rrying help of every sort to
our neighbour, upon every opportunity; walking as children of the
Light; if by any means we may advance our Lord's kingdom and glory.

"'And all this we will try to do, by His help,--trusting in His grace
and resting in His promises, whose word cannot fail.'

"Now," said Mr. Richmond, when he had read this, which he read very
slowly and deliberately, as if he wished that every one should weigh
every word, "I am going to ask you to rise and so declare your
agreement with this covenant--all of you who have heard and understood
it, and who are ready to pledge yourselves to its responsibilities.
Every one whose own mind and wish this covenant expresses will please
rise."

The little stir which this request occasioned through the room, left
few of the assembly in their seats. Maria, as soon as she was upon her
feet, looked to see how it was with her companions. To her great
satisfaction, Clarissa was standing beside her; but Anne and Letitia
were sitting in their places, and so was Matilda in hers beyond them.
Maria frowned and nodded at her, but Mr. Richmond had desired the
people to sit down again before these signs could take any effect.

"It is as I hoped," Mr. Richmond said in a satisfied voice. "I have no
alteration to make in my lists, beyond the addition of one or two new
names; and that sort of alteration I shall be glad to make whenever
people will let me. I will receive new names at any time, of those who
wish to join our Band--our Working Band. I do not know what we shall
call ourselves; but one thing is certain, we mean to be a working
people. Now, suppose we see what kinds of work we are prepared to
undertake--each one of us in particular. Of course, we are _all_ to do
_all_ we can, and of _all_ kinds; but there are some kinds of work that
each one can do better than he can do others; and to those particular
lines of effort each one will pledge himself to give special attention.

"The first thing on my list is--

"'_Bringing new scholars to the school_. Who will take this as his
special work? Observe, it is not meant that you should ask any children
to come to our school who are already members of some other school. We
do not wish that. But who will undertake to look out and bring in some
of the children that go nowhere? All who want to do this, raise your
hands."

There was a show of hands.

"We must have a secretary," said Mr. Richmond. "Mr. Van Dyke, here is
paper and i