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THE MONTH.

E begin this month a new arrangement of this last page of the GLEANER. The "Epitome of News" will take a new form under the title of "The Month"; under which head we shall also be able to say many things to our readers on current matters of interest which could not be said appropriately in the old column of bare items of news, and yet which would not need the formality of a regular article. At the same time, as we know this page is the first turned to by most readers, we shall use the present clearer and more open type. For the information of those who also read the other C.M.S. periodicals, we may add that this page will be quite distinct from "The Month" in the Intelligencer and the Record, although some of the paragraphs will often be identical. But it must be remembered that we have to go to press ten days earlier than the sister periodicals, so that important intelligence can sometimes be included in their pages when it has been too late for ours; and then we have to print it in the following month.

WE would ask the readers of the GLEANER to assist in pushing the sale. It is not strict etiquette for a magazine to mention the numbers circulated of it; but as the accounts of the Church Missionary Society, published in the Annual Report year by year, give the particulars without concealment, there is no occasion to hide them here. In the year ending March 31st, 1882, there were 451,758 copies printed, which, divided by 12, gives 37,646 copies per month. Of these, a certain quantity were put aside for the annual volumes, and a good many were sent as free copies to the missionaries abroad, to association and district secretaries at home, to public libraries, &c.; but the actual sale averaged more than 32,000 per month. That is a very large sale for a missionary magazine, as any bookseller or agent would well understand. But why should it not be much larger? We believe it is strictly correct to say that there are thousands of contributors to the C.M.S. who have never even seen it. Certainly there are many thousands who do not take it in. And how many more are there who are not contributors but who would soon become so if they were induced to read the GLEANER? The Salvation Army owes not a little of its fame and of its external success to the persistency of its members in selling its weekly paper. If the members of the Church Missionary Society would put forth the tenth part of their energy to sell our monthly one, its circulation might quickly be doubled and trebled, and the GLEANER would be a real source of income to the Society.

AND we do not wish to speak of the GLEANER only. We want the other publications of the Society pushed too. The clergy and intelligent laity should not fail to read the C.M. Intelligencer, which does what we have not space to do gives a complete record of the Society's work. The children should read the C.M. Juvenile Instructor, now more than ever attractive. And we hope every one of our friends has the C.M. Sheet Almanack hanging on his wall. But we must not mention them all. We ask our readers to look at the pink paper, the List of C.M.S. Publications, slipped into our present number.

OBSERVE, that every publication of the Society on which a price is fixed can be obtained from any bookseller. There is no reason whatever for any difficulty. Hand the pink paper to your bookseller, and he can get whatever you want. The papers for gratuitous distribution must, of course, be obtained direct from the Church Missionary House. So can the selling publications, if purchasers prefer writing direct.

So much for business. We are unwilling to occupy space with such matters; but our readers will bear witness that we have very rarely done so, and we shall not soon do so again. Let it be borne in mind, however, that the GLEANER is no private speculation. Every penny of loss upon it is a deduction from missionary funds. Every penny of profit is an addition to missionary funds. Those friends, therefore, who help it on are really helping the missionary cause, even in the lowest pecuniary sense. But they do more than that. They are spreading abroad the true records of God's work in the world. Our magazines do what St. Paul did at Jerusalem: they "declare particularly what things God has wrought among the Gentiles." And we want to produce the same results in readers and hearers: "When they heard it they glorified the Lord" (Acts xxi. 19, 20).

WE have referred on another page to the long connection of the late revered Archbishop of Canterbury with the C.M.S. The special meeting of the Committee held in consequence of his death was a deeply interesting one. The President, Lord Chichester, was unable to be present, but he wrote expressing his great sense of the loss the Society had sustained by the removal of such a "real and valuable friend." Sir Harry Verney, M.P., Prebendary Wilson, Canon Money, the Bishop of Huron, and the Rev. S. Gedge, spoke in strong terms of respect and admiration of the late Primate, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Gedge in particular giving some very interesting reminiscences. At the funeral the Society was officially represented by Captain the Hon. F. Maude (Treasurer) and the Rev. F. E. Wigram (Hon. Sec.).

THE C.M.S. Committee have presented a memorial to Lord Granville on the question of Slavery and the Slave Trade in Egypt. The recent important meeting on the subject at Willis's Rooms, when Lord Shaftesbury, Mr. Forster, and other public men spoke out fearlessly and strongly, elicited a declaration from the Prime Minister which seemed satisfactory. But pressure will help the most willing Government, and it was felt desirable that the Church Missionary Society should strengthen their hands by calling upon them not to miss the present opportunity of using the influence and power of England to abolish slavery itself and so put a stop to the slave trade.

