THE VICTORY OF THE BIBLE OVER POPERY. Thus Paul, in writing to the Ephesians, says: "Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of the light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth); proving what is acceptable unto the Lord."-Eph. v. 8-10. So also Peter speaks of Christians as those whom God "hath called out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Pet. ii. 9); and John tells such, that if they would have fellowship with God, they must "walk in the light, even as he is in the light."-1 John i. 6, 7. In all these passages the usage of the terms, "light" and "darkness," is such as clearly to intimate, that the latter has reference to a state of estrangement from, and the former to a state of restoration to, the favour and image of God. Besides illustrating the language of the apostle in the verse above quoted, these passages also clearly show, that a state of darkness is that in which all men are naturally, and that a state of light is one into which they are brought by the saving power of Christian truth. With this the general testimony of Scripture accords. The universal guilt and impurity of our race in the sight of God, the consequent condemnation of all by the righteous sentence of that law which they have violated, and the redemption of the worthless and the helpless through the sacrificial death and atoning merit of the Son of God, are doctrines so fundamentally essential to the system of religious truth which the Bible unfolds, that they are interwoven with the entire texture of its sacred revelations. "The Scripture," says the apostle, "hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."-Gal. iii. 22. On all the selfdeluding flatteries by which men would persuade themselves that they are not so bad as conscience whispers, the Bible pronounces its emphatic negative-assuring us, that "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."-1 John i. 8. To every sin-burdened spirit that sighs for deliverance, it offers the sweet and hallowed assurance, that "if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, even Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."-1 John ii. 1, 2. If any ask, then, Who is prepared for death? the answer is, He that has obtained the pardon of his sins through the blood of Christ. To all others, death comes as the messenger of condemnation-the sad precursor of a sadder doom. But to those who have fled to Christ for safety who have embraced the offer of full, gracious, everlasting forgiveness, made to man by God through the work of his Son-who, having thus found peace with God, are prepared to abide the scrutiny of the judgment-day-not that they expect to appear then as persons who have not been chargeable with the deepest guilt, but that they know in whom they have believed, and are 459 persuaded that he is able to keep that which they have committed to him against that day;—to such death is stripped of all his terrors, and becomes a mere servant of their heavenly Father, whose summons is the painful, but necessary, medium of conveying them from the field of conflict and peril to the rest and the glory which await them in their Father's house. For them, Jesus "the Saviour hath abolished death." Clothed in his perfect righteousness, they stand at all times prepared to obey the summons which calls them into his presence. Knowing that though the sting of death be sin, and though the strength of sin be the law, yet God giveth to them the victory, through Christ Jesus their Lord-they are enabled, amid all the dangers and trials of this uncertain scene, to remain stedfast, immovable-always abounding in the work of the Lord. If these things be so, it becomes the duty of all who read these pages to examine themselves as to whether they are thus prepared for dying. Realizing the solemn truth, that at such an hour as they think not, the Son of Man may come, let them earnestly inquire whether they are furnished with that which alone will enable them to await his coming with composure and triumph. Have they fled to Christ for mercy? Are they resting upon his atoning grace and power alone for acceptance with God? Can they say, with the sincerity of faith and the assurance of hope: "Our life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory?"—Col. iii. 3, 4. Let them be besought not to trifle with such inquiries as these, lest, plunged amid the thick darkness of sin, the day of the Lord may come upon them unawares, bringing with it sudden destruction, from which there shall be no escape. THE VICTORY OF THE BIBLE OVER Mr and Mrs lately residing in Calais, had taken great pains to bring up their children in the strictest accordance to the Church to which they belonged. They were not of that class of Roman Catholics (which is often to be met with in France) who are guided by superstition; but were, in the strictest meaning of the term, rigid Roman Catholics. The eldest daughter, after having passed the usual routine of examination and preparation (which consisted of committing to memory a number of catechisms, and repeating numerous prayers to the Virgin, to saints, and angels), went to her first communion, to which she was admitted at an earlier age than usual, on account of her piety and devotion. As a proof of the approbation of her confessor, he each of which a prayer was to be said to the Virgin; gave