, Alec, and trust the Good Shepherd who is seeking His lost
+sheep!"</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image059" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image059">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image059.jpg" alt="image059"></a></figure>
+<p class="t4">
+<b>Her late Majesty distributing gifts</b><br>
+<b>to the Soldiers' children.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_38">Royalty and Loyalty.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image060" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image060.jpg" alt="image060"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>GLADYS pushed away her lessons impatiently, and laid her
+head down on the table.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Gladys," said her governess, "so tired as all that?"</p>
+
+<p>"I hate learning, and I hate French, and I'm so vexed at this tiresome
+cough that I'm sick of everything."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it is disappointing!"</p>
+
+<p>"And I wanted to go out to-day ever so much; this afternoon father was
+going to take me to see the Queen when she went for a drive, and I
+'did' want to see the dear Queen."</p>
+
+<p>"I am so sorry," said her governess gently. Then she added brightly,
+"Did you see the picture in this week's 'Illustrated News' of our Queen
+distributing Christmas gifts to the soldiers' children?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Gladys, raising her head.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, here it is—see what a sweet picture! Should not you have liked
+to be there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Should I not!" Gladys looked at it long and earnestly. She thought
+she would almost like to be a soldier's child for such a privilege as
+that. But then—oh, the poor soldiers!</p>
+
+<p>She sat for a good while silent, and her next remark was not of the
+soldiers, for whom her childish heart bled, but of scenes long past.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what sort of a 'girl' the Queen was when she was my age," she
+said thoughtfully, "to have been such a good and true woman all these
+years."</p>
+
+<p>"I can tell you that, for I was reading yesterday what her governess
+said about her. It was just this, Gladys; she told her governess in the
+sweetest way, when looking out on life and all its responsibilities, 'I
+will be good!'"</p>
+
+<p>"Did she?" asked Gladys earnestly, her face flushing with a new thought.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed she did, and she has kept her promise nobly, Gladys; and when
+now she sympathises with the sorrowful and rejoices with the happy, and
+wins love and admiration of her people by all her acts, we follow her
+exultingly, and thank God for such a sweet and such a noble woman as
+our beloved Queen!"</p>
+
+<p>Gladys smiled through two bright tears, and she said naïvely, "I
+mustn't fret about my cough after that!"</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image061" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image061.jpg" alt="image061"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_35">POLLIE'S NEW MISTRESS.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"I'M sure I shall be miserable, mother, and I shan't stop. I'll let her
+get settled in, and then I'll go away to Miss Edith. She always wanted
+me to be with her, she said so when she went away. I shall be miserable
+here, and then the baby will be miserable." And with that, Pollie burst
+into tears, and hugged the baby so tight that he cried too.</p>
+
+<p>"Miserable!" echoed her mother. "What nonsense, girl! The master did
+right to marry again, and bring home a mother to his child, and a good
+one, too, as he writes. What are we, plain people too, to bring up his
+son in a gardener's cottage? Not but what we would bring him up as good
+as we knew. And the master's been considerate and good to us; he'll not
+part us from the boy, for you're to be nurse in the grand house and
+have the charge of him. As for going to Miss Edith, why, she's married."</p>
+
+<p>"I know that," sobbed Pollie, still holding the baby tight, "but I know
+I shan't like it, and the new mistress will be cross if the baby loves
+me, and of course he loves me."</p>
+
+<p>"You're a silly girl," said her mother. "Give me the child to dress,
+and go and get the flowers to deck the rooms, and then make yourself
+neat. We must be ready for them in two hours. Are the master and his
+lady to come and find us not ready?"</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image062" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image062">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image062.jpg" alt="image062"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Pollie went slowly away down the garden. How sweet and peaceful the
+flowers looked! How little they knew that the master and a new wife
+were coming home that day, and that Pollie's heart was sore at the
+thought of the change and that she had determined to leave her precious
+charge rather than endure it.</p>
+
+<p>But God knew. Somehow Pollie's thoughts went straight from the flowers
+to God, and her eyes filled with tears. God knew what was best for the
+baby, God knew what was best for her, and what was best for the master
+who had been so sorely bereaved a year ago.</p>
+
+<p>Pollie hardly saw what flowers she gathered into her muslin apron.
+There was a battle in her heart, a battle between right and wrong,
+a battle between being a good girl to her new mistress and being a
+naughty girl and going away to serve Miss Edith.</p>
+
+<p>But the right conquered, and before Pollie went back to her mother, she
+had looked up through the leafy trees and asked God to help her to be a
+good girl and to do right.</p>
+
+<p>Two hours later, the flowers were all arranged, the baby wore his best
+frock and his blue ribbons, and Pollie and her mother stood in the hall
+to welcome the master home, for the rest of the servants were not to
+come till the new mistress had settled in.</p>
+
+<p>Then there was the sound of carriage wheels, and the master, tall and
+handsome, leaped out, and behind him came —Pollie's head seemed to
+swim, and she held the baby tighter that she might not drop him—behind
+the master came her dear Miss Edith.</p>
+
+<p>Pollie knew now that God had been planning happiness for them all, even
+while she had been encouraging that discontented spirit!</p>
+
+<p>How joyfully she held the baby out to its father and new mother, and
+what a happy smile lighted her eyes as she hurried to help her mother
+prepare the travellers' meal!</p>
+
+<p>And often in after-days, when things seemed to be dark, she remembered
+how good God had been, and that He was always the same.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_45">THE CALL OF PETER.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>WHEN the Lord was on earth, He did so many kind and loving things, and
+made so many people well who were sick that the multitude followed Him
+about everywhere, so that sometimes Jesus and His disciples had not
+even time to eat.</p>
+
+<p>One day, when He was by the Lake of Gennesaret (which is sometimes
+called the Sea of Galilee), the people pressed so close to Him that,
+seeing two ships drawn up on the shore, He entered one of these and
+asked the owner to put his ship a little way out from the land, so that
+He might speak to the multitude where they could all hear. The boats
+were empty, for the fishermen were gone out of them and were washing
+their nets in the lake.</p>
+
+<p>The one that the Lord Jesus entered belonged to Simon Peter, whose
+wife's mother had been healed by Jesus a very short time before.
+Peter loved Jesus very much, but he had not yet been chosen to be His
+disciple.</p>
+
+<p>So when the Lord had done talking to the people, He told Simon to
+launch the ship out into deep water, and let down their nets to catch
+some fishes.</p>
+
+<p>But Simon told Him that they had been up working hard all night, but it
+had all been for nothing, as they had not caught any fish.</p>
+
+<p>But Simon did not stop there; he added what has been a comfort to
+hundreds and thousands of people since then—"Nevertheless, at Thy word
+I will let down the net."</p>
+
+<p>Do you think they caught nothing this time?</p>
+
+<p>Ah, if you do, you have not thought what it is to be in the boat with
+Jesus!</p>
+
+<p>When He commands, He also makes it possible to obey. You will find that
+out, children, the more you love Him and trust Him.</p>
+
+<p>So they let down the net, and now they enclosed such an immense number
+of fishes that their net began to break, and they were obliged to
+beckon to their partners, who were in the other ship, to come and help
+them.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image063" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image063">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image063.jpg" alt="image063"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>So they filled both the ships full, so that they began to sink.</p>
+
+<p>Then Simon Peter fell down at the feet of Jesus and told Him that he
+was too sinful to be near Him.</p>
+
+<p>But Jesus comforted him with the loving words which are so often
+repeated in the Bible for all who are afraid—"Fear not."</p>
+
+<p>Then Jesus told Peter that he should be a fisher of men, that he should
+be used by God to draw people into the kingdom of heaven.</p>
+
+<p>And when Peter and his partners, James and John, heard that, and saw
+the wonderful miracle that Jesus had performed, they left everything
+and followed Him, and became very soon His three chief disciples who
+were chosen above all the rest to be close to Him.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_25">Making the Best of a Bad Job.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"I SAY, girls, I have got a holiday on Friday. Couldn't we make up a
+skating party, start early for the lake, take lunch and eat it at the
+cottage, and come home here for high tea? What do you all say? Shall
+we, father?"</p>
+
+<p>"Splendid!" cried Rose and Flora and Liz.</p>
+
+<p>"I am quite pleased if the girls can manage it," said their father.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, ask a nice set," said Gerald. "It's time I was off to the
+station." He disappeared from the breakfast table, but after two or
+three minutes, he reappeared and tossed a note across to Lizzie.</p>
+
+<p>"Take that to Jess Bristowe," he said; "I want her to come."</p>
+
+<p>"You'll lose that train," grumbled Lizzie. "Why don't you deliver your
+own notes? I don't want to."</p>
+
+<p>But Gerald hardly heard her; he had risked the train to write the note,
+and he had to run for it.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image064" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image064">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image064.jpg" alt="image064"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"I do hate being asked to do his errands," went on Lizzie, giving the
+obnoxious note a toss. "Whom shall we ask, Rose? It's rather a jolly
+plan!"</p>
+
+<p>So the talk drifted into other things, the girls wrote notes, made a
+list of needed provisions, and hunted up their skates. Lizzie told
+herself she supposed she must go with the tiresome note sometime, but
+she shouldn't trouble when, and consequently she forgot all about it.</p>
+
+<p>Friday morning broke clear and bright, and promised an ideal day.</p>
+
+<p>Breakfast was over, and Rose and Flora were trying to persuade their
+father to accompany them, when Gerald suddenly asked Lizzie what answer
+Jess had sent.</p>
+
+<p>Lizzie gasped. "I never went," she said slowly.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I shan't go," cried Gerald, his face flushing. "I never thought
+you would fail me."</p>
+
+<p>"Can't we ask her now?" asked Lizzie lamely.</p>
+
+<p>"At the last minute!" cried Gerald. "I told her I meant to have a
+party, and she must come, and a poor compliment she would think it!
+Well, you'll have to go alone." He went off into the study and stood
+moodily looking into the fire. The day would be spoilt without Jess.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image065" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image065">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image065.jpg" alt="image065"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>A soft hand rested on his shoulder and Rose's voice said, "Gerald!"</p>
+
+<p>"It's no good your coming persuading," he said roughly; but Rose knew
+it was disappointment made him rough.</p>
+
+<p>"I think," she said gently, "that if I went down to Jess at once and
+explained how it was, she would quite understand, and she is not one to
+take offence, and she would so enjoy the day. I should have plenty of
+time. May I, Gerald?"</p>
+
+<p>"It will tire you so," objected Gerald. "You'll be wet and cold before
+we start."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no!" said Rose hopefully. "I'll bring Jess back with me, and if
+you have a cup of chocolate ready for us, we shall start warm."</p>
+
+<p>"All right!" said Gerald briskly, for to make chocolate for Jess was an
+alluring prospect. "You are a good girl, Rose!"</p>
+
+<p>It "was" a rather cold, long walk, but Rose went cheerily. And
+by-and-by, two laughing girls sat down to a cup of chocolate presided
+over by a smiling young man. And after that, the skating party went as
+merrily as marriage bells.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image066" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image066.jpg" alt="image066"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_9">CHAPTER IX.—"HIS GREAT LOVE."</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>AS the days passed and no one came to claim the blind child, Rámpál
+Singh and his daughter felt assured that she had been sent to them by
+God, and that in caring for this helpless little one, they were indeed
+serving Him to whom they belonged. They were not long in discovering
+that Hira was no ordinary child, and blind though she was, it was
+possible that God had some special work for her to do, for which they
+were to prepare her.</p>
+
+<p>The little girl was very loath to speak of her past life. But from the
+little they were able to gather from her, it was very plain that there
+had been no one who really loved her, and therefore no one who would
+mourn her loss, and this seemed to justify her remaining where she was.</p>
+
+<p>It was a great day in Hira's experience when she first went to church.</p>
+
+<p>Naturally there was much which she could not understand, but the
+assurance that they were in God's house, and speaking to Him, made a
+great impression on her, while the singing thrilled her to the very
+depths of her heart.</p>
+
+<p>A few days later, Shushila was going to see Mary Dayál and inquire
+after her sick child, and took Hira with her.</p>
+
+<p>The child had no idea that she was going to the same house where she
+had been taken by Sukhiya, but Mary knew her at once, though the red
+sari had been exchanged for a blue one.</p>
+
+<p>A great change was coming over Mary Dayál, the beginning of which had
+been the question asked by the blind child.</p>
+
+<p>Soon after that, her youngest child had been taken ill, and Shushila,
+always ready to minister to anyone who was in need, had seized this
+opportunity of making the acquaintance of one whose sad, weary face had
+already won her sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>It did not take long for Mary to discover that her new friend was one
+who knew God and lived in fellowship with Him. Here was a living proof
+that it is possible to meet with God and walk with Him, even amid the
+scenes of a most commonplace earthly life. And again and again the
+question repeated itself in her heart, "How can I get ready to meet
+God?"</p>
+
+<p>Once more, the blind child was to bring her a message.</p>
+
+<p>Hira's quick ear soon recognised the voice, which she had heard before,
+and while Shushila was talking, she had quite made up her mind that
+this must be the same house to which she had come with Sukhiya. What
+could be more likely? For did she not now belong to Christians, and was
+soon to become one herself?</p>
+
+<p>As Mary sat quietly by herself, the old scene came back to her, and she
+almost thought with pity of the poor ignorant child who had come to ask
+where Jesus Christ lived. Now she knew so much that maybe she could
+teach the one of whom she had come that day to learn. She gave a start
+when suddenly Shushila drew her towards her, and said—</p>
+
+<p>"This is my new little sister God sent to me in the storm."</p>
+
+<p>Mary Dayál spoke kindly to the child, but said nothing of the former
+meeting; perhaps she felt a little ashamed of it. But Hira had nothing
+to be ashamed of, so she said boldly, "I have been here before. I came
+to ask about Jesus Christ, for I knew nothing then, but now I know a
+great deal, and some day I am going to have new eyes and see quite
+well. I do not mind waiting a little while, now I live with my dear
+sister Shushila."</p>
+
+<p>Then she paused, thinking someone else would speak, but when no one
+did, she went on, "You never told me that day whether you had got ready
+to meet God, but of course you must have done, because you are not an
+ignorant little girl like I was. I do not think I am quite ready even
+yet, but I am going to be."</p>
+
+<p>Still, there was no answer. Mary did not know what to say, and Shushila
+was hoping that the child's words would go home to the heart of the
+woman for whom she was longing and praying that she might learn to know
+and love God.</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly, Mary's lips were unsealed; the longing of her heart
+could not keep silent any longer, and she said wistfully, "Child, it
+is easy for you to get ready; it is no fault of yours that you are not
+so already, for there has been no one to tell you about God. But it is
+quite different with me. All my life I have known of God, but my mind
+has been filled with other things."</p>
+
+<p>Hira looked puzzled. Then she said, "But cannot Jesus Christ make
+people even as bad as you ready? I should think He could, but then I
+don't know much. Why don't you ask my sister Shushila?"</p>
+
+<p>But Shushila felt that the simplicity of the child's words and faith
+might give God's message more effectually than she could, so instead
+of explaining herself, she said, "Hira, what makes you think the Lord
+Jesus can make us ready? And how does He do it?"</p>
+
+<p>The child hesitated a minute, and then she said—</p>
+
+<p>"Sister, I only know what you tell me: you say that to be ready means
+to get rid of sin, and that God hates sin so much, and yet loves us so
+that He sent His only Son all the way from heaven to save us."</p>
+
+<p>Shushila saw that Mary was listening intently to the child's words, so
+again she asked, "But tell me, Hira, what did the Lord Jesus do to get
+rid of our sin?"</p>
+
+<p>Softly the blind child answered, "He took them all on Himself, a great,
+great load, and then He put them right away, but He had to die to do
+it. He must want us to be ready very much when He tried so hard to put
+our sin away."</p>
+
+<p>"But," said Mary sadly, "it is the sin in my own heart I want to get
+rid of; every day I get cross and impatient, and feel ashamed for God
+to see me."</p>
+
+<p>Hira knew of no remedy for this difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>And Shushila saw it was the time for her to speak, and so she said,
+"We cannot be ready to meet God as long as we are keeping sin in our
+hearts, but the Lord Jesus will save us from that too.</p>
+
+<p>"We cannot keep sin out of our hearts, but if we let the Lord Jesus
+come in, He can keep out the crossness and impatience. I think what we
+need is to believe more in the 'great love' and the 'great power' of
+our dear Lord.</p>
+
+<p>"He would do so much more for us if we would only let Him. Shall we
+kneel down and ask Him now?"</p>
+
+<p>So they knelt together—one who had known of God and His great salvation
+all her life, but had never received it for herself; another to whom
+had suddenly come the glorious news of a Divine Saviour, which had
+been received gladly and fully; and lastly the blind child, into whose
+darkness had shone the bright rays of the heavenly light, which would
+go on shining brighter and brighter.</p>
+
+<p>Surely there was still Another present, though unseen, with pierced
+hands filled with blessings to be poured out on those who sought them.</p>
+
+<p>Then Shushila prayed:</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Dear Lord Jesus, we come to Thee to tell Thee that we want to be made
+holy as Thou art holy, so holy that we shall be ready to meet God. We
+cannot get rid of the sins which we have committed, nor of the sins in
+our own hearts, so we come to Thee, because Thou art our Saviour, who
+hast died to save us. Wilt Thou come Thyself into our hearts and turn
+out all which does not please Thee? Amen."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>"Amen," said Mary too, and she meant it, for there came to her a vision
+of what it would be to have a heart at peace and rest in the midst of
+the many trials and perplexities around her. And she realised, for the
+first time, that in order to obtain this rest, she must let the Great
+Rest-Giver come in.</p>
+
+<p>When they were seated again, Hira said, "Sister, won't you sing the
+hymn about the hill?"</p>
+
+<p>And Shushila sang—</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+<br>
+"There is a green hill far away,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Without a city wall,<br>
+&nbsp;Where the dear Lord was crucified,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Who died to save us all.<br>
+&nbsp;<br>
+"We may not know, we cannot tell,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;What pains He had to bear,<br>
+&nbsp;But this we know, it was for us<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He hung and suffered there.<br>
+&nbsp;<br>
+"He died that we might be forgiven,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He died to make us good,<br>
+&nbsp;That we might go at last to heaven,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Saved by His precious blood.<br>
+&nbsp;<br>
+"There was none other good enough<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To pay the price of sin,<br>
+&nbsp;He only could unlock the gate<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Of heaven, and let us in.<br>
+&nbsp;<br>
+"Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And we must love Him too,<br>
+&nbsp;And trust in His redeeming blood,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And try His works to do."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>It was a very simple hymn, which even a little child could understand,
+and yet it told the great facts of redemption, which one of the
+listeners had heard again and again, but never grasped; it told her
+once again what she so much needed to know.</p>
+
+<p>"Would you mind singing that last verse once more?" she asked, as
+Shushila finished the hymn.</p>
+
+<p>Once more the words were sung—</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+<br>
+"Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And we must love Him too,<br>
+&nbsp;And trust in His redeeming blood,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And try His works to do."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," said Mary; her heart was too full to say any more, and
+Shushila, seeing this, took Hira's hand and led her away.</p>
+
+<p>Then Mary was left alone, except for the sleeping baby on the bedstead
+near by.</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+<br>
+"Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And we must love 'Him too.'"<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>She knew the words were true, but had she loved this One, who had loved
+her to the death? Had she tried His works to do?</p>
+
+<p>Her own heart told her plainly, "No." She had thought before of her
+sins of crossness and impatience, but now she saw plainly that all
+her life had been wrong, because she had shut out of it the only One
+who could give her the power to live it. It was true that the Son of
+God had died for her on the cross, but never once had she thanked Him
+for all He had suffered for her. It was true that He was alive for
+evermore, ready to save her to the uttermost, but never till now had
+she cared to be saved.</p>
+
+<p>It had all been put before her—this mighty loving Saviour, the great
+salvation which He had given His life to win, the forgiveness and rest
+which He promised to all who came to Him, and at last, a place in His
+Father's house, which He Himself was getting ready. But she had been so
+taken up with her own affairs, her poverty, her husband, and children,
+the debt which weighed so heavily, that she had had no eyes to see
+God's great gifts, no heart to care for His unsearchable riches.</p>
+
+<p>She knew now that if her heart had been at rest, if she had had the
+presence of this Divine Helper and Keeper, she would have been a far
+better wife and mother, and not so burdened by her own cares and
+sorrows; which, instead of keeping her away from God, made her need of
+Him the greater.</p>
+
+<p>She knew now how great that need was; she could no longer live on earth
+without God, neither was she fit to meet Him and find a dwelling-place
+with Him; whichever way she looked, it was all dark, unless she could
+find the true Light.</p>
+
+<p>If she had only understood, it was shining all around her, but as yet
+her eyes were shut to its brightness.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image067" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image067.jpg" alt="image067"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_3">A DARK NIGHT.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<div class="container">
+<figure id="image068">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image068.jpg" alt="image068">
+</figure>
+<p>
+<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;THE parks were almost deserted when Nurse Clarice passed
+through the gates and slowly made her way to a seat beneath the trees.
+She had just come from "a case" and was quite tired out.<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Mother," she had said, as she put down her parcel, "don't you tell
+anyone that I've come home till to-morrow morning! I'll get half an
+hour's air, and then I'll lay my head on my pillow."<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her mother looked up anxiously from her work, and shook her head at her
+girl's tired face.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Oh, well!" said Clarice, in reply to the shake. "You know in such a
+time of epidemic it can't be helped. I shall get rested by-and-by."</p>
+
+<p>But though she had spoken so hopefully to her mother, when she walked
+through the twilight streets, all at once she began to think of the
+many things that worried her, and not least, that thin, tired mother
+who sat in the little dull house she had just left.</p>
+
+<p>As she sat on the seat in the park, she felt as if life were too full
+for her to bear.</p>
+
+<p>She so longed for rest, and somehow it so seldom came. She supposed
+there was nothing for it but for her to conjure up such patience as she
+could, and go on again.</p>
+
+<p>As she looked up across to the sunset sky, which was rapidly darkening,
+a little thin line of the new moon was just visible.</p>
+
+<p>With a start of surprise, she smiled to herself as the words came to
+her remembrance: "Neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord
+shall be thine everlasting light, and thy God thy glory."</p>
+
+<p>Already she was rested, for Clarice knew the secret of finding in God
+her comfort, and she rose up and made her way back to her mother's home.</p>
+
+<p>"Now for bed!" she said, as she knocked at the shabby door. "And I am
+even too tired to talk to mother. Poor mother! I believe I've been more
+than half an hour."</p>
+
+<p>But before she got in, a telegram had come for her, and the mother
+worked with a more wearied look.</p>
+
+<p>"Come at once to No. —, Park Gate."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, nurse!" said a young girl, meeting Clarice in the hall when she
+entered, "I am so glad to see you! My mother is so dreadfully ill! Will
+you come up at once?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you wish, miss. But would you let me take off my cloak first?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! Come into this little room," she said, leading the way. "I
+have had this got ready for you."</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image069" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image069">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image069.jpg" alt="image069"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>But when they crossed the threshold, the girl's face changed from the
+forced calm which she had been trying to assume, and she covered it
+with her hands.</p>
+
+<p>"Is she so bad, miss?" asked Clarice, while she quickly laid aside her
+bonnet and took her cap from the tray of her little box.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and it is all my fault," sobbed the girl hopelessly, yielding
+to the sympathy in Clarice's eyes. "It was like this. Yesterday—only
+yesterday—she wished me not to go to a concert with some friends. I
+had promised, and she was very upset that I would persist in going.
