LIGHTS IN A DARK PLACE.

A Superintendent's Report of a West Central District.

"MY DEAR MRS. R-,

"I have been thinking for some time what there is to tell of our Meeting and of Mrs. Z-'s work. One thing that occurs to me is the untold good done by some who come to our Meeting, and I trust much also in their homes and families by those who are not called teachers in any sense, and who do not count themselves such.

"I think of one of our Mothers, the deputy-landlady of twelve little houses, trusted and respected by all in her little domain. Quietly and patiently she holds on her way, making little profession, but yet never failing to reprove her neighbours if they work or make a noise on Sundays, never forgetting to tell them of any service that she is attending that she thinks would be a help to them. When Mrs. Z-first knew her she seemed a little above receiving a Bible-woman's visit; and though she had heard of good things from childhood, and had chosen the better part, yet the life that we speak of was not within. I cannot say that it is through us that God has given her this also, but I know that we have helped her. I know too that she helps us greatly, as she grows firmer in her hold on truth and her desire that others should find it, always with gentle ways trying to win as a neighbour and friend.

"I could tell of others who come to us who also keep on their way witnessing for Christ. The most regular attendant of all,Mrs. Z-, found in great distress eight years ago. Her husband, who is paralyzed and able to do but little work, used to abuse her fearfully. Many times the Bible-woman has befriended her, and cheered her on. The first effort she made was to save money to buy a mangle, which she did with her own earnings. This mangle has been the main support of the family ever since. It is a comfort to know the husband now behaves very much better. He often comes to church too.

"Another violent husband, who used to kick his wife and children, has also mended his ways, and lives quietly and hap

pily, and will not allow swearing or bad language in his presence.

"One of our mothers, who died suddenly and mysteriously last spring, was certainly very much changed during the time Mrs. Z knew her. When she first came into Place, being annoyed with the people, she used to rail and swear at them. But during all the time that I have known her she was one of the quietest people there; calm and cheerful and orderly, bringing up her family carefully, and, as Mrs. Z says, making all things in her life a matter of prayer.

"At the top of a house in our district lives another of our Mothers with her daughter. Eight years ago they called themselves gay, and the daughter lived accordingly. Since then the mother has taken to reading the Bible, and whenever I have had any talk with her she has struck me as being deeply religious. Her daughter has followed her example, reading her Bible, and now earning her living industriously.

"One who comes to us very often is a German. When I first saw her, two years ago, she was in great distress, as her husband had forsaken her and a large family of young children. He did not stay away long. But from that time she has belonged to our Meeting, and is always most attentive, and shows a knowledge and thoughtfulness as to religion that we certainly could not find in her two years ago.

"There is another woman who is very seldom able to come to the Meeting, who yet owes a great deal to our Mission. She used to live in Place, and was to be seen sitting by the hour together on the raised pavement gossipping with her neighbours, utterly careless and untidy. If you saw her now you would think her rather rough and coarse-looking, and her voice has its old harshness, but she is most carefully dressed. During the last year she has saved enough with us to buy a large counterpane, a pair of blankets, and sheeting to go with them. At different times she has bought Bibles for all her children. Nine years ago she called in Mrs. Z to see her baby, who was dying. Shortly afterwards our Bible-Nurse went to help her with another just boin, and recognised in her an old scholar in one of her Sunday

classes. From that time both Nurse and Bible-woman have been her constant friends, and have always been welcomed by her husband. It is still a hard struggle with her at times such as Christmas to keep from drinking. But she is striving to live a Christian life, and helping others in a way that perhaps no one else could, as her acquaintances are a rough set of people. I know of two to whom she gave no rest until they were married this autumn, after having lived together for several years.

"This woman says she has quite made up her mind that Christians are the people to be trusted if you are in a difficulty.

"I could tell of many more. But as to our Meeting, I will only say that we have had several new members lately, who have come not once or twice, but have settled to come regularly. The last new-comer we have been inviting all the years that she has lived on the district. We have one Roman Catholic, and another who would be so but for our influence.

"There is another of our friends who does not belong to the Meeting now lying ill in place. Years ago she did not care for Bible-women or their words. She paid her money, and could entertain her friends liberally on a Sunday afternoon. Then her husband was taken ill, and was ill for a long time in consumption. During his illness a very marked change came over him. After his death his wife was in a very poor way. With difficulty she was persuaded to let her little boys be sent to the Home at B-road, where they are getting on exceedingly well. I have only known her for two years. She has often been employed by the Nurse for night attendance. Now for two months she has been confined almost entirely to her bed with chronic bronchitis. Sometimes when I find her alone we have a long talk together. I lent her a book of hymns for sick people in large print, and I know that this is well studied. No hymn is so full of help and comfort to her as that beginning

"I need Thee, blessed Jesus, for I am very poor.'