her a chaplet, which consisted of beads, for and this chaplet, by an especial blessing of the Pope, was to be the means of obtaining indulgence for the souls in purgatory. Every time that these prayers were said, it gave forty days of indulgence to the soul for which it was desired; and on All-Saints'it was supposed to save a soul entirely from purgaDay, if said with fervour, after having been at mass, tory. By this means she supposed that her grand father and other relations had been delivered out of purgatory. It would have delivered herself had she so pleased, but this she left for those who came after her to do. However, "it costs more than a man can give to redeem a brother from death." The prayer to the Holy Virgin, which was repeated ten times to each head, is the following: "Holy Mary! mother of God! pray for us poor sinners, now and at the hour of death. Amen." From this time years passed rapidly on in the same manner, and the younger members of the family were brought up in the same sentiments. There was a statue of the Virgin, which belonged to the ancestors of the family, and which was given to the two daughters; and morning and evening might these two sisters have been seen addressing to it their prayers and adoration. All their pocketmoney was spent in adorning it, and all their leisure time in dressing it, &c. At the age of nineteen the eldest daughter came to England, where she was so situated as to be far from any Roman Catholic place of worship; but she had made the arrangement never to go into a Protestant church, and to fast the appointed days. She read with attention her mass-book. The friend with whom she resided laid a French Bible on her table, saying, it was there for her perusal whenever she liked; but the Bible was gently pushed away by the elbow, and remained untouched for at least six months. It would seem the servant dusted daily every other book but this Bible; and although the dust annoyed Miss very much, yet she would not wipe it off, lest it should be imagined she had read the Bible. The truth was, Miss had always heard that it was a most improper book, and she durst not open it. After some time, she agreed to accompany Miss L to the English Church, taking, at the same time, her mass-book, which she diligently read; and not being able to understand English, thought herself secure, particularly as there was no ceremony that could hurt her feelings; but for this she was severely reproved by a French priest in London, where she went to confess at Easter. One Sabbath morning Miss not being well, remained at home, and read her service as usual; after which she laid the book on the chimney-piece, where it was when Miss L-returned from church. She opened it, and the first thing that met her eye was the Litany of the Holy Virgin. She exclaimed: "O Miss is it possible you read that?" Miss replied: "Certainly.' But," added Miss L, "what sort of prayer can you address to a creature who, like yourself, had need of a Saviour? If your religion teach you thus, I wonder that your good sense does not tell you that God is the only one who can hear and answer prayer." Miss plied: "Do not say any more; you have your faith, and I have mine. I can only add, that I have the greatest confidence in the Virgin, and it is through her I ask for everything I need from God." But," said Miss L "where in the Bible do you find such an assurance Miss - replied: "Not in your Protestant Bible, but in the Bible founded on the apostles." "Then," said Miss L, with tears in her eyes, "if you can but show me such a passage in the Bible, I shall not only embrace your religion, but at once adore the Virgin." re From this time Miss read unceasingly the Bible approved of by the Archbishop of Paris, in hopes of finding the passage she wanted; but, before she had got half through, she returned to France, meaning to keep her reading the Scripture and attending the Protestant Church a profound secret from her family. The first evening after her arrival, as she and her sister were alone, the latter said: "I have been reading a book which is either very bad, or, if true, we are in the principles of the most dreadful error." ." Miss. - replied: "What book?" "It is a book translated from the English, called 'Father Clement." "But how did you procure it?" "It was an old book which was sold amongst some things belonging to an English lady." "But what is it about?" "It proves, from the Bible. that the Roman Catholic faith is not founded on the Scripture; and that the Protestant faith, on the contrary, is the pure religion founded on Jesus Christ. You, that have been for nearly a year in a Protestant country, what do you think of this be lief?" "O my sister, do not ask me! All I can say is, I have the greatest esteem for the Protestants; but let me read the book." "No," replied her sister: it has made me very unhappy; and you had better not." But Miss insisted, and they sat up all night reading it. The question now was, whether the book was really founded on Scripture or not; upon which Miss replied, that she would search for all the references in the Bible when she returned to England. Morning came, and found the two sisters exactly in the same state that they were in the night before; and, without expressing to one another their views on prayer, they each went away as far as possible from