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letter which she said had just been conducted a school for girls until handed her by a boy, and he was the preceding midsummer, when waiting for an answer. Mrs. Ain- the physician told her she must slee read the letter; then, looking rest or die. She had, at her husup, she said almost peevishly: band's death, a pittance of money, "Dear me! this is a sad case-very which she then invested, as she unfortunate. I'm sure I'm very thought safely, and she had added sorry, but really I don't see how I every year a little, so that by rigid can go away down there to-day. economy she could live on the inI'm so tired, and I have so many terest. She gave up her school things on hand that must be at- with the intention of resting a year, tended to." Then after thinking, and then resuming that or some with her elbow resting on the table, other business; but within four and her head on her hand-" Well, months afterward the bank in which I can't see what I am to do in this her money was invested broke, and matter." The request was, that she had come to London to ascerMrs. Ainslee would come at once tain whether she could hope for to her old friend, who was lying any dividend, and to seek for emvery ill at a boarding-house far ployment. She could learn nothing down the city, and among utter concerning the bank, save that there strangers. The writer apologised was little chance for hope, and none for urgency and haste by stating at all at present; neither could she that she feared being put out into find anything to do. She had been the street while too ill to help her- nearly four weeks in the city; fatigue self. She would have explained and anxiety had made her so ill her situation more fully, but was that she could no longer rise from unable to write much. From this her bed; and, as her money was now letter it was evident that there was expended, she was almost in despair. lack of money, as well as illness; Bessie slipped a five-pound note and the provoking thing was, that into her hand, kissed her weepingly, there was in that short letter a and told her not to despond, as she glimpse of a troublesome case. should be taken care of; then reMeanwhile, the boy was waiting. turned home, feeling very despondAll at once a thought came into ent herself, for she did not know Mrs. Ainslee's head: she raised her how the thing was to be managed. eyes, looked at Bessie (Nellie was On explaining the case to her asleep), and said, "I positively mother, that lady said she could can't go to-day or to-morrow, but see but one thing to be done. Besas you are so fond of Mrs. Kemp, sie must go again to-morrow, and say you go and learn the circum- take their family physician, get an stances, and leave a little money if order from him, and then they must necessary. I can't spare the car- get the poor soul into a hospital riage or John, but you can go by until she should recover. the omnibus, and take Hannah with you."

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Next morning, before the doctor was off on his rounds, Bessie went Very well, mamma," responded in the carriage and took him down Bessie; "I'll ring, and tell Hannah to see Mrs. Kemp. He questioned, to send the boy back with word and examined, and looked very that some one will visit Mrs. Kemp sad, but said nothing to her of the this afternoon." order, or of the hospital. Bessie went, and found the poor merely said, in a low tone, to the lady ill and in great affliction. Six young girl, "I will talk with you years previously she had removed as we return," and asked if some to a thriving town, and had there wine and jellies could be procured

He

at once.

WHAT BESSIE FOUND TO DO AND HOW SHE DID IT.

pital, or some similar institution, whenever an entrance could be obtained.

So Bessie settled all Mrs. Kemp's affairs at the boarding-house, and carried off the poor invalid in the carriage to her own home, where, true to her engagements, she had a cot placed in the room for herself, and faithfully and tenderly she executed her trust. When Mrs. Kemp saw Mrs. Ainslee she tried to speak her thanks; but the poor quivering voice could make no headway against the thick-coming sobs. Mrs. Ainslee took and pressed the thin, cold hand, and bade her be quiet, telling her she was safe for

These Bessie promised to send within an hour or two: and, again exhorting the sick lady to be of good courage, they set off homeward. On the way the doctor said that there was no positive disease about Mrs. Kemp, but her whole system was exhausted, and she needed a long rest before she would be able to do for herself. He said the hospitals did not take in such cases; and even if they did admit her for a few weeks, she would be no better able to earn a livelihood at the expiration of that time than now, especially under the weight of anxiety which must rest on her mind. Had she no friends who would give her a home for a year? the present, and the best thing she If anything would restore her health and strength it would be rest of body and mind. Alas, no! there was the difficulty. She was the only survivor of her father's family; she had no children; and her late husband's friends were not able to assist her, even if they had been willing. The question of what was to be done seemed now unanswerable, as Mrs. Ainslee did not feel herself called upon to assume the responsibility of the unfortunate woman's entire support.

