صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

ΑΝ

THE MONTH.

N account of the Society's Anniversary appears on another page. Here it may be added that at the Clerical Breakfast which precedes the morning meeting, an impressive address was given by Canon Bell.

ON May 2nd, the morning after the Anniversary, the Rev. F. E. Wigram entertained at breakfast, at Freemasons' Hall, 240 of the Honorary District Secretaries, members of Committee, &c. After breakfast, a very able address was given by the Rev. W. H. Barlow, partly an exposition of Rev. iii. 7-13, and partly dealing with the practical duties of an Hon. District Secretary. The Rev. E. H. Bickersteth and Sir John Kennaway also addressed the meeting.

THE Bishops of Newcastle, Llandaff, and Truro have accepted the office of Vice-President of the Society. The Committee bave also appointed as Vice-Presidents the Bishops of Sierra Leone and Tasmania, the Earl of Harrowby, Sir Bartle Frere, G.C.S.I., and George Arbuthnot, Esq.

-

To fill six vacancies in the list of One Hundred Honorary Governors of the Society for Life the Committee have nominated the following:The Rev. Canon Tristram, Honorary Association Secretary for the Northern District; the Rev. W. Doyle, and G. F. Watts, Esq., Hon. Secretaries of the Manchester Auxiliary; Hugh Evans, Esq., Treasurer of the Liverpool Auxiliary; R. C. Hankinson, Esq., President of the Southampton Auxiliary; and Colonel Channer, for many years a member of the Committee.

THE REV. E. H. Bickersteth has written another earnest letter on the need of "Half as Much Again," and of "Half as Many Again," ie., of workers for the Missionary cause both at home and abroad. He suggests a "Nine Days' Mission" in various great towns, similar to those now so common for evangelistic purposes, but with the object of systematically setting before the people the claims of the foreign Mission field and the work done there. We earnestly hope that some zealous friends will try this plan, and thus set a pattern for others to follow.

THE usual Day of Intercession service for the C.M.S. Committee and friends was held at St. Dunstan's, Fleet Street, as announced, on May 8th. The Rev. W. Martin (Rector) and the Rev. F. E. Wigram officiated; and the sermon was preached by the Ven. Archdeacon Richardson, on the words, "That your love may abound yet more and more" (Phil. i. 9).

SEVEN Islington students will (D.V.) have been ordained before this number appears, on Trinity Sunday, viz. :-Messrs. J. W. Handford (of East Africa), Tom Harding, Arthur W. Cotton, Thos. Holden, Milnes N. S. Atkinson, John B. Panes, and John W. Tims. All these except Mr. Atkinson, and also Mr. S. Ledward (whose health, we regret to say, prevents his ordination), competed in the Oxford and Cambridge Prelimirary Theological Examination; and all passed, Mr. Ledward and Mr. Panes in the 1st class, the other five in the 2nd class, and none in the 3rd.

THE Rev. A. R. Cavalier, late of the Tamil Cooly Mission, Ceylon, who has been acting for two or three years, while at home, as Organising Secretary of the Indian Female Normal School and Instruction Society, is about to return to the mission field, and has been appointed to Tinnevelly, to work with Bishop Sargent.

THE Society has lost one of its oldest and staunchest friends by the death of the Rev. G. Lea, of Edgbaston, Birmingham. For half a century he had (with Mrs. Lea) laboured devotedly in its cause. He became Hon. Sec. of the Birmingham Auxiliary in 1860, and was appointed an Hon. Life Governor of the Society in 1868.

Two former C.M.S. missionaries have entered into the rest in the past few weeks, the Rev. John Harding, D.D., Vicar of Martin, Salisbury, who was at Allepie, Travancore, from 1848 to 1854; and Mr. J. Stack, who was in New Zealand from 1833 to 1847.

WE deeply regret to announce the death of Mrs. J. T. Last, of Mamboia, Eastern Central Africa. She received a sunstroke on Feb. 4th, while visiting the villages and talking with the women, and died on March 10th. She will be remembered as the first Englishwoman to

reside so far in the interior of East Africa; and she had been most successful in winning the affections of the people. The loss to the Mission is great, as well as to the bereaved husband. Dr. Baxter writes, She died in harness; and when her dark sisters think of their white mother,' they will be reminded of the heavenly home of which she used to speak, and whither she has gone; and thus thinking of her, God grant that they may be led to long to follow her."