+I ought not—I know that—she never denies me anything that she thinks
+for my good; but I would not heed, and ran up to dress in a hurry. She
+did not approve of the people I was going with, and did not wish me to
+appear in public with them. And she hurried upstairs to my room to try
+to persuade me to give it up.</p>
+
+<p>"I was vexed that she should do what I knew was bad for her, and spoke
+crossly while I threw on my things. And after she had said all she
+could, she turned away with a very white face. I would not heed, but
+drove off in the brougham as if I had not a care.</p>
+
+<p>"How I felt when I remembered her look, and that her heart was weak,
+I cannot tell you. I didn't enjoy myself one bit. When I came home,
+it was to find her very ill, and to-day they tell me her life is in
+danger."</p>
+
+<p>"I am ready now, miss," said Clarice, pausing, however, to put her
+hand gently on the girl's arm. "Miss, there's a Refuge for us in time
+of trouble, if we will go to Him for it," she said earnestly; "and
+forgiveness for what's past too."</p>
+
+<p>The girl looked at her almost startled, but then, comprehending, her
+eyes fell; but she gave the nurse's hand a squeeze.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," she murmured, and led the way to a spacious room, where
+the invalid lay attended by her anxious maid.</p>
+
+<p>Clarice put aside her weariness "till another time," she said to
+herself. And then came a resting, comforting thought, "'They that wait
+upon the Lord shall renew their strength.'"</p>
+
+<p>For more than a week, the invalid's life hung in the balance, and her
+daughter and Clarice, assisted by the maid, waited upon her with tender
+care.</p>
+
+<p>Every day, when Madge's sad eyes were raised to the nurse's with
+anxious inquiry, Clarice would say, "Take heart, miss. Remember you can
+go to God in time of trouble!"</p>
+
+<p>And Madge would go to her room and once again ask that her precious
+mother might be spared to her.</p>
+
+<p>Then came a day when Clarice could say cheeringly, "I think there's a
+little improvement, miss; and now we must thank God!"</p>
+
+<p>And so it went on, till the mother was sitting up in her room and
+needed the busy nurse no longer.</p>
+
+<p>Altogether, it was a happy time to Clarice, for we cannot try to do
+God's work without a quick reward, even in this present time.</p>
+
+<p>When she was putting her last things into her little box at the end of
+three weeks, there was a light tap at the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-bye, dear nurse," said a sweet voice. "You have done more for me
+than anyone ever did before! I hope I shall be a 'comfort' to mother
+now, instead of a self-willed plague! But oh! If God had not forgiven
+my waywardness, how should I be feeling now?"</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_34">"Peter Followed Afar Off."</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>DO you think, if Peter had kept close to the Lord Jesus, he would have
+denied Him?</p>
+
+<p>But Peter, though he loved Jesus dearly, followed Him afar off. And
+there is no surer way of getting into sin and difficulties than
+forgetting to keep close to Jesus.</p>
+
+<p>Now, listen to the story of how poor Peter, who did love Jesus, came to
+deny that he ever knew Him.</p>
+
+<p>The Lord knew all about Peter, and how he was apt to trust in his own
+strength and energy and courage; and just before that dreadful night
+when all the disciples forsook Him and fled, Jesus had warned Peter
+that Satan was very anxious to make him do wrong, and if possible to
+separate him from Himself altogether.</p>
+
+<p>Peter trusted so much in his own strength and courage that he could
+hardly believe that the warning was needed.</p>
+
+<p>He told the Lord that he was ready to go with Him to prison or to death!</p>
+
+<p>But Jesus warned him again that before the cock should crow the next
+morning, Peter would have denied that he knew Him.</p>
+
+<p>Then Jesus and His disciples went to the Mount of Olives. And there,
+Judas, the wicked disciple, betrayed Him to a band of soldiers. And
+Jesus was taken away by them to the high priest's palace, and all the
+disciples forsook Him and fled. Jesus knew all that would happen to
+Him, and He gave Himself up willingly for our sakes; but that does not
+make it any less wicked of the men who used Him so cruelly.</p>
+
+<p>There seem to have been two of His disciples who, after running away at
+first, loved Jesus so much that they followed Him to the palace to see
+what would become of Him.</p>
+
+<p>John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was known to the high priest, and
+he seems to have gone right into the palace. And when he saw Peter
+standing outside, he spoke to the servant and she let Peter enter.</p>
+
+<p>So the night being cold, and Peter having followed "afar off," he
+turned aside near the door, and seeing a fire lighted in the court
+round which the servants were gathered, he sat down among them and
+warmed himself.</p>
+
+<p>Oh, foolish Peter, not to have pressed in close after his Master! Would
+he have denied Him then, if he had seen those dear and holy eyes upon
+him? I think not.</p>
+
+<p>But being afar off, and being confident in his own strength, when
+a servant-maid charged him with belonging to Jesus, he denied Him,
+saying, "Woman, I know Him not."</p>
+
+<p>And so, as he stood and warmed himself, Peter did, at three different
+times, tell one and another that he did not know Jesus.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image070" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image070">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image070.jpg" alt="image070"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>At last the cock crew, and the dear Lord, from the place where He was
+being examined, turned round and looked upon Peter.</p>
+
+<p>And Peter remembered how Jesus had warned him, and he went out and wept
+bitterly. Oh, can you not imagine how sorrowful he was?</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps you ask: Was Peter ever forgiven for his sin? Oh yes, indeed.
+Jesus is full of love and compassion, and when He rose from the
+grave, He sent a special message to Peter to come and see Him. And
+afterwards, He talked to him many times, and gave him some of the
+sweetest directions to serve Him which the Bible contains. Peter was
+His faithful servant till his life's end.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image071" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image071.jpg" alt="image071"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_10">CHAPTER X.—REST.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>THAT night, Mary Dayál was so overwhelmed by a new trial and anxiety
+that for a time the craving in her heart for spiritual blessing was
+forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>At the usual time of returning from his work, her husband did not
+appear. That was nothing remarkable, for he was often late. But when
+hour after hour passed and still he did not come, her heart began to
+grow heavy. The eldest boy, Reuben, was sent to inquire at different
+houses where he might possibly have gone, but nowhere was any news to
+be heard.</p>
+
+<p>One by one the children dropped asleep, but there was no rest for the
+anxious wife. It was true that her husband had not been the kindest or
+best of men, but now that he was gone, she knew not where, everything
+changed; the faults had all been hers, and she had driven him away by
+her constant grumblings and complainings. Was it any wonder that he had
+not cared to stay in a house with an untidy, cross wife, and children
+who were always clamouring for more than he could give them? There
+could be no doubt that his patience and courage had been worn-out, and
+now he had gone away to seek for peace and comfort elsewhere. Who could
+blame him if he had?</p>
+
+<p>Then the darkness around the poor weary woman grew denser, till her
+heart ached with the sorrow pressing upon her.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved."</p>
+
+<p>Clearly came back to her the words of the hymn she had heard sung so
+lately, though it seemed long, long ago.</p>
+
+<p>Though her husband had left her, yet she was not altogether alone, for
+nothing could change this divine love, which had proved itself stronger
+than death.</p>
+
+<p>If it was true that that love went out still to the most sinful and
+needy, then who could claim it more than she?</p>
+
+<p>Oh for eyes to see the blessed form of Him who had called the weary
+and heavy laden to come to Him! Oh for ears to catch His words of
+forgiveness and comfort!</p>
+
+<p>Mary Dayál had been brought up to say her prayers when she was a child,
+and she had never entirely given up doing so, only very often she was
+too tired, and the children made too much noise. But she had never
+known what it was really to "pray," to seek God because her heart cried
+out after Him, to ask Him for what He alone could give, what she felt
+she "must" have.</p>
+
+<p>But now in her sorrow and desolation, there rose in her heart a great
+desire to come into contact with One who could do for her what no one
+else could.</p>
+
+<p>The voice of the Son of God said "Come," and she heard it and came.</p>
+
+<p>If she had been asked, she could hardly have told what it was which
+had so changed her that night of sorrow; she might have said that the
+burden of sin had grown light because for the first time she "knew"
+what she had before only "heard"—that Christ had put it away by the
+sacrifice of Himself; or she might have said that the burden of
+loneliness had been lightened by finding the presence of One who had
+promised never to leave or forsake her.</p>
+
+<p>She had been like a child lost in a dreary forest, faint with hunger
+but having no food to eat, surrounded by dangers from which there was
+no one to protect her. Now she was like a child in its father's house,
+satisfied with that father's love and sure of his protection and care.</p>
+
+<p>Again and again she had said and heard the words, "Our Father which art
+in heaven," but never till that night had she known the joy of having
+a Father in heaven. The darkness had passed away before the bright
+shining of heavenly light, and in that light, the form of everything
+was changed.</p>
+
+<p>She had still to face the grinding poverty which had made her life a
+weariness to her; what was worse still, she had to face it alone if her
+husband did not return. There were four children to be fed and clothed,
+and a debt to be paid, and it might be, no money to do it with. And
+yet, in spite of all, Mary Dayál felt more light-hearted than she had
+ever done in her life, for she knew that henceforth these burdens would
+not have to be borne alone—that the great Burden-Bearer would be with
+her.</p>
+
+<p>It was long before she went to sleep that night. But as she was saying
+over to herself the words, "Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved," gradually
+all things faded into unconsciousness.</p>
+
+<p>She woke the next morning with a sense of loss, and yet of gain, and it
+took her some little time to distinguish one from the other. Gradually
+it all came clearly back to her: she had found God, but her husband was
+missing. She realised then how hard it would have been to begin this
+new day with this added burden if it had not been for the rest in her
+heart.</p>
+
+<p>The children soon found that in some way, which they could not
+understand, their mother was different. Never before had they known her
+so patient and gentle; they thought it must be because their father was
+not there. They were all sent to school as usual, and then Mary, taking
+the baby in her arms, locked up the house, and went to ask advice of
+her new friends Rámpál Singh and his daughter.</p>
+
+<p>Both listened to her story with all the interest, and sympathy she
+could desire. And when it was finished, Rámpál Singh proposed that he
+should go to the office in which Mark Dayál had been employed, and
+ascertain whether he had been there the day before. Knowing something
+of the man's history, he thought it was very possible that he had been
+dismissed, as so often happened, and rather than tell his wife the
+news, had gone off and left her; but of this, he "said" nothing.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as her father had left the house, Shushila began more freely to
+express her sympathy with the anxious wife.</p>
+
+<p>Great was her surprise and joy when Mary looked at her with a smile,
+though there were tears in her eyes, and said, "Shushila, whatever
+happens, the darkest part of my life is over. With the love of Christ
+in my heart, I can bear anything."</p>
+
+<p>Neither had noticed that Hira was near by, but now she came eagerly
+forward and asked, "Do you mean that you have got ready to meet God?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Mary gladly; "I never wanted to meet God before, but now I
+long to, because I know He is my heavenly Father."</p>
+
+<p>"But tell me," said the child, "how did you get ready? What did you do?"</p>
+
+<p>Mary paused a moment, and then she said, "Little one, once a man full
+of leprosy came to the Lord Jesus, and He put His hand on him, and
+said, 'I will; be thou clean,' and all his leprosy was gone. I was full
+of sin, but last night, the Lord Jesus came and put His hand on me, and
+said, 'Be clean,' and so I know He has put away my sin, and I am not
+afraid to meet God any more."</p>
+
+<p>Hira gave a little sigh as she said, "Perhaps the Lord Jesus comes more
+to big people than He does to little girls, because to me, He seems
+such a long, long way off. If He would speak only one word, then I
+should know that He had come."</p>
+
+<p>"And that is just how I know, little one," said Mary. "I did not hear
+His voice in my ear, but I heard it quite plainly in my heart; if you
+listen, you will hear it too."</p>
+
+<p>Hira looked perplexed, but she did not speak again. And very soon, she
+got up and groped her way to another part of the house, leaving the two
+friends alone.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_13">GOSSIP.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"FATHER, you'll let me take something down for the Harvest Festival!
+Something nice from the grounds, you know, and some flowers and fruit.
+I should like to help to decorate the church."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, my dear," answered Mr. Granville, "I had thought of it
+myself when the curate spoke of the Festival. I will give Haydon orders
+about it."</p>
+
+<p>"I will go with them myself," said Geraldine importantly, "and I can
+arrange where they go."</p>
+
+<p>"Remember, dear, that you will be one of the youngest there," said her
+father gently.</p>
+
+<p>Geraldine did not reply, unless a little toss of her head could be
+regarded as one.</p>
+
+<p>The following Saturday was the morning appointed for all offerings
+to reach the church. And on the Friday evening, Mr. Granville asked
+Geraldine if Haydon had provided such flowers and green stuff as she
+wanted.</p>
+
+<p>Geraldine reddened; "I don't think I shall trouble about it," she said.
+"Miss Whyte is seeing after it all, and I'm not going to be at Miss
+Whyte's beck and call."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?" asked her father, curiously.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't like her."</p>
+
+<p>Geraldine would say no more, but her father went on, "I should wish
+the flowers to go just the same, my child, and if you 'do' go to help,
+remember that in all church work, we are working for our Lord and
+Master, not for men."</p>
+
+<p>"If the flowers go, so shall I," said Geraldine to herself, and she
+went.</p>
+
+<p>The vestry presented a very busy scene, and Geraldine and her flowers
+were met with a hearty welcome, and Miss Whyte asked her pleasantly
+if she had any special wish about them, and though Geraldine answered
+properly enough, there was something aggressive in her tone that sent
+the colour to Miss Whyte's face. She had guessed for some time that
+Geraldine disliked her.</p>
+
+<p>So Geraldine worked in a corner apart, for she could not feel friendly
+to anyone. Her father's words rankled.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image072" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image072">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image072.jpg" alt="image072"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Miss Whyte was busily decorating a pillar when her eyes fell on the
+proud little face in the corner. It seemed such a pity for two who were
+decorating God's house to be at enmity. She jumped lightly from her
+chair and went round to Geraldine.</p>
+
+<p>"Geraldine! Have I done anything to vex you?"</p>
+
+<p>"You had no business to say I couldn't draw a bit."</p>
+
+<p>"When did I say so?" gasped out Miss Whyte.</p>
+
+<p>"The girls told me you said so at the Prize-giving at school."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear!" said Miss Whyte. "I said 'I had no idea that Geraldine
+drew.' Somebody has made mischief. Let us be friends; it seems so sad
+to have a difference and to be working together in God's house."</p>
+
+<p>Geraldine lifted her frank eyes, "I am sorry; it is my fault for
+listening to such stories. May I come and help you? It is so dull
+alone."</p>
+
+<p>And so there was peace in the church.</p>
+
+<p>Sunday by Sunday, long after the harvest thanksgiving had passed away,
+as Geraldine sat in the church, she would glance over to that little
+corner where she had sat alone, and the remembrance of it helped her
+all her life to try to be one of God's blessed Peacemakers.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image073" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image073">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image073.jpg" alt="image073"></a></figure>
+<p class="t4">
+<b>"I will go with them myself," said Geraldine.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_21">"I LOVE HIM STILL."</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"AND what has happened, then, Mrs. Lloyd?"</p>
+
+<p>The silver-haired clergyman had just finished his reading, and had
+paused, his fingers still in the place that opened of itself at the
+story of the cross, to hear some fragments of Mrs. Lloyd's story. The
+white face in its clean frilled cap was scarcely less white than the
+pillow on which it lay. But the expression was peaceful, though the
+wrinkles on the fine brow told of trials long and painful.</p>
+
+<p>A week ago Mrs. Lloyd had been brought, badly burned, to a kindly
+neighbour's, and little hope was entertained from the first of her
+recovery.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image074" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image074">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image074.jpg" alt="image074"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>No one knew how the accident had happened; the baby was safe, that they
+all knew. And though Mrs. Lloyd was reticent and scarcely answered any
+questions the doctors and nurses put to her as they dressed her burns,
+it had oozed out among the neighbours that Jim Lloyd had been seen to
+enter the cottage not long before the place had been found in flames,
+and that he was drunk at the time.</p>
+
+<p>But now Mrs. Lloyd's tongue was loosened; she was alone with the vicar
+she had known and loved from her youth, and she must tell him all, that
+he might comfort Jim.</p>
+
+<p>Jim was her one care. Such a brave, strong fellow he had been when
+she first met him and loved him years ago. But the demon of drink had
+seized on him, and had pushed him far on the downward path.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, sir," continued the dying woman, slightly raising herself on her
+elbow in her earnestness, "you must not be hard on Jim, but help him
+to live right, for the baby's sake. Tell him, sir, as I'm sure he did
+not mean it, and that I forgive him and love him still. Be sure you say
+that, sir. I love him still."</p>
+
+<p>She lay back exhausted by the effort she had made, but after a moment
+she went on—</p>
+
+<p>"I was out washing in the back yard, sir, for I had not heard his step.
+His dinner was all ready for him on the stove, and baby was asleep in
+the cradle. I don't know how long he'd been home, when I noticed a
+queer smell, but I didn't think much of it, 'cause there's often bits
+of rag and such-like burnt by the neighbours. But in a few moments, I
+noticed smoke coming out of the back kitchen door, and I knew it was
+all wrong.</p>
+
+<p>"The first thing I saw as I got to the door was a great blaze. The
+clothes-horse was full of blouses I'd just starched, and they were just
+one great flame. I made a rush for the cradle, but I never saw Jim
+until I fell over him, and then I suppose my clothes caught fire, but
+I didn't notice them. I felt I must save Jim even before the baby, for
+she was ready, the little darling, and my Jim wasn't. So I just pulled
+him out by his legs, and then I ran back for baby. I thought maybe
+she'd be safe, for I just prayed God to spare her if only I could pull
+out Jim. And there she was sitting up in her cradle, and laughing at
+the 'pitty fire.' I suppose the neighbours saw the smoke, for when I
+got outside again, they were holding out their hands for the baby, and
+some were looking after Jim, and then I didn't know any more until I
+got here. But you'll tell Jim I loved him still, and best of all that
+God loves him too?" And the faint voice ceased for ever.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image075" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image075.jpg" alt="image075"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_11">CHAPTER XI.—"ASK, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN YOU."</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>THERE was much to talk of, for though Shushila was much younger in
+years than Mary Dayál, she had been learning in God's school for
+several years, while the other had only just enrolled her name as a
+scholar.</p>
+
+<p>While the talk was still going on, Rámpál Singh returned. He had found
+what he had expected. Mark Dayál had been dismissed the day before, and
+that was evidently the reason of his disappearance.</p>
+
+<p>"He will probably go and get work elsewhere, and will then write and
+tell you of his whereabouts," added he, anxious to give some comfort.</p>
+
+<p>Then he proposed that they should commit the matter into the hands of
+their heavenly Father, and ask Him to guide and keep the one who had
+gone, as well as those who were left.</p>
+
+<p>Mary Dayál never forgot that prayer, for it taught her what true prayer
+really means, and her heart rejoiced as she realised that, having
+become a child of God through faith in Christ Jesus, a key had been put
+into her hand, with which she could unlock the storehouse of heavenly
+riches.</p>
+
+<p>If she had lost her husband, she had found a Father; and the grief and
+anxiety caused by the loss, only increased the joy of the gain.</p>
+
+<p>It was only after she returned to her desolate house that she began
+fully to realise what it really meant to be left with four children to
+feed and clothe, and no means, as far as she could see, to provide for
+them. Whichever way she looked, she could see no light. Her parents
+lived so far away that it would cost a great deal to get to them, and
+they were quite unable to support a family. Besides, how could she bear
+to tell them that her husband had gone and left her? Whatever happened,
+she would be loyal to him, and shield him all she could.</p>
+
+<p>If there was anyone to blame, it was she, for not being more patient
+and gentle, and she determined that if her husband returned, he should
+never hear a word of reproach from her lips.</p>
+
+<p>Of course he "would" return, she told herself again and again, or if
+not, he would send for her and the children. He never intended to
+desert them, but only to seek employment to enable him to provide for
+them. As soon as he succeeded, he would surely write.</p>
+
+<p>Then there came over her a great desire that her husband should be one
+with her in her newly found happiness, that he too should be ready to
+meet God. Gradually all other needs seemed to be lost sight of in this
+great cry of her heart.</p>
+
+<p>And why should it not be granted? The mighty Hand which had been
+stretched out to save her could reach her husband also, wherever he
+might be. The first treasure which she would seek to obtain by this
+newly found key should be the salvation of her husband, and never would
+she cease seeking until she knew she had obtained it.</p>
+
+<p>So, as she had committed herself into the hands of this almighty
+Friend, she committed her husband also, and prayed that wherever
+his wanderings might lead him, or whatever his disappointments or
+difficulties might he, he might at last be guided, as she had been, if
+not by easy means, then through sorrow and suffering, to the cross of
+Christ, there to find pardon and salvation.</p>
+
+<p>Then Mary began to think of the present, and consider her earthly lot.
