o let my loan
be a long one, or I should have no dinner next day; and with peace
within and peace without, I spent a happy, restful night.

Next morning for breakfast my plate of porridge remained, and before it
was consumed the postman's knock was heard at the door. I was not in the
habit of receiving letters on Monday, as my parents and most of my
friends refrained from posting on Saturday; so that I was somewhat
surprised when the landlady came in holding a letter or packet in her
wet hand covered by her apron. I looked at the letter, but could not
make out the handwriting. It was either a strange hand or a feigned one,
and the postmark was blurred. Where it came from I could not tell. On
opening the envelope I found nothing written within; but inside a sheet
of blank paper was folded a pair of kid gloves, from which, as I opened
them in astonishment, half-a-sovereign fell to the ground. "Praise the
LORD!" I exclaimed; "400 per cent for twelve hours investment; that is
good interest. How glad the merchants of Hull would be if they could
lend their money at such a rate!" I then and there determined that a
bank which could not break should have my savings or earnings as the
case might be--a determination I have not yet learned to regret.

I cannot tell you how often my mind has recurred to this incident, or
all the help it has been to me in circumstances of difficulty in
after-life. If we are faithful to GOD in little things, we shall gain
experience and strength that will be helpful to us in the more serious
trials of life.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER IV

FURTHER ANSWERS TO PRAYER

THE remarkable and gracious deliverance I have spoken of, was a great
joy to me, as well as a strong confirmation of faith; but of course ten
shillings, however economically used, will not go very far, and it was
none the less necessary to continue in prayer, asking that the larger
supply which was still due might be remembered and paid. All my
petitions, however, appeared to remain unanswered; and before a
fortnight had elapsed I found myself pretty much in the same position
that I had occupied on the Sunday night already made so memorable.
Meanwhile, I continued pleading with GOD, more and more earnestly, that
He would graciously remind my employer that my salary was overdue. Of
course it was not the want of the money that distressed me--that could
have been had at any time for the asking--but the question uppermost in
my min