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suddenly to surprise such tender spirits. With a strong effort of self-possession, he walked away, but his heart yearned over the child of strange thoughts and of deep feeling, his ́ own beloved Harry. He and they reached the old mansion together; he had gone by a shorter way, they had cantered homewards on their little ponies.

Dinner was over, and Ethelda was watching the return of the young ones, when she saw a stranger approach through one of the private walks. She watched him earnestly for a few moments, and then, with an exclamation of joyful surprise, she threw herself in the arms of her brother Percy.

Harry, who had jumped off his pony, immediately comprehended the scene, and running forward exclaimed, "It is papa! I'm sure it is papa!" and it was but a moment, when the long-separated father clasped again the boy, who was so precious to him. Kindred hearts beat one against another in that long embrace, but the tears did not rise in Percy's eye till, with his son standing beside him, he took again his sister's hand and silently expressed the gratitude a father's heart alone could feel. The little Adah was not present. Gentle child! she had gone to her sleeping-room, had read her evening psalm, and had sought especially the verse, "When father and mother forsake me, then the Lord taketh me up." She had hastened to undress herself ere the maid came in, and had buried in the pillow her weeping eyes. Ethelda forgot not the orphan in her Harry's joy. She sought the little child, and laying her head upon the pillow that was wet with tears, she spoke sweet and tender words

of comfort, till Adah, reassured, clasped her adopted auntie, exclaiming, "Oh! it will be happy Adah, when I meet my own mamma at the feet of Jesus Christ, and we never part again. If Harry is so happy now, what will little Adah be then?"

With the blissful hope of this reunion, the dear Jewish child fell asleep, and she looked peaceful as before, though the heavy tear-drops still moistened her long, dark eyelashes.

Earth's reunion was the privilege of the joyous Harry; Heaven's reunion was the anticipation of the orphan Adah.

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ROWLAND'S college days were very nearly passed, and the hard work of the examination was almost over, when, by the side of the river, he and Stanley Gardiner, his special friend, strolled out together. One was preparing for the ministry, the other for the bar: but both were anxious to serve their common Lord and Master; both were determined, by the help of God, to be "Christ's faithful soldiers and servants even unto death."

"I suppose, Alleyne," said young Gardiner, "that you will soon put on uniform. I could almost envy you, but God has not opened my way for the ministry of the Church-I mean, the official ministry; for you know I quite hold that, in its highest sense, we are all a royal priesthood, and that

we all have not only a real, but an appointed ministry in the

Church below."

"And I thoroughly agree with you. and divers places in the Church militant.

Divers graces

But as the Victoria Cross can be gained alike by the private and the general, so the crown of glory, and the 'Well done, good and faithful servant!' are alike for the minister and the people."

"All true but there are some crosses that can only be gained by the commanding generals; and so there are some crowns that seem reserved for them who can, like Paul, write unto the churches,- My brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown.

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"But ordination does not put that within our grasp," replied Rowland. "Is it not rather a life devoted to God, the will intent on serving Him, and seizing each opportunity that offers to snatch the brand from the burning? There is many a humble mechanic that will wear a nobler badge of glory than the ordained minister. I grant that my opportunities will be greater; but opportunities are not actions, position is not service."

"Yes; and opportunities are responsibilities, and position causes expectation, Alleyne. I am sure that the laity should pray earnestly for the ministry. Men like ourselves, but requiring special grace-cities on the hill-lights raised to high places."

"You will not forget me, then, Gardiner ?"

"No, my good fellow. When are you to be ordained?" "On Sunday week, if God permit."

Life is very uncertain,

"And you begin work at once?" "Yes; I should fear to delay. and I may have but a short time, ere I render the account of my stewardship. I like the idea of being curate amongst the people whom I already know, and the good old man, whom I hope to help, needs assistance. He is not so strong as he was. I hope to be the helping arm to him, and he will be the guiding hand to me."

"Ah! the lines are fallen to you in a pleasant heritage. But don't overwork yourself, Alleyne. You will need a

rest. You are such a regularly plodding fellow."

"Not this summer; change of work will be itself refreshment. I expect to find the path so inviting, that I shall run and not be weary."

"I don't want to dishearten you, but remember, there will be many a thorn and many a sharp stone, that are not seen at the distance."

"I know; but there is a promise for every trial,—a balm for every wound,—a stretched-out hand for every difficulty. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

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"Well, I cannot dim your prospect, and I would not.”

"I know there will be clouds, Gardiner; but the sun will ever be behind even the darkest and as I get higher up the mount, the clouds below will increase, and the clouds above will lessen, till at length I shall stand on its summit, and a cloudless heaven shall be around me. Not that I

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