e
over young yet to be looking for life partners."

"I don't think either of us has begun on that thus far, mamma," said
Harold. "At present we are more solicitous to decide the important
question, what shall our principal life work be? and in that we desire
the help of our mother's counsel, and to follow her wishes."

"It is a question of very great importance," she said, "for your success
and usefulness in life will depend very largely upon your finding the
work your heavenly Father intends you to do, and for which you are best
fitted by the talents He has given you.

"But I thought you had both decided upon the medical profession; and I
was well content with your choice, for it is a most noble and useful
calling."

"So we thought mamma, but recently our hearts have been so moved at
thought of the millions perishing for lack of a saving knowledge of
Christ, that it has become a momentous question with each of us whether
he is called to preach the gospel, especially in the mission-field, at
home or abroad."

Her eyes shone through glad tears. "My dear boy," she said with emotion,
"to have sons in the ministry I should esteem the greatest honor that
could be put upon me; for there can be no higher calling than that of an
ambassador for Christ, no grander work than that of winning souls."

"So we both think," said Herbert, "and, mamma, you are willing we should
go and labor wherever we may be called in the providence of God?"

"Yes, oh yes! you are more His than mine; I dedicated you to his service
even before you were born, and many times afterward. I would not dare
stand in your way, nor would I wish to; for dearly as I love you both,
sweet as your presence is to me, I am more than willing to deny myself
the joy of having you near me for the sake of the Master's cause, and
that you may win the reward of those to whom He will say at the last,
'Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of the
Lord.' Are you particularly drawn to the foreign field?"

"No, mamma," answered Harold, "the cause is one--'the field is the
world'--but while we are deeply interested in foreign missions and
desirous to do all we can to help there, we feel that their prosperity
depends upon the success of the work at home, and that the cause of home
missions is the cause of our country also; for that cause we would labor
and give as both patriots and Christians.

"Look at the dangers threatening our dear native land--a