honorable and good. He has
nothing to do with the _false_; he can afford to seem in all things what
he is, and to depend for love and favor on his consciousness of worth."

"But, mother, I never thought of depending upon anything else. The
Wilsons know that I am their equal in the school room, and in all the
qualities which they ought to respect."

"You remember we spoke of a right of choice on their part; and now are
you, a Christian, going to be hurt because fashionable people do not
court you? Can you not yet think of a way to bear the vexation? Is it,
indeed, so much of a trial, as you think it all over?

"You know, little daughter, that Christians can look at these things
only in the light the Christ-life sheds on their souls, on all their
earthly relations, on the path that leads them up to the Source of
light, truth and right. Think of it, and tell me to-morrow if you can
bear to be slighted by the Wilsons."

[Illustration: _"Well, Anna, have you come to a conclusion?"_]

* * * * *

"Well, Anna," said Mrs. Jones the next day, "have you come to a
conclusion?"

"Really, mother," said Anna, "you have a great way of taking the sting
out of uncomfortable things. I wonder if I shall ever get so as not to
care for my own sake."

"That will depend upon how closely you are united to God. If you live
the true Christ-life, nothing of the sort will hurt you much; the
consciousness of being right, the joy of His approval, will suffice you.
But what about the Wilsons?"

"Why, mother, nothing about them; I don't think I shall feel bad any
more. If they do not care for me, I shall not for them, only to be kind
and polite; and I am sure I want no one's favor who does not love me for
just what I am, and for trying to become better than I am. I shall go to
school very happy to-day."

"I am truly glad, Anna; but always remember this: Every soul is created
by the same God--purchased by the blood of the same Saviour, and has an
individual life as dear to God as any other life.

"The Christian is peculiarly precious to Him, and however humble in this
world's estimate, is an heir to His eternal glory and happiness; and so
the Christian should, whatever may be his gifts or calling, possess that
quietness and dignity of spirit, that, resting in the consciousness of
God's love and approval, he will not be greatly moved by the applause or
the displeasure of his fellows."

"And so, mother, it sa