the evil consequences of their having come away from their native country. But nothing can be said in the way of excuse they were decidedly wrong. Had they never been told how far their forefather Abraham had sent for a wife for his son Isaac? Had they never heard of the solemn charge, which that same Isaac gave to the son whom he so dearly loved, "Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan ?" True, these men would have had to travel a long distance for a wife of their own nation; but was it farther from Moab to Bethlehem, than from Bethlehem to Moab, a distance which they had both already travelled? No, it was a wrong step which they took; and they afterwards seem to have suffered for it.

We know nothing of what passed during the next ten years. But we are told that, at the end of that time, Naomi's wounds were again torn open. She is called to part with her two sons. Probably they were both carried off together by some disease which prevailed in the country.

And now none are left, but these three widows, lonely and unprotected, in the land of Moab. And did not Naomi, think you, now feel more than ever the sweetness of God's promises, and of God's presence? She was

troubled on every side, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. God's shield was over her, and underneath her were His everlasting arms.

Orpah and Ruth, you know, were heathens by birth. But they had

learnt much, I dare say, in the last ten years, concerning the one true God. And the pious example of their motherin-law no doubt had had a softening influence upon them. Their hearts were drawn towards her; and they seem at all events to have felt no opposition to the God whom she loved and served.

A quiet consistent example, often goes a great way. It usually wins more hearts than the most powerful arguments. Think of this, my dear Reader; and if you have a husband, or a wife, or a brother, or a child, whose heart have often tried in vain to turn, and whose state you have often wept over with the bitterest sorrow, and for whom you have offered up many an earnest prayer, then try another me

you

thod. Try to win that soul by your example. Try to draw him gently by this means into that happy path, which you yourself have found to be the path of peace.

The time was now come, when Naomi felt very anxious to return to her native country. The famine there was over; "for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread." There was little now to make her present residence desirable to her. She had been bereft of her partner and her children. And she more than ever sighs after the many spiritual privileges she once enjoyed among her own people.

But what was to become of her two

daughters-in-law, for whom she now

It is

felt almost a mother's affection? hard for them to think of leaving their home, and the land of their birth, and to go among strangers. And yet they could not bear the thought of parting with Naomi. Here then was a great conflict in their minds. Their love for their home and their kindred drew them one way; and their affection for Naomi, and their respect for Naomi's God, drew them the other way.

She sets out upon her long journey. And she had probably now arrived at an age when travelling was irksome to her. But she goes on her way with God for her Protector, and with her heart fixed on her far-off home, longing to set her feet once more within the city of Bethlehem.

She allows her daughters to start