We have great need of this grace in our hearts, as we work for the Master. May the Holy Spirit work it in us, for, as Paul says: "Ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise" (Heb. x. 36).

The life of a ruling elder in the Church, and in the world, is like the erection of a beautiful building. Great patience is requisite, in order to bring it to a successful completion. So, as a wise master buildeth for eternity, we most build the structure of Christian character upon the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ, Himself, being the chief corner-stone. What a model of patience is Jesus. What difficulties He encountered. What trials clustered around Him. What provocations he meekly endured. All through His life, and even amid His unutterable agonies on the Cross on Mount Calvary, when His body was shedding the last drop of blood to seal the mysterious work of redemption, even then, amid mockings and scoffings, and tortures, the sacred lips of the Crucified Christ uttered this prayer for his enemies, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke xxiii. 34).

The dear Master considered this prayer essential before He could conscientiously exclaim, "Consummatum est"—It is consummated, or finished. Our dear elder was like his Lord in this respect. He could say, with Newton,

"Christ's way was much rougher and darker than mine, Did Christ, my Lord, suffer, and shall I repine?"

Again, another qualification in a ruling elder is wisdom. "Be ye wise as serpents," said Jesus, "and harmless as doves." Are all these professing Christians wise? Are all elders wise? Are all ministers wise? Dr. Bonar says:

Be wise and use thy wisdom well. Be what thou seemest. Live thy creed; Be what thou prayest to be made. Lift o'er the earth the torch Divine, Let the great Master's steps be thine.

Blessed words these. Who can read them without thanking God for such words and such men, that our kind Father above raises up to instruct us in these things that pertain to our everlasting well-being? For all well-being is the result of well-doing in time and in eternity.

Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you, let him show, out of a good conversation, his works with meekness of wisdom. This meekness of wisdom Elder Knowles preeminently possessed. The psalmist says, concerning such: "The meek shall inherit the land. And shall delight themselves in abundance of peace. Strike, said Diogenes, to his instructor, Antichenes, the philosopher; but you will find no staff so hard that it will drive me away from your school. I love you, and I have made up my mind to suffer anything for the sake of learning." This yearning desire on the part of the true elder after fitness for his office, ought to be willing to bear reproach for the sake of Him who died, that we might live. There is great wisdom displayed in bearing the Cross meekly for Jesus. If we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him.

It is a blessed thing to suffer in love for Christ. To bear injustice and conquer. Herein is consummate wisdom displayed. "If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envy and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy" (James iii. 14-17).

But the wisdom of the elder now lying before us in the coffin was displayed not only in his meekness, but in his gentleness of disposition.

His wife used to say, "Why, he is just like a child. So gentle and peaceable. So easily intreated." I remember quoting that hymn at the prayer meeting:

I want to be like Jesus, Meek, lowly, loving, mild; I want to be like Jesus— The Father's holy child.

And at the close of the meeting he shook me warmly by the hand, and the sentiment in the stanza seemed to give him unspeakable pleasure.

Once more, another qualification for the eldership that our deceased brother possessed, was, that he had a good report from without. (See 1 Timothy, iii. 7.) Our dearly beloved was not only highly esteemed for his work's sake by the members of the churches and the various pastors, as their letters in this volume testify, but his walk and conversation was such in the outside world, that his fellow-workmen, and those who lived in the same house with him, and had opportunity to know him, learned to revere and love him. You know the eyes of the world are constantly watching the Christian. I notice on the casket to-day a lovely bouquet of flowers, and I read on the card: "Presented to James Knowles, by the printers where he was for years employed."

This is, certainly, a token of esteem to the memory of him with whom they were long so affectionately associated.

In every professional life there are daily occurrences that try men's tempers. But by the grace of God, our brother was enabled to adorn the doctrine of God, our Saviour, and to live unspotted from the world. As all elders have to mingle more with the world than a minister, how essential it is that the outside world should see that their walk and conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Christ.

Again: another qualification of an elder, is, that "he should be a prayerful man." Our brother had all through life cultivated a spirit of prayer. This "is the Christian's vital breath." It was his habit to shut himself up in his room, and pour out his soul in earnest supplication to God. He prayed in his family, as well as in the church. He had secret prayer. "And thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet?" said Jesus. Oh, the power of prayer is marvellous. He prayed audibly. And his wife used to say of him: "He pleads with God as one pleading for his life."

When he became so weak that he was unable longer to testify for Christ on his death-bed, his loved ones bending over him, and putting their ears down to his lips to catch his last articulations, they heard him praying, not for himself, but for Allen Street Presbyterian Church and its minister.

Lastly, an elder ought to cultivate the habit of systematic beneficence for the support of the Gospel. This, our brother was constantly in the habit of doing. He remembered the injunction, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." It is worthy of observation that, during the three years during which his son was out in the late war, he paid monthly the pew rent for his boy during his absence, until at last his pastor would not allow him to do it longer.

Oh, that all of our office-bearers and church members would feel it their duty to give largely and in a worshipful spirit to the cause of their Redeemer, as the Lord has prospered them.

Blessed are such dead who die in the Lord; they rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.

Man cannot cover what God can reveal. Says the poet Campbell:

'Tis the sunset of life gives me mystical lore, And coming events cast their shadows before.

Their works do follow them. Where? On to the judgment. Where selfish ambition and avarice will be exposed in its true light. Where "man's inhumanity to man" will be thoroughly scrutinized. For the books will be opened, and we will be judged according to our works.

In that great and awful day when the great white throne is erected, and when the heavens shall be removed as a scroll, when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island shall be removed out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and the chief captains, and the rich, and the strong, shall hide themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains; and they shall say to the mountains and the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him who sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of His wrath is come: and who is able to stand?

Oh, let us remember that now broken hearts can be healed by the power of the Gospel of Christ. Their works do follow them. Yonder? Yes! Here? Yes! The salutary influence for good by the consistent life of our elder can never be lost or forgotten.

We lay our brother's body to-day in Cypress Hills Cemetery, but his spirit hovers o'er us.

This tenement of dust is empty, but Jesus says: "I am the resurrection and the life."

We have deep feelings to-day, for we realize that we have lost a friend. No more. "God bless you, my brother, in your work." No more shall we see you at the prayer-meeting. Farewell, dear elder and co-worker. We say farewell but not forever. "We shall meet beyond the river."

And God grant

That we may stand before the throne, When earth and seas are fled; And hear the Judge pronounce our name, With blessings on our head.

God's voice, by this solemn dispensation of His providence, speaks loudly to us all. May our faith in God be greatly strengthened. May our love for perishing souls be made more deeper and stronger. May God help us to go out into the streets and lanes of this wicked city, and constrain them to come in, that His house may be full.

And God grant that this deep affliction which this church has sustained may be the means, in the hands of the Spirit, of constraining us to have more earnest and believing prayer, for the manifestation of His power to save unto the uttermost. That Jesus may see, of the travail of His soul, and be abundantly satisfied.

To the bereaved son and daughters, and grandchildren, who are left behind, let me affectionately commend you to the unchanging love of Him who sympathized with the sorrowing sisters of Bethany. Put all your trust in His dear name. Serve Him from day to day, by reading His blessed Bible, and holding sweet communion with Him, by prayer and supplication, that at last when God shall call for you to leave this stage of action, you may go to meet your dear ones in the happy home above, and sit with them at the "marriage supper of the Lamb."—AMEN.



CHAPTER VI.

A BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE ALLEN STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

How lovely is thy dwelling-place, O Lord of hosts to me, The tabernacles of thy grace, How pleasant, Lord, they be.

"Glorious things of thee are spoken, O city of God." This saying can be emphatically applied to the above church, for the living truths proclaimed from her pulpit have saved and sanctified many sons and daughters, and clad in the beauteous garments of Prince Immanuel, have gone forth to other churches and to other lands, to lead thousands to the same Saviour that they had found.

Let us glance at its origin.

While Christ is the head of the Church, the tried corner-stone elect and precious, yet his members are the living stones, and have built up a spiritual house unto the Lord. The portion of "Zion" to which we have reference, originated on the corner of Catharine Street, near Madison Street. It was duly organized on Wednesday, May 28, 1819.

