written word through the land, and to
speak a word in season, as God might give me opportunity. If the Pope
or Tetzel can catch me I have no doubt that they will burn me as they
burned John Huss. But I have counted the cost, and I am prepared for
that or anything else that can befall me. I have placed myself in God's
hands, and fear not what man can do to me."

"You are a brave man," said old Moretz, grasping the book-hawker's hand;
"and whatever you may say of yourself, I should say that you are a true
preacher of God's word, and I pray that there may be many others like
you going forth throughout our country."

"Amen," said Spena, as the old man and he, warmly shaking each other's
hand, parted.

"I hope there may be very many better men than I am;" and he went on his
way, selling his books and speaking a word in season; and thus a humble
instrument, as he thought himself, bringing many souls to the knowledge
of the truth, and to accept the free offers of eternal life through a
simple, loving faith in Christ Jesus.

We must here observe that before leaving the woodcutter's hospitable
hut, Gottlieb Spena delivered the precious book into the custody of
Meta, bidding her an affectionate farewell, with the prayer that it
might prove a blessing to her soul and to those dear to her. Meta never
failed to pass every moment she could steal from her daily avocations in
perusing the New Testament. When her grandfather and brother returned
home from their work, she had always some fresh account to give them of
which she had read; and from henceforth the old man and Karl passed a
part of every evening in reading it, while the great part of that day
which God has given to toiling man as a day of rest was passed in
gaining knowledge from its precious pages.

Old Moretz had now got what he never before possessed. He understood
the way of salvation through Jesus Christ, whom he loved and desired to
serve. The more he saw of the love of God the more he felt his own
sinfulness and unworthiness, and felt the need of a better righteousness
than any good works of his own. The Holy Spirit was teaching him this
and other truths from the Scriptures. Meta and Karl also were daily
growing in knowledge and grace. They had before been contented and
cheerful, but it was the mere happiness of health and freedom from
sorrow. Now they possessed a joy which nothing could take away from
them. They relied with simplicity and confidence o