reater
if he were not in the receipt of a salary from a missionary society; so
for thirty years past he has received none. For some years he earned
his livelihood by giving an hour daily to private tuition; for a still
longer time he has trusted to the Lord to supply his need without such
occupation, and has always had enough and to spare.

"Now I have not mentioned these cases because I think we are all bound
to do as these good men have done. When God calls to such special
sacrifice, he gives special faith and grace for it; but he does not call
all Christians to the same. My reason for selecting these instances has
been that I might put them before you as beautiful examples of that kind
of moral courage which is exhibited in acts of exalted self-denial. And
surely we may learn from them this lesson, to be more willing than most
professing Christians are to deny self, that we may do good to others,
or carry out some great and self-sacrificing purpose. And another thing
is to be noticed in such examples as these, that it requires more moral
courage to go counter to our own tastes, likings, and habits in
comparative trifles, and to persevere in this course, than to make some
great sacrifice on the impulse of the moment."

"Thank you, dear auntie," said Walter. "Yes, you have hit the right
nail on the head; for our dear hero Amos has been showing just such
steady, persevering moral courage. I see it all. Well, I hope I shall
be the better for what you have told us."

At dinner-time Walter was nowhere to be found; all that was known was
that he had gone off on his pony, and had left a message behind him that
he had a little bit of business in hand, and that they must not wait
dinner for him if he should happen to be late. The other members of the
family were not particularly surprised at his absence, knowing that he
would be leaving home for the sea-side next day, and that he might have
some little matter to settle with some friend in the neighbourhood. But
they became a little anxious when old Harry remarked, in reply to a
question from his master, that he had seen Master Walter ride off two
hours ago with his rifle and fishing-rod in front of him, and that it
seemed to him a little late for catching a big fish and then blazing
away at him. By nine o'clock, however, Walter had returned, his pony
evidently having had a sharp gallop home.

"Much sport, Master Walter?" asked the butler, who was standing in the