he solemn-visaged man.

But it was growing serious, this waiting. It was a great army of people
to be kept at rest, and though they had been quiet and decorous enough
thus far, it was not to be presumed that they were all people governed
by nice shades of propriety. Would the disappointment break forth into
any disagreeable demonstrations? Dr. Vincent had done what he could; he
had appeared promptly on the arrival of dispatches, and given the
latest news that the telegraph and the telescope would send. But what
can any mortal man do who has arranged for people to come who do not
come, except wait for them with what patience he can command.

At this ominous moment he appeared before them again. Not a notice this
time; something which shone in his eyes and quivered in every vein and
rang in his trumpet-like voice. This was what he said.

CHAPTER XXX.

SETTLED QUESTIONS.

Dear Friends: I should bear a burden on my conscience, if I did not come
to you to-day with the 'old, old story.'

"Over the tent which has been prepared for the President of the United
States there glows, done in evergreen, this single word, '_rest_.'

"As I pass it, I am reminded of another and a different rest: the rest
from every burden, every anxiety, every pain, every sin; who has rested
in those everlasting arms? There is coming a day when all this throng of
human life gathered here shall wait for the coming of the King. Yea,
even the 'King of kings.' Should that time be to-day, who is ready? Do
you know his power? Do you know his grace? Do you know his love? Through
the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, every one of you may have that
King for your father; I am commissioned, this day, to bring this
invitation to each one of you; 'Come unto me all ye that are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.' Will you come?------Pardon this
interruption--no, I will not ask your pardon: it is never an
interruption to bring good news from the King to his subjects. I will
not weary you with a long presentation; I have only this message: you
are all invited to come to the Lord Jesus Christ, and be saved from
every possible calamity; you are all invited to come now. I am going to
ask the Tennesseeans to sing one of my favorites:

"'Brother, don't stay away;
For my Lord says there's room enough,
Room enough in the heaven for you.'"

Never were tender words more tenderly sung! Never did they steal out
upon the hearts of a more hushed