th Christ affords. Worldly people, though
acknowledging the benefit of Christianity, know not its true source, and
are surprised to find Christ's humble disciples so free from coarseness,
and so gentle and courteous in their manners.

Susan had been taught in the same school.

Several weeks passed away. Peter came to the conclusion that he should
wish to marry no other woman than Susan Sandford. Perhaps Susan had
discovered this, for he was not a person who could well hide his
feelings; at all events he ventured to tell her so, and she promised to
become his wife. He would gladly have married before going to sea, but
Mrs Sandford, who was a prudent woman, insisted on his waiting till he
had returned from his next voyage.

That voyage was a long one, for the owners again sent the _Edgar_ into
the Pacific. Peter was able to pay a visit to his father, whom he found
labouring with devoted zeal as a catechist among the natives, and
submitting humbly to the directions he received from Mr Wilson, the
missionary. The old man was delighted to hear of his son's intended
marriage, and begged him if he could to bring out his wife to see him.

"The utmost desire of my heart will then be fulfilled," he exclaimed;
"and, oh! how loving has God been to me by bringing me in His great
mercy out of darkness into His glorious light! Every day I live I
wonder more and more; and, Peter, it is my belief I shall go on
wondering through all eternity, because I am sure we shall never
understand the love and mercy of Jesus, the author and finisher of our
faith, in all its fulness."

Peter willingly promised to do as the old man wished. Had he still been
the rough ignorant sailor Jack Gray once was, he might have felt an
unwillingness to introduce his wife to him, even though he was his
father; but now how different was the case when he was to bring her to
the venerable Christian, patriarchal in appearance, and mild in manners,
so gentle and loving to all around! It was a pleasure to see the
natives come up and speak to him, they all evidently holding him in
great respect.

Again the _Edgar_ had a prosperous voyage, and Peter having yet further
increased his means of supporting a wife, Mrs Sandford no longer
hesitated to allow her daughter to marry. She had a further reason; her
own health was failing, and before the _Edgar_ was ready for sea Susan
lost her mother.

When Peter proposed that his wife should accompany him, she gladl