The seal of the church is an open Bible, and the words Holy Bible upon it, with the inscription surrounding it: "Allen Street Presbyterian Church."

The location of the place of worship was changed to Allen Street in 1823.

The Rev. Ward Stafford was appointed by the New York Female Missionary Society, who nobly toiled, and was succeeded by the Rev. William Gray. During the first year of its history, twenty-one members were added to the church-roll, and as an expression of her unfeigned gratitude to God for this mark of kindness she became the mother of the same number of ministers of the Gospel, who were called and commissioned, and who have courageously proclaimed the unsearchable riches of Christ, in distant parts of the country. Among them was the present pastor of the Church of Sea and Land, Rev. Dr. Hopper. It is worthy of observation that this church has been able to pay its running expenses by voluntary contributions.

In a historical discourse delivered by Rev. George O. Phelps, he says:

"It is a source of untold satisfaction in this day of presumptuous spires or burdensome church debts, that the Allen Street Presbyterian Church has no such encumbrance—not one dollar of mortgage rests upon it; that at the close of each fiscal year, by means of the voluntary system, and the kindly aid of friends interested in the prosperity of the church, and the maintenance of the preached word in this part of the city, all obligations are fully discharged.

"For this, we most heartily thank our God to-day, whose favor is thus constant.

"True as it is, that this church can be regarded at no period as among the affluent—as there are those to-day who expend more for church music than our entire congregational expenses, so there have ever been those who could drop into the treasury of a single board, in a single year, more than all our contributions to benevolent objects during fifty years, we hope it may be equally true that we have been most definitely, spiritually pronounced.

"Whatever may be said of her ecclesiastical loyalty, the evidences are numerous of fervent loyalty to Christ, in doctrine, in the word preached, in influence exerted, in means used for the extension of His kingdom, and of consequent fidelity to man touching questions of social and of national importance.

"A not unimportant element of influence and success, next to a becoming spirituality, is the social-religious element. This is proverbial of the Allen Street Church."

Not to refer to the regular weekly prayer-meeting in this connection would do great violence to a complete record as well as harm to many a saint in Israel. For years this meeting has been a great power in Christian life and work. Hundreds maybe said to date their first serious impression, and very many their conversion, to the scenes of that hour and place; and how perennial its influence, and refreshing upon the host of God's people.

Among the most prominent pastors of this church, we may mention the Rev. Henry White, D.D., regularly installed March, 1829. He resigned March 9, 1837, and became the first Professor of Systematic Theology in the Union Theological Seminary, New York City. He died August 25, 1850, aged fifty years. A man of decided character.

Rev. George B. Cheever, D.D., was installed October 10, 1839, and was dismissed April 24, 1844. He afterward became the pastor of the Church of the Puritans on Union Square. He now resides at Englewood, N.J., a man of vast resources, both personal and acquired, eloquent and effective in address, in views extremely radical.

Rev. David Benton Coe, D.D., was installed October 14, 1844. He was dismissed May 13, 1849. He became one of the secretaries of the American Home Missionary Society. He was of a retiring habit, scholarly attainment, instructive as a preacher, and devoted and sympathizing as a pastor.

Rev. Dr. Newell was installed February 8, 1860. His pastorate ceased February 2, 1874, being the longest pastorate of the church, embracing one quarter of its history.

In this brother the pastor and the evangelist were happily united. Of deep sympathies, ardent in faith, Christ crucified became the one theme of his ministry. He was second to none in religious zeal, and untiring in effort.

Each succeeding ministry has not been wanting in the evidences of the Spirit, in which the being of the church seems to have been cast.

The pastorate of Mr. Lucas, for example, deserves more than a passing notice. It was marked by two interesting works of grace: one soon after his coming to the field (1855), and that of 1858. During these seasons not a few of the best friends of Allen Street were brought to Christ.

Not all were equally favored, however, with beholding what men too often regard exclusively as signs of success. In illustration of this, it is enough to suggest that the loss experienced yearly during a large period of her history has by no means been supplied through additions by letter. This source of gain alone would not have spared her the extinction which early threatened the church through removals. On the contrary, as previously observed, the balance has been favorable through all these years of depletion—a monument to the grace of God in no general sense.

Perhaps it may not be disparaging to say that the revival period of the church is embraced in the pastorate of Dr. Newell, the fourteen years of which were distinguished for their revival spirit. I think it may be truthfully said, that he would have deemed his own ministry a miserable failure in the absence of revival seasons.

With two exceptions each year of his ministry was marked with ingathering. A large proportion of those now worshipping here were brought to the Saviour within these years; while many others are known to be justifying the spirit of their birthplace in other communions.

The most powerful work of grace, in many respects, occurred in the winter of 1866-67.

On March 24, 1867, one hundred and fifty-four subjects of that work publicly professed faith in Christ; upward of two hundred joined the church during the year.

The following notice is taken from the New York Evangelist soon after, the editor of which was present:

"A goodly sight, indeed, and worthy the words of hearty welcome uttered by the pastor. As he led the congregation in the song, 'There are angels hovering round,' the house seemed to be full of heavenly influence. There were a large number of baptisms. There was visible emotion as the symbol of purity was lifted to the brow of a lady in deep mourning. Her husband (Mr. George Betts) had been an elder of the church twenty-eight years. It was his constant cry to God that he might not die until his wife became a Christian. Two weeks before he had heard her examined and received by the session. On his way from church he was struck with paralysis, and died."

He adds: "I have never seen a better appearing multitude stand in any church. The sexes were about equally divided."

"These seasons," said the pastor, in his farewell discourse, "have not been the result of accident. They were thoroughly planned and provided for, and sought of the Lord. We have found that appropriate means was wisdom, that persistent concentration was power; that enthusiasm for souls was force; and that belief in God was success."

A complete history of that one revival would occupy a volume. It was deep, wide-spread, and confined to no particular class. The official capacity of the church recently has been largely exercised by men converted at that time. Men holding trusts in the Society to-day were without hope previous to that work.

It is gratifying to record the continuance of the gracious favor, that this last year of the century, the fifty-seventh of our existence, should be crowned with still another work of grace—gradual in inception, first indicated by increasing interest in the ministration of the Word, in the absence of special means, only finding in the Week of Prayer an occasion for decided development—continuing with deepening and widening interest, until attention was necessarily divided between this and a more general work in connection with the coming of Messrs. Moody and Sankey to our city. As visible proof of this quiet work, fifty-seven have been added to the church—forty-six making profession of their faith on March 12th, of all ages—youth from the Sabbath-schools, adults, and several heads of families.

A church of such continuous revival record ought, indeed, to raise her Ebenezer to-day. While as patriots we fling out our Centennial Banners, let us, as subjects of the Lord Jesus Christ, set up a memorial to the praise of His boundless, matchless grace.

During the ministry of the Rev. George O. Phelps, the blessing of the Lord attended his untiring and loving labors.

We cannot omit mentioning here the kindness of the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Conkling, who cheerfully supplied the pulpit for eighteen months without any remuneration; and during this time the pastor's study was neatly furnished, and the church property renovated. Also a number of young persons were led to Christ and united with the church; some of these young men are to-day actively engaged in the Lord's work in the lower part of the city, at the Church, and in connection with the "Young Men's Institute," on the Bowery.

It only remains for me to speak of the Sabbath-schools connected with this church.

Imperfect, indeed, would be this narrative, without a record of this department of Christian work.

Mr. Samuel Kennedy was its first superintendent, which office he held for twenty-three years. He was a man of great kindness of heart, strict in discipline, and devoted to the interest of youth.

The present superintendent is Martin Ralph.

The following named gentlemen have held the office of Superintendent in regular succession: John D. Camp, Benjamin N. Goldsmith, Daniel O. Caulkins, Amos P. Hawley, Lewis S. Benedict, Mahlon T. Hewitt, William C. Bradley, H. C. Southworth, Joseph W. Lester, Edward P. Tibballs, H. G. Fraser, and G. A. Koos.

