nst Him."

Oh! if there only were some other way! If people could enlist in a real
army, and march away to fight real battles, as men used to do in the
times when they fought for the Cross and the possession of the holy
Sepulchre! "Or, rather, as they seemed to be fighting for them," said
David, with a sigh, for he knew that pride and envy and the lust for
power, too often reigned in the hearts of them who in those days had
Christ's name and honour on their lips; and that the cause of the Cross
was made the means to the winning of unworthy ends. Still, if one could
only engage sincerely in some great cause with all their hearts, and
labour and strive for it for Christ's sake, it would be an easier way,
he thought.

Or if he could have lived in the times of persecution, or in the times
when Christian men fought at once for civil and religious freedom! Oh!
that would have been grand! He would have sought no middle course then.
He would have fought, and suffered, and conquered like a hero in such
days as those. Of course such days could never come back again, but if
they could!

And then he let his mind wander away in dreams, as to how if such times
ever were to come back again, he would be strong and wise, and
courageous for the right--how he would stand by his father, and shield
his mother, and be a defence and protection to all who were weak or
afraid. Bad men should fear him, good men should honour--his name
should be a watchword to those who were on the Lord's side.

It would never do to write down all the foolish thoughts that David had
on his way home that afternoon. He knew that they were foolish, and
worse than foolish, when he came out of them with a start as old Don
made his accustomed little demonstration of energy and speed as they
came to the little hill by the bridge, not far from home. He knew that
they were foolish, and he could not help glancing up into his father's
face with a little confusion, as if he had known his thoughts all the
time.

"Are you tired, papa?--and cold?" asked he.

"I am a little cold. But here we are at home. It is always good to get
home again."

"Yes," said David, springing down. "I am glad to get home."

He had a feeling of relief which he was not willing to acknowledge even
to himself. He could put away troubled thoughts now. Indeed they went
away of themselves without an effort, the moment Jem hailed him from the
house. They came again, however, when the