ich was provided for the noon's
refreshment, while Boaz enters into a conversation with Ruth which
indicates his truly noble and generous character, and speaks words which
are like balm to the sorrowing spirit. "Thou hast comforted me and
spoken to the heart of thy handmaid," she said as she rose to leave the
tent and felt herself no longer a stranger, since one so excellent and
so exalted in station appreciated and sympathized with her. We see
little in these Gospel days and in this favored land which will compare
with the genuine kindliness which breathes in every word and act
recorded in the book of Ruth.

But the most surprising revelation is made in the account which follows
the scene in the tent. What exalted principle--what respect for
woman--what noble virtue must have characterized those among whom a
mother could send her daughter at night to perform the part assigned to
Ruth, apparently without a fear of evil, and receive her again, not only
unharmed, but understood, honored, and wedded by the man to whom she was
sent, and that notwithstanding her foreign birth and dependent
situation, and fettered with the condition that her first-born son must
bear the name and be considered the child of a dead man!

We have friends who will fasten their faith on the New Testament only,
and can see nothing in the Old akin to it in precept or spirit. We
commend to them the Book of Ruth.

* * * * *

Original.

THE MISSION MONEY: OR, THE PRIDE OF CHARITY.

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of
them."--MATTHEW 6:6.

(Concluded from page 211.)

In the mean time Charlotte ran home for her pennies, and on her return
met an acquaintance who did not belong to the Sunday-school.

"Where are you going so fast, Charlotte?" said she; "stop, I want to
show you what a lovely blue ribbon I have just bought at Drake's, only
four cents a yard, and half a yard makes a neck ribbon; isn't it sweet?
just look;" and she displayed a bright blue ribbon to the admiring gaze
of Charlotte.

"It is very pretty," said Charlotte longingly, "and I wish I could
afford to buy one like it, but I've got no money."

"What is that in your hand?" asked the other, as she espied the pennies
in Charlotte's hand.

"That is mission money," she replied; "I am going to give it to the
missionary to buy Bibles for the heathen."

"Buy fiddlesticks!" said the other, with a loud laugh.