be guided by God's Word, and are sincerely trying to follow that Guide.' By the end of August, God turned the hearts of her parents, so that they allowed her to go and live with the schoolmistress near them, to whom Mary is much attached. I hope that those who read this story will give these young converts a place in their prayers-they need guidance and strength, for they are sorely tempted and persecuted. The boarders mentioned are a set of girls and boys, whose parents are dead or gone away, and whom Miss Aldridge boards in convert families, and with the teachers; most of them are very promising. They are by this means brought under Protestant influence, and are improved in all their habits. There are twelve of them. The Association here has had the privilege of contributing to their support."

FRUITS OF THE GOSPEL AMONG FRENCH SOLDIERS. Ir adds a new tie to the alliance between Britain and France in the present war, (and a tie the tenderest and strongest by which Christians can be united,) to know that among the soldiers of the French empire we have devoted brethren in Christ; such as are described in the following narrative, who, having witnessed a good confession by the zeal of a Christian life, have died with the patience and peace of the hope of the Gospel :

"In June 1853, in the south of France, while a pious young woman was gathering mulberry leaves for silkworms, her attention was drawn to a troop of soldiers passing, two of whom, (Joseph M, and James N-,) apparently overcome by heat and fatigue, stopped a moment and entered into conversation with her. One of them having inquired whether she was a Protestant, she answered, 'I am, and a Christian too,' which was the beginning of a religious conversation. 'We are too young,' said Joseph, 'to think of these things; it will be time to do so when we get old.' 'And how do you know whether you will ever be old?' said the woman. She then asked whether they ever read the Bible, and upon their answer in the negative, offered them two religious tracts which she had in her pocket, not, however, without requiring a positive promise that they would read them. They took leave, and followed their corps.

"Eighteen months had

passed away, when, in the

course of last winter, two young soldiers knocked at the door of the young woman's cottage, where she was sitting alone; and finding that she did not recognise them, one of them said, 'You will at least recognise these little books,' and handed over to her the two traets. The sight of them explained all, and her eyes filled with tears. It was our ardent wish,' pursued the soldier, 'not to sail for the Crimea without having seen and thanked you. As our corps was to follow this route, we expected to meet with no difficulty in the accomplishment of our object, when it was suddenly decided that the corps should take another direction. We had reason to fear that our captain would not allow us to go out of our way and come here; but we prayed, and the Lord so inclined the captain's heart that he granted our request at once, without even a question or a remark. We might also not have found out your house, or not have met you at home, but God has answered every one of our petitions."

"Then came the account of their conversion; how they had read the two tracts over and over again; had lent them to many of their comrades; had bought New Testaments, the perusal of which had accomplished the work of grace in their hearts; and how, notwithstanding the opposition and mockery of many, there were now eight of their comrades in the habit of meeting to read and pray together. The pious joy of the woman, the happiness of their short intercourse, the seriousness of the last farewell, after having knelt down together before God, can be better imagined than described.

"The next time the young woman heard about them, it was by a letter received, not from themselves, but from one of their friends, whom they had brought to the knowledge of Christ. That letter is so interesting, that I send you a translation of it, only a few sentences being omitted:

"CRIMEA, February 9, 1855.

"What do you think of our long silence? Can you believe we have forgotten you? No, certainly, that is impossible; but we have had so much to go through, that we could not find a moment's respite to write. This very day I am sitting on the ground to write my letter, to be alone; and I have no other table than the hymn-book that I have inherited. I am so cold that I can hardly hold my pen; but I will do my best that you may be able to read. "I have sad news to give you; I say sad for me; for, as regards my friends, they are rather joyful. And they

will also give you sorrow to hear; for I judge of your affection by the marks of your charity towards my friends, who are now enjoying the rest prepared for the people of God. "There they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." Joseph Mdied on the 3d of February, of dysentery; James Nwas obliged to stay out on so cold a night that he died frozen, four days after his friend.

