Meeting. And there, under the trees, if the prodigal and the father did not meet, at all events the resolve was made, 'I will arise and go to Him.'

"I told you in a previous letter about some Irish Catholic mothers who had joined our meeting, one of whom was subscribing for a Bible that she seemed very anxious to have. A few weeks ago she finished paying, and the Bible-woman took it to her. She was so delighted that she sat down to read, and she read on until her husband came in, then hastened to find a hiding place for her book, and he in great wrath pursued her, found it as he thought, tore out the inside, and burned it to ashes. When the last trace had disappeared he took up the covers to burn them too, when to his surprise and horror, he found that he had destroyed a Book of Prayers the priest had given him. Of course, the mother adds, 'I got a good beating, but I did not mind that, for my book was safe, and I have found a place where he never thinks to look-under the straw, where the cat sleeps.' When the Bible-woman calls she takes her Bible from under the cat's bed, saying, 'He won't be home yet, let's have a bit of the book.' She wished very much to go with us to the forest, but did not mention it to her husband, so it was arranged that Miss R- should call and invite her in his hearing. This was done, and Miss R—— not only obtained permission for her to go, but a promise that he would not beat her when she came home; and the poor creature looked supremely happy when she joined the party. In the afternoon I found her with a young lady friend who had accompanied us, sitting upon the stump of a tree in close conversation, with a Bible open before them. I hoped to pass unnoticed, but the dear woman sprang forward, grasped my hand, and said, 'God bless you, dear lady, I am so happy, this young lady has given me a donkey ride, and now she is telling me about the blessed Jesus who came to save the lost, and that's me, ma'am, it's me, it's me.' Other incidents of equal interest undoubtedly occurred in our holiday, but I only write what came under my own notice.

"At 4 o'clock we met for tea and such a tea for quantity and quality all declared they had never had before. Much

merriment was excited now by recitals of the day's adventures -some had lost their way in the Forest and nearly lost their tea through it. Once more they were free to wander whither they would till 7.30, when short addresses were given by the Revs. W. Waters and J. Jones. After an enthusiastic vote of thanks to the kind friends who had provided the treat, 'God save the Queen,' and 'Praise God from whom all blessings flow,' were sung, the Benediction followed, and all made their way to the station. A substantial bun was given to each mother as she passed out of the tent, and so ended the Red-letter day in the history of 275 of the poorest East-end Mothers; a day to be remembered with joy. Prayer was answered, and the mothers' faith rewarded, for we had a glorious day.' The threatening clouds reserved their bounties for other scenes. We had no mishap of any kind, and all arrived home safely soon after 9 o'clock.

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"Yours, dear Mrs. R-,

"S. D."

A TRUE BIBLE REPORT FROM CAMDEN TOWN.

"Though many Bibles are sold at very reduced prices at one of the schools in our neighbourhood, and the district is not on the whole badly off in regard to being supplied with the Scriptures, there is still ample scope for the Bible-woman's labours in carrying God's own Word, not only to many a home where it is practically unknown, but to many a poor, ignorant, sin-darkened or sorrowing heart, and still God owns it as His own message and proves it mighty in the salvation of souls. Where our dear Bible-woman visits she often finds a spirit of deep inquiry, a thirst for the reading of God's Word, a yearning desire to understand it more clearly; hence the appreciation of the Mothers' Meetings, because the Bible is read there and simply explained (of course in dependence on God's own Spirit). One and another will say to Mrs. M--, ' We can read tale books at home, but you see when we do read the Bible we cannot always understand it ourselves; it seems so different when you read it to us, and when it is explained at the Meeting.'

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"Encouraging remarks of this kind are often made at the close of the Meeting. One day recently, the wedding garment' having been the subject, two exclaimed, 'I never saw it like that before.' One of these women had had a Roman Catholic husband, who left what little he had for the priest to say masses for his soul. She seemed to have a great love for the Bible and to be most anxious for further light on it. Though very crippled she would come to the meeting, if she could possibly find anyone to lead her, as she said, 'It is just what I want, to have the Bible explained.' Last time when we had assembled, her landlady came to tell us she had been stricken with paralysis, and was lying unconscious. Ere night she had ceased to breathe, but the Bible-woman declares, 'I am quite happy about her, none but a Christian could have loved her Bible as she did.'