There is also related to this church a Mission-school, superintended by one of its elders—Mr. J. H. Owens—known as the "Ludlow Street Mission Sabbath School," at present occupying the public school building on Ludlow Street, between Rivington and Delancey.

The superintendents are tireless in exertion, and fully devoted to its interest, encouraged by a zealous band of officers and teachers, the influence of whose work upon the children and the families they represent in that locality, eternity alone can tell.

Next to Elder Knowles, as the ruling elder, we might mention the name of Joseph W. Lester, of whom it may be said that he endeared himself, by an unusual force of character, to a large acquaintance, best known in connection with the Allen Street Church, but a pillar of strength to every good work throughout the city; of strict integrity, a judicious adviser, largely benevolent, prompt to act, of wonderful energy, reliable everywhere, zealous to win souls, esteemed for his business qualities, and a true patriot.

But amid all the changes to which both the church and school have ever been subject, there remains one, who, as a dutiful son, and an apt scholar, took his place forty-seven years ago; so now his fidelity and constancy are no marvel, since, with the Psalmist, he is a "door-keeper in the House of the Lord," and like John the Baptist, "An unshaken Reed."

* * * * * *

COMMENTS OF THE PRESS ON THE REMOVAL OF THE CHURCH.

The New York Times, of Monday, May 9, 1887, gives a brief account of the origin of the church:

The Allen Street Presbyterian Church had its beginning in Madison Street, then Bancker, in 1816. A missionary society in 1817 built a wooden structure at a cost of a little over two thousand dollars, near the corner of Catharine Street. The society was incorporated as the "Mission Church in the City of New York," and that title has never been changed, except by common usage. In 1823 an edifice was erected at a cost of about three thousand dollars. For years the church did not prosper, and was on the point of selling its property, when the Rev. Absalom Peters offered to act as Pastor for a time without salary. He pulled the society through its troubles. The present building was erected in 1833 at a cost of twenty thousand dollars. Since then the church has been humbly prosperous. For the present, until a site is secured, the congregation will worship in the Church of the Sea and Land, in Market Street.

On the same date, under the heading of "After Fifty-four Years," and "The Last Services in the Old Allen Street Church," the same paper says:

Another of New York's old churches will soon be torn down. Yesterday the last services were held in the Allen Street Presbyterian Church, near Grand Street. For many years the church has been a sort of half-way house between up and down town, and its congregation has been an ever-changing one. It has never been a large nor a rich church, although it has had among its members many who are to-day wealthy, and its total membership, since its organization, is much greater than that of many a larger church.

The last services were made interesting, not only by the presence of nearly all the present members, but of members of twenty and twenty-five years ago, who came from churches further up town and from Brooklyn. In the afternoon there was a union service of the church, Sunday-school, and the Ludlow Street Mission. Later the young people held a prayer-meeting, and in the evening reunion services were held. The pastor, the Rev. D. McNeill Young, read letters from many former members who had left New York, all regretting the necessity for demolishing the old building. The reading of the letters was interrupted by the puffing and rattle of the elevated trains directly in front of the door—one of the principal causes of a change of location—that made more prominent the fact that, though sentiment might desire to save the church, it could never again be a pleasant place of worship. After the letters were read familiar hymns were sung, and, without any formality, the older members and their former associates gave reminiscences of the early days of their church.

As a proof of its spiritual power not less than fourteen hundred and forty-three persons have been connected with it in the service of the Master, the number of active members at the time of changing location being five hundred and sixty three, showing that though old in years it still retains its usefulness.

The New York Evangelist of April 21, 1887, under the heading of "Another Land-mark to be Obliterated," says:

The old Allen Street Presbyterian Church building, where God's people have continued to battle against sin and Satan for some sixty-four years, has at last yielded to the pressure of the advancing tide of business on Grand Street, and been sold. The present expectation of the Church is to remain in the neighborhood, and it is hoped that a more desirable location may be obtained, and a building, suited to the times and the needs of the people, erected thereon. Farewell services will begin on Friday evening, May 6th, with the preparatory lecture, to be followed by an earnest season of prayer for the divine blessing on the exodus. On Sabbath, May 8th, the farewell communion service will be held at 11 A.M. A union meeting of the Home and Ludlow Street Sabbath-schools will be held in the main audience room of the church building at 2 P.M. The exercises of the Young People's Prayer and Conference Meeting will take place at seven o'clock, followed by the closing farewell service in the Church at 7.45 P.M. Then the last good-by will be said in the dear old home which has been the spiritual birth-place of many, many precious souls. It is earnestly hoped that these services will bring together many who can tell of former refreshing times from the presence of the Lord, and of hallowed associations within the sacred walls of the old Allen Street Church. It is expected that some of the former pastors will be present to add interest to the occasion. It is well understood that this well-known church property has been purchased by Messrs. Ridley & Co. for $75,000. They thus secure large additional space for their enormous mercantile business. It should, perhaps, be known that the building of the Elevated road, just in front, has greatly injured "Old Allen Street," as it was popularly called, for all church purposes. The noise of the passing trains was very annoying, especially in warm weather, when windows and doors were open. The sum realized will, it is hoped, enable the congregation to build elsewhere in the neighborhood.

The New York Daily Tribune, of the same date, thus comments on the old church:

LEAVING THEIR OLD CHURCH HOME.

Yesterday the Allen Street Presbyterian Church held their last service in their present home. The building has been sold to Messrs. Ridley & Sons for mercantile purposes. The church moves temporarily to Market Street, where they will worship with the Church of the Sea and Land. There were the regular morning services, followed by communion. The church was tastefully decorated with flowers, the gift of the Bethany Society of the Church, in commemoration of their last services. On May 28, 1819, the church was organized, although the building had been dedicated on October 25, 1817. This building was in Madison Street, and when it became too small they moved to their present place in 1834.

In the afternoon the home Sunday-school and the Mission school in Ludlow Street held a reunion in the home church. The programme in the afternoon and evening consisted of short addresses and music. It was a reunion of old members and new, of old pastors and people, of old officers and those whom they were accustomed to oversee. The Rev. N. D. Conkling, assisted the pastor, the Rev. D. M. Young in the services, preaching the morning sermon. There were twelve persons received into the church on profession of faith.



RESOLUTIONS OF THE ALLEN STREET CHURCH.

NEW YORK, March 2, 1887.

Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God, our kind and compassionate heavenly Father, in the solemn dispensations of His providence to remove from our midst by death, our dear and highly esteemed friend and brother, Elder James Knowles, and his wife, Matilda Knowles, of the Allen Street Presbyterian Church; and

Whereas, It becomes us not only as brethren in Christ, but as a Session of said church, to express our hearty appreciation of their work in and worth to the cause of Christianity, which they so dearly loved; and while we bow in humble submission to the Divine will, nevertheless we strongly realize that, as co-workers together with them in the Master's vineyard, we have sustained a severe and irreparable loss by this sad bereavement;

Therefore be it Resolved, That as a Session now assembled, we do hereby tender our heartfelt sympathy and sorrow to the bereaved family in their great grief; and we do earnestly and sincerely commend them to God and the Word of His grace, that is able to keep them from falling, and to give them an abundant entrance into His everlasting kingdom; and be it further

Resolved, That the Clerk of Session be requested to enter these resolutions on the records of the church, and that a copy be immediately forwarded to the family of the deceased.

(Signed),

DUNCAN M. YOUNG, Pastor.

J. H. ALLEN, M.D., J. M. MORRISON, J. R. BATTY, MARTIN BRAITMAYER, Elders.

JEROME H. OWENS, Clerk of Session.



GATHERING JEWELS.

MATILDA KNOWLES.

BEING THE RECORD OF A CONSECRATED MISSIONARY WOMAN'S WORK FOR OVER A QUARTER OF A CENTURY IN THE TENTH WARD OF NEW YORK CITY.

"She hath done what she could."



CHAPTER VII.

BRIEF MEMOIR OF MATILDA KNOWLES.

They walk with God whom none can shame From trusting in His holy name; Who looking for a glorious morn, Shrink not before the lip of scorn.

