way of salvation through Jesus Christ."

"It may be as you say, sir," returned Adams, "but I can't exactly feel
that I'm fit to say much to 'em about that. I can only give the little
uns their A B C, an' p'r'aps a little figurin'. But I'll go in with
you, Mr Young, an' do my best."

"Thank you, Adams, thank you. I feel sure that you will do well, and
that God will bless our efforts. Do you know, John, I think my
difficulties about the _way_ are somewhat cleared up. It's simpler than
I thought. The whole work of our salvation is already accomplished by
our blessed Lord Jesus. All we have got to _do_ is, _not to refuse it_.
You see, whatever I know about it is got from the Bible, an' you can
judge of that as well as I. Besides the passages that I have already
shown you about believing, I find this, `Come unto me all ye that labour
and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest;' and this, `Whosoever
will, let him come;' and this, `Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die.'
So you see there's no doubt the _offer_ is made to every one who will;
and then it is written that the Holy Spirit is able to make us willing.
If God entreats us to `come,' and provides the `way,' what is it that
hinders but unwillingness? Indeed, the Word says as much, for I find it
written, `Ye _will_ not come to me, that ye might have life.'"

"What you say seems very true, sir," replied Adams, knitting his brows
and shaking his head dubiously; "but then, sir, do you mean to say a
man's good behaviour has nothin' to do with his salvation at all?"

"Nothing whatever, John, as far as I can make out from the Bible--at
least, not in the matter of _procuring_ his salvation. As a consequence
of salvation, yes. Why, is it not said by the Lord, `If ye love me,
keep my commandments?' What could be plainer or stronger than that? If
I won't behave myself because of love to my Lord, I'll not do it on any
lower ground."

Still John Adams shook his head. He admitted that the arguments of his
friend did seem unanswerable, but,--in short, he became an illustration
of the truth of the proverb, `A man convinced against his will is of the
same opinion still.' He had promised, however, to render all the aid in
his power, and he was not the man to draw back from his word. When,
therefore, Edward Young proposed to read daily prayers out of the Church
of England Prayer-book, which had been taken from the _Bounty_ with the
Bible and Carteret's _Voyages_, he