How I blessed the Master for the gift of story-telling when I saw the eager faces, the almost breathless interest with which every one, from the oldest down to the least of all, listened to me as I carefully blended story and lesson with all the grace and power I possessed, until I had the joy of seeing the bright eyes grow tender and moist, and knew the dear Saviour was with us, laying big hands in blessing upon us all. Then all stood with bowed heads while I commended them to God’s mercy and loving care in an earnest petition in which all could join. After this, I sat down to the organ—a poor, wheezy little thing—which is, nevertheless, a great comfort and help. They gathered close about me while we sang together a beautiful new song, then went quietly away to their homes. To-day the little white flag again fluttered at the gate, and one by one, or in little groups, the mothers came. I knew how tired they would be, what effort it must cost them to leave their work on Monday, to come to a meeting like this; so all day I had been asking the Lord for some specially helpful, comforting message for them. It would be simply impossible to describe the tender spirit that brooded over us. The Saviour was so manifestly with us that the room seemed the very gate of Heaven. The Scripture lesson I had chosen grew so, unfolded itself with such hidden strength and sweetness, it was like a new revelation. The prayers that followed were wonderful to hear, coming as some of them did from lips untutored, ignorant in book lore, but wise in the hidden wisdom taught them by God himself. _Beautiful_ prayers, full of deep feeling, of humble confession, of earnest pleading. There were two strangers with us for the first time, who knelt with us in prayer, and manifested the deepest interest in all that was said. After the meeting there were hearty handshakings, kindly greetings to the new comers, who promised to come again; then they went away with shining faces, with hearts uplifted and strengthened for their hard, toilsome life. Alone in the twilight, I returned thanks from a full heart to the dear Lord, who had honored our little gathering with His presence and blessing. Does it pay? Yes, a thousand-fold! * * * * * AFRICA. * * * * * EXTRACTS FROM JOURNAL OF REV. H. M. LADD. Thursday, October 20.—Land! Egypt land! The lighthouse was the first object in sight this morning, then the low coast and the domes and minarets of the City of Alexandria, and last, but not least, Pompey’s Pillar. After taking our pilot on board we slowly rounded the long breakwater on which the lighthouse stands, and steamed into harbor. Before we had fairly drawn up alongside the quay a crowd of boatmen were on board.