the desert, and married Drusilla, the daughter of the tyrant Herod, Agrippa I, and sister of Agrippa II and Bernice. He was a man of voluptuous and brutal character, exercising, as Tacitus tells us, the power of king with the temper of a slave. The effect of Paul's fearless testimony to the truth before Felix affords a fine illustration of how vice quails before virtue, though the former be shielded by official dignity and the latter stands in the attitude of a chained prisoner.

was

3. A strong impression made on the mind of Felix. But his was one of those characters which are easily affected by feelings, but always drawn away from right action by the overpowering motive of self-interest. He could not make up his mind to acquit Paul. He deferred all inquiry into the case for the present. "When Lysias comes down," he said, "I will decide finally between you." Meanwhile he placed him under the charge of the centurian who had brought him to Caesarea, with directions that he should be treated with kindness and Close confinement consideration. was indeed necessary, both to keep him in safety from the Jews, and

Definition.

because he was not yet acquitted, but orders were given that he should have every relaxation which could be allowed in such a case, and that any of his friends should be allowed to visit him, and to minister to his comfort. (Conybeare and Howson's Life and Epistles of St. Paul, p. 285.)

REVIEW.

1. Who was Tertullus?

2. What was the nature of the introduction of his speech against Paul? 3. Name the charges he preferred against Paul.

4. Define sedition. 5. Define heresy.

6.

7.

Define sacrilege.

Who were the Nazarenes? 8. How did the Jews regard these charges against Paul?

9. Which of these charges did Paul deny?

10. Why did not Paul deny the charge of heresy?

11. What had Paul preached that was offensive to the Jews? 12.

Repeat Acts 24: 16.

13. Who was Felix's wife? 14. Upon what subject did Paul speak before Felix and Drusilla? 15.

How did Paul's reasoning affect Felix?

16. How long was Paul imprisoned in Caesarea?

17. Who succeeded Felix as governor?

Webster defines "application" as "the act of fixing the mind or closely applying one's self; assiduous effort; close attention." And someone else has said "Application is genius." Its Use.

Recently I heard the comment. "All around me I see men and women going to pieces because they

when we are older. Young people will do well to take the word of older ones on this, or they may awaken to the value of their youth when it is gone. It is related of James Illustration. A. Garfield, one of the martyred presidents of the United States, that while he was attending college one boy in the Latin class always had the lesson prepared better than any one else. Garfield was bright, and studied hard, as he supposed, and he sometimes wondered why this other lad could always outstrip him. One night when Garfield had finished studying his lesson he glanced across the street to a window where a light was burning brightly. There he discovered his successful fellowstudent still poring over his lessons. Opening his book again, Garfield went to work, thinking, "If you can study longer, so can I." Next day Garfield knew his lesson better than did any other student. This experience made him form a resolution to always spend fifteen minutes. on a lesson after he thought he knew it well. And some people think his later success was largely due to this habit, carried with him from college into that larger school of life.

Do All

"Whatever is worth doing at all is worth. Things Well. doing well" is an old saying that we will be wise to remember. It is particularly true of little things, the trifles that "make or mar.' You know "it is trifles that make perfection; but perfection is no trifle." And the girl who longs for something great to do will do well to learn to do the little things that are her duties cheerfully and thoroughly. Let there be no slighted corners, no spots of dust in the room she is appointed to clean; no smear

ed dishes after she has washed and dried them; no sticky dish-cloth. Let everything, however unimportant be done perfectly; then, as life. opens up, she is prepared for the bigger things it holds for her.

