MANY instructive lessons might be drawn from the incidents connected with the interval between this and the last lesson, did time permit. The death and burial of Samuel is a subject of notice, and the renewed efforts of Saul to capture David are also worthy of mention. The flight of David to Gath, and his agreement with the Philistines while virtually exiled from his own country; the account of the interview Saul held with the woman of Endor, in which an evil spirit was caused to personate the dead prophet, Samuel; these, together with several other features, are all full of interest, but cannot properly come inside the scope of the present lesson. However, these subjects will amply repay private study, and will furnish much food for reflection.
IN the lesson of to-day we have the closing scenes in the eventful life of Saul, as far as recorded. The Philistine armies under Achish, king of Gath, had once more invaded Palestine, and were encamped on or near Mount Gilboa, a range of hills about ten miles in length, extending eastward from the City of Jezreel, where the Israelites had pitched their army. Here the final battle of Saul was fought.
FOR some time previous to this, the Lord had refused to guide or answer Saul in any way because of his persistent course in evil. Just previous to the battle recorded in the present lesson, Saul, in his last extremity, had turned to those who had familiar spirits, and communed with them, the express command of God to the contrary notwithstanding. By thus doing, it would seem that he forever severed any connection which might have remained between the Lord and himself. Failing to obtain the solace he desired from the evil spirits, and apparently recognizing that his life was a failure, the monarch returned broken-hearted to the field of battle, and during the few remaining hours of his life, what courage he manifested must have been the courage of sheer despair, ending finally in his ignominious death by his own hand.
THE overthrow of Saul was not from lack of military knowledge, as some have supposed, but was the direct result of forsaking the ways of the Lord. Saul had shown himself at the outset to be not only brave and courageous but possessed of good executive ability, and had he continued to allow the Lord to lead him, there is no reason to think these qualities would ever have failed him. God had promised to confirm him in the kingdom if he continued to walk righteously in the sight of the Lord, and it was not until Saul had flagrantly rebelled against God that this promise was withdrawn.
"IF God be for us, who can be against us?" Rom. 8:31. Our hearts can endure almost anything so long as we know that the Lord is on our side. And he will be for us and will order everything for our best good so long as we obey him and follow after righteousness. But when God is no longer for us, when through a desire to follow our own ways we walk away from the paths of truth, then how can our hands be strong, or how can we expect the blessing of the Lord? It is a tremendous truth that God does govern and direct in the affairs of men. Let us not wait as did Saul, until we are compelled to acknowledge it by the sternness of God's dealings with us on account of our disobedience.
SAUL was rewarded according to his own transgressions. He had rejected the counsel of Samuel, his life-long friend, and had ordered the slaughter of the priests at Nob, and now he died comfortless and alone, without so much even as a prayer in his behalf. Had he not so persistently sought the life of David he need not have died because of the lack of David's help. He had put away the fear of God from before his eyes during his life, and in his death God turned away from him. If we expect to die right, we must live right.
THERE is one redeeming feature connected with this lesson which we may ponder with profit. The Philistines had insulted the bodies of Saul and his sons after their death by fastening them to the wall at Beth-shan; but when the men of Jabesh-gilead heard of it, the remembrance of Saul's former kindness to them in delivering them from the Ammonites so moved upon their gratitude that they arose by night and took the bodies to Jabesh, east of the Jordan, and burned them and buried their bones that no further indignity might be offered them. Here was a generous and unselfish deed performed by Saul forty years before, and yet its influence extended down past his death, and these men of Jabesh-gilead showed that they had never forgotten it. What an incentive this should be to us, to scatter light and help others along their pathway.
THE character of Saul may be briefly summed up. He was certainly a man of many good qualities, as is shown by the fact that he did not neglect the affairs of the kingdom even when engaged in battles with the nations around him. He seems to have punished all idolatry and false worship, and as no complaints were uttered against him after his death, it is probable that during his life he must have discharged the duties of the kingdom, in temporal matters at least, to the satisfaction of
Laws and the Oppression of the Poor
FROM ages immemorial it has been true that, as Goldsmith says—
"Laws grind the poor, and rich men rule the law."
Reforms have promised better things many times, but in a little while the men of poverty could say,—
"Thou found'st me poor at first and keep'st me so."