THE new Nyanza party reached Uyui (near Unyanyembe), on their way to the Lake, on Sept. 2nd. The Rev. J. Hannington, the leader, was dangerously ill, and continued so up to Oct. 6, our latest date. We earnestly trust it has pleased God to spare a life seemingly so important to the highest interests of the Mission.

ONE of the Tinnevelly pastors, the Rev. S. Paramanandam, of Sathankulam, died on September 14th. He was ordained in 1878. This reduces the C.M.S. Native clergy of that province to sixty-four.

ON Sept. 24th, in the C.M.S. Mission church at Pallam, Travancore, Bishop Speechly admitted a Native "reader," Mr. W. Kuruwila, to deacon's orders. The Rev. Koshi Koshi presented the candidate and preached the sermon. The new deacon is to labour at Melkavu, among the Hill Arrians.

VERY interesting and encouraging letters continue to come from the two African Archdeacons on the Niger, Dandeson Crowther and Henry Johnson. Immense congregations attend the services at Bonny and Brass. Archdeacon Johnson is doing important translation work in the Nupe and Igbira languages. The Rev. T. Phillips, the English Secretary of the Niger Mission, made his first trip up the river in the Henry Venn steamer in September.

WE desire to draw the attention of our friends throughout the country to the proposed Missionary Exhibition to be held in Norwich on Jan. 23-27. This is a further extension of the good work so ably commenced by the Rev. John Barton at Cambridge in the spring of the present year, an account of which appeared in our April number, Friends who so willingly assisted the Cambridge Exhibition would be doing good service to the C.M.S. by again lending their collections to the Exhibition at Norwich. We strongly recommend our friends at all events to go and see it. None who missed the one at Cambridge can have the least idea of its beauty and interest; and there is every reason to expect that the one at Norwich will be still more remarkable.

RECEIVED." From one who would give more if she could, Bath," 10s. ; Rev. R. A. Wood, £1; "From one interested in the Mission for Persia," 2s. 6d. ; A. D. G., for Egypt Fund, £1 10s. ; C. M. D., for the Henry Wright steamer, 4s. 6d.

Topics for Thanksgiving and Prayer.

Thanksgiving for another year's mercies, continued and multiplied day by day. Prayer for grace to "go labour on," at home or abroad, for the missionary cause during the coming year, in full confidence that guidance and blessing will be vouchsafed as in the past.

Prayer for the new Archbishop of Canterbury.

Prayer for Egypt: that men and means may be provided for an energetic C.M.S. Mission there, and that the Mission may find a door of entrance to the hearts of the Moslem population.

Continued prayer for more men, especially for the Society's vacant posts. Prayer for the Niger Mission, and the new Nyanza party. (See above.)

THE CHURCH MISSIONARY GLEANER.

MISSIONARY ALMANACK.

FEBRUARY, 1883.

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M. Ge. 9. 1-20. Matt. 19. 27 to 20. 17. E. Ge. 12 or 13. Acts 21. 1-17.

5 M 1st bapt. Abeokuta, 1818. Thou art near, O Lord, Ps. 119. 151. 6 T Nigh unto all them that call upon Him, Ps. 145. 18. [Ps. 34. 18. 7 W Ash Wednesday. Nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, C. Simeon originated idea of C.M.S., 1796. God is in the midst [of her, she shall not be moved, Ps. 46. 5. Bp. Williams d., 1878. Fear thou not, for I am with thee, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee, Heb. 13. 5. [Is. 41. 10. [much less this house? i K. 8. 27. 11 S 1st in Lent. Ember Wk. The heaven cannot contain Thee: how M. Ge. 19. 12-30. Matt. 23. 13. E. Ge. 22. 1-20, or 23. Acts 26. 12 M 1st Tinnevelly Native Ch. Council, 1869. Gathered together in [My name, there am I in the midst, Matt. 18.20.

