A group of persons was engaged in earnest conversation, when a messenger approached.  He raised his hand for silence, and then announced: 

“I come from the Father on an errand to you.”

The company gave him close attention, and he continued:  “It is pertaining to some of our brothers and sisters who have gone before us into earth-life.  I shall have to tell you about them so that you may understand.  A certain family of earth-children has fallen into evil ways.  Not being very strong for the truth before they left us, their experiences in the other world have not made them stronger.  This family, it seems, has become rooted in false doctrine and wrong living, so that those who come to them from us partake also of their error and unbelief of the truth.  As you know, kinship and environment are powerful agencies in forming character, and it appears that none of the Father’s children have so far been able to withstand the tendency to wrong which is exerted on all who come to this family.”

The messenger paused and looked around on the listening group.  Then he continued:  “The Father bids me ask if any of you are willing to go in earth-life to this family, become kin to those weak-hearted ones—­for their salvation.”

There was a long pause as if all were considering the proposition.  The messenger waited.

“Brother,” asked one, “is there not danger that he who goes on this mission might himself come under the influence you speak of to such an extent that he also would be lost to the good, and thus make a failure of his mission?”

“In the earth-life, as here,” replied the messenger, “all have their agency.  It is, therefore, possible that those who take upon themselves this mission—­for there must be two, male and female—­to give way to the power of evil, and thus fail in their errand.  But, consider this:  the Father has sent me to you.  He knows you, your hearts, your faithfulness, your strength.  He knows whom He is asking to go into danger for the sake of saving souls.  Yes, friends, the Father knows, and this ought to be enough for you.”

The listeners bowed their heads as if ashamed of the doubting, fearful thought.  Then in the stillness, one spoke as if to herself:  “To be a savior,—­to share in the work of our Elder Brother!  O, think of it!” Then the speaker raised her head quickly.  “May I go, may I?” she questioned eagerly.

“And I,” “and I,” came from others.

“Sister, you will do for one,” said the messenger to her who had first spoken.  “And now, we need a brother—­yes, you, brother, will do.”  This to one who was pressing forward, asking to be chosen.

“Yes, yes,” continued the messenger, as he smiled his pleasure on the company, “I see that the Father knows you all.”

“But,” faltered the sister who had been chosen, “what are we to do?  May we not know?”