edge of the
case ends. It is, however, not too much to hope that the memory of
that sad night, coupled with the loss of the little child, would have a
good influence on the subsequent life of the man, and perhaps be the
means, under God, of leading him to seek that grace which alone could
afford him hope of meeting his child again in the kingdom of glory.

Whether this was so or not, the incident shows the high esteem in which
Little Abe was held by the people among whom he lived. We see that he
gained a decided advantage over the hardened sinner when he constrained
him to kneel before the Lord; and it also shows that when scoffers and
so-called unbelievers are brought into the shadows of death, their
unbelief forsakes them, and like devils, "they believe and tremble."

It was no uncommon thing for Abe to be called out of the mill to
conduct the burial service at Salem, in place of the minister, who
perhaps had never been informed of the funeral, or even of the death.
No matter, poor man, he has sadly lowered himself in the opinion of the
family and friends by not being present. He might have known he would
be wanted, and at what time of the day, and in what place, and it is
very unkind of him not to be there. Where is he? Poor innocent, he is
tramping off to a distant country appointment in simple ignorance of
the misdemeanour of which he is guilty. A minister ought to know
everything--know who is well and who is not; ministers are different
from all other people, and more is expected from them. If, for
instance, any one is ill, the doctor must be sent for; but the minister
is expected to come without being requested. It is his duty to attend
to the sick of his flock. It is no matter whether he knows of the
illness or not, he ought to know of it; a pretty shepherd he must be
not to know if any of his sheep are ill; he should make inquiries for
himself among the people. Are any persons dead here, or any sick? any
to be prayed for? or are there any disaffected parties waiting to be
coaxed into a good humour? any croakers in want of a good subject to
vent their bile upon? or anything at all in the general ministerial way
that wants doing? A man could easily find out what is going on, and
what is going off, with a little ingenuity and perseverance; and it
would save all the trouble and expense of a post card to the minister
asking him to call. Let us hope, therefore, that in future there will
be no misundersta