can apprehend our relation to these little ones. As we have accepted
that high trust, so make us loyal to it. When our feet grow weary
and our faith grows dim, help us to follow close after the ever
perfect One who taught even as we are trying to teach. He it was
whom the common people heard gladly. He it was who disdained not the
use of objects and symbols, remembering it was the childhood of the
race. He it was who spake in parables and stories, laying bare soul
of man and heart of nature, and revealing each by divine analogy. He
it was who took the little ones in His arms and blessed them; who set
the child in the midst, saying, "Except ye become as one of these."
May the afterglow of that inspired teaching ever shine upon the path
we are treading. May we bathe our tired spirits in its warmth and
glory, and kindle our torches at the splendour of its light. We
remember that He told us to feed His lambs. Dear Lord, help all the
faithful shepherds who care for the ninety-and-nine that lie in the
safe cover of the fold; help us, too, for we are the wandering
shepherds whose part it is to go out over the bleak hills, up the
mountain sides and rocky places, and gather in out of the storm and
stress of things all the poor, unshepherded, wee bit lammies that
have either wandered forlornly away from shelter, or have been born
in the wilderness, and know no other home. Such an one has just
strayed into the fold from the dreary hill-country. It needs a wiser
shepherd than any one of us. Grant that by gentleness, patience, and
insight we may atone somewhat for our lack of wisdom and skill. We
read among Thy mysteries that the divine Child was born of a virgin.
May He be born again and born daily in our hearts, already touched by
that remembrance and consecrated by its meaning. And this we ask for
love's sake. Amen.'

Then there was a space of silence--one of those silences in which we