it to both. Louisa, however, claimed and was allowed the privilege of
breaking the seal. I wish you could have seen their happy faces, as
Emma leaned upon her sister's shoulder to read the welcome letter
which had been sent to them from a country so distant, and by a friend
whom they loved so well.

CHAPTER VII.

AUNT HARDING'S LETTER.

Would you like to know what aunt Harding Wrote to her nieces? Here
then is the letter, word for word:--

"MY DEAR CHILDREN, LOUISA AND EMMA,--It is with great pleasure that I
read in your mamma's letter the account of your improvement, and I am
glad to fulfill the promise which I made of writing to you when that
should be the case. I hope that you will go on trying to grow better
and better; and for this end you should pray daily for the grace of
God to help you every moment of your lives. Without his grace the evil
desires of your sinful hearts will lead you from the right way; and as
one sin always brings on others, you would, if left to yourselves,
wander further and further from that which is good, until you lost all
love for your Saviour and his commands.

"I often think of you, and wish that you could see the poor little
Hindoo children, who have never heard of the true God, but are taught
by their heathen parents to kneel down, and pray to idols of wood and
stone. There is a river in this country, the river Ganges, which the
people believe to be a goddess, and they think that its waters can
wash away their sins. Mothers often bring their little infants and
bathe them in this river, because they believe it will make them holy.
Do you not pity these poor people, whose souls are perishing for want
of knowledge? Do you not wish that some one would go among them, and
tell them about Jesus the Son of God, who gave himself to die for
sinners, and whose blood alone can wash away sin? If so, you will be
glad to know that there are some good men here who have left their own
dear home and friends to live in this heathen country, and to teach
the poor Hindoos the true and only way to heaven. Christians in other
places, who love the Saviour, and wish that the heathen should learn
to love him too, give money to send these good men here, and to pay
for Bibles, and for other books which have been written on purpose to
show how sinners may be saved. All may help to do this who will spare
a little money from their own wishes and wants. _You_ may help, if you
love the Saviour enoug