Now that house was beautifully furnished. There were splendid pictures on the walls, and elegantly bound volumes in the library, and on the tables in the parlor; but there was not a Bible in the house. The lady felt ashamed to own that she had no Bible. So she gave the servant a shilling, and told her to go to the book store round the corner and buy a Bible. The Bible was bought and given to the gentleman. He used it during his visit, and then went home, little knowing how much good that shilling Bible was to do. When he was gone the lady at whose house he had been staying, said to herself: How strange it is that an intelligent gentleman like my friend, could not bear to go for three days without reading the Bible, while I never read it at all, and don't know what it teaches. I am curious to know what there is in this book to make it so attractive. I mean to begin and read it through." She began to read it at first out of simple curiosity. But, as she went on reading she became deeply interested in it. It showed her what a sinner she was, in living without God in the world. It led her to pray earnestly for the pardon of her sins; and the end of it was, that she became a Christian. Then she desired that her children should know and love the Saviour too. She prayed for them. She talked with them, and taught them the precious truths contained in that blessed book. And the result was that, one by one, they were all led to Jesus, and became Christians. And so that whole family were saved by means of that shilling Bible. When that gentleman asked for the use of a Bible, in the house where he was visiting, he was setting a good example. He was putting his candle on a candle-stick, and letting it shine. And the result that followed gives us a good illustration of the meaning of our Saviour's words when he said:-"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” And so, when we remember the parables that Jesus taught, among other things illustrated by them, we can think of these, the value of religion:-Christ's love for sinners-the duty of kindness;—the duty of forgiveness;—the influence of a good example. I know not how to finish this subject better than in the words of the hymn: |