old man, his hair was white as snow.
There was something remarkably pleasant and venerable in his appearance.
No one who heard his voice and gazed upon his mild countenance, could
doubt that they listened to a good man. During the first prayer, on that
evening, my heart became softened and subdued, and when he gave out his
text, from Matthew xi. chap., 28, and two following verses, I listened
to him with rapt attention. It seemed almost that he understood my
individual case. In the course of his sermon, he said:--'I presume there
are few in this congregation who have not some burden of sorrow which
they would gladly have removed. Shall I tell you how you may be released
from this burden? Kneel humbly at the foot of the Cross; and while you
pray for the forgiveness of your past sins, make a firm resolve, in the
strength of the Lord, that your future life shall be given to His
service; if you do this with sincerity, you shall surely find rest unto
your souls. You need have no fears that you will be rejected, for hath
not the Saviour said:--Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast
out. You may, this very night, exchange your burden of sin and sorrow
for the yoke which is easy and the burden which is light.'

"I have," said Miss Simmonds, "a distinct recollection of the look and
manner of that aged man as he uttered these words, and it is a matter of
heartfelt thankfulness to me the day that ever I heard his voice; for he
it was who first guided my wandering feet into the paths of peace. When
I returned to my home the words of that good man followed me. I thought
much on the words of his text. Surely, thought I, if all are invited to
come to the Saviour, I must be included in the number. Why may I not go
now? With these thoughts in my mind, I kneeled in prayer. I prayed
earnestly for the pardon of my sins and resolved, from that moment, to
begin a new life. Before rising from my knees I experienced a sense of
pardoning love, and I was happy.

"It was now that I became sensible of the wrong I had been guilty of,
in allowing my sorrow to cause me to neglect my duties, for there is no
one in any station of life but has claims of duty. I again engaged
actively in the duties of life, with a feeling of thankfulness that I
was privileged to cheer the declining years of my parents. Year after
year passed away. I still remained with my father and mother; and I felt
no wish to leave them, although I had more than one opportuni