sewhere as long as we lived. Not only did we
read a chapter at a time, but we were reading it constantly and talking
about it. In time it formed the chief--indeed, nearly the only subject
of our conversation, and a most delightful one we found it. I certainly
before that time could not have supposed that I could have become so
deeply interested in the subject; but I am certain that anybody who
firmly believes in it as the result of divine inspiration, who will give
up his mind to its study, and who feels the unspeakable comfort it is
capable of affording, will agree with me that no other book, ancient or
modern, can in the remotest degree be compared to it. Too many people
read it merely as a matter of conscience. They skim over a chapter at a
time with very little thought or reflection. Even that way may be
better than neglecting it altogether, but surely that is not the way a
book with consequences so immeasurably important depending on the truths
it promulgates deserves to be read.

On the death of our kind friend I had fancied it was one of the greatest
misfortunes that could have happened to us to be left alone on the
island, but I soon discovered that it was an especial blessing. I
should never otherwise, perhaps, have become so well acquainted with
God's holy Word as I did at that time. At first we had been inclined to
regret at times that we had not all gone away in the schooner, and run
the chance of being landed at a portion of some civilised country or
other. Now we were every day more and more thankful that we had done
what was right, and had not consorted with the wicked. We could not
help remarking, also, how everything had occurred to produce results the
most favourable to us. By the departure of Mr Henley and his
companions we were left to our own resources, and taught to seek
strength and support from above. By the arrival of Dr Cuff, a Bible
was brought us, while he, as a friend, gave us counsel the most
important, and set us a beautiful example of the calmness and
resignation of a true Christian. From Sills and Brown's going away,
those who might have tempted us to do evil, or at all events, to be
idle, were removed; and at length, when fitted for solitude, and with
our minds attuned aright from our previous training, we were left once
more alone to employ ourselves in the way most advantageous to us.

Every Christian man who will carefully trace God's dealings with him
will perceive tha