Among their neighbours, with whom sports and feasting were the only recognised modes of celebrating those seasons, their customs in that respect, as in many others, were subjects of censure and ridicule. that humble temple, the brethren were accustomed to meet twice | engrossed by the most important business of its year to give a week, and the voice of praise and prayer went up from it any attention to political matters, for it was the last week in more frequently at periods of special observance, such as Advent, and the entire village were as busy as bees preparing Christmas and the New Year's time, which the sect have always for Christmas. There was scrubbing and scouring, brewing kept with peculiar solemnities. and baking, there was slaying of living creatures sufficient for one of the ancient hecatombs; there was coming and going between Fredenstein and the nearest market-town, where foreign luxuries could be bought to crown the household fare and make the feast more sumptuous. The men were hewing Christmas logs, the women were making Christmas candles, the village youths were searching the woods for game, the village girls were getting ready their holiday dresses; in short, the place was in full work, when one day in the middle of the week, as the December twilight was falling cold and grey, a sound of drums and trumpets came on the frosty air, and a regiment of soldiers, with the tricolours and the eagles of France, were seen bending their march to the village. No fear fell ou the inhabitants at their approach, their mighty emperor was in close alliance with the king of Würtemberg, and interest as well as inclination bound both him and his people to follow the wise and good maxim, He that hath friends must show himself friendly. Having no knowledge of real religion, and little knowledge of anything, except the way to worldly gain, they could take note of the less important matters in which the Moravians differed from themselves, but not of the sterling virtues and genuine piety in which the brethren differed from them still more. The leaders of what may be called the civil persecution was also the leading man of the village, Karl Netlar. His family were old and highly esteemed in Fredenstein; they had been reckoned rich for three generations, but Karl was the richest of them all. Lands and legacies from extinct branches of the family tree had fallen to him, and he was now the chief of the Netlars. Moreover, Karl had a shred of superior rank to boast, his mother had belonged to a noble house, so far reduced as to give their daughter in marriage to the wealthy peasant, Karl's father, and that in Germany, at the time, meant reduction indeed. On these several accounts, Karl took the foremost place in all public affairs, got a sort of homage from the entire village, and had a high conceit of himself, his wealth, and his wisdom. He was not an ill-natured man, nor bigoted for the locality in which he lived, but having more pride than sense or consideration, the smallest oversight of his dignity, or neglect of its dues, was an offence not to be forgiven. It was thought that Karl had not received the homage to which he thought himself entitled from the poor Moravians, for though they had never given him any provocation, his speech was bitter against them beyond that of the other villagers: "They were a conceited set, taking upon them to be wiser and better than other people. What business had they to be always gathered in that meeting-hall of theirs, singing and praying, instead of living comfortably like the rest of the neighbours, and going to church now and then. He knew that if things were well enquired into they would be found out hypocritical knaves, and, maybe, plotters against the kingdom of Würtemberg." The charge of conspiracy to undermine governments and constituted authorities in general had been brought against the Moravians in almost every German state, and was the ground of their expulsion from several of them. The fact is strange, for no accusation could be more unfounded; the brethren avoided on principle all interference with established rights or laws, and only sought peace and safety to serve the Sovereign who said, "My kingdom is not of this world." They were not alone, however, in being thus calumniated; a similar charge was brought in bygone ages against sects equally guiltless; it was one of the crimes imputed to the professors of Christianity in the pagan world, and of the apostles themselves it was said, "They that turn the world upside down, are come here also." As regarded the Moravians, the imputation had been proved false and unfounded by the famous enquiry demanded by Count Zinzendorff, their modern founder, for the sect was old before the Reformation, but it existed still in the minds of the German populace, particularly those of Würtemberg. That country was now among the kingdoms of the earth, for ages before it had been an electorate, but in the year 1805, the alliance and favour of the French Emperor Napoleon I., then the conqueror of Germany, and ruler of almost the civilized world, raised