However, Bessie's sympathy was enlisted, and her energies awoke. She said to herself: "It shall be done;" and, though she would not have liked any one to know it, she prayed most earnestly that God would show her how to procure relief for her former teacher, now literally her protégée, and she believed she should find a way. In the first place, with much ado she managed to get her mother's consent to have Mrs. Kemp brought to their house, but with the express understanding that the visit should be only for the two weeks before she was to return to school, where she was a weekly boarder. She was to nurse and amuse the invalid, and To make the invalid aware that she was to be disposed of in a hos

could do was to keep her mind easy and get well. As Mrs Ainslee left the room she met Bessie, and said, "Poor soul! she's worse than I supposed;" and she looked kindly, spoke gently; so the young girl hoped her mother might be moved to extend the term of her hospitality a week or two.

That night Bessie could not sleep; she was thinking and thinking how to find some way to help the helpless one; and as she lay silent, the latter thought her sleeping, and so Bessie could hear her sobbing low and praying. At three o'clock in the night some nourishment was to be given, and Bessie was glad of the excuse to rise and try whether she could do or say something to soothe her charge. She was wise enough to perceive that she had better indulge Mrs. Kemp in talking about her affairs, and in the conversation she learned that the fortune-wrecked lady had boarded for awhile, since she gave up school, with an old servant of hers-a widow, who was much attached to her former mistress, and made the lady very comfortable at low rates. Mrs. Kemp said that Maggie had asked her to remain and share, if it were only a crust; but she could not accept that offer, as Maggie had

hard work to support herself and children by taking in washing, and the little parlour and bedroom were a source of income of which it would be cruel to deprive them.

They sat in the library, where other members of the family used to sit, or come and go, until the preparations for Nellie's marriage became so absorbing that now they A light flashed on Bessie's mind. generally had the room to themIf only there could be found money selves. That night Bessie forgot her enough to send the invalid back, lessons, forgot Fred Seldon, rememwhen a little better, and pay a bered nothing save that hateful small weekly allowance to Maggie problem, how to get some money for her board and lodging during for Mrs. Kemp. She wondered if one year, why then Mrs. Kemp, her mother would let her stay at knowing she was safe for a year, school and not be present at the would rest and grow stronger. Oh, wedding, and if her mother would if She could hardly wait till would give her, instead of the pretty morning; she was determined on dress which she was to have as telling her mother all about the "if" bridesmaid, the money which it and the "only." She did tell her mother, and received some encouragement, but rather more discouragement. Mrs. Ainslee said the plan was good, if the money were forthcoming; but all the ladies she knew had already expended in charities more than they had purposed giving, and she did not know one to whom she could apply. As for herself, why, Bessie knew that Nellie's approaching marriage was robbing her both of time and money; there were so many little things necessary to fill up the trousseau of a bride in her social position-little things that she should not mention to the father.

would cost. Then she thought, even if her mother would consent to this, that her cousin Carrie would be bridesmaid in her place, and would be mated with Fred on the occasion. She could not bear that thought, and a great lump came into her throat, and as she gave an involuntary gulp to get it down, a hand was laid on her shoulder. She started, looked up wildly, and burst out crying.

"Why, Bessie, what's all this about?" said Fred in astonishment, for Bessie was not a crying girl. She did not like to tell him. She was vexed at making such a fool of herself, as she termed it.

"I'll tell you what," said Fred, "let's make a bargain. You tell me all your troubles, and I'll tell you mine." So she told him the whole story, and he looked at her very earnestly for a while, and then said,—

After thinking a minute, Bessie asked if she might do what she chose with her own pocket-money. Her mother said certainly she was at liberty to do so, but that would not half suffice. Bessie, however, promised to spend next day with Mrs. Kemp, but Friday evening "That affair can be managed. had lately been devoted to a special You know I told you I had chosen Almost since she could business instead of a profession. remember, one, who first was play- Well, my father is going to take me mate, afterwards friend, had been into business in the spring, and then in the habit of overlooking her I can make up your deficiency studies; and, by the full concur- without asking leave of anybody; rence of parents on both sides, he but, meanwhile, I have just had a came, now that he was out of col-presert of money to buy a very lege, on Friday evenings, and they handsome watch and chain; I am read together, or he helped her over to suit myself in the purchase; one a hard place in mathematics. less expensive will do for me, and

purpose.