M. Is. 58. 1-13. Mk. 2. 13-23. E. Jon. 3. Heb. 12. 3-18.

13 T Schwartz d., 1798. I am with thee, and will keep thee, Gen. 28. 15. 14 W Nile party reached Uganda, 1879. Even there shall Thy hand 15 TO my God, be not far from me, Ps. 38, 21. [lead me, Ps. 139. 10. 16 F I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Ps. 23. 4. 17 S J. T. Wolters d., 1882. The upright shall dwell in Thy pre[sence, Ps. 140. 13. 18 S 2nd in Lent. Will ye not tremble at My presence? Jer. 5. 22. M. Ge. 27. 1-41. Matt. 26. 57. E. Ge. 28 or 32. Rom. 2. 17. 19 M Whither shall I flee from Thy presence? Ps. 139. 7. [16.11. Mrs. Wolters d., 1882. In Thy presence is fulness of joy, Ps. 1st C.M.S. Miss. sailed for India, 1814. My presence shall go with The angel of His presence saved them, Is. 63. 9. [thee, Ex. 33. 14. Henry Wright appointed Hon. Sec., 1872. Glory and honour [are in His presence, 1 Ch. 16. 27. St. Matthias. Cast me not away from Thy presence, Ps. 51. 11. [Zeph. 3. 17. 25 S 3rd in Lent. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty, M. Ge. 37. Mark 2. 1-23. E. Ge. 39 or 40. Rom. 8. 18. 26 M The Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest, Josh. 27 T Work, for I am with you, saith the Lord, Hag. 2. 4. [1.9. 28 W Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep, [Ps. 121. 4.

20 T 21 W 22 T 23 F 24 S

MORE JERSEY BREEZES.

II. Our Desert-places.

"Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while."
St. Mark vi. 31.

HE green oasis of Christmas is left behind, and the New Year is already leading some of us through desert-places. If so, they must be just what we are needing. Let us take heed to seek flowers where the rebellious heart would wound itself against the pricks. Perhaps we have been over-taxing the willing mind. The many "coming and going," many thoughts, many duties, many interests, left us no leisure to eat of the heavenly manna, to drink out of the wells of salvation. It is little wonder that, hungry and thirsty, our soul fainteth within us. Let us listen to the sweet refreshing voice of Him who long ago said to others of His dear weary ones: "Come ye apart into a desert place, and rest a while."

Ah! there are a great many desert-places in life, and, whether we will or not, we must come to them. There are seasons of momentous decision, when our whole career seems trembling in the balance. The shifting sands of Time refuse sure footing to our faltering footsteps. Friends hesitate to counsel, and we must stand alone. Let us "come apart" and rest, until we see how the matter will fall. Our disappointments are His appointments. Let us realise that every deep true life is lonely. We are poor logicians, and know not how to defend ourselves amidst

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the strife of tongues; but He will undertake for us, and He alone knoweth the end from the beginning. Like simple-minded David, let us encourage ourselves in the Lord our God," and as we gaze into the starry heavens we may take counsel with "the God of Abraham" in the holy rest of Eternity.

Could the secret steps be traced which culminate in selfdedication to missionary enterprise, we might find that, like the doughty knights of old, these modern crusaders had been called to brace themselves for their life of conflict by keeping lonely vigil beside the sword of the Spirit. How many have bravely passed through the ordeal; cheered by the presence of their Great Captain, they carry His sublime rest into the duties and trials of each day, and in His might, go on from strength to strength. God speed all such! Which of us workers has not known the bitter bereavement that seemed to take the life of our life, tempting us to regret, lose heart, despair? For us, then, is the constraining softness of the soothing words: Come, come apart, and rest. He wants to teach us that society is not sympathy, nor excitement repose, but that His love can fill up all blanks. He knows our sorrows; He counts up our tears. And, far rarer proof of mighty love, He smiles back our smile and is glad with us. He will make our seeming desert to rejoice and blossom as the rose, and gladness shall brighten, for us, the wilderness and the solitary place. And when we have been un. consciously wandering away from the safe shadow of His wing, He in mercy lays us low on the couch of pain and languor. He makes a little enclosure, secure from the unrest of busy life. He has wise lessons for us here. Let us learn them and grow better. Had we fancied ourselves indispensable to our little circle? Is it humiliating to find all can go on well without us? Let us rest our tired heads and sad hearts upon His breast, and let Him do with us what seemeth Him good. Very likely He has abundant work for us still, and He will send us forth to it, not less joyous than before the chastening, but somehow finding "all things new."

