Now I am curious to hear which of all histories you think the most important ?"

"The History of England, if you please, Miss May Bird,” shouted Neddy Dawes, a rosy sunburnt urchin about ten, who seemed the spokesman of a band equally patriotic.

"True," rejoined Mabel," it is natural we should like to read of all that happened in Great Britain centuries ago, because this is our native land, and all its old inhabitants seem in an especial manner to belong to us. But there is yet another history I wish to study with you; one which is more entirely our own, and which has even stronger claims upon our love and reverence."

"What can that be ?" asked several, speaking together, and the upturned faces proved that Mabel had at least riveted the attention of her audience.

"Think," she replied, "surely some boy or girl here present must have an idea of what I mean!”

"The history of the Jews, perhaps?" said little Millicent, inquiringly. "The history of Christendom," responded Mabel, with decision. "But," interposed Miss Lane, "if I might venture the remark, my dear Miss Mabel, it strikes me that you are entering upon a very wide field, wherein all these children will be scanty gleaners."

"The theme is indeed inexhaustible," said Mabel, "but I trust any slight knowledge that we may acquire will not be superficial. Now," she continued, turning once more to the gallery, " can any one here tell me when the history of the Christian Church begins?"

None of the pupils seemed disposed to hazard a reply, and Mabel having patiently repeated the same question under different forms at length told them it was at the descent of GOD the HOLY SPIRIT on the Day of Pentecost.

"Try, now, how well every one can remember this," she added. 'Stay," and she drew a tiny album from her pocket, "I will write down our conversations, and thus each lesson will form a chapter in a catechism of Church history."

The profound science of book-making thus as it were exemplified before their eyes, seemed to produce a vast impression on the general mind, and Neddy eagerly inquired if the catechism would be published when complete.

"That will depend on circumstances," replied Mabel; "we must first gain permission from my uncle, and beg him to see if it be quite

correct. Come, let us set to work again; I will ask questions, and you all must help by furnishing me with right answers."

The excitement of the young authors in embryo was unbounded, and Miss Lane saw that ecclesiastic chronicles were likely to be high in favour. She sat listening in passive wonder, and could scarcely forbear envying the graceful ease with which Mabel pursued her task, drawing upon the children's store of knowledge, and imparting fresh supplies which they received almost without conscious fatigue.

How frequently are we reminded that "diversity of gifts" does indeed mark GOD's Providence in dealing with the scattered labourers of His vineyard! Every attempt at oral teaching on the part of the experienced Parish governess resulted in a signal failure, while in the same sphere her young coadjutor lived and moved as in a native element.

Where do we find the first notice of the Apostolic Church ?" continued Mabel. Miss Lane smiled, and fancied that the language and ideas would alike be above the children's comprehension; hence her surprise was proportionately great when Milly answered, "In the Acts of the Apostles."

Certainly," rejoined Mabel, pausing to record the fact.

"Now

we must study that Book of the New Testament in private, and see how much we can gather from it of the life, and faith, and labours of our LORD's Disciples. Those amongst you who can write fluently may note down any passage which they do not understand. This is a useful exercise, but I am only recommending it. Nobody who is not inclined need feel obliged to do so."

Four of the elder girls and three bright little boys appeared to take kindly to the suggestion. Miss Lane rejoiced in every possible incentive to the perusal of the Sacred Scriptures, but she was not as yet ready to own that any good was likely to result from the proposed researches into later ages, beyond the negative advantage that it might assist in keeping the young people quiet out of school hours.

"What is the first period after our LORD's crucifixion commonly called ?" proceeded Mabel. “I mean those very early times, during which the Apostles were still living on the earth."

"The Apostolic Age," was the reply of a small, fair-haired maiden, who had not previously spoken. "I learned that from my book of stories about Primitive Christian Martyrs-they are the most beautiful tales that I have ever read."

"We shall find many glorious annals of martyrdom as we proceed," said Mabel, kindling with her topic. "Emily's answer is a real encouragement, for it is so nice to meet people who take care to cultivate their memory. Can anybody tell me the exact length of the Apostolic

Age ?"

For several seconds there was no reply, but finally one of the Old Town children said with hesitation, "she supposed it must have lasted until the Apostles were all dead."

"Assuredly!" said Mabel, glancing towards her critic, who could not withhold a smile of congratulation at this undeniable proof of intelligence. Probably you all know that S. John the Evangelist was the last survivor of that glorious company.' He died about a hundred years after our SAVIOUR's birth, and with him closes the first era of the Church's history."

My book says he was cast into a vessel filled with boiling oil by order of some cruel king," continued Emily.

"The Roman Emperor Domitian, a relentless persecutor of the Christians," pursued Mabel. "Many Church historians record that fact, but add that he escaped unhurt, for in this instance GOD would not permit the tyrant to have power over His servant's life."

