oes on ever-rolling, ever-unceasing, down the long tide of eternity;
but, in every age, there are those who, like Mohammed, possess such an
individuality, such a personality, that their power goes on increasing,
crashing like the avalanche down my native mountains."

"How eloquently such a thought appeals to right impulse, right action!"
said Amzi, thoughtfully. "Did a man realize its import fully, he would
surely be spurred on to act, not to sit idly letting the world drift
by."

"'No man liveth unto himself,'" said Yusuf slowly. "Whether we will it
or not, we are each of us ever exerting some influence for good or for
ill upon those with whom we come in contact. No one can be neutral. Acts
often speak in thunder-tones, when mere words are heard but in
whispers."

"I fear me, Yusuf," said the Meccan, with a half-smile, "that Amzi has
neither thundered in action, nor even whispered in words. So little good
has he done, that he almost hates to think of your great influence
theory."

Yusuf smiled and slipped his arm about the Meccan's shoulder. "Amzi,
the name of 'benevolent' belies your words," he said. "Think you that
your home duties faithfully performed, your pure and upright life, pass
for naught?"

"You would stand aghast, Yusuf," returned Amzi, "if I told you the
amount of time that I have squandered, simply in dreaming, smoking, and
taking my ease."

"Time is a precious gift," replied Yusuf, "it flows on and on as a great
river towards the sea, and never returns. It appears to me, every day,
more clearly as the talent given to all men to be used rightly. I, as
well as you, have let precious hours pass, and, in doing so, we have
both done wrong. Yet I pray that we may every day see, more and more,
the necessity of well occupying the hours,--'redeeming the time, because
the days are evil.'"

"Would that I had your decision of purpose, your firmness of will!" said
Amzi, wistfully. "Yusuf, it would be impossible for me to spend all my
time as you do,--visiting, relieving, studying, speaking ever the word
in season, and ever working for others. I should miss my _kaif_."

"Even if you know it was in the cause of the Lord?" asked Yusuf, with
gentle reproof. "Yet, Amzi, you have done as much as I, considering your
opportunities. The great thing is to do faithfully whatever comes to
one's hand, whether that be great or small. Know you not that it was
said to him who had received only two talents, 'Well done, good