He can raise up the suited men BOTH SIDES. S. AFTER one of the most noted London infidels had concluded one of his infidel lectures in a village in the north of England, he challenged those present to discussion. Who should accept the challenge but an old, bent woman, in most antiquated attire, who went up to the lecturer and said: 66 Sir, I have a question to put to you." "Well, my good woman, what is it?" I am "Ten years ago," she said, "I was left a widow, with eight children utterly unprovided for, and nothing to call my own but this Bible. By its direction, and looking to God for strength, I have been enabled to feed myself and family. now tottering to the grave; but I am perfectly happy, because I look forward to a life of immortality with Jesus in heaven. That's what my religion has done for me. What has your way of thinking done for you?" "Well, my good lady," rejoined the lecturer, “I don't want to disturb your comfort; but " "Oh! that's not the question," interposed the woman; "keep to the point, sir. What has your way of thinking done for you?" The infidel endeavoured to shirk the matter again; the feeling of the meeting gave vent to uproarious applause, and the sceptic lecturer had to go away discomfited by an old Christian woman. THE ADOPTED. CHILD, Written just after the terrible Wreck, in January, at Dungeness. I AM the clergyman of the little fishing village of Cloudley. I dare say you have seen the tall square tower of my church in the distance those of you. I mean, who have taken a trip down the Channel. My parishioners are neither numerous nor wealthy, chiefly small farmers and fishermen, and little traders who supply the wants of the community. F I myself have at times to act as doctor and lawyer, in addition to my usual clerical occupation. Today has been rather a red-letter day in the calendar of the village, amongst the fish-folk in particular. This morning I united the daughter of Captain White, of the Sea Gull, which trades between here and Newcastle, in the bonds of matrimony, to a fine sailor-like young man of the next town of Whitsea. I was earnestly requested, at the close of the ceremony, to step down into the village to preside at the wedding dinner. I say dinner," because the more fashionable "breakfast" is beyond the means of the people here. 66 Captain White, as he was styled, was one of the most influential men of my parish. Besides, I liked the society of the old man; his stories were so thrilling and interesting; therefore, I felt a pleasure in accepting the invitation of the newlymarried couple. After dinner I left the young folks, and joined the old people for a quiet chat in the best parlour. Amongst other things our conversation turned upon the fierce weather of the previous week and the disaster at sea. Mrs. White and I were sitting in the shade of the great chimney, and had the corner comparatively to ourselves, so that our conversation could not be very easily heard by others. "Ah, dear me ! to think it's five and twenty years ago since that night when the Arethusa struck just off Stony Point, and all were lost but two-she that's just been married and her poor dear mother." "Why, you quite surprise me, Mrs. White. I thought the happy bride was your own daughter," I exclaimed. 66 Ah, sir, that's where you and a great many more are wrong; she's only our 'dopted child; she came 1 ashore with her poor mother, as died a week after -but it's a long story, sir, and perhaps you mightn't care to hear it," added the speaker, as she saw my inquiring glance. "I should like to hear it very much,” I returned. "Pray go on.". "Well, sir," Mrs. White continued, "I remember that night as well as if it had been yesterday. 'Twas a fierce blusterin' November day; all the morning it had been blowin' great guns, as the sayin' is, and dashing the big waves on the shore in a tremendous rage. Says my husband to me (he wasn't master of the Sea Gull then), sir, says he, 'There'll be a big storm to-night, Mary. God have pity on the poor fellows if they comes ashore on the Stony Point to-night.' 'Ay, so say I, John. What chance would a ship have there? Why them rocks would crack her up as easy as you cracks a walnut!' Night came round, and I don't think I ever saw a blacker, darker one. I don't think you could ha' seen an inch in front of you. The wind got up higher and higher, and dashed against the house as if it would blow it over; and what with the wind and the roar of the sea outside, I felt quite frightened. By-and-by in comes my husband, after his day's work. 'Mary,' says he, first words, 'keep up a good fire, make up an extra bed in the sitting-room, and just fill my flask with something hot, for there was a ship outside the bay just before it got dark, and she seemed to be driftin' in, I thought, and God knows everything's against her. Besides, Mary, get out the rockets and the ropes, in case of anything happening.' I did as John told me. In a little while everything was quite ready, and we sat down to our evening meal. We was just agoing to begin, John was askin' a blessin', when something went ba ng ! bang! John looked at me and I at him : he drank up his tea in a gulp. Get my rough coat and souwester out, whilst I get the rockets and lines. She's ashore. Poor creatures! poor creatures!' In a minute more he was gone, and I was left quite alone. I listened, but nothing could I hear but the howling of the wind and the dashing of the rain against the windows; and all I could see was but a few dancing lights along the shore, which were the lanterns of the fishermen. I sat there quite still, till, if you believe me, sir, I got quite frightened and nervous, and said to myself, 'Stay here I can't and won't. I'll wrap up well; who knows I may be able to help.' I left a bright fire and the lam burning, put the key in my pocket and started of I never was out such a night before; the wind too me right off my legs, and I thought I should have been blown over the cliff down on the beach: but I didn't feel much frightened. I suppose it was the thought of the storm on the lake of Galilee that made me quiet and peaceful like. When I got down on the shore there was a crowd of people and they was just gettin' out the lifeboat. Ah! sir, didn't I feel bad when I saw John get in it. I rushed forward and took his hand. Good-bye, old girl,' he said. If I shouldn't come back you'll know I'm gone to where the storm doesn't come. Good-bye,' and he stooped down and kissed me. couldn't speak to him for cryin', and the last thing I could see was John sittin' in the stern of the lifeboat, with his cork belt on. We mothers and wives strained our eyes after the boat, but nothing could we see of it now; the darkness shut it out from us. As to the vessel, we only knew she was on Stony Point; not a sight of her could we get. I should think we must have listened half an hour-ah, sir, that half hour seemed years. It might make us I |