the parting would be painful on both sides; but she was not at all prepared for the deep feeling which now showed itself in each of them. They seemed to feel that they could not let her go alone; neither could they bear the thought of returning to their home, and finding her place empty. So they both purpose to journey on with her; "Surely we will return with thee to thy people."

Still Naomi thinks it wrong to take them at their word. She will not take advantage of the strong feeling which for the moment filled their hearts. And she 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,

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or I am too old to have an husband. if I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to-night, and should also bear sons, 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."

How kind and unselfish was Naomi's conduct! And now let us see how the two sisters-in-law acted. It will give us a little insight into their characters. Both of them shed tears of the truest sorrow. They both "lifted up their voice and wept." And then we are told, "Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth clave unto her." The ties of home and kindred were too strong for poor undecided Orpah. She could not

resist them. And so she sorrowfully parted with Naomi, and turned away for ever from her best and dearest friend.

And now let us see how Ruth acts. She is determined to remain with her afflicted relative. Even the departure of Orpah is not enough to shake her in her resolution. Naomi tries again to persuade her not to make so great a sacrifice; "Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods; return thou after thy sisterin-law." But Ruth's mind was quite made up, and she was resolved to share Naomi's sorrow with her. "Intreat me not (she says) 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. There thou diest, I will die, and there vill I be buried. The Lord do so to ne, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me."

And was not Ruth's a right choice, and a happy choice too? She clave unto Naomi, because there was a loveliness in her character, that drew her heart towards her; and because she saw clearly that she was walking in the path that leads to happiness. And she longed perhaps to see something of Naomi's people, whom she had so often heard of as the people of God.

Now, does not all this show that the grace of God was already working in her heart? For no heart that is untouched by grace, will "choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of

God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." And shall we not sa too, that God was thus leading her b His providence to the enjoyment o brighter and happier days?

Happy we, if our minds are made up, as hers was, to follow the Lord and His people! Happy we, if we can turn to the world, and say, None of these things have any longer a charm for me; neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy !

And

Ruth never repented of that day's choice. She had decided rightly, and God blessed her in her decision. let me ask you, How do matters stand with you? Have you chosen the world as your portion, or have you taken Christ and Heaven, as your one gre