books I inquired who among them could read. "I"-"1" of course all declared, whereupon I required them to prove their knowledge by reading a few words or letters, as the condition of receiving one of "the beautiful books." This had the desired effect, and I was soon surrounded by a body-guard, who greatly aided an approach to the parents' cottages.

In a few months' time "the untamed cubs," who greeted my first approach with stones, hailed me as their best friend. They had filled a Sunday school just then opened in the neighbourhood, and awaited my weekly visits with bright eyes and loving smiles-often earning a new book, by the repetition of some sweet hymn or passage of Scripture they had learned at school for my special edification. Many parents were lured to sabbath worship, and blessed the children who had enticed them thither; not a few little ones passed into eternity, their lisping tongues and sweet peace in death attributable to the Saviour they heard of at school.

One cottage was inhabited by an aged daughter and her still more aged mother. With the former I had often exchanged a few words respecting the message of mercy set forth in the tracts; but the mother wore so stern and forbidding an aspect that I hardly dared to address her. But now her step seemed feebler, and the pallor of natural decay overspread her countenance so obviously that I longed to ask what were her prospects for eternity.

One morning she betrayed unusual agitation, and on returning my salutation added-"Please to sit down awhile, ma'am, if you can spare a little time."

I gladly acquiesced, and to relieve any embarrassment said "You seem to be getting very feeble, my friend." Yes, ma'am, yes; I feel indeed that I am not long for this world."

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"Your life has been lengthened far beyond that of most persons. Have you any fear of the last solemn change?" "That is what I want to talk to you about, ma'am. I am not sure whether all is right, for I have been such a great sinner."

"If you have learned that, I hope you have felt comforted to hear that Jesus Christ came into our world to save great sinners."

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True, ma'am, I know all this in my head; but that is not enough, I want to feel it in my heart. I have been well

taught, ma'am, but I have neglected all, and for thirty years never entered the house of God, nor opened my Bible, nor bent the knee in prayer."

you seek him

"However, God will hear you now, and if with your whole heart, he will be found of you.' "I believe this, ma'am, and I believe that God is now making the seed spring up which was sown seventy years ago.

"Indeed! How is that?"

"When I was a child, ma'am, some young ladies had a Sunday school in my native village, before Sunday schools were so common as they are now-a-days, and they took great pains to teach us: but, thoughtless-like, we silly children felt it rather a hardship to learn hymns and texts instead of gathering flowers, or making snow-balls on the Sunday. Still the ladies were so kind we could not help going, and sometimes wished we could feel so happy as they seemed over the Bible. But my mother died, and I came away and married; and lived first in one place and then in another; and as my children came on I left off going to I worship on Sunday, because I was so busy.

go

"When my husband died I was poor, and did not like to in my shabby clothes; and then I cared nothing at all about it, but lived like a heathen. Even my conscience seemed asleep or seared, as my teacher told me it would be if I neglected its warnings. When you first came here, ma'am, with all those rude boys laughing and jeering, I longed to offer you shelter, for somehow the thought of my teacher came across me; and yet when you came in and offered a tract, I durst not speak for fear you should see how guilty I was. So I always set Nanny to be spokeswoman; but oh, how it has made me remember the lessons I learned so long ago, at my Sunday school! Sometimes when you talked Ĭ would sit with my eyes shut to listen."

"I always thought you were asleep."

"Oh no, I was not, ma'am! but I could think I saw the very room, and the form, and my own teacher's face; and when you repeated the very same texts, and the very same hymns-oh, ma'am, I used to lie awake all night to recollect what I was taught in my early days."

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But how is it you never talked to me yourself?”

Because, ma'am, I felt so like a little child. I wanted to hear it all over again, to make sure I remembered it rightly, and I hoped you would one day ask me about my soul.

Now for many weeks I determined to speak to you, but my heart failed. I thought you would think it so strange."

"I am sorry I did not take an earlier opportunity of inviting your confidence, but my own youth rather hindered

"Ah, ma'am, I fancied you might feel modest like, even to a poor old body like me; yet now, ma'am, I want to make quite sure that Jesus will receive me after all my long neglect of him."

"Oh surely, you know his own words are, 'Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.' Have you a Bible ?" "Yes, ma'am; those good young ladies gave my mother one, and I have it now, but I cannot read it much, for my eyes are dim with age.'

I read to the poor old woman and retired, feeling deeply interested in her case. Many subsequent visits followed, but her increasing deafness precluded any very systematic instruction. Nor was it needed, for the lessons she had received in her childhood were faithfully retained in memory's storehouse, and came back one by one under the Holy Spirit's influence to enlighten the dark mind, and to produce faith in Christ's all atoning sacrifice as the refuge for the lost.

A few hours before her death I paid my last visit. It was winter time, and the half-melted snow swelled the drains, so that the unwholesome contents oozed through the imperfect floor, forming a dark pool in the entry. The walls of the sick chamber were bare and discoloured with patches of mould and broken plaster. A tiny fire smouldered in the small grate. The bed, devoid of curtains, was sheltered by an old shawl pinned to a line suspended from rusty nails on either side the room.

I turned towards my old friend, who had lain motionless for some time. The impress of death was on her features. Her eyes were closed, but her hand was raised, and her lips moved as if in prayer.

Ι

This was the first case of adult conversion which I had ever watched, and I felt an intense anxiety respecting the safety of the departing spirit. While waiting, I opened my Bible and read and prayed in silence. At length a cough disturbed the slumber of the dying. Her daughter offered her some alleviating beverage and smoothed her humble pillow,when her eye rested on me, and a faint smile lighted up her countenance.

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"Are you happy at this solemn hour?" I inquired. Very, ma'am very happy !” was her ready reply. "Will you let me ask you a few questions, if your strength will permit?"

"Oh yes," she answered; "I can speak without hurting

me now."

"Do you think your present suffering is any reason why you should reach heaven ?"

"Oh no-no!"

"Do you think your sorrow for past sin deserves God's mercy

"Oh no, I deserve nothing but wrath!"

"Do you think that if you were to live all your long life over again, and keep all God's commandments, you could earn eternal life?"

"Dear me ! no, maʼam—all our righteousness is but filthy rags.

"On what then do you rest the hopes which make you so happy now?"

"Only on Jesus Christ, who came into the world and died on the cross to save sinners."

"And do you find that hope sufficient to quiet every fear?"

"Indeed it is, ma'am; I want no other comfort. My teacher's prayers are answered now. The word of God she taught me I feel is true. I shall soon see her, and I shall soon see the blessed Saviour. Thank you too, ma'am, for bringing my early lessons to mind."

The slumber of exhaustion now came on. As I looked and realised the change awaiting the passing spirit, the comfortless chamber seemed the very gate of heaven; and its narrow limits seemed to include a bright squadron of angels waiting to convey the departing soul into Abraham's bosom. With a word of consolation to the sorrowing daughter, I left the house, and the next day learned that my poor friend had breathed her last without awaking from the sleep which had followed our solemn conversation.

I shall never forget that hallowed interview!—I shall never despair of the sabbath scholar. Sunday school teachers, sow your seed; for in due time ye shall reap, if ye faint not.

"I MUST have something to love; and I will have something to love."

A sharp, querulous, and yet determined voice uttered these words.

"That's all very well, missus; and nobody wants to hinder you from having something to love. I don't, I am sure; but it isn't quite fair-is it now ?-that what you take to should be such a plague to all the people in this house, and beyond it; for there isn't man, woman, nor child

JULY, 1865.

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