sand hills are all mine; seek ye first the struggle for poor Caroline to make all as kingdom of heaven, and all things shall cheerful as possible at home, that her be added thereunto." And so the poor parent might not feel less lonely. Oh, girl tried to pour into the ear of her dear reader, depend upon it, if a man has troubled parent words of comfort and not the grace of God in his heart, and a peace, well knowing that it required the precious Christ to live upon, there are power of God alone to reach the heart. seasons in his life when he will feel a It soon became evident that the family miserable man. Unfortunately it is at must now bid farewell to Clifton Villa, such seasons that men are driven to and seek a much more humble abode. worse sources of pleasure, which always The affair of the treachery and deceit at terminate in destruction of both soul the banking establishment soon came and body. Caroline saw all this, and it before the world, and steps were taken became a fixed desire of her mind, "Oh, to bring the guilty parties to the bar of that my father knew the Lord, and was justice. It was in vain that poor Hobbs safe for eternity." The same wish had pleaded his entire innocency of any par- ofttimes crossed her mind during their ticipation in the deceit that had been prosperity; but there seemed so much practised; he was one of the directors, to hinder it. They lived in the midst of and must be brought up as well as the such a web of hinderances to anything others. And so it was; his name was approaching that which is godly, that made public, and he obliged to submit to she despaired of such a realization; but the degradation of a trial, only getting now that trial had brought them low, off from an extreme sentence by the fact and broken down the strong barriers of being evident to the judges that he had worldly life, she hoped, and prayed, and acted in ignorance, and the tremendous besieged the throne in secret, that such pecuniary loss he had sustained was con- might be the case. Ah, he who undersequently deemed sufficient penalty. But takes such a task must wait long and leaving poor Hobbs' position before the patiently for the Lord's will. Day after world, we must retire with him to his day and month after month rolled away, home-no longer the pretty villa, but and poor Caroline beheld no decided a humble cottage still further off the change in her father's mind, but a living town. But in all great trials there is on in apparent indifference to the soul's always a bright side; always a little eternal welfare. The furnace must be peep of sunshine breaks through the heated still more ere the dross drops black, rolling clouds: and so it was here. from the precious metal, and now anxiety Although the wreck was lying all had worked its effect with poor Caroshivered on the strand, there was yet a line's constitution; never very strong, little salvage obtained; for Hobbs had the chilly blasts of adversity swept not years back settled a small annuity on over her tender frame without shaking his daughter, placing a sum of money in the tenement to its very foundation. She the hands of certain persons for this struggled against her feelings, and hoped purpose. This therefore remained un-that her father would not discern her touched, and now became the source of their earthly subsistence. Caroline considered this very merciful of God, because she saw that if all had gone, how totally unable her father was at his time of life to work for his living. She therefore poured out her heart in gratitude to God for thus dealing so mercifully with them and one thing especially cheered her, it was that all her father's gay and worldly-minded companions forsook them and fled. Not so her father; this fact, so evident, considerably soured his temper, and he felt ofttimes a great depression of spirits on account of the loss of such society; so that it became a

:

sufferings, but all in vain; her inward weakness increased till she got less and less able to get out, and eventually was obliged to take to her bed: and thus separated from the outward world, two desires absorbed all her thoughts, namely, the conversion of her father and her own soul's safety. Caroline had continued, as long as she was able, to wend her way to Old John's cottage, and had enjoyed many a happy hour in joining in the simple worship of the gathered group; but now Old John missed his fair hearer-the chair was placed for her as usual, but it remained vacant, and Old John (who since the

