a well-known voice rose above the wind and the
storm,--he knew that his father's arms were about him, and he feared
no more. In the hour of greatest need the father had come. There, in
that hour of brave effort, he was spared a long exposure to the wintry
blast. A carriage laden with food, fuel, and timely gifts, for each, was
already on the road, and would soon deposit its bounties at the door of
those whose faith had deserted them.

What a happy household gathered around the father that night! There
was no need of lamps to reveal the joy on their faces, and the darkness
could not hide the tears which coursed down their cheeks. The little one
awoke shouting, in her child-trust, "My father has come! me knew him
would!"

And they called her Faith from that hour.

The only alloy in the joy of the others was, as the kind father explained
to them the causes of his delay, that they had not trusted him with the
faith of the little child; and when he told them of the strange people he
had been among, who needed counsel and instruction, and their great
need of his ministrations, they sorrowed much that doubt had shadowed
for a moment their trust in their father.

Thus do we distrust our Heavenly Parent; and when our needs rise
like mountains before us, and all _seems_ dark, we cry, "Alas! he has
forgotten us!" And yet in our deepest night a light appears, his strong
arm uplifts us, and we are taught how holy a thing is Faith.

V.

HOPE.

Darkness had been upon the earth for a long time. It was a period of war
and bloodshed, crime and disaster.

The old earth seemed draped in habiliments of mourning; and there
was cause for aching hearts, for out of many homes had gone unto battle
sons, fathers, and husbands, who would return no more. They fell in
service; and kind mothers and wives could not take one farewell look at
their still, white faces, but must go about their homes as though life
had lost none of its helps.

* * * * *

"The poor, sad earth!" said one of a glad band, belonging to a starry
sphere above. "I long to comfort its people; but my mission is given
me to guide souls through the death valley, and bear them to their
friends in the summer-land. I must not leave my post of duty. Who will
go?"

"I will," said Love, in sweet, silvery tones.

"You are too frail to descend into such darkness as at present envelops
the earth; beside, they need another, a different elem