it to the grandeur of a monarchy, and prince and people were proportionally jealous of their new dignity. Karl Netlar's spiteful suggestion might have had troublesome consequences for the brethren, but Fredenstein was too much The regiment was on its homeward way from an Austrian fortress, which had been taken and garrisoned by the French troops, in the course of the recent and victorious war France had waged with that power, but was restored at the peace of Presburg. Their march that day had been a long and toilsome one, and no sooner did they enter the village, than the commanding officer announced to the mayor that his soldiers must be quartered on the inhabitants for the night, but they might depend on their observing strict discipline and good behaviour. It was an unwelcome announcement to the thrifty villagers in the midst of their Christmas preparations; they were ill inclined to receive such lodgers, but there was no disputing the arrangement, its necessity was obvious from the weary and way-worn looks of the men. Every household endeavoured to accommodate their unbidden guests with the best grace they could; and the commanding officer, having a French estimate of German slowness, and reasons of his own for haste, himself distributed the billets, by the light of an open-air fire, two torches held by his own servant, and very little assistance from the mayor. Yet every family agreed that the distribution was fairly and considerately made, and, except in one instance, no objection was offered to the soldiers he sent them. SCRIPTURE ENIGMA. NO. I. 1. COME, bring your Bibles: with a text decide 2. In priestly Joshua's days a prophet came 3. A mere grasshopper, said the royal sage, To man in life's last stage. 4. When once king David danced with all his might, What was his garment, clean and white, So mean in Michal's sight? 5. Where Paul refers to Isaac's honoured dame, 6. With what should prayer and supplication blend, 7. The sign when legal bondage is expressed— The finals mark the state of all that live; W. I HOW JARVIS GOT HIS HOUSE. CHAPTER III. LTHOUGH the speedy ejection of Joss commended itself to the porter, a misgiving that such a proceeding might be a difficult one became very strong as he looked at the commanding form and resolute face of the intruder; every inch of him indicated his ability and will to carry out any plan No. 1289.-JANUARY 11, 1879. he might propose. This being the case, temporising seemed expedient; so he said, very urbanely, as there was no card to deliver, and, therefore, no name to announce, he must request him to call again in two or three hours; probably by that time Mr. Cox would be visible. Joss was some little time taking in his meaning, but when he had done it, a cloud came over his bronzed face; he looked down on the porter with what his fellow pitmen called his thunder-and PRICE ONE PENNY. lightning look, and answered, in a tone expressive | of no surrender, "Go! I but now come! Canna go, man, till I seen the Honourable-go you; go and tell him as Joss Coly from Brough Pits be here, an' wants him." If he had been of different dimensions, the porter, who had been stopped by his novel summons just as he was on his way to breakfast, would have tried force, as persuasion did not seem promising; as it was, such an undertaking was out of the question. Joss, seeing his irresolution, and not knowing whence it arose, seated himself at the hall table, planted his arms on it, rolled up in his cloak, and looked at him significantly to the effect that either he must be taken to Mr. Cox, or Mr. Cox must be brought to him. "I am really excessively sorry, sir," said the porter a little nervous, as he made this final trial, but I must insist-must beg of you to do as I say; indeed it is your only chance, go, and as I said"Go!" exclaimed Joss in his full stentorian voice and racy dialect, "Ner' but er shanna !" Finding he could make no impression, the porter left him master of the position, while he went to his fellow servants to consult as to what was the best course to adopt. So Joss was triumphant, and felt that the victory was on his side. inmates of the apartment were more surprised when each beheld the other. The whole aspect of the room, with the group gathered round a writing-table, was as great a novelty to him as he was to them. Before they had time to make inquiries, he advanced and asked pardon in sincere but blunt terms for his intrusion. 