There is one desert place, the last in the journey, to which all must come. It is the Valley of the Shadow of Death. No earthly companionship is possible there. As regards the familiar things of this world, we must go through the trial alone. But what if we have long since realised, and meekly accepted, the allaloneness of our unsatisfied nature? Then, surely, when we reach the last dreary spot, we shall instinctively do as we have done times innumerable; we shall "come apart," and find rest unto our fainting souls. Oh, may we be wise and understand these things. And may the Lord of Rest give us rest always, by all means. A. M. V.

THE STORY OF THE NEW ZEALAND MISSION.
By the Author of "England's Daybreak," "The Good News in
Africa," &c.
II.

UR readers of last month's number will have become sufficiently acquainted with the ways and doings of the original inhabitants of New Zealand not to be surprised that the first European who approached their shores, Tasman, should have been fiercely repulsed. He had been sent out in search of the Australian continent by the Dutch governor of Java, in 1612, and, rejoiced by the sight of land, was pushing forward to the shore, when the Maori, launching out in their canoes to repel the unexpected visitors, made an unprovoked attack upon his boats. Tasman, judging from their numbers and desperate bravery that the safety

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tales of cruelty and bloodshed, in which the European narrators have known how to conceal their own faults, and lay the entire blame on the ignorant savages with whom they came into collision. The reputation of these latter grew blacker and blacker, so that the very name of New Zealand was held in abhorrence.

It was reserved for our fellow-countryman, Captain Cook, nearly 130 years later, really to weave the first links with this singular The heavenly joy of being the first to penetrate this darkness people. By the firm discipline he exercised amongst his crew, and with the healing rays of Gospel light was reserved for a young the mingled courage and tact which marked his relationship with Yorkshire blacksmith, who united earnest love to his Master the natives, he established intercourse on so satisfactory a foot- and care for perishing souls with the indomitable perseverance ing, that (with the exception of four New Zealanders slain by a and energy of a North countryman. Born in the humbler ranks misunderstanding on his first approach), not one other drop of of society Samuel Marsden was regularly brought up to the forge, blood was shed during his five visits to the islands, and to this but he had set his heart on being a clergyman, and, uniting study day the grateful recollection cherished of him amongst the Maori of the Latin grammar with the fulfilment of his own work, he forms the strongest testimony as to how he dealt with them. He managed to blow the bellows with one hand, and copy out had a great and a loving heart, this fearless navigator; he was Latin rules and exercises upon the fire-board with the other. touched with the want of proper food, and the lack of the most The clergyman of his parish did his utmost to help him, and in ordinary comforts amongst these people. It was he who intro- course of time Mr. Marsden was ordained a chaplain to the conduced the pig (afterwards one of their most important articles victs, and dispatched to the antipodes, at Port Jackson (now of diet) amongst them, with the potatoe, the turnip, and the Sydney) in Australia. cabbage. Wheat, peas, and beans, they refused to accept, though he urged these also upon them. They were utterly unlike anything that they had seen before, and they would have nothing to say to them!

But better food for the body only could not benefit the souls, the characters of these poor heathen. Trade was established with New South Wales, but it speedily degenerated into a system of fraud and violence-acts of bad faith on the part of Europeans, and thereby retaliation on that of the New Zealanders ensued, so that the scattered notices we have of Maori history between the times of Captain Cook and Samuel Marsden are little else than

Whilst there he met two New Zealand chiefs whom a Captain King had brought with him from their native land, hoping they would be able to furnish valuable information on the cultivation of flax. This was his first introduction to the race to whom he was truly to be an apostle in the future; the interest thus awakened in them was strengthened by intercourse with Tippahee, a remarkably intelligent and superior Maori chieftain, who with his four sons had worked his way to Port Jackson, on board a sailing vessel. This man's eagerness for the welfare and improvement of his country was such, that when taken to a rope-walk to see the process of spinning twine and rope, &c., he

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burst into tears, exclaiming, "New Zealand no good!" Mr. Marsden saw much of Tippahee, and finding with joy that he would thankfully co-operate in any attempt to bring the Gospel and civilisation to his native land, took occasion, on returning to England, to lay the case before the Church Missionary Society. The Committee at that time were few in number, but they were strong in faith. Mr. Marsden's appeal met with earnest and prayerful attention, and it was determined to send out, as settlers, a few artisans, men of piety and industry, to teach the natives the simpler arts of life, who, while winning their confidence and affection, might scatter amongst them the seeds of Divine truth. Two singularly suitable men were appointedWilliam Hall, a carpenter, who understood navigation and shipbuilding; and John King, a shoemaker, who was conversant with flax-dressing and rope-making, and knew something of agriculture. These men, noble, faithful-hearted mechanics, laid the foundation of all the mighty work subsequently achieved in New Zealand. They knew nothing of the land of their adoption but its misery and its wickedness, its massacres and its cannibalism, yet they left their native country, with all its blessings, to dwell amongst a nation of terrible savages, where they knew well that their own lives, and those of their families, would be in constant danger. All honour be to them and to the memory of their self-sacrificing toil!

