Ella Clinton

led to pay his rent. All these causes combined brought down their resources very much indeed, and Ella began to economize in every possible way, while she looked forward to the future with

filled with peace and joy, and she felt sure that he would never suffer them to come to want; but she was a young Christian, and sometimes her faith was weak, and unbelief would suggest that perhaps, after all, these promises were not mean

ast quarter's money had been spent, their rent was due the next day, and her present quarter would not close for some weeks.

trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." These were some of the promises she found in his word, and feeling a firm assurance that he would be faithful to his promises, she went to her work with a calm and quiet mind, and a cheer

t feel troubled; she knew it would come in due time. Her aunt had no idea how nearly destitute they were, fo

th her sewing at her aunt's bedside, when there was a rap at the outer door. Ella rose,

g, sir, will

ead several times to-day, that you might be in want of money, and that I might just as well pay you for the chi

e to command her voice, "I was in ne

" said he. "

lieve their present necessities. With a full heart, Ella thanked the Giver of all good. "Oh, how could I ever dou

e to live through the winter, and several times were brought to great s

in an arm-chair through the day, and use her hands a little in sewing. She had been more silent than usual f

as anxiously looking for a letter; but there was none, and she turned away with a heavy sigh. There are times when the mind seems to partake of the weariness of the body; when the spirit sinks beneath its load; when one feels we

en me. If so, how entirely friendless I am! No, not friendless; there are many dear, kind, christian people here, though I do not yet know them well enough to go to them with my troubles, and ask f

o end nor me

can turn i

, the sam

eternal

is infinitely wise and good! And Oh, how many blessings I have, and yet how unworthy am I of the very least of them! 'Be content

cheerful face. She was extremely surprised to find Miss Prudence in tears. It was a sight so unusual-for it had alway

e, what is the mat

iss Prudence, tur

that moves you so. My dear aunt, we two are all alone in the wo

s nothing; can't you believe me?

was "quite as good as any member of the church, and a great deal better than some of them; for she read a chapter in the Bible every day, and went regularly to church twice every Sabbath, rain or shine, which was more than some of the members did. She was a good neighbour, kind to the poor, never cheated anybo

re to glorify him, but from entirely selfish motives; and that seeing these things to be so, and how utterly helpless and undone she was, she might be led to lay hold upon the hope set before her, and accept of Jesus Christ as he is freely offered in the gospel, trusting in his merits alone for salvation. Could it be that her prayers were about to be answered

ss Prudence. "There is no use in trying t

Ella, folding up her work; "but you w

ep," said Miss Clinton, leaning her

worse than usual to-ni

at present; but bodily pain is

ar aunt? let me at least give you my

ut Ella ventured again to urge h

religion. I considered myself quite good, and deserving of salvation; but lately my views and feelings have changed, and I seem to myself to be a very great sinner, so hardened and so wic

to the pit; I have found a ransom.' 'This is a faithful saying, and worthy

ringing in my ears: 'Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof;

to their unrighteousness, and their sins

he replied, with a hope

rlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall

"They might have been once,

im that dieth, but rather that he turn from his evil way and li

't turn. I might have done it

hrist is able to save to the uttermost, all that come unto God by him,' and does he not invite

expect that he will ever strive with me again, since I have r

ive with you, or you would not feel the anxiety th

ifty years I have lived in rebellion against God, I have given all my best day

hour. 'God is the Lord, the Lord God merciful and gracious, slow to a

the guilty,'" added Miss Pruden

ou rest; you have only to come casting away every other dependence, and he will receive you.' 'Re

y of grace, and now it is too late; there c

trust in a false hope, telling you that you were as good, and as likely to be saved as others; and now that he finds that he cannot make you shut your eyes any longer to the danger, he would fain persuade you

her face buried in her hands, while Ella was si

go to bed, child, and leave

saying in a low tone, "Good night, dear aunt; re

om alluding to it. Weeks passed away, and gradually a change seemed to come over Miss Prudence. She seemed calm, and even cheerful, was more patient than Ella had ever known he

ars trembled in her eyes, she said, "Ella, I have begun to indulge a faint, a trembling hope that I have been born again, that I am changed; that with me 'old things have passed a

ve! how swe

d a wretc

lost, but n

d, but n

nished to see the careless, proud, self-willed, passionate child, change to the meek, submissive, patient, and humble young Chri

k in your way that was keeping you from coming to Christ; for I have come so very far

ou are strangely changed, and I can plai

my companion in my pilgrimage. God has heard my prayers. He is indeed 'the hearer, and answerer of prayer.' But, aunt Prudence, you had two much brighter e

that that excuse did not avail me then, and I could not but acknowledge to myself, that nothing but the power of God could have wrought such a change. And I bless God for the affliction, with which he has vi

ther to talk of their common hopes and joys. All her old neighbours were surprised to see the strange change in Miss Prudence. The quiet, gentle, humble woman that returned to them, was so different from the loud, boisterous, proud and passionate woman that went away, that they knew not what to make of it. The

heir hopes, the

orts and t

, "the school Miss Layton had when she was here last, is now without a teacher,

ger any necessity for you to exert yourself,

es for doing good than a christian teacher, and it is certainly our duty to do all the good we can; to use every talent in the service of our Master. 'To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin

t, the solemn resp

hat it is a very great responsibility; but would I

y tired, so completely worn out. I don't believe, my

he care of the house in addition to the school; and that I shall not have now; and besides, as somebo

to be dependent upon me, what difference does it make whether you take a part of my money now, or

d Ella, with tears in her eyes; "I hope

come; if we are only prepared, it will make very little difference when the summons comes. But I did not

e, may I tak

ild; if

very much such a teacher as Miss Layton, which Ella considered the highest praise that could have been bestowed upon her. And

rnal death?-or are you treading the strait and narrow way that leads to life everlasting? Are you taken up with the things of this world, living only for the present moment, careless of the interests of your immortal soul, and unconcerned about the forgiveness of your sins? Are you a slave to the law, trying to work out a

ld no l

s beneath

all Abba, F

the kin

RIBER'

therwise, the author's original spelling, pun