question, snugly ensconced in the softest and easiest of easy chairs, was enjoying at the same time the warmth sent out by the large fire which blazed in the polished grate of her drawing-room, and, undisturbed by household cares, what was to her the greatest of delights, namely, the last new novel.

She was deeply absorbed in the story, having just arrived at some part so intensely affecting as to cause her occasionally to lift her embroidered handkerchief to her eyes, when a double knock at the door startled her, and caused her almost to drop the book from her hand. She next leaned forward to see if there were any carriage at the door, but none was visible.

"Dear me," she exclaimed, half aloud, "how tiresome! I wish I had told Jarvis that I should not be at home this morning. I wonder who it can be."

She was not long kept in suspense, for very soon the door of the room was thrown open, and Mr. Stevens, the excellent and hard-working clergyman of the parish, was announced. She had just time to hide her book beneath the cushion of her chair, and drawing her work basket towards her, appeared, when he entered, busily engaged with its contents. As he advanced towards her, she rose, and extending to him her white, soft hand, greeted him in the most pleasing and cordial manner. Nor was this manner

wholly assumed, for Mrs. Perriman, vain and worldly as she was, was really glad to see the good old clergyman. There was something in the very gravity and earnestness of his conversation, so different from the frivolous tone of the society in which she usually mixed, which charmed her; while his frequent endeavours to draw her off from the worldliness in which she was engrossed, although, alas! they produced no other effect, flattered her vanity by making her feel herself an object of interest to one so good and excellent. He was therefore at all times a welcome visitor, always, however, excepting those occasions when he came to solicit her aid, either pecuniary or otherwise, for any of the numerous charitable objects which his own large and benevolent heart was constantly either devising or strengthening. On the present occasion, she felt that she had nothing of the kind to fear, as, having (in her own opinion at least) given very handsomely to the poor at Christmas, besides increasing her subscriptions to one or two societies, Mr. Stevens certainly could not, she thought,

have the conscience to ask her for anything else for some considerable time. But she was destined to be mistaken.

For a short time the clergyman spoke on indifferent subjects; but as soon as a favourable opportunity occurred for changing the conversation, he remarked, "I think you were not at the missionary meeting on Wednesday evening, Mrs. Perriman."

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No," replied the lady, "I am sorry to say I was not. I am always afraid of night air, and it was so very damp on that evening."

"I did not remark it; the stars were out both as we went and returned," said Mr. Stevens, quietly. "We had a most interesting meeting."

"I have no doubt of it; missionary meetings are generally very interesting. Had you good speakers ?"

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They were, perhaps, rather earnest than what is usually called eloquent. However, the greatest interest was manifested, particularly about some missions in India, in behalf of which the society is now making a special appeal. Unless it be liberally responded to, we fear they will have to be given up, although they appear to offer a most promising field of labour."

Mrs. Perriman answered by the single word, “Indeed!” at the same time taking up her work with an air of great abstraction.

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"Yes," continued her visitor; "but we venture to hope that such will not be the case; for, at the meeting, the speakers urged the plea so successfully, that a considerable sum was afterwards collected, and I am at present engaged in soliciting contributions of those who were not present. I have brought with me to-day some papers in which the ends and objects of the mission are set forth, in the hope that you might perhaps feel inclined to assist

us."

The lady slightly contracted her brow, but she replied, with a bland smile, "Well, to tell you the truth, Mr. Stevens, I am not in general a favourer of 'special appeals.'

"Not even in cases of special necessity, Mrs. Perri

man ?"

"Supposing I could be convinced of the necessity, but that is sometimes a difficult thing."

"I trust it will not prove so in the present instance.

Can you spare time to listen to me for a few minutes while I endeavour to explain the matter to you?"

Mrs. Perriman replied by a graceful motion of the head, and, in a clear and concise manner, he proceeded to lay before her the particulars of the case. She listened, if not

with interest at least with politeness, and when he paused, said, "What you say, Mr. Stevens, seems very right and proper certainly; but yet I cannot think that it is a right thing to expend so much money and labour in the conversion of the heathen in distant countries, while there are such numbers in a state of perhaps almost equal heathenism entirely neglected around our own doors."

"Pardon me, madam, but I cannot agree with you in thinking them entirely neglected; many and great efforts are daily being made by faithful labourers in the Lord's vineyard for the reformation and conversion of those of whom you speak; but surely it would not be right, because we do the one to leave the other undone."

"It may be so; but I must say that I do not agree with those who would do good abroad but neglect it at home."