It was a marvellous omen for good, that a day or two only after they had started, August, 1809, Mr. Marsden noticed a man sitting upon the forecastle. He was evidently in great suffering, miserable-looking and emaciated. He recognised a New Zealander, and found that the stranger was a nephew of his friend Tippahee, Ruatara by name. His sad history was soon

told. The love of enterprise which marks many of the Maori, had induced him, four years before, to engage himself as a ccmmon sailor in one of the whalers touching at Port Jackson. After twelve months' service, he was put on shore without either money or friends, and must have starved had he not been reengaged by a Captain Richardson, who kept him six months, and dealt honourably with him as regards payment, so that Ruatara, forgetting his first experience, engaged a third time with the master of a ship, who promised to gratify the height of his ambition, and take him to England to see King George. Alas for the too-confiding Maori, this man left him for ten long months upon an uninhabited island, with a few others, to collect seal skins, so ill provided for, that three of the little band died from sheer want, and though they had collected for him no less than 8,000 seal skins, the inhuman monster treated Ruatara, when again on board, with the utmost cruelty; he was beaten with such severity, as seriously to injure his health; and though he bore all patiently, in his intense desire to see King George, yet when they actually arrived, the master laughed at him for having been thus taken in, and discharged him without wages.

Ill, destitute, and friendless as he was, who does not trace an over-ruling Providence in his being led to make his return voyage in the very ship which was conveying Mr. Marsden and his missionary companions? We can imagine the genuine sympathy and kindness with which his troubles were listened to, his ailments doctored, and his wants supplied. His health speedily improved, and his appearance and manners won general favour. In person he was tall and well made, his dark eyes were full of animation, and his bearing noble and dignified. His behaviour was naturally courteous and engaging, and his mind equally

intelligent and generous; he was now about twenty-one years of age. Desirous as his uncle had been for the welfare of his countrymen, he promised the missionaries every assistance, if they would only establish themselves on his property in the Bay of Islands. His yearning after the Sabbath was remarkable; he described the craving for it felt by others as well as himself in touching language, explaining that they had not known "how to make a Sunday."

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Full of hope, the party landed at Port Jackson, in February, 1810, but here a sad disappointment awaited them. A trading vessel, named the Boyd, had been attacked by the Maori, and burnt, while the crew were killed and eaten. Some traders, eager to revenge, had come upon Tippahee in his island home (although he had had no part in the crime), burnt his village, destroyed his crops, and put him and his people to the sword. So great was the general excitement, that there was no prospect of a safe landing in New Zealand for the missionary party, and Ruatara thought he had better go alone and find out what the actual position of things might be. His absence was prolonged over a year, and Mr. Marsden was beginning to be seriously uneasy, when the young chieftain returned with a fresh tale of European ill-usage. Those who had engaged to take him home had never done so at all, but had kept him again hard at work, and ill-paid, until at last, worn and haggard, he had found his way back to Mr. Marsden. Under this hospitable roof he soon recovered, but we must reserve the story of his actual landing in New Zealand with his missionary friends for our next number. E. D.

MISSIONARY SERMONS.

To the Editor.

EAR SIR,-Referring to the notice in your October number, of subjects for a course of sermons recently circulated among the members of our Suffolk Union, I should like to suggest, especially to your clerical readers, the importance of having some such course as a preparation for the annual sermons and meeting in their parishes.

In case they should consider eight Sunday evenings too much to give up for such preparation, I would suggest the following, as a shorter course, which would occupy only four evenings, and would embrace the principal subjects which we desire to bring before our congregations:

1. The state of the world without the Gospel.

2. The agencies employed for the spread of the Gospel.

3. The results which follow from the preaching of the Gospel.

4. The responsibility of all Christians to assist in making known the Gospel. This course would also be suitable for the four Sundays in Advent, and might, by God's blessing, tend to stir up an increased interest in the extension of the Kingdom of Christ, as well as to direct the thoughts of our people to that Blessed Day when the heathen shall be given to Him for His inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for His possession. EDWARD D. STEAD, Hon. Sec. Suffolk Church Missionary Union.

