for a few hours' shooting. The stranger kissed her on her forehead, and embracing the old dame, thanked her heartily, while tears filled his eyes. He was a merchant who had travelled far away in foreign lands, even as far as the other side of the Globe, where he had fallen into the hands of pirates, who had kept him captive many years, but at last he had managed to make his escape, and now intended to remain in his native land, and, blessed with great wealth, spend the rest of his life in peace and quiet.

In a short time Ahasuerus returned from the sport with a bag of hares and ptarmigan. It may easily be imagined what joy and astonishment was expressed by him when he thus, quite unexpectedly, found his long-lost father, whom he had long ago abandoned all hope of ever seeing again.

The welcome stranger remained three days in the hut, and a long consultation ensued as to what had now best be done. Ahasuerus had a long-cherished plan, to which, after his father had well considered it, he gave his consent.

The same summer the whole of the formerly devastated district was bought by the old

merchant, and several hundred men were set to work to blast the granite, lay foundations, and build up habitations. In one short year was erected a large and beautiful mansion, which might almost have been termed a princely palace, and all around lay scattered a great number of small log-houses, all painted dark red, and in which lived the thrifty labourers with their wives and children. Into the large manor removed, first of all, the old merchant, and shortly afterwards Ahasuerus and Esther, who had now become man and wife, but the old woman could not be persuaded upon to remove; she preferred to remain in her old hut, only now, with this difference, that it was made much warmer and more comfortable than before.

And they are all still alive and happy, and Ahasuerus has really become King over the great realm of the far-extending wold, which now has been transformed into a fertile land of fields and meadows, interspersed with thriving hamlets, which all gladden the eye of the beholder. The old pine-tree remains ever verdant and sombre, and musing as of yore, while at his foot the mountain-king is pouring his silver

treasure adown, a beautiful cascade, and all around are still growing up flourishing stripling trees, the docile school-mates of Esther and Ahasuerus.

I recently journeyed that way, and I wish you had accompanied me. The old dame was seated, grey with old age, basking in the sunshine in front of her cherished hut, and the old merchant, now no longer a stranger, was seated on the grassy bank by her side, reading aloud from the Bible. Ahasuerus was just returning from a run to the big fen, which he had transformed into a glorious corn-field, and Esther, smiling and happy, was seated on the doorstep, in company with her two darling little children.

"You see, my little loves," she said; "here all around us is the great beautiful wood which your father and I, when we were little children, taught to read the Holy Writ. God has opened as well a great book in his marvellous creation. His everlasting love and His wise commands are not only given in the pages of the Bible, but are repeated throughout the wide world. The summer verdure is but another page; His holy

Word is readable on every leaf, living or withered; His love in the cool crystal spring; His wisdom in the ever-rolling billows of the sea; His glory pierces the veiling clouds. Look how the young wood again bows in the morning breeze! What think you it means? Grateful nature is praising and adoring God!"

29

THE CHURCH BELLS.

ARK! the chimes of the glorious crystal-toned bells, which ring the dead to rest, and call the living to pray to the Lord, whose omnipresence is felt in the sacred aisles, and throughout

the universe. List to the chimes calling to prayer and peace, liquid tones at which your heart rejoices. How the mellow silver voices travel through the clear summer air! dissolving into soft cadences over land and sea. When you are listening to them, whether they are ringing in joy or sorrow, be sure you thank God from the very depths of your heart, because He always says, "Behold I stand at the door and knock; come to Me." What do the church bells call out from time to time, if not, "Come, come to God! you poor lost child, return to God"?