heart against the unwelcome demand was too great a price
to pay. Gradually it came to him that the greater weight that bowed
his soul and took the joyous spring from life was not Hubert's proposed
leaving, but the hiding of God's face.

"In thy favor is life," he prayed. "Any bereavement would be better
than for Thee to hide Thy face from me."

And the Face shone out again as his softened will loosened its
tenacious grip of that it held. But still he was a man of strong
opinions, and slow to be convinced that his clear-headed, business-like
son was the one to follow the still hazy-seeming, far-off life of a
missionary.

It was a happy day when the ban was lifted from the subject and Hubert
was free to discuss it with his father and arrange business matters for
a separation. A new element in the matter taxed the sympathy of the
hard-headed business man, when it became apparent that his hitherto
practical son intended not only withdrawing his active partnership from
the firm of Robert Gray & Son, but to sell his interest in the concern,
liberating the proceeds for the use of God.

"What folly!" said the elder man frankly.

"Do you remember our discussion of the Scripture about it?" replied
Hubert, smiling. "I think I submitted to you the conclusions drawn
from a study concerning it. I might as well act upon my convictions,
or I shall lose them. You know what James says about the 'hearers
only' of the word?"

"Yes, I know what he says," said his father a little testily. "But
about this money question there must be a sensible middle course
somewhere between a fanatical giving away everything you have and a
close-fisted holding on to it all. Give to the Lord of your first
fruits, certainly. That is a good thing. But a man ought to look out
for himself."

"Yes," said Hubert, "I believe there is a rational course to be
followed, and perhaps the Lord may not wish to hereafter provide for me
miraculously that which I now have in hand naturally. I do not see all
the details clearly yet. But certainly over and above my own
necessities--which will be simple--there is something to lay at once at
the feet of the Lord. I am glad I have so much for Him."

"Don't let your enthusiasm run away with your common sense. Try to be
practical."

"I think I am practical," said Hubert, smiling again, "although it is
hard for a man to judge his own actions. It seems to me the practical
way to give is to give. The peopl