to be done. At first, Mr. Green was inclined to adopt severe measures, and not only to dismiss Craven from their employment, but also to prosecute him. He yielded, however, to Mr. Johnson's wishes, and consented both to forbear prosecution and to retain Craven in their service.

The forbearance of his employers and the kindness of his friend affected Craven very deeply. He saw how nearly he had been led to the brink of ruin; and, as he shuddered to think of the peril he had so narrowly escaped, he was led to seek that grace which only can keep the soul. He broke off at once from the companions who had done so much to lead him astray; and, by dint of rigid economy, he soon retrieved his affairs. He and his cousin are now at the head of an establishment of their own. He sometimes sees amongst the young men whom they employ those who are disposed to be thoughtless and extravagant. Remembering his own case, he is ever ready to look on them leniently; but several of them have had reason to be deeply grateful for the kind and fatherly manner in which he has taken them aside, and whilst he has warned them against other perils has also emphatically warned them-" Whatever you do, keep out of debt."

THE TEST ACT; OR, THE SACRED SHILLING.

PART II.

MRS. JARVIS was utterly broken down for a time, and very bitter were her feelings of anger at the hardness of her lot. She said that the landlord's cruelty had murdered her husband. Yet he was but a mere second cause. The great first cause was in the will of Him who has appointed man's time on the earth, and who having called his new-born child to early enjoyment of his heavenly portion, had further purposes of love in store for those left behind. If poor Martha could have looked above the human instrument up into the pure region where faith meekly folds her wings and bows before the throne, she would have been spared many an angry temper and fit of passionate discontent, which greatly hindered peace and darkened things gloomy enough already.

She left her old home, and went to live in a room in the nearest town, where she worked, washed, charred, and in short did anything that offered by which she could earn enough to support herself and children. She was not one to be "beholden to anybody" as long as she had hands to

work, and her proud spirit resolved to face out her poverty by herself alone. A hard, stern feeling seemed to encrust and stiffen her spirit, like an iceberg, and she certainly made no advances towards the childlike spirit which can "It is good for me that I have been afflicted."

say

"In the midst of her incessant exertions, her scanty provision, and moody discontent, her health suddenly failed, and she was constrained to the helplessness and leisure of a sick bed for many weeks. She had never yet received parish assistance, but now was obliged to consent to it; and her agony was great lest she should die, and her children be sent to the workhouse. Neighbours who did not particularly love her, but who pitied her because she had "seen better days," showed her some attention and kindness, and her naturally good constitution struggled against the permanent lodgment of fatal disease.

Martha Jarvis had time now to think; and thoughts which she had long tried to drive away because she hated them, came now and remained by permission.

She had found a little Bible in the pocket of her husband's coat, and for his sake she had treasured it; but she had never felt perfect friendliness towards it for teaching him a sentiment and helping him to an experience which she no longer dared to call "cant."

However she had time now, and she would look over this little book. Many of the leaves were turned down at passages which had evidently been closely studied, and she found an interest in tracing out the course of instruction which had produced such happy results in his soul, by making him, under the teaching of the Spirit of God, "wise unto salvation," and faithful unto death.

One whose mission was among the sick and poor, and who had not hitherto found much encouragement in visiting Mrs. Jarvis's room, one day, after permission to enter, found her thus employed.

"Do you love the Bible?" said the visitor kindly, much pleased to see this change.

"No, but some I have lost did, and I wish I could too." "You have only to possess yourself of its great message, and believe that it is addressed to you."

"I can't do that. I have been dealt with so hardly, it has made me dull and stupid about such things."

"Who has dealt hardly with you, my poor friend ?" said the visitor tenderly. "Will you trust me with your com

plaint and allow me to see if your wrong could not be redressed? I will do my best to get it set right for you." Martha looked down. What could she say to that?

Seeing her disinclined to speak, her friend continued: "Well, instead of thinking about an enemy as you perhaps feel some one to be who has wronged you, let us speak of One whom we know to be a friend, a true faithful friend who dearly loves you, and who in permitting the trials that have brought you so low, has given you sweet proof of it, for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.'

"Isn't that a queer way to show love?" abruptly asked Martha.

"You wish your children to be good and obedient I dare say; but if they will not mind when you speak, what do feel sometimes obliged to do, though reluctantly?"

you

"Strike!" said Martha with sudden animation, as if she had caught a new idea.

"Yes, but you love them all the while, and strike for their good, because you love them, and because sometimes nothing less makes them mind."

