i: rwufifigfii». tiontlnuod i’ pile l) iiri sense shuts u hlifcouutln! housennd alter sculpt). 1'8 810111‘ ing at is clerk. but _ his great cont tcthe chin a kvlfllkellvoill inl0 thtdislnal nigh .011 his way home ti his miserabiotayrtlusnts. he tooka Ulllaflblfiflll“ in a ntelanchly way in Ml panel. mel- ancholy aver-n, and hdtilis lwtdthe newepaprs there. 1169118100 miser- able to my them for vblmesii and rumm- bguiling theitguewitll his banker's tooks, went home to bod. His cheubers were o, [gloomy suite or rooms which once belonged [to his dellurbd partner, >‘.' ; i Mario's ohm Artisan. » Nobody ‘lived in thqpnjli-now but, old Scrooge and onlheientrancir door an enormous l0gllfif~_,fllll'lg‘. As he groped for the keyhole.‘ he saw not the kilocker. but. the face of his old purtter Marley, Yes! Mar- ley's face. lt was not ‘Iudmpene- truhlo shadow us the other objects in the yard were. but; bad o. dismal light about it, like o. bad-lobster in a dark cellar. It was‘ not angry or ferocious, butlooked a: Scrooge as Marley used in look. with ghostly spectacles turned up on his Kbofltly forehead. The hair was curiously stirred as ii’ by breath or hotolr; and though , his eyes were w-ide when. they wens perfectly minion- ions. "Phat and its livid color {tnadc it horrible, but its horror soefued to be in spite of the lace and beyond its control, rathcr than u part. of its own expression. Whht 1Dr, Me inlyro. in that splendid lecture on "Ghosts and Goblins," which he uavo in thin-room nomogime ago, would make of this strmgepbell- omenon, ‘l do not know- Did Dickens believe in ghosts‘! When he introduced one n. begin the regeneration of a lost soul ‘on that (‘hrlstnlus Eve. l do not know. Suffice it to any that in this won- dcriul work this bodlless creature begun this much-needed" reform which ultimately softened the hurd heart of Scmogo and converted him in n kind-hearted Christian gtultlc- mun. Dickens. from this poinmlc- volops hia plan in a. most artistic luanner full of great wisdom and lunch instruction to all who would some tlielnsclvc$ from becoming n Marley or a Scrooge. Scrooge was shaken as if by an eurthqllake, and became. conscious oi‘ sensations which hfidlfill not felt since his childhood years. He put his hand upon tho key which he had relinquished, turned itnaturdiiy, walked in and lighted his candle m these melancholy apartments. First Ghost Scone. Dickens now goes on to describe ill powerful language the conversa- tion which took place between Scrooge and the apparition of his departed friend. iFronl his seven years’ wanderings in the regions 0l' the damned. Marley had returned to warn his old partner lest he should have to undergo the tormonts which he himself had to endure. it is a powerful piece of word-painting bringing before our minds the fact tilut. the clanking chains which hound the ghost were the bands with which -Marley had bound him- self in his earthly life. The psy- chology of tho whole scene is such as to make us realize that no deed done in tho flesh will be obliterated in t spirit world, and o. warning to 'e_.e ‘peso to pass each day's life that no such fate may be theirs. ‘ll-low new?" said Scrooge, cous- tic and cold as ever. "What. do you lvunt with mo?" 'Much,"-—Muriey's voice, no doubt about it. “Who are you?" fihslgmsswho I was.” ' "Who wero you, then,” snltl Scrooge, raising his voice, "You're particular for a shade." He wan going to say "To a shade." but sub- stituted this. as more appropriate. “In llfo l was your partner Jacob arlcy. “Can you-wan you sit down?" asked Scrooge, looking doubtiully nlhim. us.» - I "l can." ' ,. "Do it than." Scrooge naked the question ho- causo he didn't know whether a lfllfltll. no transparent mum find hllunelf in n condition to take n choir; and felt that in thdevent of lie heiug impoeeiblc, it might in- volve the necessity of an embar- rassing explanation. But the ghost lot down on the opposite aide of lreplace, us if it were quite used to it. "You don't believe in me," said lilo khost, ~ ' - "l don't," bald Scroosej “What evidence would you have °1 my reality beyond that of your 1tillecs?'.f_ “it don't dlnow." said Scrooge. "Why do you doubt your senses." "Because." said Scrooge, "a little ‘i110: affects them. A slight disor- Br of the stomach makes them heats. You may be an undigested 11 0i‘ beef. a blot of mustard. u mh of cheese, a fragment of an iierdoue potato. There's more! eravy than of grave about you.l lifltcver you are." And so the conversation runs until the spirit raised a fearful - .and shook its chains with auch| dismal and appalling noise that, ‘ 08c held on tight to a choir, to himself from falling in n, Again the spectra raised a. ‘ I and shook its chains and wrung lilldowy hands. x cu are lettered," said Scrooge. ‘ hilnr. “Tell me why." invest‘ the chain I forged 111 replied the ghost. "l made it '4 "ilk. and YEN by yard; 1 ii oh ‘of my own free-will. I ‘PM? own free will I wore i1. pattern strange to‘ your" an time of the year." he d. “l suffer mosh". h? through crowds of fei- _ with my byes turned 1511 flwer raise them to that ' Itar which led tho wise mun " abode‘! were there no which its light would “h!!!” ' ‘ '- - u. more"? ‘blood to dance to: solden euniisht: ered in to look about him. Ohristmaa EDDY." ‘ti! lfilMilt Bill!’ Scrooge that the purpose of his vffltation is to warn him that he might yet have a chance and hope of ‘escnpinx his fate. Uplifting the Veil To bring about this desired re- sult Scrooge would be haunted by three other spirits, and as the ghost departed Scrooge looked out of the window and Saw the air filled with thither in restless haste and moan- ing as they went. ‘in that glimpse "into the unseen world Scrooge saw loony people who, in their lives, had been personally known to him. This passage might with great. re- verence and respect be commend- ed ‘to Sir Oliver Lodge. The misery of all these departed spirits lay in the fact. that they now sought to ,d0>800ll. but had absolutely lost the power to do so. What a lesson here for .111! of us "to gather the sun- bcslus while we may; old time is still n-flying." ‘Scrooge still ‘tried the first syllable. Ho went straight to tiled. without dressing, and fell asleep upon the instant. The Three Spirits. Dickens now goes on to give o. very iiull account. of the visitation of tho three spirits. Marley's Ghost bad informed Scrooge that this visitation would take place. The first spirit would appear on the nlorrolv when the bell tolled one; the second on the nest night at the next night when the last stroke of twelve should cease to vibrate. it is impossible for me in o lecture such as this to dcul with the next. tilree chapters of "A Christmas Carol" in full. Suffice it to saythat the reading of these chapters will prove to those who take the time ination. the life of Scrooge. lThc first ghost revolves before tho mind of Scrooge ll (lhristmnfl post, showing to him tho days long nsiucc gone -by; the second ghost tie- picts n (‘hrlstlnns present (i008 so ill zl kindly, gciieroiiti. hearty way: the third ghost por- trays a Christmas yet to be. show- ing the shadow 01' things which yet may happen. Ill working out his conception. Dickens revolves before our minds many interesting charac- ters in such n way as to make us feel that the ‘kindly heart knits to- gethorpooplo o‘! diverse individual- ity and teaches unmistakeaibly that "n touch of Christmas cheer makes the whole world kin." There ls .Vir, Fezziwig, o. kindly, jovial old mer- chant; Mr. Topper, a bachelor; Mril. likmziwig, ‘the worthy purtner of Mr. ‘l-‘ezziwig; Tiny Tim, and others of ‘lesser note. All these churne- ters are worthy ot‘ study, careful powers of Dickens in his delinea- tion of every conceivable charac- hasten on to the laat scene of all. which ends the strange eventful old Scrooge. The Miracle Performed. fclt that nothing but the powers 0f the unseen world could transform such a character as that of Scrooge.’ And so the lust chapter shows us the old, hard-hearted sinner trans-l formed into a kindly gentleman dispensing Christmas cheer all around. The time before him was now Bcroogoks own to ulake amends in! "i will live in tho past, the pro- sent and the futurc." he repented- “The spirits of all three shall strive within me. Oh! Jacob liiarley! Heaven and the Christmas Time be praised for this! l say it. on my knoos, 01d Jacob, on my knees.’ l don't know what to do!" cried Scrooge. laughing and crying 111 the some breath. "I am he llghtas a feather; l am an balm!’ "5 u“ tinsel; I ant us merry as a school- boy; I am as giddy as a drunken men. A Merry Christmas to every- body! A Happy New Your to rill tho ‘World! ilollo ilore! Whoop! l-Iallo!“ llo had trlakod into i111‘- gifting room, und was now stand- ing there, perfectly winded. ‘There a the saucepan that, the cruel W111i m," cried croogo, starting oft Th 0's the corner where the Rllost of hristmos present ant. Theron the window where I saw the xvnn- dering spirits. it's all right. its all true. It all happened. liu, hu. ha!" ~ Surely that is a magnificent laugh for n man who had been out 01' practice for so many years. it was the father of a long, long lluo 01’ brilliant laughs. "l don't know what dny of tire month it is." said Scrooge. “l doni know how long I've been among the spirits; »I don't know anything. I'm ouito u. baby. Never mind. I don't core. I'd rather be a bah!