"Joseph,' she said in a low voice, I will tell you all, for I could not, if I would, conceal it longer.""-(p. 182.) 184 at length in perfect and eternal bliss. We may be called to deny our Saviour Christ, or to lay down our lives for His sake. Those nearest and dearest to us may be the first to accuse us, or with their prayers and entreaties will seek to turn us from the cross, and so from the heavenly crown. But let us keep our eyes fixed on that cross and that crown, and the burden will seem lighter, the end nearer, and the way less dreary. Never shall the faithful soldiers, who go for h under the banner of Christ crucified, be confounded. Let us be patient! The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.' The more we realize that precious presence, and the more we confide in that refuge, the nearer we shall be to the rest that remaineth. And now, my children, let us keep the feast He ordained for a continual remembrance of His Body broken and His Blood poured out, to save our souls from death." When the sacred rite was over, and the worshippers were one by one silently departing, the priest came and addressed to Leila some words of counsel and sympathy; but the gentle kindness of his manner was too much for her already overwrought feelings, and she burst into a flood of tears. "Have patience and faith, my daughter, and trust in God," said the old man, solemnly; "remember the Lord's words, I will never leave thee, nor for sake thee.*" "Oh! father," she murmured, “I am so weak, so unworthy, I cannot take up my appointed cross, I cannot look on to the end, but can only see the dreary way." "In your own strength, most assuredly you cannot, my poor child, but think of the far heavier cross that was borne for you, and it will become easier." And the Jewess departed, cheered and tranquilized by the thought of that never-failing high tower, to which she could flee in time of trouble. She walked on with Esther, until they came to the city walls, in a sort of shadowy dream, hardly realizing what it was that gave such a sense of repose to her storm-tossed spirit, and only now and then mechanically repeating to herself the words of the Christian priest. But a fresh trial was in store for Leila, another bitter sorrow to be carried to Christ, and borne in His strength alone. Soon after she had reached home, a message arrived from the old house where she had lived all the days of her childhood. It was brief, but to her loving and anxious heart volumes were contained in the few words that desired her to come at once to her father, who was dying. Dying; that word rang like a knell through her ears, as, regardless of the fierce noonday sun, she threaded her way through narrow streets to her parents' dwelling, closely followed by the faithful Esther. She proceeded at once to her father's chamber. Eleazar lay pale and motionless, his face marked with the impress of death, and his breath heavy and laboured; and by his side, almost as pale and still, knelt his sorrowing wife. Rachel was still young, but her face was wan and haggard with the agony of seeing her husband slowly fading from her sight; he was her idol, and to the Jewess, death brought no thought of a buried and risen Saviour gone to prepare a place for His beloved; all was blank, unmitigated despair; her heart was breaking, and she knew not the way to the Great Consoler. As Leila approached, Rachel's eyes were for a moment lifted to hers, but grief had made her speechless, and she only took her daughter's hand, and pressed it to her heart, as Leila, with a cry of, "My father, my father!" threw herself on her knees beside the silent form. Eleazar's eyes unclosed, and with a great effort he raised his hand, and laid it on her head. "My child, you have come to see me die." Then (as with difficulty she controlled her agitation, and rising, bent over him) he continued: "yes, to die ;and though I thought my last wish bad been fulfilled, since God has sent the deliverer to our people, yet it is not so, and I cannot depart in peace. Do you wonder that I should feel doubts and misgivings, Rachel? think, then; all my life long I have striven to keep the law in every point, and have thought myself better and holier than others, aud yet I have broken it daily, and now I am summoned to ap pear before that holy and righteous judge whom I have offended." "Oh! my husband, speak not so," cried Rachel; " 'surely our God is merciful!" "He is, He is, but He is also just; Leila, my child, I conjure you as my dying command, never to rest, until you have found peace, that peace which Jehovah alone can give, but which He has not given to me. My sins are rising up in judgment against me, and there is none that can atone. Oh! God of my fathers, scatter these dark clouds, receive my soul in peace, and give me rest for ever in heaven; but no, my sins, dark, innumerable, are keeping me from Thee!" "Oh! my father, my dear, dear father," murmured Leila, "the atonement has been made, the pardon has been purchased, by the cross of Jesus." "Leila!" he cried, “do my ears deceive me, or is it my child who is thus speaking? Tell me, you have not joined these contemptible Nazarenes ?" Rachel sprang to her feet, and her tearful eyes flashed fire, as they rested on her daughter's counte you have so disgraced yourself as to leave it!" Then, as Leila continued silent, Eleazar said slowly, "Leila, these may be the last words that I shall ever speak to you; I feel that in another hour I shall have left this world for ever; and if you would let your father depart in peace, promise me