Unpleasant

Once upon a time a little girl, at the age Tasks First. of only three years, was given the daily task of cleaning the lamp chimneys. Since she is grown I have heard her say, "Oh, how I hated to clean those chimneys!" Yet every morning a wise mother lifted her up to a safe seat on the kitchen table and put the chimneys and cleaning utensils around her, saying, "Never mind, they'll soon be done. And how nice it is to have the lamps ready when it gets dark." "Do your work first, little maid, then you can play," or something to that effect. That mother knew that a neglected duty chafes and worries us even unconsciously, and that where there is something disagreeable to be done, friction is saved by getting through with it. And that little girl, now she has grown to womanhood, recognizes the value of that early lesson. With her there is no 'putting off till tomorrow that which ought to be done today.' And of her I heard her employer say, "She is the only woman that ever worked for me who always did the disagreeable task first." Yet he employed many men and women. And he showed his appreciation of her and her work by promoting her to the most difficult position in his power to give. Was that to be desired? Yes, for the most difficult tasks are given to none but competent work

men.

No one can describe The Joy of the joy that comes Thoroughness. from doing something thoroughly. If you

have never known that exalted feel

ing, you have missed something you would be glad to know. Turn in and discover it.

If you are to toast the Some Ways of bread for breakfast, Knowing It. give it your attention; see that the fire is right; do not let the bread burn, turn it when it is just at that golden brown; butter it just as father and mother like it; and have it ready and hot when it is needed. If you are to clean the windows, start before the sun shines on them, so they will polish well; clean the frames first, then the dirt will not smear over onto the glass. If you are to bake the bread, watch it so it will not over-raise and sour, or be put in the oven when only half risen. Few things require greater care than does the making of good bread. Those little details that mother seems to do automatically are all necessary if you would have delicious bread. And you must not slight them; you must learn to do them by practice, so they will come naturally and easily to you if you would make bread for your young husband like mother used to make.'

If it is your lessons you are to get, go at them in earnest. If the thought intrudes that "Molly had such a pretty collar on last nightI wonder if I couldn't make one," put it out of your head. You're not making collars now. You're studying your lesson, or should be. Or if Jack squeezed your hand in a dance last night, forget it, and him too, for the time being. You're in other business now. But if you positively can not put such thoughts out of your mind, go and practice your music. I don't mean to go and play something dreamy and sentimental, or even catchy and gay. But go at your exercises; attack them with vim and vigor, keep good time

one, two, three, four-one, two, three, four-one, two, three, fouruntil Jack marches out of your mind and pretty collars are away in the boxes where they should be. Keep up your practice vigorously for an hour, or perhaps even a half. But, if you have worked hard, oh, how much better you'll feel!—as if the mountain is moved and you are ready for another. Then go at lessons in the same manner and you'll be surprised how much more quickly they are learned.

to

"If you haven't any music practice what shall you do?" Well

do something that you can do, and do it vigorously and methodically. If you're a "Gym" girl take some exercises to start your blood to circulating regularly and freely. Perhaps some exercises with "Indian clubs" will help you, or dumbbells, or wands, or some Swedish movements, or floor work; or try mixing the bread, and put strength and prompt action into the kneading.

Or take a brisk walk, alone. Or go out of doors and take some deep breathing exercises, raising the arms well over the head. But whatever you do, do it thoroughly; then you will be ready for better work on your lessons Or, if night has come, and you find yourself too weary to study, set the alarm clock at an earlier hour than usual, or get someone who arises early to call you, then go to bed promptly. And in the morning get up as soon as the alarm goes off, or you are called. Then get at your studies at once. You will accomplish twice as much as when you are tired, and you'll be surprised how you enjoy your studies. A slovenly student As Well as It was once asked, Can Be Done. "Have you ever in your life done any

thing as well as it could be done?" And he answered, "No, never." And those who knew him, knew that he spoke the truth. Now, my girls, let each ask herself that question: "Have I ever done anything as well as it could be done?" If you have, all right; go on and keep doing something that way each day. If not, commence now-this day or this night. Do something, even if it is small, as well as it can be done. Do that same thing or something else tomorrow just as well as it is possible for it to be done. Then you are progressing and will continue to progress as long as you put this into practice.

The Power of Habit.

