Yet we find them all sitting together in the hut which was erected for shelter, and eating together the parched grain which was provided for the noon’s refreshment, while Boaz enters into a conversation with Ruth which indicates his truly noble and generous character, and speaks words which are like balm to the sorrowing spirit.  “Thou hast comforted me and spoken to the heart of thy handmaid,” she said as she rose to leave the tent and felt herself no longer a stranger, since one so excellent and so exalted in station appreciated and sympathized with her.  We see little in these Gospel days and in this favored land which will compare with the genuine kindliness which breathes in every word and act recorded in the book of Ruth.

But the most surprising revelation is made in the account which follows the scene in the tent.  What exalted principle—­what respect for woman—­what noble virtue must have characterized those among whom a mother could send her daughter at night to perform the part assigned to Ruth, apparently without a fear of evil, and receive her again, not only unharmed, but understood, honored, and wedded by the man to whom she was sent, and that notwithstanding her foreign birth and dependent situation, and fettered with the condition that her first-born son must bear the name and be considered the child of a dead man!

We have friends who will fasten their faith on the New Testament only, and can see nothing in the Old akin to it in precept or spirit.  We commend to them the Book of Ruth.

* * * * *

Original.

THE MISSION MONEY:  OR, THE PRIDE OF CHARITY.

     “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of
     them.”—­MATTHEW 6:6.

     (Concluded from page 211.)

In the mean time Charlotte ran home for her pennies, and on her return met an acquaintance who did not belong to the Sunday-school.

“Where are you going so fast, Charlotte?” said she; “stop, I want to show you what a lovely blue ribbon I have just bought at Drake’s, only four cents a yard, and half a yard makes a neck ribbon; isn’t it sweet? just look;” and she displayed a bright blue ribbon to the admiring gaze of Charlotte.

“It is very pretty,” said Charlotte longingly, “and I wish I could afford to buy one like it, but I’ve got no money.”

“What is that in your hand?” asked the other, as she espied the pennies in Charlotte’s hand.

“That is mission money,” she replied; “I am going to give it to the missionary to buy Bibles for the heathen.”

“Buy fiddlesticks!” said the other, with a loud laugh.  “Why, you are a little simpleton to send your money the dear knows where, when you might buy a whole yard of this beautiful ribbon and have a penny left!”

Charlotte looked wishfully at the ribbon, and sighed as she answered, “But I earned this money on purpose to give.”