LETTERS have been received from the south end of the Victoria Nyanza to Feb. 14th. Mr. Hannington had been very ill again, and at last, to his deep regret, had felt it right to start homeward. Mr. Gordon was at Kagei, and Mr. Ashe and Mr. Wise at Msalala (west of Jordan's Nullah), but the two latter were about to move also to Kagei, and then Mr. Ashe proposed crossing the Lake to Uganda. Mr. Stokes and Mr. Copplestone have arrived in England.

BISHOP INGHAM landed at Sierra Leone on March 17th, and was most kindly received by Governor Havelock at Government House. The Bishop writes :-"Mrs. Ingham and I are agreeably surprised at everything, so far as that which is outward and visible goes. The foliage is lovely; the heat does not overpower us; we have throughout the day most delicious breezes." The installation of the Bishop took place in the Cathedral on Easter Tuesday. The Governor ordered all public offices to be closed, and was himself present, as were no less than twenty Native clergymen and an immense congregation. The Bishop preached, taking two texts, St. John xvii. 21, "That they all may be one," and Eph. iv. 3, "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Afterwards he entertained the clergy at luncheon at the West Africa Hotel, at the close of which an address of welcome was presented to him. THE Government Census of India, of 1881, the results of which are in course of publication, has again, like the partial Census of 1871, been a surprise to those who disbelieve or doubt the progress of Christianity in India. A leading London daily newspaper says, "It was not supposed that the Christian population of India was so large as it is now shown, or that it exceeded in number the warlike race (the Sikhs of the Panjab) which fought so good a fight against our own army less than forty years back." The total number is given by the Census as 1,862,634. This, however, includes the European population, and the Syrian Church of Travancore, and the Native Romanists (who are mostly the descendants of the converts of two centuries ago). These three classes account for nearly three-fourths of the whole. The details are not yet published ; but the number of Native Protestant Christians, who are the real result of the Missions of this century, has meanwhile (as already stated in the GLEANER) been separately ascertained by the returns for the Decennial Missionary Conference lately held at Calcutta. The figures are, India proper, 417,372; Burma, 75,510; Ceylon, 35,708; total, 528,590. The rate of increase in the last decade, in India proper, 86 per cent., is now shown by a comparison with the Census, to be fifteen times the rate of general increase in the population. The communicants have advanced at a still higher rate, 114 per cent.

Mrs. THOMAS, the widow of that much-blessed missionary, the Rev. John Thomas, of Tinnevelly, still resides at the important Christian village which was his head-quarters for thirty years, Mengnanapuram, and where he built his great church, known as "The Glory of South India." She and her daughter carry on the Elliott Tuxford Girls' Boarding School, in which there are ninety-seven Christian girls. Of former pupils, seventy are engaged as schoolmistresses and Bible-women in various parts of Tinnevelly, and 136 are wives of pastors, catechists, and schoolmasters. Thus a really great work has been quietly carried on * "We through many years, with manifest tokens of God's blessing. know," writes Mrs. Thomas, "that many of the girls meet in their recreation hour, for united prayer, and to study God's Word together."

C. S. M. suggests that the coloured Diagram of the Population of the World which appears on the new Collecting Card should be printed in the form of a Map of the World. If he will refer to the GLEANER for April, 1882, he will find, in the description of the Map there given, good reasons why the plan would be misleading.

RECEIVED.-B. J. C., Proceeds of Missionary Box on Hall Table at Moyola Lodge, Castle Dawson, 16s.

THE CHURCH MISSIONARY GLEANER.

JULY, 1883.

[blocks in formation]

THE JUSTICE OF GOD. 1S 6th aft. Trin, Justice and judgment are the habitation of Thy [throne, Ps. 89. 14. M. 2 Sam. 1. Ac. 9. 23. E. 2 Sam. 12. 1-24, or 18. 1 Jo. 4. 7. 2 M Nyanza Miss. recd. by Mtesa, '77. But God is the judge, Ps. 75. 7. 3 T He is the Governor among the nations, Ps. 22. 28.

