she went away with the old man, and left the two friends together. "Well," said Mr. L, after a pause, "what do you think of our Lucy?" "She appears to be very young, and does not look strong; but I was thinking of the power which one individual may exert for good over those around her." "But Lucy not only teaches and encourages the poor people and the little children to love flowers," continued Mr. L-; "but tries to win them to Christ, and to make them love him. Many a simple homily have I heard her preach from the lily of the valley, or the flower of the field. Her influence is not only exerted for good-it is exerted for God, and he has deigned to bless it in more than one instance." Lucy D is neither gifted nor beautiful. Few know her even by name. It can only be said of her that she loves God, and she loves flowers. Contented and cheerful, she passes through life, making it seem all the brighter and the better for her brief sojourning. It has been well said of a kindred spirit, that, "looking to heaven as her rest, and to Christ as her Saviour, she seemed to have caught something of the calm serenity of her divine Master, some thing of his purity and love. In the world, but not of it, she was like one going cheerfully homeward, and singing as she went; while she scattered around her, in passing, holy counsels and instructions-kind words and actions-the bright sunshine of a lowly and loving spirit.” There are some who assert, that, in their isolated position, they can influence no one. But there is no such thing as a thoroughly isolated individual. No man can live or act without affecting others in some degree, and to some purpose. If they have no power to do good, it may be because they seek it not. Let them rouse their dormant energies, and do something to make others happy. It is because they walk along with their eyes on the ground, instead of looking around them to see what they can do for God and for one another. It is because they pass through the world silently, instead of singing, that others, hearing them, may be gladdened and comforted. Or it is because they have neglected to pray; for we can do nothing without prayer. Or it is because they are walking in their own strength, and trusting in their own righteousness; instead of "coming up from the wilderness, leaning on the Beloved," and making Him their all in all. CHAPTER VI. FRIENDSHIP. If aught of grace or peace be mine, She gently taught me all I know. THE Rev. Robert McCheyne, blessing God for his mercies, says: "He has taken away friends that might have been a snare-must have been a stumbling-block,-I bless him for that. He has introduced me to one Christian friend, and sealed more and more my amity with another, I bless him for that." A truly Christian friend is indeed one of the greatest blessings that can fall to our share on earth, and we may well bless God for it. How many does a lovely example win to goodness! Who has not felt, as it were, tinctured with the goodness of those with whom they have been holding pleasant and friendly communion? There are some people, we are told, who exert on others "a moral power resembling the effects of climate upon the rude and rugged marble; every roughness is by degrees smoothed off, and even the colouring becomes subdued into calm harmony with all the features of its allotted position." All excellencies, either of mind or heart, are, in some mysterious manner, actually infectious; but then, alas! so it is with evil influences. How necessary it is to ask God's blessing upon all the friendships which we form, and that he may be pleased to make us a help, and not a hindrance, one to another, as we pass through the world. The writer of this, recalling to mind a dear friend, can truly say, that since the day she first knew her, a change has come over her whole life. How many things have I not done for fear of grieving her, which were afterwards abstained from, for fear of grieving my Saviour! I used to wonder whether she would approve of my actions, long before I thought of seeking the approbation of God. She was the instrument in his hands to lead me from error into "the truth as it is in Jesus." Her lightest word had weight. Years afterwards, I learned the chief secret of her sweet and powerful influence. "Since we have known each other," said she, "I have never ceased to pray for you." One who knew McCheyne long and well, speaking of him after he had passed away, says "So much did we learn from his holy walk and conversation, that it is probable that scarcely a day goes by, in the which we have not some advantage from his friendship." Almost the last whispered words of a young Christian to one who bent, weeping, over the bed of death, were these: "Your friendship has done me good." What a happy consolation to the survivor! How different was the exclamation of another, as he passed away in the prime of youth, the victim of vice and intemperance; and turning to the companion-"the friend," as he called himself-who had led him astray, said bitterly— "Would to God that I had never known you!" Another, stricken down by fever, and hearing for the first time of the gospel of Christ, as he lay upon his dying bed, said reproachfully to one, who, in spite of his unfaithfulness, had loved him long and well-"You were my friend, and you never told me this. For years we have walked and talked together, and you never spoke to me of Jesus. And now my poor head cannot bear, cannot understand it; now it is too late!" Delirium came on, and he passed away thus. "It is an old saying, and one of fearful and |