“My loss is made good already.  I have no complaint against Providence.  My compensation is a hundredfold.  For dross I have gold.  I and mine needed the discipline of misfortune, and it came through the perfidy of a friend.  That false friend, selfish and grasping—­seeing in money the greatest good—­was permitted to consummate his evil design.  That his evil will punish him, I am sure; and in the pain of his punishment, he may be led to reformation.  If he continue to hide the stolen fox, it will tear his vitals.  If he lets it go, he will scarcely venture upon a second theft.  In either event, the wrong he was permitted to do will be turned into discipline; and my hardest wish in regard to him is, that the discipline may lead to repentance and a better life.”

“Your faith and patience,” said Mr. Fanshaw, as he held the old man’s hand in parting, “rebuke my restless disbelief.  I thank you for having opened to my mind a new region of thought—­for having made some things clear that have always been dark.  I am sure that our meeting to-day is not a simple accident.  I have been led here, and for a good purpose.”

As Mr. Fanshaw and Mr. Wilkins left the poor man’s lodgings, the former said—­

“I know the false wretch who ruined your friend.”

“Ah!”

“Yes.  And he is a miserable man.  The fox is indeed tearing his vitals.  I understand his case now.  He must make restitution.  I know how to approach him.  This good, patient, trusting old man shall not suffer wrong to the end.”

“Does not all this open a new world of thought to your mind?” asked Mr Wilkins.  “Does it not show you that, amid all human wrong and disaster, the hand of Providence moves in wise adjustment, and ever out of evil educes good, ever through loss in some lower degree of life brings gain to a higher degree?  Consider how, in an unpremeditated way, you are brought into contact with a stranger, and how his life and experience touching yours, give out a spark that lights a candle in your soul to illumine chambers where scarcely a ray had shone before; and this not alone for your benefit.  It seems as if you were to be made an instrument of good not only to the wronged, but to the wronger.  If you can effect restitution in any degree, the benefit will be mutual.”

“I can and I will effect it,” replied Mr. Fanshaw.  And he did!

II.

Is he A Christian?

“IS he a Christian?”

The question reached my ear as I sat conversing with a friend, and I paused in the sentence I was uttering, to note the answer.

“Oh, yes; he is a Christian,” was replied.

“I am rejoiced to hear you say so.  I was not aware of it before,” said the other.

“Yes; he has passed from death unto life.  Last week, in the joy of his new birth, he united himself to the church, and is now in fellowship with the saints.”