of God, to stand as sponsors for their chil dren, they cannot wonder that no blessing from heaven comes down through such sponsors: those who have no heart to seek for God's grace for themselves, are not likely to seek it for others. In every parish there are those who fear God and who do His will, and the same mind being in them which was in Christ Jesus, they would not refuse to be sureties for the little children who are brought in faith and prayer to their baptism, rather than leave them to be answered for by those who live to break their own baptismal vows, and therefore cannot promise before God for others, without adding sin to sin.

The housekeeper at the Hall willingly undertook to stand as godmother to Mary's child; and one of Robert's fellow-servants, a thoughtful man, and another friend, who lived at some distance, but who now and then came over to see them, stood as god

fathers. The child was baptized on the afternoon of the Lord's Day with several other children, and many of the congregation joined in the prayers offered up for the little infants. When the minister took the child, and Mary heard it baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, she felt that it was indeed given to God, His holy name being named upon it, and her heart was filled with thankfulness and joy. From the day of his baptism, Mary carried him with her to the house of God. She accustomed him to sleep at those hours, so that she seldom had any trouble with him. She liked to feel that her child was present among those who prayed, that the blessings they asked might come down upon him also. Her seat at Church was on a bench among the women, close by the great white font at which she had consecrated her child to God. She often thought upon that day, and felt him still

more precious to her, because the God she worshipped Sunday after Sunday, in the house of prayer, was also the God and Father of her child.

CHAPTER X.

CHRISTMAS EVE.

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."2 COR. ix. 15.

IT was the Christmas Eve. In Robert's cottage the infant lay sleeping in its cradle, by its mother's side; supper was ready on the table; and Mary sat at her needle. The little window curtain was drawn, but the shutter was not closed; Robert always put it to when he came in, for Mary said it was cheerful for him to see the light of his own fireside as he walked home. Often as he returned from his work, on a winter's night, the stars shone bright above his