the Virgin for their morning devotion. They then gave the book to their mother, who read it, and returned it to them without making any observation; so that they durst not ask her any question on the subject. Four weeks soon passed away; and a few days before returning to England, Mrs called her eldest daughter, and asked whether she was not going to mass, and also to confess, as she had not these privileges in England. She consented; but still kept putting the day as far off as possible. Scruples of conscience now arose in the hearts of these two sisters, as to whether they ought to confess or not; knowing that their feelings with regard to praying to the Virgin had undergone a great change, and yet at the same time aware that, if they did go, they must tell all that had occurred. At last they resolved to go together, trusting that they should be enlightened. When there, they felt the only prayer they could offer was: "O God, teach us what we are to do! Shall we confess, or shall we not?" Being near the confessional, they let every one pass on before them, till they were last; and then the youngest said: "Are you going?" to which Miss replied: "No, I cannot." They returned home; and the first words Mrs— said to them were: Well, I am glad you have been together;" but they did not reply. Miss left France the next day, to return to England, and the first thing she did on arriving was to purchase a Bible for her mother and sister, entreating them to read it; and at the same time quoted all the texts that had reference to "Father Clement." It is unnecessary to give these texts here, as those who are interested in this story can, like these sisters, take this book, which has been so much blessed, and compare it with Scripture. Day after day passed on, and the Holy Spirit was doing his work in her heart. The mass-book h been replaced by the Liturgy of the Church of England; her views became more and more enligh tened on the subject of those things belonging to her everlasting peace. Having had occasion to make an engagement with a person of the greatest religious principles, combined with every grace that can adorn a Christian character, she wished, before finally taking up her residence with Miss P- again to visit her family. The first Sabbath that she and her sister were alone, the latter asked her whether she intended going to mass. She answered: "No; I suppose, however, you are going." Her sister replied, "No; THE VICTORY OF THE BIBLE OVER POPERY. I shall remain with you." A week elapsed before either of them touched on the all-important subject of religion, as they had not the courage to inquire of each other what was the state of their minds. The next was a wet Sabbath, and Miss took the occasion of asking her mother whether she were going to church. She replied: "Make your own arrangements; I shall not go." Their father then got up, and said, in a grave manner: "Times are gadly changed now. There seems not to be a heart which desires to go to church." The Priest." Begin, my child.” 461 Miss H.-"Sir, I do not come to confess." The Priest." In this case, come to my house this evening." Miss H.-"It is here that I wish to open my heart; but I again repeat I am not going to confess." The Priest.-"Yes, my child; I trust you do not doubt it?" Miss H.-"I do not know, for I have been always taught to believe that penitence and good works are the means of our salvation. If, as the Bible teaches us, the merits of our Saviour be sufficient, why are they spoken so little of, and we are left to believe that we can save ourselves?" The Priest." Very well; speak, my child." The same evening, Miss -, going to her apart- Miss H.-"You said yesterday, in your sermon, ment, naturally turned her eye to the place where which was very remarkable, that it was by the the statue of the Virgin stood, and saw that it was in merits of Jesus Christ that we are saved. Are the a neglected state, and bearing evident marks of hav-merits of our Saviour sufficient for our salvation?" ing been long untouched; then, turning to her sister, she said: "Is it after this that I am to judge of your thoughts?" She threw herself into her arms, and they wept mutually. The fire having now burned within them, they at last spoke with their tongues, and made each other acquainted with the Lord's dealings with them. Their state of mind was now truly wretched, not knowing what to do. They consulted together, whether they should ask the advice of some good priest. "But then he will say we ought not to have read the Bible, to give us such doubts." "Then let us consult some pasteur" (that i, a Protestant minister). "Ah! then he will prove that Protestantism is right." "No; let us continue to read our Bible with prayer. God has done his work hitherto, and he will carry it on." At this time they discovered that their mother also read the Bible, and was exactly in the same state of mind; only that, as she was the head of the family, the difficulties of coming to a right decision fell with double weight-feeling her responsibility in guiding her children aright. Miss had then to leave her parents and sister, hoping that more enlightened days were yet to come. She arrived at Miss P 's house in England, and continued to study the Bible with attention and prayer, and became thoroughly convinced that it ought to be her only guide. The