+Something must be done, and besides herself there was none to do it, so
+it was quite plain that she "must" find some work; but what was it to
+be?</p>
+
+<p>Besides learning her lessons in school, and, after her marriage,
+looking after her house and children, which her conscience told her had
+been very badly done, she had never tried to do anything.</p>
+
+<p>It was true that sometimes in her days of greatest poverty, when her
+husband was out of work, she had thought of trying to get employment as
+a Zenana teacher, but though she knew of others who did this in order
+to obtain the salary, her own heart told her that it should not be so,
+and that only those who knew God themselves were fitted to teach others
+about Him.</p>
+
+<p>It was different now. Having found salvation herself, it would be
+a joy and privilege to tell others about it; only who, knowing her
+circumstances, would be able to understand that she was not seeking her
+own good only?</p>
+
+<p>Again, she remembered her newly found key. Did not her heavenly Father
+know all her needs and difficulties, as well as the change in her heart?</p>
+
+<p>If He would call her to take a share in His work, and count her worthy,
+it would not matter what others thought. And so again, Mary prayed that
+God Himself would lead and direct her, and make it quite plain what
+work He would have her do.</p>
+
+<p>By-and-by, the children returned from school full of questions about
+their father, whose sudden disappearance sorely perplexed them all. The
+mother tried her best to satisfy them, by saying she believed he had
+gone away to find work, and very soon they would hear from him.</p>
+
+<p>Reuben, the eldest, listened gravely to all his mother said, and did
+not join in the questions of the others.</p>
+
+<p>Though only ten years old, in many ways he seemed older, being a
+steady, studious boy, more fond of learning than of playing. From this
+time, he seemed suddenly to grow older still, and to realise that he
+must be the helper and comforter of his mother, so in this also the
+deserted wife found comfort in her sorrow.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image076" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image076.jpg" alt="image076"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_9">A TELEGRAM.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"SHE'S dyin'! That's what the telegram's put, and I'm goin' down by the
+next train."</p>
+
+<p>There was a pause, for Milly had had a hard struggle, and how to find
+the four and eight-pence for the fare she knew not. But the kind
+neighbour came to her aid. She searched deep in a drawer, and brought
+out an old stocking foot, and from this, she counted out five precious
+shillings.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image077" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image077">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image077.jpg" alt="image077"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"I'll pay you, if I work my fingers to the bone," said Milly
+gratefully; and then she made her way, just as she was, to the station.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime, down in a country village, far away from the din of London,
+Milly's sister lay and watched from her little window.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image078" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image078">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image078.jpg" alt="image078"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"Go out," she whispered to her pretty, tidy children, "and stay by the
+church gate; and when you see your aunt, bring her to the door, but no
+further. I haven't seen her for twelve years!"</p>
+
+<p>The invalid lay on a neat bed beneath the window of the front room.</p>
+
+<p>And when Milly came, her eyes rested on a face which had once been like
+hers, but was not so any longer, for peace and joy shone on the wasted
+features, instead of hard care.</p>
+
+<p>"Agnes!" she said, and came forward and knelt by the bed, burying her
+face in her hands.</p>
+
+<p>"I could not find your address! I've tried over and over," whispered
+Agnes. "Look up, Milly, and kiss me; our time may not be long together."</p>
+
+<p>So Milly got up and kissed her over and over again, stroking her thin
+hand fondly.</p>
+
+<p>Both remembered that they had parted in anger twelve years before, and
+Milly had said she "would never see her, never, till her dying day!"</p>
+
+<p>Ah! Words too true, as words are sometimes, which we fain would not
+have spoken!</p>
+
+<p>"Will you forgive me?" said Milly brokenly.</p>
+
+<p>"And will you forgive me?" asked Agnes. "I know what it is to be
+forgiven myself, by Him who loved me and died for me; and since then,
+I've never ceased to seek for you that you might be happy too, whether
+for life or death."</p>
+
+<p>"Life!" groaned Milly. "That's but a hard, poor thing to me."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! But if you have my Saviour, it will all be different," whispered
+Agnes faintly. "You'll take care of the children—and there's a little
+annuity for you besides. God's been very good to me! I felt sure He
+would send you in time."</p>
+
+<p>And it was in time. Before Agnes went "Home," Milly had time to go back
+to London and pack up her few belongings.</p>
+
+<p>She bid good-bye to her kind neighbour, and thanked her over again
+for enabling her to travel down to see her dear sister. And then she
+returned to the sweet country home, and nursed Agnes and settled down
+to the care of the children, which she was to undertake henceforth.</p>
+
+<p>"What you have been to me," whispered Agnes on the last day, "and what
+the Lord has done for me, words cannot say. To think He should let me
+'know' that you have come to trust Him! That is worth all the rest."</p>
+
+<p>"I am lost in wonder to think of His love," said Milly.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>Hira's Quest.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_12">CHAPTER XII.—"HE CARETH FOR YOU."</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>AS soon as Mary Dayál had left, Rámpál Singh and his daughter began to
+think what means they could take for helping her, for they believed in
+"doing" as well as "praying."</p>
+
+<p>"Shall I go and see my uncle," suggested Shushila, "and see what he
+advises? He knows Mark Dayál and his wife, and will know better than
+anyone else what is the best thing to do."</p>
+
+<p>Rámpál Singh quite approved, and so, accompanied by the faithful
+Anandi, Shushila started for the house of her uncle Harnáth Singh, who
+was the pastor of the Hindustáni Church in this city.</p>
+
+<p>It did not require much argument to enlist his sympathy with Mary Dayál
+and her family, and greatly did he rejoice to hear that one of his
+flock had received such great spiritual blessing. He advised waiting a
+few days to see whether the runaway husband would return, or send his
+wife any news of his intention. But in the meantime, he would be making
+all inquiries with regard to finding means of help.</p>
+
+<p>When Komela, Shushila's aunt, joined her husband and niece, she was
+able at once to throw some light on the subject.</p>
+
+<p>"It was only yesterday," she said, "that Miss Elsemere came to ask me
+if I knew of any truly Christian woman who could take charge of a small
+school she is opening for Hindu girls. She said, 'It must be one who
+will do this work for "Christ's sake," and not merely for the sake of
+a salary. I "cannot" ask anyone to take a share in our Lord's work who
+does not really love Him and wish to serve Him.'"</p>
+
+<p>Shushila hastened to reassure her aunt on this point, and they all
+agreed that nothing would be so likely to strengthen the faith and warm
+the love of one who had so lately found Christ herself as to teach
+others about Him.</p>
+
+<p>"Whether her husband returns or not, it will be well for her to have
+this work to do," said Harnáth Singh; "so the best thing will be to let
+Miss Elsemere hear of her at once, then she can go and see her."</p>
+
+<p>"I am so glad," said Shushila, with a beaming face; "it seems as if
+God knew of the need which was coming and had prepared the supply
+beforehand. It will be a proof to Mrs. Dayál of what she may expect now
+that she has learned to know God and trust in Him."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed," answered her aunt, "she will soon find what a difference
+it makes when we give up ourselves and all that concerns us into God's
+keeping, and know that our heavenly Father cares for us. But now tell
+me about your little blind Hira; I have heard nothing of her for some
+days."</p>
+
+<p>"She is a strange child," answered Shushila, "and very difficult to
+understand. She is at the same time 'so' naughty and 'yet' so 'good.'"</p>
+
+<p>"How do you mean?" asked Komela.</p>
+
+<p>"I mean," was the answer, "that in some ways she is more naughty than
+most children. She will not do anything unless she chooses, and as
+for telling lies, she thinks nothing of it. But at the same time, she
+loves to hear about God and our Lord Jesus, and though she has been
+learning such a little while, it is quite wonderful how much she knows
+and remembers. I cannot understand what has come over her to-day; she
+has been sitting in the quietest corner of the house, and even when I
+called her to eat, she would not come, so I just left her alone."</p>
+
+<p>"The more I hear of her," said Komela, "the more it seems to me that
+God Himself sent her to you, and that He has a work for you to do in
+training her, and then some special work for her to do. You will need
+much love and patience to accomplish your task, but I feel sure that it
+will not be in vain."</p>
+
+<p>"I just love to have her," said Shushila warmly, "in spite of her
+naughtiness. I love her dearly, and her love for me quite makes up for
+any trouble I have. Most of all, I want you to pray that she may truly
+receive Christ into her heart, for until she does, I cannot think that
+it is right for her to be called by His name. I do not think she wants
+it either, for she seems quite to understand that there must be a great
+change in her before she can be a Christian."</p>
+
+<p>"Would that all knew as much as this blind child!" said Komela
+earnestly. "Then there would not be so many bearing Christ's name and
+yet bringing dishonour on Him."</p>
+
+<p>The day after this conversation, as Mary Dayál was busy in her house,
+there came a knock at her door.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment, her heart beat faster; could it be that her husband had
+returned? Quickly, she went to unfasten the chain, and then saw that
+it was not her husband, but an English lady, who was standing there
+waiting for admittance.</p>
+
+<p>Mary knew Miss Elsemere very well by sight, and had met her more than
+once. But this was the first time she had come to her house.</p>
+
+<p>She was at once asked in, one of the broken chairs dusted for her, and
+then Mary waited to hear what was the cause of this unexpected visit.</p>
+
+<p>She very soon felt at ease with her visitor, who spoke so kindly, and
+sympathised so warmly in her husband's absence, though she never said a
+word which implied that she knew why he had gone, or that he was in any
+way to blame.</p>
+
+<p>Very soon she introduced the subject which was in her mind. She was
+just about to open a school for Hindu children, and wanted someone to
+take charge of it. Having heard of Mrs. Dayál, she had come to ask her
+about it.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment, Mary was almost too much overcome to answer. Had the
+answer to her prayer come so quickly as this? It seemed almost too good
+to be true. Her heart was too full to say much, and if Miss Elsemere
+had not already heard her story, especially the spiritual part, she
+might almost have doubted whether this very silent, grave woman would
+be a suitable teacher for bright little girls.</p>
+
+<p>When all arrangements had been made and she was just leaving, a little
+glimpse was given her into the heart of the one who, she trusted, had
+been chosen of God to be a fellow-worker with her in His service.</p>
+
+<p>With tears in her eyes, Mary Dayál said earnestly, "It seems to me that
+it was God Himself who put it into your heart to ask me to do this
+work, and if so, He will help me to do it, though it may be difficult
+at first."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Elsemere pressed her hand warmly as she answered, "We may be quite
+sure that God never gives us anything to do in our own strengths; in
+all our times of need, His word to us is, 'My grace is sufficient for
+thee.' I am sure you will find it so."</p>
+
+<p>As soon as she was alone, Mary Dayál gave thanks for the light which
+had shone upon her path. Glad as she was to know that her children
+would be provided for, she was most glad to have this proof of her
+heavenly Father's care, and of His readiness to hear and answer His
+children's prayer.</p>
+
+<p>Then there came to her mind that other petition, offered at the same
+time, that her husband might not only be brought back to her, but also
+be made ready to meet God.</p>
+
+<p>If one had been granted, then why not the other also? So with
+strengthened faith, the wife determined that she would not grow weary,
+though she might have to wait many days to see the desire of her heart
+granted.</p>
+
+<p>But there was something else for her to do besides pray; the prospect
+of so soon beginning to teach others about God made her realise how
+very little she knew herself.</p>
+
+<p>The Bible, which had been for many days so little read and never
+studied, was now often in her hands, and as she sought for food to feed
+others, she was fed herself.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a perfectly 'new' book," she said one day to Shushila. "I used
+to read the words, but they did not mean much to me; now it is just as
+if God Himself is speaking to me, and the words go right into my heart.
+I would rather give up anything than this book, though I have had it
+all these years, and cared little for it."</p>
+
+<p>Shushila answered earnestly, "Is not that because it contains God's
+message to His children? As long as we do not know Him, we do not care
+to listen, but as soon as we know our heavenly Father and love Him, we
+listen to hear what He will say to us."</p>
+
+<p>"If only I had known all this before!" said Mary with a sigh. "What a
+difference it would have made to my life! Now I feel that it has been
+wasted and spoiled."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed," answered Shushila, "you have missed what alone makes our
+lives worth living. But do not be too sad; now you have given your life
+to God, He will make it new again according to His will; and after all,
+'this' life is only just beginning—our real, perfect life we shall live
+with God."</p>
+
+<p>That evening, the three younger children had gone to sleep, Mary was
+reading, and Reuben preparing his lessons for the next day.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the boy looked up from his books. "Mother, tell me what it
+all means. Why has my father gone away like this? And why do you read
+so much and seem so different? It seems to me as if something has
+happened, and yet I do not know what."</p>
+
+<p>Mary smiled at her boy's perplexity as she answered, "Yes, something
+very wonderful has happened, Reuben, but I do not know whether you will
+understand if I tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, mother, of course I will; you forget how old I am," said the boy
+with an air of importance; "please tell me."</p>
+
+<p>Then the mother answered, "Reuben, this is what has happened: I have
+been trying to live my life without God, but lately my heart became so
+hungry that I could not stay away from Him any longer. The Lord Jesus
+has put away my sin and so brought me to God."</p>
+
+<p>The boy looked surprised, for he had not expected such an answer. It
+seemed so strange to hear of heavenly things from the lips of one who
+had always been so taken up with the things of earth.</p>
+
+<p>He had himself learnt much in school, but his mother was the last
+person to whom he would have thought of speaking of what was in his
+heart. His class in Sunday-school had at one time been taught by
+the pastor's son, Harnám Singh, and young though he was, he had not
+forgotten his teacher's earnest words; and this fact remained clearly
+impressed on his mind, that to belong to Christ and serve Him was the
+greatest honour to which anyone could attain.</p>
+
+<p>When the teacher had had to be separated from his class, he had given
+to each of the boys a card, on which was printed the words, "If any man
+will serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My
+servant be."</p>
+
+<p>This card Reuben kept among his special treasures, and as often as he
+looked at it, he would say to himself, "When I am a man, I am going to
+serve Christ."</p>
+
+<p>He had not yet learnt that "any man" means anyone, even a boy of ten
+years old. He felt glad as he listened to his mother's words, and after
+a while, said thoughtfully, "It will not matter so much that my father
+has gone away if God has come; He will take care of us."</p>
+
+<p>The mother then told her son how that care had already been shown, but
+she added, "Although God is with us and caring for us, yet we must ask
+Him to bring your father back, for we want him too."</p>
+
+<p>Already the faithful wife had forgotten all her husband's failings, and
+only longed for his return.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image079" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image079.jpg" alt="image079"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_44">The Alms-house Inmates.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>CHRISTMAS EVE was terribly cold, the snow fell fast, and the wind
+howled round the alms-houses, making the inmates shiver and draw nearer
+to their firesides. In the first house lived old Mrs. Lunn, or Beckie
+as she was commonly called, and when the wind blew more fiercely, she
+spread her old wrinkled hands to the blaze and said reverently,—</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I thank Thee, Lord, for all my comforts. Here I have a home and fire
+and many kind friends, while there are others who are hungry and alone.<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder," added the old woman, "how Nancy is next door; she'll
+feel the cold terribly, and she always is in pain, so she can't help
+grumbling a wee bit."</p>
+
+<p>Nancy was lying on her bed in the next house, while every bone in her
+old worn-out body ached. Yet when the bells rang out over the snow, she
+crossed her hands and whispered,—</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Let me be in heaven next year, dear Lord, and free from pain."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>In number three lived Mrs. Peck, a little, nimble, bright old lady, who
+hopped about on one leg, as bright as a button.</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow is Christmas Day," she said. "Well, we'll all get something
+warm from the Squire's lady for sure; may mine be a petticoat, which I
+need sorely, then I'll be very thankful."</p>
+
+<p>Away at the end of the row, and opposite to the men's houses, a couch
+was drawn to the window, and a frail, delicate woman gasped her life
+away.</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"On Christmas Day—to meet them all again! Oh, I am ready, dear Lord,
+quite ready."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>And when the Squire's lady bent over and whispered, "Mary, can you
+hear me?" the dying woman murmured, "Yes, the angels with their harps
+ringing over the snow."</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image080" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image080">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image080.jpg" alt="image080"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>When Christmas Day dawned, all the earth was white and beautiful. The
+old alms people, men and women, walked up to the Manor House, when each
+one received a present.</p>
+
+<p>"There is one parcel over, ma'am," said the maid, when all the old
+folks had departed.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! Yes," replied the lady; "that was for Mary, but she needs no
+present now, her eyes have seen the King."</p>
+
+<p>By Beckie's fireside sat Nancy, wrapped up warm and comfortable in a
+new Scotch plaid, and Mrs. Peck was there also, holding her petticoat
+under her arm.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a wonderful thing, is prayer," she was saying. "I just asked God
+to let the Squire's lady give it me, and sure enough, I have it—you
+see."</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_47">The Hill above Nazareth.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>LOOK at those angry men! You ask, "Whom are they angry with, and what
+has he done?"</p>
+
+<p>That is the dear Lord Jesus.</p>
+
+<p>Now I will try to tell you why the Jews were angry with Him, and what
+they wanted to do to Him that day.</p>
+
+<p>Jesus had been baptised in Jordan, and had been led by the Holy Spirit
+into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan for more than a month.</p>
+
+<p>So you see Jesus knows what temptations mean, and He can feel for us.</p>
+
+<p>Well, when Satan had finished all the temptations, Jesus came back to
+Nazareth, the town where He had been brought up, and when the Sabbath
+day came, He went, as He usually did, to the synagogue to worship God.</p>
+
+<p>He stood up to read the Bible to the Jews, and then He explained to
+them how God had sent Him to be the Messiah they were looking for, and
+how He would bind up broken hearts and make all sorrowful people joyful.</p>
+
+<p>The Jews listened to Him with great wonder, and some of them could
+not believe that one who had been brought up in their own town could
+possibly be the Christ.</p>
+
+<p>Then the Lord told them that strangers and Gentiles would believe on
+Him, if the Jews would not; and after that, they grew very angry and
+took hold of Him, and thrust Him out of the synagogue and led Him up to
+the brow of the hill on which the town was built, that they might cast
+Him down from there.</p>
+
+<p>How sad that they should want to kill the blessed Lord, who had just
+told them that He would be their Saviour and their Messiah!</p>
+
+<p>You notice in the picture that Jesus did not resist them or seem angry
+with their cruelty. He was ever patient and loving.</p>
+
+<p>The Bible does not say "how" He escaped out of their hands. It says:
+"But He, passing through the midst of them, went His way, and came
+down to Capernaum," and began healing the sick and doing kind things
+directly to those who needed His help.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image081" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image081">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image081.jpg" alt="image081"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Very soon, people began saying all round the country what wonderful
+things He did.</p>
+
+<p>One day, He entered into Simon Peter's house, and there He found the
+mother of Peter's wife very ill with a bad fever. They had all seen
+the wonderful things that Jesus could do, so they begged Him to heal
+her. So Jesus told the fever to leave her, and she felt quite well all
+at once, and got up and waited on the Lord Jesus, and did her work as
+usual.</p>
+
+<p>Soon the heat of the day began to subside, and all the people who had
+sick people in their houses brought them to Jesus, and the dear loving
+Saviour laid His hands on every one of them and healed them all.</p>
+
+<p>Let us, like those people at Capernaum, bring all our troubles and
+sorrows to Jesus; let us kneel down and tell Him what we want most, and
+believe that He is able and willing to help us, and we shall know that
+He draws near to us and gives us the blessing which we most need.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_50">The Stay of the Family.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"THE 'Doris' is to proceed to the Cape, Nellie, at once!"</p>
+
+<p>"'What,' mother?"</p>
+
+<p>"To the Cape at once!" repeated her mother slowly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mother! I thought Jim was going to cruise about in the Channel."</p>
+
+<p>She bent over to see the words for herself, and her pretty placid
+countenance fell. The world would be changed for her if brother Jim
+were gone out of their life.</p>
+
+<p>Hitherto he had been the one to see after their mother since father's
+death. His advice had been what had been acted on, his loving wishes
+had ruled the little home.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image082" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image082">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image082.jpg" alt="image082"></a></figure>
+<p class="t4">
+<b>"The 'Doris' is to proceed to the Cape, Nellie,</b><br>
+<b>at once!"</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Nellie drew her fallen work back to her lap, but there was no more
+cheerful gossip with her mother, no more remarks as to what Molly and
+Pollie were learning at school, and how George was getting on at his
+new place—instead came down over her a blank feeling of dismay. Who
+would take the responsibility of the home if Jim were gone?</p>
+
+<p>Then her thoughts went back to what she had been thinking of and
+praying about lately—how she could be more of a comfort to her invalid
+mother. Was this the opportunity come which she had longed for? But how
+different from anything she had planned!</p>
+
+<p>Then she looked up and put her hand gently on her mother's arm.</p>
+
+<p>"We shall all try to take care of you when brother is gone," she
+faltered with quivering lips. "I hoped he'd have come backwards and
+forwards as he had been doing; but if he goes—" Nellie knelt down
+hastily by her mother's side and put her head on her shoulder with an
+unwonted caress—"If he goes, there's always Jesus left," she whispered,
+"and He will never leave us and never forsake us, mother."</p>
+
+<p>And while Jim was at the war, that was how Nellie became the stay of
+the family.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image083" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image083.jpg" alt="image083"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_13">CHAPTER XIII.—HIRA'S QUEST ENDED.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>WHILE Mary Dayál was rejoicing in her newly found peace and happiness,
+Hira's heart was daily growing sadder. At the time Mary told her that
+if she listened, she would hear the voice of the Lord Jesus speaking
+to her, she made up her mind that she would begin to listen with all
+her might. If she could not "see," at least she could hear, better than
+most.</p>
+
+<p>So she crept away to the quietest corner she could find, and after
+saying,—</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Please, Lord Jesus, speak to me—"<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>sat still and waited for the answer. But though she waited long and
+refused to eat food, which she was always so ready for, or to sit by
+her dear sister Shushila, yet hour after hour passed, and still no
+voice came.</p>
+
+<p>Again and again she cried,—</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Please, Lord Jesus, speak to me like you did to Rose's mother."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>But there was no answer.</p>
+
+<p>Then she began to grow angry. She had been deceived by everybody; there
+was no Jesus Christ at all. How could anyone know if they had never
+seen Him? It must be a lie to say anyone had heard His voice. If He
+were alive and close by her, as Shushila said, why did He not give her
+eyes, or at least answer her when she spoke to Him?</p>
+
+<p>So she groped her way to where Shushila was sitting, and before her new
+sister knew that she was anywhere near, she was suddenly aroused by
+hearing an indignant voice say, "It is very wicked of you all to tell
+lies to a poor little blind girl who cannot see for herself. It is not
+true that Jesus Christ is alive; I do not believe He ever was. He does
+not make blind people see, and He does not speak so that we can hear
+His voice. I have been listening and listening, but no voice came.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not going to get ready to meet God, because there is no one to
+make me ready. I will just go on being as naughty as I want to be, and
+if you do not like to have a naughty girl to live with you, I will go
+and beg. That is what my aunt always told me to do."</p>
+
+<p>Shushila listened with astonishment to this outburst of childish wrath.
+But by the time it was over, the child, who was trembling with anger
+and excitement, felt two loving arms round her, and she was gently led
+to a seat.</p>
+
+<p>Shushila did not speak at once, for it required some thought and prayer
+to know what to say. But she tenderly soothed and calmed the child she
+held so closely to her.</p>
+
+<p>Presently she said, "Little sister, do you remember the night you came
+here? How you sat on the doorstep in the dark and storm, trembling with
+fear of the thunder and lightning? Then I came to you, and though you
+could not see me, nor hear my voice, yet you let me lift you in my arms
+and bring you into the house. You trusted me, even though you could
+neither hear nor see me.</p>
+
+<p>"You are afraid now, not of storm and tempest, but of meeting God. You
+are afraid of your own heart, which is so full of all kinds of sin and
+naughtiness; and just as I lifted you in my arms and saved you from the
+rain and storm, so the Lord Jesus will surely save you from the fear
+and sin which are troubling you so much. Cannot you 'trust' Him, even
+though you cannot see or hear Him, just as you trusted me that night?
+It will grieve Him so if you do not, and He has loved us so dearly."</p>
+
+<p>"But Rose's mother said she heard His voice," said Hira in a subdued
+tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear, so will you some day, just as you hear my voice every day,
+now you are in the house beside me and there is no noise of rain and
+storm. But you did not hear it when you were sitting outside on the
+doorstep, and did not know who was speaking to you."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I will go away again," said Hira.</p>
+
+<p>And as Shushila unclasped her arms, she groped her way back to her old
+place.</p>
+
+<p>Then she knelt down as Shushila had taught her, and said,—</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Lord Jesus, I want to see you very much, but I am blind, and I want
+to hear your voice, but you do not speak to me; but most of all, I want
+to be ready to meet God, and to be made good, because I am so bad.
+Shushila says you are quite sure to do this, even though you do not
+give me eyes, or speak to me in a loud voice, because she says you love
+us so. Please, Lord Jesus, here I am."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>Then into the dark, sinful heart of the blind girl, a light shone—the
+light of the divine love poured out in death on the cross for the very
+weakest and most unworthy.</p>
+
+<p>As of old, the Son of God took the children in His arms and blessed
+them, so, as the risen and exalted Son of God, He drew the blind child
+to Himself, and Hira's quest was ended as she found the Saviour.</p>
+
+<p>In the distance, she heard Shushila softly singing—</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+<br>
+"Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And we must love Him too,<br>
+&nbsp;And trust in His redeeming blood,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And try His works to do."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>And as she listened, she knew what Mary Dayál meant when she said she
+heard the Lord Jesus speak to her.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image084" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image084.jpg" alt="image084"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_53">TWENTY TIMES.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"COME near, Lizzie, and hear what I have to say!"</p>
+
+<p>"I can hear!" called Lizzie at the top of her voice.</p>
+
+<p>And the hens clucked, and the little kid "baa'd," and Snap barked, but
+Lizzie came no nearer. She tossed the corn to the fowls, and took no
+further notice of her mother waiting there.</p>
+
+<p>"Lizzie!" called her mother, coming out of the doorway. "Lizzie, come
+at once!"</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked Lizzie very coolly.</p>
+
+<p>Her mother advanced out into the sunshine and came slowly up to
+her. "Lizzie, you grieve me very much. I like you to play and enjoy
+yourself, but when it comes to not attending when I call you—"</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image085" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image085">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image085.jpg" alt="image085"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>She took the basket out of the little girl's hand, and led her gently
+into the house.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you going to do with me?" asked Lizzie, raising her blue eyes
+wonderingly.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to make you remember."</p>
+
+<p>"But I haven't finished feeding the fowls."</p>
+
+<p>No answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother!"</p>
+
+<p>No answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't I put the little kid away?"</p>
+
+<p>Her mother was getting out pencil and paper, which she laid on the
+table in front of the little girl. And then she drew a chair forward
+and put her gently into it.</p>
+
+<p>Lizzie was awed by these proceedings. She was conscious that lately she
+had been taking advantage of her mother's frail health to do as she
+chose.</p>
+
+<p>Her mother's thin fingers were tracing some words in large writing
+across one of the sheets of her copy-book, which, to Lizzie's
+astonishment, she had torn out for the purpose.</p>
+
+<p>Torn out a leaf of her copy-book! The occasion must indeed be great.
+Then five words stood before her in rather trembling, but plain,
+round-hand—</p>
+
+<p>"I must obey my mother."</p>
+
+<p>"Write that twenty times before you move, Lizzie," said mother, "and
+when it is done, come up and show it to me."</p>
+
+<p>Slowly she left the room, and Lizzie saw her going out to shut up the
+goat, and then watched her stoop and pick up the puppy and put him in
+his kennel. Fancy mother doing that!</p>
+
+<p>"Twenty times!" How "could" she write all that? was her next thought.</p>
+
+<p>At first, she decided she would not even try to do it. Then she heard
+her mother come back through the scullery and go up the stairs very
+wearily.</p>
+
+<p>Lizzie's heart smote her. She remembered with dismay all those thoughts
+of independence and restiveness which she had been cherishing.</p>
+
+<p>The sounds ceased, and perfect silence reigned. What was mother doing?
