mother, whose name was Naomi, said, "I am going back to the land where I
lived in former days, back to the people of my girlhood." The young
women said, "We shall go with you also." "No," replied Naomi, "you must
not do that. Go back to your homes, there you shall be cared for, and
may the Lord deal gently with you."

The names of these two daughters-in-law were Ruth and Orpah. It was
Ruth who then spoke up and said in words that are not surpassed in all
the English language:

"Intreat me not to leave thee, Or to return from following after
thee; For whither thou goest I will go; And where thou lodgest I
will lodge; Thy people shall be my people, And thy God my God;
Where thou diest will I die, And there will I be buried; The Lord
do so to me, and even more, If ought but death part thee and me."

Great words are these, words of love and loyalty.

MEMORY VERSE, _Exodus_ 20: 12

"Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon
the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."

MEMORY HYMN [668]

_"O perfect love, all human thought transcending."_