"Some of those still spared have been led to Christ Himself, we feel assured; Mrs. Q- a much tried mother, over whom we had long yearned, recently bore open testimony (to a stranger) as to the blessing she had received at the Mothers' Meetings. 'It was there,' she said, 'I was led to seek the Lord (and she has found Him too) and I can bear my troubles better now.' Often in some sick room two or three will gladly. gather round and listen attentively while Mrs. Mreads God's Word, and a short time since, calling on one of the mothers, who was not ill, and finding a neighbour there, she asked if they could spare time for her to read. Mrs. P- instantly answered, 'I should think we could:' asking her friend to stay. After reading and prayer she said, 'Is not this nice to be looked after, this is all owing to the Mothers' Meetings. Oh! it is an hour well spent to sit there and listen to the lady reading the Bible; it has been a school to me, for I should never have known what I do if I had not gone there, and though my husband is not religious he likes to hear when I come home and tell him.' This woman has since told me that she has really found the Saviour. We have much reason to hope that God's Holy Spirit has been at work in the hearts of others among our mothers, both leading unsaved ones to Christ and comforting and strengthening His tried ones.

MADE WILLING TO BELIEVE.

"Again our dear helper has been blessed among the sick and

dying. Nearly a year and a half ago a young woman began subscribing for a half-crown Bible, as a present for her mother, and soon after the latter was introduced to us. She was a very respectable, well-conducted woman, and not careless about heavenly things, though still unconverted. She said, I have only a small-print Bible.' I replied, 'I hope you know the value of it.'

"Well, I do not know much about it, though I read it sometimes, but I do want to know,' and then she burst into tears.

"I remarked, "God has a wonderful fashion of teaching, and if we want to know and read and pray over it, He will teach us and give us light to read profitably.' I read part of John iii. and prayed with her. She seemed deeply affected, and begged me to come in sometimes to talk with her whenever I could do so. She was always glad to see me, and always ready for reading and prayer, yet still unable to lay hold of salvation.

"As spring advanced she was taken ill, and internal cancer being apprehended, was removed to the Women's Hospital, where she remained about a month, receiving much kind attention, as afterwards in the Highgate Infirmary, but finding her case hopeless, was anxious to be at home again with her husband, and was brought back, our Nurse and Bible-woman having kindly promised to do all they could for her; they both watched over her with tender care to the end, and were able, finally, to give combined testimony to her faith and hope. The Bible-woman says, 'I had visited her so long in that anxious state of mind and yet always seeming unable to lay hold of eternal life. One day she said to me

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"I think we have been praying wrong; I think you should pray that I may be made willing to believe.'

“I exclaimed, 'I thought you were willing. I know Christ is ready and willing to receive you, and it is for you either to receive or reject Him,' and again I closed my visit with earnest prayer that she might be made willing in the day of His power.' Next time I found her low and weak in body, but beckoning me to her with a joyous look, she exclaimed, 'I have found it!' pointing me to 1 John v. 11-13, as the words which had brought peace to her soul, and from this time

till her death, which took place several weeks after, she never had a doubt of her life in Christ. She was now most anxious for the salvation of neighbours and relatives. One day she said, 'I had such a beautiful hour this morning, from four to five I had not a bit of pain, and it seemed as if my Lord Himself came down into this room and talked with me, oh! it was wonderful,' and not long after this she passed away in peace.

THE CAST-OFF SON.

"For some two or three years the occupant of the parlours in the house where our Mission was held had caused us some anxiety. She was a strange person and took in, we feared, all kinds of lodgers. The back parlour she let furnished (if so it could be called) to a young man, in whom for two years past Mrs. M's interest has been excited. She found he had lost a situation through drink (though this did not appear habitual with him), and though still respectable in manner and appearance, she often feared he was in want, but he was close and reserved. She heard that his father paid his rent, but saw that no comfort awaited him in the room his landlady professed to keep tidy, while the constant cough, as she nightly heard it, told the tale of failing health, confirmed by pallid looks. She and her young son were constantly pleading together that the way might be opened to carry the message of salvation to this poor, lonely fellow, and in various ways they tried to win his confidence, and at length succeeded.

"He would not come to the Bible-class, giving as his excuse that his cough would disturb others; still neither Mrs. M- nor her son ever lost an opportunity of dropping a word to lead him to Jesus, while for many a morning a warm breakfast had been carried to his door, which was only just opened to receive it, though it was thankfully accepted; when at last the barrier of reserve was broken down, it was found that from insufficient nourishment and want of care the sad work of consumption had begun; during the short time he remained, his door no longer closed, Mrs. M- did all she could in taking him nourishing things in the intervals of her work. At last she was admitted to his room and he spoke