+But she might not go to see till the twenty lines were done!</p>
+
+<p>Tears filled the blue eyes at last.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mother, mother," she sobbed, "I do love you! Come down and kiss
+me!"</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps her sobs were heard; there was a little movement above, and
+presently the face Lizzie loved best in the world was close to hers,
+and two arms were about her, and mother was whispering words of
+forgiveness and "beginning again!"</p>
+
+<p>"Lizzie," she said, "if I were to let you go on being self-willed, what
+an unhappy girl you would grow up, and how wrong it would be of me! I
+love you too well, my darling."</p>
+
+<p>And Lizzie wrote those twenty lines with dimmed eyes. But she did
+"begin again" in good earnest, and turned out to be mother's greatest
+comfort.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_17">HINDERED.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"I DON'T believe I shall ever learn it!" Hugh thought hopelessly. "It's
+just one of those lessons that 'won't' get into your head."</p>
+
+<p>"I say," began his next door neighbour, in a whisper, "did you see my
+kite go up last night?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, bother!" exclaimed Hugh. "I'd almost got a line, and now I've lost
+it!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, but did you?" persisted his neighbour.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image086" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image086">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image086.jpg" alt="image086"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Hugh frowned, and put his fingers in his ears. Harry was always trying
+to distract him, and the consequence was, down he went in his class.</p>
+
+<p>No, the lesson would not get learned. Instead of the tiresome lines of
+poetry, which he hated, came a string of thoughts like these:—</p>
+
+<p>"Harry does it on purpose; of course, Harry is clever, he can carry
+anything before him. My master always sets me the hardest pieces he can
+find! I've had a headache all the morning, and Harry always bothers
+more when he sees I've got a headache."</p>
+
+<p>The preparation hour was over, and Hugh put his books into his satchel
+with a hopeless feeling that if he had conquered that tiresome poetry,
+he would have been able to fly "his" kite that evening. But now it was
+quite useless: there would be such a chatter at home, that with his
+headache, he would never do it!</p>
+
+<p>So he entered the dining-room at home with clouded brow and heavy
+heart. His eyes fell on his little invalid sister, lying on her pillow
+in the corner.</p>
+
+<p>She saw in a moment that something had gone wrong, and beckoned him to
+her side.</p>
+
+<p>"Put my pillow straight, Hughie!" she said, gently.</p>
+
+<p>He bent to do it, and then kissed the little white face.</p>
+
+<p>"Has it been so tiresome?" she asked wistfully.</p>
+
+<p>"The old story!" he said, bitterly. "Headache and stupidity. It's no
+use, Angel!"</p>
+
+<p>"There's another 'old story' besides that one," she whispered, with a
+slight nod of her little head.</p>
+
+<p>He shook his, as much as to say he was willing to be comforted, but—</p>
+
+<p>Yes, she understood that, but it did not daunt her. She stroked his
+boyish hand with her thin fingers, and went on softly—"A lesson I had
+to learn seemed very hard this morning—"</p>
+
+<p>He looked at her suddenly. Angel learning a lesson?</p>
+
+<p>But she went on—"And I felt I could not! And then—then I remembered to
+tell Jesus about it, and He said, 'I'll help you, Angel; I've set it,
+and I won't let it be too hard!'"</p>
+
+<p>Her eyes were full of tears, and his watered in sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>"And then?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I felt I could go on learning it—if 'He' had set it!"</p>
+
+<p>He squeezed her hand, thinking—how could he put Harry and his headache
+into one of the lessons Jesus was teaching? Then he raised his head.</p>
+
+<p>"I see," he said, more brightly. "Angel, after tea, may I come and read
+my poetry over to you, line by line!"</p>
+
+<p>And then the rest came rushing in, but the little comforter had had her
+chance—and had taken it!</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image087" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image087">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image087.jpg" alt="image087"></a></figure>
+<p class="t4">
+<b>A Schoolboy's Message.</b><br>
+<b>"Oh, has it?" asked Tommy, looking up surprised.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_46">THE FIRST DAY.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"WELL, Tommy, where are you off to?"</p>
+
+<p>"To 'school!'" said Tommy impressively, with surprise in his tone. He
+thought everyone knew that this was his first day at school, and that
+he had in his pocket a bright penny which grandfather had given him in
+honour of the day.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I see!" said the big boy, smiling down upon him and taking his
+hand. "So you have a new suit and a new slate. How kind your mother is!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Tommy, as if that were a very ordinary affair, "and
+grandfather has given me this," letting the penny peep out of his
+pocket just a little bit.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image088" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image088">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image088.jpg" alt="image088"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" said the big boy. "Someone else kind too, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Grandfather's going away by train to the country to-day," pursued
+the child; "he's going to where 'he' was a little boy, and lived at
+a windmill, and went to school, like me, and he said he should be
+thinking about me all day!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not as old as grandfather," said the big boy, "and so it's no
+wonder that I remember the first day 'I' went to school, is it? And
+you know I had no kind mother like you have, Tommy, and it was 'your'
+grandfather that gave me a kind word as I went past his cottage, that's
+done the good ever since."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Has it?" asked Tommy, looking up surprised.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. He told me to remember that the Lord Jesus was close to me all
+the time, and would be better to me in everything than even father and
+mother! I've never forgotten it—never!"</p>
+
+<p>They hurried along hand in hand, the little boy skipping over the
+ground with eagerness; while the big boy, who was a true missionary at
+heart, wondered if the tiny seed he had tried to sow would bear fruit
+some day.</p>
+
+<p>But he remembered that we have to sow in faith, like Tommy's
+grandfather did in his case; so he ran along by the little boy,
+brightly planning to meet him after school to hear how he had got on.</p>
+
+<p>Tommy never did forget that kind little word, and often when he would
+have been over-pressed by difficulty, or evil, he suddenly thought,
+"The Lord Jesus is close to me!" and took courage.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image089" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image089.jpg" alt="image089"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_14">CHAPTER XIV.—BELIEVING AND CONFESSING.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>ALTHOUGH Hira fully made up her mind that henceforth she was going to
+"try His works to do" who had so loved her, yet she found it was not
+always easy to leave off doing those very different works which she had
+been doing all her life.</p>
+
+<p>It was not easy always to ask, "What would the Lord Jesus like me to
+do?" for one who had been accustomed to ask, "What would 'I' like to
+do?"</p>
+
+<p>Shushila looked on and prayed much as she saw daily battles being
+fought, in which her little charge was sometimes defeated and sometimes
+victorious.</p>
+
+<p>She understood that every contest was a clear proof that a new
+principle had been introduced into the child's life which was trying to
+subdue the old one.</p>
+
+<p>There could be no doubt that, though still weak and faulty, Hira was
+really a new child in Christ Jesus.</p>
+
+<p>Shushila began to wonder how she could best explain to the little girl
+the next step to be taken, so as to make her baptism a very real and
+lasting blessing to her.</p>
+
+<p>So one day she read to her the story of the woman who touched the hem
+of Christ's garment and was made whole. And as she finished, she asked,
+"Hira, why do you think the Lord Jesus asked who it was who had touched
+Him? Because He must have known."</p>
+
+<p>Hira considered a minute, and then she said, "Perhaps it was because
+He wanted her to say 'Thank you,' just like you teach me to say 'Thank
+you' when you give me anything."</p>
+
+<p>Shushila smiled as she answered, "Yes, I think that was one reason, and
+besides that, I think He wanted her to let all those other people know
+how good He had been to her. When we were in church to-day, I thought
+that perhaps if the Lord Jesus had been there, as He was that day, He
+might have asked, 'Where is that little girl whom I have made ready to
+meet God?'"</p>
+
+<p>"But, sister, if He had, I would have said directly, 'Here I am.'"</p>
+
+<p>Then Shushila explained how the Lord Jesus had appointed a way by which
+His followers could confess Him before men, and let it be known that
+they belong to Him.</p>
+
+<p>Hira listened gladly, then she said, "I am so glad, because I would not
+like anyone to think that I am a little heathen girl when I am not, and
+really belong to the Lord Jesus. Please let me be baptised very soon."</p>
+
+<p>Shushila did not answer at once, then she said, "Hira, I want very
+much that you should be, but supposing after you have been called by
+the name of Christ and received into His Church you tell lies and get
+into those naughty tempers, those who see you will say, 'Is that what
+Christians do? Hira is no better than heathen girls'; and so the name
+of our Lord Jesus will be dishonoured."</p>
+
+<p>The little girl looked very sad and grave, then she said, "Sister, do
+let me be baptised, and I will ask the Lord Jesus to put His hand on my
+lips so that the lies will not be able to come out, and another on my
+heart to keep the naughty tempers away."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Hira," was the answer, "He surely will if you trust Him, for that
+is just what He came down from heaven and gave His life on the cross
+for. You have learnt that verse, 'Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for
+He shall save His people from their sins.' You are one of His people,
+and these are your two special sins, so I am sure He will save you from
+them; it is just what He came to do."</p>
+
+<p>Hira gave a little sigh as she said, "I wish I could be cured like that
+leper was you told me about, his leprosy went away all at once. I wish
+my naughtiness would go like that."</p>
+
+<p>Shushila could not help sympathising with the child's wish. "Do not you
+think, little sister," she asked, "that if you want to tell a lie, or
+to be angry, and you do not because you want to please the Lord Jesus,
+that is one way of showing that you love him, and that He is really
+able to save you? Those who are in no danger do not need to be saved,
+do they? You are going to be made a soldier of the Lord Jesus, and
+soldiers always have to fight."</p>
+
+<p>"But you do not have to fight," said Hira.</p>
+
+<p>Shushila smiled. "Yes, indeed I do," she answered; "sometimes I have to
+fight very hard not to be impatient with a little girl who will not do
+as she is told."</p>
+
+<p>At this point someone came in, and so the conversation ended.</p>
+
+<p>A few Sundays later, Hira had her wish and was baptised. It was a day
+never to be forgotten in her experience, for it was the "visible" line
+which separated the old life from the new, darkness from light.</p>
+
+<p>Besides Rámpál Singh and his daughter, there were two others among
+those who were present who watched the ceremony with strong feelings of
+interest.</p>
+
+<p>Of these, one was Mary Dayál, who had been much interested in the blind
+child ever since she came into their midst.</p>
+
+<p>As she saw her openly confessing her faith in the Lord Jesus, and being
+received into His church, there was some regret mixed with her joy. She
+thought to herself, "Hira is a precious jewel which the Lord gave 'me'
+the opportunity of seeking and finding for Him, but I was unfitted for
+the work, and so He has given the honour to another."</p>
+
+<p>As she thought of this, she determined that she would with all her
+heart seek for other jewels which should adorn her Master's crown.</p>
+
+<p>The other spectator was of a very different appearance, and had very
+different feelings. Soon after the service began, there crept into the
+church a poor woman, who looked as if she was little accustomed to
+enter such places. Without looking for a seat, she sat down in a corner
+on the ground. No one noticed her except those who were sitting close
+by, and while the last prayer was being read, she got up and went out.
+Then Mary Dayál saw her and recognised Sukhiya.</p>
+
+<p>Her fears had been to some extent realised. It was quite true that
+Hira, in the days of her comfort and prosperity, did not feel the need
+of her old friend as she had done when she was her only friend.</p>
+
+<p>This was quite as much the woman's fault as the child's; for, partly
+because she thought she was no longer needed, and partly because she
+feared to let it be seen on what familiar terms she had been with
+the blind girl, she kept out of her way, and except when she came
+occasionally to sell her milk and butter, Hira saw nothing of her.</p>
+
+<p>Still, it had occurred to her that she would like her old friend to be
+present at her baptism, and so she had begged her to come.</p>
+
+<p>Sukhiya had promised, and that is why she was there; but to her, it
+was a time almost as sad as when her last child died. It was the final
+severing of the link which had bound her to the child who had filled
+the empty place in her heart, and been the one bright spot in her sad
+life.</p>
+
+<p>Now Hira was a Christian, and to Sukhiya's mind that meant that
+henceforth she lived in another world to her own.</p>
+
+<p>It was very true that every time the child had had an opportunity she
+had pleaded with her, "Sukhiya, do believe on the Lord Jesus, and let
+Him make you ready to go to heaven, for I do want you to come too."</p>
+
+<p>But she had always shaken her head and said, "Child, I am too old
+and stupid to understand these new things. All my sense has gone in
+weeping. I will go on selling butter and milk a little longer, and then
+my days will end."</p>
+
+<p>Hira grieved over the indifference of her old friend, for one of the
+first lessons taught her was that, having come to Christ herself, she
+should now seek to bring others; and who so likely to be the first as
+the one who had done so much for her in the darkest days of her life?</p>
+
+<p>After leaving the church, Sukhiya went to her home, and that day no
+food was cooked, and no milk and butter sold, for the poor woman cared
+nothing for those things.</p>
+
+<p>All that day she sat and wept. The next, she went out with her basket
+as usual, and her husband found his food cooked, and from that time,
+all went on as before, only that Sukhiya never talked of the blind
+child, and went to see her even less frequently than before.</p>
+
+<p>There had been some discussion as to whether Hira's name should be
+changed at her baptism. It was Harnáth Singh's custom to let each
+convert choose for himself or herself, and child though she was, Hira
+was quite capable of knowing her own mind.</p>
+
+<p>When she was told what was the meaning of her name, she said, "Then,
+please, let me keep it always, for I like to be a jewel belonging to
+the Lord Jesus; and some day, He will make me as shining and beautiful
+as a real diamond."</p>
+
+<p>So Hira she remained.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_6">A LIGHTENED LOAD.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_6_C_1">CHAPTER I.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"IT'S so fearfully cold to-day, Mary! I do not seem to be able to get a
+bit of warmth!"</p>
+
+<p>Mary looked at the fire, warm still, but dying down on the hearth. How
+fast the wood did die down, she thought, with a sigh. How many little
+things there were to do even to keep moderate comfort round her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll get some more wood, mother," she said patiently.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, do," said the invalid, not thinking much of the tired legs of her
+little nurse, nor noticing the pale cheeks which lately had grown so
+thin.</p>
+
+<p>Mary put away the cups she had been washing, and took off her apron.</p>
+
+<p>"Is there any wood outside?" asked her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Only a stick or two," said Mary. "It does burn away so fast!"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish there were, I'm that cold, Mary! Be quick, child, and get some,
+will you?"</p>
+
+<p>She cowered over the red embers, and Mary, thus urged, put on her hat
+and went out into the November mist.</p>
+
+<p>She would not have disliked this if her legs had not ached so much, and
+if she had not felt so faint and hungry. She had been cleaning up all
+the morning; and then she had cooked mother's gruel. But the invalid
+had never asked her if she had had anything to eat.</p>
+
+<p>Poor little Mary!</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image090" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image090">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image090.jpg" alt="image090"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>She took a piece of cord in her hand and slowly left the cottage door.
+She knew she would have a good way to go, for she and her mother,
+before she became ill, had picked up every scrap of wood that they
+could find near the house.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish mother would get into bed; she would not feel the cold there,"
+she thought, and then she ran back to suggest this.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, any dear; I'd a deal rather sit by the fire," said the
+invalid. "Only you be quick with the wood."</p>
+
+<p>Thus bidden, Mary started once more. She walked and ran, walked and
+ran, till she had reached a spot in the forest where the wood began to
+lie about, and there she halted out of breath.</p>
+
+<p>The autumn grass was strewn with leaves and bits of the branches
+blown off by the wind; and instead of gathering them up eagerly and
+returning, the little burdened girl sat down on the damp leaves and hid
+her face in her hands.</p>
+
+<p>It was so hard—so hard! And she was so tired, and mother only thought
+of how bad she felt herself, and never guessed how tired and dispirited
+little Mary was.</p>
+
+<p>Was there no help? Had she only to wipe away her tears and get up and
+go on again?</p>
+
+<p>Mary sobbed hopelessly for a few minutes, and then a thought came over
+her, which, to her surprise, brought a sense of relief and comfort. How
+could it be? She was as hungry, as tired, as hopeless as before, and
+yet—</p>
+
+<p>The words were, "Jesus wept."</p>
+
+<p>She had a tiny text-book given her when for a few months she had lived
+in the town and had gone to Sunday-school, which contained a selection
+of the shortest texts in the Bible. Mary had promised her teacher she
+would read it, and occasionally she glanced in it to keep her word.</p>
+
+<p>To-day, her eyes had lighted upon those two short words, and she had
+wondered, and closed the book.</p>
+
+<p>Now they came over her with a sense of sweetness.</p>
+
+<p>"Jesus wept"? That meant then that when He was on earth, He had been
+sorrowful like her! Was He? That was a nice thought, because then He
+would know something of how sad and lonely she felt.</p>
+
+<p>"Jesus wept"! Then He felt for her, she was sure He did; for she
+remembered her teacher had told her that the Saviour knew all that was
+passing on this earth, even though He is in heaven.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image091" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image091">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image091.jpg" alt="image091"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Mary sat very still, while she thought of all this; and as she thought
+of it, she felt, without knowing how, that she had had an interview
+with the King of Glory, and that earth was a changed place.</p>
+
+<p>Then her eyes fell upon the scattered wood, and she quickly gathered a
+large bundle, tied it together, and set off homewards.</p>
+
+<p>She had not taken many steps before she heard a voice, and turned to
+find a neighbour calling to her to stop.</p>
+
+<p>"Mary, I'll help you along with that bundle. Why, see, child, it's all
+coming undone! Lucky for you I overtook you. Why, child, what a pale
+face you have! I guess you've thought a goodish bit more of your mother
+than you have of yourself by the looks of you! I'll help you home with
+that wood."</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+————————————<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_6_C_2">CHAPTER II.—CHANGED.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>SO, helped by the kind neighbour, Mary brought the wood into the shed,
+and, carrying a few sticks in her hand, she entered the cottage once
+more.</p>
+
+<p>Had a change come over her own heart only, or was there something
+different in her mother's too?</p>
+
+<p>Was it only the unexpected bright blaze of the firelight that made
+Mary's blue eyes shine?</p>
+
+<p>"See, Mary! Dick brought home this wood all of his own accord, and I've
+got nice and warm; and I've made a cup of tea ready against you came
+in. Why, child, how pale you look!"</p>
+
+<p>Mary's blue eyes, which had been shining in the firelight, were shining
+in tears now, the solicitude was so unexpected—and so sweet.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, mother," she said gratefully; "but where is Dick?"</p>
+
+<p>"Dick's gone out again to fetch in some more. Come right along and have
+a cup of this steaming tea. It will put some life into you, child!"</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image092" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image092">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image092.jpg" alt="image092"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Mary took the tea, and stood by the fire warming herself and looking
+down on her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you better, then, mother?" she asked quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know as I am, my dear. But while you were out in the forest,
+and I sat thinkin' by those few embers, I kind of dreamed that I heard
+someone a-knockin' at the door. It was different from our neighbour's
+knock, and somehow I knew it wasn't her; and I sez, 'Come in, Lord,'
+afore I thought as this ain't no place to ask Him into."</p>
+
+<p>Mary looked up startled, while her mother went on—</p>
+
+<p>"And He said some words like these, which it seems to me as I've heard
+long ago, 'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My
+voice, and open the door, I will come in and sup with him, and he with
+Me."</p>
+
+<p>"How nice!" whispered Mary. Had her mother seen a vision of Jesus too?
+That Saviour who wept with the sorrowful, would He come in and sup with
+those who welcomed Him?</p>
+
+<p>She bent and kissed her mother's forehead.</p>
+
+<p>"So I seemed to wake from my dream, and I said, 'Lord Jesus, if you are
+knocking at my heart, I'm willing.'"</p>
+
+<p>Mary's eyes shone again.</p>
+
+<p>"I have not thought of these things as much as I ought," she went on
+musingly, "but there was a time when I did. Perhaps this illness, Mary,
+has been sent to lead me back to Him. If so, I'm glad on it!"</p>
+
+<p>That night when Mary went to bed, she knelt down in the moonlight and
+looked up to her pitiful Saviour, and thanked Him for letting her feel
+His sympathy, and for bearing her through so wonderfully.</p>
+
+<p>When she came down the next morning, Dick had already lighted the fire
+and set on the kettle.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Dick!" she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you like it?" smiled her brother.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Dick, you can't think how a little thing is a help. Thank you so
+much."</p>
+
+<p>So they set about getting the breakfast together, and it took half the
+time, of course, to Mary's great satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>They did all very quietly so as not to wake their mother in the next
+room. And when they sat down, Mary whispered, "Do you know, Dick, who
+it was, I think, that told you to help me?"</p>
+
+<p>Dick shook his head. "Nobody did," he said, stuffing a piece of bread
+into his mouth.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, but I know better," said Mary, smiling; "and, Dick, I like to tell
+you, because He'll help you too—it was Jesus our Saviour, Dick!"</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_20">IN THE PRISON.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>YOU have most of you heard the story of Joseph: how his jealous
+brothers sold him for a slave, and how he was carried away from his
+loving father to a country, a long way off, called Egypt.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, you smile and say you have heard all about Joseph: how God was
+with him and made him ruler over the land, and how his father and his
+brothers all came down to Egypt, and how he forgave his brothers and
+gave them nice fields for their flocks, and made them as happy as ever
+he could.</p>
+
+<p>But there is one thing which I wonder whether you have ever heard about
+Joseph.</p>
+
+<p>You ask what that can be, because you have read the history in Genesis
+so many times.</p>
+
+<p>This picture tells you what it is.</p>
+
+<p>In the 105th Psalm and the 17th and 18th verses we read: "He sent a man
+before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: whose feet they
+hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron."</p>
+
+<p>Now, I think this verse is a great comfort to people who are in any
+trouble.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps you ask—Why? Because it tells me that though it was hundreds of
+years after when God told David to write that psalm, yet "God" had not
+forgotten that His faithful Joseph had been laid in iron and had his
+feet hurt with fetters.</p>
+
+<p>So it seems to me that there are numbers of places in the Bible which
+show us that God is watching over us all at all times; that whether our
+troubles are very great or very small, He notices them, and remembers
+them, and sends us deliverance out of them.</p>
+
+<p>Joseph was cast into prison and bound by his angry master, though he
+had done nothing wrong, yet God soon delivered him from the chains and
+fetters.</p>
+
+<p>We read that the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and made
+the keeper of the prison kind to Joseph, so that he began to trust him
+and gave him charge of the other prisoners, and whatever Joseph thought
+best to be done, they did.</p>
+
+<p>Joseph was in the prison for quite two years, but God was watching over
+him, and at the end of that time caused Pharaoh the king to have a
+wonderful dream; and he sent for Joseph to explain it to him.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps you remember how Joseph had told Pharaoh's butler and baker the
+meanings of their dreams when they were in the prison with him? At any
+rate, when Pharaoh had his dream, the chief butler suddenly remembered
+how he had promised when he was set free to speak to the king about
+Joseph.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image093" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image093">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image093.jpg" alt="image093"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>So he asked Pharaoh to send for him, which he did. And God told Joseph
+all about the dream, and Pharaoh was so astonished and delighted that
+he released Joseph from prison, and made him a great ruler in the land
+of Egypt.</p>
+
+<p>See what it is to be "God's" servant!</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_15">CHAPTER XV.—HUNGER AND THIRST.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image094" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image094.jpg" alt="image094"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>MANY days had passed without bringing any news of Mark Dayál, but still
+his wife watched and prayed, believing that sooner or later she would
+see the answer to her second petition, as she had done to the first.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, the school had been opened and Mary installed as
+teacher. At first, it hardly seemed as if this could be work for God,
+teaching the alphabet to children who at first seemed to make no
+progress, and only wished to play and tear their books.</p>
+
+<p>When it came to the Scripture lesson, it was not much better; either
+they "could" not or "would" not remember, and every day the same thing
+had to be repeated.</p>
+
+<p>But as time went on, a change came. The teacher found that if "some"
+of her pupils were dull and stupid, "all" were not, and as she saw
+their faces beginning to brighten with interest, and their eagerness to
+answer the questions put to them, her courage began to rise.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps one great secret of the change was this: Miss Elsemere came
+to the school one day, and seeing the teacher looking very depressed,
+and hearing her words of discouragement, she said as she was leaving,
+"Shall I tell you what has often helped me very much in my work? When
+I have had to teach those who seemed careless and indifferent, I have
+prayed,—</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"'Lord, help me to love these children as Thou dost love them; give me
+love like Thine.'<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>"And you know love makes everything easy."</p>
+
+<p>Having proved the help of prayer in other difficulties, Mary was quite
+ready to try it in this also. She was not disappointed, and as she
+began to love her little pupils, she wondered how she could ever have
+thought them dull and unlovable.</p>
+
+<p>But it was not only in her new work that Mary Dayál found that knowing
+Christ, and seeking to follow Him, had not changed the world in which
+she lived, though it had entirely changed her relationship towards it.
+Like Hira, she too proved that a soldier must fight, and many a hard
+battle she had to engage in.</p>
+
+<p>Like Hira, too, she turned to Shushila for help and guidance. Doubtless
+they both felt, without saying so, that one who lived so near to God
+must know His will and be able to help others to do it.</p>
+
+<p>One day Shushila found her friend looking more than usually downcast,
+and without waiting to hear the cause, asked, "What new trouble is it,
+Mary, which is making you look so sad to-day? Have the children been
+more troublesome than usual?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, it is not the children; I think they get better every day. It
+is myself I am troubled about, for I seem to get worse daily. I thought
+that when I let the Lord Jesus come into my heart, He would turn all
+the evil straight out, and I would find it quite easy to be good; but
+it is not so. I have been doing my own works so long that it is almost
+impossible to leave them off and do only His works, though I do want
+to."</p>
+
+<p>"That is just what Hira says," answered Shushila, "and I am sure all
+the followers of the Lord Jesus have to learn the same lesson. We have
+to find out our own utter weakness before we can prove the greatness of
+His power. It is not enough to commit ourselves to Him; we must also
+believe that He is able to 'keep' that which we commit.</p>
+
+<p>"It often seems to me that many of our difficulties arise from this,
+that we so little know and comprehend the unspeakable 'love' and
+'power' of our dear Lord. We are so inclined to think of Him as being
+like ourselves."</p>
+
+<p>Mary did not speak, so Shushila spoke again.</p>
+
+<p>"I have learnt so many new lessons since Hira came to live with us.
