The boy did not reply, but held down his head and looked quite ashamed.
Mr. W. I suppose you forgot to bring your Testament; I am going further, and will lend you mine till I return; here it is.
The boy looked still more ashamed, but did not say a word.
Mr. W. Why do not you take it? I am afraid you do not know how to read; is that the case?
Boy. Nobody ever taught me, Sir; and I cannot teach myself.
Mr. W. Poor boy; then you never read the holy word of God. I am very sorry for you: it is the best of books, and by attending to what it tells us, even a child may learn how to become wise and happy.
Boy. Indeed, Sir, I wish I could read, for I am quite tired of having nothing to do while I mind the sheep.
Mr. W. I do not wonder at this; you would not only pass your time more pleasantly if you read the Bible, but you would also learn about our Lord Jesus Christ, and how he died for sinners; the Bible teaches us to love him, and to seek to do his will.
Mr. Williams then advised the boy to ask his master’s leave that he might go to the Sunday School; and said, that when the long winter evenings came, he might get one of his companions to help him, and he would very soon learn to read.
This kind gentleman then walked on till he came to a cottage where a weaver lived, to whom he wished to speak respecting some work.