fe.
How plain and easy are the demands He makes; how full of mercy; how
simple is the plan He has arranged."

Alec, as usual, had had been listening attentively to all Mr Skinner
had said. He never attempted to argue with him. He had long lost all
confidence in the correctness of the notions he had held. Tears filled
his eyes. "I believe, help Thou my unbelief," he ejaculated, in a
broken voice.

His health and strength had been rapidly improving. Through the
assistance of his friends, when perfectly recovered, he obtained
employment, and was soon able to lay by money, and to feel himself
independent. Notwithstanding this, by his life and conversation, he
showed that the good seed had taken root; the only companionship he
sought was that of Donald and David, and Mr Skinner, and other true
Christians whom he could meet with in the neighbourhood. He had
followed his friends' example, and purchased a piece of land, which he
had commenced cultivating, and on which he told them he hoped soon to
put up a substantial log-house.

"You will not like to live a solitary life," said Donald. "You will
want a companion. I did not get on half as well as I do now before
David came out."

"Perhaps I may some day find one," answered Alec, smiling. "I shall
live on in hopes that one of congenial tastes to my own may be sent me."

"Till you find him you must promise to remain on with us," said Donald.
"We cannot part with you, and I suspect that we should be jealous of any
one whom you might select."

A short time after this Alec received a letter from one of his long
absent brothers, who had returned to England. He wrote saying that he
had looked into their father's affairs, and found that there was yet
some property which might be recovered, but that it would require his
presence and that of the rest of the family, to settle the matter. A
remittance, to enable him, without inconvenience, to pay his passage
home, was enclosed in the letter. Donald and David were truly glad to
hear of this.

"You must not be persuaded, Alec, however, to stay away," they
exclaimed. "You must promise to come back as soon as your affairs are
arranged. You are wanted in this country."

Mr Skinner, while he congratulated his young friend on the brightening
of his worldly prospects, cautioned him affectionately against the
temptations to which he might be exposed.

"I know that I am very weak," answered Alec, humbly. "But I go forth,