66 Wants badly to see the Honourable; er's Joss Coly, come from Brough; it's pertickler business. Canst tell me, gaffer, aught of'n-where he be?" These concluding words he addressed to a gentleman sitting at the table, who looked to him the most hopeful of the party, for his handsome goodhumoured face wore a very benevolent smile, and, altogether, there was something most prepossessing in his air and manner. One look at Joss's countenance was enough to give him a passport as safe company. The gentleman, who saw and felt this, replied, 66 Well, friend, we are all honourable men' here; which of us do you want?" "Wants Honourable-summat (his memory failing him)-Cox!" replied Joss. "I am that same summat," said the gentleman, laughing; "and pray, friend, what do you want with me?" Joss could hardly contain himself for joy to think that again his prayer had been heard and answered; it was with some difficulty he replied, 66 Maybe, Honourable, thee'dst like to see as er be Joss Coly, from Brough; an' as er's got a good word fro' the gaffer-Grey-him as teaches us poor fellers at-wilt see it?” Having given vent to a few indistinct complaints against the inhospitable treatment he had received, he began to consider what he should do if, after having got within hail of Mr. Cox, he should be prevented from seeing him. The kind gentleman Paddington Station, who, he felt sure, was sent to his help in answer to his prayer, would then have failed in his intention; "Sure, he comed while I axed for poor Jarvis to be done well by-so er did! Good; there's naught to hinder. I'll ax again." Resting his face on his hands he said earnestly: "Our Father which art in heaven, please do Thee think upon Jarvis again, an' give me a sight o' the Honourable." As he raised his head, it struck him that the man who had so uncivilly left him might not return; in that case, what should he do? "I'll go look for'n," he said. As the red baize door which divided the hall door from the house and servants' offices was closed, he looked to the stairs, which he was free to mount, for at that early hour the servants were not about. After a moment's indecision, he walked up, thinking how different the mine ladders were from the Honourable's staircase, which, from its very shallow steps, he found it difficult to mount. He came to a landing and saw closed doors here and there, and, as it appeared to him, everywhere. What was to be done next? To make known his business he must find someone, to find someone he must get through one of those doors, to get through either of them he must knock. Knocking was easy work enough, but which was the right door to knock at? One was scarcely closed, and as he stood quite near to it, on the soft fleecy mat, he heard voices within. Ilis doubts vanished; he had found somebody. So he gave his ordinary fist-fashion salute, which, however, failed in its full force, through the opening of the door at the first stroke of the assault. It would be difficult to say whether Joss or the "By all means," said Mr. Cox, who was sufficiently alive to the dialect and manners of the Black Country to take in the whole truth of his visitor-one of his colliers from Brough! While Joss was diving into his pocket to get Mr. Grey's character, the rest of the company looked at him with much interest and amusement, but they were no more to him than the chairs they sat on; he was not for a moment diverted from the one object he had in view. "This'n bin it, Honourable!" he cried, producing his certificate. "Ah! and who is Mr. Grey?" asked Mr. Cox. "Them very words er said!" exclaimed Joss; cr said as Honourable knowed naught about he-but him do know 'bout thee, Honourable." HOW JARVIS GOT HIS HOUSE. "Jarvis o' Brough, thee's collier, gaffer; him's poor!" said Joss, who then went on to describe how Jarvis had got hurt in one of the pits and had never recovered from the injury; how his delicate wife was hard put to to get a living for all their seven little children; and finally how they were obliged to leave their house because it had been denounced as not only unsafe for them but dangerous to others and necessary to be pulled down. Mr. Cox said he thought their being turned out of a house that was falling over their heads was no great hardship. Joss replied readily that the hardship was they had no other to go into, for people did not like to take in such a large family with such very slender and uncertain means. "And what is to be done; what am I asked to do?" inquired Mr. Cox. "Wilt gi'n a house?" Joss promptly answered, adding; "there be four as was built on the Common, (by thee's father they say, for poor pitmen as is hard put to for livin'-as is about wore out wi' work an' that; sha't ha' one o' them? That be the business as brought me here." Mr. Cox, who had not owned the Brough property very long, and who had placed its entire management in the hands of an agent, had never seen the place except once, when he had taken much interest and pleasure in noticing the men. He answered, "My good friend Joss, I am not the proper person to apply to; Mr. Robson, who manages the concern, is always somewhere there, and he knows all about the matter; you should ask him." "Him, gaffer!" exclaimed Joss pleadingly, "Thee's name is on the carts; thee's we's gaffer.' "But you see," said Mr. Cox, touched by this simple, earnest appeal, "I know nothing of the rules as to the giving of these houses, nor what really forms a just claim to them, and so on; now Mr. Robson is up in the whole thing." Joss knew well enough that Mr. Robson had his own favourites to provide for, and that he had already intimated his intention of giving the vacant house to one who, as everybody there knew well, wanted it and deserved