O4 THE HISTORY OF

reading my Bible. At last, it getting dark, I
shut my book, and thought over what I had
been reading, of the great happiness which
God has promised to those who, for his sake,
give up the pleasures of the world. I remem-
bered stories which my dear Mrs. Neale had
told me of holy men and women, who, for the
sake of their God, and for the love which they
bore the Saviour who died for them, gave up
their lives, some being burnt to death by fire,
and others being killed by the sword, others
submitting to be starved, or to perish in deep
dungeons far from the pleasant light of the sun,
rather than deny their God or do any thing
which might make him angry.

Then I thought how good my God was to
me, in not requiring me to give up my life, or
to suffer cruel pain, for his sake, as these holy
martyrs had done. ‘All he asks of me,” said
I, ‘is to bear with patience a few unkind words
and harsh rebukes, and to keep myself apart
from those who would tempt me to sin.”

Then I thanked my God for dealing thus
kindly with me; for requiring so light a sacri-
fice from me, and for promising so exceeding
great reward to my poor endeavours.

My mistress did not come home; so about
nine o’clock I went to bed and slept most
sweetly, till, at break of day, I was awakened
by the crowing of the cock, and by the bleat=
ing of the sheep upon the hills.

Having earnestly prayed and besought God's
blessing upon me that day, I went down stairs
and began my work. About noon I saw mv