That, when my work is finish'd here,

I may behold Thy face.

Lord, without Thee I could not live,

Without Thee fear to die; O, then, Thy blessed Spirit give When my last hour draws nigh!

"I CAN PLOD."

W

HEN Dr. Carey, the great pioneer of missionwork in India, first proposed his plans to his father, he said, 66 'William, are you mad?" His discouragements in first entering upon his work were very great. What was the secret that enabled the shoemaker's apprentice to become one of the most distinguished men of his age? What brilliant gift raised him from an obscure position to one of honour and fame, as the author of grammars and dictionaries, translations of the Bible, and other books? He either translated or assisted in the completion of twenty-seven sions of Scripture, requiring a knowledge of as many languages or dialects. He tells us the secret. In giving an estimate of his own character, he speaks of himself with Christian humility, but with full conscious

ver

ness of the honour put upon him in the wonderful results he had been permitted to achieve. He says, "I can plod-I can persevere !" He does not say, as we hear too often now-adays, "I can always manage to get along, and keep up with my class in some way, without much study. I can jump at the meaning of my lessons; or I can catch up a trade without years of hard labour," but, "I can persevere ! Plodding boys, hold up your heads! You may seem to be left behind in the race by smart com"the panions. But plod on: race is not" always "to the swift, nor the battle to the strong."

CRUELTIES

OF POPERY IN BYGONE DAYS.

M

ANY of the readers of the "Early Days" are ministers' children, and for them especially this little account of a minister's daughter is written.

MARY ALICE HOLBREY was the only child of her parents, and a very loving and lovable child she was. She was born at Botesdale, in Norfolk, May 12th, 1860, and died at Retford, in Nottinghamshire, April 17th, 1873. From the time she was quite an infant she was taken to chapel, and when there never caused any trouble to her friends, or any disturbance to others. She was like a sunbeam in her home; and her cheerful, loving obedience to her parents was just such as a Christian child ought to show. I remember well one day she was doing

some work, and wanted to leave it for an employment which she liked better; but as soon as her Mamma told her that she wished her to finish her present task first, she cheerfully and without a murmur gave up her own

way.

Mary Alice was fond of wild flowers, and had made herself acquainted with many of them, knowing well when and where to look for them. She would quickly fix upon the spots where the first violets were to be found; and her hand was sure to pluck the early daisy, primrose, woodanemone, and wild rose. These seemed to be regarded by her as so many acquaintances that she was to meet with in her rambles; and when she first saw them each year, she hailed them with delight, as if they were old friends who had come back again.

This dear little girl had been early taught about Jesus, and His great love to her. She was very fond of singing hymns, and when she came to live at Retford, could play nicely on the piano. One of her favourite pieces was a little hymn in the "Children's Friend," which I will copy for you, as I have not seen it in the " Early Days," or in either of our Sunday

School

called,―

BECAUSE HE LOVED ME SO.

"I LOVE to hear the story Which angel voices tell, How once the King of Glory

Came down on earth to dwell; I am both weak and sinful,

But this I surely know, The Lord came down to save me, Because He loved me so.

"I'm glad my blessed Saviour Was once a child like me, To show how pure and holy

His little ones may be: And if I try to follow

His footsteps here below, He never will forget me,

Because He loved me so.

"To sing His love and mercy,
My sweetest songs I'll raise,
And though I cannot see Him,
I know He hears my praise;
For He has kindly promised
That I shall surely go
To sing among His angels,

Because He loved me so."

When she was between ten and eleven years of age, she joined a week-night Bible-class for little girls about her own age, and a very pleasant, intelligent scholar she was. Her answers to the questions given, to be found during the week, were always carefully prepared, and very correct. One evening,

appeal was made to the scholars on the duty of giving themselves at once to the Lord. When the class was over, Mary Alice was asked by the teacher whether she had given her heart to Christ. She replied, "Yes, I think so;" and her conduct showed the truth of her

answer.

She was very devout, and would never omit prayer, morning and evening, or leave her room without reading a portion of Scripture. Affectionate and generous, she delighted to give pleasant surprises to her friends by bringing them presents of work which she had done for them in secret; and she would request that some delicacy might be bought with her money, that it might be her own gift to the sick.

But this dear child's work was early done. In November, 1872, she was taken alarmingly ill, and days of great suffering came, when she could do little but sit quietly listening while friends read to her, or walk out just a short time when the weather was fine. Very gentle and patient she was, thankful for all that was done for her, and always having a bright smile of welcome for us when we went

to see her. Now and then, when the days were very fine, she was able to ride out, but in a little while this had to be given up, and she could not leave the house. Easter Sunday was her last day downstairs. She was very weak and ill, and we saw that we should not much longer have her with us. On Monday she could not rise, and was evidently much worse. After the doctor had been she said, "Does he think there is immediate danger?" She was answered that perhaps Jesus intended to call her to Himself; and was reminded of His love, and told to ask Him to forgive all her sins, and make her happy. replied, "I have."

She

calmed and comforted by prayer being offered for her, and at its close asked for more. She was much concerned for her father and mother, and said, "It is not that I am afraid to die, but I don't want to leave you; you will be so lonely."

On Wednesday evening she seemed a little easier, but as night came on she became exceedingly restless. Once she said, "O, the pain is so bad!" A friend who was beside her replied, "Is it, love? Let us ask Jesus to make you better;" and when a short prayer was offered, she added, as well as her weakness would allow, "For Christ's sake, Amen." As morning broke she seemed to be still more uneasy, but after a while fell into a doze. When she awoke her friends saw а change in her look. Her eye brightened, and a a beautiful calmness overspread her face; and so, without a struggle, she passed from earth to heaven, there to sing among the angels, because Jesus "loved her so."