we replied, "a man take charge of immortal
souls! God never committed the power to forgive sins to man: Jesus Christ
alone can pardon sins; he died to save us!" I shall never forget the
countenance of this dear woman, which seemed to express her long-shaken
confidence in her spiritual guides. We exhorted her to come to the
Saviour, who intercedes for us without the aid of man, and gave her a New
Testament, which she said she would read.

12_th_.--Went to Maux to sleep. The landlady was communicative: she
told us that some travellers like ourselves some time ago had given her a
New Testament, which she had lent about the village, together with tracts,
and that she wished for more. We inquired if there were any persons in the
village who would like to come to us for books. She soon sent us an
interesting young woman, a schoolmistress, to whom on her entrance we
presented some tracts. She regarded them with an air of thoughtfulness
which seemed to measure the quantity to be taken by the price she would
have to pay for them. When she found they were to be had gratis, her
countenance brightened, and with it the brightness of her mind showed
itself. On speaking with her of the responsibility of her profession, and
the importance of imbuing the minds of children with just principles, she
said, "I am desirous of instructing the children in the religion of the
heart. Religion," added she, "though a good thing, is badly put in
practice in our church; the people do not like to confess to the priests,
and there is a great desire for instruction and to receive books."

They saw again at the Inn at Maux the man who had opposed them at
Lessengnan, and found him much better disposed than he had been the day
before. He told them he had been a Romish priest, but being disgusted with
the practices of his church, he had left it and joined the army: he
promised to read the books they gave him.

Our present mode of travelling (with our own horse), they continue, though
somewhat slow, affords opportunities of endeavoring to do a little good,
which we should miss in travelling by Diligence or extra-post. It is
curious and instructive to observe the various dispositions of the people
in the dark places through, which we pass: sometimes they are so fanatical
as to tear a tract before our face; others receive them with joy. During a
half-hour's rest for our horse at a village near Castelnaudry, my M.Y.
made the acquaintance of an aged woman