Story of Chester Lawrence

ent from the rest. There is always a little extra to the menu for dinner, and then religious services

ard, and by insistency and the help of a small tip, he got his seat changed to the table occupied by Elder Malb

hed them unobserved from his changed position. They looked at the vacant place

roceedings for a time, then he went to the second class deck where a revival meeting was in progress. The preacher was delivering the usual exhortation to "come to Jesus," while yet there was time. Presently, there came from the depths of the ship the sound of the dinner gong being slowly and solemnly beaten, no doubt to imitate, as nearly as possible, the peal of church bells. The steward who acted as bell ringer did his duty well, going into the halls and on to th

dent which had happened on their voyage, and felt to say something on the providence of God, and His watch-care over His children. The preacher's voice was pleasant, the minis

our good. He is worthy of our love and confidence. Since we are His children, God desires us to be such in very deed-in fellowship and character, and is satisfied with us only as we are giving ourselves to the filial life. This relationship which we bear to God cannot be fu

y bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be

him to be a genuine feeling in the voice that uttered those beautiful words of scripture. They clung to his heart, and the minister himself became transfigured for an instant into some other being,-stern of countenance, y

s attracted to the figure of a girl mounting the steps leading to the deck where he stood. She paused half way as if to rest, then came slowly up to wher

pretty badly that time. I am forbidden to climb

to see me?"

you, but I had to find you-won't you sit d

he moonlight streamed on head and face. The young man, in the most mat

not well,

thank you." She smiled fai

ed himself. Somehow, he could not feign ignorance as to wha

r and I; and I wanted to make some explanations

grain of ill-feeling against him this afternoon, it all c

were

he checked himself. "I am a 'Mormon,'" he continued. "I am not ashamed of it

him fairly in the face. "I know a little-a very littl

do you

m over points of doctrine,-and we don't always agree, either. He, however, usually took my little objections good naturedly until one day he asked me where I had obtained a certain notion regarding baptism. In reply I handed him the booklet I had received at the 'Mormon' street meeting. He looked at it curiously for a moment, wanted to know where I had obtained it, then locked it up

our fa

. He even laughingly told me I could don the Salvation lassie's bonnet and beat a drum in the street, if I wanted to; but when it came

remarked Chester, who was intensely interested i

o tell you the truth, of

ainly

draws me to it. I don't know much about it, to be sure, for it seems that the subject always widens out to

say if he knew you were sitting here in this

ss. I'm doing noth

as we call it-for you must know it is the simple gospel of Jesus Christ revealed anew. There are th

tell me-is, is that father? I

on; it was not the minister. The girl crouched into the shadow, and as

she exclaimed, "to be a

ward, casting a shadow on the white deck. They looked out to the water, stretching in every direction into the darkness. Then as if impelled by a common impulse, they looked

met you," said

r time you must tell me so much. I've so many

do yo

y." She held out her hand. "Good night-wh

call you Lucy. That's

es

ot? You know these ship-board acq

of it, how we have been really confidential

ow yo

I've two more. H

ly

they

er Law

cy May Strong-and

, one who needed just such stout arms as Chester's to lean upon. He risked the danger of

night,

t-Brother