a little rest and comfort, and now she must be annoyed. To go, was
out of the question. It was too hot; and besides, she did not in the
least feel like going to a meeting of any sort. She wanted to finish
her book; so she told Mrs. Brown that she was very much worn out with
over-exertion, and the day was so warm that she would not venture
out. She should probably fall asleep in the meeting if she went. It
seemed that even when there came a time that work did not fill Mrs.
Williams' heart, Satan was on the alert to pre-empt it, and keep her
from all Christian activity. How he must rejoice at each new withe he
fastens over the heart he covets. Here was a large-hearted,
energetic, skilful woman--thoroughly consecrated. She would be a
power for Christ. Mrs. Williams was not a hard-hearted woman, but she
found no time to listen to the sorrowful story of those who know not
God. She knew very little of it at all, and like her heathen sisters,
was so "taken up" that she "could not give herself to thinking."

When the rage for decorating and the mania for pottery seized the
female mind, it began to dawn across Mrs. Williams' perceptions that
all her belongings were exceedingly plain, that she positively
needed, and must have two large vases for the parlour at least. She
lay awake thinking about it a good part of the night. Something must
be done. The expensive imported ware was out of the question--beyond
the limits of her purse at present. Mrs. Williams was a woman of
resources, who seldom failed to rise to the necessity of the
occasion; and from her inner consciousness she evolved a perfectly
delightful plan. When a young girl at school, she had taken lessons
in oil colours, and possessed not a little artistic ability. Why not
manufacture her own pottery and decorate her own china? That was a
most inspiring idea; she could scarcely wait for morning to appear,
so eager was she to put her plans into execution. She would go into