d might be interpreted in an evil way. A lover of art saw this
picture and purchased it. But when it was gone the young artist began
to think of its possible hurtful influence on the weak, and his
conscience troubled him. He went to his patron and said, "I have come
to buy back my picture." The purchaser could not understand him.
"Didn't I pay you enough for it? Do you need money?" he asked. "I am
poor," replied the artist, "but my art is my life. Its mission must be
good. The influence of that picture may possibly be harmful. I cannot
be happy with it before the eyes of the world. It must be withdrawn."

We should keep watch not only over our words and deeds in their intent
and purpose, but also in their possible influence over others. There
may be liberties which in us lead to no danger, but which to others,
with less stable character and less helpful environment, would be full
of peril. It is part of our duty to think of these weaker ones and of
the influence of our example upon them. We may not do anything, in our
strength and security, which might possibly harm others. We must be
willing to sacrifice our liberty, if by its exercise we endanger
another's soul. This is the teaching of St. Paul in the words: "It is
good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby
thy brother stumbleth"; and "If meat maketh my brother to stumble, I
will eat no flesh for evermore, that I make not my brother to stumble."

How can we make sure of an influence that shall be only a benediction?
There is no way but by making our life pure and good. Just in the
measure in which we are filled with the Spirit of God and have the love
of Christ in us, shall our influence be holy and a blessing to the
world.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE MEANING OF OPPORTUNITIES.

"'To-day' unsullied comes to thee--newborn,
To-morrow is not thine;
The sun may cease to shine
For thee, ere earth shall greet its morn.

"Be earnest, then, in thought and deed,
Nor fear approaching night;
Calm comes with evening light,
And hope and peace. Thy duty heed 'to-day.'"
--RUSKIN.

If people's first thoughts were but as good and wise as their
after-thoughts, life would be better and more beautiful than it is. We
can all see our errors more clearly after we have committed them than
we saw them before. We frequently hear persons utter the wish that
they could go again over a certain period of thei