Then what became of S. John,-did the Emperor set him at liberty?" demanded Neddy.

“No,” replied Mabel, "he was banished to the Isle of Patmos, in the Grecian Sea. But though a lonely exile, GOD was with him, for it was while dwelling on that barren rock he received command to write the Divine Book of the Revelation, with its bright visions of the Celestial City."

Many eyes glistened at this reference to the Apocalypse, which is for the most part amongst the young, one of the treasured portions of GOD's Holy Word.

"Now," resumed Mabel, "I will not detain the class more than an instant, for I feel sure many of you must be tired. We have however spoken so much of S. John that I should like to ask whether you know to which of the three orders of martyrdom his name belongs ?"

"I do not see why he is called a martyr if he was not put to death, Miss May Bird!" exclaimed Neddy, and several of the others also were perplexed by the apparent contradiction.

"The word martyr means witness," rejoined Mabel, “ ever ready to lay down his life and seal his faith in blood.

one who is

Thus S.

John the Evangelist fearlessly testified to his belief in CHRIST, even when seemingly delivered into the oppressor's hand. He represents those who are martyrs in will, but not in deed: such the Church places in the second rank of the most noble army.' Can you recollect a character of the Old Testament to which we may award this same degree of reverence ?"

"Yes; Daniel in the lions' den," answered Ned promptly, while Millicent added, "The Three Children in the fiery furnace.”

Right, both of you," said Mabel, "and let us bear in mind that the history of Israel and that of Christendom should always be studied together, since they unite in forming the one undivided Church of God."

"Please tell us, Miss Mabel, what are the other orders of martyrdom," intreated Milly, whose attention had not wavered during the prolonged discussion.

"I am glad, dear, you have reminded me to do so. The first and highest class is that of the martyrs in will and in deed, such as S. Stephen. The second has already been explained to you, and the third order comprises those who like the Holy Innocents are martyrs in deed though not in will, in other words, not by their own consent. You may observe the Church commemorates them during Christmas week, in the exact course of their succession."

"Excuse my interrupting you, Miss Mabel," said the governess, "but it is just the hour for closing, and I see some of the little folks are growing sleepy."

Mabel blushed deeply, and could not then help perceiving that the last part of the conversation had been wholly sustained by herself, Neddy, and Millicent, while the majority of those assembled might have been aptly termed "martyrs in deed, though not in will." To reinstate Church History in their affections was now her main object, and unfailing tact enabled her speedily to regain the ground which she had lost. With her clear voice, so full of sprightliness as to arouse the most indifferent, she announced that the next lesson should be upon the martyrs of the Roman catacombs, adding that they would then hear stories far more interesting than any in the History of England, at which promise even the very little ones were once again all smiles. The school-bell was then rung without delay to call the younger infants from the playground, and all having been dismissed with a short prayer, Mabel, accompanied by Miss Lane, set out upon her walk to Blue Cam.

CHAPTER VII.

"GRANDMOTHER, when will the sun get low? it seems as though this day would never end," said Edwin Rivers in a plaintive tone as he tossed restlessly upon his fevered pillow.

Patience, my darling, you will not have long to wait; the sun is fast getting anigh the west. But, Eddie, you kept wishing all last night that it were morning; does not that show how seldom sick people know their own mind ?"

"Perhaps so, grandmother, but the time is so long to me. A week seems to stretch out into a year, and every day appears more like a month. When I was well, the hours flew rapidly enough."

"Cheer up, my pet; it must be hard at your age to be laid aside, but GOD has many a good thing in store for you, depend upon it. Try now to keep perfectly still, and I will tell you all the stories I can recollect."

Edwin complied with this request, and although the narrator's stock was neither novel nor extensive, the familiar tales seemed to exert a soothing influence upon him. The concluding one was a quaint ballad, couched in rhyme of an irregular wild measure. When it was ended, Edwin remained silent, as though the soft musical cadence were yet lingering on his ear.

Dame Rivers did not interrupt these meditations, for she was indeed only too thankful for the slightest relaxation from her constant watching. The care of one so young and feeble as poor Edwin was an immense charge for the infirm and aged woman who had been for several years his sole protectress. The mere cost of his support involved much extra labour, but to that she cheerfully submitted, and in fact, so long as he continued strong and healthy, found abundant cause to realise that in thus succouring the infant son of her firstborn, she had been doubly blessed in her own lot. The affection which she bore to her adopted child was soon, however, to be put to a severer test. About six weeks prior to the arrival at the vicarage of Mr. Harland's family, a fall from some steep rock upon the stony shore had changed the straight-limbed agile boy into a helpless cripple. The skilful surgeon who was summoned from Penzance by Doctor Lawson, gave it as his opinion that with tender nursing life might be prolonged, but he could see no hope of ultimate recovery, nor even of material improvement. In Edwin's case one of the symp