in which
occurs this passage:--

"Kiss my dear mother, and do not fret for me. I have, thank God,
all comfort, peace, and happy reminiscence with the knowledge that
the Comforter is with you all; that He is able, willing, unselfish,
and kind, and that He will keep you all till you reach the land
where the 'sun never sets,' and where you will see Him, and know
why 'Jesus wept' at Lazarus' grave. Feed by the living pastures;
they will fatten you."

A few days later he says:--

"By keeping my watch at your time, I feel enabled to know what you
are doing. It will be a sore trial for you to see my dear mother
leave her worn-out shell, but you will feel that God takes her to
Himself. My dear mother has spent a useful, hard-working life, and
a happy one; it seems as if it is for you she is kept."

Still the truth expressed in the following lines applied to Gordon's
case:--

"They talk about a woman's sphere,
As though it had no limit.
There's not a place in earth or heaven,
There's not a task to mankind given,
There's not a blessing or a woe,
There's not a whispered yes or no,
There's not a life, or death, or birth,
That has a feather's weight of worth,
Without a woman in it."

Writers have too often ignored the influence of an elder sister in the
formation of a man's character. There can be little doubt that even
before Gordon went out to the Crimea, he was indebted to his sister for
much spiritual help, as the following letter, written from Pembroke in
1854, shows:--

"MY DEAR AUGUSTA,--Write another note like the last, when you have
time, as I hope I have turned over a new leaf, and I should like
you to give me some hope of being received.

"... I got your very kind letter to-day, and am very much obliged
to you for it. I have not had time to look out the texts, but will
do so to-morrow. I am lucky in having a very religious captain of
the 11th, of the name of Drew; he has on the mantelpiece of his
room the 'Priceless Diamond,' which I read before yours arrived. I
intend sending to you, as soon as possible, a book called 'The
Remains of the Rev. R. M'Cheyne,' which I am sure you will be
delighted with. I told Drew to go to Mr. Molyneux; and he did so,
and of course was highly pleased. I cannot write much in favour of
our pastor; he is a worldly man, and does not live up to