urch, the
one to which she had gone on the first Sunday of her arrival, and
which she frequently attended when the weather was unfavourable, or
when she had to go alone. She was not sorry when circumstances made
this desirable, for she enjoyed the service and the sermon more than
she did at the church the family usually attended. The words of the
preacher seemed to come with more power and tenderness,--perhaps
because he had himself been brought through much tribulation to know
the God of all consolation, and had thus been made able to comfort
others "by the comfort wherewith he himself was comforted of God." At
all events, it was certain that of the consolation abounding in Christ
he was an earnest and able expounder.

"What! are you going out when it is so very wet?" asked Stella, as her
cousin entered the room. Sophy, who had been gazing moodily into the
fire over the book she was holding, started up, saying, "I think I'll
go with you, Lucy. Wait a few minutes for me." Her mother remonstrated
a little; but Sophy's restless longing for change and action of some
kind was often uncontrollable, and the two girls set out through the
wind and rain, clinging closely together to support each other on the
wet and slippery pavement.

How earnestly Lucy prayed in silence, as they traversed the short
distance, that the preacher they were going to hear might have a
special message to the troubled, heavy heart beside her, and how
intensely did she listen to the prayers the minister offered up, to
catch any petitions that might seem suited to her cousin's need! She
was slightly disappointed when he announced his text, "O Israel, thou
hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thy help found," for she had
hoped that it would be one of the many beautiful, comforting passages
in which the New Testament abounds. But her disappointment wore off as
he proceeded with his discourse.

He first briefly sketched the history of the rebellion of Israel in
departing from the God of her help, and in transferring to the idols
of the heathen the allegiance which was due to the living God. He
vividly described the "destruction" which must be the natural result
of such a departure from the source of her highest life. Then he spoke
of the means by which God sought to bring her back,--of the purifying
judgments which He sent, in love and mercy, to restore her to
spiritual health, and of the inexhaustible supply of "help," of tender
compassion and restori