which only the Nazarite's 'living water' can quench! This religion is true, I feel it! and against my will I must believe; yes, we will go again; will you go with me again in two days?"

But re

"Willingly, for I too would know more. member well, a Nazarene can lead no easy life. Besides the obligation imposed by his religion, he is a persecuted man-you could no longer hold the post of centurion, Marcus, once pointed at as a Christian-this step must be well thought of."

"And I will think of it—but I know in my heart I am a Nazarene. Come, we must return, the sun is setting. When we part next time I shall have chosen; till our next meeting, farewell."

They reached Philip's house; Marcus mounted, and was soon out of sight on his way to the hills.

For a third time the Nazarene and the young Roman met,—and were long together; when Marcus left the hut that time, he " was called a Nazarene."

But Philip was not yet convinced. Many and frequent were the walks beyond the city walls, where the young Christian tried to convert his friends. Mary had followed in her brother's footsteps, but his friends and companions still doubted. And it was not till after long and weary trials that the eyes of Philip were open to the light, and his thirst quenched with that water which shall suffer none who taste of it to thirst again. But so it was at last, and Marcus and Mary that night offered up thanks in their cottage home, that another soul had been added to the flock of Christ.

How dear that soul was to cost them neither knew. And it was well-for often, if we could read the future, how different would the deeds of the present be.

It was a grand fête day in Rome. Troops of priests and bands of beautiful girls and women, strewing flowers before the car of the goddess Ceres, were passing through the crowded streets, preceded and followed by many men and horses; while every spectator, dressed in his best, and gazing on the pageant, respectfully made way for it to advance, or threw flowers before it in tokens of reverence and worship. Bearing lighted torches in their hands, the maidens and matrons went.

by, followed by the priests, while the car of the goddess was drawn through the crowds that bowed in worship. At length the procession reached a public place, and there it halted. Forming around the statue, the priests chanted their hymns, and then cried to the surrounding people to bow down and worship; and, in obedience to the command, all obeyed them. All?

no, all but one, who stood proudly erect, looking with contempt upon the whole ceremony; one who but a short time before had been the foremost to obey at the word of the officiating priest-but who now refused to do so, because his faith was changed. The observant priest singled him out, and in another minute he was surrounded by the angry and indignant people.

"Who is this that bows not the knee before Ceres ?" was the cry. "Shall the goddess be insulted in the public streets! This shall not be !" And as the murmur rose higher, some one in the crowd uttered the name of "Nazarene !" and in a moment it was caught up and echoed around by the excited crowd-"down with the Nazarene!" "We will have no followers of the

Jewish prophet among us!" "Throw the man down among us. 'Death to those who acknowledge not the goddess!" they shouted, making at the same time a fierce rush towards Philip, who stood, pale indeed, but firm, on the same spot as before. "We will have no Nazarites among us-down with him!" was echoed again and again, and the tumult grew general. The frightened women grouped around the car, and watched the proceedings with terrified eyes, while the priest vainly strove to be heard above the roar of the people, who, tossing in waves like the sea, struggled to reach the devoted Christian. In another minute, all would have been over, but at that instant a young soldier, mounted on a black horse, forced his way through the excited crowd, and stood at Philip's side, crying out to the people to "bear back, and hear him." He was recognised by some of the nearest, and a partial silence was obtained as he endeavoured to persuade them to let the Christian go, and to return to order. "Be he Nazarite or not," he shouted, "is this the place to charge him with it? Let the procession pass on, and

see to this man afterwards. Ah!—ye will not? Then hearken, he is my friend, and at any cost I will save him!" And as he spoke he pushed his horse against those who opposed him, and promptly rescuing Philip from the men around, dragged him on through the crowd, which vainly strove to arrest his progress, crying out"down with them both! both are Nazarenes." Urging the black horse fiercely foward, forcing his way through the angry populace, which threw itself in waves before him, Marcus at last issued, exhausted, from the crowd, and bidding his friend hold on by the mane, went swiftly through the streets in the direction of Philip's house, on reaching which he almost fell from the saddle. Philip caught him in his arms; and assisted by a slave, carried him into the house, hastily summoning another man to take care of the horse. Oh! Marcus, Marcus, you have done too much for

me."

