: One day he had to wait a very long time before a certain house the doctor had gone in to see a woman who was dangerously ill. He seemed to have entirely forgotten. John; for hour after hour passed by, and the waiting became more and more irksome to the boy. The north wind was biting, and he was tormented with hunger. "But I must not let them see it," he said to himself. "Come, John, sit up, and hold the reins firmly." But here comes the doctor: he is looking touched by something, and tears moisten his eyelashes. The master of the house came with him to the carriage. "Dear sir," he said, grasping his hand firmly, " under God, I owe my all to you." The children surrounded the doctor, kissing his hands, and each one anxious to render him some service. At length the carriage moved on, and then at last the doctor remembered his companion. "John, my poor boy, what a time I have kept you waiting!" he said, putting his arms round the child and kissing his forehead. It was not his habit to be lavish in his caresses, and it made John feel very proud that this man, who had just been saving a human life, should think of him and kiss him! "Father, I should like to be a doctor too," he said, in a low voice. "Yes, you are right; it is certainly more pleasant to be a doctor than to have to wait for hours outside the door in the cold." "Oh! but I don't mean for that reason; but I have been wanting to tell you so for a long time past. I think it is such a noble calling. Do let me study medicine. I will work so hard. Let me become a doctor like you." John became a doctor. It was no easy work; it took years of hard labour and grave study. But no one was happier than he when at length he was established as doctor at Samari, a small and very poor village only two leagues distant from his old home. God blessed his efforts, and the young doctor soon won all hearts by visiting the poor gratuitously, and treating them with the same courtesy and attention he paid the rich. The latter soon came from all the country round to consult him. John was thoroughly happy in his calling. He liked to hear himself called the "poor man's doctor;" and it was not long before their houses were as well known to him as his own. His sister Mary never left him. She came with him to Samari, and it was delightful to see the brother and sister together at their daily work. Their life was dedicated to God: since He had so loved them, they felt bound to love Him in return; and because they loved Him, they loved all mankind, and showed this love by their actions. Heaven still possessed attractions for them; they were still pilgrims heavenward, and their great desire was to lead with them to the city of God all their fellow-travellers. Jesus, their faithful Leader, who had prepared for them an eternal habitation, was even now present with them on each day's journey. They possessed heaven, as it were, while still on earth; and now we introduce you to their house in Samari. It is still early, yet, notwithstanding, there is already a sound of life and movement in the street. People may be seen coming towards Dr. Werner's house. They come from the surrounding country, and have set out early, that they may be home again the sooner; and they know, too, they will be able to see the doctor at an early hour. He listens to one after another with his usual courtesy, except that now and again he says, "Please not to speak quite so loudly," or "Shut the door quietly, if you please.” One repeats the request to another, and it soon becomes generally known that the doctor desires as little noise as possible, so that soon, to his great satisfaction, perfect quiet reigns. "Doctor, I should very much like to speak to Miss Mary," says a pleasant woman, at length. "You cannot do so just now. a sick bed all the night, and for She has been watching by some days past has been working very hard. She did not go to bed till four o'clock, and must not get up till nine. I am sorry for it, but so it is." "And so am I." "And so am I." "I should so much have liked to have her just to-dayChristmas Day !" "But, dear friends," said the doctor, in a tone of entreaty, "if she does not take care of herself, she will end by falling ill herself." "Oh! yes, of course, we must take care of her; but when do you think she will come and see me? My John is always restless if he does not see her every few days.” "Your husband must wait; I cannot help it. I am only too glad to know my sister is in bed." But while he spoke thus the house-door opened, and light footsteps were heard; the room-door was opened, and in walked Mary with a basket on her arm! All stared at her in astonishment-her brother hardly believed his eyes. She bade each one a kind good-day. "Where do you come from?" asked the doctor, in a tone of gentle reproach. "From the bakehouse, John dear. My cake is magnificent." "But you ought to be asleep." "I slept till six o'clock; but it was absolutely necessary I should make the cake myself to-day, or you would not have thought it good;" and she kissed her brother, while he grumbled, "What does it matter about the cakes? I care more for your health than for all the cakes in the world." "What a tease of a doctor!" said Mary, merrily; and turning to her guests, said, "Just look at me don't I look the very picture of health?" and as she faced them all with eyes beaming with affection, and her cheeks slightly coloured by her walk, she certainly did look happy and in good health, as indeed she was. Then she conversed with her visitors. Each had some special request to make. She had kind words for all, and generally granted what was asked. Some wished to speak to her particularly, and drew her aside into the kitchen. Miss, I have brought you a fat goose for Christmas." "Here are some bushels of potatoes, miss, from my last harvest-you have so many people to provide for." "Here, miss, is a small bag of preserved fruit. You know so well how to make the best use of them." Mary was already thirty years of age, yet she still retained that childlike delight in everything which had always characterised her. She thanked them all warmly, with a smile on her lips and tears in her eyes. "What will my brother say this evening? What will John say?" she repeated. Then she went to find him in his study, and speak to him on an important subject. Tired. TEARY, my Lord, and knowing not whither to flee, W Daylight around me fading, the way I cannot see: "Whoso knocketh, may enter in." Fainting with anguish, and with many a care, Knowing not how to win my bread-oh, can I dare To ask the King of all the land to spare One morsel from His table of Life's bread? and yet we read, "He that asketh Me shall receive indeed." Staggering and falling along life's dusty road, Old Sally; or, Witnessing for Jesus. MIDDLE-AGED, unhappy-looking man was walking down the busy streets of a large town one summer's evening, deep in thought, seeming scarcely to notice many who passed him by, only carelessly recognising a few who touched their hats to him; and he did not even cast a glance at the little ragged shoeblack |