No laws were so favorable to the poor as were the laws given by Jehovah to the Jews. Times anterior had known no such laws as Israel then possessed. Deut. 4:5-8. And yet, as the Hebrews transgressed every other law, their covetous natures led them to disregard the injunctions concerning the poor. This was among their heinous sins, as shown by the solemn messages of reproof borne by the prophets. "What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord of hosts." Isa. 3:15. Bruise them or break them, as the Hebrew word signifies; but, worse than this, they were ground away till nothing was left. As Micah says (chap. 3:2), "Who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones."
Tyranny Under a Show of Piety
This was the condition of the Jewish people when Christ came: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers; therefore shall ye receive the greater damnation." Matt. 23:14. The cruelest tyranny and oppression was connected with the greatest show of piety. A solemn, fearful doom awaits all such.
Christ’s Teaching on Riches and Poverty
THESE things were reversed by the teaching of the Lord of glory. The common people were not "accursed" in his eyes; he preached to the poor, and they heard him gladly. He ministered to their longings—blessed their little ones, healed their sick, raised their dead, and, best of all, set them free from sin. He did not shut out the rich; but the rich, by cleaving to riches, shut out themselves, as we have learned in past lessons. In fact, it can be stated with assurance that, of the responsible, only those will be saved who realize the nothingness of all earth; who, if rich, place those riches upon the altar of God, and use them for his glory.
True Riches and Christian Stewardship
Not all the rich are rich; not all the poor are poor. A man may possess wealth, but that wealth may all be consecrated to God, to be constantly used in the service of God, whenever and wherever the Lord indicates. Such a man is poor in this world, and is heir of the kingdom of God. He has renounced his worldly wealth in favor of its rightful owner—the Creator. Such a man will acknowledge his stewardship by acting as a steward. There may be those who are poor in this world's goods, yet whose hearts are set on worldly riches, who plan and delve and dream to obtain them, always rich in prospect but never succeeding through poor management or negligence. Such are not poor in the meaning of James 2:5.
Usury Condemned in Scripture
THE laws of the Hindoos allowed 18 and 24 per cent. interest on money. Other nations were not much better. But while the Hebrews were allowed to take interest from strangers or those without, they were to take none from the poor of their brethren. "If ye lend money to your poor neighbor, of my people, ye shall not be to him an usurer, nor shall ye lay interest upon him." Ex. 22:25. The New Testament teaches the same thing. Luke 6:34, 35. According to Dr. Schaff the early Fathers of the church denounced it; so also did Luther. The taking of usury is unsparingly denounced in many places in the Bible. Neh. 5:7-10; Ps. 15:5; Eze. 22:12.
The Missionary.
By A. G. Daniells
NEW ZEALAND.
AT no time since coming to this country have we seen so much to encourage us as we see at present. From the time it was decided that we should come here we felt that we were in the path of duty. And from the first efforts put forth after our arrival the Lord has condescended to work with and for us. New Zealand is either a very exceptional field naturally, or else the Lord has gone before us in a special manner. The columns of the best newspapers have been open for favorable notices and articles; the people have been so eager to hear our views that we have had no trouble in securing a large attendance at the public services; we have the fullest liberty to sell our publications anywhere in the Colony. These we know are great advantages which many foreign fields do not possess, and for which we thank God daily.
Soon after my last report, Bro. E. M. Morrison and I visited the most of our canvassers and endeavored to instruct them more fully in the canvassing work. They were meeting with fair success and were of good courage to press on, but we came to the conclusion that it would be advisable to hold a canvassers' drill. This will be held at Napier, September 13-30. The most of the canvassers are arranging to attend, and several promising persons are preparing to take hold of the work at that time.
While visiting one company of our canvassers we met a very nice man who was canvassing the same territory for another publishing house. Having learned something of our views, he called on the canvassers to make further inquiries. After a few weeks' investigation he became convinced of the truthfulness of our doctrines and began observing the Sabbath. While we were there he bought a prospectus for "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation," and is now closing up his work for the other book so that he can give his entire time to the sale of our works. He has a liberal education, and has taught school for a number of years. We feel confident that he will prove a valuable addition to our corps of workers.
I have reported previously of the interest that has been manifested by the people of Napier in the Third Angel's Message. That interest still continues. Ninety names are now on the covenant to "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." Others are keeping the Sabbath, and still others are almost persuaded. The attendance at our services has been larger of late than at any time before. On Sunday evenings from five to seven hundred attend, and the donations each time amount to about $20.
