n his
weakness and sense of degradation, to God as the only one who can lift
him up and set his feet in a safe place. Not taught this as from pulpit
and platform, but by earnest, self-denying, sympathizing Christian men
and women standing face to face with the poor repentant brother, and
holding him tightly by the hand lest he stumble and fall in his first
weak efforts to walk in a better way. And this is just the work that is
now being done in our city by a Heaven-inspired institution not a year
old, but with accomplished results that are a matter of wonder to all
who are familiar with its operations."

Mrs. Birtwell leaned toward Mr. Elliott as he read, the light of a new
hope irradiating her countenance.

"Is not this a Church in the highest and best sense?" asked Mr.
Elliott, with a glow of enthusiasm in his voice.

"It is; and if the membership is not full, I am going to join it,"
replied Mrs. Birtwell, "and do what I can to bring at least one
straying sheep out of the wilderness and into its fold."

"And I pray God that your work be not in vain," said the clergyman. "It
is that I might lead you to this work that I am now here. Some of the
Christian men and women whose names I find here"--Mr. Elliott referred
to the paper in his hand--"are well known to me personally, and others
by reputation."

He read them over.

"Such names," he added, "give confidence and assurance. In the hands of
these men and women, the best that can be done will be done. And what
is to hinder if the presence and the power of God be in their work?
Whenever two or three meet together in his name, have they not his
promise to be with them? and when he is, present, are not all saving
influences most active? Present we know him to be everywhere, but his
presence and power have a different effect according to the kind and
degree of reception. He is present with the evil as well as the good,
but he can manifest his love and work of saving far more effectually
through the good than he can through the evil.

"And so, because this Home has been made a Christian Home, and its
inmates taught to believe that only in coming to God in Christ as their
infinite divine Saviour, and touching the hem of his garments, is there
any hope of being cured of their infirmity, has its great saving power
become manifest."

Just then voices were heard sounding through the hall. Apparently there
was an altercation between the waiter and some one at the street d