The subject of this memoir was born in Tichon, near Ballymena, County Antrim, in the north of Ireland, March 22, 1811. Her ancestors fled from Scotland during the dark days of persecution, "when the minister's home was the mountain and flood." Little can be gleaned of her early history. Her mother died when she was six years old, leaving a sister older than herself, and a brother, a baby eight months old. Her father died shortly after her mother. When she was only eight years old, she went to the corner of the house, and asked the Lord to be a father and a mother to her. She was ultimately taken to her uncle's, at which place she resided until she came to America.

During her stay with him, she became acquainted with a young girl, who told her of the love of Jesus, and shortly before her death, she would frequently say how good God was to her, in bringing her in contact with her friend, who early told her of the life of the Saviour, and His never-dying love. At the same place, being filled with those desires, and having those Christian principles instilled into her heart, and not having conveniences to study and pray in the house, she would repair to the barn, to attend to her devotional duties, experiencing the truthfulness of God's Word, "They that seek me early shall find me." At this time she committed to memory the Psalms, and the Book of Proverbs, and several passages of the New Testament.

It seems that certain influences were brought to bear upon her, for the purpose of getting her settled in life, contrary to her own wishes; but the party so chosen was without Christian character, and although every inducement was offered, so far as wealth was concerned, she remembered the injunction of the Scriptures, "Be ye not unequally yoked to unbelievers," and like Moses, who refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, but chose rather to suffer affliction, penury, and loss with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, she declined to enter into the proposed matrimonial connection. And then she decided to emigrate to the United States, friendless and alone.

In 1833—the time of the great cholera epidemic in this country—she was left by herself, in a house where all its occupants had fled through fear. Trusting in the God of Israel for protection, she experienced the full force of those sublime words of King David: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-day." On arriving in New York, she immediately connected herself in church fellowship with the Canal Street Presbyterian Church, under the ministry of the Rev. Dr. McCarthy, and became a Sabbath-school teacher. Some of the first impressions made on her mind by her pastor were continually repeated, even up to the hour of her death.

In one address, delivered to young people, he begged them not to allow Satan to get even his little finger in, for he generally commenced with little sins, and by and by he would get his two fingers in, and then his whole hand, and twist you around as he chose, instead of allowing you to obey the commands of God.

Shortly after she landed in this country she was invited by an acquaintance to go to Brooklyn, to church. She consented, and attended the service; but, on her return, while stepping off the ferry-boat, she slipped, and fell into the river, and narrowly escaped drowning. She resolved, by God's grace, that she would never put her foot on a ferry-boat on the Sabbath again, while she lived, which vow she kept to the close of her life.

It was her usual custom on the street, if she heard any person using profane language, to reprove them, by saying, "Don't dare take the name of my Saviour in vain."

In the year 1839 she was married to Elder James Knowles, by the Rev. Dr. McLeod, of the First Reformed Presbyterian Church, Prince's Street. At this time she joined the above church, that she might be in full fellowship at the same communion-table with her husband.

In her earnest endeavors to faithfully serve her Lord and Master, she was sorely tried by a woman who lived in the same house with her. And herein do we see the goodness of God, in imparting grace to her to strenuously resist temptation. This woman did all in her power to lead her astray by offering her strong drink. She would visit her frequently after her husband had gone to his business, and bring the bottle and glass. She determined to change her place of residence, and before her husband returned home, she had engaged new apartments, and had her furniture all removed. Even after her removal, the woman followed her up, and became a tenant in the same house, and the same temptations were renewed. She once more got up and moved out of the house, never once yielding to the woman's persistent temptation.

In the summer of 1848 she met with a narrow escape in a burning building. In trying to extinguish the flames, she was badly burned from the points of her fingers up to her shoulders. In this house she succeeded in getting some people to attend church; and at this time, seeing some women ordained to go to India, she earnestly desired to be in their place.

In 1860, when in her fiftieth year, she removed to the Tenth Ward, the scene of her future labors. When her son William went to the war, she was recommended by Mrs. Warren to Rev. Mr. Finney, who engaged her as a Bible Reader and Visitor in the district.

In the spring of 1862, during the great fratricidal war, she started a sewing-school in Rivington Street, which eventually merged into the Harper and Fiske Industrial School in Ludlow Street, which met every Saturday. Gathering together from seventy-five to one hundred children, she taught them to sew, and endeavored to lead them to Him who said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."



CHAPTER VIII.

THE VALUE OF PRAYER.

Oh, teach me, Lord, that I may teach The precious things Thou dost impart; And wing my words, that they may reach The hidden depths of many a heart.

Mrs. Knowles's life, throughout, was characterized by great sincerity and steadfastness of purpose. As an evidence of it, I will give a sketch of her experience and work from her own pen, illustrating how the closing hours of her life were chiefly devoted to "Gathering Jewels" for Christ, as the secret of a truly beautiful life.

"In my field of labor I have met with much success and encouragement, though, indeed, there are more cases very trying and painful to witness, but all difficulties can be encountered, and many overcome, by prayer. I feel more and more the blessedness of the privilege I enjoy in being permitted to labor for Christ in the salvation of so many poor souls, and in being the means of aiding so many who are sick, cast down, and discouraged. How many there are who neglect the house of prayer from the contagion of bad example around them, and the want of a kind word of invitation, until the habit becomes fixed, and it needs urging to remind them of their duty? I often think of the words of Christ: 'Compel them to come in.' Yes, compulsion of the right kind is very needful, and a word of interest and encouragement such a help. One poor woman whom I visited a short time since, told me her lot was the hardest in the world—that she had seven children all out of Christ. I told her not to be disheartened; that if she could say God was her God, she could say he was the God of her seed, and that Jesus had said: 'Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, believing, ye shall receive.' She said: 'I have hoped so long, but now I am discouraged.' I told her the mother of St. Augustine said she had prayed for fourteen long years for her son, and her friend said to her: 'I tell you the subject of so many long and earnest prayers cannot be lost.' And that son, of whom she was then in search, and whom she met a short time afterward, was then under deep conviction, and soon afterward brought to Christ, and became an earnest and devoted minister; 'and you, my friend, need not be discouraged, for the same Spirit can work as powerfully on the hearts of your children as on his.' I prayed with her, and left her begging me to pray for her; calling on her a few days since, she met me with a cheerful countenance, and told me what I had said, together with reading the promise of an answer to prayer, had greatly encouraged her, and that her eldest son, who was the most unruly of all, had accompanied her to church on the last Sabbath, and she believed now the rest would be led to follow his example. I told her to doubt no longer, and with a word of cheer left her."

Here I will make a few comments on the above.

All difficulties can be encountered, and many overcome by prayer.—How true and weighty is this remark. Remembrance of this would guard and govern aright the actions of Christians, and deliver them from all unprofitable and injudicious murmurings. It suggests the only true antidote for the ills of life. A pleasant path to tranquillity of mind is prayer. Whether amid the crowded city or in the quiet hamlet, on land or on sea, at home or abroad, no matter where we are, God's ear is always open to the cry of His children. Prayer is the divinely appointed means to the attainment of peace. It lifts the soul above the cares and vicissitudes of life. Its effect is nearness to God. Earth's sighs are numerous. The tears flow thick and fast. Tears of affright. The enemy comes in like a flood, but the Lord lifts up a standard against them all; and the blest remembrance of the promise, "Cast thy burden by prayer on the Lord, and He will sustain thee," imparts fresh courage amid the conflict. The man who forgets to pray in the hour of trial is like one who has lost his way on a dark, stormy night; he is, indeed, a benighted traveller on a lonesome, dreary road. But let us thank God that—

From every stormy wind that blows, From every swelling tide of woes, There is a calm, a sure retreat; 'Tis found beneath the Mercy Seat.

