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been forgiven and made happy ourselves, we ought to be trying to let others see it, so that they may wish to be made happy too. And," he continued, "this work of witnessing for Jesus is a work for all of us. It is not to be left to ministers, and Sunday-school teachers, and others; it is a work which every one of us ought to be trying to do. If some of you good working men have found Jesus, as your Saviour, He asks you to be His witnesses. He asks you to tell your friends and neighbours and your fellow-workmen "what great things He hath done for you.' And why should you not do it? why should not some of you stand up here to-night, and tell how much you owe to the blessed Saviour ?"

As soon as these remarks were brought to a close, our friend the cabman, who had been listening most attentively, stepped up to the speaker, and said: "If you'll allow me, sir, I should like to say a few words." "Certainly," was the reply; "nothing will please us more than to listen to you." So down came the preacher, and the cabman mounted the chair. It made no little commotion, I assure you. People began to whisper, "Why the cabman's going to speak!" and there was soon an extraordinary stillness. Some of the working men, with pipes in their mouths, looked and nodded at each other, as much as to say, "Is Cabby going to preach? I wonder what he'll find to talk about." Others came as close as they could get, and looked quite pleased, as if they wanted to say, "Now this is the right sort of 'thing; you've been telling us that you don't come out here to preach because you think yourselves better than we are; that you don't want to lecture us, but to try to do us good, and this seems the right way of showing it, by asking some of us to get up and have our say." A few were evidently a little surprised, but everybody seemed delighted, when the cabman very modestly stepped upon the chair, and when one of the friends took hold of his hat, and motioned the boys to keep still, it did not require a second look at the man's honest face to be convinced that he had not

accepted the preacher's challenge because he wished to put himself in a prominent position. Everything in his simple, unaffected manner, and in his earnest look, seemed to tell that his one aim was to bring glory to Christ. "Now, my friends,” said he, "I didn't think when I drove up here that I was so soon going to be found trying to address you. You see who I am: I'm a cabman-a London cabman; I dare say some of you see me drive by here sometimes. I'm

a working man like yourselves; and, as I said before, I had no thought of being found trying to speak to you to-night. But as the minister, who has just been addressing us, was speaking, I thought, 'Well, now, why should not I stand up and tell what Jesus has done for me? surely I owe Him as much as any man can.' So, by God's help, I am going to try and say a word or two to you, in my simple way about some of these things that we have just been hearing. My friends, I can tell you it is true what this minister has been telling us. Religion will make us happier and better men, and it will make our wives and children happier, and everybody around us happier." Then he went on to tell them what his home was before he got religion; how his money used to go to the public-house, while his wife and children were ragged and in want; and how wretchedly miserable he used to feel when he thought for a moment of the way in which he was living. But he had been mercifully led to see the error of his ways, and to come as a poor sinner to Christ; and now he was happy in the consciousness that God was his Father and Jesus Christ was his Saviour. Then he told them how changed his home was, and how he delighted now to read his Bible, and (whenever he had the opportunity) to go to God's house. He need hardly have told them that he had learned to love his Bible; the easy and correct way in which he quoted different portions of the New Testament was sufficient evidence of that. And everybody could see, from his neat appearance and his earnest and yet joyous face, that religion had not only made him respectable, but really happy. "Oh, my

friends," said he, "if you only knew, some of you, what religion would do for you, you would not serve Satan any longer."

No sooner had the man delivered his message, than, after a hearty shake of the hand by two or three of the ministers and friends, he was again on his seat and driving off towards the great busy metropolis. But the few earnest words he had been able to utter will not soon be forgotten; at the time they were listened to with special interest. And, when some of the people were visited in their homes during the week, and spoken with about the out-door services, more than once did we hear something like this: "And did not that cabman speak nicely ?" Many of the things that were said during those services have doubtless long ere this been forgotten; but, we venture to believe that, if most of the adult hearers could be questioned as to what the cabman said, it would be found that his few simple words, as he called them, had made the right impression. And who knows what influence they may have upon the lives of many who listened to them? Some poor drunkard, when he looks at his wretched home, may call them to remembrance, and be led to say, "And if religion could change that cabman's home, and make him so happy, why should it not do the same for me, if I seek it?" And another may remember the words, "If you only knew what religion would do for you, you would not serve Satan any longer," and may resolve, by God's help, to begin a better life. And in the great day, when God shall make up his jewels, some one may have to look back to that open-air service, and tell how that, while listening there, he determined to seek that precious Saviour, who saves men from their sins and makes them so happy.

What a grand thing it would be, if more people would try to do as this cabman did; if they would remember that it is the duty of everyone, who has found the Saviour, to try to win others for Him. Instead of the work being left to a few ministers, and teachers, and tract-distributors, we should

soon find witnesses for the Master wherever we go. And what a power for good converted working-men might exert, if they would, in their own simple, homely style, try to tell their fellow-workmen of that blessed Saviour they have found! A few words from them would often make far more impression than a sermon. What men want to see is, that religion is not only something that we shall all want when we have to die, but that it is the very thing to make them happy and respected in this life. And they are never so likely to be convinced of this as when they see and hear of what religion does for men who are similarly circumstanced to themselves. Thank God, there are many noble working men, who are not only faithfully serving their earthly masters, but who are at the same time serving the Great Master, and who are by their words and actions recommending religion wherever they go. Oh, for more of these living witnesses and earnest workers for our God! Will you, dear reader, try to be one of them? It may be, God has given you some special gifts and special opportunities of working for Him. Your companions, your friends, your fellow-workmen look up to you, and attach more than ordinary importance to what you say. I ask you, then, in my Master's name, to think very seriously about this influence which God has given you. I don't know that I can possibly set before you a stronger inducement than this: you may not only be very, very happy in Christ's service yourself, but you may be very useful. You may be God's instrument in rescuing some from sin and Satan, and in seeing them made meet for heaven. And if you are, you will know a joy which nothing earthly can surpass.

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Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." 1

1 James v. 19, 20.

"He that winneth souls is wise." 1

"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."

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The Cry of the Soul's Need.

Words and Music by R. R. THOM.

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