and rejected of men.  Have we been ignorant and unlearned?  It was said of Jesus Christ, ‘How knoweth this man letters, never having learned?’ Have we been beaten and bruised in the prison-house of bondage?  ’They took Jesus and scourged Him.’  Have we been slaughtered, our bones scattered at the graves’ mouth?  He was spit upon by the mob, smitten and mocked by the rabble, and died as died Rome’s meanest criminal slave.  To-day that cross of shame is a throne of power.  Those robes of scorn have changed to habiliments of light, and that crown of mockery to a diadem of glory.  And never, while the agony of Gethsemane and the sufferings of Calvary have their hold upon my heart, will I recognize any religion as His which despises the least of His brethren.”

As Iola finished, there was a ring of triumph in her voice, as if she were reviewing a path she had trodden with bleeding feet, and seen it change to lines of living light.  Her soul seemed to be flashing through the rare loveliness of her face and etherealizing its beauty.

Every one was spell-bound.  Dr. Latimer was entranced, and, turning to Hon. Dugdale, said, in a low voice and with deep-drawn breath, “She is angelic!”

Hon. Dugdale turned, gave a questioning look, then replied, “She is strangely beautiful!  Do you know her?”

“Yes; I have met her several times.  I accompanied her here to-night.  The tones of her voice are like benedictions of peace; her words a call to higher service and nobler life.”

Just then Rev. Carmicle was announced.  He had been on a Southern tour, and had just returned.

“Oh, Doctor,” exclaimed Mrs. Stillman, “I am delighted to see you.  We were about to adjourn, but we will postpone action to hear from you.”

“Thank you,” replied Rev. Carmicle.  “I have not the cue to the meeting, and will listen while I take breath.”

“Pardon me,” answered Mrs. Stillman.  “I should have been more thoughtful than to press so welcome a guest into service before I had given him time for rest and refreshment; but if the courtesy failed on my lips it did not fail in my heart.  I wanted our young folks to see one of our thinkers who had won distinction before the war.”

“My dear friend,” said Rev. Carmicle, smiling, “some of these young folks will look on me as a back number.  You know the cry has already gone forth, ‘Young men to the front.’”

“But we need old men for counsel,” interposed Mr. Forest, of New York.

“Of course,” said Rev. Carmicle, “we older men would rather retire gracefully than be relegated or hustled to a back seat.  But I am pleased to see doors open to you which were closed to us, and opportunities which were denied us embraced by you.”

“How,” asked Hon. Dugdale, “do you feel in reference to our people’s condition in the South?”