+She can do so little for herself, poor little one, and yet she is so
+anxious to that, she often gets into trouble.</p>
+
+<p>"Only to-day she wanted to take a message to my father alone. I let her
+go, but she fell and hurt herself; presently she came to my side, and
+slipping her hand in mine, said, 'Sister, you take me.' I thought, 'Is
+not that just how it often is with us and the Lord Jesus?' We try to go
+our way alone, and do what we have to do without Him. If we would only
+in the beginning, put our hand in His and say, 'Lord, do Thou take me,'
+He would indeed fulfil His promise and keep us from falling."</p>
+
+<p>Mary's face brightened as she said, "I am sure it was the Lord Himself
+who sent you to me this afternoon, for it just seemed as if I had come
+to such a difficult place that I could not go on any farther. Now I see
+that it does not so much matter if the place is difficult, if the Lord
+Jesus leads me over it."</p>
+
+<p>Then after a pause, she said again, "It seems as if I have so much to
+learn, because all my life I have been doing things and seeing others
+do them which I did not think were really sins, but now I see they must
+be for those who are called by the name of Christ and profess to follow
+Him."</p>
+
+<p>"What sort of things do you mean?" asked Shushila.</p>
+
+<p>Mary paused a minute, and then answered, "I feel almost ashamed to tell
+you, because you are so good, but I have never thought it any harm to
+tell a lie sometimes, if it seemed necessary, or to go into debt. And
+as for grumbling and complaining if things did not go right, or getting
+angry if others did not please me, why, I have done it constantly, and
+never thought I was sinning against God."</p>
+
+<p>"But what makes you think that these are sins now?" asked Shushila.</p>
+
+<p>Mary smiled as she said, "Knowing you for one thing, for I see quite
+plainly that you do not do them, and if they are not right for you,
+they cannot be for me either. Then, too, I read so much in the Bible
+which I never noticed before about being holy. I cannot think now how I
+could ever have thought that I could be a Christian and yet do just as
+I like."</p>
+
+<p>Shushila took up a Bible which was lying on the table, and opening it,
+read, "'The great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for
+us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself
+a people for His own possession, zealous of good works.' Whatever we
+or others may think it means to be a Christian, that tells us quite
+plainly what the Lord Jesus means by it, and why He gave Himself for
+us—not just to take us to heaven that we may be happy there, but 'to
+redeem us from all iniquity, and to make us a people for His own
+possession.'"</p>
+
+<p>"But that must mean after we get to heaven," said Mary.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think it can mean that," answered Shushila, "because listen
+to what is written, 'For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing
+salvation to all men, instructing us to the intent that, denying
+ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, and righteously,
+and godly "in this present world," looking for the blessed hope and
+appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who
+gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and
+purify unto Himself a people for His own possession, zealous of good
+works.' You see, it says quite plainly what we are to be in 'this
+present world,' not at any future time."</p>
+
+<p>"But surely there are very few who do this," said Mary, with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"Then all the more reason that 'we' should," was the answer. "Does it
+not seem very sad that the dear Lord should not see the accomplishment
+of His purpose? We may be quite sure that nothing less will satisfy Him
+than that for which He gave Himself. 'He died to make us good.' Does
+not the thought make us long to be so?"</p>
+
+<p>Shushila found it was now time for her to return home, but she left a
+bright ray of light behind her. And as Mary thought over what had been
+said, she began to realise that what the Son of God had given Himself
+to accomplish, must be possible.</p>
+
+<p>Then there came to her mind a text she had often repeated in her
+childhood, but little understood the meaning of, "Blessed are they that
+hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled."</p>
+
+<p>With all her heart, she thanked God for the hunger and thirst of her
+own heart, which brought with it the blessed assurance of future
+satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image095" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image095.jpg" alt="image095"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_49">THE RINGLEADERS.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"THAT'S our master!" said Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't! He ain't a bit like that."</p>
+
+<p>"You do it better, then!" said Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"All right," said Ned, "so I will."</p>
+
+<p>He took the chalk, and, with his companion jeering at him all the time,
+he rubbed out the first attempt and accomplished a second, much to his
+own satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I'll put him on his hat," exclaimed Jim, "and then we'll walk away
+and watch to see the old bird coming along. Won't he just be mad?"</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image096" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image096">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image096.jpg" alt="image096"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>There was a lot of loose wood piled up in the corner of their
+playground, which afforded delight to the boys at all times. Sometimes
+it served for a lion's den, at another for a castle, at another for a
+palace most rare and beautiful.</p>
+
+<p>To-day, as the two hastened towards it, their imagination made it into
+a cave in which fierce robbers lurked, and they stealthily made their
+way behind some of the slanting pieces, and crouched down to watch for
+their victim.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed a long ten minutes, and their patience was almost exhausted.
+They could hear the other boys racing and tearing and shouting in the
+field on the other side of the wall; and they almost thought of giving
+it up and joining the more lively game beyond.</p>
+
+<p>Just as they had reached this conclusion, and were whispering it to
+each other, the head master came out into the empty playground. He
+glanced round, and then slowly began to pace up and down in the shade,
+his head bent and his hands clasped behind him.</p>
+
+<p>"He's up to mischief," said Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"No, he ain't; that's the way he walks mostly when he's thinkin'. He's
+not a bad sort," said Ned.</p>
+
+<p>"N-o-o," assented Jim; "if you don't come across 'im too much. Hush—"</p>
+
+<p>The master turned their way, and walked straight to where their sketch
+stood out boldly in the sun. The master came to a stand in front of it,
+and still he kept his quiet hands clasped behind him. Then he walked
+briskly towards the wood pile.</p>
+
+<p>Jim and Ned shook in their shoes, or would have if they had had them.
+But Ned bethought himself that he had done no wrong. And when the
+master peeped down beneath the boards, his eyes met a candid pair of
+brown ones that somehow touched his heart with a sort of tender stab.</p>
+
+<p>"Hullo!" he said. "What are you two doing here?"</p>
+
+<p>Jim was covered with confusion, and could think of no ready answer.</p>
+
+<p>But Ned, still looking into his master's face, added naïvely, "We was
+waitin' for someone, sir—"</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose it is meant for me," said the master, smiling slightly.
+"Nobody else wears a hat quite like mine. Was it meant for a
+compliment?"</p>
+
+<p>He sat down on one of the logs, and took Ned's soiled little hand in
+his. "You are the two boys who love to be called pickles! I was wanting
+to ask you both if you'd be my right-hand boys. I once had one such as
+you," he said, glancing at Ned, "and I wish I had him now, pickles and
+all!"</p>
+
+<p>After that, the head master had no firmer friends than Jim and Ned,
+and somehow, when the ringleaders in mischief turned good, the rest
+followed.</p>
+
+<p>The master never forgot that pair of brown eyes, and years afterwards,
+Ned became his greatest comfort, as his love that day had been Ned's
+greatest help.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image097" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image097.jpg" alt="image097"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_16">CHAPTER XVI.—HOME AT LAST.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>MONTH after month glided quietly on, till a year had elapsed since Mark
+Dayál left his home.</p>
+
+<p>His children had almost forgotten the time when they had a father—all
+except Reuben, who had grown a tall, manly boy, and was the chief help
+and support of his mother.</p>
+
+<p>Those who spoke of the missing man shook their heads and whispered
+mysteriously that there must have been more in his disappearance than
+they had imagined; if he were living, he would surely have sent some
+news of himself before this.</p>
+
+<p>Mary heard nothing of these hints and suspicions, and it was well for
+her she did not. In spite of her faith that God would hear and answer
+her prayer, her heart sometimes failed her, and she grew weary of the
+long waiting and watching.</p>
+
+<p>It was true that this year of sorrow and anxiety had also been one of
+great blessing; that was evident to all.</p>
+
+<p>The family had been obliged to move into a smaller house, at a lower
+rent, but it was kept so much more clean and tidy that no one could
+regret the change. Mary herself in her busy life, teaching her school
+and looking after her own children, could hardly be recognised as
+the untidy, discontented woman who had done so little in past days.
+The children too, though it needed more than a year to correct the
+negligence and bad management of former years, were learning to be
+obedient and less self-willed.</p>
+
+<p>The heavy burden of debt under which it would have been almost
+impossible for the lonely wife to have made her way had been taken off
+her by the united efforts of several kind friends on condition that
+nothing should ever induce her to go into debt again.</p>
+
+<p>To this Mary readily agreed, especially when it was pointed out to her
+that "Owe no man anything" is one of the commands of God's Word, and
+cannot be broken by His own obedient children.</p>
+
+<p>Harnáth Singh had undertaken the education of Reuben, while another
+friend had shown the same kindness to Julius, the second boy. And thus
+the burden had been lightened, and with great care, it was possible for
+Mary to provide for the needs of her family.</p>
+
+<p>The school had prospered under her charge, and as she listened to the
+children joining eagerly in Christian hymns and repeating texts so
+willingly, and realised that only a year ago they had not even heard
+the name of Christ, she thanked God for having given her the honour
+and privilege of making known His great salvation to these little ones
+outside the fold.</p>
+
+<p>If it had not been for the cloud which always rested on her heart and
+life on account of her husband, Mary Dayál would have counted herself a
+much-favoured and happy woman.</p>
+
+<p>One day she was returning home from school, when, just as she reached
+her door, a postman came up, "Can you tell me anything of a Mrs.
+Dayál?" he asked. "Here is a letter with that name, but the address
+does not seem to be right, for I cannot find it anywhere."</p>
+
+<p>"I am Mrs. Dayál," said Mary, her heart beginning to beat. Could it be
+that news had come at last?</p>
+
+<p>She held out her hand for the letter and recognised her husband's
+handwriting at once.</p>
+
+<p>The postman, relieved at having found the rightful owner, went on his
+rounds, while Mary turned into her house, and with eager hands opened
+the much-longed-for letter.</p>
+
+<p>Her hands trembled so that she could hardly read it, and the letters
+seemed to dance before her eyes. Gradually she became calmer and was
+able to read what was written.</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"MY DEAR WIFE,<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I am almost ashamed to write the word because I feel I no longer
+deserve to call myself your husband, and that is one reason why I am
+writing this letter instead of coming myself. Another reason is that I
+cannot come to be a burden on you. After these many days of silence, my
+own fault I know, the other day I heard news of you and my children,
+and from what I heard, I know that my going away did you no harm, but
+rather good.<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I am told that my wife has become so good and industrious that I
+should hardly know her, and my children so well-behaved and obedient
+that they are favourites with all. I might tell you that I am changed
+too; but how will you trust me when I have so often deceived you? I
+shrink from coming to the home which 'you' have made for yourself and
+the children. I would rather make a home to which I could fetch you,
+but that may take time, and there is much I want to tell you.<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"First of all, I ask you to forgive me for forsaking you as I did, and
+I leave it for you to decide whether I shall return.<br>
+<br>
+<span style="margin-left: 9.5em;">"Your affectionate husband,</span><br>
+<br>
+<span style="margin-left: 19.5em;">"MARK DAYÁL."</span><br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>By the time Mary had finished her letter, she could hardly see for
+tears, but they were tears of joy, not of sorrow. Was not this letter
+a proof that her prayer had been answered? What but the grace of God
+could have transformed her husband so as to make him write a letter
+like this?—He who had always been so quick to blame her, but never
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>No time must be lost in sending an answer. And though writing materials
+were not abundant or often used in this house, a sheet of paper was
+found, and the few words necessary quickly written.</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"MY DEAR HUSBAND,<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Come home as quickly as you can. I forgive you all; please forgive me
+too. The new house is very near the old one.<br>
+<br>
+<span style="margin-left: 8.5em;">"Your loving wife,</span><br>
+<br>
+<span style="margin-left: 14em;">"MARY DAYÁL."</span><br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>Just as the letter was finished, Reuben came in and was at once
+despatched to buy a stamp and post the letter.</p>
+
+<p>"It is to your father; he is coming home," was all the explanation
+given to the astonished boy as he was hurried off on his errand.</p>
+
+<p>It was difficult for Mary to give her mind to her work the next day.
+However much she tried to keep her attention to what she was teaching,
+she constantly found herself wondering by what train her husband would
+arrive, and would she be there to receive him.</p>
+
+<p>Happily for her, Miss Elsemere paid a visit to the school that day,
+which relieved her for a time and also gave her an opportunity to say,
+"I am expecting my husband home to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Elsemere knew enough of the teacher's story to understand how much
+that one sentence meant, and her heart went out in loving sympathy to
+the wife who had borne her grief so bravely.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you must have a holiday," she said at once; "so do not think of
+coming to school, and I will arrange for someone to take your place."</p>
+
+<p>This removed a great difficulty, and as Mary saw her pupils depart and
+started for home, she felt she was now free to give herself up to the
+thought of meeting her husband and hearing all he had to tell her.</p>
+
+<p>"How much 'I' shall have to tell," she thought to herself; "and even if
+he has not yet come back to God, surely when he hears of all the Lord's
+goodness to me and the children, it will touch his heart and bring him
+back."</p>
+
+<p>But something seemed to tell her that her husband, like herself,
+was already "a new creature in Christ Jesus." Had not this been her
+constant prayer all through the year? And why should she not believe
+that it had been heard and answered?</p>
+
+<p>Very little sleep came to Mary Dayál that night. And when it was still
+scarcely morning, she was awake and active, for it might be that the
+traveller would arrive by some very early train.</p>
+
+<p>When school-time came, the children begged that they might have a
+holiday as well as their mother, and so all the family waited in
+readiness to welcome the father home.</p>
+
+<p>It proved to be a long wait, and when four o'clock came and still no
+arrival, Mary's heart began to sink. Perhaps the letter had not been
+received, or she had not said enough to show that he would be welcomed
+back.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the door opened, and the long-expected wanderer was present in
+their midst.</p>
+
+<p>In a moment, Mary saw how much her husband must have suffered during
+those days of absence; he looked so thin and ill, and at least ten
+years older than when he went away. But the change in his words and
+manner was even greater than that in his appearance, and again came the
+thought, "What but the grace of God can have accomplished this?"</p>
+
+<p>The children, who had forgotten so much of the past and felt no fear of
+this quiet, gentle man, clustered round him, while baby Rose very soon
+held out her arms, and claimed the place of honour.</p>
+
+<p>It was just as well that the little ones were so ready to talk, for
+their parents found their hearts too full to say very much at present,
+and each was longing to hear the story the other had to tell, but as
+yet there was no opportunity.</p>
+
+<p>For some months, Mary had made it a custom to gather her children round
+her after the evening meal, and read and pray with them.</p>
+
+<p>As the time drew near, she began to wonder what she should do. She felt
+too shy to pray before her husband, and yet she could not be quite sure
+that he would be willing to take her place if she asked him.</p>
+
+<p>Reuben solved the problem. It was always his part to fetch his mother
+the Bible; this evening, he hesitated a moment, and then handing it to
+his father, said, "Will you read to-night, father?"</p>
+
+<p>Mark Dayál took the book with a look of surprise and pleasure, and
+after turning over the leaves, began to read Psalm ciii.</p>
+
+<p>Then they knelt down, and as Mary heard her husband pray, she knew
+without the shadow of a doubt that her own prayer had been answered.
+These were not the words of one going his own way and seeking to do
+his own will, but rather the reconciled and forgiven son telling out
+the gratitude of his heart to the loving Father who had so wonderfully
+cared for and guided His children.</p>
+
+<p>As Mark's prayer ended, Mary's heart was too full to remain silent, and
+she added her petition and thanksgiving to that of her husband, and so
+it came to pass that each learnt of the change in the other, and of the
+blessing received, as they knelt at the feet of Him who had done so
+much for them.</p>
+
+<p>As they rose from their knees, Maggie whispered, "Sometimes we sing a
+hymn; would you like to hear us, father?"</p>
+
+<p>A ready consent was given, and after a little discussion, "mother's
+most favourite one" was chosen. And so the first message which Mark
+Dayál heard from his children's lips was the one which had gone home
+with such power to the heart of his wife. As they heard together the
+words—</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+<br>
+"Oh, dearly, dearly, has He loved,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And we must love Him too,<br>
+&nbsp;And trust in His redeeming blood,<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And try His works to do—"<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>each determined afresh that, because of that great redeeming love which
+had done so much for them, they would, with all their hearts, and to
+their life's end, "try His works to do."</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_24">LOOKING FOR FATHER'S BOAT.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"COME along, Hans!" said his sister, pushing back the bowl which had
+held his porridge. "What a time you have been!"</p>
+
+<p>Hans looked rather discomfited. He glanced at his spoon, and then at
+the empty bowl, taken so far away, and finally deciding that it was
+very unpleasant to be spoken to so roughly, he began to cry.</p>
+
+<p>"Hullo!" exclaimed his sister sharply. "What's that for? You leave off,
+or you'll get a slap, I tell you!"</p>
+
+<p>She paused abruptly, for slowly and painfully their invalid mother was
+making her way into the kitchen, and Minette had not intended her to
+hear such talk as that.</p>
+
+<p>The mother bent over her little boy, and kissed his forehead, and then
+stood smoothing his hair with her thin white fingers. Minette often
+thought how white they were for a working woman.</p>
+
+<p>She did not speak, but her presence soothed both her children—the
+eldest and the youngest. Hans left off his sobs, and Minette busied
+herself in finding her bonnet and a fish basket, preparatory to going
+down to meet her father's boat.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image098" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image098">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image098.jpg" alt="image098"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"Run outside, Hans," said their mother's gentle voice, "and Minette
+will come in a minute."</p>
+
+<p>The girl moved towards the door, but a gesture from her mother stopped
+her.</p>
+
+<p>The child ran out, and their mother sat down by the fire and beckoned
+her daughter to her side.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, dear?" she asked, raising her eyes anxiously to the
+clouded face above her.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing," answered Minette, abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing, when you treat your good little brother so?" asked her
+mother. "What if I were not here, Minette?"</p>
+
+<p>Minette felt a great inward pang, but she replied gruffly, "You're
+always fancying things, mother! One can't be sweet all the time—at
+least, I can't—and Hans has been half an hour over his porridge, and
+you said he must not go till it was done."</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" asked her mother, gently.</p>
+
+<p>"Well! I wanted to go quickly," said Minette, frowning, "and Hans
+always spoils everything. You're so faddy with him, mother! It would
+not have hurt him to go a little short for once—"</p>
+
+<p>"I think he would often go short if it were left to you, dear," said
+her mother, patiently. She ceased to look up, for her eyes were
+filling, and she could not.</p>
+
+<p>"May I go?" asked Minette, edging towards the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, dear," answered her mother. "Someday, you will understand how
+patient we have to be with the little ones—"</p>
+
+<p>And then Minette took Hans by the hand, and they went to the shore,
+while the wind blew in their faces and moaned round the boats.</p>
+
+<p>The fishing boats were long in coming, and Minette had time to think
+over her mother's words. Surely "she" had had patience shown her all
+those twenty years she had lived in that little cottage! Could she not
+bear with her little brother?</p>
+
+<p>"Poor mother," she thought, with fresh tenderness, "poor, dear, mother!
+How hard it must be to be so ill, and to know that she'll have to leave
+little Hans to—such as me! But when I go back, I will kiss her and tell
+her I'm sorry, and that I'll never behave so again—never!"</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image099" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image099">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image099.jpg" alt="image099"></a></figure>
+<p class="t4">
+<b>Eileen stood and waited under the lych gate.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_54">Under the Lych Gate.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<div class="container">
+<figure id="image0100">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0100.jpg" alt="image0100">
+</figure>
+<p>
+<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;THERE were voices in the doctor's hall, and Eileen Lanyon sprang from
+her seat and opened the drawing-room door to peep out. Was it her
+father at last?<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But no! A tall, awkward boy stood there facing the old housekeeper.
+There was a pitiful ring in his voice, though it was angry too.<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I tell you it'll be too late!" he said. "Can't ye tell me where I'll
+find the doctor? My mother's dying! The doctor might save her."<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I don't know!" said the housekeeper's voice. "I can't say what I don't
+know, I s'pose."</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Then it will be too late!" The boy turned away, and the housekeeper
+went back to her kitchen grumbling. "It's all nonsense about dying,"
+she muttered; "it's all dying if their little finger aches. They'll
+kill the doctor between 'em."</p>
+
+<p>Eileen shut the drawing-room door and pondered. Where was her father?
+Why, he had said he would finish putting up the Christmas motto in the
+church at five o'clock! Like a flash, she was across the hall and had
+flung open the front door. But the boy was gone. Nothing but the white
+snow and the dark, bare trees lay between her and the road. It was
+getting dark, and only the red sunset still lingered in the west, but
+Eileen's resolution was taken. She would go down to the church herself
+and tell her father. She could still hear Dick Donovan's despairing
+"Too late!"</p>
+
+<p>In three minutes, Eileen was dressed and on her way. Such a little girl
+to be out alone on that snowy Christmas Eve! However, the loneliness
+did not daunt Eileen.</p>
+
+<p>But the church was still and dark. Evidently her father had not come
+yet. Eileen stood and waited under the lych gate. How lonely it was!
+How still! Eileen's heart seemed to stand still as the trees creaked in
+the breeze. Once she turned to rush home, but then the thought of Mrs.
+Donovan checked her, and she looked up into the quiet sky. After all,
+Christ, whose birthday they would celebrate to-morrow, was near her. No
+harm could happen to her, and He could keep Mrs. Donovan alive till her
+father could come.</p>
+
+<p>So busy was she with this thought that she did not hear her father's
+step till he spoke her name: "Why Eileen!"</p>
+
+<p>She sprang into his arms and poured out her story, and the doctor went
+at once.</p>
+
+<p>Late that night, when the Christmas bells were pealing joyfully, the
+doctor bent over Eileen's bed.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Donovan is saved," he whispered. "Half an hour later and I should
+have been too late."</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0101" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image0101">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0101.jpg" alt="image0101"></a></figure>
+<p class="t4">
+<b>Eileen stood and waited under the lych gate.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_28">"ME TOO."</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>THE glory of the setting sun streamed across the wide sea, and one long
+ray crept through a port-hole in a ship and lit up a tiny cabin.</p>
+
+<p>In the narrow berth, a young seaman lay dying, and he spoke to the
+sailor who knelt beside him.</p>
+
+<p>"The sun's setting," he said. "I'd have liked to die at home, but it
+doesn't matter now—I'm nearly home, John. Ask Sandy Miller to see me
+before I go."</p>
+
+<p>John rose obediently and passed out of the little cabin, but he felt
+it was on a fruitless errand, and he wished George had been satisfied
+to die without asking for Sandy. George had been no favourite with the
+elderly Scotchman, and if Sandy had an enemy—well, the enemy was apt to
+have an unpleasant time, and George had had no peace since the day when
+he had openly confessed before the men that he was a Christian.</p>
+
+<p>And now George was dying—they had hoped to reach England before the end
+came, but the disease had come with a gallop, and he would not see home
+again. He had always been John's "protégé," but John was astonished now
+to see how the other sailors rallied round George. They nursed him,
+watched by him, read his little Bible to him, and vied with each other
+in serving him; and yet he was the youngest and most insignificant on
+board, and he had dared to speak to each of his Saviour.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0102" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image0102">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0102.jpg" alt="image0102"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Sandy alone never visited the lad, Sandy alone never asked of his
+welfare, and now George had begged for him to be fetched.</p>
+
+<p>Sandy leant on a rail watching the setting sun. He started as John
+touched him.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you want?" Sandy growled.</p>
+
+<p>"George is dying, and he wants to see you," said John briefly.</p>
+
+<p>Sandy's face turned to a dull red. "Let him die," he shouted hoarsely.
+"How dare you come to me with his messages? Let him die, and the sooner
+the better; there'll be one less to ask if you're saved. Saved, indeed!
+I wish I had thrown him overboard before he asked me."</p>
+
+<p>He flung off John's hand and turned his back.</p>
+
+<p>Well might he wish that he had thrown George overboard before the lad
+spoke about his soul's salvation, for not one minute's peace had Sandy
+had since.</p>
+
+<p>John went away, and Sandy leaned on his rail and watched the sinking
+sun. A sort of hush came over the ship, and he knew that George was
+dead. And if he were, where was he gone, and what made him happy to go
+into that unknown world?</p>
+
+<p>Sandy shivered as his eyes followed the pathway of crimson that
+stretched away to the far-off sun. What a long way away heaven was! And
+how could one be sure of going there?</p>
+
+<p>Then like a whisper of the sea wind came back to his memory the words
+George had said that day he spoke to Sandy: "This Man receiveth
+sinners."</p>
+
+<p>And Sandy's proud heart bowed itself.</p>
+
+<p>"Me too, Lord," he whispered. "I have been a sinner and a rebel all
+these many years, but if I'm not too bad, take me and make me clean."</p>
+
+<p>And somehow a sweet assurance that Christ Jesus had accepted him came
+to his heart.</p>
+
+<p>Sandy did not keep his change of heart to himself. That very night, he
+told his mates that he was a Christian like George now. And when he had
+done speaking, one by one his mates rose up and shook his rough hand.</p>
+
+<p>"George has done us all good," they said.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_26">"MASTER, REBUKE THY DISCIPLES."</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>WHEN the time was getting very close for the Lord Jesus to be
+crucified—that He might die for our sins instead of us—He went up to
+Jerusalem, willingly going among the Jews who, He knew, would take Him
+and kill Him. He did all this because He loved us so very much.</p>
+
+<p>As He got near to the city, He sent on two of His disciples to find a
+colt for Him to ride on.</p>
+
+<p>Jesus knew everything beforehand, and He told them just where the colt
+was tied and what they should say to the man to whom it belonged.</p>
+
+<p>This man must have loved Jesus, for directly the disciples said "The
+Lord hath need of him," he let the colt go at once.</p>
+
+<p>No one had ever ridden that colt before, but Jesus, the Lord of Glory,
+did not have any trouble with him. They put their garments on him for a
+saddle, and Jesus sat on him, and so they went along towards the city.</p>
+
+<p>The people who had been healed, and who had seen some of the wonderful
+things Jesus had done, began to rejoice very much as they saw Him
+riding there so gentle and lowly, and with such tender compassion in
+His face.</p>
+
+<p>They ran before Him, casting down their clothes for Him to ride over.
