gether between sermons, and sometimes they entered a little into conversation on what they had heard. By degrees they became more intimate, and at length met each other with pleasure and kindness. They, however, met only on the Sabbath; for though they walked home together, and her friend passed Jessy's house to reach her own, Jessy never liked to ask her in, for she was ashamed of what she must have seen. This continued till about the time Jessy left the SabbathSchool. Amongst many other things the master had said to her, he had particularly spoken on the nature and intention of the Lord's Supper. About this time, that ordinance was to be administered in the church where Jessy attended. The pew in which she usually sat, was one of those which was removed during the service; she and her friend were therefore obliged to find seats elsewhere. On this occasion the church was very crowded, and after Jessy had with difficulty got a place, she observed that her friend, Mary Scott, could find no seat, and was standing near where she sat. She beckoned to her, and they continued to sit and stand by turns, during the early part of the service. When the people began to move forward to the tables, Jessy knew she must not remain where she was then standing, and reluctantly turned to leave the church for a time, and Mary immediately followed her.

"O Jessy' said Mary, when they had got out

of church, did not you feel it hard to be obliged to come away just when Mr.

to serve the table?'

came down

'Yes,' replied Jessy, but I just thought as I came out, well, I trust this is the last time I shall be obliged to stay away.'

'What, Jessy, do you think of joining so soon?

It is well with you if you dare venture.'

6

Dare, Mary?' repeated Jessy.

'Does not our Lord himself command us to do this, in remembrance of him?" I think it is more daring. to stay away, after he has given us so plain a command.'

But then, Jessy, the command was given to the true disciples of Christ. I am sure, when Mr. was fencing the tables to-day, I thought within myself, Will any one dare to approach?'

That is so strange,' replied Jessy, for it was just when he was fencing the tables, that I thought he was describing, as it were, exactly what the Lord had done for my soul. Do you not remember, Mary, when he spoke of those who were invited to partake of the Lord's Supper, he said, that Christ was all their hopethat to them he was precious,'-that to his death alone they looked, as a propitiation for their sins? They did not suppose that their own repentance, or tears, or mourning, could wash away their sins, but they believed that his precious blood would wash them away. They

therefore had come to him, and continued to come to him, that, through the cleansing virtue of that blood, they might have forgiveness, and have their guilt removed, and the fear of God's displeasure taken away. That they ardently desired to be holy, but knew that they could not make themselves so; and therefore, also, Christ was most precious to them, because of his fulness they must receive grace, and life, and strength. Thus, in every sense, Christ was, to the believing soul, altogether precious.' And do you not recollect what Mr. said after

6

that, Mary? If any of you that hear me, can say, that to you Christ is indeed 'precious,'— that you trust in him, and him only, for salvation, that you rest satisfied in the belief, that his blood cleanseth from all sin,—and that you have trusted, and are still trusting in its power to wash away your guilt, and to reconcile you to God, if the death of Christ is in this way the only hope and support of your souls, then you have by faith already partaken of the reality. Come, then, and partake of the symbols appointed by the Lord to confirm your faith, and bring even before your eyes, and into your hearts, the memorials of his dying love.' Cannot you say from your inmost heart, Mary, that to you Christ is precious?"

'Yes, Jessy,—at least at times I trust I can, -but you have remembered the last part of

what Mr. began ?'

said. Do

you

remember how he

'Yes,' replied Jessy; but he was then addressing those who thought they were worthy communicants, while their hearts were set on this world; and who desired to be saved by Christ from hell, but valued him not as a Saviour from sin.' 'Oh!' added Mary, who was of a melancholy and timid disposition, it was awful what he said of their state !'

Yes,' replied Jessy, but I am sure, Mary, you desire to be saved from the power of sin.' 'I think I can appeal to the Searcher of Hearts, that I do,' answered Mary.

Why, then, apply those alarming passages to yourself, Mary?'

'I fear deceiving myself, Jessy. You know our hearts are deceitful above all things.'

6

But you know,' said Jessy, we would have to speak to Mr. — before we joined, and he would examine us, and assist us to examine ourselves.'

Mary shook her head, but made no answer, and they then returned into church.

After this, Jessy and Mary had many conversations on the subject of the Lord's Supper; and a few weeks before it was again administered in their church, Jessy had prevailed on her friend to go with her to their minister, and ask to be admitted. He appointed them to come to him

for several succeeding times, conversed and prayed with them, and then encouraged them by his assurances, that he trusted they were indeed lambs of Christ's fold, who ought to join his people in obeying his last command.

After this solemn, but joyful period, Jessy and Mary were more than ever united to each other. Jessy found that Mary's parents were Highlanders, and went regularly to the Gaelic Chapel. Mary, who had come to Edinburgh when a child, to reside with an aunt, did not understand Gaelic, and had chosen to attend the same church with Jessy, for the same reason,-her preference of the minister. Mary, who was too delicate to go to service, assisted in maintaining herself by taking in work.

About a year after this period, Jessy took a very severe cold, and finding it scarcely possible to get work done properly in her mother's dark and confused house, she went out too soon to work at the shop. She thus got additional cold, and became so ill, that she was confined to bed, and obliged to send for her kind doctor. He came immediately, and attended regularly till Jessy was again able to go out. He desired her to take great care of herself, This, however was not easy. It was now winter, and after the short day closed in, the door of Mrs. Grey's house was constantly open, and Jessy felt the cold air in a way she had never

and avoid cold.