I feel more and more the blessedness of the privilege I enjoy, in being permitted to labor for Christ in the salvation of so many poor souls.—When we labor with an eye to the glory of God, and the exaltation of the name of Jesus in the salvation of lost sinners, it always imparts perpetual pleasure. It was for the joy that was set before Jesus that He endured the Cross. Pure pleasure springs from the motive of doing good. This was the standard from which Christ labored. His compensation consisted in clarifying the natural and spiritual vision of those who sat in darkness and the shadow of death. This is the true explanation of His mysterious patience with those who frequently repelled His teachings and doings, when they were attributed to the power of the Prince of the Air. But the incarnate Son of God fainted not in His work, until He exclaimed, "It is finished." It is even so with all faithful missionaries. They feel it to be an unspeakable privilege to be co-workers with Christ; recognizing the fact that it is not their work but God's, and while they acknowledge their utter inability to save a single soul, yet, doubtless, their joy and satisfaction in all their work springs from the sacred consciousness that there is not only rejoicings and gladness of heart experienced on earth, but "joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

I often think of the words of Christ, Compel them to come in.—The scene is changed. From prayer in the closet, to kindly compulsion in the lanes and streets of the city. Here the reader will find the true secret of her beautiful life; namely, frequent reflection on the words of Christ, relative to Christian work in the world. "Go ye out into the highways and lanes," etc. This is the only method by which we can have communication with the souls of men and women who are perishing for lack of knowledge. The question has often been asked by the philanthropic men of the present day, How can we reach the masses? How can we save the non-churchgoers? It is calculated that with a population of almost a hundred thousand souls in the Tenth Ward alone, of New York, only about one-fourth attend any place of worship. These facts and figures are startling, but they are, nevertheless, true. These precious souls, for whom Christ died, must be made the object of our affection. Our knowledge of the spiritual destitution of the down-town masses is strictly based upon our experience and observation. And hence we say that a house to house visitation, systematically arranged, constitutes one of the essential characteristics of Christ-like work. He labored not only in the temple and the synagogue, but in the market-place, and on the streets. His pulpit was the stern-sheets of the ship, on the Sea of Galilee.

With a word of cheer left her.—Think of the power of a kind word. Amid all the busy scenes of life, is there no time for a cheerful word? When the Chief Priests and Pharisees sought to lay hands on Jesus, they feared the multitude because they took him for a prophet. What rays of celestial sunshine sometimes stream into the soul of the disheartened one when the missionary whispers, "Put all your trust in Jesus, and he will care for you." There is balm in Gilead, and there is a physician there. Look at the power of a kind word uttered by the Master. Are there no tumultuous fears allayed in the breast of those two blind men as they sit by the wayside to Jerusalem? They cry, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David." Is there not a stupendous wealth of kindness and potency portrayed in yon scene when Jesus stood still and called them, and uttered those strange kind words: "What will ye that I should do unto you?" How sad is the sight of a blind person! How intensely dark their surroundings! How they excite our pity! How many, alas! are blinded by sin, sickness, and sorrow. "They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes, and immediately their eyes received sight and they followed him." Is there any wonder that the whole city was moved, saying, "Who is this? This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth, of Galilee." Now the Saviour said, "As the Father hath sent me, even so send I you into the world." Kind Christian words contain the rich unction of encouragement and inspiration to the sorrowful, heavy-laden heart. So daughter, be of good cheer, thy sins, which are many, are all forgiven thee.



CHAPTER IX.

THE STORY OF WILLIAM THE CONSUMPTIVE.

Oh, fill me with Thy fulness, Lord, Until my very heart o'erflow In kindling thought and glowing word, Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.

Our Missing Link, a journal devoted to missionary work, has given many graphic recitals of the good work she accomplished in numerous fields, but none of much livelier interest than the case of

WILLIAM AT ST. LUKE'S

"William" is a young Englishman. He came to this country eight years ago. He is now about twenty-four. I first saw him some time last winter. His sister, who lives with her family in our mission block, had told me that she had a brother in New York, who was out of health and out of employment, and was very unhappy in consequence.

I expressed my sympathy, but not knowing of anything that I could do, asked no questions at the time. A few days after she came to say that the brother referred to was in her room; that it had become evident that he was in consumption. He would like to talk with me. I was alone, and bade her invite him in. He came immediately. A tall, thin young man, with a pleasant face and easy manners. I did not speak to him very directly on religious subjects. I believe that I perceived in this first interview that his views were not very clear. I encouraged him gradually to tell me about his circumstances. His confidence was easily won, and in the course of this and subsequent interviews I learned that his only home was with an aged father, who was himself out of work and in straitened circumstances. William's clothing was too thin for the inclement weather we were then encountering, and it was plain he could not have the nourishing food his declining appetite required. The sister who first introduced him to me was anxious about him, but her tenement was too small to accommodate her own family, and her husband's wages hardly equal to the wants of his own household. William's great desire was to procure employment. He would work to the utmost of his failing strength if only he could get work to do. I obtained from the Sick Relief Fund a few shillings' worth of groceries per week for him; but employment, means to help himself, was his one aspiration. I felt sure he was not able to work, but was anxious, nevertheless, though in vain, to gratify his wish. One evening I communicated to him a slight hope of an opening to some employment. The increased brightness of his eye, the red spot on each cheek, and his sleeplessness that night, proved that he was not able to bear even the excitement of a sudden hope. Poor fellow! it was plain he would never work much more.

I must mention here that William's constitution had received the seeds of disease while at sea during the war. He ran away from home and engaged in the revenue service. He also served in the army. He has never been well since his return. His friends tell me that he has been wild, not that he was immoral, to use their own expression. He had been religiously trained in England, did nothing that the world would call bad; but he was wayward, and the occasion to them of great anxiety and displeasure also.

As I said before, we did not talk much at first about religion, not that he avoided the subject. He was very conscious of his own situation as far as the uncertainty of his life was concerned, but he had apparently no sense of sinfulness before God. Perhaps the reserve was on my side. I think I never felt so much as in this case the utter powerlessness of human influence to bring the soul to God. He spoke calmly of death; but when I asked him what was the ground of his hope beyond the grave, he replied:

"I have never done any one harm; I have tried to live right."

I replied earnestly: "Do not trust to any such refuge as that."

I then warned him against any hope not founded on Christ alone. He acknowledged that what I said was true, and seemed for a moment disturbed. I cannot recall another conversation in our earlier acquaintance, in which I was able to speak with any earnestness, or in which he seemed at all impressed. I could only pray: "Lord, open his eyes!" It is very wonderful to me, on looking back, to see how God was leading him all this time. Once he told me of a sermon which he had heard months before, upon the text: "Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die, and not live." He had never been so impressed by a sermon; he could not forget it.

Occasionally, I observed that his mind was well stored with the Prayer Book version of the Psalms. Sometimes he would quote a petition, telling me it had been specially upon his mind. Upon inquiry, I found that at home in England, he had been a chorister boy at church. He has since told me he used to sing the Psalms without any sense of their meaning. Probably the words were never explained to him, or impressed upon him in any way. It was a mere form of a church which confirmed its members at fifteen years old, with very little cognizance of their spiritual life. William, however, had not been confirmed. It would seem from his subsequent life that the words he had chanted, from Sunday to Sunday, had no effect on him, but now, in his last days, God was bringing them home to his heart, over all the years of his carelessness, and accomplishing that which he pleased. It has helped me to believe that it is not in vain to store the mind of thoughtless Sunday-school scholars with the Word of God, and that in the most formal Christian Church the words of Scripture are not lost.

But all this time William's temporal wants were increasingly pressing. His father had been obliged to sell their little stock of furniture, and the house was broken up. One night his sister told me that William had not so much as a place to sleep in. She took him in with her own children for a few days. I recommended that he should go into St. Luke's Hospital for a month. Perhaps the rest and nourishment he would find there would enable him to get through the trying spring weather, and in the summer he might be better. While this plan was under consideration, William found that he could stay in the room that his father had just quitted until the end of the month, which was half gone. Still clinging to the hope of finding employment, he gave up the hospital plan, while in his almost empty room was neither food nor fuel. His sister did what she could. I applied to the Sick Relief Society for some coal, which was immediately granted. All this time I had not applied to my Superintendent, whose kind and ready sympathy never fails me. The reason was, I have constantly on my heart and hands so many cases of suffering that I cannot represent them all, and am anxious to get through difficulties, as far as possible, without unusual assistance. But in this case God's plans were above my reach. One day Mrs. Knowles called at my room. While we were talking about some mission business, there was a knock. It was William. I had an instant sense that he had providentially called.

