. And the number of Bibles and Testaments
which were introduced into a dense catholic population, in consequence
of the apparently trivial circumstance of the opening of the case in
the Diligence, will probably never be ascertained until the great
day of account; nor will it be known to what extent they have been
instrumental in reclaiming and saving the souls of deluded men.

On the day following M---- received a deputation from the Village in
the Mountains, anxiously desiring to hear on what day and hour they
might hope to enjoy his long-expected visit. He proposed to be at the
widow's house the following morning, at 11 o'clock. Furnished with a
carriage and horses by one of his friends, he set out accordingly;
and, on reaching the foot of the mountain, was met by a deputation of
twelve or fifteen of these faithful followers of the Lamb, who greeted
his approach with demonstrations of joy. He immediately descended from
the carriage, and was conducted to the house of the widow with every
expression of the most sincere Christian affection, some taking him by
the sleeve, and others by the skirts of his coat, some preceding and
others following him. But what was his surprise, on arriving at the
house, to find an assembly of from sixty to eighty, who, with one
voice, desired him to _preach_ to them! M. ---- observed to them,
that he was an unworthy layman, and totally unqualified for such a
responsible duty, and the more so at that time, as his mind had been
occupied in his secular business; and he felt the need of himself
receiving instruction, instead of attempting to impart it to others.
But a chair had been placed for him in a suitable part of the room,
and a small table, covered with a green cloth, placed before it, on
which was laid the copy of the Bible which M. ---- had, some months
before, presented to the widow. M. ---- saw he could not avoid
saying something to this importunate company, and looking to God for
assistance and a blessing, took the chair which had been set for him,
and resolved to attempt to draw from the Bible, for their benefit,
such instruction and consolation as he might be enabled to impart.

To the eye of M. ---- every thing gave beauty and solemnity to this
unexpected scene. The room into which he was conducted was filled with
the villagers, all conveniently accommodated on benches. A large door
opened, in the rear of the house, and discovered the declivity of the
mountain on which it stood,