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448 DARKNESS AND DAWN
hearts to your homes. It is given unto me to foresee that
ye must resist unto blood. Many of you must be tortured,
many slain. At this moment there is a traitor among you,
and it is no longer possible to escape. And there is another,
not a traitor, but who meant to be an open enemy.' The
speaker paused, and the heart of Aliturus became chill as
'
'
a stone within him. But,' continued the Apostle, the
grace of God hath called this one to repentance, and lie shall
be saved, though through much tribulation. And now, my
children, give your customary gifts to God and to the suffering
ones, for many are now in depths of affliction, and
there are not a few of you whose children shall be fatherless
and their wives widows, who must be the care of the
Church hereafter. But I say to you all, as our Lord said
the night that He was " betrayed, Fear not, little flock, for it
is
your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
And as my last words, take this His new commandment:
" Little children, love one another.' '
He bade them sing a hymn
to calm their troubled souls,
and they sang
:
'
Curb for the stubborn steed,
Making its will give heed ;
Wing that directest right
The wild bird's wandering flight ;
Helm for the ships that keep
Their pathway on the deep ;
Our stay when cares annoy,
Giver of endless joy,
Jesus, hear !
'
Thine infant children seek,
With baby lips all weak,
Filled with the Spirit's dew
From that dear bosom true,
Thy praises pure to sing,
Hymns meet for Thee, their King ;
Jesus, hear !
'
We, heirs of peace unpriced,
We, who are born in Christ,
A people pure from stain,
Praise we our God again
!
Jesus, hear !
The deacons went round among the worshippers, and collected
the alms. Aliturus, more deeply moved than ever in
i Note 45.
'
J