+Others cut down branches of trees and strewed them along the path;
+while even the children ran along by His side shouting, "Hosanna!
+Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord."</p>
+
+<p>And the whole multitude, as they went down the hill from the Mount of
+Olives, began to praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works
+which they had seen.</p>
+
+<p>But some of the Jews were very displeased indeed, and they asked Jesus
+to stop His disciples.</p>
+
+<p>But Jesus told them that if the disciples were to hold their peace the
+very stones would cry out for joy.</p>
+
+<p>And why do you think that was? Because He was coming to save us.</p>
+
+<pre>
+
+   "He knew how wicked men had been;  | So out of pity Jesus said
+    He knew that God must punish sin; | He'd bear the punishment instead."
+
+</pre>
+
+<p>Do you feel, children, that you wish you were good, or that you are
+sorry that you did something that was naughty, perhaps to-day, or
+yesterday, or a long time ago?</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0103" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image0103">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0103.jpg" alt="image0103"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>Well then, think of His love in dying for you, and be comforted.</p>
+
+<p>You can say to yourself: "Jesus came to save even me. He lived on this
+earth for thirty-three years, and at last died on the cross that I
+might be forgiven and made God's happy, holy child."</p>
+
+<p>There is a very short little prayer that you can pray every day:</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>That little prayer has made little children, and old people too, so
+happy. For if we ask God from our hearts to wash us in our Saviour's
+precious blood, we shall be whiter than snow, and we "shall" be ready
+to go and be with Him in heaven.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0104" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0104.jpg" alt="image0104"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_17">CHAPTER XVII.—ANOTHER PRODIGAL SON.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>WHEN the children, in spite of the excitement of the day, had at last
+fallen asleep—all except Reuben, who had his lessons to prepare for the
+next day—Mark Dayál proposed to his wife that they should go and sit on
+the roof, where they could talk together without disturbing anyone, or
+being overheard, and Mary was only too glad to comply.</p>
+
+<p>The first question to be settled was, which was to be the first to
+relate the story of the past year.</p>
+
+<p>The wife insisted that Mark must have his turn first, because, she
+said, "You can see that we are all quite well and have not suffered,
+but when I look at you, I know that you must have gone through much
+trouble and distress, and I long to hear all about it."</p>
+
+<p>Mark could not deny his wife's words, and consented to tell his story
+first, which shall be related as he told it.</p>
+
+<p>"I expect you soon guessed why it was that I went away—that once more I
+had lost my employment and felt ashamed to come home and confess it.</p>
+
+<p>"I was angry with my master, and spoke rudely to him, so he dismissed
+me at once, saying that he already had had no intention of keeping me.</p>
+
+<p>"I felt still more angry then, and I thought, What would be the use
+of going home to be scolded by you and hear the children crying for
+food? You had had trouble enough with me, now I would see how you would
+get on without me. So I determined to go away. I had no intention of
+staying away so long, or of sending no news. I thought I should soon
+find work elsewhere, and then I would send you word where I was and
+what I was doing.</p>
+
+<p>"But the time never seemed to come when I could give a good report of
+myself. If I found work, I lost it again sooner than ever. I just lived
+from hand to mouth, and every day my condition seemed to get worse.</p>
+
+<p>"I could not write and tell you this, so I thought I had better not
+write at all. Then I began to think it would be better if I never
+wrote. It was much better that you should have no husband than a bad
+one, and that the children should have no father than such a one as I
+was.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew that you had good friends in Harnáth Singh and his brother, and
+that they would never let you starve; indeed, they would find it far
+easier to help you when I was out of the way.</p>
+
+<p>"So the time passed on, and more and more I became weary of my life and
+weary of myself. I did not always stay at the same place; again and
+again I persuaded some kind person to pay my fare to another town, on
+the plea that if I could only get there, I was sure of obtaining work.
+But it was not often that my hopes were realised.</p>
+
+<p>"In this way month after month passed by, till at last I felt as I
+think one must do who has fallen into some deep pit.</p>
+
+<p>"I was sinking, sinking lower and lower; below me was ever dense
+darkness and above me appeared no gleam of light.</p>
+
+<p>"I little thought that my very depth of need was to bring me
+deliverance.</p>
+
+<p>"During all those days of want and misery, I had very seldom been
+inside a church.</p>
+
+<p>"At first, I did not care whether I went or not, for I had hard
+thoughts against God, and considered that He had favoured me less than
+others, and less than I deserved.</p>
+
+<p>"Later on, if I had wanted to go, I should have felt ashamed. My
+clothes were so old and ragged, and, as you know, I had always liked to
+'look' tidy and respectable, whatever I might be.</p>
+
+<p>"That particular Sunday I was going to tell you about, I felt more than
+usually wretched and miserable. I was really ill, although I did not
+know it, and if I was ill in body, I was still more so in mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I heard the church bells begin to ring, and suddenly it came into
+my mind, 'I will go into the church to-day.' I know now that it was God
+who sent that thought to me.</p>
+
+<p>"I never considered how I looked, I had got past caring about that;
+besides, no one would know me. So I started in the direction the sound
+of the bells seemed to come from, for this was a strange place to me,
+and I had never seen the church. When I tried to walk, I found how weak
+I was, but though I had to stop and rest every now and then, still I
+kept on—something seemed to say that I 'must' get to that church.</p>
+
+<p>"At last I arrived, but the service had begun, so I just slipped into a
+seat at the back, where I thought no one would see me. At first I was
+too tired to take much notice of anything, and though someone was kind
+enough to offer me a prayer-book, I felt too weak to stand up and join
+in the service. Suddenly I found my attention drawn to what was going
+on; before that I had only been thinking about myself and my own misery.</p>
+
+<p>"A young man from the congregation was reading the Second Lesson, and
+as he read, I could not help listening, every word sounded so real. It
+was not that he was reading any thing new and strange; it was only the
+story of the Prodigal Son, of which I had learnt every word by heart
+when I was a boy at school.</p>
+
+<p>"But somehow as I listened that Sunday morning, it seemed as if I was
+hearing my own story, as if I was that very prodigal son myself.</p>
+
+<p>"I could just see that poor fellow in his rags and hunger, having come
+to the end of everything, and he was a perfect picture of myself. As
+I heard the words, 'Father, I have sinned against Heaven and in thy
+sight,' I just caught another sight of myself which I had never seen
+before. I was no longer the poor, unfortunate, ill-used man, to be
+pitied and helped, but I was a guilty sinner before God, bearing a name
+which I had no right to, and bringing dishonour on Him whom it ought to
+have been my greatest delight to honour and obey.</p>
+
+<p>"My life, so full of sin and failure, passed before me, and in my
+shame and sorrow of heart, I forgot to think of my physical weakness
+and misery. Surely it was God who drew me to that church that Sunday
+morning and then met me there.</p>
+
+<p>"It would have been well for me if I had said then and there, 'I will
+arise and go to my Father'; but though I heard the words, I did not
+make them my own. Surely I was the son in the far-off country, but I
+had no strength to turn my steps towards the Father's house.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't remember anything of the rest of the service; I had heard my
+message, and nothing else mattered to me.</p>
+
+<p>"The closing hymn had been sung, the last prayer read; then the
+congregation began to disperse, but still I sat on. I seemed to have no
+strength left to get up and go away.</p>
+
+<p>"By-and-by, someone came and touched my arm and said, 'Brother, I fear
+you are ill. Can I do anything to help you?'</p>
+
+<p>"I lifted my head and saw that it was the young man who had read the
+Second Lesson, which had so much impressed me, who was standing by my
+side.</p>
+
+<p>"'Yes, I am ill,' I answered with some difficulty; and then I could say
+no more, I was too faint and dizzy.</p>
+
+<p>"I hardly know what happened next; I heard voices which seemed to me
+far away in the distance, then I felt a strong arm put round me, and I
+was led out of the church. After that came a perfect blank, of which I
+can tell nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"One day I came back to life and found myself lying on a bed in a
+strange house. At first I thought I was quite alone. But after a while,
+I heard a sound as of someone moving about, and presently a man came in
+sight.</p>
+
+<p>"I was still more puzzled, for I knew I had never seen him before, and
+had no idea as to who he was. He did not notice that I was watching him
+till he came to my side with a cup of soup, then he looked very pleased
+and surprised.</p>
+
+<p>"I drank the soup without a word, for I felt too weak to talk, though I
+longed to ask where I was and what had happened.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I fell asleep, and was awaked by the sound of voices. And when I
+opened my eyes, I saw standing by my bedside, not only the man who had
+given me the soup, but also the young man who had read the lesson in
+church.</p>
+
+<p>"I soon found that he must be a doctor, for he felt my pulse and asked
+many questions about me. He evidently thought me much better and seemed
+very pleased. Then, turning to the other man, he said, 'You will be
+willing for him to go to the hospital now? He is so much better that it
+will be quite easy.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Why should he go to the hospital,' was the answer, 'now that he is
+getting well? In a few days, there will be nothing wrong with him.'</p>
+
+<p>"'You are an obstinate man, Sath Guru Dàs,' said the young doctor, 'and
+evidently determined to have your own way, so I suppose I must let you
+keep your patient. You have done a good deal towards saving his life,
+so it is only right you should.'</p>
+
+<p>"I said nothing, but I wondered more than ever what it could all mean.</p>
+
+<p>"When the doctor had left, I called the other man, whose name I found
+was Sath Guru Dàs, to my side and asked him to tell me what it all
+meant, and how I came to be there.</p>
+
+<p>"Then he said, 'When you came into church last Sunday, I saw you, and
+I thought to myself, "That is some brother in trouble." I watched you
+all through the service, and felt sure that you must be very ill and
+weak. When the congregation left and you still sat on in your place, I
+asked the young doctor who was here just now to come and speak to you.
+He said you were very ill, and as my house was close by, we brought you
+here, and here you have stayed.'</p>
+
+<p>"'Why did you not take me to the hospital?' I asked.</p>
+
+<p>"After a pause my new friend answered, 'That I can hardly tell myself,
+only I think the Lord must have put it into my heart to bring you here
+and care for you myself. Perhaps some day we may understand why it was.'</p>
+
+<p>"Then I said, 'If you had known what a worthless fellow I am, you would
+never have taken me in.'</p>
+
+<p>"There was a tone of rebuke in his voice as he said, 'Brother, you are
+worth so much that the dear Lord came down from heaven and gave His
+life on the cross for you; that which cost Him so much can never be
+worthless to His followers.'"</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0105" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0105.jpg" alt="image0105"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_42">SUNDAY LESSONS.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0106" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image0106">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0106.jpg" alt="image0106"></a></figure>
+<p class="t4">
+<b>Gladys is the little teacher.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<pre>
+
+       IT is peaceful Sunday morning,   |  'Tis the story of the shepherd,
+         Stillness in the air,          |     Who his lambs doth guide,
+       Only all the birds are making    |  In the pastures green and happy
+         Music everywhere.              |     By the waterside.
+                                        |
+       In the nursery too are voices,   |  Gladys is the little teacher,
+         Earnest, low and sweet,        |     Bob the scholar small,
+       As the children to each other    |  And the Shepherd is the Saviour,
+         Holy words repeat.             |     Who has loved us all.
+
+</pre>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_18">CHAPTER XVIII.—THE FATHER'S HOUSE.</a></h2>
+
+<div class="container">
+<figure id="image0107">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0107.jpg" alt="image0107">
+</figure>
+<p>
+<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"AFTER that I did not answer, but I lay and thought. Of course I knew
+all about the life and death of Christ; indeed, I know it so well that
+it had become like an old story to me. I had never doubted that Christ
+gave His life to save the world, but this man seemed to single me out
+as if it had been only for me that the great sacrifice was made.<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Then there came back to me the words I had heard read in the church,
+and how I had felt myself to be the prodigal son who had wandered far
+away from the Father's house.<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I was too weak to think it all out, but this much I knew and
+understood, that I had sinned against Heaven and in God's sight; and
+now here was another great fact, heard from the lips of the man who
+had taken me, a needy stranger, into his own house: 'The dear Lord
+came down from heaven and gave His life on the cross for you.' If it
+was true I was a great sinner, it was true also that there was a great
+Saviour.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>"From that day, I began to improve rapidly. The young doctor came to
+see me regularly, and Sath Guru Dàs never seemed to weary of attending
+to me.</p>
+
+<p>"I used to look at that man and wonder what made him so different to
+other men. I could see that he had not had much education, for it was
+with difficulty that he could spell out the words of his Bible, which
+he seemed to love to read. Another thing I noticed was that he seemed
+to do nothing without praying about it first; I got to know that when
+he went away and left me, as he did sometimes quite suddenly, it was
+that he might go into a little room alone and pray. And so I began to
+understand that this man, who in himself was neither clever, nor great,
+nor better than others, possessed a wonderful power, because he lived
+his life with God and in constant touch with Him.</p>
+
+<p>"One day I overheard him as he was praying say,—</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"'O Lord, reveal Thyself unto this poor, sad heart, that he may know
+what a Saviour he has in Thee, and let him go away from here to live a
+new life in Thy strength.'<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot tell you how it touched me to hear this stranger praying for
+me so earnestly, and my own heart said,—</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"'O Lord, reveal Thyself to me.'<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>"I believe that was the first time I had ever 'really' prayed.</p>
+
+<p>"I found that my new friend was a colporteur, and as soon as I was well
+enough to be left, he began to go his rounds with his books to sell.</p>
+
+<p>"One evening he said to me, 'Brother, do you feel well enough to read a
+little? I am but a poor reader myself, but I love to be read to.'</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I said I was quite willing, and asked what I should read.</p>
+
+<p>"He brought me a New Testament in Hindi, and pointing to Luke xv. said,
+'Will you read that, brother?'</p>
+
+<p>"I felt quite startled when I saw what it was. It seemed almost as if
+he must have known what had been in my mind during those days.</p>
+
+<p>"I began to read, but as I read on, it became more and more difficult.
+The words almost seemed to choke me, and my voice trembled again and
+again.</p>
+
+<p>"As I read the sentence 'He arose and came to his father,' Sath Guru
+Dàs suddenly put his hand on mine, and said in a voice almost of
+entreaty, 'Brother, will you?'</p>
+
+<p>"I was wholly taken by surprise. What did this stranger know about
+me, that he should understand that I was like the son in the far-off
+country? It was true that 'I' knew, but how should 'he?'</p>
+
+<p>"I determined then that I would hide nothing from this true friend, who
+had done so much to save my life, and was now praying for my salvation.
+So I said, 'Brother, I will tell you all, and you shall judge whether I
+am fit to be received into the Father's house.'</p>
+
+<p>"He answered, 'Brother, it is not a question of your fitness, but of
+the Father's love; but tell me all.'</p>
+
+<p>"Then I told him the story of my life, and you may be sure that I did
+not try to make myself out any better than I was.</p>
+
+<p>"When I finished, he said, 'Brother, one thing I am quite sure of—that
+you are just the very one the Lord Jesus spoke of when He said, "The
+Son of Man is come to seek and to find that which was lost." You are so
+altogether lost that none but He "could" find you. He has followed you
+into the "far country," and now, don't you hear His voice calling you
+home to the Father's house?'</p>
+
+<p>"I could not deny his words. Surely it was nothing less than a divine
+hand which had been leading me on step by step till I stood at the very
+threshold of God's kingdom.</p>
+
+<p>"I could not turn back, and so I arose and came to my Father.</p>
+
+<p>"I need not tell you that I was not turned away; that, as I had seen I
+was like the son in the parable, so I found that the loving, forgiving
+father who ran and fell on his son's neck and kissed him was a picture
+of God Himself.</p>
+
+<p>"I found, too, that the son wandering in the far-off country, ragged
+and hungry and weary, was just a new man altogether when he came into
+the father's house and was clothed and fed and loved. It was indeed
+true 'old things had passed away, and all things had become new.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank God!" said Mary earnestly as she listened to her husband's
+words. And then, after a pause, she asked, "And did you find out who
+your friend was, and why he had been so good to you, a stranger?"</p>
+
+<p>"There was not much to find out," was the answer. "He was only a
+poor ignorant man, as this world would call him, who had only been a
+Christian for a few years, but I feel sure he is a prince in God's
+kingdom, and will have a seat very near his Master in the coming glory.
+It was for the love of that same Master, he took me in and served me so
+faithfully. And when I expressed my wonder at his goodness to me, he
+only said, 'Brother, it was for the dear Lord's sake. What am I here in
+this world for unless it be to do His work? It is what He himself would
+have done, only far more; and what right have we to be called by His
+name if we do not follow in His steps?'</p>
+
+<p>"The next day he said to me, 'Brother, what are you going to do now?'</p>
+
+<p>"I had not made any plans or thought what I would do; indeed, my heart
+was so full of joy and thanksgiving that my sins had been forgiven
+and I received by the Father, that I had not thought much of earthly
+things. But my friend's words made me think, and of course I knew that
+I could not continue where and as I was.</p>
+
+<p>"So we talked things over, and as I shrank from coming back to be a
+burden to you, we decided that I should wait a few days and gain a
+little more strength, for I was still very weak. What astonished me
+very much was to see the joy of both Sath Guru Dàs and the young doctor
+over the change which had been wrought in me. If their own brother had
+been raised from the dead, I do not think they could have been more
+glad.</p>
+
+<p>"But I must not tell you any more, for mine has been a long story; and
+now tell me yours."</p>
+
+<p>So Mary told what had befallen her, which we already know. And as
+she finished, her husband exclaimed, "Now I see it all as plain
+as daylight; you were praying hard, in the dark, as it were, not
+even knowing whether I was dead or alive, and God was listening and
+answering, and leading me step by step on the path which was to bring
+me home to Himself."</p>
+
+<p>Then together the husband and wife afresh prayed for forgiveness for
+all the sins of the past, especially for the great sin of forgetting
+Him who had so manifested His love for them. Together they gave thanks
+for the great salvation which had become theirs, and gave themselves
+anew to be His for ever who had endured the cross for their sakes.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0108" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0108.jpg" alt="image0108"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_22">Jesus Looked round about upon all Things.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>AFTER the Lord had been brought in triumph into Jerusalem, and after
+the multitudes had done crying out, "Hosanna to the Son of David!"
+Jesus entered into the Temple. And it tells us in the Gospel of Mark
+that "He looked round about upon all things."</p>
+
+<p>Now it seems to me, children, that this is what we should think the
+Lord Jesus is doing now.</p>
+
+<p>He comes into the temple of our hearts, or He comes into our homes,
+into every room that we live in, and He looks round about upon all
+things.</p>
+
+<p>What does He see?</p>
+
+<p>Here in this picture of the Temple of God, when He was upon earth, He
+saw many things which He did not like at all.</p>
+
+<p>The people who had offerings to bring to God, had got careless about
+the holiness of God's House, and they began to buy and sell the
+offerings within the Temple. The people bargained and cheated, and
+bought and sold, without thinking that God was dwelling there, and that
+His House was not to be made into a market.</p>
+
+<p>Then some people wanted their money changed, and so tables were set up
+where the money was spread out, and those who were buying went to them
+to get change to pay for their purchases.</p>
+
+<p>At length, things got to such a pass that the Jews even kept their
+oxen and sheep inside the Temple to be ready to be bought by those who
+wished to make God an offering for their sins.</p>
+
+<p>Think what confusion, and dirt, and disorder must have been all about.</p>
+
+<p>So the Lord Jesus was very grieved, and the next day, He came and
+turned them all out, and told the Jews that God's Temple was meant to
+be a House of Prayer, but that they had made it a den of thieves.</p>
+
+<p>Now, before we finish this little story, I want us to look into our
+hearts and just think what the Lord Jesus sees there, when He comes and
+looks round about upon all things.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0109" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image0109">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0109.jpg" alt="image0109"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>What does He see? Does He see a heart with lots of naughty things in
+it? A heart which does not mind telling an untruth? A heart that would
+not mind cheating in a game? A heart which does not mind thinking a
+naughty thought, or doing a naughty act?</p>
+
+<p>Oh, if He can see any of those things in the temple of our hearts, let
+us ask Him to turn them all out, and make it clean and fit for Him to
+visit and stay in.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps, instead of that sad list of things, Jesus can see a heart that
+loves Him.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps He can see a heart that goes, every time it gets soiled by sin,
+to His precious cleansing blood to be washed white.</p>
+
+<p>If He does, then Jesus is glad to look into that loving, washed heart,
+and He says, "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that
+is of a humble and contrite heart, to revive the heart of the contrite
+ones, and to revive the spirit of the humble."</p>
+
+<p>This is what Jesus will do for you, and for me.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_19">CHAPTER XIX.—SUKHIYA'S FALL.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0110" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0110.jpg" alt="image0110"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>IT was one day, a few weeks after Mark Dayál's return to his family,
+that Sukhiya was sitting in her house alone.</p>
+
+<p>It was a hot, sultry evening, and there seemed to be no air to breathe
+in the tiny courtyard and still smaller verandah of her poor abode.</p>
+
+<p>The evening meal had been cooked and put on one side for when it was
+wanted, and, having nothing more to do, Sukhiya decided that she would
+go on the roof, where it might be a little cooler than it was below.</p>
+
+<p>It was a poor, rickety ladder to climb, but that was nothing to one who
+was accustomed to have most things broken and rickety. The roof, too,
+looked anything but safe, but Sukhiya never gave that a thought, for
+had she not sat on that same roof many and many a time during the past
+years and nothing had ever befallen her? So she sat and fanned herself,
+and gradually the sun went down and darkness gathered round her.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly she heard a sound below. Maybe her husband had come back and
+wanted his evening meal, or worse still, it might be one of the many
+monkeys of the neighbourhood, who had come to help himself to some of
+her bread. Anyway, she must not sit fanning herself any longer, but go
+quickly to see what was happening.</p>
+
+<p>Alas, poor Sukhiya! She tried to go too quickly, and in her haste
+and the darkness, she never saw how near her foot was to the sloping
+edge of the roof. There was a cry of distress, a heavy thud, and a
+motionless figure lay in the middle of the small courtyard below.</p>
+
+<p>Happily it was not a monkey, but Sukhiya's husband, whose coming in had
+disturbed her and brought about this catastrophe.</p>
+
+<p>He was a poor, helpless old man at the best of times, and as he saw his
+wife lying at his feet unable to move or lift herself up, he was very
+perplexed.</p>
+
+<p>Gradually it occurred to him that if he could do nothing himself, at
+least he could call someone who could.</p>
+
+<p>When it was once started, it did not take long for the news to spread.
+And in a very short time, the small courtyard was crowded. They lifted
+the injured woman, regardless of her groans, on to a bedstead, and felt
+her limbs to see what bones were broken.</p>
+
+<p>Each one had some different remedy to suggest, and some of the wiser
+ones advised taking her to the hospital, but as others protested
+against it, nothing was done.</p>
+
+<p>Presently Sukhiya left off groaning for a minute, and with some
+difficulty gasped out, "Bring Hira—I want to see Hira."</p>
+
+<p>Then there followed a discussion as to where Hira was to be found, and
+an old woman, who said she knew the house, volunteered to go and bring
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell her," gasped the injured woman, "that Sukhiya is dying; then she
+will surely come."</p>
+
+<p>So the old woman started on her errand. She had some distance to go and
+she could not walk very fast, for her back was bent nearly double, and
+it was only with the help of a stick that she could walk at all.</p>
+
+<p>When at last she reached the house, it was some time before she
+succeeded in making anyone hear. Rámpál Singh and his daughter were
+not at home, Anandi was ill, and Hira was absorbed in her book, which
+Shushila was teaching her to read with her fingers.</p>
+
+<p>When the old woman came in, she was so tired with her long walk that
+she had to wait a little to recover herself. Then she explained,
+"Sukhiya the ghi-seller sent me; she has fallen off the roof. She says
+she is dying, and wants the blind girl who lives here to come and see
+her."</p>
+
+<p>Hira needed no persuading, and was ready to go at once, but Anandi was
+not so sure. What would her master and mistress say if they returned
+and found that the blind girl had gone out alone with a stranger who
+was quite unfit to protect her? If she could have gone herself, it
+would have been quite easy, but that was impossible, for she had no
+strength to walk so far.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, Hira had thrown a large shawl round her, and was ready
+to start. What could Anandi say? So she let her go, but with many
+misgivings and entreaties to return as soon as she possibly could.</p>
+
+<p>When the old woman and her charge arrived, the crowd was still there,
+indeed it had increased, for as they looked at the face of the
+suffering woman, they knew that what she said was true; she was indeed
+dying.</p>
+
+<p>They had tried their best to help her; one had brought oil to rub her
+with, but she groaned so when she was touched that not much could be
+done in that way. Another, who said he knew how to set bones, tried to
+show his skill, but Sukhiya's screams soon put an end to his attempts.
