with her, merely however that she may have the benefit of their company for a short distance. But soon came the time for parting; the sad moment when she thought to bid them farewell, perhaps for ever. Naomi thus addresses them, "Go, return each to her mother's house. The Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The Lord grant you

that

ye may find rest, each of you in Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept."

the house of her husband.

It is hard to part with those whom we love. A separation even for a time is painful. But when we part, with the feeling that we shall probably see their face no more, then the tenderest affections of the heart are torn asunder.

And yet, one day, we must part. The dearest earthly ties must be rent in twain. Oh, how happy those, who can feel that there is an everlasting bond which unites them together. Worldly circumstances, or even death, may part them for a time; but they will again meet in a happier world. One is only gone a little while before the other. They will soon stand side by side in the presence of their beloved Lord.

And this thought should lead us to seek with the greater earnestness the conversion of all who are dear to us. We should pray that they all may belong to that" one family in heaven and earth," of whom Jesus Christ is the Head. And when we choose friends or companions, we should

choose them, if possible, from among those whose friendships will last through eternity. We should love those, who belong to Christ; and think with joy of that blessed world, where there shall be no more separation; but where God's people shall enjoy the sweetest fellowship one with another through the happy ages of eternity.

35

CHAPTER IV.

THE RIGHT CHOICE.

RUTH I. 10-18. And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? Are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

Turn again, my daughters, go your way: for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husbaud also to-night, and should also bear sous;

Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? Would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against

me.

And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law: but Ruth clave unto her.

And she said, Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister-in-law.

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.

When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

LET us now go back to those three broken-hearted travellers. Naomi had bid her two daughters-in-law return; and had embraced them, as she thought, for the last time. But she did not reckon upon so strong a mark of their affection. She expected that