will understand me better, and that we can worship
God together. But I will be faithful even though I should be forced to
walk alone.

"Now, dear, I trust you can see that the true church is Christ's body
and that every soul is a member as long as he continues to live a pure
and holy life. Whether he is a member of some sect or not, sin will cut
him off; and if he continues to profess as I did, he is a hypocrite in
God's sight. 'Come out from among them and be ye separate' is a command
that every Christian should obey."

CHAPTER XII.

THE BEAUTIFUL SECRET.

The mother's talks about her own Christian experience enabled Bessie to
understand the beautiful secret of salvation--an influence that was to
beautify her character and to mold her whole subsequent career. Bessie's
developing mind was able to grasp firmly the golden thread of religious
truth, which, unraveling from the tangle of sectism, had guided her
faithful mother into the fulness of divine truth.

Thus it was--

_In the gentle hush of evening,
When the sun sank in the west;
When the little bird was nestling
In its quiet, sheltered nest;
When the stars were brightly shining
From the lofty sky above,
Bessie learned the lovely secret
Of her Savior's perfect love._

_In the twilight's deep'ning shadows,
At her loving mother's feet,
Sat she often on a hassock,
Hearing words of counsel sweet.
Sacred season was this hour
To the twain in waiting there,
Each the burden of the other
Sought to know and ofttimes share.

As the loving mother listened
To the record of the day,
To the questions of her daughter--
Spoken oft in childish way,
She in tenderness instructed
With the wisdom of the Lord,
Gained by prayer and careful study
Of his precious, holy Word.

There the character was strengthened;
Bessie's heart was made to feel
Greater love for her Creator,
For his work a deeper zeal.
And she saw God's plan for pardon,
To the feet of Jesus came,
And was able, like her mother,
Full salvation then to claim._

_Ah! fond mother, learn the secret
That will win thy children dear;
Draw them gently to thy bosom,
Ever seek their hearts to cheer.
From thy home exclude all worry,
Fretful cares, and sad'ning gloom;
But God's sunshine bid a welcome,
Let i