"Yes, mamma," Elsie said in a half-whisper, the tears stealing down her cheeks, "surely we have seen it fulfilled in these last few months. Our beloved father sowed to the Spirit, and what a joyous reaping is his! How calmly and sweetly he fell asleep in Jesus." "Yes," the mother said, mingling her tears with theirs--for all were weeping now--yet with a light shining in her eyes, "I am full of joy and thankfulness to-night in the midst of my grief. Oh how should we love and rejoice in this dear Saviour, who through his own death has given eternal life to him and to us; and to as many as God has given him--to all that will come to him for it." CHAPTER XII. "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." --_1 Peter_, 4:11. "Mamma, can we--Elsie and I--have a little private talk with you?" asked Violet as they left the dinner-table the next Sunday. "Certainly, daughter, if it be suited to the sacredness of the day." "Quite so, mamma," answered Elsie: "it is, at least in part, a question of conscience." "Then we shall want our Bibles to help us decide it. Let us take them and go out upon the lawn, to the inviting shade of yonder group of magnolias." "Do you intend to be so selfish as to monopolize your mother's society?" asked her father playfully. "Just for a little while, grandpa," Vi answered with coaxing look and tone. "Please, all of you, let us two have mamma quite to ourselves for a few minutes." "Well, daughters, what is it?" Mrs. Travilla asked, as she seated herself under the trees with one on each side. "Mamma," Elsie began, "you saw a young lady talking with us after church? She is Miss Miriam Pettit. She says she and several other young girls belonging to the church used to hold a weekly prayer-meeting in Mrs. Mason's parlor. It is the most central place they can find, and she will be very glad, very much obliged, if you will let them use it still. She has understood that nearly all the furniture of the cottage belongs to you and is still there." "Yes, that is so; and they are very welcome to the use of any of the rooms. But that is not all you and Vi had to say?" "Oh no, mamma! she wants us to join them and take part in the meetings--I mean not only to sing and read, but also to lead in prayer." "Well, my dears, I should be glad to have you do so; and you surely cannot doubt that it would be right?" "No, mamma," Violet said in her sprightly way, "but we should like to have you tell us--at least I should--that it would not be wrong to refuse." "My child, do you not believe in prayer as both a duty and a privilege? social and public as well as private prayer?" "O mamma, yes! but is it not enough for me to pray at home in my closet, and to unite silently with the prayers offered by ministers and others in public?" "Are we not told to pray without ceasing?"