it far less than poor Jarvis did. But he had not come to see his proper gaffer to complain of his substitute; it was not in his way to find fault with the absent, so passing over Robson's name as a thing quite irrelevant, he said, "Hopes as thee'lt gie't to poor Jarvis!" and he looked so wistfully as he spoke, that there was no resisting him; the gentlemen around the table, who had listened with great pleasure to his disinterested, forcible pleading, joined in a little murmur of sympathy. And Mr. Cox was evidently overcome. "I really don't like to interfere with Robson ; what shall I do?" he said, turning to his friend Mr. Jones, a lawyer. "Give him a note to Robson, saying you wish the man to have the house if the case is a worthy one; that, of course, will settle it," said the lawyer. Joss looked dissatisfied with this advice; he thought, as Sonsie Bill had said of him, that the gentleman didn't "see to the fur end o' the matter." After a moment's hesitation, seeing that Mr. Cox was preparing to write, he said earnestly, "Straight's the way, gaffer; not through Baily Robson, but fro' thee to Jarvis. Hooks and crooks never comes to no good; just do thee put on the paper as Jarvis, broke 19 in health an' spirit through his bad hurt in the pit, shall ha' the house as old Berry died in a month gone by; an 'll take thee's order straight back to Brough, an' set all thee's men a blessin' o' thee, for all o'n makes a brother like o' poor Jarvis !" "It will come to the same thing," suggested the lawyer, who from his habits of observation had augured from Joss's most expressive countenance that the steward was no favourite with him, an augury not, in his judgment, to Robson's credit. A few undertone remarks between him and Mr. Cox followed, at the close of which the latter wrote an order to the effect that Titus Jarvis should take immediate possession of the free cottage lately occupied by old Berry. This was signed in due form, Hamilton Cox. Joss's hand shook with joy as he received it; involuntarily he looked upward, and his heart thanked his Father in heaven. There was a hum of pleasure among the guests, and purses were brought out, and a subscription was raised for the help of poor Jarvis and his family. Joss at first refused to take money: he said the gaffer's pay was good; and none of his hands, unless in a case of injury or sickness, needed to want. He and his mates had already clubbed together for Jarvis, and they meant to go on till he got better, if such were God's will concerning him. But the sum gathered was sealed up, and Mr. Cox told him he must take it. So he thrust it into his pocket. How or where to carry the Honourable's order he could not think. He could not bear to crease it by folding, and without folding how could he carry it? He stood with it in his hand gazing with mingled admiration and perplexity. His difficulty was at an end when a large envelope was produced, and thus protected he secured it under his slop. "Well, is there any more business on hand?” Mr. Cox inquired with a smile. Joss smiled too, with gratitude that heightened the beauty of his manly face. "If thee'lt come to Brough," he said, "thee shalt ha' such a welcome as thee won't forget; wish as theed'st come, good gaffer; but if canna ha' thee, we mun ax hearty for thee-an' it's clear case to we, as our Father who art in heaven do hear when we ax, an' do answer when He hears, bless his holy name!" The solemnity and fervour with which he spoke bore testimony, not only to his sincerity, but to the fact that it was the language of experience. Joss was by no means given to talking; he was slow rather than not in utterance; and to tell out the secret convictions and workings of his heart was by no means his ordinary practice. But his circumstances now were peculiar; he had been wonderfully uplifted by the manifest answers he had received to prayer, and the success which he was certain had come straight down from his Father in heaven, he was bound to ascribe to Him. He made a good impression on his auditory; there could be no doubt his piety was genuine. Mr. Cox resolved, then and there, that, as soon as the business he had in hand was finished, he would go to Brough and see this fine band of brothers who showed their fealty to their gaffer by praying for him. CHAPTER IV. While all this was going on upstairs, there was a great commotion in the servants' hall. What had become of the rogue and ruffian? Joss had scarcely reached the door where he so happily found Mr. Cox and his friends, when the porter, accompanied by a sufficient force, had returned to the hall and, to their amazement and dismay, found it vacant. A search was immediately instituted to discover if there had been a robbery, and the terrible fellow had escaped with his plunder. But there was nothing portable, saving a hat or two and a walking-stick, and they were all in their proper places. For some time they debated on the question of how he could have made his exit so quietly as to escape unheard. A page, meantime, going to the staircase, saw marks of footsteps large and dirty, altogether out of keeping with the company suffered to mount that elegant ascent. 