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been, for many years, living on the charity of the people in a large district, whom she visited by turns, and from whom she seemed to have obtained a licence for her vocation of wandering mendicant, as her claims on their kindness were never called in question. A welcome met her everywhere, partly on account of her own agreeable qualities, for she was always ready with an entertaining story, a diverting song, or a little news, to repay the courtesies which she received.

"You've grown tall since I saw you, mavourneen," said Nelly to her little hostess, when they were seated together in the cool quiet kitchen; " and I know you've been good ever since, so I brought you this from the fair," presenting her with some gingerbread.

"Thank you, Nelly: it was very loving of you to do that for me," replied the child.

"I would do more than that for you, my pretty blossom," Isaid the old woman; "and so I did too. Knowing how fond you are of songs, I learned a new song, every word of it, to sing for you. So here it is, and it will make you laugh too." She sang it accordingly; and the little girl did laugh, but not much. When it was ended she said, "I too have learned a new song since I saw you, Nelly. The mistress made mother let me go every Sunday to the school the ladies have up at the great house, and I learned it there."

"Well, let us hear it," was Nelly's reply, and the child sang as follows:

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'How loving is Jesus who came from the sky

In tenderest pity for sinners to die!

His hands and his feet they were nailed to the tree;

And all this he suffered for sinners like me.

How gladly free pardon does Jesus impart

To all who receive him by faith in their heart!

No evil befalls them, their home is above,

And Jesus throws round them the arms of his love.

How precious is Jesus to all who believe!

And out of his fulness what grace they receive!

When weak he supports them, when erring he guides,
And everything needful he kindly provides.
Oh! give then to Jesus your earliest days:
They only are happy who walk in his ways.
In life or in death he will still be their friend;
For those whom he loves he will love to the end."

'Well, Nelly, is not my new song prettier than yours?" inquired the little girl when she had ended. "And it is

true, every word of it, and all about the good Saviour who died for us."

The old woman made no answer for some time, but looked as if she were deeply considering the question. She then said, "All true, is it? Let me hear it again, my child; but say it-don't sing it, and I shall hear it plainer."

The child complied with this request by repeating the hymn in an impressive manner. A silence even longer than the first now ensued, which was interrupted by the return of the family to the house, and the commencement of preparations for supper.

On the following morning it was observed that Nelly intended to take leave of her hospitable entertainers, and proceed on her way. She was pressed to remain longer, but could not be prevailed on to do so, giving several reasons for refusing: among others, she said she was not quite well, and felt anxious to get to a relative who lived at some distance. Even the entreaties of the little girl could not avail to change her resolution: she set out to pursue her journey, and having reached a cottage about three miles from the farm-house, she stopped there, intending to remain for the night, because, short as the walk was, she felt unusually fatigued.

But it was the will of Him who ruled the destiny of this forlorn old woman, that her stay here should be a longer one than she expected. She was taken very ill in the night, and unable to leave her bed on the following day. The poor people whose guest she was did everything that they could for her, but she grew worse. When questioned about her bodily ailments she would say, "Oh! what do they signify? Do you think I mind a few pains and aches? Oh, no! It is the load I have here that is hurting me," pressing her hand to her breast. "Oh! what shall I do if it is not taken away?" When her good-natured friends understood that uneasiness of mind was her chief complaint, it was at once suggested that the comforts of religion must be resorted to, and the priest was sent for to apply them. His opinion being asked concerning the case of the old woman, he pronounced it to be quite hopeless, and immediately began to anoint her, and prepare her for death, as these ceremonies are termed.

After his departure the woman of the house went to Nelly and said, as if not feeling the slightest doubt that the

priest had effected what they desired, "Well! are you not quite happy now? Where is the weight upon your heart now, I wonder?"

The sick woman only moaned. On the question being several times repeated she at last replied, "Where is the weight on my heart, Agra? Is it that you want to know? Just where it was, just where it was, every bit of it; and how can I appear before God while it is there?"

"Ohone, poor Nelly! is there anything we can do for you?" cried the kind-hearted woman.

"There is," Nelly replied. "Send to the farm of Mrs. Brady, and ask her to let her little girl come to see me at once, before I die."

