Mr.Howard regarded young people as the tender lambs of his fold, whom it was his especial charge to train up in the paths of grace, and guard from all the dangerous and hidden pitfalls of sin; their parents might neglect, or, ignorant themselves, pursue a mistaken method, but he was the shepherd placed over the flock, and while untiringly, zealously, he endeavoured to lead the older members of his congregation to the only rock of salvation, the younger were the objects of his especial care.

To them all was bright, the world in all its dangerous, because more pleasurable, labyrinths was before them.

He saw, he knew their perfect ignorance, and he trembled, while he prayed so to lead them, that the lessons of their minister might check them in the career of imprudence or of sin.
"Were I one of the fathers of Rome I should say, _benedicite_, my children," he said, playfully, as Herbert and Ellen, apparently in serious yet happy conversation approached and joined them, "but as I am merely a simple minister of a simple faith, I greet you with the assurance you are blessed in your charitable office." "And how, my kind friend, could you contrive to discover such was our employment ?" replied Herbert, smiling.

"Can my mother have been betraying us ?" "Oh, she has been a sad traitress this morning, betraying all kinds of secrets and misdemeanours," said Mr.Howard, laughing, and casting on Ellen a glance of arch meaning, while Edward could scarcely contain his impatience to seize his sister's arm and bear her off with him.
"And we, too, have been hearing many tales of you, Mr.Howard," she said.

"We have heard very many blessings on your name in the cottage we have left, although, alas! events have occurred there of a very painful nature." "And why, alas, my dear child ?" said Mr.Howard, affectionately.