+A doctor was brought and ordered some medicine for her to drink, which
+someone was busy preparing.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of it all, Hira arrived, and the crowd divided to let her
+pass. The past year had wrought a great change in the blind girl's
+appearance. She had grown so much taller, and instead of being unwashed
+and uncared-for, as in the days of old, everything betokened the touch
+of loving hands. In her spotless sari, she formed a great contrast to
+the dirty, squalid group into the midst of which she came.</p>
+
+<p>There was no need for anyone to lead her to the spot where Sukhiya lay.
+The groans of the dying woman were a quite sufficient guide.</p>
+
+<p>Sukhiya tried to raise herself as she saw the girl coming to her side,
+but only fell back with a heavier groan, as she moaned, "All my bones
+are broken; that terrible fall has killed me, but I had to see you once
+more. Come close, for my eyes are getting dim and I can hardly see you."</p>
+
+<p>Hira stretched out her hands to find a place by her old friend's side,
+and then sat down on the edge of the bedstead. She could not see the
+look of death creeping over the face she had never seen, and knowing
+how little the expression, "I am killed," often means, she wondered
+whether the case was really quite so hopeless.</p>
+
+<p>How she wished that Shushila, or even Anandi, had been there with her!</p>
+
+<p>She too had heard of the hospital and what wonders were sometimes
+accomplished there, so she also thought that if only the sufferer could
+be carried there, even if her bones were broken, she might live and not
+die.</p>
+
+<p>But as soon as Sukhiya heard the word "hospital" she only groaned
+again and said, "What is the use of a hospital when I am all broken to
+pieces? I tell you, child, I am killed, and now that I have seen you I
+am quite ready to die and escape from this pain and misery."</p>
+
+<p>At the words "I am quite ready to die," Hira started. Supposing it was
+true that her old friend's life was ending, was she ready to die, still
+more, was she ready to meet God? If there was nothing to be done to
+restore her to life, at least she might try to prepare her for death;
+for she knew that of all the crowd assembled there she alone knew that
+secret.</p>
+
+<p>Bending over the stricken form beside her, she said softly, "Sukhiya,
+you say you are ready to die, but are you quite sure? We must get rid
+of sin before we can meet God."</p>
+
+<p>"Child," gasped the woman, "what do I know about sin? I have always
+told you I have no understanding for such things. And now I can only
+think of this awful pain, and long to get out of it."</p>
+
+<p>Poor Hira, it seemed so easy and simple to her that the dying woman
+should stretch out her hand to the One mighty to save, and find life as
+she met death. But what could she say when the one for whose salvation
+she so longed seemed to care nothing about it herself?</p>
+
+<p>"Shall I sing you a hymn?" she asked, thinking of nothing else to say
+or do, and Sukhiya always liked to hear her sing.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, child, sing," said the voice, growing feebler every moment.</p>
+
+<p>A hush fell on the crowd, and not a sound was heard as the blind girl
+sang in a clear, sweet voice the same words that had first told her of
+Jesus Christ and His great salvation.</p>
+
+<p>Sukhiya had left off groaning; she had hardly strength even for that.
+But the eyes, which were fast closing to the things of earth, rested
+lovingly on the face of the blind girl.</p>
+
+<p>"You are never hungry now, little one, and no one ever beats you or
+makes you cry," she whispered.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, Sukhiya dear; everybody is so good to me, and I am always
+happy," answered Hira, wondering what she meant.</p>
+
+<p>"I would have taken care of you and kept you, but what could I do? I
+could not even keep my own children; they all went one by one. Now I am
+going too." Slowly came the words, and then Sukhiya lay still.</p>
+
+<p>Hira bent fondly over her. "Sukhiya, Jesus Christ is here; take hold of
+Him, and He will save you."</p>
+
+<p>"Jesus Christ, save my soul!" The words were so low that only Hira
+could catch them, but surely there was One standing by whom they saw
+not, whose ear can catch the faintest whisper, and who never fails to
+see the least spark of faith.</p>
+
+<p>There was silence for a few seconds, then someone said, "She is dead,"
+and straightway rose a wail of grief and mourning.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0111" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0111.jpg" alt="image0111"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_32">OUR JACK-A-NAPES.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_32_C_1">CHAPTER I.</a></h2>
+
+<div class="container">
+<br>
+<figure id="image0112">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0112.jpg" alt="image0112">
+</figure>
+<p>
+<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;THAT morning, as Sailor Jem had been busy on the shore
+preparing for his fishing expedition, his son Jack had come sauntering
+along the sands with his baskets of fish.<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Ain't you sold any more than that?" asked his father in surprise.<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Jack hated to be blamed (who does not?), and he answered rather
+roughly, "I've sold all I could; it ain't my fault that the folks won't
+buy."</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Have you been up to the Vicarage?" asked his father.</p>
+
+<p>"No; the baskets was that heavy I couldn't get as far. I thought when I
+had sold some, they'd be a bit lighter."</p>
+
+<p>"And they will have been looking out for you all the morning!" said his
+father vexedly. "The cook always likes some fresh fish for lunch, and
+you'll be too late! Run off as fast as you can!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not agoin' to run," grumbled Jack beneath his breath. "It's a mile
+if it's a inch, and it'll take me a good hour, and all for nothing,
+perhaps."</p>
+
+<p>"Go at once!" thundered his father. And then he turned to his boat and
+went on splicing a rope, his face grave and his heart as heavy as a
+piece of lead.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0113" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image0113">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0113.jpg" alt="image0113"></a></figure>
+<p class="t4">
+<b>"Ain't you sold any more than that?" asked his father.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>When Jack was at length out of sight, an old man, who had been watching
+them both, turned to Jem with a quiet sympathy in his look as he said,
+"'Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord—' We mustn't get
+too disheartened, my son!"</p>
+
+<p>"No—no!" said Jem. "But sometimes one gets so disappointed, father! The
+youngster ain't doin' quite as I like. He's lazy, he is. You may work
+for 'em night and day, and after all, if it don't go exactly as they
+consider it should, then they go and think you're hard on 'em! That's
+what I find."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Jem, that's so; but I got to learn, as I grew older, that it's a
+good thing as the Lord's patience don't run out as soon as ours, for if
+it did the rope wouldn't be long enough to pull us to shore!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll think of that, father." And then he went home to his dinner, and
+to wish his wife good-bye.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+————————————<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_32_C_2">CHAPTER II.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"YOU'LL get that net done, I reckon, before I come home again, Minnie?"</p>
+
+<p>"That depends how long ye're gone," his wife answered with a smile,
+which in her young days had caught her James's fancy more than anything
+else about her.</p>
+
+<p>He laughed now in a good-humoured sort of way, as he turned over the
+net and measured it with his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"And see to that young Jack-a-Napes of yours, and make him a good boy."</p>
+
+<p>His wife put down her netting needle and looked at him. "Do you really
+mean that?" she asked gently.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I do! One can't get a bit of peace with him, first this,
+then that—you make him mind, wife! That's what I mean."</p>
+
+<p>"I can make him mind," she said very seriously, "but as to making him
+good—"</p>
+
+<p>He stooped and kissed her good-bye. Perhaps he did not guess what a
+pang of pain he had given her.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm off," he said cheerily.</p>
+
+<p>But she detained him by an earnest gesture. "Jem," she said, "he's your
+'Jack-a-Napes' as much as mine! We must both pray for him that God may
+make him all we would have him—it's only He can."</p>
+
+<p>The father nodded, and then, the last moment having come, he made a
+bolt for it, and went clattering down the little steps to the shore,
+while she stood watching till she saw him get into his boat and start
+with the others for his two or three days' fishing.</p>
+
+<p>She did not know why her husband's mind had been specially full of
+young "Jack-a-Napes" as he had called their only boy, but she wished he
+had not spoken of it at the moment of their parting.</p>
+
+<p>Jack made his way slowly back from the Vicarage. He had been too late,
+after all. When he sauntered into the cottage, his baskets were heavier
+than he liked, and his pockets were lighter.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Jack!" said his mother peeping into the basket.</p>
+
+<p>For answer, Jack sat down and burst into tears.</p>
+
+<p>"Aren't you well?" asked his mother.</p>
+
+<p>Jack shook his head, and then sobbed out that father was cross, and he
+wasn't going to sell fish any more if people wouldn't buy, and if he
+was to be scolded when he did his best.</p>
+
+<p>His mother looked at him for a few moments without speaking, and then
+she placed his food near him, and went on with her netting.</p>
+
+<p>Jack wiped his eyes and ate his dinner in silence. He could not quite
+make his mother out.</p>
+
+<p>"Jack," she said, when he had finished, "take one of those baskets and
+go out again and see what you can do. 'If a man will not work, neither
+shall he eat,' is the Bible rule. And I'm not going to have you idle
+all the morning, and then think you'll play and eat as usual."</p>
+
+<p>Jack slowly went forth again, but he found most people supplied, and he
+had hard work to get even some of his fish sold.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, his mother prayed over her netting. She had been young and
+troublesome herself, she knew; and every day, even now, she saw how
+much patience God had with her!</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+————————————<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_32_C_3">CHAPTER III.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>SO when Jack brought his empty basket at last, and laid the money down
+on the table, she kissed him, and said a cheery word or two.</p>
+
+<p>"Jack, I see you have done your best to make up for this morning! Now,
+have your tea, and then you may go down to see the boats in. There's a
+high sea on, and they'll have a job to beach them. I'm glad in that way
+that your father won't be in to-night. He's safer out there."</p>
+
+<p>Jack lifted his face to give her a kiss.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, mother," he said, more gratefully than was his wont.</p>
+
+<p>And he was off like a shot to the only landing place where, in rough
+weather, the boats could be brought up, and there he stood among the
+men, ready to catch the rope that was thrown, or to do any little
+service with all his might.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope it won't be like this when father lands to-morrow," said Jack
+to himself. "Poor father! I wish I hadn't been so rough to him to-day.
+But I never can hold my tongue! Perhaps some day, when I get older—"</p>
+
+<p>And then some of his grandfather's words had come back to
+him—"Jack-a-Napes, there's nothing like serving Christ for getting rid
+of the devil! That's the best way, my boy!"</p>
+
+<p>The next day, however, the wind had risen to a gale, and the waves
+dashed against the cliff with the noise of thunder.</p>
+
+<p>Jack did not say much. But he started out bright and early with the
+remainder of his fish, and often he cast a glance over the sea and at
+the scudding clouds, longing that the wind might abate before the other
+fishing boats were expected.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps he had never spent such an unhappy day. He remembered how he
+had wished in his anger yesterday that father never would come back;
+and the thought seemed to burn into him like fire.</p>
+
+<p>The moment he could get off, he ran down to the beach, and there he
+stood for many long hours, sheltering from the wind behind a big rock,
+and watching the sea line with large anxious eyes. What if father never
+came back?</p>
+
+<p>It began to grow dusk, but still he watched. Suddenly in his despair,
+he thought of praying! He dropped on his knees behind the great rock,
+and though his voice was drowned by the thunder of the waves, he felt
+sure God heard his broken words.</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Please, heavenly Father, forgive me, and make me a good boy to father,
+and bring him safe home, for Jesus' sake."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>He rose feeling wonderfully comforted, and then he saw a stir among the
+sailors, and on the crest of a wave fast coming in was his father's
+boat!</p>
+
+<p>"Thank the Lord!" said grandfather's voice close to him. "For hearing
+our prayers and bringing him home, Jack-a-Napes!"</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0114" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image0114">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0114.jpg" alt="image0114"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_37">"PUNCHINELLO."</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+A TRUE STORY.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>GWENDOLINE hugged her doll rapturously, and, looking up in her mother's
+face, exclaimed, "I love Punchinello better than 'anything' in the
+world!"</p>
+
+<p>So saying, she put him down to go and learn her evening text.</p>
+
+<p>To-night it was, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."</p>
+
+<p>"What does 'idols' mean, mother?"</p>
+
+<p>"Anything in our hearts that we put in the place God ought to have; or
+anything that we love more than we do Him," said her mother softly.</p>
+
+<p>In her own mind, she was learning the text too, and as she gazed at her
+little daughter afresh, she was asking that she might love her heavenly
+Father more—much more—and her fatherless little girl next.</p>
+
+<p>Gwendoline, unconscious of her mother's thoughts, learned her text, and
+then went to bed, returning only for her good-night kiss.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother," said she, as she lay in her arms for her "cuddle," as she
+called it, "mother, is God sad if we have an idol?"</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0115" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image0115">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0115.jpg" alt="image0115"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"Why, yes, Gwenny, He is, for He loved us so much as to give His Son to
+die for us."</p>
+
+<p>"Then—" with a slight sob—"I mustn't love Punchinello 'best' any more."</p>
+
+<p>"No, darling; and He loves you so much, it will not be hard to love
+Him."</p>
+
+<p>"I will, I do," said the child softly. "And, mother, please may I give
+Punchinello to the little lame Mary, and that will 'help' me not to
+love him too much."</p>
+
+<p>So next day, Gwendoline took her dear Punchinello to little lame Mary,
+and added a great brightness and joy to the life of the sick child.</p>
+
+<p>As she put the doll into Mary's hand, Gwendoline whispered, "It is
+because Jesus loves me I give you that, and also to help me remember to
+love 'Him' best; so you'll remember too, won't you?"</p>
+
+<p>Mary did remember, every time she played with her dear dolly.</p>
+
+<p>And little Gwenny went home and remembered too.</p>
+
+<p>So years passed on, and Gwendoline learned to love Jesus Christ and God
+much best, and was content to leave her nice home and go and teach the
+heathen of His great love.</p>
+
+<p>And her mother had her prayer answered, and she too learned to love God
+best, and was willing to spare her child to do God's great work.</p>
+
+<p>And so their prayer was answered.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0116" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0116.jpg" alt="image0116"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_20">CHAPTER XX.—BEHÁRI LÁL.</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>DURING the time Rita was singing, a boy who was passing down the lane
+had been attracted by the unusual sound. And then, seeing the crowd
+gathered, had joined in, and standing on the outskirts listened to
+the hymn being sung. At first, he could not see the singer, but by
+gradually forcing his way, he at last came in sight of her.</p>
+
+<p>If anyone had been watching him, they would have seen him give a
+violent start. He might have seen a ghost, and indeed he thought he
+had, for as he looked at the scene before him he felt quite certain
+that the blind girl, arrayed in her clean white sari, sitting by the
+side of the dying woman, was none other than his cousin Hira, who had
+died a year ago.</p>
+
+<p>Had he not been present when Sukhiya had come in and announced her
+death, with bitter cries and reproaches?</p>
+
+<p>Anyway, she was sitting there before him—whether in real flesh and
+blood or not, he could not tell. He had heard of strange things
+happening at the time of death, and even he could see that the woman
+lying there was dying, so maybe the girl who had been so loved by her,
+though by no one else, had appeared to comfort her at that hour.</p>
+
+<p>Still, being a plain, matter-of-fact boy, he hardly thought this
+likely, and was much more inclined to believe that Hira really had
+never died; so he determined to wait and see what would happen next.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as Hira knew that her old friend was dead, she began to think
+of returning home, for she remembered Anandi's parting injunction not
+to stay a minute longer than she could possibly help.</p>
+
+<p>Then the difficulty arose—how was she to get back? The old woman, whose
+legs were still aching, did not volunteer to take another walk, and
+there was no one else who knew the house.</p>
+
+<p>Here Behári Lál (Hira's cousin) saw his opportunity, and determined
+to have a little fun out of the strange event. So coming forward, he
+offered the girl to see her safely home.</p>
+
+<p>To Hira's quick ear, the voice had a familiar sound, but when or where
+she had heard it, she could not remember. And being only too glad to
+find anyone who was willing to be her escort, she was quite ready to
+trust herself to the boy's guidance.</p>
+
+<p>But Behári Lál had no intention of taking his cousin to Rámpál Singh's
+house. If he had told the truth, he had not the least idea where it
+was; rather he meant to take her to his own home, and give those there
+a good fright by showing them a ghost. What fun it would be to see
+their consternation!</p>
+
+<p>So the two started on their way. Hira's mind was too full of the scene
+she had just left, to think of which way she was going, so she the more
+easily fell into the trap laid for her.</p>
+
+<p>The boy thought it best to keep silent, lest his voice should betray
+him. So nothing was said till they reached the house, and Behári Lál
+knocked with the chain on the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are the steps?" asked Hira in a bewildered voice, as she felt
+for the familiar entrance and did not find it.</p>
+
+<p>"Just wait a minute till they bring a light; it is so dark I can hardly
+see where we are," answered the boy. "Perhaps I have brought you to the
+wrong door. Don't be troubled; I will see you safely home."</p>
+
+<p>After a further knocking and waiting, the door was opened.</p>
+
+<p>Behári Lál had taken care to have a good grasp of Hira's arm. And
+before she had time to think, she was inside the courtyard. Then
+followed a scene of great confusion.</p>
+
+<p>"I have brought someone to see you," said the boy.</p>
+
+<p>And his mother, catching sight of the blind girl, whom she had thought
+of as dead for more than a year, uttered a loud scream.</p>
+
+<p>By this time, she knew that she had been led astray, that she had not
+been brought to Rámpál Singh's house, but to some strange place.</p>
+
+<p>Then, as she began to distinguish the voices, it flashed upon her what
+it all meant; the familiar voice was that of her cousin, and he had
+brought her to her uncle's house. But why her appearance should have
+caused such consternation she could not imagine. Now her heart sank
+within her! Suppose they should refuse to let her go, and she had to go
+back to the old life of poverty and misery? Gradually the clamour of
+voices grew less, and she was able to make herself heard.</p>
+
+<p>"Why have you been so cruel as to bring me here," she asked, "where
+no one wants me? You promised to take me home, and this is my home no
+longer. I am a Christian and live with Christians. Take me back to
+them; they will all be looking for me."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell us first," answered the aunt angrily, "who made up all that fine
+story that we had turned you out into the storm and you had died of
+cold and wet? Fine Christians those who have taught you to lie like
+that, though certainly you did not need much teaching."</p>
+
+<p>Then Hira began to get angry too, for she understood nothing of the
+story of her death. "I never said I was dead," she said in a shrill,
+excited voice. "I never said you turned me out; I never said anything
+about you, and it was you who taught me to lie. Now I am a Christian, I
+know better, and I never tell lies. But take me home—do take me home;
+they will all be wondering where I am."</p>
+
+<p>"And where is your home but here, where your father left you? And
+what will he say when he comes back and hears that you have become a
+Christian? Far better that he should hear that you are dead, as we all
+thought."</p>
+
+<p>"But I 'won't' stay here," cried Hira, stamping her feet angrily; "if
+you try to keep me, I will run away again; you cannot make me stay if I
+don't want to. How can a Christian live with Hindus? Oh, do let me go!"</p>
+
+<p>"How do 'we' know where your Christian friends live?" asked Behári Lál.
+"So how can we take you there? They are no friends of ours, these new
+friends of yours, who steal other people's children."</p>
+
+<p>Hearing this, Hira became more angry than ever, and uttered many bitter
+words of anger and scorn. If it had not been for her tall figure and
+clean, tidy clothes, it might have been the very same child who had
+disappeared a year ago.</p>
+
+<p>"A fine Christian you are!" said her aunt contemptuously. "And nice
+friends those must be who have taught you to come back and abuse your
+relations like this. We have heard quite enough of you for now, so you
+had better be quiet and go to sleep."</p>
+
+<p>Hira's only answer was to sit down on the ground and weep bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>No one took any more notice of her, and when she was exhausted with
+crying, she lay down where she was, but no sleep came to her.</p>
+
+<p>Gradually the rest of the household left off talking, and settled
+themselves for the night. And in the silence that followed, Hira had a
+good opportunity for thinking over what had passed and what was likely
+to happen next.</p>
+
+<p>Her anger had begun to subside, and in its place a feeling of shame
+begets to steal over her. Again, she seemed to hear the words of her
+aunt, "A fine Christian you are, and nice friends those must be."</p>
+
+<p>How often she had been told that it was useless to bear the name of
+Christ unless she also had His spirit and did as He would do! Now she
+had proved to her heathen relations that the so-called Christian Hira
+was no different to, no better than, the Hindu Hira.</p>
+
+<p>Again she wept bitterly, but this time they were not tears of rage and
+bitterness, but of shame and sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>She felt so lonely and desolate, for she was not only separated from
+her earthly friends, but how could she believe that her heavenly Friend
+could be near her when she had so sinned against Him?</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Please, Lord Jesus, forgive me for being so naughty and keep me from
+getting angry any more. And oh, do take me home again," she whispered.<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>And so from that heathen home went up the first prayer which had ever
+been offered in it.</p>
+
+<p>We may be quite sure that it was answered, and in spite of her sorrow
+and loneliness, a sense of quietness and peace stole into the child's
+heart. She knew she was alone no longer, that there was One beside her
+able to take care of her under all circumstances, and to save her from
+the greatest dangers.</p>
+
+<p>Then she began to wonder what she could do to atone for the wrong she
+had done. And finally made up her mind that as soon as her aunt woke,
+she would ask her to forgive her. Then, she thought, she will see that
+if Christians do naughty things, they are sorry for it afterwards.
+After that, with a mind at rest, she fell asleep.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning she woke with a start, roused by the sound of voices.
+For a moment, she could not think where she was. How did she come to be
+lying on the hard ground? And who were those people who were talking so
+loudly around her?</p>
+
+<p>Then it all came back to her: Sukhiya's death, her being brought to
+her uncle's house, the stormy scene which had followed, her prayer for
+forgiveness, and her determination to confess her fault to her aunt.</p>
+
+<p>Again from her heart went up a cry for divine help.</p>
+
+<p class="letter">
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Please, Lord Jesus, keep me good and tell me what to say."<br>
+<br>
+</p>
+
+<p>Then she listened to what was being said, and found that Behári Lál
+was being scolded for bringing her there. Suddenly the voices became
+more subdued and she could only just catch the mention of rupees, and
+understood nothing of what it meant.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the discussion had come to an end, she got up from the place
+where she had been lying, and groping her way along, called her aunt by
+name.</p>
+
+<p>The response she received was not encouraging. But Hira never lacked
+courage, and she said bravely, "Please, aunt, forgive me for being so
+angry last night; I know it was very naughty. And please send me home."</p>
+
+<p>A sudden silence fell on the group, for all were surprised to hear the
+fiery Hira speaking words of such gentleness. It was probably the first
+time in their lives that they had ever heard anyone confess themselves
+in the wrong, or ask for forgiveness.</p>
+
+<p>The aunt hardly knew how to grant it, never having done so before,
+so she only looked at the blind girl with astonishment. And, after a
+pause, said, "Let you go home! Why shouldn't we? We have no money to
+buy you fine clothes like those; and what would you say to our food
+now, I wonder? Besides, how can Hindus and Christians live together?"</p>
+
+<p>"Then you will send me back?" cried Hira joyfully.</p>
+
+<p>"And where are we to send you?" asked the uncle, who was standing by.
+"'You' cannot find the way, and 'we' don't know it."</p>
+
+<p>Here was a difficulty Hira had not thought of. She shrank from being
+entrusted to Behári Lál's care, but what else could be done? So she
+said, "Let Behári Lál go with me, and we will ask and ask until we find
+the house. Everyone knows Rámpál Singh and his daughter, because they
+are so good."</p>
+
+<p>But Behári Lál thought differently. "No indeed," he exclaimed on
+hearing the proposal; "I was abused enough last night for bringing you
+here; I am not going to take you anywhere else."</p>
+
+<p>It was difficult for Hira not to give an angry and reproachful answer.
+But, remembering her late repentance, she held back the words which
+were so ready to come, and said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, her uncle and aunt whispered together, after which the
+latter said quite kindly, "Wait patiently a little while, and all will
+be settled rightly. Your uncle is going out, and will, maybe, find out
+where these people live."</p>
+
+<p>So Hira had to be as patient as she knew how. In a little while, the
+men of the household went out, and she and her aunt were left alone.
