to make the announcement to the dying man. He was soon at his side, but overpowered by his emotions, was utterly unable to deliver his message. The dying man, however, quickly read the solemn truth in the altered looks of the chaplain, his faltering voice and ambiguous words. He had not before entertained a doubt of his recovery. He was expecting soon to see his mother, and with her kind nursing soon to be well. He was therefore entirely unprepared for the announcement, and at first it was overwhelming.
"'I am to die then; and — how long?' As he had before expressed hope in Christ, the chaplain replied : ' You have made your peace with God ; let death come as soon as it will. He will carry you safely over the river.' 'Yes; but this is so awfully sudden, awfully sudden!' His lips quivered; he looked up grievingly: 'And I shall not see my mother.' ’Christ is better than a mother,' murmured the chaplain. 'Yes.' The word came in a whisper. His eyes were closed; the lips still wore that trembling grief, as if the chastisement were too sore, too hard to be borne ; but as the minutes passed, and the soul lifted itself up stronger and more steadily upon the wings of prayer, the countenance grew calmer, the lips steadier, and when the eyes opened again there was a light in their depths that could have come only from heaven.
"'I thank you for your courage,' he said more
