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A POWERFUL WITNESS.

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'Anything else?" asked the Judge. "I shall never go to Heaven," she answered.

"How do you know this ?" asked the Judge again. The child took the Bible, and turning rapidly to the chapter containing the Commandments, pointed to the injunction," Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." "I learned that before I could read."

"Has any one talked with you about your being a witness in court here against this man ?" inquired the Judge. "Yes, sir," she replied. "My mother heard they wanted me to be a witness, and last night she called me to her room, and asked me to tell her the Ten Commandments, and then we kneeled down together, and she prayed that I might understand how wicked it was to bear false witness against my neighbour, and that God would help me, a little child, to tell the truth as it was before him. And when I came up here with father, she kissed me, and told me to remember the ninth commandment, and that God would hear every word that I said."

"Do you believe this?" asked the Judge, while a tear glistened in his eye, and his lip quivered with emotion. "Yes, sir," said the child, with a voice and manner that showed her conviction of its truth was perfect.

"God bless you, my child," said the Judge, “you have a good mother. This witness is competent," he continued. "Were I on trial for my life, and innocent of the charge against me, I would pray God for such witnesses as this. Let her be examined."

She told her story with the simplicity of a child, as she was, but there was a directness about it which carried conviction of its truth to every heart. She was rigidly cross-examined. The counsel plied her with infinite and

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LETTER FROM A CHRISTIAN SOLDIER.

ingenious questioning, but she varied from her first statement in nothing. The truth, as spoken by that little child, was sublime. Falsehood and perjury had preceded her testimony. The prisoner had entrenched himself in lies until he had deemed himself impregnable. Witnesses had falsified facts in his favour, and villainy had manufactured for him a sham defence. But before her testimony falsehood was scattered like chaff. The little child, for whom a mother had prayed for strength to be given to her to speak the truth as it was before God, broke the cunning devices of matured villainy to pieces like a potter's vessel. The strength that her mother prayed for was given her, and the sublime and terrible simplicity (terrible, I mean, to the prisoner and his associates) with which she spoke was like a revelation from God himself.

What an honour this child had conferred upon her! What a compliment to be paid by a Judge! But this is God's way. He says, "Them that honour me I will

honour."

Reader, remember the lesson this little story teaches, and strive after the simplicity and noble truthfulness of this little girl. "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy paths."

LETTER FROM A CHRISTIAN

SOLDIER.

No doubt most of our readers know that in addition to our Missionaries in China, we have one in the island of Corfu Mr. Charteris-who labours partly among the soldiers who are stationed there, and partly amongst the poor despised Jews. Mr. Charteris is a great favourite

LETTER FROM A CHRISTIAN SOLDIER.

37

among the soldiers; he has not laboured in vain amongst them. The word preached by him has been blest to the conversion of some souls, and many a weary Christian soldier has had his spirit quickened and refreshed by the words of salvation which Mr. Charteris has preached to them.

We give here a portion of a letter he lately received from a corporal residing at Zante, which, we are sure, every one will be delighted to read. Notice how fresh and strong are the affections of this good soldier :

"I received your kind letter, together with the tracts which you sent me by Sergeant M. According to your direction I sent the prayer-book to Private Rto Cephalonia, with a good many tracts which I had in possession; I sent him a letter telling him the necessity of prayer, and urging him to be mindful of that most essential duty, as by prayer we are kept alive spiritually; reminding him of his obligations to God as the father of a young family, and as a member of his church militant; also, a few other short exhortations, as I best could, how he should frame his walk and conversation as becometh the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, in whose footsteps we should love and strive to tread; and I hope that, while exhorting others, I may be likewise a faithful follower of our great Lord and Master: doing my duty to him with a good Christian spirit. Truly his is a pleasing service; and, oh, what a privilege it is to be permitted to draw near to him by prayer, to lay our wants before him, and beg for assistance in every time of trouble or trial. With a load of guilt lying upon us, to him, the Father, through the Son, we have access, and can wrestle with him, yea, and prevail with him, to grant us pardon. Oh, what a blessedness is in such a fellow

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LETTER FROM A CHRISTIAN SOLDIER.

ship with the Father! What comfort in the words, 'I will in no wise cast out!' And what joy and peace do, these words contain, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' This affords comfort and joy to a soldier of the cross, even in the midst of danger. Nothing can hurt our peace when Christ our friend is with us. In the midst of the storm he makes his approach, and in our fears he says, 'It is I, be not afraid;' and to the storm he can say, 'Peace, be still.'

on Sabbath last,

"I had a letter from Corporal Gand he told me of being at Corfu, but that he was too late for the sacrament. He speaks very beautifully on the love of Christ in having died to save such a sinner as he. And may we all not extol our Redeemer for what he hath done for our souls ?

"I sent Corporal G- a few tracts of vital importance, accompanied by a letter, while he was at Corfu; he has since received them. I write frequently to the different members of our small flock, encouraging them to be stedfast in the faith which they have espoused. We are but a few amongst a many, and our great enemy watches our every step, trying to make us take a false one; but He,' whose we are and whom we serve is stronger than all our enemies, and is able and willing to defend his people from any assault of the foe.'

"I would like that I could get an opportunity of coming to the Lord's Supper, yet the will of the Lord be done. I hope while thus debarred necessarily from the communion table, that I may not fall into any luke· warmness in my love to God. I may tell you that I have partook of the Supper in the English church here. I know it is necessary to our salvation to keep in remembrance the dying love of Christ; for he has said, 'Do this in

A PRETTY THOUGHT.

39

remembrance of me.' 'Tis delightful to obey such a command; but there are many who have an opportunity of

obeying, yet disobey.

"I shall always be thankful for a few lines from you. I remain, dear Sir, your servant in the Lord,

"J. McK."

CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS BEST. If I had the righteousness of a saint, says one, oh, how happy I should be! If I had the righteousness of an angel, says another, I would fear no evil. But I am bold to say, that the poorest sinner who believes in Christ has a righteousness infinitely more exalted than saints or angels. If the law requires an obedience that may stand before the burning eye of God, behold, it is in Jesus my Mediator. Should the strictest justice arraign me, I remit them both to my dying and obedient Immanuel. They who know Christ will also put their trust in him for sanctification of heart and newness of life. Though sin is rooted in my soul, and riveted in my constitution, Christ can purge it out. Though it were twisted with every nerve of my flesh, yet He can root it out, and fill my heart with the pure love of God.

A PRETTY THOUGHT.

THE attention of a little girl was once called to a rosebush, on whose topmost stem the oldest rose was fading, but below and around which three beautiful crimson buds were just unfolding their charms; on seeing them she artlessly exclaimed to her brother-"See, Willie, these little buds have just awakened to kiss their mother before she

dies !"

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