king voice
uttered the words, "Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust," many
a heart heaved with sorrow, many an eye filled with tears, many a
breast throbbed with sobbing; but as he went on to proclaim in
triumphant tones, "In sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to
Eternal Life through our Lord Jesus Christ," an awed silence fell upon
that sorrow-stricken assembly and a new hope was begotten in their
hearts.

"Father, in Thy gracious keeping
Leave we now Thy servant sleeping."

CHAPTER V.

"_Is it well with the child? It is well._"

"Safely, safely gathered in,
No more sorrow, no more sin,
No more childish griefs or fears,
No more sadness, no more tears;
For the life so young and fair
Now hath passed from earthly care;
God Himself the soul will keep,
Giving His beloved sleep.

"Safely, safely gathered in,
Free from sorrow, free from sin,
Passed beyond all grief and pain,
Death, for thee, is truest gain;
For our loss we must not weep,
Nor our loved one long to keep
From the house of rest and peace
Where all sin and sorrow cease.

"Safely, safely gathered in,
No more sorrow, no more sin.
God has saved from weary strife,
In its dawn, this fresh young life,
Which awaits us now above,
Resting in the Saviour's love;
Jesu, grant that we may meet
There adoring at Thy feet."

--_Henrietta O. Dobree._

(Hymn 284, Book of Common Praise.)

CHAPTER VI.

Men come and go. Nations rise and wane. Suns rise and set. The seasons
roll around. The days and weeks and months succeed each other in rapid
succession, and Time, the great Physician, heals our wounds. Once again
'tis Christmas Eve, and in a certain city church the Rector lingers for
a while to see that all is in readiness for the festal morning. Loving
hands have decorated the neat little church. Beautiful it looks, with
its evergreen holly and ivy, and red berries, and white sparkling frost
crystals, and pure white carnations on the altar. All is ready for
to-morrow's services, and with thankful heart the Rector kneels on the
chancel step to thank God for His best gift to the world--The Babe of
Bethlehem--and to beseech that His people may appreciate that Gift and
come in large numbers to the Holy Table. As he is about to leave the
church an old woman comes tottering up the aisle bearing in one hand a
silver "