As may be supposed, this request was readily complied with. A messenger was despatched to the farm, and in due time the little Sunday scholar arrived on her mission of love. No sooner was she seated at the bed-side of the sick woman than she was requested to repeat the hymn for her. Old Nelly listened, her eyes fixed upon the child's face, as if her soul drank in comfort with every word she heard. She lay quiet for a long time after it was finished, and there was an expression of peace, even of joy in her dying face that indicated a decided change in her feelings. "Is the load gone, Nelly ?" inquired her friend. "Yes, gone, all gone.

His hands and his feet they were nailed to the tree,
And all this he suffered for sinners like me.

How gladly free pardon does Jesus impart

To all who receive him by faith in the heart!

I die happy." And before long she fell asleep in Jesus, as there seemed no reason to doubt.

This account of the conversion of a poor old woman-for such we humbly trust it was-is not a fiction, but was given to us as a fact by one on whose authority we can rely. The Holy Spirit performing this mighty work by means of a simple hymn being repeated by a child, forcibly illustrated the apostle's declaration, "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty, that no flesh should glory in his presence."

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GLOOM AND GLADNESS.

MAMMA, is that lady in some great sorrow?" said a young girl, as they proceeded on their way after calling on a valued friend, where another visitor was announced just before their departure.

Mrs. A was not surprised at the question; it was one she had herself asked when, many years before, she had been introduced to the same individual. "I am not aware that she is. She said she was well, and all her home party in health also; and I should probably have heard if any calamity had befallen her."

"Then, mamma," said the querist, after a few moments silence, "do you think she is a good woman-a Christian,

mamma?"

"I do think so, my love. She has been a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ for many years, and has given proofs of her faith and devotedness. Shall I tell you of

one?"

"If you please, mamma." This was said carelessly, as if no great interest were excited for the object of the inquiry.

Mrs. A saw clearly the cause of her child's questions, and wished, if possible, to dispel the impression which this lady's appearance and manner had made. She was not one to commend to youthful apprehension, the happiness of Christian faith; and no one would have supposed that she recognised any truth in the inspired declaration concerning "ways of pleasantness, and paths of peace."

She had contrived to spoil what might otherwise have been pleasant to look upon, in the delicate and regular features of her countenance, by an aspect of discontent and unhappiness which pained the beholder. Her brow was in perpetual furrows, with the eyebrows elevated over drooping eyelids, as if she had seen an end of all perfection, and was trying to be resigned; the corners of the mouth were drawn down, and the voice which occasionally made languid efforts to converse, was full of sadness and despondency. If she smiled, and the bright, cheerful old friend on whom she was calling did sometimes provoke her to do so, it was as if a sunbeam had passed out unwarily on some November day, and instantly retreated with the sensation of being particularly out of place, the features resuming their gloom as if they had forgotten themselves for the moment.

She spoke of conflicts, doubts, fears, unworthiness, but not of the blessedness of "transgression forgiven and sin covered," not of "rejoicing in the Lord," and making melody in heart unto his praise. No wonder that she repelled rather than attracted young hearts that judge hastily of causes and effects, and the Saviour she really loved was dishonoured in her misrepresentation of his holy religion.

Mrs. A thought that an incident of Miss M-'s earlier life might counteract, in some measure, the impression her appearance and manner had evidently made on her daughter's mind.

"You will admire and respect her, dear Annie, when I tell you that Miss M- was once tried as gold, and came forth bright and true from the furnace. She was beloved by, and attached to, an amiable and accomplished man whose suit was favoured by her friends. But before she had opportunity to give the promise which it was his intention to ask for, her heart was touched by the Spirit of God, and savingly impressed with the love of the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour and Redeemer. Her friend was annoyed, and sought to win her back to worldliness and folly; but she was firm, and then discovered, to her dismay and sorrow, that the man to whom her earthly affection had been given, was a decided enemy to the cross of Christ,' held views utterly opposed to the very foundations of the Christian faith, and scoffed at what she felt to be paramount and Divine.

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"Her choice was made in solemn earnest, and her life devoted to doing good. After the lapse of a very few years she was summoned to the death-bed of her former friend, to be his teacher and guide to the feet of that Saviour whom he had so long rejected. His pride and rebellion were cast down, and he died a sincere penitent and humble believer, thanking her for the consistency and self-denial she had manifested for Christ's sake, and which had first suggested to him the possibility that there might be truth in the Christianity he despised."

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Oh, mamma, that is indeed interesting; and I dare say she had often prayed for her friend, and God answered her prayers."

"I am sure she had, and found her trust was in a faithful, prayer-hearing God."

"Do you think then, mamma, that this circumstance is

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