Beryl's Triumph by Eglanton Thorne

WHEN the next day came, Mr. Hollys was prevented from carrying out his intention of calling on his old friend Mrs. Everard, and asking her to aid him to find a governess for Beryl. But he did not forget the request which Beryl's ill-written letter had conveyed to him, and being in the city that day, he made his way to Paternoster Row, and there purchased some of the best Scripture pictures that he could see amongst the many tempting publications displayed in the windows of that narrow but important street. He ordered the pictures to be sent direct to his home at Egloshayle, and to the children's delight the packet arrived there by post the very next day.

With the greatest satisfaction, Coral and Beryl unrolled the pretty coloured prints.

They suited Beryl's purpose admirably, and were far larger and prettier ones than she had expected to get. There was a beautiful picture of the Good Shepherd carrying a lamb in His arms; a picture of the child Jesus talking to the doctors in the temple; another showing the tender Saviour taking the little ones in His arms, whilst their mothers stood watching Him with looks of eager love; and many others, all representing incidents of our Lord's life.

"There is no picture of Joseph after all," said Beryl, when she had examined the whole collection. "I wish there had been; but these all seem to be taken from the New Testament."

"I should think they would rather see pictures about Jesus than about Joseph," said Coral.

"Why? " asked Beryl quickly.

"I don't know; but I think I would rather," said Coral. "Don't you like that picture of the Good Shepherd, Beryl? He looks so kind and good."

"Yes, it is a beautiful face," said Beryl. "But I suppose the face of Jesus was really much more beautiful than that."

"But is not this just like it? " asked Coral in surprise.

"Why, no, Coral, you must know better than that. Don't you remember that Mr. Gilbank said it was impossible for any one to make a true likeness of the Lord Jesus? He said he had seen many lovely pictures of Christ, but never one in which he did not feel that there was something wanting."

Coral shook her head. She did not remember it. Mr. Gilbank's words had not made so deep an impression on her mind as on Beryl's.

"Perhaps it is better the pictures should be all about Jesus," said Beryl, thoughtfully. "The children ought to learn about Jesus rather than Joseph; for Jesus is their Saviour, not Joseph. Still it is very nice about the coat of many colours, and I should like to have seen a picture of it. I like that picture of Jesus saying, 'Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not. ' We must tell them about that, Coral. And Mr. Gilbank said that Jesus was just the same still. Though we cannot see Him, nor hear Him, His arms are opened wide to receive little children, and He says to them, 'Come unto Me. ' Oh, I wish I could tell them just what Mr. Gilbank said. I do hope they will be quiet and good next Sunday."

"They will be sure to like the pictures," said Cora hopefully.

Beryl was looking forward with some tremor to her next attempt at keeping a Sunday school. She had so set her heart upon success, that the thought of disappointment was most painful to her. Many a childish petition for Divine help went up from the depths of her heart. She prayed that the weather might be fine, that the children might be good and orderly, and that she might be able to tell them in words they could understand about the loving Saviour whose arms were opened to receive them.

When Sunday afternoon came, it was in a very humble mood that Beryl went down to the beach to meet the children she had undertaken to teach.

The day was fine, and there was no falling off in the attendance of the scholars. Indeed, it seemed to Beryl that there were more present than on the previous Sunday. Beryl had very wisely decided to show them only one picture on each occasion, for she judged that the sight of many at a time might distract their attention from her words, and make them more unruly than ever. The picture she had chosen to show them to-day was that of Christ blessing the children.

There was much confusion and jostling in the class when Beryl unrolled the picture and laid it upon the flat rock. The little ones pressed round her, eager for the pretty sight; and the elder ones pushed their way into the cave, determined to see the object which was exciting such cries of admiration.

For a few moments, Beryl found it impossible to preserve order. She was obliged to rescue the picture from the rude and dirty hands that were laid upon it, and, holding it high above her head, declare that if they did not instantly sit down, and become quiet, no one should look at it again. The elder children, quite as eager as the little ones to see the picture, supported the teacher's authority, and by shakes, and pushes, and many an angry word, reduced their young brothers and sisters to submission.

Then Beryl arranged that only three children at a time should enter the cave and look at the picture. This plan answered admirably, and each child had a good look at the picture without any confusion or uproar. The exhibition of the picture occupied some time. When they had thus examined it, Beryl contrived by means of some pebbles to prop the picture up against the wall of the cave, so that all could glance at it.

Then, sitting down, she began to tell the children in simple, childish words, how the Jewish mothers had ventured to bring their little ones to Jesus, and how the disciples had tried to drive them back, but Jesus had stretched forth His arms to them in love, and said, "Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."