You know that every time we do a thing it becomes easier for us to do it. Every time we neglect a duty it is easier to neglect it again. Every time we stay away from Mutual it is easier to remain away again. Every time we control our temper it becomes easier to control it again. It is for this reason that we must force our

selves to do the things we ought to do. Or if we haven't the strength of will to force ourselves it becomes necessary for someone else to force us if we are to succeed. So, my girls, form the habit of applying yourselves diligently to whatever you are doing. Remember the old Bible exhortation: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with. they might." Dean Briggs of Harvard University says: "The habit of attending to business is a habit you must form and keep, before you can be regarded as being 'there.' And he considers being "there" the best thing in man or woman.

Keeping at It.

About one year ago a woman was given several girls to train for special work. The woman was also

in charge of the work to be done. Among the number was one who had had no intellectual training, and her hands, too, were unskilled. At first she spoiled every piece of work given her. But she knew what she had started out to do and she kept on trying. She learned to do one thing at a time, and learned it well. At one time her progress was so slow that an overseer demanded her discharge. But the trainer had recognized her determination to win and knew the value of it. "No," she answered, "every other girl quits before she does." And today the teacher's faith is justified, for she is one of the best workers in the service.

It is not the most brilliant that make the greatest success. It is the one who best applies his talents and who perseveres. Two brothers I know-one possessing a most brilliant mind, the other, as a boy, being rather dull. The first has proved erratic and unstable, the other has risen to be one of the leading western professional men in our country. It is the old story of "The Hare and the Tortoise."

"We have not wings, we can not soar; But we have feet to scale and climb, By slow degrees, by more and more, The cloudy summits of our time.

"The heights by great men reached and kept

Were not attained by sudden flight, But they, while their companions slept Were toiling upward in the night." -Longfellow in the "Ladder of St. Augustine."

We can like whatever We Like What we will, if only we We Work For. apply ourselves diligently to its study. One little girl I know thought she hated grammar. But she became

ashamed of her record in the class and started to work to improve it. And, strange to say, she found she loved the study. And she passed a better examination in it than in any other.

Some of you may have visited the Yellowstone National Park. If you have, you have undoubtedly waited. around in the Upper Geyser Region to see certain geysers playsometimes it is for one you wait, sometimes another. But always, always,if you wait about an hour,you are sure of seeing the "Old Faithful." Ever since its discovery the "Old Faithful" erupts every hour, never more than a very few minutes off time. I have often wondered at the hidden force that causes this phenomenon. In the lives of some individuals there is just such another power. In spite of storm or shock, bereavement or loss, they can always be counted upon. The first blow may stun, but they rally and go on. One of the secret forces in such a life is invariably the power to apply ones self to the duties remaining. Such a person always finds something to live for, something to do. Even if the duties are homely, nothing else is finer, nothing else will give greater joy.

"Do thy duty, that is best; Leave unto thy God the rest."

-Longfellow.

1.

QUESTIONS.

Define "Application."

2. Why do things half done cause indecision?

3. Why do things well done cause a feeling of confidence?

4. Why is it true that "Application is genius?"

5. Why does the lack of application cause men and women to fail? 6. Why can life not be a real success without application?

7. Try Garfield's plan and at some time appointed by the teacher relate the result.

8. Why does it injure you to slight humble duties?

9. Of what value is habit? 10. Why is it good to do the disagreeable task first?

11.

How can you best concentrate your attention?

12. Why can you learn quicker in the early morning than at night?

13. What makes a slouch?

14. Relate some personal experience showing the power of habit.

15. Why did the trainer mentioned refuse to discharge the girl when an overseer demanded it?

16. Relate Aesop's fable of "The Hare and the Tortoise."

"Ladder of St. Augustine." 17. Repeat the quotation from the

18. Relate some experience of your own similar to that of the little girl in studying grammar.

19. Why does the power of application enable people to live well in spite of sorrow or loss?

20. What is more profitable than to spend your time longing to do something great?

21. Repeat Longfellow's quoted at the close of the lesson.

Among the many excellent works produced by the great English novelist, Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities stands almost alone. It is an historical romance carefully worked out according to prevailing historical rules and with due reference to

lines

established literary principles. Ordinarily Dickens ignores entirely all literary canons, and writes as may happen to please his own wild, tumultuous fancy. His great stories have really no plots; there is no logical sequence of events. The