" SERMOJYS m''—ANTS. 329 



guessed the Doctor's purpose, she kept her own coun- 

 sel, and put off the inquisitive Schoolma'am with the 

 remark that neitlier the Doctor nor her husband had 

 taken her into confidence. 



Tlie dominie's little secret was soon disclosed. "When 

 several songs had been sung by the children, he rose to 

 make his address. After a few sentences of kindly 

 commendation, he said : 



"And now, my dear young frieiids, I have prepared 

 for you an especial treat. You have often heard my 

 voice telling you of the goodness and wisdom of our 

 Grod, I shall let another speak for me to-day — a dear 

 friend, whom, I am sure, you will be glad to hear." 



In the brief pause that followed many eyes roved up 

 and down the front benches in quest of some known 

 minister or public speaker who miglit undertake such a 

 duty. It was very plain upon the faces before me that 

 the matter was yet wholly in doulit. 



"Who could it be?" wiiispered a farmer's wife at 

 my sidf!, as she plucked a clove-seed from a small store 

 stowed in the finger of a glove, and bit off the end. 



Xo one ventured an opinion, and the Doctor con- 

 tinued : " One of the greatest of English po.ets has said 

 that we may find 



" ' hooks in the running brooks, 



Sermons in stones and good in everything.' 



" I believe that thoroughly. The Bible is a book of 

 Nature. The inspired writers, through whom the Holy 

 Spirit spoke, were in full sympathy with the world of 