Seeing so many convinced of the truth yet undecided as to whether to obey, and feeling the need of more of the love of Christ in our own hearts, the church thought best to hold revival meetings for a short time. These proved a great blessing. At first it seemed as though we should be defeated by the powers of darkness. The heavens seemed like brass. All seemed paralyzed, but did not give up. We met night after night and plead the promises of God until we gained a victory. The Lord broke the power of Satan and gave us his Spirit in a large measure. Several took their stand for the truth, and thirty were baptized. This increased the membership of the church to fifty-four. Others wish to be immersed soon.
At the close of these meetings there was a general feeling that we ought to build a house of worship. At a meeting convened to consider the matter, a motion to build was carried unanimously; the sum of $700 was pledged, and a building committee elected. Since then the subscription has been increased to over a thousand dollars, a lot on which to build has been purchased, and the plans of the building about completed. By the time this report appears the building will most likely be under headway.
In securing our piece of ground we certainly had help from above. For several days we searched but could find nothing that would be at all suitable for less than two thousand dollars. Finally we made inquiry about a very desirable piece which had not previously been for sale. We found that it was then for sale, and to our surprise it was offered to us for $1,000. We purchased at once. We could now sell for one-third more than we gave.
Building a church during such a financial depression as this Colony is at present experiencing occasions a good deal of hard work and sacrifice on the part of all connected with it, but we do not see how we can avoid it. The hall we rent is very unsuitable, and the rent is considerable. Nearly all who have embraced the truth in Napier are permanent residents, so that the membership is not likely to decrease.
I feel sure that the readers of this report will rejoice with us when they learn that four of our young men are on their way to our colleges in America; where they expect to remain a few years preparing to act some part in this closing work. One of them received the truth at Kaeo when Brother Haskell was here. He thinks of attending the Healdsburg College. The other three will go on to Battle Creek where they expect to remain until they have completed their course. These young men have taken a noble stand for this precious but unpopular truth. The father of one is a prominent business man in Napier. He intended that his son should soon succeed him as partner in the business. When the young man accepted the truth he resigned a lucrative position and turned his back upon all worldly prospects with the determination to spend the remainder of his life in the service of God. This, of course, appeared extremely foolish to his relatives and associates who believed not the message. Many endeavored in various ways to turn him from his purpose, but they failed.
The mother of one of the young men has received the truth with her whole heart. This made it less difficult for him to leave. His father is a physician and his mother is a dentist. They had sent one son to Cambridge to study law, and had intended to send this one to America to study dentistry, but their plans have entirely changed. Such changes in the plans of old and young show the power there is in the truth of God.
A number of cases of much interest have lately come to light here. To mention all would make the report too long. One or two, however, will be appreciated by the readers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Some months ago one of our canvassers delivered "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation" about one hundred miles from Napier. One man who purchased a copy was so pleased with the contents that he loaned it to a friend, recommending it as an excellent book. The man to whom he loaned it became satisfied that the views advocated were sound, and felt that he ought to observe the Sabbath. Not aware that there was a Seventh-day Adventist in New Zealand he wrote to Battle Creek, America, where the book was published. His letter was handed to Sister Huntley, and she sent him copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES and Review and Herald. But before they reached him he happened to find a copy of the Bible Echo which I had sent to the public reading-room in his town. In that copy he saw a report of my work in Napier. He then learned that there were Seventh-day Adventists in this country. He has since told me that no one can tell the joy that filled his heart when he found that there was one person here keeping the seventh day. He has fully decided to do so himself, and has been opposed most bitterly by former associates. It had been reported that he had gone insane and must be taken to the Wellington Asylum. As soon as he learned of us he wrote asking some questions. We urged him to obey the truth without delay. Since then he has twice traveled one hundred miles to attend our meetings and to receive baptism. The Lord greatly blessed him on both occasions. I do not know that I have ever seen a happier man than he was after his baptism. He is an intelligent man and one whom we hope will be useful in the cause. In another town one of the canvassers delivered Vol. 4 Great Controversy. A gentleman who read one of the books became convinced of the truth and began the observance of the Sabbath before he had seen another Sabbath keeper. When he heard of us he came to see us, was baptized, joined the church, and began paying tithes from the time he learned the truth. Both of these brothers are members571of our Tract Society and are zealous in distributing our reading matter. They appreciate the value of our books and papers.
