Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-12-22

God then IL the weilspring Of our
thanksgiving and not human condition
and circumstances" exclaimed the girl.
looking up. while her face was tranp-
formed with the new light which had
broken forth within.
'Yea." replied Tychicus. with fervor.
b1t is the God behind the all things
Of life which the eye Of faith should
see, and where we realize His presence
and await the outworking of His will
we can but rejoice and give thanks"
A new sense OF the immediateness
Of God crept into Matidia's heart. She
realized as never before that what.
ever the conditions might be Jesus
was near, and that whatever else might
be taken from her, she could not be
robbed Of His presence. Thankful!
All, how her heart was bursting with
its burden of thanksgiving.
During the weeks and months which
followed Matidia's sweet, earnest, shin
ing face was benediction to all with
whom she came in contact. The ex.
preston of the face and the words OF
her mouth were a continual and un.
ceasing testimony OF Thanksgiving.
She did not know that her lover was
spying upon her and that almost daily
his secret emissaries were bringing
him reports concerning her welfare.
What can we do" he exclaimed to
Matidia's mother one day. where he
had gone to make report She seems
farther than ever from yielding. and
thy month in which thou declared she
would renounce her new faith and re-
turn to the love and comfort OF her
home, has more than doubled A
strange power seems TO brood over her
and naught that befalls her can wiring
from her other than a glad note of
Thanksgiving"
81 have feared to do it because of
the terrible ordeal which IL will be to
the child, but l see no other way than
to commit her to the power of the
priests of the temple and see IL they
cannot break her cursed will and
bring her back to the gods OF her
fathers" exclaimed the mother with
harsh determination.
Pythodorus arranged with the priests
to deliver into their hands that night
the young woman, who was to be
seized while on her way to the meet
ing OF the disciples The plans car
ried perfectly and Pythodorus was
waiting with the priests at the Mag.
nesian gate. from which point a stoa
or covered way extended up for some
600 feet TO the magnificent temple of
Diana, which overlooked the city from
the high ground TO the east. Matilda,
borne on covered litter by four men
vas recetyed by the priests who were
Soon moving swiftly with their cap
tive through the dimly lighted passage
way towards the temple, while
Pythodorus followed at safe distance
not willing that Matilda should know
that it was by his plotting that she
had been seized. And as he proceeded
lie wondered what would be the out
come. Would she yield? Even now
he could hear the faint murmur of her
voice in prayer and he caught the
words: IL will give thanks unto
Thee. my Saviour" What IL she were
right and he were wrong? What If
the boosted gods Of the Ephesians
were nothing after all but the images
of silver and gold and precious stones.
But they had now entered the bril-
liantly-lighted anteroom OF the priests.
and quickly slipping behind the rich
heavy draDeries at one side of the
room he waited breathlessly while the
priests sought first by cajolery and
pleading. and then by threatening. 10
bring the girl TO renounce her faith
and again bow before the shrine OF
Diana.
Know you not that your life IL
within our hends?" at last they ex
claimed. all patience gone. What
wilt thou do If we shut thee in the
dungeon. from whence none return
save they bow in worship before the
great goddess Diana. before whom al.
other Gods are a notting?"
II will give thanks unto God" came
the clear, sweet reply. Nothing shal.
befell ne but that which is according
70 His gracious will"
Reconsider thy ways" cried the
priests Thou shalt remain here this
night but If by the Tight Of to-mor
rows sun thou dost not yield then
to the dungeon shalt thou 60" Anf
suddenly the apartment was left ir
darkness as all wit--rew. and the Cir
was left alone.
But that night there was fierce
struggle in other heart than that or
the fair Matilda. and long before the
first faint streaks Of day began h.,
break in the east the light broke into
TIE heart of Pythodorus. and he had
found the God Of Matilda. The strug.
gle that had been going on for weeks
was ended. and as ne had yielded the
peace OF God had come into his heart
And now began new struggle What
was TO become OF Matilda? She was
within the power OF the priests.
Should he wait and take his stand
with her. suffering the dungeon with
her, OF should he attempt her rescue?
His head whfrfed with the thought
How could he with every avenue Of