Mrs. Dale, though with an eye upon the child, was quietly talking to Mrs. Gray of the privileges and duties befalling the Christian.

Dr. Dale was clasping Rosa closely to his breast, while now and then a tear dropped upon her curly head.

“Pastor,” he said after a long interval of silence, “the battle has raged fiercely since Sunday morning, but thanks be to God, He has given me the strength with which to gain the victory.

“You know how selfish I have been, how taken up with the affairs of this world and the amassing of riches.  For many years I have had no vital interest in other things.  I have prided myself upon my uprightness and morality, considering that I was a worthy example for any to follow, and a decidedly successful man.  Now the fallacy of my position I see, and realize that the best part of my life has been wasted—­more than wasted!

“When you walked down the aisle with Rosa and grandpa, Satan made upon me a relentless onslaught.  It seemed that there were two mighty and opposing forces within, each struggling for the supremacy.  I did not yield entirely to the right till this afternoon, for I have gloried in my reputation of being influenced by no one.

“For years I have not been satisfied, knowing myself to be slipping farther and farther away from God.  I have longed for the joy of my first love, but He could not take me back with my hands so tenaciously holding to the things of this world.

“Today the tempter told me that there would be no use in my surrendering, for I would not prove true, and anyhow that it was only a matter of excitement and not of firm conviction.  I fully realize that I have no power in myself, and that the first moment I look away from Christ I shall fall.  I am resting on the promise that He is able to keep me from falling and to present me faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.

“Your message Sunday and your message today burned deeply into my soul, but it is this little girl whom God was pleased to use in the breaking of my stony, icy heart.  I wish to take her as my own daughter, knowing that she will lead me still closer to the Lord she loves so well.

“Rosa,” he asked tenderly, “are you willing to be my little girl instead of my Margaret whom God has taken to Himself?”

For her answer she slipped her arms about his neck and kissed him, while Mrs. Dale smiled through her tears upon the happy pair.

“My brother, may God bless you and keep you,” fervently responded the pastor, “leading you from victory up into victory.

“You are not the only one to be filled with gratitude for having been brought under the influence of this child.  I too view life differently, seeing more clearly than ever the duty, nay, privilege of personal soul-saving work for the Master.  Rosa’s quest has brought me face to face with the insignificance of this world, and the realities of the next.  Her attitude is only what that of every true follower of God should be.  Our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.  If we could only remember our position in Him, the surrendered life would be the natural outcome, and, like Rosa, our faces continually would be turned toward the beautiful land.