ON a very fine September morning,) a boat arrived at Plymouth with about fifty people in it. Such a weak-looking boat to cross the stormy waters, and so small, it looked as if it must sink every time a large wave came; but He who once said " Peace be still" to the sea of Galilee, had said "Peace be still" to the English Channel, and the little band of exiles had arrived in safety at the much longed-for shore. For three days and nights they had been on the sea, but now their troubles were over.
Among them are our friends the Cléments. It is a year and a half since Louise and Eugène left them, and they had passed through many dangers and trials since they left the cottage of the poor widow. But oh, the joy of being safe and free! Kind friends are there to meet them and take them to their new home, a very humble little home, but still it is a home.
Waiting in that home are two little people whom we have left for a time. Oh, how excited they are!
"Louise, will they really be here to-day?" asked Eugène impatiently. “Won’t baby be pleased to see us!" "I am afraid he won't remember us," replied Louise; " you forget how little he was when we came away."
It was getting quite dark, and Eugène had almost given up hope, when a little group came in at the door. For a moment the two children stood quite still, half frightened: surely that old man and woman were not their father and mother, and that girl with her short hair and brown face could not be their own Marguerite; but it was only for a moment, and then they rushed forward with such a cry of gladness.
I cannot describe the meeting, it was too full of joy and sorrow for any pen to describe. They were never separated again, nor did they ever leave the land where they had found such a happy resting-place.
When the little Cléments grew up and had children of their own, they used to tell them the story of how they had to leave their home in France, and they would always finish with reminding them of that beautiful verse in the wonderful words of the Lord Jesus Christ, "Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house or brethren or sisters, or father or mother, or wife or children, or lands, for my sake and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundred-fold now in this time, and in the world to come eternal life." (Mark 10:29, 3029And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (Mark 10:29‑30).)
Do you not feel thankful, dear little readers, that you did not live in the time of such dark days in France? But do not forget that there are great dangers in our day, and in this highly favored country. The danger now is, that be-cause we have the Bible and may read it, and go to hear the gospel preached, we should be satisfied with these things, and be Christians in name only; whereas, all are by nature lost, and need Christ as a Savior as much now as in those dark days. He lovingly says, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6)
L. C.
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