+Then she was glad she had not gone away at once when she wanted to, for
+in the talk which followed, she was able to tell all which had befallen
+her.</p>
+
+<p>And for the first time in her life, the one who had never heard the
+good news of salvation, listened to the sweet story as it was told by
+her blind niece.</p>
+
+<p>She listened attentively, and at the end said, with a sigh, "Your words
+are very good, Hira, and as I listen, I forget everything else and feel
+glad; but they are not for me. It is a good thing for you that you have
+become a Christian, for by doing so you have got food to eat and good
+clothes to wear; but what can I do? I must just go on as I am."</p>
+
+<p>"But it was not to get clothes and food that I became a Christian,"
+cried the girl eagerly; "it was to get my sins put away and be ready to
+meet God; and the Lord Jesus will do just the same for you if you ask
+Him."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, child," was the answer. "What time have I to learn these new
+things? All my time goes in thinking of food and pice. I will go the
+same way as my forefathers have gone, and what I don't know, God does."</p>
+
+<p>Hira was sorely disappointed with this indifferent answer, and wondered
+that anyone should hear such good news without being glad.</p>
+
+<p>Just then a woman came in with flour to sell, so there was no more
+opportunity for talking. The new-comer was full of the story of
+Sukhiya's accident and death, which Hira, so taken up with her
+own experiences, had forgotten to mention. She too expressed her
+astonishment at the appearance of the blind girl, whom all had thought
+to be dead.</p>
+
+<p>This led to Hira's asking for an explanation. And she heard of the
+false story which her old friend had invented on her behalf, and how
+she had thought and planned for her good.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_15">"Hail, King of the Jews!"</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>WHEN the chief priests of the Jews had determined to kill the Lord
+Jesus, after examining Him for many hours on that dreadful night in
+which He had been betrayed by Judas and forsaken by His disciples, as
+they did not like to put Him to death themselves, they took Him when
+the morning dawned to Pilate, the Roman governor, for they thought he
+would do what they wished.</p>
+
+<p>The Jews and the high priest had asked the Lord Jesus whether He really
+was the Christ, the Son of God; and Jesus, to leave them without
+excuse, told them plainly that He was, and that hereafter they would
+see Him sitting in heaven and coming back to earth in the clouds.</p>
+
+<p>At this, they were fearfully angry, and tore their clothes, and led Him
+away to Pilate, in the hopes that Pilate would at once order Him to be
+put to death.</p>
+
+<p>So Pilate examined Jesus and put to Him many questions. But the dear
+Lord, who could have asked His Father to send thousands of angels to be
+with Him, stood before Pilate and answered nothing.</p>
+
+<p>Pilate was very much afraid to do anything to the Lord Jesus. His wife
+sent to him when he was sitting on the judgment-seat, telling him of a
+dream she had had, and begging him to have nothing to do with Jesus,
+because He had done nothing wrong.</p>
+
+<p>But the Jews kept on clamouring that Jesus should be crucified, and
+Pilate was more afraid of the Jews than he was of displeasing God. So
+at last, he ordered the dear Lord to be scourged, and then told the
+soldiers they could take Him away to be crucified.</p>
+
+<p>So they led Him into a great hall, and there they gathered together all
+the rest of the soldiers, and began to mock at the dear Lord whom we
+love so much.</p>
+
+<p>They clothed Him with a purple robe and plaited a crown of long sharp
+thorns and put it on His loving head, and then they began to bow to Him
+and call Him in mockery the King of the Jews.</p>
+
+<p>Jesus did not mind being called the King of the Jews, because He came
+to be their King; He was only sorry they would not love Him or have Him
+for their King.</p>
+
+<p>But oh, how it must have cut Him to the heart in all His pain to have
+them mock Him, and beat Him on the head, and spit upon Him, and pretend
+to worship Him!</p>
+
+<p>If our hearts are filled with grief that He could have suffered so
+much, should it not make us love Him more than ever, and hate the sins
+which He died on purpose to put away?</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0117" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image0117">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0117.jpg" alt="image0117"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<pre>
+   We may not know, we cannot tell,    |  There was no other good enough
+     What pains He had to bear,        |    To pay the price of sin,
+   But we believe it was for us        |  He only could unlock the gate
+     He hung and suffered there.       |    Of heaven, and let us in.
+                                       |
+   He died that we might be forgiven,  |  Oh, dearly, dearly has He loved,
+     He died to make us good,          |    And we must love Him too,
+   That we might go at last to heaven, |  And trust in His redeeming blood,
+     Saved by His precious blood.      |    And try His works to do.
+</pre>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_14">GRAND-DAD'S ADVICE.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>ROLLO had said only that morning that he wished Clare's brat were at
+the bottom of the sea!</p>
+
+<p>And he had wished it just then, for all night long Clare had been
+walking up and down her room, while the baby had moaned and cried
+ceaselessly.</p>
+
+<p>But now here was Clare coming down over the beach, with white face and
+eyes heavy with unshed tears; and surely she looked as if something
+were the matter as she came up and showed the babe to grandfather.</p>
+
+<p>Rollo's heart smote him; beneath his rough boyish exterior he had a
+tender spot, and that was for his sister Clare who had brought him up
+since he was a toddling child.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0118" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image0118">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0118.jpg" alt="image0118"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"What is it, my dear?" asked grandfather in his sympathetic, cheery
+tones, looking in the little face as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't think," said Clare despairingly. "The neighbours say I shall
+lose him. There was a white dove flew against the window this morning—"</p>
+
+<p>"I wouldn't trouble over that," he said gently, "but think what's best
+to be done for the little 'un. I should take him indoors, and give him
+a warm bath and keep him wrapped up a bit. And then—"</p>
+
+<p>"Then?" asked Clare, raising her heavy eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I should tell the Lord all about it, and ask Him to bless what
+you've done, and make the little 'un better in His own time."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I could trust Him like you do, grand-dad," she said tearfully,
+as she turned and made her way back to the cottage with her treasure.</p>
+
+<p>Rollo stood looking on.</p>
+
+<p>What if his cruel thought that morning were to deprive Clare of her
+baby?</p>
+
+<p>"Grand-dad," he said, moving closer, "if you was to wish a wrong thing
+in your heart and then be ever so sorry you had, what would you do?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'd run quick and ask the Lord to forgive it; and I'd make what amends
+I could, if so be I'd hurt anyone."</p>
+
+<p>Rollo ran after his sister.</p>
+
+<p>"Clare," he said, "I'm ever so sorry I was nasty about the baby—and
+indeed, I've asked God to forgive me, and to make him better—"</p>
+
+<p>"Dear old Rollo!" she said, but she felt comforted.</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_21">CHAPTER XXI.—BROUGHT HOME.</a></h2>
+
+<div class="container">
+<br>
+<figure id="image0119">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0119.jpg" alt="image0119">
+</figure>
+<p>
+<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;WHEN Rámpál Singh and his daughter returned home on the
+night of Sukhiya's death, they heard, with some consternation, that
+Hira had gone out alone with a strange old woman.<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They had no heart to reproach Anandi for letting her go, for the old
+servant was so distressed herself that they could not add to her grief.<br>
+<br>
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As no one had the least idea where the ghi-seller lived, it was
+impossible to go in search of the missing girl, so they could only wait
+and pray, hoping that she would soon return.</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>As night closed in and still she did not come, Rámpál Singh started out
+in hopes of hearing some news. But as he took the opposite direction
+and went away from, instead of towards, Sukhiya's home, he naturally
+heard nothing, and returned as much in the dark as ever.</p>
+
+<p>The night was passed by the whole household in great anxiety, for who
+could tell that the story was a true one? It was more than possible
+that Sukhiya's accident had been invented as a means of enticing the
+blind girl away from her Christian friends.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as morning dawned, the search was begun in good earnest. In
+spite of her weakness, Anandi persisted in taking her part, for she
+bitterly reproached herself for having let the girl go, and longed to
+do all in her power to bring her back.</p>
+
+<p>On her way, she met Reuben Dayál, who was more than ready to help those
+who had been such good friends to his family in time of need.</p>
+
+<p>"I know Sukhiya quite well," he said cheerily, "and will soon find out
+whether she really fell off the roof or not. If she did, everybody will
+know it."</p>
+
+<p>The boy was not at all sure of the house, but he went in the right
+direction. And the first person he met told him that it was quite true
+that the ghi-seller had fallen off the roof, that she had died soon
+after, and even now preparations were being made for her funeral.</p>
+
+<p>Reuben was delighted to think that he was to be the one to restore Hira
+to her friends, and hurried on to the house, which had been pointed out
+to him.</p>
+
+<p>Here a new difficulty arose. There were several amongst those gathered
+to take part in the funeral who bore witness to the fact that a blind
+girl had been there the night before, but none could tell what had
+become of her. All they knew was that a boy in the crowd had offered to
+see her home, and she had left with him.</p>
+
+<p>Reuben was sorely disappointed that he was again thrown off the track.
+Still, he determined not to give up, for it was plain that Hira could
+not be very far-off.</p>
+
+<p>As he was standing outside, wondering where he should go next, a man
+and boy passed him; they were talking very earnestly, and he thought he
+caught the name of Rámpál Singh. This might be a clue, so he followed
+them, and as they turned a corner, he caught them up and asked eagerly,
+"Have you heard anything of a blind girl who was here last night, in
+the ghi-seller's house?"</p>
+
+<p>Reuben was a sharp boy, and he knew from the look of warning which the
+man gave to his son that he did know something, whether he said so or
+not.</p>
+
+<p>"What blind girl are you asking after? And what should we know about
+her?" was the evasive answer given.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell us what she is like," said Behári Lál, "for there are many blind
+girls, and we might tell you of the wrong one."</p>
+
+<p>Reuben gave a few particulars of Hira's appearance, which the father
+and son gravely listened to.</p>
+
+<p>And at the end, the man asked, "And who may 'you' be, that you should
+be looking for this girl? Perhaps you are her brother?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, I am not," answered Reuben; "I am no relation at all. But
+Rámpál Singh and his daughter have been very kind to my mother, and as
+they are in great trouble about this lost girl, I am trying to find
+her."</p>
+
+<p>"And who is Rámpál Singh? And where does he live?" asked the man
+carelessly.</p>
+
+<p>Reuben was delighted at the opportunity, and eagerly exclaimed, "Shall
+I take you to his house? Then you can tell him all you know."</p>
+
+<p>"What do I know about this girl?" was the answer. "But you can show me
+the house; it will do no harm."</p>
+
+<p>So Reuben led the way while the others followed.</p>
+
+<p>When they arrived, Rámpál Singh had just returned after another vain
+search.</p>
+
+<p>Reuben introduced his two companions by saying, "I think this man knows
+something about Hira, so I have brought him to you."</p>
+
+<p>Behári Lál was ready to contradict this statement, but his father
+stopped him.</p>
+
+<p>Then began a conversation, from which Rámpál Singh gathered, with some
+difficulty, for he could get no direct answer, that the man "could"
+give some information, but he was determined to gain something for
+himself by doing so. It was quite evident that if a sufficient reward
+was offered, Hira would very soon be produced.</p>
+
+<p>This was a perplexing turn for things to take, for, anxious as Rámpál
+Singh was to rescue the blind girl and bring her home again, he
+hesitated at taking such means. Besides, if it should be proved that
+the man was any relation, and so had a claim on the girl, having once
+obtained money on this account, he might try to do so again and again.</p>
+
+<p>Before there had been time to settle this knotty point, suddenly
+Shushila and Anandi appeared in sight, bringing Hira with them.</p>
+
+<p>The man's face fell, and Behári Lál gave an exclamation of surprise.
+But neither of them revealed the fact that this was the blind girl of
+whom they could have given some information if they had chosen.</p>
+
+<p>Rámpál Singh said gravely, "I see my daughter has found the missing
+child, so we need not trouble you any more."</p>
+
+<p>And the father and son quietly walked away.</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0120" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0120.jpg" alt="image0120"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_51">TO-DAY.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"THERE!" cried Mrs. Rosendale, stopping short in her walk. "I have
+never given poor Mrs. Lee that money after all! How stupid of me!"</p>
+
+<p>"You gave her the parcel," said Beatrice; "won't that do for to-day?"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Rosendale sighed. She was very, very tired—almost too tired to
+contemplate another twenty minutes' walk through the snow, and yet the
+money she had taken for Mrs. Lee was urgently needed.</p>
+
+<p>She hesitated still, and Beatrice fidgeted her hoop backwards and
+forwards. She knew her mother was weary and that she might offer to go
+by herself, but it was dull to go alone.</p>
+
+<p>"Can't they wait till to-morrow?" she said grudgingly. "You are always
+doing things for them."</p>
+
+<p>"He that 'seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his compassion
+from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?'" said Mrs. Rosendale
+thoughtfully. "We know their need, Beatrice. Yes, I must go." She
+turned round resolutely and set off at a brisk pace.</p>
+
+<p>"I 'spose I can go," said Beatrice, lagging a step or so behind. "You
+go home, mother. Mrs. Lee ought to be very grateful to you, wearing
+yourself out like this."</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0121" style="max-width: 25.3125em;"><a id="Image0121">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0121.jpg" alt="image0121"></a></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"I shouldn't like you to go grudgingly, dear," said Mrs. Rosendale,
+pausing and looking into the clouded little face, "for to help these
+poor ones is to serve the Lord Jesus."</p>
+
+<p>"I said I'd go," repeated Beatrice.</p>
+
+<p>She could not quite conjure up a smile, it did seem such an unnecessary
+bother to go back, but she held out her hand for the money, and
+strolled slowly away.</p>
+
+<p>She had not intended to do more than pop the money into Mrs. Lee's hand
+and return at once; but such a mite of a boy opened the door and told
+her to come to mother 'cause baby was a-dying that she felt obliged to
+step inside. And once in, she stood fascinated.</p>
+
+<p>Such a poor bare room, such a tiny fire, such a pale, sorrowful mother,
+such a tiny, pinched baby lying with closed eyes on her lap.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother sent you this," said Beatrice in a whisper.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Lee's eyes brightened. "The doctor has just been, miss, and he
+said as how we might still save the baby with proper nourishment.
+Will you tell your dear mother, and say I can't thank her enough? The
+money's just come in time, please God."</p>
+
+<p>Beatrice went home to find warm shoes and hot cocoa awaiting her, and
+she delivered her message, but she said little of all she had seen.</p>
+
+<p>The next day, thought snow was falling fast, she volunteered to go
+again and see how the baby did. And an hour later, she came flying into
+her mother's room.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother, it's better! It's got its eyes open and smiled at me!" Then
+she flung her arms round her mother's neck, and her eyes filled with
+sudden tears. "Oh, mother darling, if you hadn't persisted in going
+yesterday, it might have been dead."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought 'you' went, my child."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Beatrice slowly, "but I hated going. Now I am so very, very
+glad. Mrs. Lee said God must have sent us just at the right minute."</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b>HIRA'S QUEST.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<h2><a id="S_18_C_22">CHAPTER XXII.—"SHE ONLY TOUCHED THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT."</a></h2>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>HIRA had much to tell of all which had befallen her from the time when
+she left her home under the protection of the old woman.</p>
+
+<p>The child had a natural gift for telling stories, and as she related
+her adventures, the whole household listened with the keenest interest.</p>
+
+<p>As she described Sukhiya's death, she felt as if she were living
+through the scene, and what had been for a time banished from her mind
+by other things, now came back with intense reality.</p>
+
+<p>"I never knew she loved me so much," said the girl tearfully, "but I
+see it all now, and that she told that lie—that believing me to be
+dead, no one might try to get me back again. If only she had believed
+on the Lord Jesus and had been made ready to meet God, I would not
+mind, because then I would have been sure of seeing her again; but now
+she has gone, and I will never see her any more. Poor Sukhiya!"</p>
+
+<p>"But how do you know that she did not trust the Lord Jesus, and that He
+did not make her ready to meet God?" asked Rámpál Singh.</p>
+
+<p>The girl's face brightened. "Oh! Do you think He did? She did not seem
+to care, and there was such a little while."</p>
+
+<p>"And how long did it take the Lord Jesus to cleanse the man who was
+full of leprosy, or to heal the woman who touched the hem of His
+garment? Sukhiya said, 'Lord Jesus, save my soul,' but that woman did
+not say one word, and yet she was healed. It takes us a long time to do
+a very little thing, but the Lord can do a great work in a very little
+time."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you really think," said Hira joyfully, "that I shall see my dear
+old Sukhiya again, and be able to tell her that I did really love her?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know this," was the answer, "that the love of our Lord is just as
+tender and forgiving and His power is just as great as it was before He
+died on the cross, and if Sukhiya asked Him from her heart to save her,
+that He never said her nay."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I 'will' believe that Sukhiya has gone to be with God, and that
+I shall meet her there. And I am very glad now that I got lost again,
+though I was so frightened at the time."</p>
+
+<p>As she continued her story, she told how, after her uncle and cousin
+had gone out, and her aunt was bargaining with the flour-seller, she
+went and sat close by the door and began to sing, because, she said,
+"I knew I could not see if anyone I knew passed by, and my aunt would
+have been angry if I had sat with the door open, or on the doorstep, so
+that I could be seen. But I thought, 'If I sit and sing, someone who is
+looking for me may hear my voice and know that I am here.'"</p>
+
+<p>"It must have been God who put that thought into your heart," said
+Shushila, "for that is just how we found you. We did not know where to
+go and look for you, but all at once, I heard the sound of singing, and
+when I came a little nearer, I said, 'It is surely Hira's voice.' And
+when I pushed the door open, there you were."</p>
+
+<p>"And was your aunt willing to let you go?" asked Rámpál Singh.</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed she was not," said Shushila. "She said Hira must wait till
+her uncle returned, to say what was to be done. I think she really
+wanted to let her go, but was afraid what her husband would say."</p>
+
+<p>Then Hira spoke. "So I said I was very hungry, and I asked her to give
+me something to eat. She said quite angrily, 'Do you think I am going
+to feed a Christian?'</p>
+
+<p>"So I asked, 'How can I live here if you will not feed me?'</p>
+
+<p>"Then we came away and she did not try to stop us, only we heard her
+talking very loud as we walked away down the lane. Oh, I am glad that
+I have come back, for I was so afraid they would keep me, and that I
+should get angry again."</p>
+
+<p>There was no need for Shushila and her father to say that they were
+very glad too. But there was fear mixed with their joy, for now that
+Hira's relatives had discovered where she lived, and were evidently
+anxious to make something out of her, it was hardly likely that they
+would be left in peace.</p>
+
+<p>However, as the days passed by and nothing more was heard or seen of
+Behári Lál and his father, the fear was soon forgotten, and except for
+the remembrance of Sukhiya and the closing scene of her life, Hira's
+adventure passed from the minds of all.</p>
+
+<p>It was only a few days later that Mary Dayál came to Rámpál Singh's
+house to ask for some advice from her friend.</p>
+
+<p>Shushila and her father were not at home, but Hira, recognising the
+voice, cried eagerly, "Please don't go away. I am here, and I want you
+to listen to something."</p>
+
+<p>Mary, who always had a warm place in her heart for the blind child, was
+quite willing to spend a little time with her.</p>
+
+<p>When she had been seated, Hira said, "You must not try to 'see'
+anything, you must only listen."</p>
+
+<p>Then a voice began to read, rather slowly and hesitatingly, but quite
+clearly, "'In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I
+would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.'"</p>
+
+<p>It was difficult not to look round and see the reader, but Mary obeyed
+her orders. After several verses had been read, Hira came to her
+friend's side, and with a beaming face asked,—</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know who was reading? It was I, but you didn't know that blind
+people could read before, did you?"</p>
+
+<p>Mary expressed quite enough surprise and pleasure to satisfy the
+delighted child, who was then quite willing to fetch her book and show
+its wonders.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly she exclaimed, "And, oh, I want to tell you something I never
+knew before. Shushila says that when the Lord Jesus said those words,
+'I will come again, and receive you unto Myself,' He meant just exactly
+what He said, and that He is really and truly coming back again,
+perhaps very soon. Are you not glad?"</p>
+
+<p>There was a thrill of joy in Mary's voice as she answered, "Yes,
+indeed, child. Why should we not be glad to see our dear Lord whom we
+love so much?"</p>
+
+<p>"But it will be best of all for me," cried the child again, "because
+when Jesus comes, I shall have my new eyes and not be blind any more.
+And shan't I be just like that blind man? Because the first person he
+ever saw was the Lord Jesus, and so He will be the first that I shall
+see. It used to make me angry that I did not have my new eyes all at
+once, but now I think I am rather glad, because it makes me want the
+Lord Jesus to come all the more, and Shushila says it must make Him sad
+if we do not want Him to come."</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid," said Mary sadly, "there are a great many who do not care
+about His coming."</p>
+
+<p>Then said Hira thoughtfully, "That must be either because they do
+not know and love Him, or else, that they are not ready to meet Him.
+Shushila says we cannot be glad unless we are ready, and now I know
+what she meant when she said the Lord Jesus would give me something
+better than new eyes. He has given me a new heart, and some day I shall
+have the new eyes too."</p>
+
+<p>There was silence, and then Mary spoke again. "When I first heard that
+the Lord Jesus was coming back, I felt very glad, but sometimes I feel
+afraid, because I think I shall be ashamed that I am not more fit to
+meet Him."</p>
+
+<p>Neither of the two speakers had noticed that Shushila and her father
+had come in, and they started as Rámpál Singh said earnestly, "We know
+that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him
+as He is. There will be no need to be ashamed when we are like our own
+blessed Lord."</p>
+
+<p>No one spoke till Shushila said joyously, "Oh, how happy and how good
+we ought to be, for whether we have much or little in this world, we
+have 'everything' in Jesus Christ our Lord; and when we look forward to
+what we are going to 'be' and to 'have,' no words seem enough to thank
+and praise God for all His wonderful love and goodness."</p>
+
+<p>"And," responded her father, "the very least we can do is to seek to
+walk worthily of this high calling, and so to be to the praise of His
+glory."</p>
+
+<p>Thus, we leave them. The father and daughter seeking to raise others
+to the same height of spiritual life and happiness to which they have
+themselves been brought.</p>
+
+<p>The husband and wife starting life afresh, with an almighty hand to
+uphold them as they run together the heavenly race. And Hira, the blind
+child, whose eyes had been opened already to see the things "which are
+unseen and eternal," looks forward with joy to the time when in the day
+of perfect vision she will see "the King in His beauty."</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0122" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0122.jpg" alt="image0122"></figure>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0123" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0123.jpg" alt="image0123"></figure>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p class="t2">
+<b><a id="S_43">SUNSET FOR JAMIE.</a></b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p class="t3">
+BY CATHARINE SHAW.<br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br></p>
+
+<p>"WHAT'S father doing now?" asked a little invalid, raising his head
+ever so slightly from his pillow.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't rightly know, Jamie; but I see it's near sundown, and he and
+the sheep will be making their way home."</p>
+
+<p>The little boy's eyes brightened. "I'm glad of that," he said, with a
+weary little sigh. "I'm always glad when sunset comes, and then again
+I'm always glad when sunrise comes. Isn't that funny?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not that I know of," said the busy mother, darning in and out over a
+big hole in her eldest boy's stocking. She thought she was glad too
+when the sunset came, and the day's work was nearly over; and then when
+the light came once more, she was glad that the new day was there, with
+its new duties and new strength to do them.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps something else in her thought was reflected in the child's
+eyes; for she put down her work and stroked his hair tenderly.</p>
+
+<p>"There's the same Shepherd to lead His little lamb towards Home at
+sunset as there is to lead him to the pastures at sunrise, Jamie. He
+loves you, and will not give you more to bear than He will give you
+strength for."</p>
+
+<p>Jamie's eyes watered in sympathy with hers. He knew that his mother had
+learned the lesson herself, or she would not have said it.</p>
+
+<p>"And what is father doing 'now?'" he asked, when she took up her
+darning again.</p>
+
+<p>"He is getting near home, I should think; and the sheep and lambs are
+hurrying a little to reach the fold before nightfall. And father is
+thinking of his Jamie, and praying that his pain may be better—"</p>
+
+<p>Jamie nodded ever so little; he was sure of all that too.</p>
+
+<p>"You can tell him that I think it is—a little," he whispered; "that
+will make him eat his supper better—"</p>
+
+<p>Then there was a stir in the yard, and the sheep-dog came barking up
+the path. And in a moment, a kind, weather-beaten face peeped in, and a
+cheery voice, which was music to Jamie's heart, said—</p>
+
+<p>"And how's my little laddie to-night? Here's father come back, and all
+the sheep are in the fold, Jamie!"</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+
+<figure class="figcenter" id="image0124" style="max-width: 25.3125em;">
+  <img class="w100" src="images/image0124.jpg" alt="image0124"></figure>
+<p class="t4">
+<b>END.</b><br>
+</p>
+
+<p><br><br><br></p>
+<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78888 ***</div>
+</body>
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diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
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+This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
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+[Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for eBook [#78888](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/78888)