break up of Clifton Villa had been at Lord did not seem to answer her prayers. work elsewhere) determined to seek out One morning, after a distressing night, Caroline's abode, and venture to make she felt she must be faithful to him; and inquiries about her. It was with deep calling her afflicted father to her bedfeelings that Old John for the first time side, she told him plainly that she had beheld their humble residence, so differ- no doubt but what in a few more days. ent to former days; nor were his feel- she must be laid in the cold, cold grave: ings diminished when he was told of and she said, "Father, if I can never Caroline's severe illness. The attendant speak again to you, oh, let me urge you who had given John this information, to think of eternity, and the fearful conseeing an old man in such humble sequences of dying in your sins. Jesus circumstances, never thought to invite will never cast away a seeking soul. Oh, him in; but the moment Caroline heard do, dear father, seek Jesus, nor rest day who it was, she begged of them to go and night till you receive a sense of after him, and ask him to come in. Poor pardon through the blood of the Lamb." Old John was brought back, protesting The stern worldling was evidently moved that he was not worthy of such a by her affectionate appeal; but yet God favour; but Caroline assured him that did not seem to have touched his heart. she only wished she was half as rich in No, we must pray again and again, and faith as he was, and it was just poor wrestle and faint not, but believe our unworthy sinners that Jesus came to breathings are registered in heaven, to save. And now they talked of His love, be answered in the Lord's own time and His faithfulness, His mercy, and His not ours. In this instance, as in numegrace; and, after a happy season of rous others, the earnest prayers were prayer and praise, Old John left, pro-answered in the Lord's time; for in a mising to come again if allowed so great a privilege. After this interview poor Caroline became rapidly worse; but oh, the joy and peace of her mind as the poor tabernacle was being taken down. Yet this was not always so; no, there were seasons when the tempter was suffered fearfully to harass and perplex, but yet he was only allowed to go the length of his chain. Jesus will triumph until He has put all enemies under His feet. It became quite evident to the poor girl that her sickness was unto death; and her greatest concern seemed to be for her poor father. Many a night of groaning and sighing had she passed through on his account, and yet the

signal way, long after poor Caroline had passed away, the stern old father's heart was melted, and the daughter's appeal brought to mind-Father, oh, father, think of eternity! He did, and was brought to Jesus as a penitent sinner; and became not again rich in worldly goods, but rich in faith, and an heir to unfading joys. Soon after this interview with her father the hour of death approached. Oh, it was a solemn and yet a glorious scene. She died resting in Jesus, and her last words were"Tis peace-peace!-glory!—glory!” Reader, may poor Caroline's Jesus be yours.

Bury St. Edmunds.

"BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.”

AN angel might long for your mission of light, To lead the poor exile from darkness and night;

Oh! search for the fallen, and speak of His love,

Who came for their rescue from glory above.

Let thy influence fall like the dewdrops
around,

Which scatter a blessing afar o'er the ground;
Go forth in the steps of thy Master above,
And true be thy heart on that mission of love.

G. C.

THE BORROWED BIBLE.

a

OUT of small beginnings great events self. When they went to church, she was oftentimes arise; and a pleasing illus- without shoes and stockings, and he had tration of this truth we have brought no coat; still, from that time she knew before us in an interesting book en- the meaning of that blessed word " titled "The Missing Link." A Christian home," though such home was but a lady, into whose heart God had dropped room, changed from time to time in the an interest for the welfare of the poor same neighbourhood. Five years before and degraded inhabitants of St. Giles's, the time at which the lady met with her, was desirous of meeting with a godly she was passing through the streets one woman in the same level of life with the rainy night, when she took shelter in an people into whose homes she wished to alley that led up to a little mission-hall obtain access, in order to circulate the in Dudley Street, and, hearing a voice, Scriptures, and thus, if it might be God's went in to listen. It was almost the will, cast a little light into the dark close of the address; but some verses dwellings of these wretched outcasts quoted from the eleventh of Hebrews f society. struck on her ear and touched her heart. She knew that the book always used in such places must be a Bible; but her attention was further arrested by an announcement that books would

