This was a sufficient answer to all objections of the kind that had been urged. "It seems," said the governor-general, after he had perused the document, "the complaint is that his men are Baptists. I wish the whole regiment were Baptists," and forthwith sent Havelock his appointment. When asked afterwards how he came to make it, his curt reply was, "because he was the fittest man for it"—an answer that the dispenser of patronage can rarely give for his acts. Havelock saw at once that his religious course would materially interfere with his promotion. Courage, fidelity, knowledge, ability were all of little value, if, when off duty, he presumed to instruct soldiers in the principles of morality and virtue, and point them to the Saviour of men. He might swear, and sometimes become noisy over his wine, this would never be mentioned against him, but he must not pray. To serve the devil he saw would not interfere with one's promotion if he was a good soldier, but the same qualifications would go for nothing if he served God. It is well he lived long enough to let the Christian world put its seal of condemnation on such a principle of action. Although Havelock was ambitious, and his whole energies were devoted to advancement in his profession, he would receive no promotion at the sacrifice of his principles, and he continued as usual his religious exercises with his men.

The next year the regiment marched to Agra, some seventy miles north of Delhi. His wife accompanied him, and not being in good health, he sent her and his young family to a small town a little northeast

RELIGIOUS OPPOSITION.

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of Kurnal, and farther up among the Himalaya mountains, for change of air.

No sooner were the troops settled in their new cantonments, than the Baptist soldiers, with the proceeds of their slender pay which their good habits had allowed them to save, built a chapel for religious worship. They had become so attached to Havelock's prayer-meetings and exhortations, that they could not do without a place to meet in.

While Havelock was stationed here, a sad calamity overtook him. A few days before Mrs. Havelock was to return to Kurnal with her family, among whom was an infant daughter a few months old, the bungalow which she occupied caught fire and was consumed, with all its contents. It was a bright night, and not a breath of air was stirring, when the inmates were aroused from their midnight sleep by the cry of fire. The cottage was small and composed so much of light bamboo work and dry thatch, that it had hardly taken fire before it was in complete conflagration. The mother's first thought was for her children, and she rushed into the flames after them, reckless of everything but their dear lives. She was literally wrapped in fire when she bore her two little boys safe into the open air. The infant daughter, too, was dragged out, but so dreadfully burned, that it soon died. Two servants also lost their lives, and Mrs. Havelock, in her desperate efforts to save her children, was so dreadfully burned, that it was at first thought she could not recover, and although her life was saved,. she was confined to her couch for six weeks. That very day,

Havelock had received a letter from her in which she said she hoped in a few days to present to his embrace three rosy children. The next morning, while Havelock was sitting at the breakfast table with his brother officers, an officer came in and handed him a letter with the sad tidings that his wife and family lay dying. He uttered not a word, but the pallor of death spread over his features, and he arose and left the room.

As soon as his regiment heard of it, they came in a body to express their sympathy, and begged him to let each man dovote one month's pay to compensate him for the loss of his property. This of course he refused, but he thanked them with a swelling heart for this proof of their affection.

Obtaining leave of absence, he flew to Landour swift as his good steed could bear him, and the spectacle that met his gaze was appalling enough to unnerve the stoutest heart. The wife he loved better than his life, lay writhing in intolerable pain upon her couch. Two of his servants were stretched in death, while there, before him, lay the charred and blackened form of his infant daughter. Ah! then the strong man needed all his faith to support him, and never did his deep religious trust shine forth with more beauty than under this heavy trial. He meekly bowed his head to the stroke,, saying, "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." For six long weeks he clung to the sick bed of his wife, nursing her with unceasing care, and consoling her with those precious promises in which both believed.

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The mother yearned for her lost babe, and he mingled his tears with hers, and then poured fourth his earnest supplications that God would help them both to be submissive, and make this great affliction the means of bringing them nearer to Him whose chastisements are inflicted in kindness on his children. Those were sorrowful days to Havelock, and sad was the last visit of himself and wife to the little grave of their babe.

During this period of anxiety and suffering, Havelock's letters to his wife's father breathe the spirit of resignation and calm trust in his merciful Father.

Shortly after this calamity, he received letters from England announcing the death of his father, in Exeter, in his eightieth year. The next year his wife's father, Dr. Marsham, died in the full hope of a better life to come. Havelock remained at Kurnal, continuing his religious teachings and devoting himself especially to the promotion of temperance among his troops. Not only did he feel more and more the evil effects of liquor, but he had occasion to see how much the habit of drinking not only stood in the way of all attempts to reach the hearts of the men who indulged it, but crippled and baffled the efforts of those who really wished and strove to lead a better life. Thus during the long interval that elapsed before the invasion of Affghanistan, he continued to live the life of the Christian soldier, neglecting neither his private studies, public duties nor Christian labors, but in all and each furnishing an example to others.

CHAPTER III.

Havelock in Affghanistan-Causes of the Affghan Invasion-Injustice of the British Government-English Army assembled to put Shah Soojah on the Throne-Havelock appointed Aid to Sir Willoughby Cotton-Appointed temporary Post-master of Division-His Views of the Equipment of the Troops-The last Excuse for War removed-Havelock's Descriptive Powers-Violations of Treaties— Havelock's View of it-March of the Army-Its AppearanceHavelock's Views of the Campaign-Havelock taken Sick-His View of use of Liquor by the Troops-His Description of Bukhur -Advance on Hyderabad - Crossing the Indus-Desert Appearance of the Country-Bolan Pass-A Storm-Sufferings of the Army— The Kojuk Pass-Scarcity of Water-Havelock's Views of Conquests gained by Negotiation-Candahar—Spirit Rations give out-Fortress of Ghuznee carried by Storm-March to CaboolHavelock's able summing up of the Campaign---Return to India.

THE fifteen years of repose that followed the Burmese War furnished but few chances of promotion, and Havelock remained a subaltern. Twenty-three years of the very prime of his life had therefore passed, when the Affghan invasion suddenly opened to him a path to higher renown. The soldier likes active service, and he is not apt to pause and question the justice of his government in entering upon a war. His duty is to obey orders and win victories. Probably there never was an act committed by either a civil

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