would help all the boys who were backward—often gave me a lift on some tough problem-and he was always ready to fight, even a bigger boy than himself, for imposing on some weaker boy or underling. And this kind of work-for others—he just took delight in. And as he grew to be a young man he was just the same kind of a fellow. His father thought the world of him, but the old man was very strict and severe, and kept him along very close lines. He tried all he could to make Job as good a business man as he himself was.

But Job had his own notions, and didn't always take the old man's advice. He would often follow his own inclinations-right or wrong-no matter what the old man said or thought. He considered his father behind the times. And when his own boys grew up, they all seemed to have a corresponding opinion of him.

Now, his mother was quite different. She used to let him have his own way and about always took his part when his father scolded or found fault with him. Consequently, the old man's influence grew less and less, and this worried him till he died. And when Job came into his property he just made things hum. He was like a fiery horse without a bridle. He married, but I have heard that his wife was a very showy woman, and only helped Job to splurge, more than to be careful and considerate. Well, for a time things seemed to go along as well, or better, than when the old man was managing. She got to be more and more extravagant in every way, and Job was as generous as she was reckless. His kindness made him forget prudence. But no one seemed to realize how much he was in debt till bad luck came upon him, and then everything broke

out at once. His creditors made a regular stampede— seized and sold off all his stock and whatever he had, nor did he try to keep anything back-just let it all go. And he seemed to stand up pretty well so far, but when that hurricane destroyed the big house he had built for his eldest son-you know all his ten children were killed in that smash up-he broke down completely. Job thought the world and all of his boys and used to feel that he was somewhat to blame for their wildness, for in his younger days he himself was not as steady as might have been. And he used to think more about this whenever they had one of their drinking carousals. (Job 1:4, 5 and 18.) He tried then to straighten them out, but 'twas too late.

Well, both he and his wife took to worrying and fretting about it, and that did them no good. She went wild over it, and Job, harassed by their condition, could hardly sleep or rest. Discouragement brought disease and made him a very sick man. His wife blamed God for all their troubles, but her foolishness seemed to bring him to his senses. (Job 2:9 and 10.)

This will I say for Job, though he was not satisfied, yet he retained a strong faith in God (Job 19:25-26; also 23:10). That was his anchor-faith in God. But, Jonas, let me tell you something: Implicit and unyielding faith in God, even though we do not understand his dealings, is the grandest asset that any man can have, for it will be a support to him when all things else fail. And this, Job's experience has helped me to realize. He had been a man with strong trust in what we call reasoning power (or will power) all his former life, but since then a vast transformation has come

over him. He says his Spiritual eyes have been opened and his Spiritual ears have been unstopped. It seems strange but I am inclined to believe in him, even if I do not entirely comprehend his ideas; but this I will say, that since my last talk with him, I am able to understand some old things that always used to puzzle me. I want to know more about this Spiritual sight and understanding, that builds up a man both in body and in mind, as illustrated in his case.

You must have known his boys?

Jonas. Yes, somewhat. They were mostly older than I and wouldn't hardly look at me. My father didn't have the shekels. They used to have camel races every day-to school in the morning, and back home in the evening; and I tell you, we little fellows had to clear the track and get out of the way. So did the geese and the dogs, and even grown folks, too. They were terrors! Always had liquor with them when they came, and empty bottles when they went back. Wet or dry, hot or cold, it made no difference. They kicked up an awful dust in dry weather and splashed through the mud when it rained. Sometimes one would win and sometimes another, and they often disputed and quarreled about crowding, and such like -I've seen 'em fight over it.

Jubal-we all called him Jube-he was about the worst of the lot. Well, one day he struck Marcus-he was just as bad-in the face. Marcus pulled out a knife and chased Jube all around the court and up the road, so he didn't come back till next day. I don't know how they settled it.

After they got married, I pretty much lost account

of them-only used to hear once in awhile, but I disremember hearing much good about 'em. Elon, the youngest, was about my age. As a little chap he was first rate, but I heard that when he grew up, he was about like the rest, or maybe worse, for he had more bad patterns to follow after, and that might naturally have worked against him. But I don't really know and have paid no attention to it. I've got about all I can do keepin' myself straight. And whenever I do happen to think about these more important folks and their troubles, it makes me more contented right here on my little place. If my house should blow down, it wouldn't be apt to hurt any of us. Ha! Ha! Ha! There's some good in being poor after all.

Zadok.-Truly, yes, Jonas! There's more truth in what you have just said than men are apt to remember. Truly yes.

(They part with expressions of good will, Zadok riding down the road,-Jonas going to his farm work and wishing himself like his departing friend.)

Zadok (soliloquizing).-"Surely. It takes everything to make a world! Surely, we all have our special place and our appointed work. Surely, this young fellow, contentedly living a simple life, doing his plain duty, useful to his family and those who depend upon him-surely, he is better off than Job's boys at their best-better off than Job-and surely-better off than I! O, for contentment! But why should not I be as contented with my work as he is with his? He gives me something on which to study: a lesson to make useful. Let every man stand in his own place, and do that work which is appointed for him. If he sincerely

desires to know his work it will become apparent to him what he should do. How much time we waste in attempting to do that which is useless or perhaps worse -or that we are not fitted for! Yes, yes; well, so goes the world!"

A younger man than I has read this little dialogue and promptly comments as follows:

"It is too hypothetical and a mistake. Job was a perfect and an upright man. The Bible so states in the first verse of the book, and the Lord said so in the eighth verse of the first chapter."

Granted, my young friend; and I am glad to find you are something of a student of the Bible. Also I advise, my boy, that you continue this most important study and do not delay it. Your present concept of Job may be modified. I am glad, however, for the criticism, for it show the superficial impression of many.

No living man can perfectly understand, much less explain, the deep meanings of the Bible (2nd Peter 3:16). Nor Peter, nor Paul, could see clearly. Human knowledge does not do the work of that wisdom which comes through the Spiritual channel. Nevertheless, there stands Jesus' command, "Search ye the Scriptures."

So let us look at the sixth, seventh and eighth verses of the first chapter of Job, which says:

"Now, there was a day when the Sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.”

"And the Lord said unto Satan, 'Whence comest