light and power as would enable her, without delay, to close in with the offers of mercy, and claim the salvation of the Gospel for her own.

Greater intensity was given to the dear child's desire for salvation by the circumstance that her sister (a little older than herself,) had sought and found the blessing. Sophia had, therefore, as her much-loved companion, one who had gained the pearl of great price, and was earnestly watching and striving to retain that pearl, and was daily manifesting how highly she prized it. In constant and affectionate intercourse with one who had been thus enriched by her heavenly Benefactor, and encouraged by her to seek it, Sophia's desires were sustained and quickened. Sisterly love and fellowship were sanctified to the holiest and noblest purposes. It was as though the shining and priceless pearl was constantly held before the eyes of the little girl in the hand of a sister, and commended. by the kindly tones and bright smiles of that sister.

Sophia's aunt, who had long been a member of the family, and for a time directed the affairs of the household, was happily one like minded with the departed one, and to the children endeavoured to supply, as far as possible, the place of their mother. She watched. with deep interest, the work of grace proceeding in the souls so solemnly committed to her charge, and sought in all possible ways to strengthen that which was good, and to lead the children to conquer that which was evil. The difficulties which, more or less, all experience in approaching the Saviour, must be overcome in Sophia's case, and Miss Arnett endeavoured to help the youthful inquirer to accomplish this. It may seem to the mature believer, happy in the smile of

his God, an easy and pleasant task to confide in the Atonement of Calvary. There is such an infinite fulness of merit, and such a perfect adaptation to our case, and such a divine manifestation of good will towards us, as make it easy to receive at once what is so freely offered. Why should we not do so? And, as we thus honour the great work of our Redeemer, God honours our faith, and sends down the Comforter into our humbled and believing souls. Many have found it thus easy to trust in the great Sacrifice of Calvary. But even such can recollect the time when it was not thus easy, and such are very ready to sympathize with, and help to the utmost of their power, those who are groping their way amid much gloom to the light streaming from the mercy-seat. Happy are those contrite ones who, in the time of their sorrow and perplexity, have a friend such as Sophia found in her aunt.

Still the dear child did not at once find the blessing she so greatly desired. The Father's voice was heard and followed, but only indistinctly understood. The Father's hand was already sustaining and leading the youthful pilgrim, but was not distinctly perceived. The Father's heart was full of tenderness and love towards this contrite one, yet that parental affection was but partially disclosed. Stronger desires for the Father's smile were to be called forth and manifested. The child was to learn more fully the need of divine grace to renew the heart and regulate its desires, and also the insufficiency of earthly things to make the soul happy without the manifestation of our heavenly Father's love. Meanwhile the Lord cared for the youthful suppliant, and gave her, in the person of her

father's second wife, an experienced and earnest helper, under whose fostering influence her desires for salvation increased. She now willingly accompanied her sister to her chamber to pray, at those seasons rendered sacred by the practice and counsel of their sainted. mother. Doubtless that mother was permitted to know that her children, Mary, Sophia, and John, thus fulfilled her injunctions and sought to tread in her steps, and were being aided so to do by the dear friend whom she herself had suggested as her successor. Within the heart of Sophia the cry, "Shew us the Father," waxed louder and louder.. She would, at this time, gently tap at the chamber door of those she knew to be interested in her spiritual welfare, and ask them to pray with her and for her; and, especially that before she reached the eighth anniversary of her birth she might be enabled to rejoice in the pardoning love and renewing grace of God.

Though often greatly discouraged, and ready to think that her prayers were disregarded, Sophia had been led nearer and nearer to her Saviour. The happy moment was nigh when to her would be entrusted the pearl of great price. The mists which had interposed between her soul and the cross were to be suddenly dispersed, and her heart was to be made joyful in the manifested favour of God. Still groping amid gloom, and tempted to regard the darkness and perplexity as augmenting, the dear child had been led by the good Spirit to the verge of light. The way of faith was to be revealed to her soul in an instant by a ray of light from heaven falling suddenly on the instructions given for many months by godly friends. Mrs. Denham had been endeavouring to place once more before the bewildered,

yet earnest, mind of the child, how she should at that moment repose the trust of her whole heart on the merits of Jesus alone. The Holy Ghost blessed the word spoken. Light was given. The heart of the child thankfully closed in with the gracious offer, received Jesus as her present Saviour, and was made glad in the salvation of God. They knelt before the Lord. But the language of sorrowful entreaty and humbled self-abasement was not natural to that hour. They knelt to pray; but found themselves praising a sin-pardoning God. "And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me." When Sophia rose from her knees, she said: "O mamma, I am so happy. I do feel my sins forgiven. I was never so happy before." The little girl hastened down stairs to inform her aunt and her sister of what the Lord had done for her soul. Such was the sweetness, and simplicity, and gladness of this first testimony from Sophia's lips to the blessedness of religion, that those who listened were affected to tears. All felt that God was among them of a truth, and that their family was, more than ever, like that at Bethany, which used to be so highly favoured by the presence and smile of the Lord Jesus. Sophia's father was, however, still unacquainted with the happy circumstance. He was from home, engaged in his sacred toils, endeavouring to commend the fine gold of the kingdom to others, and thus to enrich them; yet unconscious how greatly the Lord had added to the stores of his own wealth, in the salvation of his dear child. Some insight may perhaps be gained concerning the religion of childhood by a thoughtful consideration

of what might appear strange and anomalous in Sophia's conduct on this occasion. Before Mr. Denham's arrival she thought of him and said, "I was never so happy in my life, but please do not tell papa." Sophia tenderly loved her father, and highly esteemed him, and knew that her newly found joy would be to him as much as to any other friend, perhaps more than to any other, an occasion of delight, yet requested that he might not be told. How powerful the timidity of youthful disciples in disclosing their sacred enjoyments to those whom they chiefly admire and love. When, however, at length Mr. Denham's step was heard, Sophia could not restrain her holy gladness. She could not wait until her father had taken his accustomed place at the fireside. As he opened the door, most likely burdened with many cares and disappointments connected with his work, he was met by his little daughter, who communicated the joyful surprise. God had taken away her sin. That was an evening, around the family altar and hearth, never to be forgotten by those interested therein. The recollection of that great joy is still cherished by those then present who still remain on earth, and has not been put away by those who have tasted the unutterable delights of heaven.

The eighth anniversary of Sophia's birth was at hand, but it had not arrived. She had long desired and earnestly prayed that before she completed her eighth year she might have sufficient reason to believe that she had passed from death unto life. Though she had often been tempted to think that her prayers, because of her unworthiness, were disregarded, such had not been the case. Her heavenly Father had graciously listened to them all, and had led the infant