4 W Verily He is a God that judgeth in the earth, Ps. 58. 11.

5 T Judgeth according to every man's work, 1 Pet. 1. 17.

F Whose works are truth, and His ways judgment, Dan. 4. 37.

7 S Every morning doth He bring His judgment to light, Zeph, 3. 5.

8 S

7th aft. Trin. Thy judgments are a great deep, Ps. 36. 6.

M. 1 Chr. 21. Ac. 14. E. 1 Chr. 22, or 28. 1-21. Matt. 3.

9 M Thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, Ps. 39. 11.

10 T God shall judge the secrets of men, Rom. 2. 16.

11 W Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished, 12 TA just God and a Saviour, Is. 45. 21. [Pro. 11. 21.

13 F He is just, and having salvation, Zech. 9. 9.

14 S Just, and the justifier of Him that believeth in Jesus, Ro. 3. 26.

15 S 8th aft. Trin. The righteous Lord loveth righteousness, Ps. 11. 7. M. 1 Chr. 20. 9-29. Ac. 18. 24 to 19. 21. E. 2 Chr. 1, or 1 Ki. 3. Matt. 7. 7. 16 M Thou art just in all that is brought upon us, Neh. 9. 33. 17 T The Lord our God is righteous in all His works which He doeth, 18 W Just and right is He, Deu. 32. 4. [Dan. 9. 14. 19 T Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap, Gal 6. 7. 20 F Are not my ways equal? Ez. 18. 29. [Ps. 18. 30. 21 S Mungo Park disc. R. Niger, 1796. As for God, His way is perfect, [Rev. 15. 3. 22 S 9th. aft. Trin. Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints, M. 1 Ki. 10, 1-25. Ac. 22. 23 to 25. 12. E. 1 Ki. 11.1-15, or 11. 26. Matt. 11. 23 M Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Gen. 18. 25. 24 T Mine arms shall judge the people, Is. 51. 5. [God, Ps. 43. 1. 25 W St. James. Bps. Speechly and Ridley consec., 1879. Judge me, O 26 T 1st Tsimshean bapt., 1861. Faithful and just to forgive, 1 Jo. 1. 9. Niger Miss. beg., 1857. He shall bring forth judgment to the His reward is with Him, Is. 40. 10. [Gentiles, Is. 42. 1. [which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me, 2 Tim. 4. 8. 10th aft. Trin. Wilberforce d., 1833. A crown of righteousness,

27 F 28 S

29 S

M. 1 Kİ, 12. Ac. 28. 1-17. B. UKI. 13 or 17. Matt. 15. 1-21.

30 M Behold, the Judge standeth before the door, Jas. 5. 9. 31 T Found. Stone C.M. College laid, 1826. Rejoice, for He cometh to [judge the earth, Ps. 96. 13.

MORE JERSEY BREEZES.

VI. Our Disappointments.

But the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee.”-

Deut. xxiii. 5.

GOOD man once sought to teach his child the nature of a cross. Pausing, as they walked hand in hand through the leafy forest, he laid one slender twig athwart another. "See, my son," said he to his wondering boy, "if, through life, you lay your will alongside of God's will all must go smoothly with you; but directly you lay your own wishes across the appointments of your heavenly Father you will find a cross to bear." Perhaps this simple lesson may help us children of a larger growth to the right understanding of some things that now come upon us hardly. May it prove powerful to instruct us as to the true beauty and harmony of a consecrated life.

And first, concerning the sad word "Disappointment. very utterance grieves the heart, and seems to strike the knell of earthly bliss. Yet, to dis-appoint is merely to dis-arrange, and implies an unseen hand disposing every event that can befall the children of God. We are assured that "all" things shall "work together" for their good, and the idea of "working" together excludes foolish notions of settling down to rest. Do we know enough of His wisdom and foresight to trust Him? What say the changeful years of His goodness and mercy? When He alters our plans and traces our path in an opposite direction, He is only preparing us some glad surprise, for which

we shall look up and thank Him. Oh, for the perfect work of patience for strength of soul to tarry the Lord's leisure! Once we have resigned ourselves to the guidance of God, let us rest in His love. He will hold our weak hand within His strong one all the way to Zion, and pleasant will be the journey in the quiet soul-trust of obedience to a beloved Ruler and Guide. He who hath made and fashioned us alone can tell when it is for our true interest to say "No," and when it is indispensable to say "Yes." And with Him disappointment is unknown. Such a regretful and misapplied term must be both grieving and dishonouring to our great and good Helper in every time of need. Alas! He must often look with unutterable compassion on us who call ourselves Christians, and whisper sorrowfully, "Where is your faith?" It well becomes us to humble our hearts before Him, and, by a fresh act of devotion, to resign ourselves into His keeping.

