hours. It may be we have sat under the trees, or plucked the flowers from the hedgerows. Perhaps we love them because our kind friends live there, or because we have heard that many great events have in former years taken place in such spots. There is not a place but it is dear to some one. If it be ever so bleak and barren, it is not the less loved on that account.

The small city of Bethlehem must have been dear to many hearts. It was there that Jacob stayed some time to erect a monument to his much-loved Rachel. It was in the fields near Bethlehem that pious Ruth went to glean the ears of corn in the fields of Boaz. There also dwelt the humble Jesse, the happy father of so many sons. David also spent his early days at Bethlehem; and, with his harp and crook, while sitting on a rising hillock watching his flock on a summer's evening, we may imagine that he composed some of his beautiful psalms. But, more than all, it was in that city that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, was born, according to the prophecy of Micah, v. 2.

Bethlehem is not now what it was in the times of Ruth and David. It is a poor town, with only a few people living in it. It stands on a hill, and the ground about it is rough and uneven. Many olive and fig-trees grow on the sides of the hill. Near the town is a small building, called Rachel's tomb; also a well, which is thought to be that from which water was brought by David's soldiers, 2 Sam. xxiii. 16.

The word Bethlehem means "house of

bread" and such a name seems to suit the spot where Christ, "the Bread of life," first appeared on the earth. "For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world," John vi. 33. When the disciples heard these words they said, "Lord, evermore give us this bread. May we say so too; and live by faith on the Son of God

RANDAL DUNN,

OR, BEAR WITH HIM.

RANDAL DUNN was well known as the besttempered man in the village; and never was he more happy than when a number of boys and girls stood around him listening to his

wise and cheerful remarks. I loved him for many things, but more than all for his forbearance and kindness. If any one had committed a fault, Randal was always grieved at heart; but if it were possible to say anything in favour of the offender, he was sure to do it. He seemed to have taken that text for his rule "With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love," Eph. iv. 2.

"Bear with him," said he, when little Robert Halliday broke the window with his ball. "He did not do it on purpose; and besides he seems sorry for it, and most likely will not do it again. Remember, he is but a child. We must not be too hard upon those who are young, for we have all of us been young, and thoughtless too, in our time. Let them have their game of happiness while they have youth and health to enjoy it; by-and-by they may have cares enough of one sort or other. Robert will mind what he is about another time, I dare say. Bear with him!"

For all this, Randal Dunn did not fail to take an occasion to speak to little Robert when he found him alone, and then, in a kind way, he persuaded him to be more careful, and not to get into trouble.

"Bear with him," said Randal Dunn, when old Andrew Clark, the errand man, on returning from a neighbouring town, stumbled over a stone and smashed a china jar all to pieces, that he was bringing home for the churchwarden's wife. "Bear with him," said Randal, "for he has not the strength that he once had, and then his eye-sight begins to fail

him. Andrew is not a careless man in the main, though in this instance he has done a deal of mischief. I will be bound for his never breaking another china jar. He is an old man, and not at all likely to go of errands much longer for anybody. Bear with him!"

Before the sun had set, Randal Dunn, in a friendly way, had cautioned old Andrew to be doubly on his guard against an accident, when he had things of value entrusted to his care.

"Bear with her," said Randal Dunn, when Mary Bates was about to be turned away from her first place of service, on account of some hasty words she had spoken to her mistress. "She is but a young, foolish thing," said he, "and has not yet learned the value of a good place and a good character; but it would be hard to turn her away for her first offence. The silly girl is sadly standing in her own light, but try her once more. Bear with her!"

Mary Bates was borne with, and bitter tears Idid she shed when afterwards Randal Dunn reasoned with her, and gave her this text to put up with her prayers" Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips," Psa. cxli. 3.

Bear with her," said Randal Dunn, when old Margaret Smith, in a sudden fit of revenge, opened the garden gate of a neighbour and drove in some pigs. Loud was the outcry against Margaret. "Bear with her," said he, "though she has acted very wrong, for never did she do such a thing before. Remember, she had some cause for her anger, and she offers to pay a part of the damage. Help her

to do better if you can, and drive her not to do worse. Bear with her!"

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It was no light reproof that old Margaret Smith received that night from Randal Dunn. Margaret," said he, "it is high time for you to attend to the words, 'Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath. Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.""

In this manner Randal Dunn was the friend of all who did amiss, screening them from punishment, and doing his best to correct their errors. Many a fault was pardoned at his intercession, and many a wanderer brought back by him to the paths of uprightness.

Randal Dunn is remembered by many besides me, as a friend to all and general peacemaker of the village; and if ever man deserved a good name among those who survived him, it was he. "The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves," 2 Timothy ii. 24, 25. Such was Randal Dunn, a model for those who would excel in meekness and gentleness.

Oh that all our hearts were brimful of kindness to the old and the young, the rich and the poor! Oh that we could all act as friendly a part towards each other, as that acted by Randal Dunn ! "With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love," Eph. iv. 2. "By love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," Gal. v. 13, 14. "Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works," Heb x. 24.