‘- liollo! whoop! Hal-lo. iwre!" lie was checked in his transports by the churches ringing out 111°. iustiest peels he had ever heard» Clash. clung, hemmvl‘; dink, 1101111- bell. Bell. dons. dine: 1111111111181» clung, clash! 0h. glorloul, 81011‘ one! , Running to the window. he ope!!- it. and put out his head. No foil. no unlit; clear, brizhi. ievial. B111‘- ring. cold; cold, P191118 1111‘ 111° sweet freull all’: heavenly r111; mo” merry pens. Oh, sinuous- ous! "What's today?" cried Scroozfi- cslling downward io a boy in Sull- dly clothes. who perhapfl had loit- "Eh?" returned the boy. W111i all his might of wonder. __ "What's today, my fine fellow? said Bcrovle. ‘ "Today!" replied that boy. "Why. said "in ~ ovum-s m“ to sny “llumbltgfl but stopped at tho same hour, and the third upon study, each showing the marvellous purchase a collection ot‘ {fore embarking on the voyage. thing they like. Whispered Scroole. bands, and splitting with a laugh. sending it to Bob's will be!" nan‘ p4‘ vvY v carnation A l. LINER‘ . - ---_..__-_- CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES WHEN CROSSlNG THE ATLANTIC L a m n44‘ 4 vvvv vv v Sdlsohable Fare and Happy l-‘ieveiry ‘By "Ship's Officer A hundred years ago. ocean tra- vellers. who bed occasion to cross ‘the Atlantic, during. the festive mention. found very little effort had been made to createtthe traditional l a. small sailing vessel. Lllow very different today! tertainment that would put hotels. verse direction. ls no; unusual for nearly 2.000 pas this time of the year. ' ship is a very harassed individuzl largo amount oi’ preparatory work which a voyage of this kind en fall's. Apart from the huge stock of eat ables which. normally. tnnst be cur ried in his larder, he has to eethn ate tho proper quuntlticg of coo five occasion. WELL STOCK ED LARDERS: fliers are some actual sltatistics: large Ono ihundred turkeys, 200 plum puddings. 3.000 mince pies to do no, e. great delight, and a. 3 humus of beef. 3 boars heads, 200 powerful stimulus to that faculty 1115- 01' Hiillles and 4.000 oranKQB of the mind which we cull the imflg- WW-‘PB 11111111111 1119 "=11 01 "K0011 111111315 pic-yam; may“ [h9g9 flp- consumed last Christmas on tho puritions represent. threc stages in itiaiefltiv. the 1111119111- Bhip 111 1119 k orid. Borongurizl carried trip:.350 ducks, 200 snipe, ‘grouse. 100 geese, 8.000 quail, 25 and kegit of oysters, 5 turtles, 100 lbs. 'of czlvuire. 15 calves. 500 bottles 1o!‘ wine and 600 bottles of liquors. Truly n magnificent larder! At the beginning of the voyage. the paseengcs usually form a committee hlndirgfit themselves. ‘and work in conjunction with the ship's; officers to arrange the many festivities. Their firs; thought is. oi‘ course_ the children on board- ou one trip l rememilcl- we carried 135 boys and girls. Tho passengers subscribe lo a general fund to pro- vide them with toys and gifts, to help them enjoy the trutiitionu‘ Christmas atmosphere. These pre- scnts can be bought ut the bflTbGf" shop, but malty of the seasoned travellers, like the ship's officers toys be- tor tinder heaven. We accordingly HOLLY Amp M|s1-|_51-QE The youthful passengers are al history of the greening, covetoua. Wllys provided with achrl-stmss tree of their own, to which are fastened the gifts. The Chief Stew ard comrlbutcs a handsome supply of unusual dalnties and the baker tit is evident to me that Dickcilll supplies some toffee of his own manufacture. On Christmas Eve, the passen- gers‘ committee are busy complet- ing and lelioarsing the arrange- ments fa. the marrow the ship's carol singers are enliveniug the various public rooms and corridors with iielecllons from their reper- oirs. and the sailors are busy put- ting the finishing touches 1o the decorations. The Ghristmas trees have to be arranged in the saloons and suit- ably adorncd, 2,000 balloons have 1o be bidwn up, and 6.000 stream- ers. 30 hunches oi’ mlsletoe and tons of holly have to be distributed about the chip. Christmas atmosphere. Apart. fronl ~ mile seasonahle (are [JIOVMHL they pun-toms’ wandermg hither m"! had perforce-to look forward to a very dull and precarious. month, nu Pafi senzers on a modernocean liner enjoy five days of revelry and ell- to shame many of our nlost sumptuous Each yeur, it is usual on each line, to appoint a. special liner for the Christmas trip front Europe -t,o the United States-l, and iu the re- ‘This liner is generally patronised y a large number of people who lure hurrying -home to spend the holidays with their families. and it hangers to cross in ‘such a ship at The (thief Steward of a Christmas by the time he has dealt with the sortable fare necessary for this tes- in addition to these iloitrtics. the on u. similar 400 to 1i voted amusements. ren, an to the Father Christmas. vinced that he will come gown one of the funnels 0r appear at the fool of the forelnast, while other young scientists expect him to come by Under the lowing beard and rod gown is usually the kind- ly figure of the purser or the doc- ervices of both. are enlisted, in w ich event. special care has to’ be taken to see that they do not inadvertently meet ms such an unfortunate occurence would make it a. sad day of disillu- sionment for the children. At the sound of a bugle, all the pflfiflfilifiere assemble on the forward ,lleck, and, to tho accompaniment of all elaborate ceremony. Father Christmas ‘klepths of the ocean." cciving appropriate greetings from the ship's officers. he proceeds to make a stately parade er's decks. wireless. 