"Come in," I said, "and tell your story to my Superintendent." This interview was the beginning of better times for poor William. Mrs. Knowles immediately provided him with better clothing. I had only succeeded in getting some flannel from the Society. Her kindness did not stop here. In a few days she procured him a job of cutting wood.

A Difficulty.—William did his first day's work with all the energy his feeble strength would allow, but on being summoned to the same place again, an unfortunate circumstance occurred. I think it right to state the facts, because it shows how wonderfully God's grace can overrule. He commenced his work as before, but his strength giving out, he accepted an invitation from a lady in an adjoining house to come in and rest. His delicate appearance enlisted sympathy. She had had some conversation with him in his previous day's work, and was now prepared to express the kindest feelings, especially as she herself had lost a brother with consumption. Observing his exhausted state, she brought forward a glass of whiskey, which she made him swallow, strongly advising him to procure more and use it as a stimulant. The lady's intention was only kind, but, unfortunately, William acted indiscreetly upon the advice. Encouraged by the momentary relief afforded by the exhilarating beverage, he did procure more. Whether it was the same day or the next, I am not quite sure, but he went to his sister's at last, sadly under the influence of liquor. His weak state, the uncomfortable condition of his affairs, acting with the liquor upon his brain, caused him for a day or two to behave in a very inconsistent and unnatural manner. He seemed even to vary from his habitual truthfulness. Much disgusted, his sister rebuked him sharply, declared that she would tell me, and of course, the inference was that I should tell Mrs. Knowles. But that good woman knew about it as soon as I did. She was grieved and disappointed at what had occurred, but her uniform kindness did not fail. It was evident he was no longer able to make any exertion for himself, and she procured him admission into St. Luke's Hospital.

He went, in the midst of these trying circumstances, not coming to bid me good-by, and knowing that his sister was seriously displeased. Poor William! disgraced, unhappy, and sick, he went to that bed which was about to become to him as the gate of heaven. I went to see him as soon as possible. I went, intending to talk over with him what had passed, but found him so humble and so suffering that I had no heart to make any allusion to it. We neither of us spoke directly upon the subject. In fact, I said very little upon any subject, for as he lay there with the tears upon his thin face, expressing brokenly his pain and his penitence, I felt that God was teaching him, and taking hold of the very lesson to show him his true character. He was now coming upon a new ground never understood before.

The Blessed Change.—Mrs. Knowles saw William before I went to him a second time. She, too, forbore alluding to the unpleasant circumstances, but she talked to him of our human sinfulness before God, and our need of a Saviour. Some of his most interesting conversations have since been with her. The second time I visited William his bodily strength had greatly failed, but his face was beautiful with a new light I had never seen there before.

"I feel very differently now," he said, "God has forgiven all my sins."

He then went on to express his sense of his own unworthiness; not that he had led a vicious life, but he felt he was a great sinner before God. In the course of conversation I told him his sister had inquired kindly about him; his eyes filled with tears, and he said:

"Tell her I have been converted; I am very happy." The week before Easter, when the Bishop visited the hospital to administer confirmation, William was placed in a chair to receive the rite, and on Easter Day partook of his first communion. It was a glorious day for him. Mrs. Knowles visited him on that day.

A few days after, as I sat by his bedside, he was speaking, as he always did now, of his sense of sinfulness, and his sense of pardon, when I reminded him of the early conversation, before alluded to, in which he had rested on his own moral character for acceptance with God.

"Yes," he replied, "I used to think so, but I have been all wrong. Now I have no dependence but upon Jesus Christ."

A little before this, he had said to Mrs. Knowles: "I never knew that just trusting in Christ would give me such peace."

He has said repeatedly: "This sickness is the best thing that has ever happened to me. If it had not been for this, I should have gone on in worldliness."

William has never been accustomed to the common religious phraseology. He is such a babe in such things, that his expressions are sometimes strikingly artless. At one time I was speaking of his sufferings, he looked up with a smile, and hesitating how to express the thought in his mind, said:

"I think it is out of his affections God afflicts us."

His sister had wept much when I delivered his message. As I returned a kind reply from her, he said:

"Tell her I pray for her and her family every day." Then, when after a little conversation I had bidden him good-by, he called me back, and said:

"Be sure and tell my sister I pray for her." He frequently said to me:

"I pray for you everyday;" and on saying this to Mrs. Knowles, he added, at one time:

"I speak your name to God when I pray."

When he says this with so much earnestness, we always feel that his prayers are a rare treasure, since the helpless, self-renouncing prayers are most prevalent in Christ. The tenderness with which William speaks of his sister's family has sometimes touched me. There is nothing like the peace of God to beget good will to man. Knowing that the family had many trials with his sister's ill health and scanty means, he often sends by me messages of sympathy. A few days since it was suddenly discovered that their youngest child, two years old, and a little pet of William's, was in danger of being crippled for life. This new and unexpected sorrow filled the family with great distress. I accompanied the father when the child was brought to St. Luke's for examination. After the physician's opinion had been given, and arrangements made for placing it in the Children's Ward, we went to see William. The unexpected appearance of his brother-in-law, whom he had not seen since coming to the hospital, affected him much. Indeed, the interview was trying to both. I left them alone, and on my return shortly afterward, found William still in tears. He was not so well that morning, and grief for the child, and the sight of the brother reviving the painful memory of their late alienation, was too much for him; yet his peace was not greatly disturbed, for all alienation from man, as from God, had been healed for him.

The Tried Word.—I went to see the little child the next morning, and then reported him to his uncle, whose first words were a question, rather anxiously put, concerning the little one. Wishing to set his mind at ease, I said:

"Oh, it is all well with him. I just met him coming down, stairs with a flock of children, and his hands full of bread and butter."

He gave a smile of quiet amusement, which showed the playfulness of other days might yet be touched. I then went on to tell him the case was not likely to prove as serious as we had feared, and suggested he should get the nurse, when convenient, to bring the child in her arms to his bedside. He was pleased with the idea; but presently the conversation fell off from the subject. William's eyes wandered to the texts of the "Silent Comforter" at the foot of his bed. With the air of one who caught the sight of unutterable things, and has not much more to do with the world:

"See," said he, "I have a good verse for this morning." He began to read: "Fear not, I am with thee."

Beginning to cough, I went on: "When thou walkest through the waters, they shall not overflow thee; and through the fire, thou shalt not be burned. That is just right for you, William."

"Yes," he replied, with his own peculiarly beautiful smile.

"I notice," said I, "that the very words of God are best for you. You love the hymns, but, after all, God's own words are the safest to rest upon."

"Yes," he replied, "I live upon those texts. When the nurse comes in, in the morning, to turn the leaf over, I am eager."

I did not speak, but watched him as he lay, his longing eyes fixed upon the words before him, with an absorbed and admiring gaze, as if all else were forgotten. His soul was hanging its eternal destiny on the words of God. A few days before this he had said to Mrs. Knowles:

"You remember when we first talked of the Shepherd's Psalm, I said I should be glad when I could say: 'When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil' Now," he added, emphatically, "I can say it. I fear no evil, for thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

His listener then went on to speak of the beautiful figure of the rod and staff.

Sunshine and Shadow.—God leads his little ones gently, the Good Shepherd bears the lambs, that the enemy may not too much affright them through the dark valley.

"Is your peace never disturbed, William?" I asked one day.

"Not often," he answered. "Sometimes there comes a cloud—it is a temptation, I suppose."

"Yes," I said, "Satan, perhaps, envies you. He knows that he will never get your soul, but he will trouble you a little."

"I suppose so," he replied thoughtfully.

Wishing to express to me his happiness in God, and not knowing quite how to do so, he said:

"It is like this, sometimes—I feel like a boy let out from school; I am so happy, I want to shout." At another time he said:

"I have much communion." Then, as if to illustrate this, he added:

"Last night, I awoke about two o'clock, and I was praying in my sleep."

"Can you recall your prayer?" I asked.

