"I did not expect to meet so many of you at this early hour." One of them told him that they had been called to hold an inquest over the body of Dr. Spencer. The astonished Dr. started back.

"What was your verdict?"

"Died in consequence of intemper

ance."

Joe led the way to a scene still more agonizing. The Doctor entered the room unobserved by the bewildered father, who was still walking up and down with long unmeasured strides, folding close to his heart the lifeless body of his child. The Dr. turned pale as the sepulchral voice repeated, "Darling, you are not dead-you will not die." It was some minutes before Dr. Livingston had strength of nerve to speak to him. Laying his hand upon his shoulders, he endeavored to call back the mind that had wandered

in a labyrinth of thought unaided by reason. He seated him in a large arın chair, and took from him the body of his child which for the last two hours he had folded convulsively to his bosom. Dr. Livingston saw strong symptoms of brain-fever; after bleeding him copiously, he ordered a large blister upon the neck, he watched him closely through the day, allowing no one to enter the room but his nurse.

The body of Dr. Spencer was carried to his own house, Preparations for Ashbel's funeral were made. Bob and Joe were faithful to perform every duty that devolved upon them.

noon.

Agnes was unable to do anything about the house till late in the afterShe then found enough to do. Mrs. Willard did not insult any one with her presence. When Agnes inquired of Bob for her, he said she

was alive, but it was a pity she had not died instead of Blitz; "for she is not worth three hundred dollars, and ̧ that is what Mr. Willard paid for him, less than a week ago."

"Oh, Bob, Mrs. Willard has a soul to be saved or lost."

"Don't talk to me of her soul; she drowned that long ago."

Mr. Willard so far recovered, that they ventured to ask him who he would have to preach the funeral sermon; he was unable to make a reply, for the first time since the cruel tragedy his bursting heart found relief in tears. He was confined to his room for several weeks, and during this time no reference was made to his wife or child.

The Rev. Charles Bradley, as he journeyed home, called at the hotel of his unfortunate friend. He endeavored to administer to him that

consolation that the world cannot give. He saw that the wound he had received, was deep, but he assured him, "That there was a Balm in Gilead, and a Physician there, and that Christ was an high Priest, that would be touched with the feelings of his infirmities."

The bereaved sufferer listened in tearful silence.

The faithful man of God continued, "Jesus Christ came not into this world to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Though thy sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snowthough they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.””

Mr. Bradley said, "I would advise you to close your bar as soon as possible, and discontinue the use of ardent spirits in any form, and add to thy knowledge, temperance. They shall receive the reward of unrighteousness

that count it pleasure to riot in the day time; spots they are, and blemishes; sporting themselves with their own deceivings.' Decision of character sir, is what you need, and without it you are lost, lost for ever.""

"I am lost already; the last tie that bound me to earth is severed, and what have I to live for now?"

"You have everything to live for, sir; live that you may add to your knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity, and with this combination of virtues, you will be enabled through grace to live the life of the righteous; and at last to come off conqueror, yea, more than conqueror, through Jesus Christ, whose pity and forgiveness are commensurate with your repentance,"