Instances will crowd into the memory where, had we been given our heart's desire, its fulfilment would have brought gall and wormwood where we fondly fancied sweetness. Let us lay

our plans, along with our powers, in the testing crucible of the Great Physician. Work awaits all the willing. But the time and place and nature of that work depend not on our appointment. For some of us, eager to go forth to labour, the Missionfield may narrow down to the compass of a sick-bed, and all our Gospel be preached from the patient lips of sanctified suffering. Or, again, we may imagine our talent to lie just where our tastes selfishly centre, and we may be shown that our energies are to be called forth amid scenes and circumstances whose anticipation would have struck us with despair. Perhaps we possess zeal and power, and we delight to spend and be spent for the Master. We are important in our little sphere of prosperous activity; and, to the outward eye, all this running to and fro seems highly to be praised. Let us beware. How do we bear the truer test of being set aside and not missed; of being detained from going up to the beloved courts of the Lord; of being thwarted here, and prevented there? It is by our demeanour under the tiny daily crosses that we prove the depth and value of our faith. Let us be careful to preserve unsullied the bright gold of loving trust. Let us habitually lay our wills beside His, and our crosses will vanish.

These thoughts may meet the eye of some who are going heavily oppressed with a sense of having missed their aim. But who would rashly accuse the Lord of failure? Is He blind, because our poor sight is holden? "He knows best" is the true balm of Gilead for our wounded spirits. Let there be no secret regret. We cast from our hearts and tones the mischievous idea of "Disappointment." All that comes to the Lord's bidden ones must be fair, fresh, and prosperous. His Word will always accomplish that which He pleases, and who that loves Him would wish it otherwise? A. M. V.

THE KASHMIR MEDICAL MISSION.

BY THE REV. J. S. DOXEY.

HE name of Kashmir is familiar to us from the beautiful shawls and other woven materials manufactured there, and a year or two ago we all heard of the dreadful famine which raged amongst its inhabitants. A glance at the map shows us that the Valley of Kashmir is to the north of Hindustan. It lies at a height of 5,350 feet above the level of the sea, and is about 60 miles long and 20 broad. On all sides it is shut in by the lofty Himalayan mountains, some of whose peaks are more than

15,000 feet high. The waters of the Jhelum flow in a westerly direction through the valley, on their way to the Panjab. Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, is in the centre, and occupies, for about two miles, both sides of the river.

The streets of Srinagar, if so they may be called, are narrow, roughly paved, and at all times very dirty. Wheeled vehicles are unknown, but boats take their place. The houses, generally built of wood, and for the most part very rickety and dilapidated, are built on the banks of the river. On the Ghats leading to the river the whole population seem to be always congregated. Here may be seen, all day long, Pandits performing their ablutions and puja (worship), or Mohammedans, after the strictest manner of the Pharisees, saying their prayers. Srinagar is said to contain about 120,000 inhabitants, or one-third of the population of the valley.

Speaking generally, the Kashmiris are a fine race of peopleperhaps the finest in this part of Asia. The men, with the exception of the shawl and carpet weavers, who are easily distinguished by their leanness and sallow complexions, are tall and strong, with Jewish features. The bulk of the inhabitants are Mohammedans, the Hindus forming only about one-seventh of the population. The Maharajah belonging himself to a sect of the Hindus, these latter are undoubtedly the favoured class in Kashmir. The dress for the most part consists of one long loose woollen or cotton garment coming down to below the knees. The sleeves of this garment are wide, so that the arms can be easily taken out and placed inside. Their clothes are as a rule exceedingly filthy, and this is often the cause of their numerous diseases. In character the Kashmiris have some good qualities, but these are far outnumbered by their failings and faults. They are clever, ingenious, talkative, and cheerful in disposition, but their ignorance and selfishness, and their intriguing, false, and dishonest qualities, have made them proverbial amongst other people. To tell a lie and

