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tion: for from day to day, while the body grew weaker, the spirit grew stronger.

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But the good Richardson had his share of trouble with the lad. He had a soft bed prepared for him, and wished to lay him in it, but Subah exclaimed with horror, 'Father, thou wilt smother me!' Richardson wished him to put on a warm coat, but he said again in alarm, Father, thou wilt smother me!' He would only sleep on the hard floor, and would have nothing but a sack spread for his couch; and of clothing he would only wear a shirt, which he would not have fastened at the throat, and of which he had half the sleeves cut off; and only a thin sheet would he have over him.

And thus he lay for weeks, so weak that he could not stand, but more and more eager for God's Word; so that he always with longing awaited the hour when his dear father with the book' came. And he learned to sing, too, which was a great pleasure to him; during family worship he had in a short time learned all the tunes, and as the gipsies are very fond of music, there soon rose from his couch the sweetest voice of all the singers. Bible stories he learned with delight, and he listened so eagerly that he only wanted to hear a story once to fix it on his memory. Often, during their leisure hours, he invited the servants and children to come and tell him Scripture stories; and he especially loved those in which there was the Name of Jesus.

When the Pastor once told him the story of the Ethiopian eunuch who was baptized by St. Philip, and then went joyfully on his way, Subah expressed his desire to be baptized too, and begged for it more earnestly every day, so that good Boccatius, as he sat with Herr von Haselhorst and Richardson at the sick lad's couch, exclaimed one day, 'No, I can put it off no longer; I must grant his request.' He gave

him the necessary instruction to prepare him for Holy Baptism. Herr von Haselhorst and Richardson were sponsors. Subah was taken in a litter to church, and a reclining chair was placed for him near the Communion Table, in which he listened to the Sermon, by which he was so deeply moved that the tears ran down his brown cheeks. After the Sermon, the Baptism took place. With a clear voice, Subah renounced the Devil and all his works,' and all sinful lusts of the flesh. He confessed his faith in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, and he promised to live and die in this faith; and then he was baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity, and received the name of Peter Paul Christopher.

After his Baptism he lived about a quarter of a year longer in Richardson's house; he was taken to church regularly every Sunday, and after proper instruction her received the Holy Communion, and then he calmly and happily fell asleep, trusting in his God and Saviour, and he was buried on Whit Tuesday, 1665.

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE EAST.

IN

WRITING.

N the East, boys are taught to write on the sand, and perhaps this was the first way of teaching to write.

The Jews had not books printed as we have, all their books were written; and they had not such good paper as we have. Sometimes they wrote on skins or parchment, and this made their books very dear, so that each person could not have a book of his own. We ought to thank God that printing has been made so cheap, that even a poor man may have a Bible for himself and may read it at home, so that every one may learn what God wishes him to do.

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'My Father with the Book'-'My Father with the Sword '-'My Father with

the Bread.'

Published for the Proprietors by W. WELLS GARDNER, 2 Paternoster Buildings, London. [Castle Street, Leicester Squar.

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Matty looked about confused. havn't larned me, as I knows on,' she answered. 'Aw tells lies sumtimes, but I knows as it's wicked to steyl.'

Poor child!' said her questioner again; and then he drew her towards him and looked at his watch. I haven't many minutes for more talking, or I should like to teach you a few things every little Christian child should know. But look here, Matty, there is a book that can teach you everything it is needful for you to know that will show you how to be good, and tell you all about God and Heaven. And it has beautiful stories in it, too. I give you money to buy this book, will you promise me to spend it in nothing else?' and he took from his purse a bright new shilling.

If

Matty's eyes sparkled with delight. Sarah Lane's world was about to be opened to her also. She eagerly gave the re

quired promise, and held out her hand for the gift.

