did not dare
go home. The incident impressed me the more because in my childhood I
had much, the same experience. The boy asked his comrades to go with
him, but they dared not. It got later and later--seven o'clock, eight
o'clock, nine o'clock. "Oh," he said, "I wish I were home!" As he
opened the door the last time a blinding flash of the storm and a
deafening roar overcame him. But after a while he saw in the distance
a lantern, and lo! his brother was coming to fetch him home, and the
lad stepped out and with swift feet hastened on to his brother who
took him home, where they were so glad to greet him, and for a long
time supper had been waiting. So may it be when the night of death
comes and our earthly friends cannot go with us, and we dare not go
alone; may our Brother, our Elder Brother, our Friend closer than a
brother, come out to meet us with the light of the promises, which
shall be a lantern to our feet, and then we will go in to join our
loved ones waiting for us, supper all ready, the marriage supper of
the Lamb!

TRIALS OF HOUSEKEEPING.

"Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve
alone? bid her therefore that she help me."--LUKE 10:40.

Yonder is a beautiful village homestead. The man of the house is dead
and his widow is taking charge of the premises. This is the widow
Martha of Bethany. Yes, I will show you also the pet of the household.
This is Mary, the youngest sister, with a book under her arm, and her
face having no appearance of anxiety or perturbation. Company has
come. Christ stands outside the door and, of course, there is a good
deal of excitement inside the door. The disarranged furniture is
hastily put aside, and the hair is brushed back, and the dresses are
adjusted as well as, in so short a time, Mary and Martha can attend to
these matters.

THE WELCOME TO CHRIST.

They did not keep Christ standing at the door until they were newly
appareled, or until they had elaborately arranged their tresses, then
coming out with their affected surprise as though they had not heard
the two or three previous knockings, saying: "Why, is that you?" No.
They were ladies, and were always presentable, although they may not
have always had on their best, for none of us always have on our best;
if we did our best would not be worth having on. They throw open the
door and greet Christ. They say: "Good morning, Master; come in and be
seated."

Christ did not come alo