and,
So free from all sorrow and pain,
With songs on our lips and with harps in our hands,
To meet one another again!"

As the words of the last verse died away, the soul took its flight to
rejoice forever in the presence of the King.

"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be
to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

[Illustration]

VIII.

DUST TO DUST.

The events of Sunday morning had occasioned much comment upon the part
of Dr. Fairfax's parishioners.

The majority, after taking time for consideration, approved, and became
intensely interested to know the outcome of the strange proceeding.
During the few hours of grandpa's illness many messengers called to
learn the latest news, and it cheered the pastor's heart to find that
after all he was far from being alone in his love for God's neglected
poor.

He had planned a quiet funeral, and was arranging to that effect when
requests from all sides began pouring in that it might be held in the
church.

"It is a signal opportunity, father," Esther had said when consulted, so
a public funeral was soon announced together with another innovation.
Instead of the customary floral offerings, it was suggested that the
people bring gifts of money to place upon the casket, to be used in the
forwarding of city mission work.

At the hour appointed, the small procession wended its way to the
church.

Dr. Dale had found it advisable for himself and wife to join the funeral
party. It was natural that Esther should look after Mrs. Gray, who never
before had been in so fine a building, and it would be awkward for her
to have charge of Rosa as well. Then really the child was very nervous
and might suddenly need professional attention. All things considered,
there was no alternative: he must keep her with him.

Both curiosity and genuine interest attracted a great crowd, causing the
pastor once more to feel his need of hiding behind the cross, that the
people might behold Jesus only.

In all his wide and varied experience, this funeral pre-eminently was
the most unique. Conventionality was laid aside. There was no sermon,
but the story of the last few days of the victor's life was told so
graphically that the audience was held in almost breathless silence.

"Brethren," said the speaker in closing, "how must we appear in the
sight of God, who loved us to the extent of giving His only Son to die
fo