CHAPTER XIV.

AFTER the first edition of "Holly and Ivy" had been printed, another of the nestlings was called away. Her history forms part of the Report for 1863; it must also be inserted here for the encouragement of all those who, by helping on the Birds' Nest, are setting children's feet in the pilgrim's path.

She was a little orphan pilgrim. She had met with many trials on the way, but on Monday evening, the 1st of December, she reached her Father's house, and the Angel at the gate welcomed her, for he saw that she had been washed and made clean in the blood of the Lamb, and on her forehead Jesus had written His new name. I want to tell you something about her pilgrimage, and how

"With a childlike trust she gave her hand
To the mighty Friend by her side;

The only thing she said to Him

As He took it was-'Hold it fast,
Suffer me not to lose my way,

And bring me home at last.""

The little pilgrim's name was Annie. She once had a kind, loving father, who took great care of her; but he was taken ill, and he lay for a very long time in consumption. A kind clergyman used to attend him, and read the Bible and pray, and the sick man learned to trust in Jesus. When he was near death he was very anxious about his little girl, and he begged of the clergyman to take care of her. He said he would.

The father died, and little Annie was left an orphan. The young clergyman did not know what to do with the little girl he had promised to take care of; so he wrote to his mother in Dublin, who got her admitted into the Birds' Nest. This was about four years ago. Annie was very happy in the Birds' Nest. She had a mild, loving spirit, and she learned very quickly the hymns and verses of Scripture; and these hymns and verses were good seed, falling in good ground; watered by the Holy Spirit of God, they took root and grew up, and brought forth good fruit.

Annie was a very delicate child, and very

often was unable to attend school; but about a year ago she became more delicate, and we had to send her to the Adelaide Hospital, where she spent many months. She had a disease of the heart, and suffered a great deal of pain; but she was very patient, and was much beloved by those around her; she was in the children's ward, and used to talk so nicely to the other children. One of them, who had come from the Birds' Nest, had very sore eyes; and Annie was so glad when we lent her story-books to read aloud to the blind

one.

While Annie was in this ward, a little nestling died in a bed quite near to her. It was a very happy death-bed, so happy that Annie told me she should not be afraid when death came to her, if she thought she should die like Mary Jane.

When summer time came Annie grew better, and she returned to the Birds' Nest, to the great joy of the dear children there; but she did not stay very long. In the beginning of August she had a very severe attack of illness. We thought she would have died then. She was not at all afraid; her trust was in Jesus.

From this illness she partially recovered, but was soon again an inmate of an hospital, where

I

It did not seem

she remained but a short time.

likely that she would ever be well, and so, instead of sending her back to the Birds' Nest, her kind friend put her to lodge with a good old Christian woman, who could nurse her and comfort her last days. You see her pilgrim path was a very rough one, but she had placed her hand in that of Jesus, and she knew He would guide her right. From this time Annie's health rapidly declined. She suffered a great deal of pain, but was so very patient through it all, it was quite a pleasure to do anything for her. Her trust in Jesus was unshaken, and she calmly waited for the change she knew was coming. She had not a shadow of doubt or fear. Just three days before her death there came a change in her symptoms, and we knew that her death was rapidly approaching. There was no difficulty in telling her this; she was quite ready. She received the news with a beaming smile. "I hope it will be very soon," she said. Her breathing was so bad that she could not lie down, so she sat day and night on a little stool, leaning her head upon the side of her bed. When any of us went to see her, she would so gratefully exchange the bed for our shoulder or knee. On Saturday

night she would not allow any one to sit up with her, only she had a candle lighted, and said Jesus would be with her. Several times in the night, when her kind nurse got up to look at her, she said, "I'm so happy! I'm going to God; not to-day, but to-morrow."

I never saw anything so beautifully calm as the dying-time of this dear child. It did so remind me of the beautiful hymn

"Jesus can make a dying bed

Feel soft as downy pillows are,
While on His breast I lean my head,

And breathe my life out sweetly there."

Early on Sunday morning I visited Annie, being anxious to spend as much time as possible with her before she was taken hence.

She received me with her sweet, grateful smile, and so gladly changed her position to lay her tired head on my shoulder.

For a few moments she slept, and waking, said, "I have been thinking a great deal of what you read about the gates of heaven, and the Angel at the gate ready to let in all Christ's children." Then, looking up with an earnest gaze, she said, "Do you think there is any fear of me?" It was a solemn question. How my