to the first seat by the
door, from whence egress could have been easy; but his wife determined
that once within those four walls, Richard should stay until the end of
the meeting. So she allowed him to pass into his seat first, and then
she followed him. But there was little fear of Richard being anxious to
leave the place; for, after the first prayer, he sat spell-bound, and
riveted to the spot, while the Holy Spirit revealed to him his guilt and
sin. His wasted life rose before him until the burden of his misery
seemed too great to be borne, and he could no longer prevent groans and
tears from bearing witness to his anguish of soul.

"Come and speak to my poor husband, will you, please, Mr. Brown?" said
Margaret, as the people were dispersing. The man crossed the room, and
sought to pour in the balm of Gilead to the wounded conscience.

"You don't think he died for such a big sinner as me?" was the response.
"Why, man, you don't know what a life I've led my poor wife there! She's
been beaten and kicked, and half-starved most of her time, while I've
spent my money in what's ruined body and soul, and you mean to tell me
that I may be saved from the hell I deserve?"

"Yes, I mean just that, and the Saviour tells you so in His own words;
so there can be no doubt about it."

"Let me know quick what He says," groaned the man. Mr. Brown took a
pocket Bible from his coat and read the following passages:

"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you and ye shall be clean: from
all your filthiness and from all your idols, will I cleanse you." "The
Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." "I am not
come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." "Come unto Me,
all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." "Him
that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out."

"Do you mean to say that's written all fair and square, in black and
white?" asked Richard, who had been listening with open mouth to the
slow reading of the inspired words.

"Yes, I do; here, look for yourself." Richard grasped the book and,
following the direction of Mr. Brown's finger, with difficulty spelled
out for himself the blessed promises and invitations. As he reluctantly
handed the Bible back, a sigh of relief broke from him, and he
exclaimed: "Ay, it's there, sure enough! so He came to call sinners, did
He? drunkards like me!" A wonderful light overspread his face, and as
the truth broke fully upon his troub