the sunshine of innocent enjoyment shall always be shining. He must be taught to feel the deep responsibility which rests upon him, inasmuch as the happiness of every member of that home is concerned in every act and deed of his; that the pulse of joy, or grief, or shame, will vibrate as certainly in the loving hearts he leaves behind, as he, by his conduct, shall wake the sounding strings in his own. So his home shall act like a charm to keep him from evil all through his childhood, and it shall be so interwoven with all the influences that go to form his character, that in all the years of his after-life he shall not be able to shake himself free from its hallowed influence."

Oh, Mr. Marsden, this would be a blessed result indeed! and, all incompetent as I am, my heart says, I will strive to attain unto it. But oh! we are very far from any such state of things at present."

"Never mind that, my dear madam; you have walked over the ground, you have a just

perception of the work that is before you, you feel your weakness and incompetence, and you know where to look for strength. In my Master's name I bid you be of good courage The promise is unto you and to your children,' and 'He is faithful that promised.'"

Mrs. Thornton did indeed feel that a great work was opening before her. Important it had always seemed, but now as Mr. Marsden described it, it seemed to swell and dilate before her, and filling all Time, it reached on to an endless Eternity. "Who is sufficient for these things?" thought she, and then came the answer to her soul, "My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

After a few minutes she resumed-" But, Mr. Marsden, if Percy remains at home for the present, I must have a tutor."

"I think you might send him for some hours each day to Mr. Maitland, the curate, in the next village. I know him well, and believe him to be well fitted for the task; he has three pupils already. It will, too, be a good prepara

tion for the boy entering upon school life, and it is far better he should learn with boys at once. He will find his proper level, and estimate his own powers better. He has far too high an opinion of himself now; but I am sure this is not to be wondered at, when we consider how all things in his home have tended to foster this."

"Well, Mr. Marsden, I am very glad you think I may keep my boy for the present. Now will I begin at once, and seek to establish myself in a house of my own; and for the rest, may God guide me day by day, till that home bear some slight resemblance to the bright picture you have set before me.”

It was while walking up and down the terrace-walk in the rector's garden that this conversation had been held, and now little Louisa came running across the lawn, saying, "Grandmama is going home, mama, and she says, are you ready?”

Quite ready, dear," and taking her little girl by the hand, her heart lightened of the

uncertainty which pressed upon it, and feeling that she had found in Mr. Marsden a counsellor whom she could safely trust, she began to look forward into the future with a buoyant and hopeful spirit, resolving that nothing should be wanting on her part to make her home happy to her children, and believing that by patient, judicious, loving care, she should win their hearty co-operation in all her plans for their good.

One morning, after breakfast, she was sitting revolving these thoughts in her mind, and reflecting how she could with least pain inform Miss Willis, that, in the new arrangements she was about to make, she should no longer need her assistance, when little Flora came into the room to fetch a book; she looked languid as usual, but brightened up when she saw her mother. "Oh, mama, how pleasant this room looks! I wish I might come and sit with you!"

"And you may come, my love."

"And leave my lessons, mama?"

"Yes, go and tell Miss Willis that I want you for my little companion this morning, and then bring your work, or your last new story-book, and we will spend the morning together."

Flora was not long in executing this most welcome commission; and sitting down on a stool at her mother's feet, she looked up in her face with a grateful smile, as though the sympathy and love she read there, were making sweet music in her inmost soul.

"Mama, I do love you so!"

The mother bent her head down, and answered this with a long, loving kiss.

"Mama, do you think I am very backward? Miss Willis says I am; she thinks I shall never learn anything. Do you think so ?"

"No, my dear; you will learn all in good time-all that is needful for you to know."

“But, mama, I shall never learn as Maria does,"