water of life, and which had fed upon manna in the barren
wilderness. The world is the better for the passage of such souls
across its surface. They may seem to be as much forgotten as the drops
of rain which fall into the barren sea, but each rain-drop adds to the
volume of refreshful and purifying waters. 'The healing of the world
is in its nameless saints. A single star seems nothing, but a thousand
scattered stars break up the night and make it beautiful.'"

There are many busy mothers to whom this lesson may come almost as a
revelation. No hands are fuller of tasks, no heart is fuller of cares,
than the hands and the heart of a mother of a large family of young
children. It is little wonder if sometimes she loses her sweetness of
spirit in the pressure of care that is upon her. But this lesson is
worth learning. Let the mothers wait on their knees each morning,
before they begin their work, for the touch of Christ's hand upon their
heart. Then the fever will leave them, and they can enter with calm
peace on the work of the long, hard day.

The lesson, however, is for us all. We are in no condition for good
work of any kind when we are fretted and anxious in mind. It is only
when the peace of God is in our heart that we are ready for true and
really helpful ministry. A feverish heart makes a worried face, and a
worried face casts a shadow. A troubled spirit mars the temper and
disposition. It unfits one for being a comforter of others, for giving
cheer and inspiration, for touching other lives with good and helpful
impulses. Peace must come before ministry. We need to have our fever
cured before we go out to our work. Hence, we should begin each new
day at the Master's feet, and get his cooling, quieting touch upon our
hot hand. Then, and not till then, shall we be ready for good service
in his name.

CHAPTER VIII.

MORAL CURVATURES.

"I think we are too ready with complaint
In this fair world of God's. Had we no hope
Indeed beyond the zenith and the slope
Of yon gray blank sky, we might grow faint
To muse upon eternity's constraint
Round our aspirant souls; but since the scope
Must widen early, is it well to droop,
For a few days consumed in loss and taint?"
--MRS. BROWNING.

Our Lord's miracles are parables in act. A woman came to him bent
almost double, and went away straight. The human form is made for
erectness. This is one of the marks of nobi