1"; Towards tho ship's company. Lug. the HS FATHER CHRISTMQS! to games and sometimes the ascends in earnest. the centre 0!.‘ Klhristmas morning finds the liner fully decorated, and everyone on tip-toe of excitement. usual church service, the day ls de- frivolous "Sparks" the wire- less operator. is’ lfept extra busy sending out, antrrqceivillg season- blegréotillgs. - Meanwhile, a! After the l sorts of rumours are circulating amongst the child- whereeboute o! Some are cou- from ct‘ the lin- GOBLINS AND CLOWNS: end of the after- noon. the children are treated to a special tea-party of their own. when they are waited on by 80b- lins and clown, Pier-rots and other grotesquely attired mom-berg of the After ten, comes the most popular event oi’ the even- diatribution of gifts Father Christmas, which i5 follow- °l1 11y 11 111K111)‘ ilmuaing concert or- sonleed by the passengers‘ com- ollttec. The hard-worked crew are by no means forgotten op Christmas day, for they are given a sumptuous midday repeat, at which they are waited on by the Chief Steward lull other members of his staff. When dinner time arrives, the fun and frolic for the passengers he- The dining-sal- oon the brightest. spot in the ship, pus received extra lavish decora-led in the history or any nation, 1°11? 111111 8 111186 Christmas tree oc- Yiipiefl the room. the witcher 9V"? 11111111 1e resplendent with a Gideon. lost of seasonablo novelties, in- him in a strange place. cluding a large supply of crackers. converted heee are soon used up and every- threshing floor 11ml there with, ‘I10 spflrts a. paper cap or other muffled flail, he was beating out ‘entcly zlfrticie. before sitting down a few measures 0f grain, hidden O l9 EH51. ZING QARNIVAL REIGNS: the After re- WN Improved Uniform Fourth Qliirter: Loosen Xlii: DB- cember 20, 1926: Review. Golden Text: 8urely his salvation is nigh them that isur Him. That glory may dwell in our land. Pnim LXXXV 9. EARLY LEADERS OF IERAEL‘ FROM MOSES TO SAMUEL 1 Moses of Michael Angelo is the most arresting and surprising sta- tue in the world. _It is a. biogra- pnr 1n stone. Fortunately it was never incorporated in the papal 1011111 of which it was to have been 11 part. .‘it should be, it is aeoli- talre. All the noble traits of‘ this most relu-urkuble man seem w find (‘Jfpression ill that majestic face and form. He holds in his hand the stone tablet of the law of which he was lihe author. lie has the pose of patriot, and warrior, There is also a remembrance of tihe ecclesiastical system which thiat great hand unfolded anrl guid- Bl . The sixth book of the Old Testa- ment is a. mirror of the ever-living hero whose name it hears. One would think that to be the succes- sor of such a towering figure as ttlzut ot‘ ‘Moses would dwarf one. But it did not dwarf the theroic conquer- or of ‘Canaan. Joshua lcfi tshc sacramental 1108M of God across the Jordan as Moses ‘had led their fathers across the Red Sea. One native citadel after allotiher fell before him, the land was divided by lot and the tribes settled n. their respective portions. Before the "Land Commission” 0110 day appeared a. pittriarch "'10-'16 eye m spite of age was still unduumed. x1e had come to claim the portion that was to fall to null and his family. it W83 ca. 1011, 1111086 prophecy concerning “"6 Qilniltlesl. oi‘ uallaan "we are 41110 to ulko it" had ibad such tri- umphant fulfillment. one would tnlnk that lil view of his services no would be justified Ln demand- b)’ one or the palaces kink- Iliut no! IIc waves his 011ml toward the inaccessible cleltfs still the!!! by the last ungub. 110911 irarrlson and cries “That is 300d enough for me!" “I'll take that!" Take it he did in more sen- oes than one. Thai. was a speci- mlne _0i’ the dauntless courage of Israels glorious lenders, unexeell- N0 story of ivarfare surpasses in y of roux-once that oi‘ (iodis messenger found He had into a {A a wine-vat from the alert enemy. his inexperience he yet accepts the divine commission. He believed that reformation like charity At the close of dinner, the cap- 811011111 begin at home and 11o flllltlP, and hastily turns.