The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-08-28

the entrance of her boys. A picture or
two on the walls, curtains at the win
dows, flowers on stand, and the sweet
face of the little daughter still smiling
upon you from the same old spot.
Peace and quiet brood over all, and you
feel that this is true home. Time has
dealt so gently with Faith Winters, that
it is difficult to realize that ten years
have gone into the past since we last
looked upon her. There is the same
calm brow, clear eyes, pure face, as of
yore. Steps and pleasant voices are
heard, and with the old sweet smile the
mother greets her boys. Men as they
now are, there is much to remind one of
the boys of ten years ago, except that in
Johns face is an unsatisfied expression.
Lovingly they greeted the mother, who
evidently had lost none Of her precious
ness to them. 'Can it be that ten years
have elapsed, my sons" said Mrs. Win
tiers, 'since that day that requested
you not to resume the subject upon
which we were speaking, until this time?
We have all been spared, and now we
are ready to hear whether your youthful
dreams have been realized. John, you
are the Oldest" and as she raised her
eyes to her fine-looking son, a shadow
for one moment passed over her face.
my boy, is your faith in yourself and
in your own abilities as strong as ever?"
"Ah MOTHER" and the strong face
worked with emotion, until the last
few months my life has been failure.
Faith in myself, not faith in God, was all
that thought needed. While not de-
spising the love of my companions, l
felt that was superior to many of them,
that if they did not choose to love me 1
was strong enough to stand alone. You
know won the highest position in the
colonies. Even old men have looked up
to me with respect, and the younger
men have envied my talents and in
tiuence. But they only chose me be-
cause they knew me to be honest, and
that l better than any other could in
sure the success of the colonies. A few
months ago the thought came to me, L
must make my decision Am l salts
fed? Is my life what I had hoped to
make it? Alas it was not. For many
days had no rest, but that 1 cannot
speak Of"
The mother, with look of sympathy,
laid her hand upon the hand of her
son.
cat last" he spoke in a low voice,
peace and trust in Gods wonderful
love came, and then won the love of
sweet Ruth White, and now know the
greatest of these is love-"
The mothers eyes were not the only
ones moistened with tears when John
ceased speaking. After moments 81
lence she turned to James.
My son, what have you to tell
us ?"
James face, always hopeful, clouded
then spoke in his CHEEKY voice. Mother,
dear, l lave given my principle, as you
know, a fair trial, Nothing has ever
daunted me. My ambition has not, per-
haps, been as far-reaehing as Johns,
but l had set goal before me and hope
has ever urged me forward. You know
that [ have succeeded as the world goes.
My hopeful disposition has never let me
see an obstacle in the way, but l have
found out in these ten years, that
though hope occupies high plane, yet
that heart filled with love for God and
mamie glanced at Arthur as he spoke
-"Can surpass all that faith and hope
can accomplish. While l have not
found such a one to fill my heart as my
brother has, have my mother, whose
faithful love has convinced me that the
greatest of these is love-"
The man, still boy to his mother,
stopped and kissed her fair brow.
"Thank you, my son, for your appre-
citation. am honored, indeed, if l have
led my boy to see and believe the great
gospel truth. We scarcely need ask
what Arthur has to say" she added,
looking at her fair, slight boy who so
much resembled her.
'Dear mother" Arthur replied with a
fond caress. II did not have to change
my views, only to hold fast to what
already firmly believed. The profession
l have chosen, a minister of Gods Word,
grows dearer to me every day. To COM
fort the sorrowing, to help the erring, to
draw precious souls to Christ, needs a
heart filled with love. Though faith
and hope may almost fail, love will cling
and never loosen its hold. 1t is to this
alone that attribute what little success
1 may have had. If God spares my life,
l hope to bring many trophies to his
feet-brought there by this one quality,
which to me transcends and overshadows
every other. Love will yet conquer this
world and bring it into loyal allegiance
to its Master and King
How well the mother and brothers
knew what Arthur's life had been; none
so low, none so debased, but that he, by
the influence of this mighty power, ex-
hibited so plainly in his own life, had
brought them out of darkness into Gods
marvellous light.
For long time they sat in silence,
and then the mothers voice gently and
TREMENDOUSLY breathed out: "And now
abideth these three, faith, hope, love;