BOYS OF THE BIBLE. 221

patriotism and courage; they made her not only one of “the
brightest lights,” but one of the bravest spirits of ancient
France; and when the fires of martydom flamed around her,
they only secured for the fair young martyr an everlasting
fame.

Think of young Jeremiah, leaving Anathoth early in the
evening to meet his priestly father as he returned from the
service of the temple. Think of the questions he would ask,
and how he would be sure to hear the sad conversations of
other venerable priests, as they deplored the condition of
Israel, and longed for some great leader who should rouse
the nation to a better thought and a nobler life.

Is it so very wonderful that, with his mind in such a
frame as these conversations would be sure to induce, he
should hear voices, and dream dreams—waking dreams of the
day as well as dreams of the night?

Whether in dream by day or night; or whether in voices
that echoed over hill and through valley; or whether in the
still, small voice, that only the boy himself could faintly hear,
it matters not; the message came. A grand, solemn mes-
sage:

‘Before thou wast, I knew thee, and I have sanctified
thee, and ordained thee a prophet of the nations!”

You cannot think how startled, how awe-stricken Jere-
miah was. Doubtless the message was repeated again and
again. And at last Jeremiah answered, humbly, modestly,
for he felt in his heart of hearts that this was the voice of
God.

“Ah, Lord God, behold, I cannot speak, for I am but a
child!”

Then came the answering word:

“Say not ‘I am a child;’ for thou shalt go to all that