“ But all jolly affairs must come to on end. and, H,‘ just, the pasaemlpilred s0ul, ready to nay "Speak 118 Martin who eventually played a m“ , . ,, Lord, thy servant hcnreth". lie he- greater part in the life oi‘ William "nme m‘ t Wmmm rumble‘ ' 861's retire to their cabins, like a, family of happy children, in what i3 really a big home with. the captain prophetism and the monitor or that aginell. 116111111.’ I11 the role of father. And at! the white ‘he engmee ave ed a theocracy into the kingdom. throbbinganq the forging its way through an ocean the racial ekehteivrenesu or bhe He, iipon which only the hardiest sca- dogn once ventured. great ship 11111 Officially extends to the plifl- kindling-wood or the family idols. angers the complimeptg “g ‘he He reduced this llflll)’ to the mini- eason, and accepts their wjflhgg mum of‘ moral n behalf of himself and the crew.‘ 61111111111; (lei-ice. Dinner is followed by another inai and consummate strategy be ntertammen; and a masquerade pltt an army of regiments to flight D°11ceman held him up when he re- iail. at which everyone makes n W111i an army 0t‘ three companies. turned 1° ‘he Biwawiike? 015111111- 99610! effort to appear in some- hlng original in fancy dress. Here the fun waxes fast and fur- ous and ithe carnival spirit holds‘ 1 1 ‘ everyone n it's r until th eer- 91111988 unparaieel. _ ,_ , - - - y hours 0t‘ the tglllguung dayfwlthlEnlly opened and closed a desecr... cllnedlotake the policeman into m" I am“ "m"! ‘wmg ‘1- 11' ml‘. ‘sundry intervals for refreshments led sanctuary and ministered t0 M“ 9oufldence bu‘ m“ 15119111 111110 1y t0 Ewe you, a mm - .. organised "cabaret the Lord whom a tiegroded priest- 1191' was 110 aggressive that he re- ‘mve me m "Own"? Hm‘ earnestness by a Then by ml orig- Samuel was a lily on a (lungthill. stood in like midst or a moral rot- Ile rever- ‘hood had forgotten. Prepared come the just judge, the reviver ol‘ bloodless revolution which chang- is Some educative curb was set to brews by such ltotubie admission lei’ aliens an flobab and Rahal), but the greatest of all was Ruth, the Scrooge to himself. ".l haven't miss» ed it. The spirits have done it. all iu one night. They [can do uny- Of course they can. 0f course they can. Hallo, my tine fellow!" . "Hollo!" returned the boy. “Do you know the poultorcru ill tho next street but one. at tho cor- ner?" IScrooge enquired, t i the flrc- 18(1- Qfifélt’ -9¥§,‘e§.§..“§h;°.\l::..-, hy which "An intelligent boy," said the ghost of Jacob Marley entered! SCTQOSB- “A remarkable bOY- 9° you know whether they have sold the prize turkey that was hanging up therc'.'—-Not the little prize llll'-_ key! The big one?" " "What. the one us big as me?" returned the boy. "What a delightful boy!" said Scrooge. "It's a pleasure to talk to him. "Yes, my buck!" hand. be exceeded by the chuckle "it's hanging there now," replied h“ “fled- thc. boy. "is it?" said Scrooge. buy it." "IIVnIk-cr!" exclaimed the boy. "No, no!" said Strong“. "1 11m in earnest. (lo and buy it. and tell "Go and Behold the scene! Transformed ‘om to bring it here, that l may he repented 0i. brought take it. Come buck with the mall, and I will give you u shilling. ‘Come utcs and ‘l will give you hull‘ a crown!" The boy was off like a shot. l-lc off half so fast. "n1 Bend it to 1Bob (‘rnlchlfz-l!" rubbing 11111 “He sharrt know who sends it. it's twice tho also of Tiny Tim. Joe Miller never made such a ln/kerra-“i hand in which he wrotelhe afl- dreas was not. a steady one, bu! write it be did, somehow-Jud went downstairs to open the street door- ready for the coming of the P1011" CBIII"! man. _ there, wailing hie arrival, the knuck- or csunit his em An creole stood "I shall love it. as long as l live." of l8!’ This seems to back with m... in loss lllllil five mln- point to c111“ 111111 111111111111: dls- 1 sertation. well. TIE. IIIQ my that be trilLv cried Scrooge, patting it with his "I scarcely ever looked at it before. What an honcdt expression it has in its face! ‘It's a wonderful knockor. Here's tho ulrkoy. Hello! Whoop! How aro you! Merry Christmas!" It was a turkey! lie never could have stood upon his logs, that blrdJ n11 should hope 1 dld,» replied the lie would have snapped ‘em shorthecls, oil’ ill a minute, like sticks of seal-i lug-wax. “iWhy, it's imposible to carry that to Camden Town." Behold tho ab.) increased: Prospective: To de- transfornled, regenerated Hcroogchtemytine‘ what any given instance Arc those the tears of repentancelnisqulres and how resources maybe lf so, they are tears that need not‘ l0 lit‘ by my humble gfforlt I havehlfl. blender-bangers of material- mu t hnv had a steady hand at a ducetl anyone to reo an studyi 1B ism" 1 John 2:18-17. trigager who could have got n shot masterpiece of Dickens. I will go _ v homo content, and will enjoy with "Exodus l! 1~1'1.