T was a cold winter Sabbath evening. Snow lay deep all around, or was drifted from earth and sky by a bitter north-east wind. The streets in the town of P- were almost deserted; the respectable citizens had hurried home from church or prayer-meeting, wrapped in their warmest garments; and even the homeless children of want and woe were fain to seek some kind of shelter, however wretched, from the piercing blast.

But in Mr. Campbell's parlour all was bright and comfortable. Mr. Campbell himself, on the sofa, enjoyed a refreshing rest after the labours of the week and duties of the sacred day. Mrs. Campbell sat at the table, from which tea had just been removed; while a group of happy, intelligent-looking children, gathered round, with various books before them.

"What shall we read aloud now, my dears, until prayer time?"