66 Surely the man has not dared to go upstairs!" he exclaimed. "He'd dare anything and anybody," said the porter surlily. 66 Hush!" said the page; "I hear" and with that, he skipped like a young roe up the stairs, and being immediately attracted to the half-open door, went as close as he could without fear of discovery and listened attentively to all that went on. He took care to be on the bottom mat in the hall before Joss had begun to descend; but he had heard nearly the whole of what had passed, and was heartily delighted with the rogue and ruffian, and ready to give him a cordial salute when he was safe landed in the hall. Mr. Cox had ordered that Joss should have refreshment before leaving, but he was too full of joy to think of eating or of anything but getting back to poor Jarvis. "He's a real good fellow," said the page, earnestly, to those in the hall. "I hope if master goes to Brough he'll take me with him." His face turned towards him with a bright smile caught Joss's eye, he laid his rough black hand on his head, and, his heart overflowing with lovingkindness, he blessed him like an old father, and charged him to do his best by his gaffer-"Honourable, er means!" he added, nodding towards upstairs. The force that had assembled to expel him he did not notice, but passed towards the door which the porter, much surprised at the close the affair had taken, unfastened and held open; he turned and gave one nod to the whole party, and then went down the steps into the square. To his great satisfaction, he saw his old friend the cabman, who, suspecting he would not remain long with the Honourable, had loitered near the house for him, after having carried another fare to some trifling distance. "To the station ?" asked cabby. 66 Ay, sure!" answered Joss, joyfully. "Did you do your job?" asked the man, pretty sure from appearances, of a satisfactory answer. Joss nodded, and putting the fare with a handsome addition into his hand, said, "Thee'lt not likely see me again; here, wilt have this?" shaking the cloak which he still wore. “Have that?” asked the cabman, much surprised. Ay, thee saidst thee often catched rheumatics through driving about in cold wet nights an' waiting at one place an' another; this'll keep thee warm, an' it's no good to me now.' This was perfectly true; the cloak, like its owner, had fulfilled its mission and henceforth became an incumbrance. Joss couldn't think what he should do with it if he met by chance any he knew at the train; he must certainly give it to some one by the way, and here was a man who, poor, exposed to all weathers, and having a large family to support, seemed to be the proper person to have it. It was an ease to his heart to give it to him, especially when the cabman said, "Thank God for meeting with you! It'll be the saving of me, I believe, this winter." 66 'Ay, thank God; thank thee's Father which art in heaven, Him as has helped me through my work. Mind thee, all as is good comes down to we,' pointing to the sky as he spoke. "When thee dost put it on, say as that were the way it came." CHAPTER V. Joss's first work when he got to Brough was to go to Jarvis's cottage. He was sitting, looking very pale and dejected, by a small fire, with several little children playing around. His face brightened as he saw his friend. He told him how lonely he felt, but that Sonsie Bill had come to him and brought him some supper, and one or two others had looked in. Joss, hardly knowing where to begin, first pulled out the sealed money parcel and put it into his hand. Jarvis rolled it round and round and stared at him for an explanation. "Nay, but open't!" cried Joss. At that minute the wife, who had been gathering sticks, came in, and he turned to her, crying, "Come thee and see what him's afraid to look at!" She advanced, took the parcel, and quickly exhibited the contents. Neither she nor her husband could speak; they gazed at Joss in wonder; and when he told them some friends had given it to him for them, their joy overcame them. Jarvis, who was a truly pious man, pointed to his leg, and said with emotion, "Canna kneel, brother, canna kneel; but do thee kneel, and thee, wife, and praise the Lord!" Joss promptly obeyed the call, and joined the poor woman in her hearty amen to her husband's thanksgiving. "That be right!" he cried, rising from his knees, "An' now thee'st a bigger benefit to thank the Lord for," and he proceeded to tell them that the Honourable Cox had given a written order for them to go into old Berry's house immediately. He took as he spoke the envelope from under his slop, assuring them that the Honourable's word that they were to have the house was written inside. "An' thee'lt be hearty in axing for a blessing on Honourable? Sure thee wilt!" They would have asked many questions, but Joss had much to do. He had been, he had prospered, and he had come back to make their hearts glad in a marvellous manner; and now he must go to Gaffer Grey and tell him how his prayers had been heard and |