~ greater gusto. ‘and 3h illecner 05:1» = Wedneatlly~Opp0r1unitiea lite on o com ng r stmas y, ggfvfljg when r nope t‘? hey» ‘the pleasure‘, ‘Thuredayh-Klloeer of eatink m? i‘! 111' P)’ Manse of St. James. May all of you. old and Vanni-f. aiana 3: 22-26. equally enjoy your Christmardin- nor, and behthgnkfal that you don't 2 Timothy 2: l-‘lb. equire enc ras c moaautell B! ‘those used upon old Scrooge. to oft-fro‘ able you to have the Christmas spirit all the year round. said oi‘ Scrooge that he afterwardeuiught. us? always knew how to ken Christmas ~Whst goal have we set for the m sari? of lalJlQW your? Amino.“ n’! m o- ved. "God bless us. Iilrery onqifltlkes of ot on‘! ill It was; said Scrooge. "Youwmuat have a cab." - The chuckle with which Scrooge Not New Year's Day alone, but said this, and the chuckle which he every day should be retrospective, 16001110011561] 111B 110)’. We"? 0013' t0 introspective and prospective. Re- wltil trospectivo, to note tho error, to re- which he eat flown breathless in pent of it, not in the sense of mour- lllS Cilllll‘ fifllllll. and Cllllfllilfll till nlng ovar 1f, [mt 1n the gtrong re- thv Quch a couple of clear thinking, give them the tiirectiou where to checks of this old. petrified sinnelfistrong resolving and active doinz by tho powers of the unseen world. will exhaust the possihilites of 1!)- the loglcuhal’, - - the Christ John'17; 21-20, Moobitesfl. who wan destined to be the ancestress oi‘ David and of the Messiah himself. YOUNG PEOPLE'S DEVOTIONAL SERVICE December 26, J9EE Deuteronomy W]! 1~8: Philippians IV 13-14 Mot. to: Still on it creeps, Each little moment at mother's James llailie THE PABT YEAR! ITS LESSONS: THE NEW: IT'S POSSQBILITIEB solution that it and nothing like it shall be npeated: Introspective: Tu lake account of resources. to note ‘how they may be conserved ohiilzed to meet the demand. DAILY READING Tueadpy A ngers (if pleasure. fill‘ ‘Matthew 17; 14,21. union with - . I-‘rldaw-Nohler integrity Colos- satltrclay-‘Hetter ' collsec ation. ‘THINK- ABOUT: What lestoimhss the past year InternationalSunday School Lesson _ The Haunted Taxi (Continued from page 9.) An inquest was held in due course, and a verdict of "Murder by some- PBNOB or Persons un- known", was recorded. It was surmised that the victim, who was a Russian. deeply entangled in political affairs, had been mur- dered by home membe a of a rival faction, possibly because he had done them some grevioue harm. No doubt, as it was suggested. he 118d been 86811 lll the Rumbles taxi,‘ fr which he hurriedly ee- ctrperl flflm the opposite door when he discovered. that he was recog- nized by men oi‘ whose intention he was only too well aware. Doubt- lees. he had been going in fear of his life for some time, a theory nlaintalned by Ills instructing Rum- ble t0 take devious routes on the night of ‘his death, lt was on this melancholy epi- sode that Wllllaul Rumble reflect- ed on the following Christmas Eve as he prowled round the quiet squares of Bayswater. The snow which had threatened was now falling duatily, and a. fine white carpet covered the ground so that his wheels moved noiselesely upon it. Several more times he was hailed. only to see the fare sud- eilonged his mind. ‘elie the matter," he said to him little later meted just as the man beckoned to an other taxi which came along u. that moment, "It‘5 all thank right, you’ Bee you've already got a. fore." Rumble. April." - fhe words the man had ‘the other taxi and had rapidly driven away. "That's what I cal! the porishing ‘"5"’ ms u fut portion, settle-thigh like-limit" exclaimed Rumble descend- ot‘ an exiled ing from his see-t and looleng into ‘ed M“ Mam“- ‘his empty cab. be mad." “The bloke mus He svan relieved. a little later, to and 5° find a “m, who hired Mm wmb him. They saw him in my cablage." he said. ".\ir- Smithers out to take mm m a m“ m Grays and, he made o. bolt for it, but they thinks it needs further inveetigll. 4m, ROML got him in about a lninute. Stab- tion. A taxi conldnt set ilfielf 011 l bod in two places, he was . - fire." "You didn't see nobody in my .c:lb when I drove up to yoll, sh- did you?" he asked- | "Of course not", came the an SW9d‘. “S1111; why do you ask?" "011 1101111115, only a lot of gents "r?" have told me there was somebody I swear on my in my cab when bloomin’ oath there wasn't." The man laughed heartily. “Being things thpt don't exist is “m” "B?" ‘ not unusual at festive seasons" he . ., . 581,1 as he bade Rumble good nlghL have been blind , replied liunlble ‘All the same, there's more in it u _ I _‘ , m, that" muttered Rumble as tin. Ii‘ "IP09 llllilgg dIL seen m. hi nil i ‘e i. . 