There are of course difficulties connected with the work here, but they are not great. A relation of them would neither edify nor benefit the reader. So long as the people flock to hear, contribute liberally to meet expenses, purchase our publications, and take hold of the truth as they do, we care but little for the trials or perplexities. Of late considerable opposition has been manifested by the most zealous church-members in Napier. Four sermons were preached on the Sabbath question last week. Two by ministers of the Church of England, one by a Free Methodist minister, and one by a Catholic priest. I reviewed the minister who has the greatest influence. About six hundred were present. The next day six letters appeared in the morning paper against me. I replied. The discussion lasted several days. Finally the editor brought it to a close, giving me the last article. The paper has a wide circulation and many people will read the arguments presented. We believe the word of truth which declared that man "can do nothing against the truth but for the truth."
We desire the prayers of our people in America. We shall be glad when the conflict is over. We feel weary and sick at times of a superficial world. The truth of God alone sustains us.
A. G. DANIELLS.
Napier, August 11, 1889.
Usury and Favoritism Toward the Rich
How many there are, who, to favor the rich, make many gifts and give costly banquets, while they exact from their poor brethren every cent of usury which the law allows, under claim of necessity; while the aggregate of their favors to the rich and well-to-do, who need them not, are much more than the interest which the poor man is compelled to give.
Duties Toward the Poor
The poor should be cared for generously. Money bestowed upon the poor is loaned unto the Lord; God will richly repay the unselfish heart. But the poor should not be needlessly pauperized. They should be helped in a way that would encourage them to help themselves, that would encourage industry and not indolence. Sometimes poverty comes through poor management and sloth. Those who expect help from the Christian church ought to be willing to be counseled and advised by those who help. It is frequently the other way. But the poor who will not take advice ought not to expect help. There are solemn duties resting upon those who have means, for which God will hold them responsible. There are also duties resting upon the poor for which they must give account. God will bless those who in his fear and his strength do those duties, and will make them blessings to others.
FERNDALE CAMP-MEETING.
By J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH
THE annual camp-meeting of the Seventh-day Adventists of Humboldt County was held according to appointment, in Ferndale, from August 15-22. The camp was a beautiful fresh-mown meadow, just in the outskirts of the village. It was acknowledged on all hands to be decidedly the most beautiful camping ground that we have yet occupied in the county, and it was the largest number of tents we have ever had in camp in that county. There were 28 camping tents besides the 60-ft. pavilion, and about 120 were encamped upon the ground. We were favored with good weather for the meeting from the first.
The laborers present were Brethren Cook, McClure, Ings, Daniels, Grainger, Lamb, and the writer. There were nineteen discourses given, mostly of a close, practical character, five children's meetings were held and a number of early morning prayer-meetings, worker's meetings, etc. In the early stage of the meeting, there was an earnest move in the camp for a thorough heart work, and many, ere the meetings closed, found sweet peace in believing. On next to the last day of the meeting twenty-two were baptized by Brother Ings, in Salt River. Several of these were those who had accepted the truth during the last winter, under the labors of Brother Lamb in Eureka, and some of them were those who had accepted the truth during the camp-meeting.
Our camp-meeting Sabbath-school, held on Sabbath the 17th, consisted of 127, who were classified in 13 classes in the Senior Division, three in the Intermediate, and five in the Primary. Beside these there were a number of visitors. The contributions of the school amounted to $40.25, all to the Hamburg Mission.
One meeting was held in the interest of health and temperance, and attention was called to the Retreat chapel, and this people, although mostly of the poor of this world, pledged for the erection of the chapel about two hundred dollars, the half of which was paid down, and the balance is to be paid by the first of January next.
There was a good outside attendance in the meetings from the village and the surrounding country, especially in the evenings. At the close of the camp our people scattered to their homes much cheered and encouraged, only regretting that the meetings could not continue over another Sabbath.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
NORTH PACIFIC ACADEMY.
By The School Board
SCHOOL will be opened in this institution October 21, 1889, to continue till April 4, 1890. Arrangements will be made to board all the students coming from abroad. We cannot offer all the conveniences that might be afforded as we could if we had a Students' Home; but some of the objectionable features of last year will be obviated. The cost to the student, for board and tuition, will be about $12 per month. We hope to have a full attendance. We earnestly appeal to the young to make every effort to attend; and to parents to give their children every opportunity and encouragement to get an education. Time is too short to put off till next year, what you can, by energy and devotion, accomplish this year. The young should study to become self-reliant. A young person of energy can earn enough during one-half the year to attend school the other half, and the very effort to do this will cultivate a valuable trait of character. There is not that devotion to the cause of education that there should be. Parents are not planning to give their children an education—the very best endowment they can leave them. The young themselves are not hungering and thirsting for knowledge and moral discipline as they should. These things are needful to fit them for useful lives and for the issues of eternity. It takes earnest work to get an education; but then it pays in the end. Read a few extracts from Testimony No. 33:—
"Perfection of character is a life-long work, unattainable by those who are not willing to strive for it in God's appointed way, by slow and toilsome steps." P. 28.
