No one felt this more keenly than the mother, but she only said in a gentle tone, "We must forgive and forget."

"Because you are the children of light," said Edith, and the Lord bids them love their enemies, as He loved and died for His. Who knows," continued the child, as a bright thought broke on her mind, "who knows whether poor Marion, while she lies in pain on her bed, may not learn to be holy and good. Perhaps God has put her there to keep her from being tempted, and to give her time for thinking and praying; she used to say that she never had time. Perhaps God lets her be sorrowful now, to make her glad all the rest of her life.”

"I hope so I trust so," said Rebekah, "no one has more reason than myself to know that grief may be sent as a blessing, and that we have cause to thank God for every trial that leads us nearer to Him."

Mr. Eardley now entered the cottage with a heart more full of grateful joy than he ever had done before. Around him he beheld living examples of the power of grace to strengthen the soul in temptation, and support it under distress; and he adored the wisdom and love which from age to age are bringing good out of evil, light out of darkness, and making the Babylon of this world the training place of the children of light.