Gradually the Spirit of God wrought in the heart of Robert Gray.  He was led to think of the darkness of unbelief out of which his son had been brought, and to consider how fitting a thing it was that a life thus renewed should be held at the command of God.  But it was hard to think of him as a foreign missionary!  Mr. Gray had believed theoretically in the cause of missions and had given a yearly subscription to the society representing it.  But to give his son—­ah, that was a different matter!  At the first shock of the thought he had recoiled, and a naturally stubborn heart kept the question at bay for a time.  But he could not long fight with God.  The fellowship lost while he steeled his heart against the unwelcome demand was too great a price to pay.  Gradually it came to him that the greater weight that bowed his soul and took the joyous spring from life was not Hubert’s proposed leaving, but the hiding of God’s face.

“In thy favor is life,” he prayed.  “Any bereavement would be better than for Thee to hide Thy face from me.”

And the Face shone out again as his softened will loosened its tenacious grip of that it held.  But still he was a man of strong opinions, and slow to be convinced that his clear-headed, business-like son was the one to follow the still hazy-seeming, far-off life of a missionary.

It was a happy day when the ban was lifted from the subject and Hubert was free to discuss it with his father and arrange business matters for a separation.  A new element in the matter taxed the sympathy of the hard-headed business man, when it became apparent that his hitherto practical son intended not only withdrawing his active partnership from the firm of Robert Gray & Son, but to sell his interest in the concern, liberating the proceeds for the use of God.

“What folly!” said the elder man frankly.

“Do you remember our discussion of the Scripture about it?” replied Hubert, smiling.  “I think I submitted to you the conclusions drawn from a study concerning it.  I might as well act upon my convictions, or I shall lose them.  You know what James says about the ’hearers only’ of the word?”

“Yes, I know what he says,” said his father a little testily.  “But about this money question there must be a sensible middle course somewhere between a fanatical giving away everything you have and a close-fisted holding on to it all.  Give to the Lord of your first fruits, certainly.  That is a good thing.  But a man ought to look out for himself.”

“Yes,” said Hubert, “I believe there is a rational course to be followed, and perhaps the Lord may not wish to hereafter provide for me miraculously that which I now have in hand naturally.  I do not see all the details clearly yet.  But certainly over and above my own necessities—­which will be simple—­there is something to lay at once at the feet of the Lord.  I am glad I have so much for Him.”