passed into the circle, and several voices asked, "Do you mean to propose it?" The superintendent's children paused, for, as Ellen Croft said "Yes," a girl in Mary's class held up her finger and beckoned. "May we go over and hear what it is?" asked Arthur, turning to his father. "Yes, I can trust Ellen Croft," said the superintendent. The brother and sister drew near, and listened eagerly. It appeared that Ellen Croft had formed some plan for missionary effort, and was anxious to secure the aid of her companions. "I think we can do it if we try," she said, "and if we ask God to help us." "It seems a deal of money, though, for children to give," said Bertha,-the child who had beckoned Mary Grafton and her brother to approach. "Not more than sixpence each," replied Ellen, "and we can all save that in a fortnight, if we try." "I can't," said a boy of ten, little Bertha's brother; "and I don't see how you can, Ellen." "Don't be so rude, John Briar," said his sister. "How do you know that Ellen can't save sixpence in a fortnight?" "Because her father is out of work, and it's hard times," said John. "But still," said Ellen, "I can deny myself so as to save a halfpenny a day, and you-" She stopped, and Bertha finished the sentence by saying that John could do without sweetmeats, and nuts, and oranges, and sugar, of which, in a fortnight, he often bought a sixpence worth. John, however, would make no promise, and Ellen turned to Mary and Arthur with an inquiry as to the amount which they would be willing to contribute. "We wish the money to be saved or earned by the scholars in the next fortnight," she explained. "A present obtained from parents will not do." "I think I could save a shilling," said little Mary. "And I a florin," cried Arthur, at least a florin." "And will you explain it to Mr. Grafton?" pursued Ellen. "We must obtain his consent." "Have any of the other scholars promised?" asked Arthur Grafton. "I have asked nearly all the girls," replied Ellen; "and one of my cousins has promised that he will speak to some of the boys. But the best plan will be to ask Mr. Grafton to explain it from the desk." "I suppose the girls in your class will give pretty much," said Arthur, “they are all such big ones. "But some are very poor," said Ellen, with a sigh. "However, I quite think we shall do our utmost." The latter part of this conversation had been held in the girls' school-room, while Arthur and Ellen waited for an opportunity of speaking to Mr. Grafton. It was succeeded by silence, during which the boy found himself wondering why persons so poor as the Crofts should "worry," as he called it, to give assistance to the missionaries. 66 God cannot require it of them," he thought, "for he has not given them the means of doing more than feed and clothe their bodies. I should almost think it would displease him to give away what we really want ourselves." As these ideas floated through his brain he looked at Ellen, whose eyes were fixed on a picture opposite, and, following her calm glance, was reproved. The engraving was highly coloured, for it had been purchased for the instruction of the little ones, and Arthur, who had helped to frame it, required no explanation of its lesson : "And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all : for all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God; but she of her penury hath cast in all that she had." It was, then, pleasing to God. The offerings of the poor were not rejected. It was decidedly right for Ellen Croft to deny herself, in order that she might help on the great work which was so dear to her heart. As Arthur decided this question, he perceived that Mr. Grafton was at leisure, and hastened to rejoin him and describe the character of the assistance which Ellen and her friends proposed to render to the mission. Then Mr. Grafton looked inquiringly at Ellen, and drew her aside to say exactly what Arthur had thought a few minutes earlier, "Does God require this of you?" "Does he permit this?" said Ellen, unconsciously but gently correcting her questioner, "Yes sir, I am sure of it." "But can you spare it,-are you called upon Mr. Grafton stopped. It seemed almost rude to remind her of her poverty, and yet he had heard so much about it that it seemed impossible to be silent. "I want to share the privilege," exclaimed Ellen, with tears in her eyes. "It seems as if all my fellow-Christians were doing something for the heathen, and telling me to keep back because I am poor! I can save something, sir, I can indeed." The superintendent pressed her hand in silence. He dared not hinder her, but as he went home that day to his well-spread table, the thought of Ellen Croft denying herself that she might "lend unto the Lord," presented itself so often that he began to question whether he, too, might not save enough for an additional gift to the Great Giver of all. The result was a resolve to borrow, rather than purchase, certain books, and to forward the cash thus saved to the Society. In this way, five pounds flowed into the coffers of the mission. Five pounds! The fortnight passed, and the time for Ellen Croft's collection came. On the last Sunday of the month, the children assembled earlier than usual, and, after a little talk with the superintendent, made their offering. And they gave liberally. Even John Briar, who had never before been known to give away a penny, brought two new fourpenny-pieces for the mission, while Arthur and Mary Grafton-who had been saving to buy a new story-book, gave half-acrown each, with smiles that were pleasant to see. So many who were known to be very poor, denied themselves for the sake of the distant heathen, that the more wealthy members of the congregation blushed for their own indifference. and