98 MARTIN RATTLER.

gold! He found that he did not require to work for |
salvation, but to ask for it. He discovered that the
atonement had been made once for all by Jesus Christ,
the Lamb of God; and he read with a thrilling heart
these words: ‘God so loved the world, that he gave
his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but have everlasting life’

“Long and earnestly did the padre ponder these
words and pray over them; and gradually the Holy
Spirit enlightened his mind, and he saw how hateful
that system was which could forbid or discourage the
reading of the blessed Word of God. He soon re-
solved to forsake the priesthood. But when he had
done so, he knew not what to turn his hand to. He
had no one like-minded to consult with, and he felt
that it was wrong to eat the bread of idleness. Be-
ing thus uncertain what to do, he resolved in the
meantime to carry goods into the interior of the
country and offer them for sale. The land round his
dwelling and his own gun would supply him with
food; and for the rest, he would spend his time in
the study of the Bible, and seek for more light and
direction from God.

“Such,” continued the hermit, “is a slight sketch
of the history of my country and of myself.”

“ Yourself!” exclaimed Martin.