without asking, To which church do you belong?-my only questions have been, What do you need? and, Can I be of any service? According to this my own rule, I measured a far more advanced Christian, that man full of faith, Martin Boos; and wrote in confidence a letter of introduction to him for my son, in 1814, the first I ever wrote to him. The event proved that I was not deceived in my hopes, which were founded entirely on the principles of the gospel. It pleased God that as my son was crossing the river Isar, the bridge broke down; he and his luggage were saved, and, after a journey of some hours, he was glad to find in the excellent Boos all the aid that friendly care could give him. The manner in which this worthy disciple of Christ acted the part of the good Samaritan I can never forget till my heart ceases to beat. He was a father and a benefactor to my son, both for body and soul. Of course, my son sent me an account of these events; and Boos himself was so obliging as to inform me of my son's arrival and departure. How could any one with a mother's heart keep silence? You will imagine that a mother would bless, and ardently esteem, the benefactor of her child, even were he a Turk or a negro.

"Thus began the correspondence between the pastor Boos and a Protestant female. It is evident that my letters were addressed entirely from my heart to his heart, under the eye of God. Born and brought up in a land of

liberty, and in a church where compulsion of conscience or examination of correspondence is entirely unknown, I had no idea that my letters would fall into any other hands than those of my fatherly friend. Hence I wrote many things which, but on this supposition, I should never have penned. But as, according to the words of Jesus, not a hair of my head falls without the will of my heavenly Father, so no letter of mine can come into any other hands than those he pleases. Therefore, I do not trouble myself. I only consider it a sacred duty most humbly to request, that, in reference to anything whatever objectionable in my letters, not the shadow of an imputation may rest upon beloved Boos, but altogether on myself. His letters to me have been always very brief,—a few short sentences; and I have given him in return, woman-like, answers spun out to a great length. I would gladly have been instructed by him, and receive light on the truths of the gospel from him. I still cherish the hope that the times are approaching when it will no more be asked, Are you of Paul? or of Apollos? but merely, Are you of Christ? when we shall all rejoice together in one common confession of faith, which is daily repeated by many members of all the three churches, I believe in one holy, Catholic, Christian church, the communion of saints,' etc. Will you charge Boos with holding erroneous sentiments on account of my private views, which I press on no one?

"Should you consider it necessary for the comfort of this man of God and his congregation, I will not write to him again as long as he is at Gallneukirch. Although his letters, so full of unction, are very edifying to me, his humility brings down my proud self-righteousness, and his confidence in the power and spirit of Christ has raised my courage in the conflict against sin, yet I will gladly make the sacrifice for his comfort; for the Spirit of Christ does not depend on man. Christ alone is perfect. Men are all frail, as Paul, John, and James themselves testify.

"Meanwhile, I believe that my views, which (according to the measure of knowledge given to such a weak individual) have been drawn from God's word, and make me cheerful, peaceful, and active in my own circle, would have injured no one, as far as I have communicated them, had they been left in my friend's desk. That they have been brought forth and examined, and thus become a subject of debate and public animadversion, is not our fault; and was, indeed, against our will. But of old, controversy has been the most powerful means of diffusing the controverted points among the people. Where, on the contrary, toleration and quiet have existed, the people have continued in their ancient faith. Boos would not have had so many followers if he had always been left alone.

"May our Lord Jesus Christ, who shed his blood for the life of the world, be pleased to

kindle faith in him, and love to him, in all hearts, that the earth may be full of his praise and glory. That his grace may be with you, is the prayer of your most humble servant,

"ANNA SCHLATTER, formerly BErnet.”

CHAPTER XVII.

Boos in confinement at Lintz.

DURING his confinement in the monastery at Lintz, Boos received much kindness from two officers who, though not pious men, were indignant at the treatment he had received, and obtained permission to visit him. But his keepers soon deprived him of this solace, and made his confinement absolutely solitary. Two young monks, however, who felt grateful to him for his spiritual instructions, earnestly desired to lighten, if possible, the pressure of his captivity. Being denied all direct personal intercourse with him, they had recourse to an ingenious contrivance which enabled him to communicate with his friends. One day Boos observed something coming down from the story above his cell. At first he could not tell what it was, but on opening his casement found it was a roasted turkey fastened to a string. He immediately guessed that it was let down by some friendly hand, and took it in. But what was his joy to find, carefully concealed in the fowl, pens, ink, and paper! He soon concluded who were his generous and ingenious benefactors.