"It is with feelings of inexpressible sadness, and sometimes almost with despair, that I contemplate the condition of the young, and see how difficult it is to encourage those to obtain an education, to whom I know God has liberally intrusted capabilities. Without education, they will be crippled and inefficient in any position. Yet in gaining this education they will be exposed to dangers and temptations. Satan will try to employ their cultivated abilities in his service." P. 49.
"There is too little zeal among the students. They should make more earnest efforts. It requires much study to know how to study. Each student must cultivate the habit of industry. He should see that no second-class work comes forth from his hand." P. 52.
If we could see the final outcome of present developments, and the severe tests to which God's people will soon be subjected, we would let no opportunity for mental and moral training pass by unimproved. Note what is further said of the condition of things in the near future:—
"We are approaching stormy times, and we want to study the true foundation of our faith. We need to search the law-book, to see if our title to the immortal inheritance is without a flaw. Our people have been regarded as too insignificant to be worthy of notice; but a change will come. The Christian world is now making movements which will necessarily bring commandment-keeping people into prominence. There is a constant supplanting of God's truth by the theories and doctrines of human origin. Movements are being set on foot to enslave the consciences of those who would be loyal to God. The law-making powers will be against God's people. Every soul will be tested. Oh that we would, as a people, be wise for ourselves, and by precept and example impart that wisdom to our children." P. 74.
"The Lord is coming. We are nearing home, and we want to take large inspirations of the heavenly atmosphere; then we shall become identified with the Saviour in all his plans. We shall be elevated, and able to elevate others, and shall be efficient in good works." P. 77.
If these words are heeded, the school will be filled with earnest seekers after truth and knowledge; and it will be cherished as one of the instrumentalities which God is using for the accomplishment of his great work to fit a people for the coming of the Saviour. We trust that our brethren in every part of this Conference will stand by the school, and sustain it by their means, patronage, and prayers.
IDAHO TERRITORY.
By W. W. Steward, D. E. Scoles
PARMA.—We began meetings here July 14 and continued three weeks. People were in the midst of haying and harvest, so our attendance was small, only ranging from thirty to forty, but those who attended showed the interest they felt in the truths which were presented. No open attacks have been made against us, although we have had much secret opposition. In spite of all this, however, thirteen have signed the covenant, and others are keeping the Sabbath of the Lord. These include some of the most intelligent people of the community. We have organized a Sabbath-school of about thirty-five members, and are staying a few days longer to further bind off the work. We ask the prayers of the faithful for the success of the work.
August 11, 1889. W. W. STEWARD, D. E. SCOLES.
LAYTONVILLE, MENDOCINO CO.
By W. H. Miller
JUNE 22 I began to hold meetings in this place, and labored as continuously as my health would permit until the 10th of August. My wife gave most of the Bible-readings, and we enjoyed much of the blessing of the Lord in working for him. One old lady signed the covenant, and is now with her sister in the truth. Three other persons, we have evidence to believe, will soon take their stand on the side of truth, with the little company of Sabbath-keepers here. We left the church longing for more of Christ's righteousness, and the Sabbath-school in good running order.
W. H. MILLER.
Calistoga, Cal., August 22.
THE LOST INTERVENTIONS.
By Elizabeth Glover
THE little dinner in the little dining-room was over at last. The maid-of-all-work, who had burned the gravy, and taken up the boiled pudding too soon, had now, with some clatter and stumbling, cleared the room, and arranged it for the evening. The children who had not minded her failures, and were merry and talkative because there was a guest who smiled upon them, had been coaxed and commanded away to bed.
At last little Mrs. Worden was free to sit down by her friend for a confidential talk, and her husband was free to withdraw with his newspaper, not to the library, but to the other side of the table. Mrs. Worden had her work-basket in her hand, but she put it aside as she looked into her friend's face—the heart was in her eyes.
