delusion, nor
excitement. It is the knowledge of the truth and love for the great God.

"What you have sought for all your life is our dearest possession.
Treasured up in our hearts, it is worth far more to us than all that the
world can give. It gives us happiness in life even in this place of
gloom, and in death it makes us victorious.

"You wish to know the Supreme Being. Our religion is his revelation, and
through this he makes himself known. Infinite in greatness and power, he
also is infinite in love and mercy. This religion draws us so closely to
him that he is our best friend, our guide, our comfort, our hope, our
all, our Creator, our Redeemer, and our final Saviour.

"You wish to know of the immortal life. Our religion tells of this. It
shows us that by loving and serving God on earth we shall dwell with him
in infinite blessedness in heaven. It shows us how to live so as to
please him here, and it makes us know how we shall praise him hereafter.
By this we learn that death is no longer a curse, but rather a blessing,
since it becomes but the sure passage way unto happiness unspeakable in
the presence of Him who loved us."

"O then," cried Marcellus, "if this be so, make known to me this truth.
For this I have looked for years; for this I have prayed to that Supreme
Being of whom I have heard. You are the possessor of that which I long
to know. The end and aim of my life lies here. The whole night is before
us. Do not put me off, but at once tell me all. Has God, indeed, made
known all this, and have I been ignorant of it?"

Tears of joy glistened in the eyes of the Christians. Honorius murmured
a few words of silent thankfulness and prayer. After which he drew forth
a manuscript, which he handled with tender care.

"Here," said he, "beloved youth, is the word of life which came from
God, which brings such peace and joy to man. In this we can find all
that the soul desires. In these divine words we learn that which we can
find no where else; and though the mind may brood over it for a
lifetime, yet the extent of its glorious truths can never be reached."

Then Honorius opened the book and began to tell of Jesus. He told him of
the long succession of prophets which had heralded his coming, of the
chosen people of God who had kept alive the knowledge of the truth for
so many ages, and of the marvelous works which they had witnessed.

He spoke of his birth, his childhood, his first appearance, his
miracl