beautiful land, but the stranger's heart was sad within him. He
had traveled far in order to carry the story of "Jesus and His love"
into heathen lands, but here, among the followers of the "false
prophet," none would listen to his tale. Even now as he sat beneath the
palm-tree, the spires of the Mohammedan mosques gleamed white in the
distance, and he could hear the voices of the priests as they chanted
their evensong.

"How ever can I serve my Master in such a land as this!" exclaimed the
holy man.

"All around me seems to brood the spell of an unholy influence; even the
very flowers have taken part in heathen rites and ceremonies.

"Help me, Lord, for I am very weak," and the stranger bowed his head in
prayer.

Just then a thrill of hope and joy passed through his sinking heart, for
there in the green grass at his feet were the familiar star-like
blossoms of a tiny plant.

"The Star of Bethlehem" men call it, because of its resemblance to the
bright messenger from heaven which, years ago, led the shepherds of
Bethlehem to the birthplace of the infant Saviour.

And many and many times had the traveler gathered its pure white
blossoms beside his own cottage door, and now, as he saw it growing
contentedly beneath the shadow of those pagan plants, his soul was
filled with fresh courage. Here in a strange land the little flower told
the story of the Saviour's birth, and its presence seemed to shed a ray
of light and hope around.

Cheered and strengthened, the holy man went on his way, ready once more
to fulfil his labor of love, and to proclaim the good tidings of
salvation to all who would hear.

THE ANGEL'S GIFT

Fairy Tales from Flowerland
THE ANGEL'S GIFT

"Rose! thou art the sweetest flower
That ever drank the amber shower."
--_Moore._

MORE than a thousand years ago, in the city of Bethlehem, a gentle
maiden was accused by her enemies of wicked deeds, for which she was
condemned to die. But the maiden was innocent; and as she was led out to
be burned, she prayed to God to prove her innocence.

Then she was tied to the stake, and the faggots around her were set on
fire, but to the astonishment of the bystanders they would not burn, and
as the flames died out the stake to which the innocent maid was fastened
became a tree, bearing red and white roses.

They were the first roses ever seen on earth, said the people, and never
before had such lovely flowers been seen.

It is said that