there were turned towards Kashmir. Occasional missionary efforts by agents of the Society visiting the Valley were commenced about 1854, but it was in 1864 that Dr. Elmslie was sent out as a medical missionary. In the spring of 1865 he commenced operations, and though he met with opposition and difficulties, for four successive summers he ministered to the wants of the poor Kashmiris, who at the same time had the privilege of hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their own tongue from a Kashmiri catechist who accompanied him. After the death of Dr. Elmslie in 1872, the Rev. T. V. French, now the Bishop of Lahore, and the Rev. T. R. Wade paid a visit to Kashmir, when they distributed simple medicines and proclaimed the Gospel of the Saviour. In 1874, Dr. Maxwell arrived, and for two summers he laboured earnestly and zealously in his Master's service, until at last his health broke down and reluctantly he was obliged to return to England. In 1876, once

KASHMIR: DISPENSING MEDICINES DURING A MISSION TOUR.

deceive is thought nothing of by them. Though manly in appearance they are great cowards, and when threatened by their superiors in any way cry and act after the manner of children. For centuries the country has been the coveted prize of kings and emperors. In late years Moghuls, Pathans, Sikhs, and Hindus in turn have conquered and oppressed the people, until every vestige of manliness has been taken out of them. In this matter, sad to say, our hands as English people are not clean, for when we became possessors of it we sold, actually sold, the country into the hands of its present possessors-sold the country with all its inhabitants into little less than slavery.

Such is the country and such are the people of Kashmir, where our Society, through its agents, is now working.

As Kashmir is on the high-road to Central Asia, to which it is hoped our Missions may at some time extend, no sooner had Missions been founded in the Panjab than the eyes of our friends

more the Rev. T. R. Wade, this time accompanied by the Rev. John Williams, the Native medical missionary now at Tank, visited Kashmir to carry on the work as best they could.

In 1877, Dr. Downes arrived to take up the work in Kashmir, and it is well known how for six years he has, through famine and pestilence, and in the midst of difficulties and opposition, laboured to heal the bodies and instruct the souls of the poor Kashmiris. Dr. and Mrs. Downes will not be forgotten. On the occasion of their leaving it was a pleasing sight to see, at a large meeting within the precincts of the hospital, representatives of different classes of natives expressing their gratitude and parting regrets to both of them.

The present medical missionary is Dr. Arthur Neve, to whom we hope the Lord may grant abundant success both in his medical and spiritual labours, and that he may be privileged to see some of the fruits of the seed which has been sown by the various missionaries who have preceded him, and his own work prospered of God.

In Dr. Maxwell's time a hospital building was erected, containing dispensary, operating and other rooms, and accommodation for about twenty in-patients. Through Dr. Downes' exertions this has been enlarged and added to, so that as many as 120 in-patients have been receiving treatment at one time. are separate wards for Hindus, Mussulmans, and the women, and now Dr. Neve is having a separate place built for the lepers, of whom there are a great number in Kashmir.

[graphic]
[blocks in formation]
[graphic]

converted into a church. Here the Native Christian community meet together for worship. At service times the hospital servants and visitors come in and occupy seats or sit on the floor, while the verandah is filled with patients, who can see and hear all that goes on. The addresses given by the clerical missionary or by Dr. Downes have been willingly and patiently listened to, as well as those by K. B. Thomas, the Native medical assistant. There are short services every morning in the wards.

Four days of the week are set apart for seeing the out-patients, and two days, Wednesday and Saturday, for performing operations. To show the extent of the work, we may mention that as many as 300 patients have come at one time on many days in the summer months. Before dispensing medicines the patients are assembled and told that the blessing of God is about to be asked on the labours of the day. A hymn is then sung, a passage of Scripture read and explained, and finally a prayer offered suitable to their wants and necessities, to which they listen and give their assent in such a way that at times it is very affecting. To look upon the crowd of sick and diseased as they are grouped before the missionary is a sad and strange sight. (See the picture on page 78.) Men, women, and children, of many creeds and nations, and

KASHMIR CITY OF SRINAGAR, AND MOSLEMS AT PRAYER.

suffering from all kinds of diseases, are there. After the address and prayer, the patients are admitted one by one through a door, and their wants are attended to.

