ng, "but perhaps if you would
read a little in this book you would find help in the very difficult
duty of forgiving men their trespasses."

"Ah, the Bible, but I find that dull reading; it always makes me low
spirited, I always associate it with lectures from uncle and Mr. Barton.
When I did wrong I was plied up with texts."

Emilie did not know what answer to make to this speech. At last she
said, "Do you remember the account of the Saviour's crucifixion, how,
when in agony worse than yours, he said, 'Father forgive them.' May I
read it to you?"

He did not object, and Emilie read that history which has softened many
hearts as hard as Joe's. He made but little remark as Emilie closed the
book, nor did she add to that which she had been reading by any comment,
but; bidding him a kind good night, went to meet Aunt Agnes at the
church door, and conduct her safely home.

There is a turning point in most persons' lives, either for good or
evil. Joe White was able long afterwards to recall that miserable Sunday
evening, with its storm of agitation and revenge, and then its lull of
peace and love. He who said, "Peace, be still," to the tempestuous
ocean, spoke those words to Joe's troubled spirit, and the boy was
willing to listen and to learn. Would a long lecture on the sinfulness
and impropriety of his revengeful and hardened state have had the same
effect on Joe, as Emilie's hopeful, gentle, almost silent sympathy? We
think not. "I would try and make him lovable," so said and so acted
Emilie Schomberg, and for that effort had the orphan cause to thank her
through time and eternity.

Joe was not of an open communicative turn, he was accustomed to keep
his feelings and thoughts very much to himself, and he therefore did not
tell either Fred or Edith of his conversation with Emilie, but when they
came to bid him good night, he spoke softly to them, and when John came
to his couch he did not offer one finger and turn away his face, as he
had been in the habit of doing, but said, "Good night," freely, almost
kindly.

The work went on slowly but surely, still he held back forgiveness to
John, and while he did this, he could not be happy, he could not himself
feel that he was forgiven. "I do forgive him, at least I wish him no
ill, Miss Schomberg," he said in one of his conversations with Emilie.
"I don't suppose I need be very fond of him. Am I required to be that?"

"What does the Bible say, Joe? 'If thine enemy hunge