. It is worth while for the gold to
pass through the fire to be made pure and clean. It is worth while for
the gem to endure the hard processes necessary to prepare it for
shining in its dazzling splendor. It is worth while for a life to
submit to whatever of severe discipline may be required to bring out in
it the likeness of the Master, and to fit it for noble doing and
serving. Poets are said to learn in suffering what they teach in song.
If only one line of noble, inspiring, uplifting song is sung into the
world's air, and started on a world-wide mission of blessing, no price
paid for the privilege is too much to pay. David had to suffer a great
deal to be able to write the Twenty-Third Psalm, but he does not now
think that psalm cost him too much. William Canton writes:--

"A man lived fifty years--joy dashed with tears;
Loved, toiled; had wife and child, and lost them; died;
And left of all his long life's work one little song.
That lasted--naught beside.

Like the monk Felix's bird, that song was heard;
Doubt prayed, Faith soared. Death smiled itself to sleep;
That song saved souls. You say the man paid stiffly? Nay.
God paid--and thought it cheap."

CHAPTER VIII.

JESUS AND THOMAS.

I have a life in Christ to live,
I have a death in Christ to die;
And must I wait till science give
All doubts a full reply?

Nay, rather while the sea of doubt
Is raging wildly round about,
Questioning of life and death and sin,
Let me but creep within
Thy fold, O Christ! and at thy feet
Take but the lowest seat.
PRINCIPAL SHAIRP.

There is no record of the beginning of the friendship of Jesus and
Thomas. We do not know when Thomas became a disciple, nor what first
drew him to Jesus. Did a friend bring him? Did he learn of the new
rabbi through the fame of him that went everywhere, and then come to
him without solicitation? Did he hear him speak one day, and find
himself drawn to him by the power of his gracious words? Or did Jesus
seek him out in his home or at his work, and call him to be a follower?

We do not know. The manner of his coming is veiled in obscurity. The
first mention of his name is in the list of the Twelve. As the
apostles were chosen from the much larger company of those who were
already disciples, Thomas must have been a follower of Jesus before he
was an apostle. He and Jesus had been friends for