"Oh, Margaret, I am so glad to see you!" she said. "It was so selfish of me to ask you to come now, but I never wanted you so before."
"And I never was so glad to come."
"Do you mean it? I used to take such pleasure in making your vacations pleasant, but everything is so different now. Everything is gone that you used to enjoy; the nice large room I kept for you, and the library, and the pictures, and the carriage, and even the piano."
"But, dear Helen, I didn't come to visit you for those."
"No; but I loved to think you enjoyed them. Now I have brought you to this little stuffy house, with the children all over it. You can hear their noise from morning till night. There is no Elise to keep them in the nursery, or take them off for an airing. They'll torment the life out of you."
"No," said Margaret, "my life never will go that way."
"But everything is so different. You saw Bridget. It's so different keeping house with her from what it used to be with the three nice maids I had. Indeed, I do my best, Margaret, but you saw how it was at dinner. We gave up all our real silver. John would, you know; and we kept only a partly broken set of china. The table does not look as it used to."
"Never mind, dear. Indeed, I don't think of that."
"No," said Mrs. Worden, mournfully. "But I can't even give you much of myself this time. I have to be busy every minute till the children are in bed. I ought to be sewing now. We can't have any more nice talks over books and questions, you know. I hardly know such things exist. My mind is full of nothing but housework and children. I've given up the Literary Club and the Charity Union, and I cannot make calls. Those nice people you used to like to meet I seldom see now. I've just dropped out of their way. I can't give any such nice little reception for you as we had last year."
"I don't want it; you know I don't"
"When I sent for you last week I was feeling as if I could not face New Year's without you. When I think of the change one little year has brought it seems like a nightmare. Everything pleasant went at once. It was hardest to lose our country house. We both loved it; it was so sweet and airy out there, and we had such lovely neighbors. When I looked forward to spending the whole summer in the city with the children it seemed dreadful."
"And has it proved as bad as you feared?"
"Well, no; I've really been so busy I hardly knew how the days passed. And we have been remarkably well, and John has been so thoughtful for me and the children. Poor John! think what a year this has been for him! He was so used to the sense of having a fortune to fall back upon. And now I know it fairly frightens him sometimes to think there is only his slender salary between us and want."
"There is more than that," said Margaret. "There's God's large, kind providence."
"Yes," said Helen, humbly. "I know, but I forget sometimes."
"I want to tell you something," said Margaret. "I mourned over your losses, dear Helen, but since I've been here I haven't been realizing them as you might think, I've been so happy over the gains."
"What gains?"
"Oh, my dear, you have got rid of the interventions!"
"What do you mean by the interventions?"
"Let me try to tell you. Helen, I was a hypocrite often in the days when you were rich, and I visited you. I pretended to be happy, and I did enjoy a great deal that I knew you wanted me to enjoy. But all the while there were such uneasy fears in my heart! Sometimes I thought I would tell you of them; then I blamed myself for a worrying, silly old maid, and was ashamed of them."
"But what was it all about, Margaret?"
"About the interventions; the interventions between you and your children, first of all. The big house with the big rooms seemed one of them. The nursery was so far from your sitting-room. How could you know the children573as you do now they are thrown right about you here? And Elise was another. She marshaled them to airings and meals and bed so irreproachably there seemed hardly a chance for them to get at you. And she was jealous when the baby cried for her 'dear lill mamma,' don't you remember? Mabel fidgeted under her rule, and wanted to play in the veranda near you instead of walking out with the baby-carriage. And when Maurice had those dreadful outbreaks of temper, and none of you knew what to do with him—forgive me, Helen—it seemed to me sometimes just a protest of his nature against uncongenial companionship. Would you or I not be cross, perhaps, if we had to spend six or eight solid hours of the day with people who did not satisfy our hearts and minds at all? And your children have natures like your own, sensitive to society, and minds like yours, bright and demanding."
"Oh, Margaret! why did you not speak of this?"
"I could not. It seemed meddlesome. I was not even sure I was right. But all that is gone now, and I am so glad."
"Maurice," said Mrs. Worden, thoughtfully, "has been the sweetest, best boy this last six months that a mother could ask for."