Through a City Missionary she heard of a gracious woman who was desirous of doing some little service in the Lord's cause, and had written to ask him to appoint her to some post of labour, how-be lent on the next evening from that ever small. The history of Marian B. was a singular one, and bears the impress of

place, from a nicely-formed library for the poor. Going early, at the appointed time, she was the first claimant of the promise. She had intended to borrow "Sovereign grace o'er sin abounding." "Uncle Tom's Cabin," but a strong She earned a scanty livelihood in cutting impulse came over her which she could fire-papers, or moulding wax-flowers, not resist; it was as if she had heard it or making bags for silversmiths in whispered to her, "Do not borrow London; and her lot had been cast for Uncle Tom; borrow a Bible." So she three-and-thirty years in some one or asked for a Bible. A Bible, my good other of the purlieus of Seven Dials. woman?" was the missionary's reply; A drunken father, who broke her we did not intend to lend Bibles from mother's heart, had brought her, as a this library; but wait, I will fetch you young girl of fifteen, gradually down one; it is a token for good that the from the privileges of a respectable book of God-the best of books-should birth to dwell in a low lodging-house of be asked for, and lent from this place." St. Giles's. He died shortly afterwards, He brought her the Bible, and asked if and left her and a sister of five years of he should call and read a chapter with age, orphans, in the midst of pollution, her? She said, respectfully, "No, sir, which they, as by a miracle, escaped. thank you, we are very quiet folk; my Often, sitting on the stairs or door-step husband might not like it; I will take all night to avoid seeing all that was the book, and read it for myself." The going on within, an old man, who was Lord's time was come. His message her fellow-lodger, kind-hearted, though thus first entered her house, and went an Atheist, had taught her to write a straight to her heart; the Divine Spirit little, and he bade her "never read the applied the word with power, and the Bible-it was full of lies; she had only arrow of conviction was, ere long, driven to look around her in St. Giles's, and she home by affliction and suffering. A might see that there was no God." She twelvemonth after she had received the had picked up reading and knitting Bible, she was obliged to send to the from gazing in continually at the shop missionary who had lent it to her, to windows. She married at eighteen request a ticket for the hospital. Then years of age. Her husband proved sober he visited her, and found how God had and steady, but he was as poor as her-worked with her by His own Word, and

had thereby alone brought her to Him- lack of recognition of Divine designs, self. Two years of much suffering fol- from which these blessed results have lowed; and during this period her hus-emanated. Gladly must every Spiritband had also been ill; so that gradually, taught soul hail the spread of the gosone by one, the comforts they had pel; and gratefully must we acknowledge gathered around them by a frugal life the means whereby the work is carried vanished away under the gripe of want; on. But while we would bestow upon they were just able to live, and from the instrument the full share of praise, time to time received casual and tem- we would like to see in these publicaporary help. The missionary's visits tions some more distinct recognition of were always warmly welcomed, not for the Spring-Head from which all these what he brought, but for what he taught. blessings flow. Religious plans for the Sickness and poverty are hard teachers, good of souls are not to be treated as so but the discipline was all necessary to a many receipts; and the details of sucnaturally proud heart. One evening, in cess are not to be cast before the church the winter of 1856-7, Marian remembers of God or the world in the form of a sitting and thinking that, come what cookery-book. Hannah Glass has been might, she would no more, to relieve the subject of many a sneer and many a a present necessity, pawn her goods, as laugh; but her simple preface to her was the habit of her neighbours; she receipt may give some religious booksaw the evil of it, and saw it so strongly makers a useful hint-"First catch your that she felt she would want food and hare." Now, this is beginning at the fire too before she would break her beginning, every one will admit; but resolution made in the strength of God. pulpit and press are agreed in this-they She received the offer of employment in are all shy of God's beginnings. The selling Bibles, feeling that it was the starting-point of man is man, nor can work of all others which she should he rise higher till Almighty grace open delight to undertake. She found her the eyes and give him a view of God. way into places where they knew no We admit that the entrance of light is more of the Bible Society than they did often gradual; and some, as to doctrine of India: and when told of its object intelligently received, live and die in in thus sending the Scriptures to them, twilight: but if they are God's elect, one person made answer, Well, I won- they have the doctrine in experience der what next will be done for us; it is engraven on the fleshy tables of the time; we have been left long enough to heart, though they may never reach the ourselves." Another, after looking at head till they enter heaven. Many the copies, exclaimed, "Well, this can- there are in our day who know better, not be for gain." There appeared a but conceal what they know men are general impression that the books could afraid of out-spoken truth; they know not be produced for the money asked as its points and edges will offend the untheir cost price; sometimes, when there renewed, and stir up the carnal enmity was a determination to purchase, the in the people of God who are untaught penny was just spared with difficulty, in the truth; so they wrap it up, and and with Ah! you do not know, thus keep peace at the cost of prinmistress, what a struggle I have for a ciple. livelihood." And she was able to answer, "Oh, yes I do; I am quite as poor as you are; I know it all; but yet, this book, is the balm for all your sorrow; I bring it to you because I have found it so for myself." This book abounds in details of deep interest, and forms one of a numerous tribe of publications, excellent and useful as setting forth Divine results; but the title of this book is an apt term to depict a lack that, more or less, is apparent through them all. The Missing Link" is the