11H they u _ s m “ m Mk flziggzvgfieihi: people who lmvc HOIIIB kind of at- til flight of n year ago. that bloke didn't see anything por- hups thatu the end oi‘ it." But it was not the end of n, A "Fm!" "LOOK 11818", he said "You pass- Tllul,»(ghl.ld clad in his white tunic, 0d me an hour ago with your hire- l“ his innocent. taco turned up to God. 11""; “I1 1111111811 V0117! i101 11 (are 111- Se Hide. Don't do it again; that's all, For a moment Rumble was ill- fruined. It was shortly after that 1118115830 came, as ever, to the pre- that he was‘ hailed by a Mr. TlIOm- “l9 Tefveniiy- "Ana that!!! be the The hospital appealed for books at ‘ Rumble than ever that worthy 1m. M1’- Mllrtlu. a mild little man wearing rlnllcss eye glasses, emefg. ed from a housewhich he had bee" visiting" and beckoned to William Rumble who immediately drove up to him. Then suddenly Mf- Mflrtin motioned him away. "iris nil risht." he said cheerily, "11168 yflirve got somebody in n1- ready." , 5° Bliyiiig .\Ir. Martin hurried away towards Queen's Road Wm, the intention of ringing a 4mm. 114151511 011b- But he had reckon- 911 0111110111 William Rumble, who stopped his cub and allghting, ran lllflclily after him. “For the love of hiike. mister!" hi1 1111811 "Blob a minute and tell mo about it." “About what?" asked Mr. Martin, fekflflling Rumble suspiciously. "W011. you called rue," explained the taxi-driver. and when 1 ¢ome 11D you tell me l got somebody in my cab, and i haven't goi: a blln. kin‘ soul Lil it." Mr. Martin devoted a few lnom- 11111: w the coniectui-e ms to wheth- er Rumble trail sober; then. hav. lng assured himself, b9 swim “My swd fellow". he said, "I dis- 1111011! saw o man siting in your cab. He must have jumped out if you any he's not there now.“ Rumble caught Mr. Martin by the elbow, - "T911 me more about him, guy'- "°1"- 11° pleaded hoarsely- "Had ire-rim! he not s nearer" "EFL-yes. I think ‘he had a little Minted beard." ‘replied the other .. . . . "buVwhnteverhl the matter with you, man!" Rumble left the question unan- answered. ' "Come back with me to the cab. air." he battled." and 1".‘ loll you for cooking utensils, HE dail f Old Dutch ensures a " ‘ l Home. ll. ‘i3 mature! detergent, thssafe clcahiiér " , ' a hundred other uses. It contains no lye, acids or grit to injure the finest surfaces or affect the hands. For economy, comfort and safety there is nothing else like Old Dutch Cleanser. glassware, enamelled surfaces and , . litfADE m cannon l hailed you." though there certainly was when Suddenly Rumble gave a cry. lleuvy body against the Bilffllflfw. side, us Rumble staggered llbfllbw.‘ wards from what he saw. .l?‘ol- ' denly hurry away as though he had "I'm $01115 to find out what the 5911: prgggnfly and whe“ he was n but there was no one to he seen. ollt the same I H treatment by up elderly man in 111115 111111111911‘- evening dress he followed him and “Nonsenhefl said Martin sharp- drssslllg- ‘ I ,‘ ; fllflwetl up beside him,’ ily- “it's evidently some peyt-tuc Mr. Humble. >011; aflifahlilflgfl-‘z: "rm-e 1 am, guy-um»- he said phenomenon. Tell ms all about came the lolce, an Rum o u said the man somewhat icily, "l "I ain't got a fare" expostulated “I thought he'd dune me out <1! =1. "Wltutks the game? Thl~ is Chfllgtmas Eve, ‘mt the “,5, o? traffic in Shaftesbury Avenue, lllldlDe 110M, umi soon everyone ceased But by tho time he had spoken “hm”: 11* entered the morchery and allowed me his, “or I should,“ have hired ho thought over the lowing this, a silence; 111911 1119"» sound of the opening of ‘a petrol tin. .A ildttic inner, Hwilliam- -.L Rumble mlglll have been seen hur- rying on tiptoe hock" to the b01150- it vras a, neighbour who roused {the aiurnl whilst Rumble was uh- “There he goes!“ he gasped, “through the other door." Martin seized him by the arm . and rushed hon round the taxi-cab,‘ “Ilefls gown, he'll gown!" Runlhlc _ tilis man with a beard. Icertaill- r1801)’ 1'11" 11°“'"9Y“1"5 find d°“'.“ tly saw him when your cab drove who K111111111 1° 1111‘- iiilmge. W111!“ up to me, but not when you sawyhis wife looked on aghast from o._._ -him. . .What's the story?" .-°‘“'k “Pam” u“ "he names “Mt- “It's ‘the bloke I drove lsst"~1i>. 111M111: 11 W111“- 01111111? 111°“!