s Abe and those who were with him were
very noisy, and some who had no sympathy with anything of the sort,
would make some disparaging remarks. There were some of old who would
have silenced the loud cries of poor blind Bartimeus, but they could
not, nor can they stop the voice of vehement prayer. Pray on,
brethren, get hold of God, and then make what noise you like.

We want more of this praying spirit among the Lord's people, and less
of the cold calculations of the unbeliever. Here lies the strength of
the Christian Church, and not in its immense wealth, its high culture,
its refined pulpit, or luxurious pew; it is that praying power which
brings the Divine unction down. May God give us the praying power.

CHAPTER XVIII.

"Working Overtime."

The time came when "Little Abe" was much sought after to speak at
week-night meetings, such as tea-meetings, missionary meetings, and the
like. It was considered a great point to have him as one of the
speakers; they were sure to have a lively time if Abe came--for what
with his own original speech, his running comments and responses while
others were talking (a liberty which every one allowed him), he kept
the whole meeting alive throughout.

This was what he called "working overtime." All his Sundays were
given, as a matter of course, to the Lord's work, and the week-days to
his daily calling; consequently what he did, in this way had to be done
at nights, after his day's work was finished. Now as this kind of work
grew upon Abe, there were some who would tell him he was doing too
much, that he would injure himself; but he would remind them that when
he had to work at the mill night after night, week after week, no one
ever thought of telling him he was doing too much. "No," would be the
response, "because you were paid for that." Then Abe's soul was
roused. "Well, and does the' think my Father doesn't pay me? Bless
Him, He owes me nowt, He's paid me double wages for every minute I have
warked for Him." And so he went on serving the Church and honouring
God to the utmost of his ability.

LITTLE ABE AND THE MULE.

He had a singular experience one dark rainy night when going to a
missionary meeting at Shelley. He was late in arriving, so that the
meeting was somewhat advanced when he put in an appearance. As he
entered the chapel he was greeted by a burst of clapping, and in a
moment every face brightened at the sight of him, though, to tell the
tr