ds are
passed, and we emerge again into the highway. Who goes yonder with
painful effort in the road before us? It is a crippled boy. Stop--let us
speak to him. Can spirits converse in human tones? We will try. "Good
morning, my poor boy; are you going far on your crutches over this rough
road?"

"Only to the village, sir, about a mile from this."

"And pray what may be your errand that you make so much effort?"

"Oh, sir, one of the boys, last week, gave me a little book, which told
about God, and heaven, and hell, and I am frightened about my soul, and
I am going to ask the good minister who lives in the village what I
shall do that I may go to heaven."

"God speed and teach thee, and give us to see thee at last among the
ransomed ones."

We have left the village where the "good minister" lived, far behind,
and now we approach a populous town. By our side travels a thoughtful
man, all unwitting of his company. It is the Sabbath, and he has been
ten miles to hear the gospel preached. No church-going bell has as yet
ever gladdened the place which he calls his home. Deep sighs escape from
his breast, as he rides slowly along. He meditates on the wretched
condition of his neighbors and friends. As we approach the town the
sound of voices is heard. The good man listens, and distinguishes the
tones of children familiar and dear. He approaches the hedge from which
they proceed. What anguish is depicted on his face as he gazes on the
boys, sitting under the hedge, on God's holy day, busily engaged _in
playing cards_! Are you a parent, kind reader? Are you a Christian
parent? If so, perhaps you can understand his feelings as he turns
desparingly away, and murmurs to himself--"No preacher of the gospel--no
Sunday-school--no Sabbath day. Alas! what shall save our children?"

Our journey is ended. Every incident which we have imagined we saw, is
recorded in God's book of remembrance as a fact.

My plea is in behalf of those who would establish Sabbath-schools among
the thousands of precious infant souls in the far-off West.

Do you ask what you can do? Perhaps you can increase your donations to
the Home Missionary and Sunday-school Societies. Every dollar goes far,
given to either. But perhaps you are doing all you can in that way. Have
you then no good books lying about your home which have done their work
for your loved ones, and can be dispensed with? Can you collect among
your friends a dozen or more? Do not think it