r and mother, God rest their souls!
Paul," said Pat, introducing a new subject, "ain't there a hell to
punish the wicked, as well as a heaven to reward the good?"

"Certainly, Pat; does not the Catechism say so?"

"Yes, but yesterday, Cassius Prying tried to persuade me that there was
no hell. He said all would go to heaven, in the end. I told him it was
no such thing. He said the minister said so."

"Oh, Patrick, my boy, beware of Cassius; you must not listen to his
talk, for it is wicked. God tells us there is a hell, and we must
believe all he teaches us by his church and his word, or we will be
condemned to hell forever."

"Oh, the Lord save us! I won't hear to Cassius no more."

"That's a good boy, Patsy; mind to watch Eugene, and make him do as you
do. We will all soon be going home to uncle's, please God."

"How soon, Paul? I am tired of being in 'Merica."

"Very soon, please God. Good-by, and be good: learn this, the eighth
chapter of the Catechism, next."

"I will, Paul, with God's help."

This is the way Paul, our hero, took care of the responsibility God had
thrown on his tender shoulders at the age of fifteen. Never did
missionary or priest labor, by prayer, and prudence, and anxiety, to
save souls to Christ, as Paul did to save his brothers. He was to them
the true Joseph, who not only kept their bodies from starving, but
preserved their souls from a worse than Egyptian captivity. And not only
did his exertions produce the desired effect on the immediate objects of
his solicitude, but God added as the reward of his zeal other souls,
"not of this fold."

Old uncle Jacob was all but disconsolate at the loss of Paul. He was his
bed-fellow for years, and every night and morning was witness of his
piety and punctuality in prayer. And although poor uncle Jacob himself
had long since learned to doubt of all forms of faith, he could not be
indifferent to the example set him by Paul's steady devotion. The poor
old man, besides, led a very innocent life, and the grace of God had few
obstacles to contend with in its influx into his empty but innocent
soul. He was often heard to say in presence of even Mr. Gulmore, the
minister, and Amanda, who might be called the female parson, that, if
any religion was worth having, it was that one which made Paul so
victorious in his arguments, and so pure and pious in his conduct. "That
was the young one," said uncle, his voice trembling with feeling, for he
loved Paul