"So here she lies, suffering patiently, and praying constantly, and waiting for forgiveness. I cannot help feeling that the joy of pardon will soon be hers.

"Sometimes, when I have heard the evil things said and done in this place, the burden has been heavy, more than I could bear; but how can one tell the gladness of knowing the struggle for goodness and purity that does go on in many parts, and this against difficulties that we can hardly realize. We are sure that some, ignorant as they are, are witnessing for righteousness. It is no exaggeration to say that when one sees the kindling of a new life within, one's heart leaps for joy, and the darkness and heaviness that have seemed oppressive are overcome by the new assurance that the blessed Spirit is not quenched, that He can work, and does work; and then we bow in awe, and wonder, and thanksgiving before Him that our labour has not been in vain in the Lord.

"E. S. L."

DINNERS FOR THE BREAD-WINNER.

No. II.

A FRIEND, who was glad to see a paper on this subject in our last Magazine, has sent us an old number of the COTTAGER AND ARTISAN, from which it seems good to take a few more hints on the same subject.

The wife, in the example reported, remarks :

"My husband says I don't give him anything worth eating, and frizzle his money away in chops and steaks. Tom and I don't hit off married life well; he grumbles at his dinners almost every day. Sixteen shillings a week is not much to keep house on, and everything to find.'

"It's enough, and to spare, Mary, well managed,' says a motherly friend of her own class. 'Tell me what you've had for dinner every day this week ?'

"Well, Sunday we'd a good big steak. Monday, some rashers out of the prime of a side of bacon. Tuesday, mutton-chops. Wednesday, sausages. Thursday and Friday, bread and cheese; and to-day, potatoes. I don't run in debt; Tom can't accuse me of that.'

"Do you ever buy fresh vegetables? And do you ever ask God to help you to do better?'

"No; I couldn't pray about cooking.'

"Well you might; it would be better than making Tom grumble, and then grumbling back at him, for our Father in heaven listens to any request you make for Christ's sake, even concerning household matters. I think I

can put you in the way of doing better. Ask Tom to let me go to the butcher's with you; but I shall have to make one bargain, that both of you will be moderate, and not eat Monday's meat on Sunday.'

"Towards evening Tom gave consent, and the friends went out marketing, and Mary, advised by Mrs. P—, purchased 6lbs. of breast of mutton, for the weather was cold and the meat would keep. 'Now,' said she, 'this meat has to serve for seven dinners with vegetables and a few extras.'

666 'Seven dinners!' echoed Mary; ' and all that bone?'

"You will see what to do with the bone. Now, we will buy half a gallon of potatoes and a nice cabbage. I'll cut the meat up for you, and tell you how to cook the first piece.'

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"Mrs. P divided the mutton into three parts. The largest you can bake to-morrow, with a few potatoes,' she said; 'boil the cabbage as well. Remember, if you leave off hungry, you are only to eat half this meat. Take care of the bones, and the first thing Monday morning put them in a saucepan with a piut of fresh water, and set them by the fire to simmer.' 'Mary earned praise for the first dish from her husband, and they had some merriment over the equal division of the meat. Tom was so happy that he resumed a good habit he had dropped of late, and went with his wife to church. As they came home, Mary asked Tom to bear with her, for she wanted to please him. Tom answered, 'Lassie, I've done too much fault-finding, but I'll try to be kinder, for the parson's words have got hold of me.' The text had been, Be ye kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another,' &c. "When Tom went to work next morning he said he longed for one o'clock to see how Mary would spin out that bit of meat for dinner.'

"When he came in he said, "There is such a smell of good things. You must have bewitched the cold meat, Mary,' for a savoury stew awaited him. The 'stock' from the bones, six peeled potatoes, four good-sized onions sliced, 1d. worth of carrots, and the cold meat cut off the bones, with pepper and salt, satisfied them both, and enough was left to warm up for

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supper with a little rice. Tuesday found Mrs. P

and Mary busy over a meat-pudding. 'This has to last two days,' said the matron; 'don't use too much of your stock for gravy, for you have to remember Saturday. Put the fresh bones into the stew-pot, but add another pint of water, and take out the old bones.' The dinner that day was so good that Tom called for more at supper-time; but Mary was firm in refusing. 'You're not to eat to-day what will do for to-morrow,' said she; but I've something nice for you instead.' And she placed a steaming bowl on the table, with a thick slice of bread. 'Why, you're getting a regular cook,' said Tom; 'whatever am I eating?'

“A sort of onion soup. I sliced some onions, and baked them in a pen'orth of milk and some water—that's all.'

"It's fit stuff for the Queen,' said Tom.