d news for whom?"

"For wicked sinners, sir."

"Who sends this good news for wicked sinners?"

"The Lord Almighty."

"And who brings this good news?"

"Sir, _you_ brought it to _me_."

Here my soul melted in an instant, and I could not repress the tears
which the emotion excited. The last answer was equally unexpected and
affecting. I felt a father's tenderness and gratitude for a new and
first-born child.

Jane wept likewise.

After a little pause she said,--

"O sir! I wish you would speak to my father, and mother, and little
brother; for I am afraid they are going on very badly."

"How so?"

"Sir, they drink, and swear, and quarrel, and do not like what is good;
and it does grieve me so, I cannot bear it. If I speak a word to them
about it, they are very angry, and laugh, and bid me be quiet, and not
set up for their teacher. Sir, I am ashamed to tell you this of them,
but I hope it is not wrong; I mean it for their good."

"I wish your prayers and endeavours for their sake may be blessed; I will
also do what I can."

I then prayed with the child, and promised to visit her constantly.

As I returned home, my heart was filled with thankfulness for what I had
seen and heard. Little Jane appeared to be a first-fruits of my
parochial and spiritual harvest. This thought greatly comforted and
strengthened me in my ministerial prospects.

My partiality to the memory of little Jane will probably induce me to lay
some further particulars before the reader.

PART III.

Divine grace educates the reasoning faculties of the soul, as well as the
best affections of the heart; and happily consecrates them both to the
glory of the Redeemer. Neither the disadvantages of poverty, nor the
inexperience of childhood, are barriers able to resist the mighty
influences of the Spirit of God, when "he goeth forth where he listeth."

"God hath chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise;
and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things
which are mighty." The truth of this scriptural assertion was peculiarly
evident in the case of my young parishioner.

Little Jane's illness was of a lingering nature. I often visited her.
The soul of this young Christian was gradually, but effectually,
preparing for heaven. I have seldom witnessed in any older person, under
similar circumstances, stronger marks of earnest inquiry, continual
seriousness, and holy affections. One mo