th his distressed countrymen, but
failing health had forced him to seek the more genial atmosphere of the
North; and, after a long, tedious journey, he at last found himself safe
once more in his beloved Palestine, poor in worldly goods, yet serene
and hopeful as ever.

And fortune was at last smiling on the Jewish family. Nathan's health
had come back to him in the clearer, more bracing air of the Northern
land, his flocks were increasing, and the only gloom upon their perfect
happiness was the absence of Manasseh, from whom they were not likely to
hear soon. And yet they gloried in knowing that Manasseh had chosen to
meet tribulation for the sake of his faith, and that, wherever he was,
he was helping others and fighting on the side of right.

"Father," said Mary, "how grand it is to be able to do something great
and noble in the cause! Were I a man, I would go with Manasseh to fight
for the Cross."

Nathan stroked her hair softly. "The life of everyone who is consecrated
to God is directed by him," he said. "To Manasseh is given the
privilege of defending the faith and helping the weak by his strong,
young arm; to Mary is given the humble, loving life in which she may
serve God just as truly and do just as great a work in faithfully
performing her own little part. Think you not so, mother?"

"Ah, yes," returned the mother, with her gentle smile. "Life is like the
cloth woven little by little, until the whole pattern shows in the
finished work; and it matters not whether the pattern be large or small.
So the little things of life, done well for Christ's sake, will at last
make a noble whole of which none need be ashamed."

"But mother, watching the sheep, grinding the meal, washing the
garments, seem such very little things."

"Yet all these are very necessary things," returned the mother quietly,
"and if done cheerfully and willingly, call for an unselfish heart. A
gentle, loving life lived amid little cares and trials is no small
thing, my child."

Mary kissed her mother. "Mother, you always say what comforts one; you
always make me wish to live more patiently and lovingly."

"And yet, Mary," said her father, "mother's life has been one round of
small duties."

Mary sat thinking for a moment. "Yes, father," she answered slowly, "I
see now that mother's life has been the very best sermon on duty. I
shall try to be patient and happy in simply doing well whatever my hands
find to do. But I wish Manasseh were