The mother of a Christian family—­says a great Christian teacher—­should be the pride of her children, the wife the pride of her husband, husband and children the pride of the wife, and God the pride and glory of every member of the household.  Love and faith in fact the bond, contentment and virtuous living the law of the family; and it was in just such a pure and beneficent atmosphere, as Selene herself and Helios felt the blessing of in Hannah’s house, that each and all of her brothers and sisters were growing up.  Her upright sense gave an honest answer when she asked herself what would have become of them all if her father had remained alive and had been dispossessed of his office?  They must all have perished in misery and degradation.

And now?—­Perhaps in truth the Divine Being had dealt in kindness with the children.

Love, love, and again love, was breathed from all she saw and heard, and yet—­was it not love that had caused her greatest sorrows.  Wherefore had it been her lot to endure so much through the same sentiment which beautified life to others?  Had any one ever had more to suffer than she?  Aye indeed!  A vivacious, eager youth had duped her and had promised happiness to her sister instead of to her; it had been hard to bear—­and yet, the Saviour of whom Hellos had told her, had been far more severely tried.  Mankind, for whom He—­the Son of God—­had come down upon earth, to save from misery and guilt, had rewarded His loving kindness by hanging Him on the cross.  In Him she could see a companion in suffering and she asked the widow to tell her all about Him.  Selene had made many sacrifices to her family—­she could never forget her walk to the papyrus-factory—­but He had let them mock Him and had shed His blood for His own.  And who was she?—­and who was He?  The Son of God.  His image became dear to her; she was never weary of hearing about His life and fate, His words and deeds; and without her observing it the day came when her soul was free to receive the teaching of Christ with fervent longing.  With faith she acquired that consciousness of guilt which had previously been unknown to her.  She had been busy and industrious out of pride and fear, but never from love; she had selfishly tried to fling from her the sacred gift of life without ever thinking what would become of those whom it was her duty to care for.  She had cursed her lovely sister who needed her protection and care, and even Pollux, her childhood’s playfellow; and a thousand times had she imprecated the ruler of human destinies.  All this she now keenly felt with all the earnestness natural to her, but she was soothed by the tidings that there was One who had redeemed the world, and taken on Himself the sins of every repentant sinner.