"I think you will read with interest some details of their death. You have, no doubt, remarked in Joseph's language his zeal for the truth. During the voyage, he

said, "I hear a voice within me telling me to speak to these friends." When we came to Marseilles the weather was very bad. We remained there two days; and as we went on board, priests came to distribute medals to us. Joseph refused to take one, whereupon the other soldiers blamed him. "No," said he, "we must be faithful in little things as well as in great ones;" therefore, when his turn came, he answered the priest, "Thank you, sir, I have one. "But even if you have one already, it does not matter; it was not given to you with the same intention." "I beg your pardon, sir, mine can do for all the circumstances of life;" and in saying this he took out of his pocket a New Testament. "Ah!" said the priest, 66 so you are a heretic! With men like you, little would be done in Russia." Our officer, attracted by the priest's words, came towards us, and having inquired what was the matter, he told Joseph he would make him take the medal. "He has," said the priest, "a dangerous book about him." "I know not if the Word of God is dangerous," immediately answered Joseph; "but one thing I know, that my eyes were shut, and it has opened them, and given me peace." The priest went off, smiling with pity; and seeing that he could answer nothing, the officer remained near us. "But," said he, "is it true you will not have the medal ?" "No," said Joseph," they give everything here except the one thing needful." "Well," said the officer, "after all, we are capable of judging in some things. Lend me the book that has so much alarmed him." Joseph gave him his book with pleasure, saying, "May God deign to bless the reading of it to you, as He has done to me!" I hope the Lord will answer us, for our officer still reads the Gospel attentively, and he has forbidden the soldiers who are under his orders to insult us.

"A short time after our arrival here, Joseph fell ill, and his illness lasted only three days. He had dreadful suffer

ings to undergo. I could only visit him occasionally for a few moments, and that even by protection.

"The short time I remained near him, I was always edified by his patience and resignation. He spoke of those new heavens and of that new earth where righteousness will dwell. The night before his death he called me louder than he had done before, and said, "I think I am going to die; God's will be done. You must write to my poor mother. How afflicted she will be! But the Lord will comfort her. I ask it with all my heart. Tell her from me I die happy. Oh! I also wished I could have returned to B- that fine country, where, for the first time I heard about the good news that is to-day my joy and happiness! But I am going to see a country more beautiful still. The Lord bless this dear sister and her family! I wish you knew her. I always fancy I see her speaking to us. You must write her, won't you?" and I promised him to do it. He was exhausted by what he had said: he seemed to rest for a moment, and then added, "How I wish 1 could see my mother!"

"I was obliged to leave him at about eleven o'clock in the morning on the day of his death. When I came back later into the tent, he seemed to enjoy the presence of his Saviour, but could speak no more; however, he warmly pressed my hand, and a few minutes after his soul went to meet his God.

"In the midst of all these afflictions, we still have to give thanks to God, that He has put it into the hearts of devoted Christians to leave their own country, their relatives and friends, to come and be witnesses of His mercy and of His forgiveness. The hardest hearts are touched by it. When one hears them read the Bible, they seem to be angels come down from heaven to snatch souls from eternal condemnation.

"I had not the satisfaction of seeing James N; but another friend was beside him when he died, and told me he had expressed his joy at going to meet his friend. Since they are gone, it seems to me as if I were soon going to meet them as well. May the Lord prepare me for a death like theirs! Oh! do not forget to pray for this great army; recommend us to the prayers of your dear pastor, and ask him to recommend us to the prayers of his flock.

"Adieu! I have still two years of military service before me; but if ever I get leave to go home, I will go and see you. The Lord bless you and keep you!'"-News of the Churches.

A WORD BY THE WAYSIDE.

OW wondrously God often blesses the simplest efforts made for the spiritual good of our fellowmen! Have our young friends ever given away

a tract? If you tried to do good in this way, you would be surprised to find how much encouragement might be given you to prosecute your efforts.

Read the following short account of a tract distributor's experience while engaged one day in his interesting work: "As I walked along, I approached two aged men who were breaking stones by the roadside. On reaching them, I asked one, who stood resting on his spade, if he would accept a tract: 'Yes, and thank you,' he answered. As I was taking the tract from my pocket, he fixed his eyes steadily on my face. There is a text,' said he slowly, and paused. Well,' said I, as he seemed to wait for encouragement to proceed; what text?' 'There is a text,' he resumed, 'that says, "no man careth for my soul;" but here is a person that cares for mine.'

VOL. IV. No. XII.