"I do not, I dare not, promise you a path of ease and luxury, but I _can_ say, for I have proved it, that the life which has Christ as its Alpha and Omega is the only truly happy one, the only life worth living. And that word ’whatsoever,’ if you really mean what you say, may entail the giving up of many a cherished plan, many a life-long project. It may mean going to China or Africa as a medical missionary for one; to face the misery and horrors of life among the denizens of the East End for another; to live a Christlike life in a worldly and uncongenial atmosphere for a third. "But in it all, and through it all, Christ’s never-failing arm will guide and uphold you, and His voice will be heard, saying: ’Behold, I come quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.’ ’_Who_, then, is willing to consecrate his service _this day_ unto the Lord?’ May God in His mercy grant that from many a heart in this church this morning the cry may go up to Him, ’O Lord ... _I_ am willing.’" The strains of the organ, on which the opening bars of that beautiful consecration hymn: Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee, were being exquisitely played by the organist, accentuated rather than disturbed the hush of solemnity which had fallen upon the congregation, as the young preacher concluded his earnest appeal for personal dedication; and there were undoubtedly several that morning who, realising the claim which Christ had upon them, willingly surrendered all to Him. The Beauchamp and Drury parties met in the quaint old churchyard, and the two elder ladies walked slowly on, while the young people waited about for Mr. Drury. "A wonderful sermon, was it not?" said Mrs. Drury. "Ye--es; but rather too dictatorial in style for such a young preacher." Mrs. Beauchamp’s tones expressed dissatisfaction. "Did you think it dictatorial?" enquired the vicar’s wife pleasantly; "it did not strike me in that way. I thought it was a grand opportunity, splendidly seized. With such a varied congregation, coming as we do from all parts of England, no one but God can foresee the results that may accrue, with His blessing, from the faithful message this morning." "Perhaps so," was Mrs. Beauchamp’s somewhat absent reply; and she turned back as if to wait for the girls. Amethyst and Elsa were close at hand, and quickly joined them, but Monica and Olive were some distance behind, walking slowly, and apparently deep in conversation. Mrs. Drury, who had not been unobservant of the effect of the sermon upon Monica, as she sat listening, listlessly at first, and then was roused into paying startled attention to the (to her) unusual discourse, tactfully drew her own child and Elsa into conversation, as they walked on. For she was sure, from the expressions on the faces of the girls behind, that they were discussing what they had been hearing.