ood on this very spot more than once," mused Abby. "It was
Mother Ann's vision that brought them to this land,--a vision of a large
tree with outstretching branches, every leaf of which shone with the
brightness of a burning torch! Oh! if the vision would only come true!
If Believers would only come to us as many as the leaves on the tree,"
she sighed, as she and Susanna moved away from the group of chattering
children, all as eager to play the history of Shakerism as they had been
to dramatize the family life of Adam and Eve.

"There must be so many men and women without ties, living useless
lives, with no aim or object in them," Susanna said, "I wonder that more
of them do not find their way here. The peace and goodness and
helpfulness of the life sink straight into my heart. The Brothers and
Sisters are so friendly and cheery with one another; there is neither
gossip nor hard words; there is pleasant work, and your thoughts seem to
be all so concentrated upon right living that it is like heaven below,
only I feel that the cross is there, bravely as you all bear it."

"There are roses on my cross most beautiful to see,
As I turn from all the dross from which it sets me free,"

quoted Eldress Abby, devoutly.

"It is easy enough for me," continued Susanna, "for it was no cross for
me to give up my husband at the time; but oh, if a woman had a
considerate, loving man to live with, one who would strengthen her and
help her to be good, one who would protect and cherish her, one who
would be an example to his children and bring them up in the fear of
the Lord--that would be heaven below, too; and how could she bear to
give it all up when it seems so good, so true, so right? Mightn't two
people walk together to God if both chose the same path?"

"It's my belief that one can find the road better alone than when
somebody else is going alongside to distract them. Not that the Lord is
going to turn anybody away, not even when they bring Him a lot of
burned-out trash for a gift," said Eldress Abby, bluntly. "But don't you
believe He sees the difference between a person that comes to Him when
there is nowhere else to turn--a person that's tried all and found it
wanting--and one that gives up freely pleasure, and gain, and husband,
and home, to follow the Christ life?"

"Yes, He must, He must," Susanna answered faintly. "But the children,
Eldress Abby! If you hadn't any, you could perhaps keep yourself from
wanting th