e I brought myself to? What will become
of my poor soul? I dare not look back, for that is all sin; nor
forward, for that is all misery and woe."

Mr. Stock spoke kindly to him, but did not attempt to cheer him with
false comfort, as is too often done. "I am ashamed to see you in
this dirty place," says Brown. "As to the place, Jack," replied the
other, "if it has helped to bring you to a sense of your past
offenses, it will be no bad place for you. I am heartily sorry for
your distress and your sickness; but if it should please God by them
to open your eyes, and to show you that sin is a greater evil than
the prison to which it has brought you, all may yet be well. I had
rather see you in this humble penitent state, lying on this dirty
bed, in this dismal prison, than roaring and rioting at the
Grayhound, the king of the company, with handsome clothes on your
back, and plenty of money in your pocket."

Brown wept bitterly, and squeezed his hand, but was too weak to say
much. Mr. Stock then desired the jailor to let him have such things
as were needful, and he would pay for them. He would not leave the
poor fellow till he had given him, with his own hands, some broth
which the jailor got ready for him, and some medicines which the
doctor had sent. All this kindness cut Brown to the heart. He was
just able to sob out, "My unnatural father leaves me to perish, and
my injured friend is more than a father to me." Stock told him that
one proof he must give of his repentance, was, that he must forgive
his father, whose provocation had been very great. He then said he
would leave him for the present to take some rest, and desired him
to lift up his heart to God for mercy. "Dear James," replied Brown,
"do you pray for me; God perhaps may hear you, but he will never
hear the prayer of such a sinner as I have been." "Take care how you
think so," said Stock. "To believe that God can not forgive you
would be still a greater sin than any you have yet committed against
him." He then explained to him in a few words, as well as he was
able, the nature of repentance and forgiveness through a Saviour,
and warned him earnestly against unbelief and hardness of heart.

Poor Jack grew much refreshed in body with the comfortable things he
had taken; and a little cheered with Stock's kindness in coming so
far to see and to forgive such a forlorn outcast, sick of an
infectious distemper, and locked within the walls of a prison.

Surely, sa