sent more money to London that year than they had ever sent before. The hour in which Ellen Croft first resolved to deny herself for the sake of the mission was a happy one for Hazeldean. As generosity became more common, and covetousness more rare, the good cause prospered, and the people were built up and purified. They had begun to understand how beautiful are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings and publisheth peace; and, as the glorious result of their awakening, the Gospel message was heard in many lands, and thoughts of Jesus found their way to many hearts. Reader, cannot you save something? MISSIONARY NEWS. Ir gives me very great pleasure to tell you that a kind lady, who takes a deep interest in young people, will write a letter to you every month. The first appears in this number; and I am sure you will read it with special interest. It is very kind of this lady to take the trouble; but she hopes to do you good, and I trust this hope will not be disappointed. Some time ago I read a very interesting account of a little girl living in Assam, in the East Indies. I intend to give a few particulars of her youth, of her conversion, her marriage, her death. I don't think this can be done in one letter, so you must try and recollect the substance of one, and then the next will fit on nicely to it. The name of this child was Harriet Elizabeth Martin, and she was born in Jaipur, Upper Assam, October, 1840. Her father died about ten years after she was born, leaving five children, of whom Harriet was the eldest. Through the kindness of an English officer four of these children were placed at the Free School in Calcutta ; but Harriet remained at home with her mother. About this time a good missionary and his wife, named Whiting, heard of her, and in 1852 they took her to live with them. She was very ignorant, but she was very teachable, and had a loving tender heart. On her arrival she was shown into a small room, where a bed had been prepared for her. Before she retired Mrs. Whiting asked her if she had ever been taught to pray to God. No, Mem Sahib, I don't know what praying to God means.' "You know there is a God who made us, and takes care of us every day and night; do you not ?" "I know there is a Supreme Being above; but I never heard He took care of us." "Have you never been told of a Saviour, who died for sinners ?" "No, Mem Sahib, I don't understand about these things; I was never taught." In simple language Mrs. Whiting tried to explain our obligations to God, and then asked her to kneel with her by the bed, and repeat after her the Lord's prayer. She did so; but afterwards said she was so amazed at the novelty of the proceeding, that she was continually raising her head from its bowed position, and with great difficulty refrained from laughing outright. When Harriet had been about two months at Sibsago, Mr. Whiting was seized with jungle fever, and for the recovery of his health, took a voyage up the river with his family. As they were going along her kind friends took every opportunity of instructing her in the great truths of the Christian religion. She seemed much interested. After speaking of the Saviour on one occasion, Mrs. Whiting asked, "Will you try to obey him, and become a Christian ?" "A. Christian," she exclaimed, starting back, "no, never! Mamma said, Christians were low, outcast people,' and she told me never to become a Christian, and I promised her I would not." Thus you see, dear children, how strongly rooted prejudice is in the minds of children in India, and how their mothers try to keep them in the darkness of idolatry. Be thankful to God that you were not born there! In a few days after this conversation they reached Dibrooghor, and when Harriet arrived at her old home, she bounded into the house, embraced her mother with great affection, and leading her to where Mrs. Whiting was standing, said, "Mem Sahib, this is my mamma.' She was a good-natured, motherly-looking woman, with a quiet manner that denoted self-respect, neatly dressed in a costume half European, half native; and she gave her visitor a cordial welcome. The next day she came to see Mrs. Whiting, and told her something of her history. "I spoke to her of Christ," said Mrs. W., " and Harriet listened most attentively to our conversation; and when I referred to heaven, she exclaimed, Mamma, only those who are Christ's disciples can go to heaven?' Her mother, with a half amused expression, looked into her face, and replied, 'If you can teach so well, why don't you become one of Christ's disciples yourself?' She hung her head abashed, and said not a word; but when I said, 'Are you willing your daughter should become a Christian?' she replied, 'Yes, Mem Sahib.' 'Harriet told me you made her promise never to become a Christian ?' 'Yes I did, but then I did not know what a Christian meant.'" They spent a few days at Dibrooghor very pleasantly, and then returned to their own home. A few months after, Harriet's mother came to see her. She taught her the Lord's prayer, read the Scriptures to her daily, and the mother became so interested, that she promised, on her return, to have a native teacher, and learn to read the Bible for herself. She was faithful to her promise, and on her second visit the following year, to Harriet's great delight, she was able to read the New Testament. Thus far the Scriptures seemed to have awakened this dear child's interest, but merely as something new and entertaining. She had not made any application of their truths to her own heart. She had not yet felt that she was a sinner. But in the latter part of this year the Holy Spirit opened her understanding. She now saw her need of forgiveness, and became anxious for the salvation of her soul. |