CHAPTER XVIII.

HOME AT LAST.

"Go labour on while it is day; The world's dark night is hastening on. Speed, speed thy work; cast sloth away: It is not thus that souls are won."

"Men die in darkness at your side, Without a hope to cheer the tomb: Take up the torch and ware it wide, The torch that lights times thickest gloom."

THE evening of the farewell missionary meeting had come round. A soft, sweet summer evening it was. The sun was still shining, causing the slight haze that hung over village and hills to assume a golden hue; but a slight breeze had risen, and was playing very gently amongst the "leafy tide of greenery" which surrounded the little suburban church in which the meeting was to be held. People were already coming from all directions, some from the town of Hereford, others from little hamlets or pleasant farmsteads away in the opposite direction. In little groups they came, fathers, mothers, and children, or friendly neighbours, walking in twos and twos.

At the appointed hour, the little church was filled, and many a whispered blessing arose as the young missionary and his wife, accompanied by the M'Ivors and Dr. Warner, Prissy, Ruth, Archie, and Claude, entered.

Several of the neighbouring clergy were present to bid God-speed to the young couple ere they left their native land. At last, Austin stood up to say a few parting words.

"I thank God," he said, "that he has given to me the desire of my heart, in permitting me to go forth as a labourer in the dark places of the earth, many of which are white already to harvest. My heart is sad to-night as I think of bidding farewell to so many loved ones. But I go not alone. My loved wife goes with me, anxious to help on the great work of winning souls; and above all, the Saviour whom we love will himself go with us. And whilst he goes with us, he will also remain to bless and keep those we leave behind. Friends, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified in heathen countries, even as it is in our own beloved land; and seek that ere long all the kingdoms of this world may become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ. And may he in mercy grant that all of us may one day be amongst those who shall stand before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with the palms of victory in their hands."

"Amen!" responded many voices.

And when the farewell words commending the young couple to the keeping of God were pronounced, tears fell from many eyes, and even strangers were strongly moved. Amongst those was a handsome young man who had entered the church after the service had begun, and had listened with rapt attention to the young missionary; but the moment he ceased to speak, his eyes turned eagerly to the pew where Professor Warner and his family sat, and rested with a look of deep emotion on the figures there.

When the service was concluded the stranger stood back to let the people shake hands with Austin and his bride.

But as the young missionary was saying a kindly word to one of his cottage friends, his eye rested on the face of the tall, bearded stranger, and he started as if an electric shock had passed through him. That face, that figure, changed though they were, recalled so vividly the companion of his boyhood, his loved brother Lewis. Could it be he? Unheeding the crowd around him, he pressed forward to where the stranger stood as if spell-bound, and in another second, their hands were clasped in a loving grasp, and the long-parted brothers were once more side by side.

"Thank God you are here, Lewis; but how comes it about? And our father, does he know? How glad he will be! See, he and Prissy have gone to the porch to await me."

"But, Austin (dear old fellow, how good it is to see you again!), I could not meet my father amongst strangers. Go you to the many friends who are waiting for you, and I will cross the common to the Grove and await you there."

And afraid to trust himself to say another word, he passed out unobserved, and took the road to his father's house.

Dr. Warner, Austin, Gabrielle, and Prissy had assembled once more in the pleasant drawing-room in the Grove, the father's eye lingering lovingly on the face of the son from whom he was so soon to part, probably for life, and his thoughts turned to his other dearly-loved son in Australia, who had now amply redeemed the errors of his youth, and had now for five years held a situation of trust in the University of Sydney. His thoughts found vent in words.

"Austin," he said, "I would that you and Lewis had met ere you left for China. Harry Lascelles writes he thinks we may expect your brother home ere very long, as he has now a chance of obtaining some good opening here.—But in the meantime, Priscilla, have we not been long of hearing from him? God grant there is nothing amiss."

Just then the door opened, and a stranger gentleman entered.

In a moment, Prissy sprung to her feet and moved, not toward the stranger, but to her father's side, as if to support him, whilst the word "Lewis" rose to her lips.

Instantly the stranger was beside her, and had thrown himself into his father's arms, saying, "Father, let me hear thy voice saying, 'I forgive thee.'"

But no words were required. The father broke down, and with tears of joy could only sob out the words, "My son, my first-born, much loved son, welcome, welcome home."

And Prissy and Austin repeated the words, "Welcome, welcome home."

When all the group knelt that night at the family altar, and Austin's voice rose in prayer, Lewis joined heartily in the Amen uttered by all as the young missionary prayed that those then kneeling in the presence of God would anew give themselves to Him, to spend their lives wherever they lived in seeking to draw souls out of Satan's kingdom, and lead them into that of the King of kings.

And when his words had ceased, Dr. Warner took up the strain, and gave thanks for the safe return of the one who "was lost, and was found again."

When Prissy and her brother sat together alone ere retiring to rest, they had much to say to each other. Prissy began to allude to her shortcomings in her home life.

But her brother interrupted her by saying, "Nay, Prissy, we will speak no more of the sins of our youth, but rather, by God's grace, like the apostle, forgetting the things that are behind, let us press forward to those that are before. What a noble fellow Austin has become!" he said. "And how bright and pleasant Gabrielle looks! And our Ruth too, Prissy, what a charm there is in her face; and as to Archie and Claude, I can scarcely believe they are the little fellows I left. And our father—ah! How he has aged, but how kind he is! Prissy, no one can ever know how I longed for a sight of him and all of you during the long weary weeks I lay in the hospital at Sydney. Ah! That was indeed a miserable time, till Harry Lascelles came and led my thoughts to our Father in heaven; and then I was led as a little child to come to Jesus, and to enter through him, even on earth, the kingdom of heaven."

No wonder, after all the events of that day, that Priscilla Warner lay down to rest with a song of praise in her heart for all the undeserved mercies received from the loving hand of their Father in heaven.