ain and wholesome refreshment, and enjoyed a few
hours' conversation with them, I found it was necessary for me to return
homewards. The disposition and character of the parties may be in some
sort ascertained by the expressions at parting.

"God send you safe home again," said the aged mother, "and bless the day
that brought you to see two poor old creatures such as we are, in our
trouble and affliction. Come again, sir, come again when you can; and
though I am a poor ignorant soul, and not fit to talk to such a gentleman
as you, yet my dear child shall speak for me. She is the greatest
comfort I have left, and I hope the good Lord will spare her to support
my trembling limbs and feeble spirits, till I lie down with my other dear
departed children in the grave."

"Trust to the Lord," I answered, "and remember his gracious promise:
'Even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs I will carry you.'"

"I thank you, sir," said the daughter, "for your Christian kindness to me
and my friends. I believe the blessing of the Lord has attended your
visit, and I hope I have experienced it to be so. My dear father and
mother will, I am sure, remember it; and I rejoice in the opportunity of
seeing so kind a friend under this roof. My Saviour has been abundantly
good to me, in plucking me as 'a brand from the burning,' and showing me
the way of life and peace; and I hope it is my heart's desire to live to
his glory. But I long to see these dear friends enjoy the power and
comfort of religion likewise."

"I think it evident," I replied, "that the promise is fulfilled in their
case: 'It shall come to pass that at evening time it shall be light."

"I believe it," she said, "and praise God for the blessed hope."

"Thank him, too, that you have been the happy instrument of bringing them
to the light."

"I do, sir; yet when I think of my own unworthiness and insufficiency, I
rejoice with trembling."

"Sir," said the good old man, "I am sure the Lord will reward you for
this kindness. Pray for us, old as we are, and sinners as we have been,
that yet he would have mercy upon us at the eleventh hour. Poor Betsy
strives much for our sakes, both in body and soul: she works hard all day
to save us trouble, and I fear has not strength to support all she does;
and then she talks to us, and reads to us, and prays for us, that we may
be saved from the wrath to come. Indeed, sir, she's a rare child to us."

"Peace be to you,