"Rejoice, my children, Paraska has joined her husband, Demyan. She came to Irkutsk in the service of the Countess Nesteroff, whose son, Valerian, is in exile in Saghalien. Paraska came herself to tell us, and to bring news of our dear little ones left behind in Knishi. They stand fast, poor lambs! in our faith; all but the infants who were too young to know anything of it. Yet we trust them to Him who took little children into His arms, blessing them. Paraska further told us that Paul Rodenko's wife, Halya, has joined him in Saghalien; and that his letters are full of courage, and thanksgiving to our Father in heaven. There, as well as here, there are souls eager to listen to the glad tidings of salvation; and in every place of banishment whither our people go, the Lord's name is magnified. Is not this better than houses and lands, and the honour and praise of men? 'I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.' Remember these words, my beloved ones. Our term of banishment will end in 1904. What we shall then do, God alone knows. But if it be His will, I will meet my son at Odessa—a young man then—and we will confer together how we can serve both our Lord and our country. For Russia is dear to us all; the people are our people; the Czar is our ruler, whom God has set over us. We are ready, not only to be in bonds, but to die for Russia. We dedicate ourselves and our children to the well-being of our fatherland. God save Russia! "May the blessing of God rest upon all your mother's kindred! We cannot recompense them, but they shall be recompensed by Him who said, 'Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.' "Now, my beloved, 'unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.'" THE END PRINTED BY MORRISON AND GIBB LIMITED, EDINBURGH.