"Nor I, if such were indeed the case; but, believe me, Mrs. Perriman, it is not so. I have had many opportunities of observing, and I have invariably remarked, that those who are most anxious and labour the hardest for the spread of the gospel at home, are ever to be found foremost among the ranks of those who, in obedience to our Lord's injunction, Go ye, and preach the gospel to every creature,' would send it to the heathen abroad."

"Do you think so? I cannot say that I have myself had much opportunity of observing.'

"I do indeed, and for this reason: the grand characteristic of the gospel of Christ is love-love to God, and love to man for Christ's sake. If, therefore, we are imbued with this, we love all, we naturally look around and love first those who are near and dear to us, and then we look afar and long to aid in sending the sweet story of a crucified Redeemer to the furthest corners of the earth."

Her visitor was now touching upon a strain which, alas! Mrs. Perriman cared not to hear. She again turned over the work in her basket, and replied (for some reply she felt was necessary)," I bave no doubt that what you say is very true; but remember, Mr. Stevens, we have not all of us the means of doing everything we wish: the will

to help may often be present without the means being afforded. This is just the case with me at present: I would willingly, if money were no object to me, aid you in this matter; but the truth is, my purse at this moment happens to be very low."

"The subscription will not be closed for some time," pleaded the minister.

"Well, I will think about it; and if I find that I am able, I will send you a small contribution one day next week.”

The clergyman took his leave, and the lady returned to her novel; after finishing which, she ordered her carriage. for a drive to the next town, where, notwithstanding the low state of her finances, she expended a large sum in elegant articles for the adornment of her person at a select evening party to be held at the house of a friend on the following evening.

Yes, it was, as we have said, winter-that kind of weather when the poor feel that poverty is doubly hard to bear; when those who labour out of doors do their utmost to get a larger fire and a more comfortable meal for the evening; and those who lead sedentary lives, earning their bread by the hard work of the eye and of the needle, long for coals and bread to become a little cheaper, and for the evenings to grow shorter, so that they may have to buy less candle. Of this class was poor widow Lane. She gained a scanty, very scanty livelihood by making shirts. When in full employment her income was so small that many wondered how she managed to live at all; and now that work was slack, and everything very dear, her case, as far as humanity judges of good and evil, was looked upon by most people as a hard one indeed.

The clergyman, as he went on his way, reached the house in which she lodged. He paused for a moment, undecided whether he would enter or not, for his labours that day had tended to depress rather than to encourage him in his pastoral work. But second thoughts prevailed, and passing over for the present the other inhabitants of the house, he ascended at once the narrow, creaking stairs which led to the widow's apartment. As he knocked at the door his thoughts somewhat naturally recurred to the different scene he had so lately left: "There," thought he, was ample evidence of the way without the will; here, I am equally certain of finding the will without the way."

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The widow came to the door with her work in her hand; her face brightened up when she saw who her visitor was. "Well, Margaret," said he, "how are you getting

on ?"

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Very nicely indeed, sir, thank God. Will you please to walk in ?"

"It is not every one in your circumstances who would say so, Margaret the smallness of your fire on this cold day betokens, or I am much mistaken, that times are going but hardly with you."

"Well, sir, that is according as people think. I never reckon that times are really hard with me when I can get two meals a-day, a fire to sit by, and a bit of candle to help me through the long evenings; there's many a poor creature, sir, much worse off than I am."

"That is very true, Margaret; and a contented mind is a continual feast," he added, thoughtfully.

"I think it is, sir. I am sure, often and often, as I sit at this window, I wish to myself that every poor careworn creature I see passing along was as happy as I am; I don't mean as regards worldly means, but I wish they all knew what a comfort it is to have the Bible and to rest upon its promises; to feel, you see, sir, what you have so often told me, that however much care and sorrow God may see fit to send us now, our blessed Saviour is preparing a place for us as grand and as beautiful as those he is getting ready for the greatest people in the land.”

"I wish they did, Margaret; and I wish too that every one possessing the same knowledge as yourself had also your missionary spirit."

Margaret looked up. She was a true Christian, but a simple, uneducated woman, and it was evident that she did not quite understand his meaning.

"I mean," he added, "that all who know the blessed truths of which you spoke, Margaret, are not so desirous of imparting them to others; you say that you wish every one could enjoy the comfort of them as you do.”

"I am sure I do, sir: indeed I don't see how it is possible to help it. Poor people, you know, sir, understand each other's cares and sorrows in a way that those who have not suffered the same cannot do; and so it is very natural that one who has received comfort should wish that others could have it too, particularly when they seem to stand in such need of it."