the
city. Mary herself did not live in a fine house; in fact, it was a very
poor one. But in the slums the children lived in small, dark
apartments. The streets on which they played were narrow and dirty. The
children here did not know about the Saviour. They grew up rough and tough,
cursing, swearing, stealing, and doing many mean things. Mary's heart ached
for these children of the slums. She wanted to teach them that Jesus could
make them happy. She talked with many people about it.

At last her church opened a mission in the worst part of the slums. Mary
went to the superintendent.

"I want to teach a class in our mission," said Mary. "I am sure you can use
me better there than you can here."

"But Mary," said the superintendent, "you are doing a fine job here in the
church; why do you want to go to the mission?"

"There are many who will gladly teach a class here at the church, but not
so many who are willing to teach at the mission. I am willing. I will teach
there if you will give me a class. Please do."

"But Mary, those children are tough and mean. You couldn't handle them. You
could not make them behave. You are hardly more than a child yourself."

"Oh, please let me try," said Mary, "I do so want to tell those boys and
girls about my Saviour. Please let me try. Then if I don't make good, you
can get someone else in my place."

"Very well," said the superintendent, "I will give you a class, but I warn
you those children are tough and mean and hard to handle."

#2#

_A Brave Girl_

"Quit pestering us to come to church. If you don't let us alone, we'll
hurt you," shouted Duncan, the leader of a group of tough boys in the
slums.

Mary prayed God to make her brave and then said, "I will not stop trying to
get you to come to church. I will not stop trying to tell you about Jesus,
the Saviour. Do whatever you like."

These boys had often tried to interrupt and break up the services, but Mary
went out into the streets and tried to persuade and coax the young people
to come and hear the Word of God.

"All right then," said Duncan. "Here goes." He took a piece of lead from
his pocket and tied it to a long string. He began to swing it around his
head. Each time he whirled the lead, it came closer to Mary's face. Mary
did not move. The gang watched. They held their breath as it came closer
and closer to her blue eyes. Mary did not blink. Finally, it grazed her
forehead. Still Mary did not move.