After a careful perusal of publications of this class, God's enlightened people, who value full-weight truth, however they may rejoice in the results, are yet made to mourn over the "Missing Link," whereby readers are left in ignorance as to the Source from which these results are derived. God's sovereignty, in the salvation of His elect, is written as with a sunbeam upon every page that tells us of a sinner's conversion; but we look through these books in vain to find any testimony to this truth, while every

atom of creature power is lauded to the skies.

of every saint's history; and here we have a model for all truthful biographers. Here is no missing link; but while Divine results are triumphantly displayed, their origin in Divine designs is gloriously

"By grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast." This is the compendium! unfolded.

A DIALOGUE.

(Continued from page 463.)

mean a great deal more than hiding it;
and if it is made an end of, what need
is there in talking about its being hid?
I like that last verse of KENT's hymn
best,-

"But this righteousness of Jesus,
Once applied 'tis always on;

Mary. What is the meaning of sins | putting away a thing altogether must being hid by the righteousness of Jesus? For since our last conversation I have met with these words, "His blood has atoned for all sins: and His righteousness will hide the iniquities of all who accept His offers of mercy." And I have heard ministers, even good men, speak of the righteousness of Jesus as if it came between us and God to hide our sins from His sight; and they quote that text in Numb. xxiii. 21, “He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath He seen perverseness in Israel," to prove it. And KENT, speaking of the righteousness of Jesus, says,—

Now, if sin is "put away "made an end of," as it is plain from Scripture it is, and that too by Him whom God appointed for that very purpose, what do they mean by the sins or iniquities of believers being hid?

George.-I really don't understand that sentence which you have met with; and there are many other things, which those who speak as if man can, by his own power, accept the offers of mercy, say that I cannot understand. As for that sentence, we have no need to trouble ourselves about what it means; for you may depend on it, that that which has atoned for all sins, cleanses also from all iniquities. But as it regards what good men, such as KENT, TOPLADY, and those of our own day, state, I feel it does not become me to say much; but I would just say this-I believe they mean a great deal more than their words imply; for

"Tis their title

To the mansions love ordained."

Mary.-You will think me very simple when I ask you another question concerning what we very often hear said, but still it has been a puzzle to me. What is meant by believers being justified by the righteousness of Jesus? for it is said, they are "justified by His blood" (Rom. v. 9), which agrees with what you said in our last conversation; and I don't remember any passage which says they are justified by His righteousness.

George. It is a great mercy for you. and me that "the Lord preserveth the simple," and that "the entrance of His words giveth light and understanding to the simple" (Psal. cxvi. 6; and cxix. 130). Precious light, precious understanding, which come through the entrance of His words. That very same thing has been a puzzle to me. For I could see that His bearing the curse, His suffering unto death, freed His people; yea, more, that as He was their Head, their Surety, their Representative, they are looked upon, and dealt with, as if they themselves had paid the debt; yea, more than that, for as He, their Head, their Surety, their Representative, yea, their Husband, is the mighty God, they are made, not only righteous, but the righteousness of God in Him;" and in that, His righteousness, they ever stand "justified from all things, from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses." But