"And because I am angry too very often," said Martha. "In that you are not like God then, for he never in anger strikes a child. The penalty incurred by our naughtiness was laid upon Jesus, who was 'wounded for our transgressions,' and 'by whose stripes we are healed;' and the stroke that falls on you and me is chastening for our profit, merciful discipline for our arousing and amending. I think there is no proof of his resolute persevering love more strong and true than in the fact, that after long indifference to him in comfort or prosperity or indulgence, he does not give us up, but condescends to strike and shake us out of our apathy about sin and its consequences, which, if we neglect his salvation, must be upon our own heads." "But I have turned away sulkily through all, and what can I say for myself if I were to turn round now? shine and clouds, smiles and blows, have been all alike to me so far as He who sent them is concerned."

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use.

Sun

Try the turning round before you settle that it is of no God is saying now Turn ye at my reproof,' Turn ye. Why will ye die?' You will see, if you look in the right place, that you need say nothing for yourself; all has been said and done for you. One has spoken and suffered for you in a living loving action on the cross; and looking

here and seeing what sin, your sin, deserved, you will need no prompting to cry at your Saviour's feet God be merciful to me a sinner!' and it is a cry at which all heaven is moved to joy and praise. If I understand aright, you were prosperous and contented once, but it was without God in the world, and on the road that leads to destruction. Do not wonder then if a Parent tries what adversity will do for the heart that resisted indulgence. He knows the value of your soul; and when you know it, too, you will bless him for anything that drew you from the grasp of Satan to the safety of the Shepherd's fold."

"I never saw it so," said Martha, softly; "but I am afraid I have been wrong. I thought he cared nothing for me. Oh I wish I may find it as you say, for indeed I have long been a wretched woman, shutting light and comfort out of my dark cold heart, and expecting nothing else till I die." "And the enemy you spoke of, some one who has done you wrong, you could not forgive?" said the visitor inquiringly.

God

Hush, hush!" said Martha. "It was bad, it was perhaps blasphemy; but now read and pray for me. helping, I will come with you to his footstool."

Before Mrs. Jarvis left her sick bed, many a reading and many a prayer had by God's blessing enlightened and comforted her spirit. She studied that precious little Bible, and learned its lessons of faith and love and peace, and came forth to life and duty again another person, new creature: old things had passed away, all things had become new."

4

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In time she got strong again, and worked as hard as before, but in what a different temper, and with what altered motives!

And now her children, who, notwithstanding her care for them had often felt afraid of her gloomy manners, were never happier than in her society, and received with wonder and interest the stories she told them out of dear father's Bible.

"Mother," said one of them one day, "will you give me one of your pennies out of that little box? I saw you put some in."

"No, dear, I can't give you one of those pennies, for they are not mine, but you shall have one some day, if you've any good use for it; but you know I cannot earn many pennies more than we want for bread and milk and potatoes."

"Whose are they then? and why do you keep other people's money, mother?"

"They are God's pennies, my child, and some day I may tell you more about them."

The pennies at last amounted to twelve, and then were changed into a shilling, which was carefully treasured until the visitor, whose coming was dearly welcomed there, should call again. She was never very long absent, for the true piety of Martha Jarvis was cause of admiration and thankfulness to her kind friend, and she delighted to witness the ripening graces of so genuine and happy a conversion.

"I want you to do me a great favour," said Martha, timidly, "it is to take this shilling and put it to some cause that you think the Lord Jesus loves best. If I could have decided for myself, I wouldn't have mentioned it, but I thought you could guide me to the right one."

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My dear Mrs. Jarvis," said the visitor in surprise, for she knew how poor she was, and what a struggling life she had to secure the commonest fare, "surely this is too much from you at present. Do not deny yourself what is really needful, as I fear you must, for indeed our loving Lord does not desire it."

"I was afraid you would say this," said Martha, "but oh you cannot tell the delight it would be to give it. My dear husband said I might try my motives by a gift for God. I want not to be tempted to give it for any other feeling; I want to give of my own hard earnings something for Jesus' sake alone. It is sweet to have denied myself anything for him. So please to take it, dear lady, and let me have this pleasure. I have called it God's money, as penny by penny I have put it by, a poor, but true thankoffering for his love and grace to me.'

"How

"God forbid that I should presume to deny you, dear Martha," said the visitor, with tears in her eyes. shall I put it down?"

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Say from one who feels it is good for her that she has been afflicted,'" said Martha, with faltering voice and quivering lip. Her heart was very full, but it was with sweet and glowing love, first towards her God and Saviour, and next towards all he came to save.

It is almost needless to add that Christian kindness smoothed her path, and, according to his promise, "the Lord" did "provide" in temporal as well as spiritual things.