o be
given in an indifferent and common manner; and asked, if I were to ride
over in the evening to give it them, and to explain to them its use,
whether they would be all together to hear me. 'Yes, yes;' was the
reply, from many voices. I appointed seven o'clock for the purpose. I
then distributed amongst them some tracts, containing passages for every
day in the week, and also the tract of Short Sermons; for which they were
very thankful. I told them that I intended to give them a Bible in the
evening, a book which few of them had ever seen, and which fewer
understood. I was pleased with the modesty of their deportment, and with
their eagerness for instruction. Surely they are a people whose hearts
the Lord has prepared for the reception of his word.

"At the hour appointed, I put the Bible in my pocket, and rode again to
the camp. The evening was particularly fine: the sun, hidden behind some
thick fleecy clouds, had thrown around a mild and pleasing tint; the
birds were every where singing their evening song; the ploughman was
'whistling o'er the lea;' and nature, after the labours of the day, was
preparing for her wonted rest. It was a fit time for meditation, prayer,
and praise. Such an evening, perhaps, as that which led the patriarch of
old to meditation, when he lifted up his eyes and saw the returning
servants of his father bringing home his future wife. As I drew near to
the camp, I began to revolve in my mind the best way of making them
acquainted with the importance of the most essential doctrines contained
in the holy book I was about to give them. On my arrival, I found that I
had been long expected. The men, however, were not there; they were gone
to water a horse, which they had lent all the day to a farmer; but a
tawny girl ran with great speed, barefooted, and brought them to the
camp. I now dismounted, and gave my horse, with my stick, to the care of
one of the men. The family circle was formed into an irregular circle
round some pale embers, some of them sitting cross-legged on the grass,
and others standing. I placed myself so as to have the women and
children chiefly before me. The woman who could read, was seated
opposite me: the men, the tents, and the package to the right; while the
horses and asses belonging to the tribe, were quietly grazing at a short
distance in the lane. All was solemn stillness; all was attentive
expectation. As I took from my pocket the Bible, the eyes o