for future and more vigorous efforts. She became comparatively strong, and afterwards married a good man, who, like herself, was a lonely mortal going down the declivity of life. The two were no longer lonely; they had competence, and were literally all the world to each other, though the grateful woman always said she had two children.

my father won't object to the trans- with open arms and a face beaming action: I know him; the difference through smiles and tears. Long will put you all right for some before the year was expired she months. Will that do, now? But found some light employment, the stop; I'll back out if you are only proceeds of which formed a nest-egg going to cry the harder, you-you -pussy," said Fred, his own voice just the least bit shaky, and his eyes plainly saying: "You darling." Not long after Bessie (she had been first to her mother) rushed upstairs to Mrs. Kemp, hugged and kissed that lady's breath away, and then pantingly told her of the good that was come at last. Bessie slept soundly that night, but Mrs. Kemp As for Fred and Bessie, that was lay awake, in sweet peace and deep not the last time they acted in conthankfulness, praying, but not as cert for a benevolent purpose. before. This was a thanksgiving- Fred, who is now Bessie's husband offering of the whole heart to the you must know, says he came near God who had not forgotten nor committing the sin of idolatry one forsaken her when she was ready night we wot of, for he then thought to perish. A fortnight later Fred a certain young girl angelic enough and Bessie placed the now con- to be worshipped, only we don't valescent invalid in the train in worship angels. Any way, he says charge of an acquaintance. She that night was a turning-point in reached her home safely, where she his life, and he turned the right was received by the faithful Maggie corner, too.

BELIEVERS AT THE JUDGMENT-SEAT OF CHRIST.

BY THE REV. W. BURTON.

Ir is to be feared that this important subject does not receive the amount of attention from Christians which it deserves. As a consequence, crude and vague notions possess the minds of many, and no little obscurity of thought prevails, and one of the great scriptural motives to diligence and faithfulness is deprived of its due weight.

There is an error common enough among men of the world, and often used as a refuge by the sinner when hard-pressed-namely, that the question of a man's salvation cannot be determined till the Judgment-Day. It is not that notion we have to combat among professors of Christianity at the present day, but rather the error lying at the opposite extreme, of taking too much for granted and so far settled, at a present tribunal of self-consciousness and human opinion, that virtually the judgment to come is stripped of all that renders it a solemn investigation of moral character and conduct.

The doctrines of grace seem to be held in such a fashion by some persons, that the thought of the judgment as a real decision and an open manifestation of character is almost entirely excluded. The idea

which some Christians entertain seems to be that, having felt the burden of sin and fled for refuge to Christ, there is no judgment for them-no judgment in the sense of a real and solemn investigation of the manner in which they have fulfilled their profession, the duties of discipleship, and the claims of the Lord Jesus Christ. Passages of Scripture bearing on the judgment are considered as referring only to the ungodly—the sinners will be judged, but not the saints. There seems to some minds a difficulty in holding at the same time the doctrines of salvation by grace, and such a conception of the judgment as makes it something real and momentous. The two things are looked at as if they were antagonistic and contradictory, as if to hold the one you must let go the other. It is the aim of this brief paper to show that they are not contradictory, to press upon Christians the importance while rejoicing that we are saved by grace-of being influenced by the thought of "that day" and its tremendous issues.

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The teachings of our Lord, on certain occasions, seem as if purposely intended to show His disciples they were not to fancy themselves set on a privileged height above the reach of that law of moral recompenses which is applicable to other men, and to which all are alike amenable. On one occasion the lesson which the Saviour taught drew forth from Peter the question, "Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even unto all ?" The answer of Jesus shows that he was stating solemn truths bearing on all men, and that he had them in view as well as others-perhaps more than others-"Who, then, is that faithful and wise steward whom his lord shall make ruler of his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?" "Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath." No foregone conclusion on the part of the servant, or of his fellow-servants concerning him, will avail to set aside the judgment of the master. "The servant that knew his lord's will and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes."

The Apostle Paul, whose special line of things and divinely directed mission was to unfold the fulness and freeness of salvation by grace in opposition to works, says: "Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap; for he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting." "For we must all appear," or, more literally, "be made manifest before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." He included himself, and evidently looked forward to that day with the deepest feeling of solemnity and responsibility. The thought of the judgment seat of Christ quickened him to diligence in his work, and to faithfulness in dealing with men: "Wherefore we labour, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him." "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.'

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