Year: 1876

bEAT Eh III.


Clara Manning after recovering from 0
sever illness was permitted to wander iu
the woods alone, trusting it might improve
her health. Several years after the ope.
ming of the story she "took strole." -
She walked on, unconscious of the dis
tance she had traversed, until she came in
the vicinity Of Hermit's Hollow, where it
was said Hermit, dwelt.


This hollow was situated in a dense
strip OF woods, surrounded by massive
trees, and made almost impossible to enter
on account of the thick underground Of
laurel and ivy. In one side of this ro-
mantle place there was cave, deep aud
commodiOus, place intended for Her.
mit'S haunt, and useless for any other
other human. Around it the birds sang
and took refuge in it when attacted by
their enemies. In it the cry of the cata>
mount would resound, and the fox would
take his refuge. Sometimes a groan,
sometimes song accompanied with harp
was heard from this deep recess. Clara
Manning heard the latter as she drew
closer and closer, and the sweet music
drew her on until she was descending the
hollow and then she reflected that she
was alone. But her "Why should
fear?' received no response. and further
and further she went until she behed
deep down in the ravine man lowering
over some embers with harp in hand
sending ont the sweet music aud singing
in clear voice:


And now the last hope star has set,


And would not live 4; and yet, and yet
II would If VI is heavens will


"liush-- hush, NJ heart-be still !"


The song so full of tenderness caused
pity and tears trickled down the cheeks
of Clara Manning as she beheld him and
listened. The rustllng of leaves attracted
the Hermits attention, and half in fear
and half rejoicing he beheld the intruder.
The first impulse of the lady was to flee,
but she resolved to teach this man a
lesson to impress upon his mind that he
had duty to perform 10 the world, and
a work to do for Christ Therefore she
fearlessly approached him. Puzzled to
account for her appearance the two met.
Wrinkles were upon bis face, disease
seemed to be doing its work, the dampness
oft1e atmosphere was breaking down bis
constitution, and the close attention be
was giving his work was making him
feeble; while all together we're killing
him. When he came within speaking
distance the Hermit in polite manner
spoke AID asked her into the cave. Clara
Naming went and she beheld pictures
that our greatest artists would be proud
Of. These were the work of years, of
study and of love. Noticing her amaze
ment, the maD said:


"'Tls my only joy,-to place nature
upon canvass has been my study for many
years. The world cares nothing for me;
it seems that God at times deserts me
and | have no one that cares whether |
prosper or fail therefore l have chosen
this rocky haunt as my place ofabode till
death, and then l trust God will draw
me to himself


Think ye not" Clara said, there is
duty for you to perform? Sir, God made
you for something. Humanity, society
has claims upon you. Dare you say you
have nothing to do? Dare you drspond
when you have it within your power to be
a mighty man? Look ur. press onward,
overthrow the barriers, tear down opposition
throw away dependency and resolve to
work for God and for man.. Surely your
name is enrolled upon the Book of Life.
God has been kind to you. He has
guarded you, given you an intellect, and
will you now throw yourself away aud do
nothiug2 Press onward and upward
AS Jesus Christ went about doing good
so should you. If you rejoice in such
Saviour tell 1t to your fellow>men. Once
| was wayvard one; God afflicted me
and for msntbs laid unable to rise. |
heard the story Of tbs Cross and | be-
lieved. have for the FIRST time visited
your home, and this is my first word for
Christ. He seemed to guide me here to
you"


Lady, who c'er you be-" he replied,
"God has sent you as uinistering angel
to me this day. My life, l feel, is rap.
idly drawing to a close. Even now my
breath comes hard, and 1 feel as if God
would this evening call me to rest, Lead