"No," he said, "but I was praying to God."

"God is very good, William, to let you talk with him so in the night."

"Yes," he answered; and then turning his face toward his pillow, he said, in a low voice: "Praise God!"

"And bless his holy name," I responded.

We were both silent for a few moments, and then—I think it was in connection with this conversation—I asked:

"William, if you were to get well now, do you think you would try to live to the glory of God?"

"Indeed, I would," he answered.

"And bring others to know him?" I asked.

"Yes," he said again.

"Well, William, I suppose you think that here upon this bed you cannot do much; but I think you can glorify him here on this very bed."

"Yes," he answered, a little doubtfully; then added: "I try to pray to him all the time."

I was half sorry for the suggestion, which seemed somewhat to bewilder him, and said: "That is all you can do, is it not?"

"And that is little enough," he replied sorrowfully.

I tried to make him understand that to receive much of God's grace was the surest way to serve him.

"What shall I render unto God for all his benefits? I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord."

When I saw William the next morning, he said, immediately:

"I did last night what you told me. I prayed for strength to glorify God here."

"I think," I answered, "that you will do that if you lie here and meekly suffer his will; and I must tell you that, after these conversations with you, I go home thanking God for what you have told me of His love to you. I think I love the Saviour better, since I have seen what he can be to one in sickness and death."

"That is good" he said emphatically, "I would have it so."

As I left him this time, the thought in my own mind was: "Oh, speak good of the Lord."

On my return to William and his brother-in-law, after the interview which I described in my last paragraph, and which occurred only a few days ago, I saw that he was too much agitated for conversation. I read him a hymn and said a few words. He was suffering more than usual that day, and his usually peaceful spirit seemed a little clouded. When I rose to go, it seemed that he would have detained me. We had bidden good-by, and turned away, when I looked back. I wanted to leave some word of Christ or thought of him at the last. "William," I said, bending over him, "Jesus says: 'Let not your heart be troubled—in my Father's house are many mansions.'"

He took hold of my hand, and looked up, the red lines of tears about his eyes. I could not quite understand their expression of unutterable longing, but I could feel at the moment that death must be penal, and its waters cold sometimes, even to a believer.

In these deeply anxious hours, O, if Jesus only smile! Only Jesus Can these restless tears beguile.



CHAPTER X.

SOWING AND REAPING.

Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness, Sowing in the noon-tide and the dewy eves; Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

The blessed Master says, in his Sermon on the Mount, "With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." If we attempt great things for God, and expect great things from God, He will bless us accordingly; for He cheers us by saying: "Ye shall reap, if ye faint not."

Mrs. Knowles tells us of instances where this truth has been verified. "One woman, whom I have been visiting for years, but apparently without any success, until a few months since, when she was taken sick, sent for me at that time, and said, 'she felt so sorry she had led such a wicked life,' and putting her arms round my neck, said, earnestly, 'Oh, pray for me, that the Lord will have mercy on me, and save my poor soul.' I did so, and when I rose from my knees, she held my hand in hers, and looking up for some time, she cried, 'Lord help me, and answer the prayers that have been offered for me;' and when I told her to cast herself wholly upon Jesus, that He was ready to save her, she said, 'Oh, but I have been such a sinner.' 'He is ready to save the chief of sinners, if they will only come.' She clasped her hands, crying, 'Oh, Jesus, save me, for I trust in thee.' I left her with a heart full of anxiety, but believing the Lord had begun the good work in her heart, and that in His own good time he would finish it, and I was not disappointed; for in a short time she was brought to rejoice in Christ as her Saviour, and although for weeks she passed through intense suffering, she never complained, but looking up, she would say to her family, and others who came to visit her, 'My Saviour helps me to bear all my trials;' and so he did, for I never saw a more patient sufferer, or a happier death.

"A lady whom I met there said to me, 'You have been sowing seed here a long time, and now you see what encouragement you have to labor.' The family are still out of Christ, but I earnestly hope to see or hear of them all brought to their mother's God.

"Another woman, who did not attend church at all, was like a little child, helpless and humble. Her situation became so critical, none were allowed to see her; but if she heard I was there, she always wanted me to pray with her; and often after offering a short prayer at her bedside, she would take my hand when about to leave her, and say, 'Oh, pray for me;' And when I kissed her, she would look up so earnestly, saying: 'I know you will pray for me.'

"It pleased the Lord to bless the means used for her recovery, and now, nearly well, she cannot express her gratitude to God for having preserved her. A few days since, when I told her of a poor woman who had returned from the hospital not much better, she gave me a dollar for her; indeed, her whole desire seems to be to do good, and bring up her children (she has a large family) in the right way. She said to me, 'When you came at first to see me, and spoke to me about being a sinner, I did not see how it was that I could be so, for I felt I was as good as you was.'

"These are cases that encourage us in our labors, for although our work at the time may seem fruitless, we may safely leave the seed in His hands, who maketh it grow and bud and blossom in His own good time.

"A woman whom I had not seen for some time, as she had moved away, told me a missionary had called to see her, and, talking to her as I had done, she asked if he knew me. He said, 'No, he was a stranger; but his words impressed her so much, that I still hope she may soon be brought to Christ; and thus it often is, if we sow in faith, 'one soweth and another reapeth.' In many instances a Bible that I have left, neglected at the time, has, through another's teaching, become precious; and some have shown me one left by other teachers, to which I have had the privilege of directing the attention of the otherwise careless owner."

She continues her deeply-interesting narrative thus:

"We have commenced our Saturday Sewing-school in a beautiful room, which has been secured for us, and hope to accomplish a great deal of good this winter through its means. My Sunday-school will be in connection with the Ludlow Street Mission, and I trust, as my health and strength seem renewed, I may be truly useful in working for the Master."

Here we have a vivid description of Christian waiting, in expectation of results. When we take into consideration that this woman was fifty years old when she commenced directly to work as a missionary, we know that she was fully equipped for the task, and entered upon it with all her energies of heart. St. Paul says, in his letter to the Church, at Rome, that "tribulation worketh patience." Now, there are many God-fearing ministers who cannot stand a rebuff. There are many good Christian people, and some of them excellent workers in the Sabbath-school, who could not stand to be looked upon coldly, much less to have the door slammed in their face. I am sure they would give the work up in despair, if, after they had attempted to reach some stranger several times, and had not succeeded. But, oh, here is a weak woman, for years visiting another of her own sex, year after year, remonstrating earnestly and patiently, and lovingly with her, in order to lead her to Christ. Is not this the way that God deals with us? Line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, there a little.

Surely, he is the Lord God, "merciful and gracious, long-suffering, slow to anger, abundant in goodness and in truth."

What does Christ say in the Apocalypse? "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come unto him and will sup with him, and he with Me."

Does not the Holy Spirit work in this very same manner? Patiently!—oh, how patiently, He strives, He pleads, He warns. Was it not the Holy Spirit in this woman's heart, that, led her again and again to visit this home? Yes, most assuredly. Oh, that this self-same spirit would whisper to every reader of this memoir to go and do likewise!

See how beautifully Divine Providence harmonizes with the Spirit's work, and with those who faithfully toil in the vineyard. How unique the operation. Sickness is the efficient cause.

But we must constantly remember that it was the almost incomparable faith of this woman in the God of Jacob, amid the greatest difficulties and discouragements, that gave her such remarkable success. Incompetency for Christian work is a lack, not only of patience, but of faith in the great love of our God, and the triumphant death of Christ, and the persistent power of the Holy Spirit, combined with a humble trust in our own capabilities to do valiantly for Jesus. These are the allied forces in waging war against the powers of darkness in this wicked world. Christ said, "As the Father hath sent me, even so send I you into the world. And greater works than these shall ye do, because I go to my Father." Confidence in the word of our dear Incarnate Lord is the warrant, not only of the stability of God's method of saving souls, but in the progressive propagation of Christian principles. There is growth in work for Christ, as well as in nature. And our younger brethren would do well to remember that like this woman, we must expect success, or we will never get it.

