such strength and trust. Partings may come, but it will only be for a time-such a little time-and then we shall meet, and never part, but be safe with God for ever. When we have that to look for, how little does any sorrow matter to us, and how short it all seems. Sickness and death. Yes, such things seem sad to us, but they are not really sad. We must look at the other side; 'the things that are not seen.' I try to keep myself ready and watching day by day, for my call might come at any time, though I'm strong enough now."

"Out of weakness were made strong,' that is just it. Those who are weak, or ill, or suffering in any way, or in trouble, are those weakened by God that they may be brought nearer to Himself; that they may be emptied of self, and filled with Him. We must look at all things with the thought of the unseen, then all becomes plain. To us, sickness, sorrow, trial of any kind seem so hard, but it is not really so. If we look at the other side we shall feel it is God's discipline for training souls, and

drawing them nearer to Himself. God will give us strength to bear all if we trust Him; but we must trust, that is the great thing."

I am permitted to add here the touching letter of a working man, who is no longer with us. It was written to his wife, during a long absence from home, and is the outcome of a heart which had learnt to know and trust God, by the discipline of adversity.

"My ever dear and affectionate wife,

I now write these few lines, hoping you may be better when you receive them. May the Lord be with you and help you on the bed of sickness. May He grant you His love and kindness to help you. I shall pray for you, and be anxious to hear that you are better. If all be well, and it's a nice fine week, I shall send you over some money to help you, and get you some nourishment. I have been very short myself, and I want some clothes, but I will send

you all the

money I can, to help you to get what you want. I really must get some shoes for work, but if the weather

is fine I hope to send you home a good sum every week. Dearest wife,

* * *

may the Lord Jesus Christ watch over us, and check us when we do anything wrong. I shall pray in the day to God to keep a watch over me, to keep me from bad company, and to give me His Holy Spirit to abide with me, and with you and the children. I am I am beginning to think how very wicked I have been. But, dearest wife, there is forgiveness for the wicked, as well as for the righteous. I am hoping that we shall be happy with those that is far away singing God's praises in heaven. O how nice it would be if we could walk joyfully onward to that realm of glory! Let us pray to the Lord Jesus Christ to save us, and intercede with the Father for us. Goodnight, love; and may you and I go down on our knees every night, and begin to pray with all our hearts. I believe God will hear us if we call. He has spoken, and His words are, 'Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My Name shall be given you,' and 'God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that

whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'

"Good night, my dearest and loving wife; good night. Pray for your husband and family before you close your eyes. Pray heartily. Good night once more.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE GRAVE AND GATE OF DEATH.

"Now at the end of this valley was another, called the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and Christian must needs go through it, because the way to the Celestial City lay through the midst of it."-The Pilgrim's Progress.

"When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, Thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.

Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.

We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge. We therefore pray Thee help Thy servants, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood."

"In the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, good Lord deliver us."

Before the first winter was ended, our Class had received the consecration of "the touch of the Angel of Death."

P