t is better to live by the moment, just as we breathe."

Ruth opened her book and began to read. Her eye having fallen on the
last verse of the sixth chapter of Matthew, it had called forth the
above question. Now she read it all carefully; it was just what she
needed to-night. Dissatisfied with herself, and feeling that she was not
satisfying others, she wanted to find the rest that comes from leaving
everything in a Father's hands, but she was yet to find the spirit of
trust and submission.

[Illustration: Decoration]

CHAPTER VIII.

THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S ASSOCIATION.

RIPLEY, like most towns of its size, possessed few novelties, and rarely
produced a sensation. It did its duty in the way of gossip, as towns and
villages are expected to do. Carrying out, in a manner peculiar to some,
the injunction of the apostle: "Look not every man on his own things,
but every man also on the things of others." When the Rev. John Jay was
called to the Fourth street church, the whole town partook of the
excitement, for he was a young and single man; moreover, he came from a
distant city, with the strongest recommendation. He had been there about
a year, when the community were again aroused to a high pitch of
expectancy, by the following announcement one Sabbath morning: "The
Official Board of this church will hold a special meeting at the close
of the Wednesday night prayer meeting. A full attendance is requested as
a matter of grave moment is to be presented."

As the minister made this announcement, he fervently wished they would
always attend to business after prayer-meeting. He would not then have
to refer so often to that means of grace, for the Fourth street brethren
looked well to the temporal interests of their church.

He did not see the nod given by brother Smith to brother Snowden, which
said:--"I told you it was a comin'; now you'll believe me;" nor the
succession of nods in return, which indicated:--"Well, to think of it.
After that I give up." Neither did he overtake the group of officials
who slowly wended their way homeward in earnest discussion, shaking
their heads, and trying to give greater force to their words by an
energetic movement of the hand and arm.

He was picking his steps as best he could through a crowd of children,
who were darting here and there, looking up at him with beaming eyes,
and trying to touch his hands at least, if they could not hold them. As
he looked at these lambs, he wonde