Mrs. Western heard what her little girl had to say, but did not give just the answer that Louisa expected.  “You are right,” she said, “in supposing that it does not signify whether you read in an old Bible or a new one.  It is from the divine blessing upon what we read, and not from the book itself, that we must look for benefit to our souls.  If you pray for this blessing with all your heart, you will find the way of salvation as plainly declared in the worn-out school-room Bible as in your aunt Harding’s keepsake, with its purple binding and shining gilt leaves.  But yet I approve of Emma’s wish to use her new Bible from this time, and advise you to follow her example.  For though it ought to be our great delight to read the Scriptures, yet we have such sinful hearts, so ready to put off doing what is right for any poor excuse, that even such a little thing as having to look for the Bible, when it happens to be mislaid, will be likely to prevent you from reading it so constantly as you intend.”

To this Louisa made no reply.  She had wrapped up her beautiful book in silver paper, and laid it carefully in a box, under lock and key, and she did not mean to disturb it, except perhaps now and then for a few moments, that it might be looked at and admired.  As for Emma, she went on fitting the brown silk cover as neatly as she could; and hoping that, if she prayed for the divine blessing, as her mother and aunt had told her, she might learn from her precious Bible the way to be good and happy.

CHAPTER IV.

TWO CHARACTERS.

It is time that I should tell you the age of these two little girls.  Louisa was just turned of ten, and Emma was one year younger.  I have no doubt that although you know so little about them, you already like Emma better than her sister; and the reason of this is plain.  No one could be long with Louisa without finding out that she was a selfish child; while Emma, though she had many faults, of which carelessness was the chief, was of a kind, good-natured disposition, always ready to oblige.  Louisa, too, was often willful, and would not give up her own way; while Emma was humble-minded, knowing that she had much to learn, and thankful to be taught.  Both of these children were sinners, like all who are born into this sinful world:  but Louisa cared little about the concerns of her soul; while Emma had begun to pray in secret for pardon through Christ her Saviour, and for the new heart which is the gift of his Holy Spirit.

Reader, you too are a sinner, and by nature far from God.  Do you ever consider what is your present state?  Have you been brought near to him by the blood of Christ, the new and living way?  You may have heard of these things before, but without giving heed to the salvation of your own soul, or seeking to prepare for the world to come.  If this has been the case, pause now, and ask yourself whither