it productive of real and it is hoped permanent good.

All knowledge of music, vocal and instrumental, ought to be encouraged as much as possible by those who have the welfare of the people at heart, as one of the greatest means of promoting a good tone amongst them.

One great advantage of ladies and others taking an interest in training choirs, glee classes, &c., arises from the opportunity it gives of bringing the various grades of society together and cultivating a more friendly feeling. The great gulf separating class and class should be bridged over as much as possible by kindly words and ready sympathy. Each would gain much by such contact, The working classes would learn culture and refinement, while the more educated would learn many a lesson of brave endurance, patient hope, firm courage, and simple faith, from those of whom they had hitherto known so little.

CHAPTER VI.

THE SECOND WINTER.

FOR all we love, the poor, the sad,
The sinful, unto Thee we call;
O in Thy mercy make us glad :

Thou art our Saviour and our all.

None are sooner i-saved, nor sadder of conscience,
Than poor people as ploughmen, pastors of beasts.
Souters and shepherds, and such simple folk,
Pierce with a Paternoster the palace of heaven.

Langland.

At the beginning of the second winter our work recommenced. The harvest was "safely gathered in," the long light evenings had given place to shorter hours of daylight and fewer hours of work, and a wish was expressed on all sides that our meetings might begin again. I had at first some misgivings as to whether the attendance during the coming winter would be as good as

during the preceding one, but my fears were soon proved to be groundless, by the largely increased number who came to join us.

Several men from the villages round used to attend regularly week after week, walking long distances after their day's work was over, and feeling that the help and refreshment they gained from intercourse with other earnest men more than compensated for the fatigue they had undergone.

"When I see those men coming in," remarked one of the men to me, "and when I think of how they come such a distance, of dark nights and in all kinds of weather, it just reminds me of the wise men from the East. They came ever so far to seek Jesus, and thought nothing of it all if only they found Him at last. And so these come for to seek Him, too; and I make no doubt but they'll find Him."

One of the men I refer to had for many years led a careless life, never thinking of God or of the hereafter. During the previous summer he had been attracted by an open-air preacher, whose words had sunk deeply into his heart and caused him by degrees to long

to lead a wholly different life. His earnestness was very remarkable. He renounced his former manner of life and became a changed character, both in his own home and amongst those with whom he daily worked. He had many temptations to undergo, as well as constant persecution; but he persevered bravely unto the end, and the end was not far off.

One encouraging feature of our second winter's work was the little quiet meeting for prayer, which, at the request of many of the men, was held when the greater number had left. Sometimes only two or three would remain for it, sometimes many more; but I felt that the earnest prayers then offered could not fail to bring a blessing on our work. Prayers for help during persecution and ridicule, that they might not fall away from God or dishonour Him. Intercessions for relations and friends living godless lives, that they might be brought to know and love God. Earnest entreaties for growth in holiness, and for "a closer walk with God," as well as for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon us, the Church, and upon all God's ministers. When the prayers were ended we generally

upon

sang a hymn, and then had a little conversation together over some subject of spiritual interest. At such times one obtained a deeper insight into their minds and their views on many subjects. They would ask me about some difficulty or passage in the Bible which they could not easily understand; or relate some incident or anecdote which they had met with to interest me, bearing on the subject. These were moments, too, in which to encourage those who were trying to lead a better life, and many an earnest, manly word of help on the heavenward way have I heard spoken.

"It's hard work for you, I know," one would say to another; "but you see I've been through it before, and I do know the strength God gives to them that trust Him. Never you be afeard; but just keep on right, and you'll win at last."

These little meetings were, we hope, of great use in deepening the spiritual life of the more earnest-minded men, making them feel that they were banded together to live for God, and that they must strive not to fall away from the standard they were endea