JOHN OKENLA, THE CHRISTIAN BALOGUN OF

ABEOKUTA.

HE Native Church of Abeokuta has sustained a heavy loss by the death of its leading lay member, the Christian Balogun or warchief, John Okenla, on Sept. 7th. The Rev. Valentine Faulkner

writes:

"He was an old man of between seventy and eighty years of age, but very active. He was one of the earliest Christians baptized in this country, and for over seventy years has held the post of Christian Balogun. He was also the founder of the Christian village of Shuren, between Abeokuta and Otta. About a fortnight before his death, being away from home, he walked about twenty-five miles on Saturday, slept on the road, and early on Sunday walked another ten miles or so to be in time for morning service. He arrived at 9.15, and was in his place in church by 10.30, remaining during the whole service, and afterwards for Sacrament, also attending the afternoon service. On Monday, Sept. 4th, we held our Harvest Thanksgiving Service, at which he was present and engaged in prayer, and also persisted in carrying his own offering (a bag of twenty thousand cowries) into the church and laying it down in front of the Communion rails. He died on the Thursday following, after only two hours' illness. The funeral took place on Saturday, Sept. 9th. At the grave our Native choir sang a poem composed by some of their number. It was a picture I shall never forget. Many strong men were holding their guns with one hand, and with the other wiping the tears from their eyes."

THE IMMORTALS.

N army of Immortals,

We march in happy throngs
And enter Zion's portals

With triumph and with songs;
And as we cross the threshold,
Another fills our place,
The ranks may never lessen-
The trophies of God's grace
A glorious succession
Of witnesses for Him!
Ring out your brave confession
Nor let your light grow dim:
For as ye sing, exulting
O'er earthly loss and pain,
Another, yet another,

Shall join the steadfast train.
Nor mourn, when through yon portals
A brother passes in,

For are ye not Immortals,

Whose ranks can never thin?
Ere yet th' inspiring echoes
Of one voice ceases here,
Another lifts the holy strain,
And rings it full and clear!

CLARA THWAITES.

OVER THE WATER.

BY EVELYN R. GARRATT,

Author of Free to Serve," "Lottie's Silver Burden," " Mother's Nell,' &c. CHAPTER II.-" WHAT CAN HE DO?"

F Mrs. Venning, the doctor's wife, enjoyed one thing better than another, it was to run in to one of her neighbours' houses between four and five o'clock, and to partake of that delightful invention, afternoon tea.

What could be more pleasant on a winter's afternoon, just when the daylight was waning, than to sit in a comfortably furnished room, where the firelight flickered cheerily on the walls, taking tea and having a friendly chat? And though the afternoon in question was in the summer, and the French windows were wide open, showing the smooth green lawn, and beyond, distant woods glorious in golden sunshine, still Mrs. Venning was nothing loath to spending half an hour or so in Mrs. Lancaster's comfortable drawing-room, in which was everything, both in colour and comfort, to satisfy the most fastidious of tastes.

For Nona Lancaster had a love for all that was bright and beautiful. While still quite young her husband had been taken away from her, which sorrow left her for a time crushed with its weight, but God had raised her from her despondency to become the bright and tender woman which she was stronger and more able to pity and sympathise with others from having passed through the dark valley of the Shadow of Death herself. Instead of allowing herself to grow careless and indifferent as to life and its surroundings, because the light of her eyes had been taken from her, instead of wrapping herself up selfishly in her sorrow, she did all she could to prove to her friends and neighbours that she knew and believed that God had done all things well-in fact she said daily, by her brightness and cheerfulness, "Thy will be done." For her boy's sake, as well as for her own, she made her home as beautiful and attractive as possible, and her sweet face, looking so tender and bright from under her widow's cap, enhanced its beauty.

There could not have been a greater contrast than were Mrs. Lancaster and her guest. The former was just the kind of woman one would expect to find in such a room, where the colours of carpet, curtains, and furniture harmonised, and every little corner showed signs of a woman's tasty touch. But it was not only Nona's graceful figure, as she leant back in her chair, and looked with those soft brown eyes of her's across the garden to the woods beyond, nor her white blue-veined hands, which, however, were worth looking at, as she busied herself about the tea tray, nor her low mellow voice, which formed such a contrast to Mrs. Venning, but it was the very atmosphere that surrounded her-a strong bright calmness,

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