the means, as he was not without books nor money at the time. I can recollect once, when I was up in the country, cleaning two leaves of the Bible that were so dirty I could not read them without, and finding a reward for so doing, as my mind was in a low place I was thereby revived and instructed. I remain, dear sir, Yours for truth's sake, A BARGEMAN. THE BROKEN LEAF OF AN OLD MORE than thirty years ago, a venerable and benevolent looking gentleman attending one of the Bible Society's meetings, held in the Town Hall at Faringdon, after listening to several addresses, rose, and addressed the meeting thus :— It is my desire to bear an humble testimony to the truth of what has been so well said, and I think I can, with much gratitude, say that if any person on earth can speak as to the good effects of perusing the sacred Scriptures, I am the man. Some sixty years ago I came to this town a poor boy, and lived at the Swan Inn as ostler-not a very enviable position; but I was then thankful to obtain such a situation, and I filled it with satisfaction to all concerned. Time passed on, and when I was about 17 or 18 years of age, one night I was waiting up for a commercial traveller, who was later than he promised to be, and as I looked around to see what I could do to keep me awake, I espied a part of the leaf of a Bible, and by the glimmering light of my stable-lantern, I endeavoured to read it. [Here, with much emotion, he said, "Oh, what a mercy to have a whole Bible, and be able to read it!"] But what think you, my friends, I learnt from that broken leaf? First, that I was a sinner, and then that there was a Saviour; and that Saviour found me- For He came to seek and to save that which was lost.' Also by that broken leaf I found that a public-house was not suited to the Christian life, and I sought the Lord, that He might guide my youthful feet; and it was deeply impressed on my mind that I should go to London. This impression led me to the great City, where I found suitable employment under a Christian employer, whom I served with a single eye and upright heart and it was rewarded; for my master took me first into partnership with him, and then left me his business; and the good providence of God gave me both health and riches and long life, and a good hope beyond the grave. The riches God so bountifully gave me I have endeavoured to spend in the best way I could, in helping men in business, and in feeding the hungry and in clothing the naked, and in helping forward the work of the Lord in sending out an open Bible into all the earth." : J. J. KIND WORDS TO HELP THE EDITOR. BY A CLERGYMAN. MY DEAR SIR, Our Sunday-school children take monthly 300 of the LITTLE GLEANER, and we have 50 besides each month for adult members of our congregation. I made a proposition to our children, that if any wished to have the GLEANER, they should be supplied at one halfpenny each; and I am thankful to bear the loss of the difference in expense, which, after your liberal deduction in allowing me them at the wholesale price, will not be very considerable. I mention this expressly (desiring that my name and locality be suppressed), in order that some may be induced (D.V.) to make additional efforts in endeavouring to circulate a work so suited for the instruction of the young, and which has proved, and will, I trust, increasingly prove, a great blessing to such. And I cannot but feel that many of your readers might be able to send you occasionally a few payments, which would prove an aid to you and the work to which the Lord has called you, and which might redound to the praise and glory of His great name; nor do I believe in such cases that a blessing would be lacking to the individual himself or herself. Believe me to be, Sincerely yours in the bonds of the truth, THE YOUNG MOUSE AND THE TRAP. In a crack near the cupboard, with good things provided, A certain young mouse with her mother resided; So secure was their life in that snug, quiet spot, Any mouse in the land might have wished for their lot. But one day the young mouse, who was given to roam, Having gone a short distance away from her home, On a sudden came back with such joy in her eyes, That her gray, sedate parent was filled with surprise. "Oh, mother," said she, "the good folks of this house I'm sure don't bear any ill-will to a mouse; And those tales can't be true you always are telling, For they have been at such pains to make us a dwelling. The floor is of wood, and the walls are of wires, If ten cats, with their kittens, at once should appear. And then they have made such nice holes in the wall, One could slip in and out with no trouble at all; But the best of all is, they've provided us well With a large piece of cheese of a most tempting smell; 'Twas so nice, I had put in my head to go through, When I thought it my duty to come and fetch you." "Ah, child," said her mother, "believe, I entreat, Both the cage and the cheese are a very great cheat, Do not think all that trouble they took for our good; They would catch us and kill us all there, if they could, As they've caught and kill'd scores; and I never could learn That a mouse that once enter'd did ever return.” Let the young then attend to what the old people say, And when danger is near them, keep out of the way. Received.-J. J., A Reader of the GLEANER and SOWER, J. Borne, W. Flack, Á Gleaner. We sincerely thank the following friends for help in our work: J. Bright, 2s. 6d. ; E. Grant, 1s. 2d. ; A. W., 6d. ; Mr. G. Kirby, 33. To help with the poor little motherless boy we have been induced to take under our care, £1 from S. C. S., Wales. |