The matter seemed to have blown over, when shortly afterwards the agent, who had been many years in his lordship's service, received a notice that he was wanted to meet Lord L—— at the office of his man of business on a particular day, and in a neighbouring town. The request was an unusual one, and much surmising took place among his friends as to what could be the meaning of it.
"Depend upon it," said some, who pretended to see farther than others, "his lordship, though he said nothing at the time, has taken offence at your refusal to work for him on Sunday, and, now that the business is finished, intends to give you notice of dismissal."
The day came, and the agent kept the appointment, when, to his joyful surprise, instead of giving a notice of dismissal, his lordship told him, with expressions of esteem, that he desired to show his sense of the conscientious manner in which he had so long discharged his duties, and that he had asked him to attend in order that he might settle a pension upon him.
The reader may imagine his happiness when he found all his fears at an end, and had this proof of the approbation of his conduct by a divine and an earthly master. The worthy man lived long to enjoy Lord L——'s bounty, having died at the age of 102. On the anniversary of his hundredth birthday, some of his neighbours, by whom he was much respected, entertained him at a public dinner, and gave him a Bible, accompanied with the hope that he might have to the end of his pilgrimage the guidance of Him who had guided him "a hundred years."—H. M., in Friendly Greetings.
LITTLE JOHNNIE.
Shall I vex your patience, Johnnie,
If I write again?
Would you rather I should leave you
Brooding o'er your pain?
Does your little heart grow tired
Of the outside noise?
Will you never tell your sorrows?
Must you hide your joys?
Then I'll go to Jesus, Johnnie—
Go to Him, and say—
"There's a weary child, Lord Jesus,
Needs Thy love to-day.
"Listen to his father's praying;
See his mother's tears;
Speak, oh, speak to little Johnnie!
Speak, and hush our fears.
"He was born a wretched sinner;
Does he know it, Lord?
Thou hast promises for sinners,
In Thy precious Word.
"Speak, oh, speak to little Johnnie,
That our aching hearts
May be comforted about him
When his soul departs.
"We have told him of Thy mercy,
Told him of Thy wrath;
Told him of the untold terrors
Of the second death.
"But the voice that wakes an echo
In the silent one,
And the hand that opens heaven,
Jesus, are Thine own.
"Lord, we cannot help repeating,
Speak to him to-day;
Hope, nor prayer, nor mercy cometh
To the mouldering clay.
"Now the heart and flesh are failing,
Now the need is true,
Hell beneath, and heaven above him,
Stoop, Lord, lift him through."
I have said all this to Jesus,
Johnnie dear, for you;
Tell your mother if He answers;
She is praying too.
Oh, if you but hear Him whisper,
"Guilty sinner, come!"
Break away to Jesus, Johnnie;
He will take you home.
M. A. Chaplin.
Galleywood, Chelmsford.
BIBLE ENIGMA.
A king of Israel.