question of importance now was: "Must I change my religion, and can I not retain my principles without making any public show?" Conscience told her she must give up all, and follow Christ;" but, at the same time, she resolved that she would not avow her principles publicly, till she obtained her father's consent. The first opportunity she had of returning home, she found her mother and sister convinced of the errors of the Roman Catholic Church; but still their hearts were not sufficiently enlightened openly to acknowledge the true faith. Her sister had occasion to hear a sermon on Good-Friday, some passages of which had so forcibly struck her, that she made the courageous resolution of going to the priest, and demanding an explanation. This priest was not the one she was accustomed to hear, but a stranger in the town. The following day she asked to see him at the confessional, at the same time not intending to confess (at least not on that day), but was resolved to find out what the priest meant by the unusual expressions he had used in his discourse, such as "being saved by Christ only," &c.; and as the confessional was a place of secrecy, it was impossible for him to find out who she was. She entered it with her veil down, and remained silent instead of beginning with the usual prayer, which consisted of the following words: "I confess to the all-powerful God, creator of heaven and earth, to the Holy Virgin, to St Peter and St Paul, to all the saints in paradise, and to you, my father, all the sins that I have committed since my last confession, which was at such and such a time." The Priest.-" You speak of the Bible, my child; do you read it ?" Miss H.-"Yes; I have read the Bible for some time." The Priest." You expose yourself to make bad applications of it. Take the catechism, and all your doubts on the means of salvation will be solved." Miss H.-" But, Sir, why should I seek the instructions of men, when I can have those of God himself?" The Priest.-"Ah! my dear child, take care; you are falling into error. It is true God has left us his instructions in the Holy Scriptures, but has, at the same time, established his Church, that it might explain them to the faithful." Miss H.-" But I never remember having found a single passage in the Scripture which says that the Bible is only written for the priests; while I have found many which plainly tell us we ought to read the Bible, and to make it our study. As my doubts are not upon this point, it is useless to enter upon any controversy on this subject. Let us return to my first question." The Priest." I must remind you that this is not the place for conversation; but if you will come to my house, I shall be very happy to help and instruct you. Watch over yourself; I fear the devil has laid a snare for you. Pray much; humble yourself. I advise you to approach the tribunal of penitence (confessional) as soon as possible. To whom do you confess generally?" Miss H.-"To no one for more than a year. I have learned that God only can forgive sin." The Priest." You see, then, one of the proofs of your presumption. You are on the border of a precipice. I am sure you are acquainted with Pro testants." Miss H.-" No; not with one." The Priest." Then you read Protestant works." Miss H.-"I have never read but one, and some little tracts. But I have nothing to do with Protestants. It is the Bible alone that has led me to see that strange things have crept into our religion, which I believed to be the true one; and, on hearing you yesterday, it seemed to me that you approach nearer the Bible than the other priest that I have heard; and this is that which led me to hope that you would explain to me the reason which the Church has in teaching what is not in the Inspired Word." The Priest.-"It is because you understand us badly, or that you understand the Scriptures badly. Our true religion is founded on them. Bring me the book that you have read, along with the tracts; return in a week, and I will answer your questions." Miss H.-"Why not now, Sir? If you believe me to be in error, why not enlighten me at once? Who knows that I may not be called to account for this error before the tribunal of my Creator ere the time you mention? and if, as I think, the error is in the Church of which I have been a member ever since I was born, I have not an instant to lose in being enlightened on this subject. Do you not hear, Sir, how I tremble? Do you not understand the agonies of doubt with which my soul is perplexed? You have just told me that I am on the border of a precipice. Will you not stretch out your hand to save me? In pity to me, I entreat you to answer me. (She cried and sobbed.) The Priest (very much moved).