550



The Channings



restored, and that the little boy is found. His lordship
was so good as to tell me both. Oh, Mr. Arthur, how
merciful God is!"
   " We are finding Him so, just now," fervently
spoke Arthur.
  " And it is all right again, sir, with you and Mr.
Galloway "
  " Quite right. I am to remain in the office. I am
to be in your place, Jenkins."
  " You'll occupy a better position in it, sir, than I
ever did. But you will not be all alone, surely"
  " Young Bartlett is coming to be under me. Mr.
Galloway has made final arrangements to-day. We
shall go on all right now."
  " Ay," said Jenkins, folding his thin hands upon
the counterpane, and speaking as in self-commune;
" we must live near to God to know His mercy. It
does seem almost as if I had asked a favour of any
earthly person, so exactly has it been granted me! Mr.
Arthur, I prayed that I might live to see you put right
with Mr. Galloway and the town, and I felt as sure
as I could feel, by some internal evidence which I
cannot describe, but which was plain to me, that God
heard me, and would grant me my wish. It seems,
sir, as if I had been let live for that. I sha'n't be long
now. "
  " While there is life there is hope, you know, Jen-
kins," replied Arthur, unable to say anything more
cheering in the face of circumstances.
  " Mr. Arthur, the hope for me now is, to go," said
Jenkins. " I would not be restored if I could. How
can I tell, sir, but I might fall away from God If
the call comes to-night, sir, it will find me ready.
Oh, Mr. Arthur, if people only knew the peace of
living close to God-of feeling that they are READY!
Ready for the summons, let it come in the second or
third watch!"
  " Jenkins !" exclaimed Arthur, as the thought struck
him, " I have not heard you cough once since I came
in! Is your cough better"
  " Oh, sir, there's another blessing !  Now that I
have grown so weak that the cough would shatter me
-tear my frame to pieces-it is gone! It is nearly