Sometimes the medical missionary takes a journey into the

district. By the work which has been done so long in Kashmir he is well known, and no sooner does he arrive at the rest-house, or pitch his tent, than he finds some one to welcome him, or sick folks are immediately brought before him. The picture on

the opposite page represents a group of people gathered round Dr. Neve, who is seated with his medicines before him under a tree close to his tent, which may be seen on the left. At intervals of about half an hour a hymn is sung, an address given, and a prayer offered up.

In connection with the Kashmir Medical Mission is a school, a notice of which must not be omitted. In the annexed picture are to be seen three of the classes. The majority of the students are young Hindus.

The direct results of our Mission work in Kashmir are not what we could have wished. There is, however, a willingness to listen, and amongst many a spirit of inquiry, and an acknowledgment that we are only anxious to do them good in body and soul, so that there is much to be thankful for. The seed must be sown in tears; we must labour and pray, be patient and trust, believing that in the end many more souls of the Kashmiris will be gathered in to the glory of the Master, whose commission is, "Heal the sick, and say unto them, The kingdom of God. is come nigh to you."

KASHMIR, 6th December, 1882.

[graphic]

KASHMIR: THE MISSION SCHOOL.

[ocr errors]

OVER THE WATER.

BY EVELYN R. GARRATT. CHAPTER VII.-NOT HER BEST. LEASE, miss," said Jessie, dropping a curtsey to Sasie just as she was about to enter Mr. North's room, "have you been to the Missionary Meeting?"

"I have just come from there," answered Sasie, surprised at seeing the suppressed excitement in her face. “Please, miss, was there much in Mr. North's missionary box?” she asked, anxiously.

"Dear me! How vexing!" exclaimed Sasie; "I went into the meeting after the amount in the boxes had been given out, and Mr. North will be so disappointed."

So was Jessie, for she took a very special interest in his missionary box. The old man's life and his interest in God's work had not been lost on Jessie; she began to realise how near God was to her, that no sin, however small, was unseen by Him, and this knowledge had made her confess her sinfulness to the Lord, and ask for forgiveness. She was trying now to serve God, to do what pleased Him; and besides being watchful against sin of thought, word, and deed, she began to want to do something more than her ordinary work for Him; and the missionary box, which looked her in the face every morning as she dusted the counter, seemed to convey a message from God to her.

It was very little that she could give, but that little cost her more than the much of other people. Her wages were so small that she coull not even drop in a halfpenny without feeling the loss of it, but nevertheless she seldom omitted putting something into the box every week; and now and then after her Sunday class, which was a treat to which Jessie looked forward the whole week, she had given a penny as a thanksgiving for the happy hour she had spent, and for the glorious fact of God's love, of which her teacher, Mrs. Lancaster, had been speaking. No one knew about or saw the money dropped into the missionary box-not even old Mr. North. God knew that was enough for her.

But Mr. North knew well that Jessie was interested in his box, and while he was laid aside she gave him regular reports as to whether it was growing heavier or not, and sometimes she seemed as eager about it as be

was.

"I will bring you word to-morrow, Jessie," said Sasie, as she opened the door.

Mr. North had had a bad night, and struck Sasie, as she caught sight of him lying with closed eyes on the couch, as looking very pale and tired. He had apparently forgotten all about the meeting: on hearing Sasie's footsteps he merely opened his eyes and smiled at her, asking no questions, as he would have done at any other time.

Sasie seeing how weak he looked said nothing about the meeting, but sat by his side and began singing to him. Perhaps it was her own state of feeling that made her almost involuntarily choose the solo from the Elijah-"Oh that I knew where I might find Him!" It was the cry of her own heart.

When she had finished, Mr. North opened his eyes, and looked at her with a strange perplexed expression on his face. "I thought you knew Him, Gracie," he said, in a weaker tone of voice than Sasie had ever heard from him; "you brought me to Him-don't you remember?"

