little elsa's errand to johanson was to take to him a small pocket "psalm-book" (as the swedish book for the services and hymns is called). it was well known in the poorhouse and parish that the stranger pauper had a bible, and read it too, at least for five minutes every day. gull, who had a strong taste for gossip, had not left that particular unmentioned.

elsa came in with two little packages in her hand. "here's your book mamma sent you," she said. "she has put your name in it. i want to show you my book too."

johanson put his gift in his pocket hastily, with a short expression of thanks, and then looked expectantly at the child.

"may i sit close to you, so we can both look over[pg 129] it together?" she said, as she pushed a chair to his side and worked herself up on to it.

the illustrations were generally from old testament scenes; but elsa hurried past these, turning the pages briskly with her skilful fingers.

"here it is! here's the one i like best. you understand it, don't you? it means something," and she looked up questioningly into his face.

the picture was a most admirable representation of the good shepherd bearing a lost lamb home on his shoulders.

johanson was silent.

"you don't know about it, then? i will tell you," she said, and went on, while her tiny finger was impressively pointing from lamb to shepherd, and from shepherd to lamb.

"that little lamb got far away from the shepherd and the fold and all the little lambs he knew. and he was dirty, not a bit clean, and his wool was all torn by the briers, and the thorns had hurt him, and he was hungry and thirsty and tired, and did not know where to go. he could hear the wolves growl, and he thought he could see their eyes looking at him as if they wanted to eat him up. you see he had run away, just gone away from the good shep[pg 130]herd and his mother and his home, when he did not need to. and now he wanted to get back, but he didn't know how; and then he began to complain and to bleat (that's his way of crying), and to run this way and that, but he didn't get on at all.

"at last he was quite tired out, and he thought he must give up and lie down and die where he was. then the good shepherd heard his cry and came to him. the poor little lamb wanted to follow the shepherd; but he was too weak—he could hardly stand alone. and then"—and here the little voice grew triumphantly glad—"then the good shepherd took him in his own arms, just as sweet and kind as if the naughty lamb had never run away, and carried him over the stones, and past the briers, and across the little streams, and up the steep hills, and through the dark places! he carried him all the way home, not just half-way and then let him drop. he carried him all the way home to the fold, where his mother was, and there he was safe—safe—safe! wasn't that a good shepherd?"

there was no answer.

"my mother told me all about it, and i like that picture best and that story best. you understand what it means?"[pg 131]

"yes," said johanson. there were tears in his eyes.

elsa lifted up her loving hand to johanson's face as it was bent over the book, and with her own little handkerchief wiped his tears; then she went out silently, which was probably the best thing she could have done under the circumstances.

the next day johanson went to the pastor in his study. "i have not come to talk about my fitness for confirmation," he said. "little elsa has taught me better. i have turned my face towards the good shepherd, and i believe he will carry me home. may i meet with the class to-morrow?"

"certainly," said the pastor, and the interview was ended.

johanson sat among the candidates for confirmation the next day—among the boys and girls, like a battered old ship that had been dragged into the harbour beside the trim fresh vessels just starting with flying colours for a bright far-away land.

he did not mind the nudges and half-smiles among the rustic congregation, but answered the questions put to him with the others, in his strong man's voice, as simply and naturally as a child.

he knew he was safe in the hands of the good[pg 132] shepherd, who would carry him tenderly home, and his heart was full of humble joy.

the administration of the holy communion took place next day. the newly-confirmed with their friends were to "go forward," while the rest of the congregation were to remain in their seats praying for the young soldiers of christ, now fully enlisted under his banner.

johanson had taken a modest place at the chancel railing; but even there he was an outcast, for it was plain that no one was willing to kneel beside him.

the pastor's wife was bowed low with new food for prayer and thanksgiving. little elsa moved quickly from her mother's side up the aisle, and to the astonishment and almost horror of the congregation she knelt by johanson, her little head not appearing above the railing; but she held fast to his left hand. he felt the tender familiar grasp, and it was to him like the good shepherd greeting him through one of his little ones.

at the close of the service, when all the authorized words for the occasion had been read, the pastor stepped to the front of the chancel, and said, in loud, clear tones,—

"and the father saw him afar off, and ran and[pg 133] fell on his neck, and kissed him." "him that cometh to me i will in no wise cast out." "a broken and a contrite heart, o god, thou wilt not despise." "come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and i will give you rest."

"i hope it was not amiss to say those words i did from the chancel to-day," said the pastor to his wife when at home and they were alone together. "they are not in the service, but i could not help it. i never felt so deeply before how freely and fully god forgives us—us christians as well as what we call 'poor sinners.' yes, it came over me as it never has before, and somehow heaven seems nearer, and god more really my father and christ my saviour. do you understand me, my dear?"

"yes, yes," she said—"yes, dear; and you too seem nearer to me than ever before."

the pastor answered, tenderly and solemnly: "it is you, wife, you and elsa, and that poor johanson, who have somehow opened my eyes. i have seen before, but seen darkly. may god lead me to the perfect day!"