pring
out of it. It is an exchange made between you and the Lord Christ: His
righteousness for your iniquity; His strength for your weakness; His
rich grace for your bankrupt poverty of all goodness. Mistress Amy, you
want Christ our Lord, and the Holy Ghost, which He shall give you--the
new heart and the right spirit which be His gift, and which He died to
purchase for you."

"That's it!" said Amy, with a light in her eyes. "But how come you by
them?"

"You may have them for the asking--if you do truly wish it. `Whosoever
_will_, let him take the water of life.' Know you what Saint Austin
saith? `Thou would'st not now be setting forth to find God, if He had
not first set forth to find thee.' `For by grace ye are saved, through
faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.' Keep fast
hold of that, Mistress Amy."

"That 'll do!" said Amy, under her breath. "I've got what I want now--
if He'll hearken to me. But, O Master Ewring, I'm not fit to keep
fellowship with Him!"

"Dear maid, you are that which the best and the worst man in the world
are--a sinner that needeth pardon, a sinner that can be saved only
through grace. Have you the chance to get hold of a Bible, or no?"

"No! Father gave up his to the priest, months agone. I never cared
nought about it while I had it, and now I've lost the chance."

"Trust the Lord to care for you. He shall send you, be sure, either the
quails or the manna. He'll not let you starve. He has bound Himself to
bring all safe that trust in Him. And--it looks not like it, verily,
yet it may be that times of liberty shall come again."

"Master Ewring, I've given you a deal of trouble," said Amy, rising
suddenly, "and taken ever so much time. But I'm not unthankful, trust
me."

"My dear maid, how can Christian men spend time better than in helping a
fellow soul on his way towards Heaven? It's not time wasted, be sure."

"No, it's not time wasted!" said Amy, with more feeling than Mr Ewring
had ever seen her show before.

"Farewell, dear maid," said he. "One thing I pray you to remember: what
you lack is the Holy Ghost, for He only can show Christ unto you. I or
others can talk of Him, but the Spirit alone can reveal Him to your own
soul. And the Spirit is promised to them that ask Him."

"I'll not forget, Master. Good even, and God bless you!"

Mr Ewring stood a moment longer to watch Amy as she ran down the road,
with a step tenfold more light