observed that the old man's eyes were weak, told him of a very excellent eye-water, as well as of a simple method of getting rid of the cramp in the leg, by stretching out the heel; which things were not known to the old man before."

"I can fancy that I hear him now.”

"The kind-hearted gentleman then went on talking in much such words as these:'You and I, sir, who are getting up in years, should be prepared for infirmities, remembering that we have had our share of health. It is a great mercy, when flesh and heart faileth, to be able to say, 'God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever,' Psa. lxxiii. 26. It is a great mercy, when our sight is affected, to have spiritual sight to discern our own sinfulness, and God's abundant goodness and mercy. Often have I thought of poor blind Bartimeus, when the Saviour of sinners not only took away his blindness, but gave him to see and believe in the Lord of life and glory. No wonder that he followed Jesus in the way, rejoicing. It was clear enough that the old man was not accustomed to such serious conversation; but I think it did him good, for, when he got off the coach, he said to his kind fellow-traveller, 'You have dropped a word to-day, sir, that will not be forgotten to-morrow.'"

"I think he would remember his ride on the coach."

H

"Most likely he would. Now, if that gentleman acts on all occasions as he did. when I travelled with him, how much good he may do in the course of his life!

'Learn to converse, and let your heart

To holy ends be given;

In useful words and works abound,
Seek to do good to all around,

And help them on to heaven.""

In conversing, win the attention, inform the understanding, and impress the heart-The minister and his discourseValue of perseverance-The dictionary and spelling-bookDifficulties help the memory-The name cut with a chisel -The mastering of one difficulty enables us to overcome another.

"Now, Edmund, we have watched the rainbow long enough: it is time to go home; for I want to give you a simple rule how to proceed when you have learned to converse a rule that will enable you always to turn your attainment to advantage."

"I should like to know it very much; for I mean to go on practising what you have told me to do until I am able to talk, at least, with those who are younger than I am, and to do them good."

Edmund and his uncle now hastened home; and when they were comfortably seated, the uncle thus proceeded:

"The way, then, to proceed in conversation with those you wish to benefit is this: first win their attention; next inform their understanding; and then impress their hearts. I will give you the rule in three words:Allure-inform-impress."

"Well, that is very plain, and I think that I shall not forget it."

"To print it deeper on your memory, I will give it you in verse:

With modest mien and manner kind,

Act well a Christian part;

Allure the ear, inform the mind,

And then impress the heart.

Having heard the rule in both prose and verse, you are likely enough to remember it." "I shall never forget it, uncle, I do think."

"If you will consider a moment, you will see that this was the very way in which the kind-hearted gentleman of whom I told you acted. He allured the young man by his remarks on creation; next, he gave him information in pointing out the uses of the things around them; and, lastly, impressed his mind by his serious observations."

"So he did; that was exactly the way: but he went to work in a different manner with the old man."

"Yes; but the principle was the same: he allured him by kind conduct, in lending him his great coat; he informed him, by telling him something useful, which he did not know; and made an impression on his heart, by his serious comments."

66

Very true; I am glad that you pointed it out to me."

66 Some time ago, I was present when a minister of the gospel carried out the same principle in delivering his sermon. At first, he made a few striking remarks, which fixed the attention of all around him; and, in dwelling on the love of God, he brought forward the most comforting passages of holy writ. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.-Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him,' Psa. ciii. 8, 13. The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works,' Psa. cxlv. 8, 9. God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins,' 1 John iv. 8—10.

"There was such an affectionate spirit shown by the preacher, that every heart