"And the Literary Club," Margaret resumed, "and the Charity Union, and the calls, and the shopping—yes, and new books, and the 'questions'—I was half jealous of them all the time, though they were so good and pleasant. They did intervene. They kept you hours and hours away from home, or took up so much time when you were there. All that time the children were among servants—your children, that have such active minds. My dear, I know I'm only a foreboding, anxious old maid; but when I read in the paper the stories that shock us so, about girls who have been reared in wealth and position, and elope with their father's servants, I bethink me that there is a simple reason back of every wonder. If a girl through many hours of her early life has found her best comfort and entertainment from some good-natured cook, or coachman, or gardener, why should we think like associations would prove repulsive to her afterward? Don't you remember what a fascination for your Jessie that slim, handsome mulatto, Jim, had?"
"Margaret! oh, Margaret!"
"I know; but I shivered to see her hovering about the butler's pantry whenever she could escape Elise. He had some monkey-tricks and little songs and stories that appealed to her imagination and delighted her. You yourself told me, laughing, how when John was to be away one evening, and Jessie heard you say you would be lonely, she replied, 'Send for Jim, mamma; he's real good company. I love him.'"
"But she was only six years old; a little child!"
"Yes, but it seems to me even a child of six who had always been her mother's companion would have felt relationships better than that."
"Why did you not speak, Margaret?"
"I could not then. I can now. The danger is over now. Helen, be thankful with me that your work is right here at home, where your little girls are, where they may learn to help you in it and be close to you."
Helen drew a long breath, but she did not speak.
"And there are some other suspected interventions that I miss," continued Margaret. "Those two pretty housemaids, with the white caps and the pink cheeks and bright eyes, who swept and dusted and waited so beautifully; and the coachman, with the shining carriage and horses, that came so punctually to your door every morning; they stood between you and your health. I felt almost sure of it. Don't you remember the headache and languor you used to suffer from? And the 'rubbists' that used to visit you, and the doctor's electrical treatment?"
"I couldn't afford them now," said Mrs. Worden. "Such bills would ruin us."
"And now you do not need them. You look so firm and active, and you have such color in your cheeks. Forgive me, dear, but I noticed the mouthfuls you took between spreading the baby's bread and cutting Mabel's meat and helping me, and I saw that you were hungry."
"I hardly have time to know it, but I am really hungry at meal-times. And I have wondered to find how many hours at a time I could be on my feet. Indeed, I am thankful for better health. What should I have done without it?"
"And, my dear, where is John's cigar?"
"Oh, he gave it up. Wasn't it good of him? Right in the midst of the trouble, too. I was frightened to have him do it, and yet I was glad. When I married him I thought I liked the odor of a good cigar; but it was getting to be always in his mouth. I was jealous of it. It seemed to make him indifferent even to me. Yes, I will own that was an intervention between us, Margaret. And, oh! how good and kind he is! If you were not here he would be reading his paper to me, and talking about it, too."
"Then I am an intervention now?"
"No, no; it is far better to talk with you than to hear any newspaper. But indeed, our trouble has brought us nearer to one another. He has been my great, great comfort."
"And you have been his. Dear Helen, I think you have taken it all so nobly!"
The tears came to Helen's eyes, and she wept a little with her head upon her friend's shoulder. Presently she said,—
"We have learned to say: 'Give us this day our daily bread' with some real asking in the prayer."
"There were interventions between you and God swept away in that loss?"
"Yes; we had to come near to him, asking for common things—shelter and work, and strength and sense to know how to live this new life."
"Then if God has put you in better possession of your health, and your children, and your husband, and Himself this year, don't you think we ought to have a growing happy year?"
"Does he always leave the best?" said Helen.
"Always; he only takes what intervenes between us and that."
And there was a very happy New Year's next day, when Mr. and Mrs. Worden, with Maurice, went peacefully to church, and Margaret took Jessie into the kitchen with her and allowed her to help dress the turkey, and make the cranberry sauce, and "snow" the potatoes—yes, and even let her make a lemon pudding with her own hands. Over that pudding was more pride and rejoicing than over the finest "Royal Diplomatique" that ever a French cook manufactured. It is true there were only two courses at that dinner, instead of seven as at last New Year's, and there was no company except Margaret. But there were some flowers, which she had secretly sent Bridget and Mabel and the baby to buy; and there were four good children, who did not come and go with the dessert, but sat all through the dinner like little gentlemen and ladies, and were unspeakably happy playing games afterward.
And when they were in bed their father said, thoughtfully,—
"Helen, I believe there are some ways in which this home is a better one for our children than the old one."
"Please God, we will make it so," said Helen, humbly.—Elizabeth Glover, in Christian Union.