and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in heavenly places.

With what joy was the intelligence sent to the poor old mother, and how differently was she thought of, now that her prayer was answered, and the rebel brought into the arms of his Saviour! As soon as she received the joyful news, she went into her closet, and on her knees thanked her Father in heaven for hearing and answering her prayers. It seemed, indeed, too good to be true, and the tempter whispered doubts into her ear. But God said, "Be not faithless, but believe. The child is made whole."

Those days of first love were happy and peaceful days. The light of the glory of God, the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord, shone into his soul; and many a spot down in the dark coal-pit is sanctified in his remembrance by the Word of God and prayer; for often, while at his daily labor, would he lift up his heart to God for grace to help in time of need. And very soon did God begin to use him. One night when at work, taking off his cap, he fell on his knees and prayed. A collier in a

neighboring stall heard him groaning, as he thought, and ran to see if anything had fallen upon him; but found him asking the Lord to bless his fellow-workmen. Weaver went on in his prayer, unconscious of any one being near, and, on looking up, was surprised to find his comrade weeping at his side.

"I wish," said the poor fellow, “I could say what thou canst say, that God had pardoned my sins."

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"The blood of Christ," said Richard, was shed for thee. Only believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."

Still weeping, he said, “Lord, save me!” and before he returned to his work, the load of sin was gone, end he rejoiced in a present salvation.

"My nights at that time," Richard says, แ "passed quickly, for I lost sight of myself and found Christ; I forgot all but him, and was wrapped up in his love, and my soul was led into green pastures, and lay down beside still waters."

The fruits of the Spirit were brought forth in various ways. Among others, thus: when converted, he was many pounds in debt, chiefly for drink. But now that God

had forgiven him all his debt to him, he felt that, for his glory's sake, he must pay what he owed to man; and, accordingly, little by little, as he was able, he saved out of his earnings, and paid them all.

There were many who doubted the genuineness of his change. For although both Testaments contain abundant instances of God's grace to the worst sinners, and although Church history, by thousands of saved publicans and harlots, corroborates the fact, yet even Christians are slow of heart to believe when one whom they have accounted the vilest of the vile turns from his evil way, and God receives him to his heart and home.

One afternoon Richard went to a lovefeast, intending to tell his experience, how God had pardoned his sins; but no opportunity of doing so occurred. In the evening, however, he went to another place, and there he proclaimed what the Lord had done for his soul. Many were incredulous, but some believed it; and, best of all, he himself knew in whom he had believed, and was persuaded that he was able to keep that which he had committed unto him against that day.

When Richard was converted he had a companion, whom he asked one day to go with him to the chapel, and begin to serve God. He was a good dancer, and said,

"I am going to dance for £5 a side tonight, and if I win I shall have a good spree."

Richard replied, "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

The young man laughed at him, and Richard, shaking hands with him, said,

"My old companion, fare you well,

I will not go with you to hell.” ”

He then left him.

When he had proceeded a little distance, Richard looked round, and the young man at the same moment looked back also. Richard waved his hand for a last farewell, but has ever since regretted that he did not return to him, and again endeavor to induce him to forsake his evil ways, and give his heart to the Lord.

Three years after, Richard received a letter from this young man's mother, begging him

to go and see her son. He went, and found him on the bed of death.

"I shall never forget it," he says.

"When

I went to see him his mother was on her knees praying, 'Lord, save my lad,' and he was crying out, 'It is too late! It is too late! It is too late!' I told him that the door of mercy was not yet shut, and he replied, "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Would to God I had decided on that day, but I know that eternal damnation is my doom. It is too late!' His mother cried out, 'O Richard, do pray for God to forgive and bless my child; he is dying.' He told his mother that he was damned, and said, 'Richard, pray for my poor old mother, and tell all young men you meet with to beware of dancing and the public house; but do not talk to me, it is too late.' He pushed his mother away from him, and she fell on the floor. He bid God damn his mother, and died saying, ‘I am damned, I am damned!' The Lord save you mothers, and help you prodigals to decide for God. If you stop away from your Father's house you will perish. This young man had tried the world