Sasie was silent. He had not wandered like this for some days now, and it grieved her to hear him; besides, there was a sense of disappointment that she could not ask Mr. North the question which filled her mind. He could not give her any help in his present state.

[ocr errors]

They told me you had died, and that your grave was in the churchyard where the daisies and buttercups grow," continued Mr. North, just as Sasie was about to speak, and then with a restless sigh added, "But my sin was great-will God forgive me?"

Words of which Sasie had scarcely thought before came into her mind with which to answer him-"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us."

"Ah! yes," he murmured, a happy smile crossing his face, "He has had mercy on me. 'Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of

Me.' I sometimes wonder, Gracie, if she has learnt of Him. I pray for her night and day, God bless her."

The tears sprang into Sasie's eyes. Something told her that he was now thinking of her, and it gave her great hope when he talked of praying for her. "Pray for her now," she said, softly.

To her surprise Mr. North began to pray at once, in a weak, trembling voice

"Lord Jesus, Thou knowest that Thy little one is wandering on the mountains; she does not know that Thou dost love and care for herthat Thou art her Saviour and Good Shepherd. Lord, teach her about Thyself, and to do the thing that pleaseth Thee, for Thy Name's sake." When a few minutes afterwards Sasie stepped out into the cold air again, there was an expression on her face which had not been there before. She knew that she had been with God, had heard and listened to the voice of the Good Shepherd, and had resolved to follow Him.

While Sasie was sitting with old Mr. North, Mrs. Lancaster and her son were on their way home from the Missionary Meeting. Sasie would have been surprised had she caught sight of her friend's face during that walk; it was seldom that it wore such a perturbed expression.

It was true that it was Leith's last day at home, and that on the morrow Mrs. Lancaster would begin the life which she always felt to be somewhat lonely without him; but she seldom, if ever, groaned over the inevitable, and Leith had never seen anything but a sweet and bright expression on her face as they parted at the station.

The fact was that a sudden fear had taken hold of her, as during the missionary's address she had caught sight of her son's eager face.

He was speaking of the great want of men to work in God's vineyard abroad. How was it, he asked, that almost every profession in England was overcrowded, and yet so few men were willing to enter the Lord's army for foreign service? The men wanted were those who were ready to give up all for the Lord's sake, who loved their Lord enough to go where He bid them, regardless of comfort, ready in fact to serve Him at any cost.

As Mrs. Lancaster caught sight of her son's face, for the moment her heart almost ceased to beat.

Fancying that he might not care to attend the Missionary Meeting, she had not intended going herself, it being his last day at home; and it had surprised and not a little pleased her when he proposed going with her. But as she caught sight of the expression on Leith's face during the address, a wild wish took possession of her that he had never entered the Just supposing that Leith should take it into his head—but no, it could not be. He was likely to get on so well at the bar, and to do so much good in his profession, surely he would never think of wasting his talents in that way. He could not go-nay, he should not. It would tear her very life away to part with him; if she were separated from her boy, she should die.

room.

Such was the current of Nona Lancaster's thoughts during the last few sentences of the address, and the concluding hymn. She could not join in the singing, she felt stifled, and her only longing was to get away from every one, Leith included, and to face this possibility alone.

Once out of the crowded room and in the cold air Nona felt better. With Leith by her side talking to her in his natural tone of voice, she began to think how foolish she had been to allow herself to get into such a state of fearful foreboding, and to blame herself for growing miserable over what might never happen.

But her face by no means regained its natural calm expression during her walk home. Mrs. Lancaster had had a glimpse into her own heart which, now that she began to see things more calmly, appalled her. Till this afternoon she had imagined that she loved God so well as to be willing and ready to make any sacrifice for His dear sake. That such a wild rebellious feeling should rise in her heart, at the mere imagination of what God's will might possibly be, she would not have believed. She had sometimes wondered when she heard people remark on the difficulty of submitting to God's will. She had certainly found it hard, terribly hard, to say, "Thy will be done," when she had seen her husband lying dead before her so many years ago; but that was when she neither knew nor loved God in the same way that she did now. Surely now that she loved and trusted Him so much more, it would be com

« السابقةمتابعة »