terest and look around the bare and smoky walls
and out of one window that commanded a view of the rippled harbor, when
suddenly his attention was arrested by a direct reference to himself, or
rather, his errand to Rockhaven. "We have," asserted the minister, in
slow and solemn voice, "a certain and sure proof that the Lord watches
over and cares for us, and that we on this lonely island, striving to
live righteously, are not forgotten by Him. Our acres fit to till are
few and lack fertility; our winters dreary and full of the menace of
storm and shipwreck to those who must pursue their calling abroad; and
yet it seems that He who holds the waters in the hollow of His hand,
realizing our needs, has turned the minds of moneyed men toward our
barren home, and through them blessed us with a new source of
livelihood. Through them heretofore worthless ledges of granite are to
be reared into dwellings, or perhaps churches in the great city. It is
to me a certain and signal proof that the good Lord watches over us
here, as well as over others who dwell in more favored spots, and that
we have a new and greater cause for thankfulness. Many times we have
repined at our hard lot, at our scanty stores of sustenance and the
bitterness of poverty; many times, too, some of us have felt the burden
of our lives hard to bear, and almost doubted the good Lord's
watchfulness and care over all who believe in His word. It is this lack
of faith, and this lesson of His goodness, even unto us, that I wish to
impress upon your minds to-day, for, although we are but poor and
humble, illy fed and thinly clad, yet we are not forgotten by Him, the
Great Ruler of the Universe."

This peculiar and unusual reference to a mere matter of business and
Winn's mission to Rockhaven did not end his discourse, but it kept that
young man's attention away from all else until the minister closed and
bowed his head in prayer, and, when the inevitable and long-handled
collection box was passed, Winn felt he must, perforce, contribute
liberally, which he did.

When the congregation was dismissed and he and Mrs. Moore reached the
porch, there was Jess with two ladies, one elderly, and the girl Winn
had noticed in Rock Lane, seemingly awaiting him. An introduction to
Mrs. and Miss Hutton followed, and then all five walked homeward
together.

It is said that trifles determine our course in life, that, like chips
floating down the stream, we are moved hither and yon