THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
35 
our conversations when he is present, as to lead 
him to cherish better views of truth and the great 
purposes of life. In this worthy effort I shall 
want all the aid which you can render. Let us 
convince these young men that the Christian re¬ 
ligion does not make long faces and gloomy 
homes, but the very reverse; and that it can 
give to conversation and social life a zest and 
relish surpassing the trivial commonplaces of 
fashionable society.” 
“ I can bear testimony,” said Milton, “ that 
young Davidson is a noble, generous fellow; 
and I am persuaded, father, that you are correct 
in your conception of his trouble. He is in a 
state of mental and moral transition; and if he 
has the right guidance just now, I hope he will 
come out all right, and be a man of great influ¬ 
ence for good in the world. It will be a great 
pleasure to me to aid in securing such a happy 
consummation.” 
“ Well, I’m sure I hope you may be success¬ 
ful, father,” added Minnie, “for he certainly 
needs some one to guide him, else there will 
be a life squandered, if he does not perpetrate 
something worse. Why, he said he was about 
ready to seek fellowship with wild beasts, as 
