haracter which the present narrative is designed to introduce to the
notice of my readers, is given _from real life and circumstance_. I
first became acquainted with her by receiving the following letter, which
I transcribe from the original now before me:--

"Rev. Sir,

"I take the liberty to write to you. Pray excuse me, for I have never
spoken to you. But I once heard you when you preached at --- Church.
I believe you are a faithful preacher, to warn sinners to flee from
the wrath that will be revealed against all those that live in sin,
and die impenitent. Pray go on in the strength of the Lord. And may
He bless you, and crown your labour of love with success, and give you
souls for your hire.

"The Lord has promised to be with those whom He calls and sends forth
to preach his Word to the end of time: for without Him we can do
nothing. I was much rejoiced to hear of those marks of love and
affection to that poor soldier of the S. D. Militia. Surely the love
of Christ sent you to that poor man! May that love ever dwell richly
in you by faith! May it constrain you to seek the wandering souls of
men with the fervent desire to spend and be spent for his glory! May
the unction of the Holy Spirit attend the word spoken by you with
power, and convey deep conviction to the hearts of your hearers! May
many of them experience the Divine change of being made new creatures
in Christ!

"Sir, be fervent in prayer with God for the conviction and conversion
of sinners. His power is great, and who can withstand it? He has
promised to answer the prayer of faith, that is put up in his Son's
name: 'Ask what ye will, it shall be granted you.' How this should
strengthen our faith, when we are taught by the Word and the Spirit
how to pray! O that sweet inspiring hope! how it lifts up the
fainting spirits, when we look over the precious promises of God! What
a mercy if we know Christ, and the power of his resurrection in our
own hearts! Through faith in Christ we rejoice in hope, and look in
expectation of that time drawing near, when all shall know and fear
the Lord, and when a nation shall be born in a day.

"What a happy time when Christ's kingdom shall come! then shall 'his
will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.' Men shall be daily fed
with the manna of his love, and delight themselves in the Lord all the
day