Dr. McCosh, the President of Princeton College, made the following remarks in an address before the General Conference of the Evangelical Alliance:

"It is useless to tell the younger naturalists that there is no truth in the doctrine of development, for they know that there is truth which is not to be set aside by denunciation. Religious philosophers might be more profitably employed in showing them the religious aspects of the doctrine of development; and some would be grateful to any who would help them to keep their old faith in God and the Bible with their new faith in science."

Again, in his book on "Development," Dr. McCosh says:

"It is no use denying in our day the doctrine of evolution, in the name of religion or any good cause. It can now be shown that it rather favors religion by its furnishing proofs of design, and by the wonderful parallelism between Genesis and geology."

In this part of Mrs. Knowles' diary, the careful reader will observe a most dramatic account of human nature, under the controlling power of the Holy Ghost. The woman whom she had long visited was at last conquered. The city of the soul was successfully bombarded. The sorrow for sin, the sad lamentation over a misspent life, the flinging of her arms round the neck of the missionary, the urgent request, "Oh, pray for me, that the Lord may have mercy on me, and save my poor soul," together with the statement of transition from shadow to sunshine, from grief to joy, from alienation to adoption, reveal to us the judiciously connected operations of the deity, in the salvation of immortal souls brought about by the power of prayer.

Why should we remain incredulous about God's willingness to save sinners, after such a marvellous manifestation of Divine mercy?

Brought to rejoice in Christ as her Saviour.—The term "brought," is a very emphatic Scriptural one. It ascribes the glory, and honor, and power of man's deliverance to the free, sovereign, unmerited favor of God. David sings:

"I waited patiently for the Lord. And He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

"He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay:

"And He set my feet upon a rock, and stablished my goings.

"And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praises unto our God; many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord."

A judicious acknowledgment of the sovereignty of God as the author of salvation is essential to Christian calmness and courage, and continuance in the path of duty. Man may break his promise, but God never. Man's objection to God's methods of salvation arise from a desire to take the glory to self, and the disposition to discontentment on the one hand, and a feeling of distrust on the other. Let us learn, from the foregoing account of the conversion of this woman, to isolate ourselves from man's ways of working, and accept God's communications regarding His approaches to the avenues of the heart; knowing that He will ultimately send the converting power of the Holy Spirit to the soul of the most hardened and obdurate sinner.

We must go back once more to Mrs. Knowles' narrative, and observe that among the principal causes of her success with the poor and fallen, was not only her intimate acquaintance with God's dealings with both saint and sinner, but her marvellous and confirmed habit of always offering a short prayer at the bedside of the sick and suffering and dying. There was, therefore, elicited the pungent request, "Oh, pray for me," corroborated by the impressive ejaculation of confidence in her fidelity to the divine command, "Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." How inexpressibly encouraging it must have been on this occasion to hear the remark, "I know you will pray for me," accompanied with the look of earnestness and helplessness, realizing that God alone could restore her to her accustomed health and strength.

Who can tell of the gratitude and gladness that sprang up in this woman's heart in answer to earnest prayer on her behalf, for her recovery which God was graciously pleased to bestow? The donation of the dollar to the other poor woman recently returned from the hospital, was conclusive evidence that she joyfully appreciated what great things God had done, not only for her soul, but for her frail body. Let us learn, dear reader, from the foregoing account of God's dealings with His dear departed saints that, in the first place, we must not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not, for, as Mrs. Knowles says, "Our work may seem at the time fruitless, yet we may safely leave the seed in His hands, who maketh it grow and bud and blossom in His own good time."

In the second place, we must remember that to be actively engaged working for God's glory is the best and surest, and, in fact, the only safe remedy for disappointment and discouragements in aggressive Christian work. "In many instances," she says, "a Bible that I have left, neglected at the time, has through another's teachings become precious." We can speak from heart-felt experience on this point, for some of the sweet psalms and hymns we sang, perhaps thoughtlessly, in the days of sunny childhood, are to-day the most soul-stirring, imparting fire, force, and fervency while working for Jesus. Here is one of them:

I think when I read that sweet story of old, When Jesus was here among men, How He called little children as lambs to His fold, I should like to have been with them then.

I wish that His hands had been placed on my head, That His arm had been thrown around me, And that I might have seen His kind look when He said, "Let the little ones come unto Me."

Yet still to His footstool in prayer I may go, And ask for a share in His love; And if I thus earnestly seek Him below, I shall see Him and hear Him above.

In that beautiful place He has gone to prepare For all who are washed and forgiven; And many dear children shall be with Him there, "For of such is the kingdom of Heaven."

Throughout her life Mrs. Knowles constantly experienced the blessing of sowing and the happy reward of reaping. Numerous instances could be cited, had we the space to spare, in which direct answers to her prayers have come to her while in the act of beseeching God's aid and blessing upon some one object of interest to her. Her own son was one among many of such cases. In the early part of 1857 he had become associated with many bad companions and was a source of anxiety to both his parents. His father thought if he could get him to attend church the good influence there obtained would tend to lead him to Christ and into the paths of salvation. But the youth refused to go, and the mother at once besought the aid of God in influencing her son's heart. At first, after praying with him for some time, she found him asleep on his knees. She roused him up and prayed again with him, and on her husband's return from church he found his penitent son beseeching Jesus to forgive him and lead him into the way of righteousness.



CHAPTER XI.

DAILY MISSIONARY WORK.

Shall He come and find me faithful To His parting words to me; "If I go—a place preparing— I will quickly come to thee."

Shall He come and find me working In the vineyard full of love; Only working, till the glory Breaks upon me from above?

The following part of her narrative of Christian work, taken from Our Missing Link, is deeply interesting, and deserves the reader's careful perusal.

At one time Mrs. Knowles wrote that, during part of the summer months great weakness and general debility prevented her from laboring as much as usual; and when she resumed her visits, she found many had been making inquiries after her in church, not knowing her place of residence. One young woman especially, who had made an unfortunate marriage, and who had been badly treated by her husband, was extremely anxious to see her, to tell her what comfort she had derived from a Bible given her by Mrs. Knowles. She said she had never read so much in one before. She had been brought up a Roman Catholic, but having lived a few months in a Protestant family, she had there seen a Bible, and occasionally read in it. That upon leaving the family the lady presented her with one, which she was obliged to hide away in her bed, lest her mother should know she possessed it. It afterward disappeared and she thought one of her family must have seen her reading in it, and since then she had never been able to procure another. "When I gave her this one, her husband had spent all her wages, and she had not the means of paying for it; but now she paid me for it, and hoped I would come again soon and talk with her about it.

"I am kindly received wherever I go in my new district. There has been much sickness, especially among the children, and much care is needed. One man I visited presented a pitiable condition. When I entered his room he was far gone in consumption. A little girl was raising his head to give him drink, as the mother had gone to her work. He looked surprised to see a stranger enter his room, but I went forward and asked him if he was looking unto Jesus. He said, like many while in health, he had thought too little about those things. I read and prayed with him. Upon leaving him he shook my hand and asked me to come again, saying the Lord must have sent me. I returned soon with some nourishment, which was greedily partaken of—'It tasted so good.' He lived but little more than a week, and I visited him daily, reading and praying with him. I carried with me the little book Come to Jesus, which he loved to hear, as, 'It was so full of Jesus;' but he said he had neglected the Saviour, and how could he hope He would have mercy on him now. I told him how Christ died praying for his enemies, and that the thief on the cross looked to him and was saved, and repeated to him the hymn 'Just as I am,' etc. This seemed to encourage him, and he said he wanted to trust in the mercy of God through Christ to save him; while all who came to see him, he would urge not to delay, as he had done, coming to Jesus. He said I was the first to speak to him about the salvation of his soul, and expressed great gratitude to me, and great solicitude about his wife and children, till I told him he could surely trust One, who had done so much for him, to care for them. He finally became too weak to speak, but toward the last I saw him clasp his hands together, while he repeated, 'O blessed Jesus, save me.'

"The woman whom I mentioned in a former report as so solicitous about her children being all out of Christ, tells me she is much encouraged, as her eldest son now attends church with her, and is so changed and so much concerned about the other members of the family, she has great reason to hope for great things for all the rest.