-" Quiet yourself, my child; yes, yes, I shall do what I can to help you; but you are too much overcome now, and I am so also. I have need of thought. Send me your books. Return to-morrow; we can converse together. Pray-pray much; it is a temptation; try to separate yourself from your ideas. Read no more what refers to it. I shall lend you some books. Come and see me often." The priest went away; Miss H-remained a little longer in the same place. At last she returned home. When in her room, she threw herself on her knees, and prayed for a long time. When she got up, she had no more doubts as to the steps she ought to take. She was convinced that a poor sinner could not enlighten her, and that God alone could give her the light she sought after. What so peculiarly struck her, was the conduct of the priest, who always avoided answering her questions; and, during all the conversation, he had shown so much sympathy and caution, that she could not help hoping that he was not far from the truth, and that the fear only of committing himself prevented him from giving his opinion. The next day she sent to the priest a parcel-the copy of Father Clement," and the tracts-along with a note, which was to this effect: "SIR,-After leaving you yesterday, I prayed much; it was to the Spirit of God I chiefly addressed myself, and it is to him alone I mean to do so from this time forward; for he alone can give light for darkness. I send you the books which you desired me to do, not that you may answer me, but hoping that it will please the Lord to bless them to you, as he has done to me." Miss H never saw the priest again, and has never entered a Roman Catholic church since. The following Sabbath the two sisters went, for the first time, to a Protestant chapel, which was Wesleyan, and the only Protestant French one in the town. The youngest was so delighted with what she heard, that she wished much to know the pasteur, and Miss equally desired it. They called on him, and had a most interesting conversation on the subject which so much occupied their thoughts at this time. The eldest said that she and her sister had the happiness of knowing that the Bible ought to be their only guide, but that their mother had still many doubts, and entreated the minister to go and see them, and help her and her daughter, Miss H- in the search after truth. This the pasteur promised to do. That evening Miss took courage to make known her sentiments to her father. He listened to her till the end without interruption, and then calmly said: "You are of age, and, by the law, you can do as you think proper." She replied: "She did not apply to the laws, but to his consent; and that one of the first commandments the Bible, which she took for her guide, taught her, was to honour and obey her parents."" After some time Mr replied: If it be the Bible and the New Testament you take for your guide, what I call the religion of Jesus Christ, that can never lead you wrong; but I put one restriction, which is, that you make no open confession in France; in England, do as you like." When he observed the looks of joy that the mother and daughters exchanged, he said, pointing to Miss the eldest: "We shall only have one Protestant in our family; the others may be readers of their Bibles; to that I have no objection." We see here how graciously God had opened his heart to listen to to what his daughter had to say, and to give his sanction to her wishes. The next day Miss returned to England, and, on arriving at Miss P——'! |¦' house, she found a letter to that person from her t father, saying, that it was not without reflection he had so quickly consented to the serious steps his daughter wished to take; but that he had seen so great a change in her of late, and had such evident proofs that it was the work of God, that he felt it would not be right in him to throw any stumbling-| block in her way. Two days afterwards Miss received a letter from him herself, which was to this effect: That he thought it his duty to remind her that, in making her confession of Protestantism, she was separating herself from her nearest and dearest friends; and that an end must be put to her engagement with Mr; that she must think seriously on the subject, that, on looking back, she might have no regrets. But Miss had weighed all this in her mind; was determined to give up all for Christ; and, by her example, to encourage the other members of her family to do so likewise. On the 20th of August 1838, she made her open profession of the Protes tant faith, by attending the communion, for which she was examined by the Rev. B. S While all this was passing in England, her mother and sister had been visited frequently by the Wes leyan pasteur, and were in the habit of attending his chapel. The Holy Spirit enlightened them more and more, and gave them courage and strength to meet every difficulty; but, notwithstanding, they had many trials to endure, many a battle to be fought, many discouragements in pursuing that way which God had pointed out to them, saying: "This is the way, walk ye in it." The report of their heresy began to spread abroad, and Mr , who had a school, was now in danger of losing all his pupils; and a friend, who had great influence over him, talked so much to him on the subject, that he persuaded him to prevent his wife and daughter from attending the Protestant chapel. To this they submitted with resignation, but felt the trial to be very great. Some time afterwards Miss -'s brother went to America; and this had such an effect on her mother's spirits that Mr hoping she would receive consolation, again permitted her to go to chapel; and some months after this, Mrs, with the full permission of her husband, made an open declaration of her faith, by receiving the communion at the Wesleyan place of worship. Mr lost every pupil, and bore the trial in a most exemplary manner. A thundering sermon was preached from the pulpit of the Cathedral by the dean, naming the eldest daughter as the instrument of the devil in losing all the souls of the family; and declaring that she was cursed, she, and all her family. After the they were compelled to leave the town, and choose fr for their residence; knowing that there they would have the privilege of hearing the Rev. their pasteur-an excellent and devoted servant of God. A short time afterwards, the hopes of the mother and daughter were realized, by the conversion of NOTES ON MADEIRA. their father and younger brother. This family was then abandoned by almost every friend and relation. This, added to Mr losing all his pupils, is the cause of their being deprived of many comforts which before they enjoyed; but their hope is in Him who said: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."