ding; for she had observed formerly that
those who had learned the catechism in the common formal way, when
they were children, had never understood it when they became men and
women, and it remained in the memory without having made any
impression on the mind. Thus this fine summary of the Christian
religion is considered as little more than a form of words, the
being able to repeat which, is a qualification for being confirmed
by the bishop, instead of being considered as really containing
those grounds of Christian faith and practice, by which they are to
be confirmed Christians.

Mrs. Crew used to say to Mrs. Jones, those who teach the poor must
indeed give line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and
there a little, as they can receive it. So that teaching must be a
great grievance to those who do not really make it a _labor of
love_. I see so much levity, obstinacy, and ignorance, that it keeps
my own forbearance in continual exercise, insomuch that I trust I am
getting good myself, while I am doing good to others. No one, madam,
can know till they try, that after they have asked a poor untaught
child the same question nineteen times, they must not lose their
temper, but go on and ask it the twentieth. Now and then, when I am
tempted to be impatient, I correct myself by thinking over that
active proof which our blessed Saviour requires of our love to him
when he says, _Feed my lambs_.

Hester Wilmot had never been bred to go to church, for her father
and mother had never thought of going themselves, unless at a
christening in their own family, or at a funeral of their neighbors,
both of which they considered merely as opportunities for good
eating and drinking, and not as offices of religion.

As poor Hester had no comfort at home, it was the less wonder she
delighted in her school, her Bible, and her church; for so great is
God's goodness, that he is pleased to make religion a peculiar
comfort to those who have no other comfort. The God whose name she
had seldom heard but when it was _taken in vain_, was now revealed
to her as a God of infinite power, justice, and holiness. What she
read in her Bible, and what she felt in her own heart, convinced her
she was a sinner, and her catechism said the same. She was much
distressed one day on thinking over this promise which she had just
made (in answer to the question which fell to her lot), _To renounce
the devil and all his works, the pomps and vanities