- Chr stmao Eve" explained Rumbleljgodtlle 511°W'°°"°r°d nelghm" qnid when he left lny cab in the. 11- 11"“ "191" 1111'" 110mm“ “mm I went to the police and told ’em -° 113’- Then they wok me yotgThgy were all very sonry for Mr. um e. one dead body-his face all whiio like‘ it was tonight, and hits eyes star-l It was n little more than a week Iiater than u clerk entered the pri- qucr-‘vute office of the Fire Claims De- ipflllllflellf. of the Fidelity Insur- "Donc in—nlurdered!" answeredlallce Co. Rumble. "He wan a foreigne-lx1 "This vluint, sir, by a man uanl- me of ‘em had got it in for-ed Ilumblc—tuxi burnt out in gar- "What llns happened," i. ‘S’ truth! I can never drive this‘ “Let me soc the papers" said . m), again," the head of tho Ffire Claims ‘De- Mr. Zllllrtin stood m silence as Purtmeut. taking severe! divul- swry, ments form tho clerk and reading, he imttttercd. 1119111 cflfelfilly- "I'm afraid I don't quite agrce- i m with Mr. Smlthews," he said. "I Rumble m1‘; 0g the other fares ilave known of noel-s like this be- "Vcry strange," d you say others have seen .,,. who 11.1.1 turned m... away. ‘fore. Please filly the claim is t0 "But some ltired you and 1111111119 Passed-Y , “Very good, filr- Martin’ an- "Yes, one or two. They-mustlilvefeil 1118 019111- ‘ wot at all" roruevtcfl Mr. m. THE‘ END- ‘ i ro only seen by certain; . A Hint i tinny with the sullject~hnt therfyl —~ lt‘s moet tiifficult lo GXpliLfl, most’ Willifii-“Fllf 1111110011111 "1 1119 y , [mouth is ililllltfliy. ‘So I should think“ agreed} Douglas.——-"i\\'liy'-’" . Rumble heartily: "But what llliflllt‘ On filo tllirteontlt of December. me and by can, Do you want meyoll borrowed my skates. I haven't. ill-Ive you after what you've been them sincc. .,., '.'..l Very Generous ' Bil. “Well. I confess I don't fancy it very much" flllS\\'€'1'Q(l Martin. You cuni Father: “Where are your school- booke, Tommy?" Tommy: "Well, Dad, it's like this. ' “Thank you, guwnor," said Rum- Joh I'll do tonight, or my Chrlstluua, and so Iuent mine." “Very good," replied Air. Marr- tfu. "And if you're sharp you may be homo in time to wish your wlfcl Merry ‘Chflfiillllflfi. l suppose, A Fleet of Strengtihr it doesut matter if you are poi- Y°11 "YB 1181111" 11°16?" ‘the slightest mt strong. ydu'clll"ry ffhls" "H ‘he Edg“‘are Road-‘titis joke 0ft’ with a friend. sir, answered Rumble. starting 5353-190 you know. l am e0 up M“ engm“ strong 111M. l can walk right round ‘-= i |thls room carrying all heftvre mo?" liir. hlnrtflfs surmise was cor- .. ., - , ., rem‘ for [no be!“ or many cnurdbijievfillog it! he ii challenge. dispel e. vone ringing in the ll, ldf .t- ,, _ , .. - his; n18 William Runlbllcelditjove elriey]. V63!‘ “e1; youlfla?’ “m; Se; q‘ taxi into the garage at the back o! 81:5 5:03? ,,oalufagg‘o?t‘dagg n‘_¥io‘§"z‘1 hi. ll ti‘ h .- H. '. ' all. f-iuttl up "g8 “my ""1 “"1"! ‘he ""111 l“ "filb-r much an a glen-we into the interior Gruwfu‘ Yo" "M" . 0t‘ his cab. Then he entered the fnrsnvéqflnkg‘ I'm" "arryiilgbnll 110-. < ‘house by the back door, when his ' ' ' ‘ Yo“ can 9 31"“ Wm, mm mm m“. mm m,“ 5km.“ he'll also ‘be frying the trick the ly that he we; late. Rumble took M“ d“)? ' ~»' » t "l? the rebuke quietly, and pat, down moodily by the fire. "l wonder if he Wit! in it?" he ,~ t» w l <Qi3>~ ‘pondered thinking of the 1mm which he had just locked in the A‘ garage. i Presently the smell of sizzling ‘sausages! filled hike’ house, but fife“) alva enet no ent ususm in the " breast "or Mr. Rumble. \ "Merry Christmas", ventured his w'fe presently. as she meal on the table. "Sallie to you, old girl" replied Rumble sbsentiy, taking his seat at the inblo, and making a. brave show at eating his supper. liiis wife observed his eyes, which Iseemed lo look right through ‘her into the beyond. "What's up?" it was Home time before Mr. ‘Rumble replied. Then he repeat.- cd Mi‘. Martin's word-s: ' "Most difficult to expiain——most difficult" he said; "after which his wife interrogated him no more, but went in silence to bed. i Rumble sat. until the fire died‘ put. tho religj slln asked. B“ 3M," m other! ha“, Gen “idown- In ifs fading depths hcl =~ 1 lair!" :.."..:.£'.'.fr: ,, t artin was accompanf“ hm r 9"“ - - . 1 ' when Sudan“. nummé 0.. M. "i wonder it he's thore?" he ask.; _ ml turned an asherl face : > Utr- in fl t .. "I-le’s there. oh my fm-Tlhlllk soul!" he cried. "it's him all right," _'flnconnc‘ouslv he spoke the iden- tical wnrdn which he had ‘ism q, yesr 11:0 that night in the mortu» nrv "it's him all right". ha repealed. "l tin-ram m any nearer." How m we learn frvm the mis- I ’ .1 "Cone along. mall!" urged Mar- tin. ‘There's nobody there how. 10d himself, again and again un- til the question obsessed him. Then he rose and. "polling the door. very quietly, crept down the gar-l " [don to the garage. With tremh-I lingqhunrls unlocked the door and] peeled in. The buck of the tsxil faced him. and it was some mom nuts before he dared go round i» the front- . . Had anyone been at hand they would have heard a. terrified et- clamatlon,_ and the sound of a cleansing-sentinel; ~ heafltl 5 i‘; H‘ ">"_>p i. beorb. .~...- Ann-n flt|~ A131‘ Put l , .131 rid» 4 I