Year: 1874

able to pay for the farm, he at last re-
solved to do so. He therefore, foreclosed
on the mortgage, and the farm was ad-
vertised for sale at auction.


1t fell like thunderbolt on Wallace
McGregor and his wife. With Wallace
the blow was only momentary. His
strong faith in the wisdom of Providence,
that overrules all the affairs of men, sus-
tanned him. After the first surprise was
over he said:


"Mary, Trust in the Lord and not be
afraid He has promised to be our
shepherd and we shall not want"


But Wallace's wife had no such firm
reliance as her husband. She was great
ly disheartened by this last misfortune.
She had struggled so long against disas-
ter after disaster that at last her courage
gave way. She yielded to repining and
distrust of her heavenly Fathers justice
and mercy.


Wallace believed the farm would sell
for enough to pay the mortgage, and
leave nearly thousand dollars beside.
But the day for the auction proved wild
and stormy. 1t was the worst of the
season. But few came to the sale. The
result was that Donald himself bid off
the farm for five hundred dollars, just
the amount of the mortgage.


Donald was not inclined to take pos
session of the farm Immediately. But
his wife's relatives were elated with his
success and urged him to it, and at last
he consented. So some two weeks after
the sale he drove up to Wallace's door.
Wallace came out to meet him.


"Good morning, Wallace"


"Good morning, Donald" replied
| Wallace


Tnere was great difference in the
tone and manner of the two men. Dom
aid spoke in constrained and unnatural
voice. Wallace's voice was as calm and
cordial as if they were on the best of
| terms.


81 called this morning, Wallace, to
say that | would like to take possession
of the farm in month. supposed you
would like to know it, so you could be
looking for another place"


Donald" replied Wallace, laying a
hand on his arm and looking him calm
ly in the face" donald, do you think
you have dealt with me in this matter in
the fear of the Lord? Do you think
you are doing the right thing with one Of
your kith and kin ID"


1T is all according to law, Wallace,
and we must abide by the law. The law
is Just as fair for one as it is for another


"Ah, Donald, there is another and
higher law that was enacted long before
our civil laws we're. 1t is Thou shalt
love thy neighbor as thyself.' And then,
again, it isrepeated in even palmer words,
Whatsoever ye would that men should
do to you, do ye even SO to them"


"That is all very good to talk and
preach about, Wallace. But nobody
does business on such principles. All |
have to say is that | must have posses
sion Of the farm in one month from to-
day"


"Donald McGregor, l shall not waste
words with you" replied Wallace. "But
| will tell you, as it is written in the
Great Book, The Lord judge between
me and thee, and the Lord avenge me
Of thee And mark my words, Donald,
/ shall live to see it with my own eyes. I"


This was said not in tone of excite
ment and anger. There was no shadow
of unkindness or resentment in it. But
it was uttered in tone so impressive that
it sank deep into Donald's heart. When
he turned and rode away he found it i'm.
possible to forget the words, "The Lord
Judge between me and thee" Strive as
he would to convince himself that it was
all according to law, and therefore right
and just, still the conviction that it was
not SO would thrust itself upon him
=" The Lord judge between me and thee,
followed him like an avenging spirit
Mark my words, Donald, shall yet
live to see it with my own eyes" He
could neither forget the words themselves
nor the tone in which they were uttered
that tone so full of assurance that thest
words would surely be verified. So two
weeks of the allotted time stole away
while Donald was pursued by, and al
, the time struggling to resist these con
: victioDs.


"Rob not the poor because he is poor
neither oppress the afflicted in the gate
For the Lord will plead their cause an;
spoil thesoul Of those that's spoiled them.
The words smote Donald's heart like
: two-edged sword, as the minister an
f uounced his text on the next Sabbatl
morning. Then he went on to illustr at