that you will return to the true faith." But one thought of the Cross, and all the agonies suffered there, was sufficient to keep Leila's mind stedfast; her misery was too great for outward emotion, and she replied calmly, "Father, I cannot deny the Lord Jesus Christ. He died a shameful death to save us from death eternal; His love is beyond all conception, and, God helping me, I will keep stedfast to the Christian faith in life and death." Eleazar turned to his wife, and said, clasping her hand in his, while with the other he motioned Leila from him, “Rachel, you are all that I have on earth; once we bad a daughter who was the light of our eyes, and the joy of our heart, but now we are left childless; farewell, my beloved!" With a deep sigh the old man fell back, and died. And as his words fell on Leila's ear, she sank down, to all appearance, as lifeless and insensible as the rigid form by her side. (To be continued.) RESIGNATION.-There is much difference in the way in which affliction is borne. Some openly murmur and complain of their lot, some bear it, knowing that they must bear it, sullenly enough. You can tell from their very countenance that theirs is but a stubborn resignation, after all; that their affliction is working but little good in them, though you may not hear their murmurings, or see their impatience. This is very different to that quiet, perfect resignation which was seen in our Saviour's sufferings, and which you see so well copied in so many of His suffering servants. This perfect resignation was seen in our Sa viour's words, when He asks whether He shall not drink the cup which His Father gives Him? It is not enough to put this cup to your lips, you must drink it; it is "I placed the little supper before him, and he ate a few morsels, and then laid his knife and fork down and began : "I was coming home to tell you that I am appointed assistant to the Messrs. Colman, photographers to the Queen, &c., when a row in the streets attracted my notice. I turned, and saw a horse and carriage coming down the street at full tear. There was an old man right in the way, and I could not stand by and see him run over; so I made a dash at the horse's head, and succeeded in stopping him; but the old man only just escaped with his life, he got a terrific kick which broke both his legs, and the beast was so fiery that he managed to pull my arm half out of the socket, and give it a good gripe into the bargain; by that time others had come up, and the horse was secured. I could not come home earlier for I was a good deal shaken, and I believe I was taken to a surgeon, and then they would not let me move for a little while-and so here I am,' said he gaily; but his face grew contracted as though with pain, and I saw that his arm appeared to be helpless -his sleeve was cut, and there was blood upon it. Yes, I was punished, though not to the extent which I had feared. "Thank God you are here!' I involuntarily exclaimed. he. "Heyday! Maggie turned pious?' said "No, Richard, I think not: but I have a little story to tell you presently.' I gave him some wine, and watched him eat a little; he left most of his supper untouched, and I saw that he suffered acutely. How could I help blaming myself for my ill temper, and feeling that I would give much to recall my harsh words of the last few months; he was so gentle, and so tenderly anxious to spare my feelings. "It was long before either of us slept: having thanked God very earnestly for the goodness which I could not but see He had shewn us that day, a thought suddenly occurred to me, and I spoke it on the impulse of the moment. "How will it do, Richard, to go to the photographer's with a bad arm ?' “‘Eh, Maggie? I don't know, I had not thought of that; and it's the right arm too, and I am to go to-morrow to begin my work!' No sleep came to me at all after that; besides, Richard was restless and in pain. "Morning light streamed at length through the window, and shewed me all too plainly Richard's wan face and unnaturally brilliant eyes. Had I thanked God, and begun to believe in His loving-kindness too soon? Of course there was no possibility of my husband rising from his bed that morning-fever set in, and before night he was raving; in his delirium calling upon his wife to come to him, to his father for forgiveness, and to his new employers for help. "Here was a trouble indeed, and I felt almost in despair when I thought of our utter friendlessness. However, I despatched our surly maid to the nearest doctor, and was striving to wait patiently for his arrival, when I heard a gentle knock, and the little child, of whom I told you, came in. She stopped at the door, but I beckoned her to me. "Is the poor gentleman ill?' "Yes, dear, very ill, and I don't know what to do with him; but I hope the doctor will come soon.' "Have you asked God to make him well ?' "No, my child, do you ask Him for me.' At this moment the doctor came in, and the little one, obeying a sign from me, went away, saying, "I may come back, mayn't I, ma'am?' "Yes, dear, come back presently.' "The doctor examined my husband carefully, and prescribed some cooling medicine, and turning to me, said, gravely, "He requires great watching and care, madam.' "What is the matter, Dr. Hale ? pray tell me, is his arm broken ?' "No, madam, it is not broken, I almost wish it were!-broken arms are easier mended than this; he has had a terrific wrench, and the wound made by that beast's teeth looks very angry; he must be kept perfectly quiet. I will get this prescription made up and sent to you, and |