yself in making this confession,
but I feel that it is due to you, and something tells me I shall have
more peace of mind if I speak to you as I have lately prayed to God.

"'It is not necessary, neither have I time nor strength, to tell you
how I have been brought to see my selfishness in all its enormity. It
is enough if I say to you that I most sincerely believe that I have
misunderstood very largely the right meaning of human existence. I
want to pray with you and for you. You will let me say this also,
bearing with me, as this may be my last opportunity to say to you what
lies in my heart: Serve the Church of Christ, all you who have taken
upon you its vows, with enthusiasm and loyalty. Stand by the
superintendent of the Sunday School; attend this week-night service
when you can, making it the most important service of the week; and,
more than all, live true, simple, loving Christian lives every day.

"'It may seem strange that I am preaching like this to you who have
probably done your duty far better than I ever did, but I wish to say
what lies deep in my heart to say to-night. If there are any young men
in the meeting tonight, I want to say to them, Become Christians at the
core--not in name simply, as I have been; and above all, kneel down
every morning, noon, and night, and pray to God to keep you from a
selfish life--such a life as I have lived--forgetful of church vows, of
the rights of the working poor, of the brother and sister in Christ.
Yes; I would be willing that any young man might say, "O Lord, keep me
from living as selfish and useless and proud a life as Robert Hardy
once lived." For that is the truth. No one but God knows how I have
suffered at the thought of the past; how I am suffering at the present
moment. I pray that any who are afflicted at this present time may
find peace in Him who bore the world's sorrows in His great heart of
love. If it were not for my faith in my Saviour at this time, I should
be in despair. As it is, I am suffering, but it is not the suffering
which follows an eclipse of hope. I believe in the eternal life and in
the forgiveness of sins, yea, even such sins as mine have been.
Forgive so much about myself; it is necessary under the circumstances.
I ask your prayers for me as your petitions go up for the afflicted and
repentant everywhere.

"'I am, Your brother in Christ,

"'ROBERT HARDY.'"

The impression made by the reading of this letter was profoun