“I will,” answered Faith; and ever after her eyes were raised heavenward.

They descended to the valley, hand in hand, and reached it as the people were passing to their daily toils.

How light now seemed the labors of Faith!  What a comfort it was to have Hope by her when she walked along the dreary wayside; and Hope’s bright words, how they cheered the downhearted!

“I wonder your parents ever permitted you to come to the earth alone,” remarked an old and venerable woman to Faith, as the latter was imparting to her some truths which lay almost beyond the grasp of mortals.

“My father, as well as myself, had to learn that I needed Hope with me to make my work more perfect.  We must first feel our own inadequacy before our helpers can be fully appreciated.  I think she came in the right time,” said Faith reverently.

“No doubt,” replied the woman; “I have often heard you say that all our blessings come at the needful moment; but surely Hope looks as though she could endure the rough clime, and still rougher ways of our people, better than yourself, although I do not know what my life would have been without you.”

“That was why I was sent here.  I came to prepare the way for Hope.  I was needed first; and now, with my sister’s brighter element, I expect to do a good work on the earth.”

“A blessed pair!” exclaimed the woman, as they left her home to go to others more dark and drear.

Faith was summoned that night to the home of a widow whose only child was passing away; for the clear, far-seeing eyes of Faith could see the soul depart and take on its heavenly form.  It was a great comfort to the bereaved in hours like those to have her near.

“I wonder how we lived without her,” were household words, and words which she could hear without any semblance of vainglory; for her soul was too deeply impressed with the magnitude of her mission to allow her to be elated or depressed by any remark that might be made.

Faith’s eyes followed the dying boy far into the realms of light.  She wiped the mother’s tears away, and disclosed to her sight the way the soul had fled, while Hope stood by to assure her that the parting was not forever.  The two tarried through the night with the mother, and when friends came to bury the dead form she had learned that “the grave is not the goal.”

The sisters toiled together many years.  They wove beautiful truths into the minds of the people, till the once dark condition of earth seemed passing rapidly away.  People grew trustful, and less gloomy:  yet, with all the teachings of Faith, and the cheering words of Hope, they failed to exercise the right feelings at all times towards each other.

The sisters sat by the wayside one evening, after a hard day’s toil, their eyes lifted to the stars, which seemed to look lovingly on them.  They sat without words, while each possessed the same unspoken wish.  They both longed for their sister, who at that moment was thinking earnestly of them.