er to decline whatever aid God
puts it into the hearts of others to offer to them."

Donald warmly thanked his friend; and seeing the justness of his
remarks, without hesitation accepted his offer. His mind was thereby
greatly relieved from any anxiety he might have felt in supporting those
who had become dependent upon him, till he himself should be able to
gain sufficient for the purpose.

He wrote immediately to Alec Galbraith, but some time passed, and no
answer was received to his letter. He then got Mr Todd to make
inquiries of some acquaintances at Montreal, and through them he at last
heard that after the house in which Alec had been engaged had broken up,
the young man having vainly attempted to find employment in other firms,
had left the place without letting anyone know in what direction he had
gone. He had created many enemies by the opinions he publicly expressed
on religious and political subjects, and was looked upon as a disloyal
and dangerous person.

This account greatly grieved Donald, who had not supposed it possible
that the fine manly and talented friend of his youth would be otherwise
than liked, and succeed wherever he might go. "What can possibly have
changed Alec so much?" he asked himself more than once.

Donald mentioned the subject to Mr Skinner.

"What was the foundation of his good qualities?" inquired his friend.
"Were they built on the rock which, when the floods of trial and
temptation came would stand firm, or on the sandy soil, whence they were
sure to be washed away."

Donald considered. "He resided in Germany for some time, and I know
that his religious opinions underwent a change for the worse, and from
some remarks Margaret let drop, that his mother was very anxious about
him."

"That is a sufficient explanation," observed Mr Skinner, with a sigh.
"We must pray that like the prodigal son he may find that he has husks
alone to eat, and be brought back to the loving Father, who, with open
arms, is ever ready to receive those who, having made that important
discovery, return to Him."

The two Christian friends knelt down and offered up their petitions that
the wanderer might be found out and restored.

Few people in the settlement were more busy than Donald Morrison.
Besides building his log house, at which he worked with his own hands,
and superintending the clearing of the ground, he had his official
duties to attend to, which he in no way neglected; and, as the
s