le Mr. Darling wrung his
hand, and told him, what was the truth, that there was no greater joy
than to rescue those who were in danger of death.
A day or two after Logan felt better and wished to say good-bye to his
kind friends.
"I will go with you to Bamborough," said the lighthouse keeper. "If
you go to Lord Crewe's institution, they will help you!"
"What sort of place is that, then?"
"A sailor's home, among other things. Bamborough Castle once belonged
to him; and when he died, he left an immense fortune to be applied to
good purposes. It is a splendid place. There are schools for
educating children. There is a large library of books that are lent
out to the people who live near. Goods are sold at a cheap rate to the
poor. There is an infirmary, where thousands have been relieved, and
besides all this, there are rooms for shipwrecked sailors. There is
always a reward given to the first boat that puts off to the wreck; and
those who have been ship-wrecked have money and clothing given to them,
if they are destitute."
"There is some hope for me, then?"
"Yes, indeed."
"But you had better stay here until you are quite well," said Grace.
"Thank you, Miss! You are very kind, but I must go, for I am anxious
to get settled again. I shall never forget the happy hours I have
spent under this roof though, nor your great kindness to me."
He was not to be persuaded to remain, so Mr. Darling took him across to
the castle, where he received the ship-wrecked sailor's relief. The
governors gave to Darling the usual reward for saving the life of
Logan, but that the generous lighthouse-keeper put into the sailor's
bundle which he was carrying for him.
Mr. Darling accompanied Logan a few miles along the Berwick road, to
which place Logan wished to go, and then they parted.
Grace Darling was right! Christmas is not all that it might be if it
brings no opportunities of exercising Christian charity. Did not the
Son of Man come as a stranger to this world, finding no room in the
inn. But since He has made all our homes bright by the free salvation
which is His gift, shall not we, in return, look after the homeless and
comfortless ones, who it is never very difficult to find? It seems as
if the angel's prophetic song is not yet fulfilled, for not yet is the
earth filled with peace and good-will to men. But if we do only a
little, by saving a shipwrecked mariner, or a destitute child,
something at lea
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