"Yes, mother; attendance upon the sick and suffering has given me a
higher appreciation of the greatness of the blessing of sound health
than I had in earlier days. It is saddening to witness suffering from
accident and disease, but a great privilege to be able in many cases to
relieve it. That last makes me thankful that I was led to choose the
medical profession."

"And you have often an opportunity to minister to souls as well as
bodies; one which I hope you do not neglect."

"I am afraid I have sometimes neglected it, mother," he acknowledged
with a sigh, "and at others performed it in a very halting and imperfect
way. But as you know--for I could not keep from you such gladness as
the knowledge of that fact brought me--I have been privileged to win
some souls to Christ--smooth some dying pillows--and to lead some
recovering ones to devote their spared lives and restored health to the
service of the Master--the Physician of souls--in whose footsteps I
ardently desire to tread."

"I know it, my dear son, and it has filled me with joy and gratitude for
you, for them, and for myself--that I am the mother of one whom God has
so honoured and blessed."

Then she inquired about the condition and needs of some of his poorer
patients; for she made it her business to provide for their necessities
and to furnish many a little luxury that helped on convalescence or
smoothed the passage to the grave.

As they drove up the avenue at Roselands Dr. Conly came out upon the