window overlooked most of the houses between it and Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags. Jessy loved to look at those towering rocky hills, as a bright morning sun now glowed upon them. It also shone cheerily into her own little room, and her heart rose in gratitude to that glorious Being who created its pleasant beams.

Mary joined Jessy early in the day, bringing her stool and work with her; and they sat and worked together, and the Bible open between them, that, as they talked, the one or other might occasionally read a verse or two, and then they would seek together to find out its true and practical meaning.

In the middle of the day, Jessy visited her mother. She prayed God, as she went, to turn her heart to receive her kindly, for she shrunk from her harshness. Mrs. Grey was in pretty good humour, and promised, before Jessy came and see her in her fine new house,' away, to go as she called it; but added, 'Mind, Jessy, this is your own fancy, and if it brings you to ruin, ye need not look to me for help.'

At the close of this day, Jessy had worked twice as much as she could do at her mother's; and so she continued to do each day during the week, so that, by the end of it, she was able, from her earnings, to pay a little of the debt she owed her kind friend. Her health, too, seemed much better. Jessy continued to spend her time in this

way for several weeks: at the end of that time she had paid all her debt, and found that she could support herself quite comfortably. Her health, however, as spring advanced, did not improve so much as she expected. Though never so ill as to be prevented working, yet she never felt thoroughly well: and the thought now often came across her mind, that perhaps she had not long to live.

One day that Mary and she were sitting at work together, Jessy turned up the following text, and read it,- We are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord,'-and then said, 'Mary, can you ever say that you feel that willingness mentioned here?'

'Sometimes I think I could almost say it,' replied Mary. After I have spent a Sabbath in the Lord's house, and in seeking him in prayer, and in thinking of the holiness and beauty of his character, I have felt at night,-O that I was where the Sabbath never ends! where I might continually, and without interruption from sin, and ignorance, and darkness, learn more of the glorious character of that Saviour, whom, knowing so little as I do, I yet love so far above what I have words to express. At such moments, I have longed to depart and be with Christ; but you know, Jessy, I am often very ill, and many a time I have thought myself dying, and then I

have so many fears, that I shrink back, and pray not to be taken yet.'

And what is it you most fear at such times?' asked Jessy.

6

'Oh! many—many things!' replied Mary. My sins then seem to have been so great,- -So many duties neglected, -the Bible so carelessly read, prayer often hurried over, just as a task to keep my conscience at rest,-God forgotten and other thoughts taking up my mind. Oh! Jessy, when death seems really near, you will wonder how different every thing appears.'

I have sometimes felt as if it was not very distant, of late,' said Jessy.

And could you think of it without fear?' asked Mary.

No, I cannot just say that; yet it was a strange kind of fear too. If I could have thought all was safe, Oh! how willingly should I have departed! But the very thought-this may be death! has something hurrying and confusing in it. It is the cry in the soul,- The Bridegroom is coming;' and it does indeed awaken it in a wonderful manner.'

Yes,' replied Mary; and then, where is the oil to trim the lamp? Mine never seems at hand.'

And what do you think is that oil, Mary?' asked Jessy.