-Matt. vi. 33. The eldest daughter, who has returned to France, had last year the great delight of finding herself at the communion-table, having on her right her father and mother, and on her left her sister and brother. All the family have been provided for in another town of France, where several of them are usefully employed in the work of Protestant education.— Wesleyan Methodist Magazine. A NAME. BY MRS L. H. SIGOURNEY. "Let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad."GEN. xi. 4. MAKE to thyself a name- Not with a breath of clay, Which, like the broken, hollow reed, Not with the fame that vaunts The tyrant on his throne, And hurls its stigma on the soul Make to thyself a name- Nor such as wealth can weave- Form out its letters fair That scroll within thy hands shall fade, Like him who placed it there. Make to thyself a name Not in the sculptured aisleThe marble oft betrays its trust, Like Egypt's lofty pile; But ask of Him who quelled Of death the victor-strife, To write it on the blood-bought page Of everlasting life. NOTES ON MADEIRA. BY THE REV. JAMES JULIUS WOOD. FIFTH ARTICLE. In a former paper we made some statements regarding the ignorance and immorality of the Romish priesthood in Madeira, and the moral degradation of the peasantry. As it may be asserted that we spoke under the influence of Protestant prejudices, we quote the testimony of Roman Catholics themselves 'on the subject. A Madeira newspaper says: "If the Roman Catholic religion be disappearing in this island with rapid steps, it is owing to the state of the clergy. In saying that it is disappearing, we speak the truth; for one-half of the citizens are 463 now as ignorant of that as they are, unfortunately, of all religions; and the other half seek spiritual consolation from what they consider purer sources. Why does not this happen in Great Britain, in France, and in the United States? Because there the Roman Catholic clergy rival all others in virtue and knowledge. In speaking of the clergy, we speak of them as a body; for we are acquainted with various individuals within this district (Funchal) who are deserving of the highest respect and veneration. But they have frequently, with ourselves, lamented the state of their colleagues." A Lisbon newspaper contained the following: "In the spring of 1841, an English physician, named Kalley, made his appearance in Madeira, for the recovery of his health. For some time, he was no more known than other foreigners who yearly resort thither. Little by little, however, by conferring benefits on the people, curing their diseases, and supplying them with medicines gratis, he became an object of general attention, and so ingratiated himself with them, as to obtain the name of Protector of the People, and Father of the Unhappy. Confiding in his influence over their minds, he held meetings in his house, at which he explained the Scriptures. The multitude rapidly increased, and he urged his false creed upon them, till Protestantism had taken such deep root in their hearts, that this ignorant class actually began to discuss the subject of religion, and gave the preference to that of their benefactor, over the faith which had been tested by their forefathers; and derided, and held up to scorn, the worship of images. Whence arises all this? We blush to be obliged to confess that it is because the ministers of the Christian religion have sunk among us to the lowest point of demoralization. As a class so respectable, who ought to preserve the dogmas of immortality, to be the connecting link in the great chain of faith and virtue, ... they are among us ignorant and degraded. Far, far from opening the Bible, and shedding around them the blessings of light and holiness, the key of which Providence has placed in their hands; far from adorning the doctrine of salvation by the example of their life, or by passing their time at the altar, or in teaching the lips of infancy to lisp the catechism, the clergy of our days selfishly look but to their own transitory interests-mix eagerly in all the business and transactions of human life, and forget that religion . . . . . stands infinitely above the petty pursuits by which they degrade themselves." Such was the state of religion among the Portuguese in Madeira, when Dr Kalley came to the island in 1838. He had settled as a medical man in Kilmarnock in 1832. In early life he was an Infidel. When brought, by the grace of God, to the knowledge of the truth, he very deeply felt his obligations to redeeming love. He bethought him in what way he could best serve the Lord, who had |