And so the clouds broke away from over the house of Gray.  A restored mutual understanding gave relief amounting to joy even in the face of coming separation.

Hubert’s enterprise, like a great ship, could not be launched hastily.  Months of preparation passed in which the business matter was finally settled and other affairs adjusted.  It was finally concluded that the entire business of Robert Gray & Son should be sold, as the senior partner did not wish to carry it on without his son.

“It is not a question of the poor-house if you do give it up now, father,” Hubert said to him, and he assented.

The missionary-to-be found himself called to many places to speak on behalf of the cause, and he did so with great readiness.  His intense ardor caused his words to burn their way into many hearts.  Again and again his own heart was overwhelmed within him by the greatness of his theme.  Cold figures became burning facts as he looked at the wide areas untouched by the Gospel.  The slighted wish of his Lord became an anguish in his soul.  That men and women should call themselves by His name and still live unto themselves, never grieved by His message undelivered, His errand of love undone, was a shame intolerable.  Sometimes when the passion for his Lord’s will swept his soul, and he beheld in contrast the idle hands of the church, paralyzed by pleasure or filled with self-interests, in secret he cast himself upon his face and wept as only a strong man, unused to tears, can weep.

The heart of Robert Gray turned with increasing fondness to his daughter who still saw her place to be at his side.  A great comfort was she to him in these days of trial.  For herself, Winifred was finding out afresh “the sweetness of an accepted sorrow.”  The joy of the Lord was inexpressible.  She could scarcely understand the gladness that filled her soul after sacrifice “more than when their corn and their wine increased.”

“Why are you so radiant?” Adele asked in one of their many conferences.

“I do not know,” she answered, blushing at being surveyed so admiringly.  “But do you remember that Psalm, Adele, that says: 

  “’O send out thy light and thy truth:  let them lead me,
  Let them bring me unto thy holy hill’—­

“that is getting very near to God, Adele—­

  “’And to thy tabernacles.

“That is nearer still; but listen to that that comes next: 

  “’Then will I go unto the altar of God,
  Unto God my exceeding joy.’

“I think this is the reason why I am so happy.  His light and His truth have led me to His holy precincts and I have gone to His altar—­to the altar of burnt offering.  And, Adele,”—­her eyes filled with tears of an inexpressible gladness—­“it is there we find Him to be our ‘exceeding joy.’  I cannot explain it—­I cannot even tell it—­but He is ‘my exceeding joy!’”