'Stay, said the gentleman. You must ask for one of the Bibles published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. You will forget the name, most likely, so I am going to write it down for you.' He scribbled a few words in his pocket-book, tore out the leaf, and wrapping the shilling in it, put the packet into Matty's hand, with the caution:-'You say you tell lies sometimes; now understand, I expect you to keep your promise to me: remember, God hates all lies, and loves those who speak the truth; you will learn this when you come to read your Bible. And now I must be off. Good-bye, little one!' and he patted her on the shoulder kindly.

Tears of happiness brimmed to Matty's eyes as she faltered out her thanks.

They will give you twopence out of your shilling,' said the gentleman, lingering for one moment longer; that you may spend as you like, you know-in toffee, or a ball, or anything else.'

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The train for Valley Junction,' called out a voice from the platform; and Matty went to the window to catch a last glimpse of her friend. As the tall figure and kindly face disappeared behind a carriage door, she heaved a sigh-a very heavy sigh, poor little forlorn thing! even though the beautiful new shilling was clutched tight in her hand.

CHAPTER III.

SMALL fear of our little maiden breaking her promise. Nothing in the worldneither sweets nor toys- could offer for her attractions greater than those of a book full of stories. Some one may ask, why then had she spent nearly the whole day in the waiting-room, without once touching the Bible which was sure to be there?

She had noticed

This is easily explained. the book, of course; but as she had seen no one open or move it from its place, she never dreamed of its being intended for general use: nor, indeed, if she had been aware of the fact, would she have dared to profit by it, so great was her dread of drawing notice or punishment upon herself as an intruder.

Not an hour was to be lost: that very day she must possess her treasure. There was not a lighter heart in the whole of Stockbrook than that which Matty carried along the streets that winter's evening. It was a new sensation to stand in a shop before a counter piled with books, in the important character of a purchaser. Oh! the pride and joy of clasping the neat paper parcel in her arm, and feeling herself the actual possessor of so much wealth. For a little while the remaining twopence was forgotten; that was a slight thing indeed. compared with her Bible. For once she showed something beyond a child's prudence. She would not spend the rest of her money that night, but keep it until she had reflected more thoroughly what it would be best to buy; meanwhile she would take a look in the shop-windows and see what caught her fancy most. The variety of desirable articles which offered themselves to her view served to help her resolution. Decision was no easy matter; and Matty returned home, with her Bible safe in one hand and the twopence in the other: she told no one of her good fortune, simply because she could not find a listener. Any child's chatter was always discouraged at home her father and Jack were mostly out in the evenings; and Mrs. Gubbings and Jenny generally bade her hold her tongue,' if she attempted any account of her day's adventures: indeed it was the custom for her to go to bed as soon as tea

was over. In the morning again there was always a hurry to get off to work; and as for conversation during meals, that was a thing not favoured in the Gubbings family -Folks sat down at table to eat and not to talk,' was the maxim held and acted

upon by all. So Matty's joys and sorrows

found no sharers: one could hardly fancy any little child leading a much lonelier life, for, strange to say, Matty made no acquaintance in the streets. It might be

that she was not of a social turn, and preferred her own dreams to the merriment of a score of noisy companions; or, perhaps, it was that, not being very strong, she disliked all rough play, and shrank away into sheltered corners, where she might escape kicks and bruises, as well as the cutting winds and rain. In either case the result was not to be deplored; it doubtless saved Matty from many a temptation, and kept her poor, little, ignorant mind to a certain. extent pure and innocent.

And now a ray of light was to shine in upon the darkness; the lonely life was to be cheered at last. Matty's Bible became all to her, and more than all its giver had hoped it might be; it was her companion. through the dreary winter days, her pleasant teacher in the truths hitherto hidden from her the most precious truths of life. At first she had found the bare reading a hard matter-there were so many words to be spelled out, so many of which she did not know the meaning; but the eager little scholar mastered difficulty after difficulty, mostly by herself, but now and then by an appeal to others; and by the time the days grew long, and the sunny skies told of returning spring, Matty knew a great deal more of her Bible than many a child who has had it read and explained to him daily for years.

(To be continued.)

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