An incident occurred in the spring term, moreover, that well illustrated Ray's love of fair play, and his quiet, unassuming way of helping others. He came out on the playground one day to find a number of the students putting one of the town boys who had ventured on the field under the pump. The day was raw and chilly, and the lad was already well drenched, when Ray discovered him. With a quick bound he was at the boy's side, and throwing his tormentors to the right and left with his strong arms, he caught the child--for he was scarcely more than that--in his arms, and carried him to his home. Calling the next day to inquire after the boy, he found him dangerously sick from the drenching he had received. The mother, a widow with several smaller children, was almost beside herself with anxiety and despair. The boy, young as he was, had been her main stay, and by doing chores for a neighbor had earned a small pittance, upon which at this season the family was almost wholly dependent. Ray at once found time amid his own excessive duties to perform the boy's work, and each week handed over to the widow the small pay allowed, until the lad had fully recovered. The generous, noble act would probably have gone unnoticed had not the widow herself told of it. In some way it reached the ears of the principal of the academy, and one morning at the close of the chapel services he detained the students and told the whole story. He contrasted Ray's manly act with the cowardly and senseless one of the lad's persecutors, and ended by ordering the guilty students to defray all the expenses of the lad's sickness or they would be immediately expelled. But perhaps Ray's consistent Christian life was the most noticeable thing about him. It was soon known that he and Edward were Christians. The rules they had framed and placed so conspicuously above their study table were freely discussed by their associates. Some, of course, scoffed at the lads, but others honored them for at once showing their colors; while those among the students who were Christians found they had earnest helpers in the new-comers. They at once took an active part in the weekly prayer meeting held by the students. Ray threw himself with his whole-souled vigor into these services. His exhortations and appeals were examples of earnestness and eloquence, to which students and teachers listened in rapt attention. No student of so much power in religious meetings had ever before been connected with the school. The prayer meeting took on new life. Many dropped in who had not been accustomed to attend. A Young Men's Christian Association was formed. Personal work was inaugurated; special prayer was offered; and the Spirit came in quickening and convicting power. A goodly number of the students decided for Jesus; the religious tone of the academy was elevated; and better and more conscientious work was done in the class rooms, and in the study hours.