the broad kitchen-range was a plate-rack well filled with
serviceable chinaware, and which formed the upper part of a dresser or
plain deal sideboard. Above the rack, and near the ceiling, were the
words, "One step at a time."

This and the maxim over the fire-place he used to call his "two walking-
sticks." Thus, meeting a fellow-workman one day who had lately come to
Crossbourne, about whose character for steadiness he had strong
suspicions, and who seemed always in a hurry, and yet as if he could
never fairly overtake his work--

"James," he said to him, "you should borrow my two walking-sticks."

"Walking-sticks!--what for?" asked the other.

"Why, you'll be falling one of these days if you hurry so; and my two
walking-sticks would be a great help to you." The other stared at him,
quite unable to make out his meaning.

"Walking-sticks, Tommy Tracks! You don't seem to stand in need of them.
I never see you with a stick in your hand."

"For all that I make use of them every day, James; and if you'll step
into my house any night I'll show them to you: for I can't spare them
out of the kitchen, though I never go to my work without them."

"Some foolery or other!" exclaimed the man he addressed, roughly.
Nevertheless his curiosity was excited, and he stopped Bradly at his
door one evening, saying "he was come to see his two walking-sticks."

"Good--very good," said the other. "Come in. There, sit you down by
the table--and, missus, give us each a cup of tea. Now, you just look
over the chimney-piece. There's one of my walking-sticks: `Do the next
thing.' And, now, look over the dresser. There's the other walking-
stick: `One step at a time'. And I'll just tell you how to use them.
It don't require any practice. When you've half-a-dozen things as wants
doing, and can't all be done at once, just you consider which of 'em all
ought to be done first. That's `the next thing.' Go straight ahead at
that, and don't trouble a bit about the rest till that's done. That's
one stick as'll help you to walk through a deal of work with very little
bustle and worry. And, James, just be content in all you do to be
guided by the great Master as owns us all, the Lord Jesus Christ, who
bought us for himself with his own blood. Just be willing to follow
him, and let him lead you `one step at a time,' and don't want to see
the place for the next step till you've put your foot where he tells
you. You'll find that a ra