"Dear Philip, you are my friend, and nothing is too much for you. But we must not stay here," and even as he spoke the noise in the street began to make itself heard" or you will be torn to pieces! I cannot blame you, Philip, but would this had not happened! I must be weaker than I thought," he said, making an ineffectual attempt to raise himself. "Wait a minute."

A few minutes passed, and, nerved by excitement, Marcus sprang to his feet; they went into the courtyard, mounted (for Philip's horse was ready), and stole away through the deserted streets. As they reached the road to the hills, and were out of danger, an angry crowd assembled around the untenanted house, and vowed vengeance against the Nazarites, and the treacherous Romans who protected and sheltered them!

(To be continued)

Where is quiet to be found, and where is the place of contentment? I answer, every where: for it is there where God and you meet together in hearty love and affection.-Bishop Patrick.

TOIL ON.

TOIL on with courage! Still, undaunted, toil!
However difficult thy task appear,

warfare

Be sure that He, who gave thee work to do,
Will give thee strength to do it.
Oh! believe, this heaven-appointed
Is but sent to invigorate the soul-
To draw forth all its latent energies,
And give it strength and beauty.

Does not the little snowdrop toil and struggle
Within her wintry home, to send forth shoots

Through the dark earth to grace the coming spring?

As if assuredly she knew

That winter's storms would pass away,

And leave her flowers of spotless purity

To bloom secure, beneath serener skies and softer gales!
Then, trust O man! the wisdom of thy God:
Believe that He who guards the little flower,
Will guide thee safely on through life's low vale,
To realms of happiness and endless joy.

G. D.

HOW TO MIND MOTHER.

[For this article, and some others lately inserted, we are indebted to the "New Church Magazine for Children," published in Boston, U.S.]

"COME, Henry, bring your book, and I will hear your lesson," said Mrs. Wilson to her little son, a blue-eyed boy of five years old, who was building houses with play-bricks, on the parlour floor.

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"Oh no, mother, not now," answered the little boy, please wait till I build this large house. It is the Crystal Palace, mother."

His mother waited until the house was built, and then, somewhat slowly and reluctantly, the book was brought and the lesson read.

Why must I read every day, mother?" asked Henry, as he closed the book. "I know a great deal more than Johnny Davis. He cannot tell his letters yet."

"But Johnny's mother is poor, and has to work hard all the time, Henry, and cannot teach her little boy. You should be glad your mother has time to teach you.' "Could not I teach Johnny, mother? I could teach him to read and to count."

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You can try, Henry, and perhaps Johnny will teach you something you do not know."

"Oh no, mother, he cannot do that, because I know a great deal the most. Johnny does not know anything."

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Do not be too sure of that, Henry. But now bring your slate, and I will show you how to make some letters."

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'Oh, mother, I don't want to write on my slate." "You want to mind mother, do you not, Henry ?" The little boy made no reply, but he did not look pleasant while he was writing; and when he had done, and his mother reminded him that he must not go out till he had put his bricks by, he pouted, and picked them up very slowly and unkindly. His mother was grieved at this, but she said nothing to Henry then, only told him he might go and play with Johnny Davis. Johnny was a good, obedient boy, and therefore Mrs. Wilson was glad for him to play with Henry, though his clothes were old and patched, and his feet often His mother always kept him very clean, and he had such a pleasant, happy face, that every one loved him.

bare.

Henry found his friend sitting on the door-step, with a little book in his hand.

"I am very glad you are come, Henry," he said joyfully; now you will tell me the names of these letters. I wish I could learn to read." Henry sat down by Johnny's side, and taught him several letters, and then they got some pebbles and counted them. Johnny was pleased to learn and Henry to teach, and so both were very happy for nearly an hour. Then they began building houses of sand, but they had not finished one house, when Johnny's mother called him.

"Do not go yet. Tell her you will come in one minute, Johnny," said Henry. "Let us just finish this

house."