"One thing more, Ned," said Ray, as he stepped down from the chair on which he had stood to hang the frame.
"What is it, chum?"
"Let us now ask the Master to help us keep them."
"All right!"
And the two lads knelt there, and in turn asked their Saviour to help them to make those resolutions a part of their daily lives, in their studies, among their associates, and in whatsoever they should find to do.
With this consecration of their young lives to Jesus, they began their careers as students at Clinton Academy. Is it strange that the Master drew near and looked down in gentle love upon them? What else could we expect of One whose promise to his own is: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee?"
CHAPTER XIX.
SHOWING THEIR COLORS.
It is impossible to follow Ray and Edward in all the details of their academic life. All that can here be done is to give a few incidents that will illustrate their mental and spiritual growth; and if in these Ray seems to have undue prominence, let it be remembered it is his story that is given on these pages.
Ray sought an early opportunity to confer with Mr. Phillips, the principal of the academy.