© - ' " ==© 
58 EARLY TIMES. 
promotion of that peace which arises only from 
mutual sacrifice ? ” 
“ What, dear Mahala, would supply to you the 
place of love, when the rash humor of our elder 
brother should manifest itself, if not in unkindness, 
at least in restlessness and neglect ? ” 
“ How often, Abel, have we seen the sign of 
grief, almost of anger, pass from our father’s 
brow, and the smile of affection take its place, as 
he cast his eye upon his group of children — upon 
Cain and you, and little Ada and myself! May not 
the Creator have placed children in the tent of 
man, not more to perpetuate the race than to 
soothe present irritation, and bring back to the 
heart the affection which disappointment and vex¬ 
ation seem to be expelling thence ? ” 
“ But let us hasten, Mahala, for I see our father 
entering the tent of worship, and I would not be, 
nor have you, the last to meet him: Cain yet 
lingers in his garden, and will earn rebuke by his 
tardiness.” 
Hand in hand the affianced ones passed onward, 
and joined the family group that was about to 
offer prayer to God. And upward to heaven from 
the family altar ascended the smoke of the sacri¬ 
fice which the fire was consuming, and upward 
from the hearts of the worshippers went the in¬ 
cense from the sacrifice of desires and the offerings 
of affection, which man burns to his Maker’s 
glory and his own good. 
(jo)-- _ _ _ - = =© 
